The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

NEWTOWN'S CIVIC CHIEFTAINS. We congratulate Mr John Humphreys on his accession to the chairmanship of the Newtown Urban District Council. He is not by any means a stranger to the highest civic honour. He has fought many a battle in the local senate, and has usually ranged himself on the side of progress. He is a man with a thoroughly comprehensive grasp of public business; in fact, no one knows the ropes better. Mr Humphreys must not forget that the dominant issue now is the redistribution question, and we are looking to him to push forward this crying reform, which has been initiated by his predecessor. No matter what the political bearings may be, the equity of the demand for re-arranged wards is the first and, we may say, the only consideration. The present electoral anoma- lies must not survive another twelvemonth. We should have liked a declaration to this effect from Mr Humphreys when he took over the chair, but we confidently anticipate a furtherance of that scheme from the present Chairman. Mr W. H. Evans, of Tynyreithin, takes the vice-chair. He is the John Bright of the Council, and will undoubtedly grace the position.

AN OVERLOADED OFFICIAL The proposal to appoint an assistant coun- ty road surveyor has been lost. We do not much regret the fact, apart from the con- sideration that multiplication of offices re- presents a permanent increase of establish- ment expenditure. While nobody doubts that Mr Hutchins is hopelessly over-loaded with work, there is a general concensus of opinion that the over-loading is resultant of imposing upon him duties that ought to have a separate performance. To ask him to undertake the supervision of something like a hundred schools, many of which re- quired drastic structural alterations, to- gether with the erection of a number of new schools, was to render impossible the effi- cient discharge of his duties as surveyor. It is remarkable how he managed to act, in both capacities with so little grumbling. But there has been grumbling, because it was inevitable, and it is due to this un- reasonable over-loading. Relieve the Sur- veyor from the architectural responsibility for the schools, and he will be able to give ample attention to the county roads, which need his undivided interest-greater atten- tion than ever now that the clerical work of his department has been specially pro- vided for.

NEWTOWN AND ITS SLAUGHTER- HOUSES. The letter which the Local Government Board has addressed to Newtown Urban Council anent their licensing of a slaughter- house in Ladywell-street, can surprise but few people, and fewer still will regret its pronouncement. Sensibly recognising the situation of this shambles as objectionable, and having regard to the fact that the Coun- cil on a previous occasion declined to li- cense these very premises for precisely the same reasons as are urged against them now, the Council regrets that the license has been granted without consultation with the Medical Officer of Health. To be fair with the Council, this action was not so deliberate as it may seem. The Medical Officer was certainly invited to an official inspection of the premises, but could not conveniently attend. What the Council ought to have done was to have either post- poned their decision to license or submitted it for his approval. They well knew his. strong opposition to slaughter-houses in congested parts of the town, yet they added this one to the number, in face also of the known objection by people resident in the Ladywell quarter. Their decision was neither wise from a sanitary point of view nor respectful of opinion which claimed the utmost respect. But if, as appears not un- likely, it results in the compulsory pro- vision of a public abattoir, it will have proved a blessing in disguise.

h COVERED WITH GLORY." The Record of Newtown Parish Wardens. Changes in View. The Easter Vestry of Newtown Parish Church was held on Friday night, when the Rector (Rev Canon Williams) presided over a good attendance of parishioners. At the outset the Chairman proposed a vote of sympathy with Mr and Mrs Barrington, who were passing through a severe ordeal during the illness of their daughter, who at that time was in a most critical condition, and he knew that all their prayers would be for the recovery of Miss Barrington. The People's Warden (Mr C. W. Norton) seconded, and the vote of sympathy was carried, all standing Mr Norton then proceeded. to give an ac- count of his stewardship. It was 25 years since he had attended a Vestry meeting, and the last he attended was of a very war- like character, and there had. been a fierce duel between two church members, one of whom had passed away and the other was present that evening. They had now a fair chance of going for the Rector or the churchwardens, and if they did take the opportunity, they would find that the Rec- tor and churchwardens would fight with their backs to the wall. Let them have their say now, or for ever hold their peace (laughter). Personally speaking, the year had been a very pleasant one, and this had been brought about by the co-operation of the Rector, the curates, and the sidesmen, who had been so punctual in their attend- ance. They were also grateful to the or- ganist and the choir, who had to sing under difficulties. They had also to thank the bellringers for their gratuitous services. They were further grateful to the Ladies' Guild for keeping in decent order the chan- cel and a part of the church, and for the sale of work which they had organised in the summer. The Men's Guild had also come to their help by lending them their American organ. Thanks were also due to the sexton and verger, who had carried out their orders and wishes. As to the collec- tions, they had only had 51 Sundays in the year, as against 55 in the previous year, and they had received about E25 less. From the late churchwardens they had a balance in hand of 5s 8d, and during the year the offertories amounted to E222 4s 2d, and Rftpr navincr On fA tho mironv fnn/1 I —~ Xr *7 uu flit; vuiuvj i uiiu there would be a balance to the church- | wardens of £ 1 9s 5d. During the year they ) had completely re-trapped all the drains, which in the past had been a bugbear. He could not sit down without publicly thank- ing all those who had subscribed so hand- somely to the restoration fund. The total of that fund was now about E450 or £ 460. They would, however, have to make a fur- ther appeal, and he did not think they would make it in vain, for his colleague- Mr Guest-and himself had pledged them- selves to see that the organ fund would be realised. Newtown in the past had been noted for fine musical services in the church, and he hoped with a reconstructed organ that they might have them in the future. He was afraid they would not be able to patch up the boiler again for the coming winter, and that he very much re- gretted. ONLY 7iD. BEHIND. The Chairman remarked that as E460 had been got out of a parish it stood to reason that there was not so much left behind for contributions. Still he was pleased to find that the average Sunday collection was only 7id behind what it was during the previous y £ ?r' so,he thought they had done remark- ably well (applause). He was sorry to say that m the forthcoming year the church- wardens would be equally unfortunate, for they would only have 50 Sundays, while in the next year there would be 54 Sundays. adopterdP°Sed that the balance"sheet be ,r. Bennett-Lloyd seconded, remarking that in collecting such a large sum of money the churchwardens had covered themselves with glory. rir!10 hala.nce"sheet was adopted nem con. The Chairman said that Mr Norton had rather upset his agenda by thanking various church officers, though there were some whom-not purposeful-he had forgotten. Some of the chief workers were the Sunday School teachers, and it would be very hard if they were to forget them. Thanks, too, ere due to those who had been decorating we church and supplying flowers, and they had quite forgotten their oldest church- wnrker-Mr Bennett Rowlands. Mr Norton: I haven't forgotten him T hELT,e Sot him down (laughter) r^Tan ^Vas very £ Iad to hear that Rowlands weathered a verv him 1auSro.e5ti.,and they were t0 fl-d nl^ure ?n bIe again' He had g^eat pleasure in calling upon Mr Guest. MR. HUDSON PHILLIPS' HELP. Mr Guest had just risen, and delivered an opening sentence, when a commotion was caused by the entry of four gentlemen newly arrived from the Urban Council meeting-Messrs Samuel Powell, T. A. Forster, S. H. Jarvis, and W. F.Pryce. After these gentlemen had been found seat- ing accommodation, Mr Guest said that it was quite true that he did take an immense interest in the organ. He was pleased to inform them that they had every hope of holding their re-opening services during the last week in June. They had committed themselves in the matter of the organ to very heavy expenditure, to a sum running between £ 400 and £500, the bulk of which had yet to be provided. They were still hopeful of getting a sum from Mr Carnegie, and what had encouraged that hope was the fact that he had kept all the papers they had sent to him. They were confident that the congregation would not fail them, and that they would wipe off the debt. They wanted to make the re-opening services wor- thy of the occasion, and for that purpose had engaged Mr Coleman, of Lichfield Cathedral, as conductor and soloist, and they were also in negotiation with Mr Moody, of Ripon Cathedral, whom he could tell them from personal knowledge was one of the most finished of church organists in the kingdom. They were having new music, and would be helped by the All Saint's and Llanllwchaiarn Church choirs (applause). They could not expect their organist to throw the energy into the practices or give the number of practices that would be re- quired, so they had to find someone to do the training before the arrival of Mr Cole- man. They would be pleased to hear that Mr Hudson Phillips had consented to un- dertake that thankless task. When Mr Coleman arrived all the donkey work would have been done by him, and they would therefore owe Mr Hudson Phillips a still greater debt of gratitude for the services he was rendering them, and he had said that he would do the donkey work purely out of love for the church of which he was a mem- ber. If the choir would only attend the rehearsals they would have opening ser- vices of which they would be proud. He thought they were indebted to the choir for their attendance on Sundays, but he found the practices were not attended, and the weekly rehearsals very seldom saw a man present. When asked, all the members gave him practically the same reply—" it was no good attending, nothing new, nothing to learn, the same old round over and over again." This all pointed to the necessity of their making some fresh arrangements for at least providing services in the church equal to those which they had had ten or eleven years ago, and worthy of the praise of God. He hoped that before they parted someone would propose a vote of thanks to Mr Hudson Phillips, as no one more capable of training the choir than he could be found, and that was the only way of recognising his services. The Chairman said he was grateful above everything for the good work which the churchwardens had done. He had been particularly well pleased to see the wardens working so well together, eye to eye and hand in hand. Like Wren's -monument in St. Paul's, they had only to look around to see their monument, which would be in that church for many and many a year. He had very great pleasure in nominating Mr Guest as rector's warden for the coming year (ap- plause). Mr Bennett Rowlands proposed that Mr Clement Norton be the people's warden. Mr Forster seconded, and Mr James sup- ported, and it was carried with acclamation. Mr Guest, in returning thanks, said that he had only accepted nomination from the Rector provided that Mr Norton became been a policy of separate, but of conjoint work. Mr Norton also returned thanks. "ARCHBISHOP" BENNETT ROWLANDS. Mr Bennett Rowlands then read the bal- ance-sheet of the Old Church Mission-room, and explained that after starting with an adverse balance of 8s 2d, they had now 2s 5d on the right side (loud applause). He had also undertaken to look after the Old Church- yard, but in this case the year had wound up with a balance of 14s 3id to the bad. The Chairman, in a vote oh: thanks to their veteran churchman, Mr Bennett Row- lands, said that Mr Rowlands was in his mission church like the Dean of Westmin- ster. He was not subject to any power above, so they might call him archbishop for the time being,—(applause)—and they were all very pleased with the good work he had been carrying out in the place. The Chairman nominated the following sidesmen :-Messrs Fred Bennett-Lloyd, Havard Morgan, Llewelyn Edwards, J. Higginson Jones, John Williams (Nantoer), and J. Brock. The following were the people's sidesmen cl-iosen --Messrs J. Wall, C. Edwards, J. Croft Lewis, W. Hinchcliffe, Harry Jones, and Evan Humphreys (Cilhaul). The Chairman proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the auditors (Messrs Bennett Rowlands and Son) for the way in which they had looked after the churchwardens. Mr James seconded, and Mr Rowlands replied. Mr Aubrey Benbow proposed, and Mr James seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Hudson Phillips. The Chairman said he was afraid at one time that he would never hear a fine ser- vice in the church again. Now he saw every prospect of one, and Mr Hudson Phillips would be the man to bring it about. The Rector was thanked for presiding, and this brought a most pacific meeting to a close.

Montgomeryshire Cup Final. LLANIDLOES v. MONTGOMERY. Tremendous excitement was manifest in Newtown on Saturday on the meeting of Montgomery and Llanidloes football elevens for the Montgomeryshire Cup final on the Eecreation ground. Train loads of adherents of both clubs had been unshipped, and around the ropes were grouped a most animated crowd. Llanidloes, were hot fa- vourites, and Montgomery had the merest sporting chance, but the unexpected hap- pened, and the Idloesians were compelled to retire a beaten team. Montgomery won the toss, and kicked off with a strong wind, but for a quarter of an hour the Llani boys were all over them. Time after time the smiling custodian from the County town was called upon to clear, and he was never at fault. The game became more even, first one side and then the other making danger- ous sallies. It was a splendid game to wit- ness, and the comments and advice from the touchline were in themselves worth double the entrance fee. Thus the game continued till half timp. with no '0' Montgomery had to face the wind now but the rain came. This made the bal] greasy and heavy, and quite upset the Id. loesian's long passing game, which was so pretty to watch. The superior physique of the Montgomery men began to tell; they made determined rushes up the field with the ball at their feet, and in one of these rushes they swept all before them, and from the foot of Williams the ball found its way into the net. But the match was not fin- ished. The stalwats from the first town on the Severn who were round the touchline exhorted their comrades at the top of their ungs. Nothing more, however, happened to the score, and a really first-class game ended in Montgomery lifting the cup by a margin of one goal. Th Montgomery team had a triumphal re- ception upon their arrival in the County town. The brake which conveyed them was met in Prince's-street, and a torchlight pro- cession formed through Broad-street to the Dragon Hotel, the club's headquarters, where a large crowd of enthusiasts awaited them. Felicitous speeches were made by Alderman A. Vaughan (deputy mayor), and the Town Clerk (Mr C. S. Pryce), and others. The cup was filled with cham- pagne, and the team toasted with acclama- tion.

Second-licut. E. W. Lloyd Jones, 7th R.F., has qualified for Certificate A., Appendix 4 Territorial F-ree Regulations, 1808. Colour-Sergt' Instructor W. O'Neill, of the permanent staff of the samp hattali< n, is permitted to remain in the battalion beyond twenty-one years.

MAYOR MAKING AT NEWTOWN. Councillor Parry Calls it "Hypocrisy." Some Amusing Incidents At the annual meeting of the Urban District Council of Newtown on Friday night, there was a full dress assembly of the councillors, as Mr tdward Jones used to say—" Fifteen men good and true." The retiring Chairman, Mr A. S. Cooke, occupied the chair, and around him the links in the civic chain were as follows:— The Vice-Chairman (Mr John Humphreys), Messrs T. A. Forster, Alfred Ford, G. H. Ellison, Samuel Powell, S. H. Jarvis, W. F. Pryce, David Jones, Richard George, John Parry, W. H. Evans, R. H. Bennett, R. Barnes, J. H. Jones, the Assistant Clerk (Mr Turner), and the Clerk (Mr Martin Woosnam), who was on the left-hand side of the Chairman. The rate collector (Mr D. M. Woolley) occupied a seat at the press table. The three councillors who were re-elected in March without opposition, i.e., Messrs Ellison, John Humphreys, and David Jones, each signed a declaration accepting office on the Council. Mr J. H. Jones also signed a similar declaration, as no candidate was nominated for the Newtown Ward, and therefore as retiring councillor he was deemed to be re-elected. The Chairman then rose and said that the next point was the election of the chairman. It was suggested at the last meeting that they should take a kind of ballot, but it should not be recorded in the minutes. Mr Evans: I move that it be taken by ballot. Mr Parry: If we adopt a proper course, should not we take an open vote ? The Chairman: Yes, Mr Parry, that will have to be done in the end. Mr Parry: Then why do it twice over ? It is only, really, hypocrisy. The Clerk: You can't legally do it by ballot. Mr George: I second Mr Evans' propo- sition. The Chairman: The Clerk will not record this. The motion was then carried ILLEGAL VOTING. The. Chairman: You are asked to record your vote for the gentlemen whom you think best fitted to occupy the chair for the ensuing year. Papers were then handed round for the balloting, with the result that eight votes were recorded for Mr Humphreys, four for Mr Powell, while two blank forms were re- turned. The Chairman: I have pleasure in pro- posing that our Vice-Chairman be chairman for the forthcoming year. Mr J. H. Jones: I second that. The Chairman: Carried unanimously. Mr Jarvis: I think that rather was car- ried nemine contradidente. Mr George: Will you kindly put that into English. Mr John Humphreys: I can only say that I am extremely obliged for the honour you have conferred on me I shall do all in my power to'give you satisfaction, and I hope we shall have a very satisfactory year. Ballot sheets were then handed round for the election of vice-chairman, and the first round resulted as follows:—W. H. Evans, 7; S. Powell, 2; S. H. Jarvis, 3; John Parry, 1; G. H. Ellison, 1; T. A. Forster, 1. Mr Cooke: I propose that those with only one vote be struck off, and the voting be for Mr Evans, Mr Jarvis, and Mr Powell. Mr Powell: I .withdraw my name, Mr Chairman. Mr Ellison: It is only waste of time. The thing has alj been settled beforehand. "0 COORED UP." Mr Parry: Oh, the "thing is all cooked up. I hope the gentleman who voted for me will vote for Mr Jarvis next time. A second round of voting resulted in Mr Evans securing eight votes, Mr Jarvis six and Mr Powell one. Mr Jarvis: It is with very much pleas- ure that I propose Mr Evans for the vice- chair. Mr Barnes: I rise with great pleasure to second it, The vote having been put, the Chairman said he had great pleasure in declaring Mr Evans elected. Mr Evans: I thank you sincerely for honouring me with the vice-chair this even- ing. There is only one reason why I ac- cept it, and that is because I am a repre- sentative of the outer district, and in the past we have not received due recognition in the honours list. If my memory serves me rightly, there has only been one gentle- man from the outer district who ever occu- pied the chair-the late Mr Edward Davies, of Penygelly-and only one the vice-chair, and that was the late Mr Richard Lewis. We really ought to have a chairman. I really hope that during the coming year I shall never have the pleasure of occupy- ing the chair, but if I have that pleasure I know you will give me all the help and assistance which you can, otherwise I can- not do it justice. 0, Mr Parry: I am glad that Mr Evans is getting more affectionate towards the outer district than he was twelve months ago. I don't— The Chairman: I am afraid, Mr Parry, that I can't allow you to make a speech now. LET'S TALK OF GRAVES. The Council then proceeded to elect its committees. All went merrily until it came to the Cemetery Committee, when The Chairman said that with regard to this comiliittee there had been some little unpleasantness, and he believed that Mr Ford and Mr Forster felt very keenly in the matter.—(Mr Forster: Hear, hear.)—If that was so he felt sorry for it. He would pro- pose that the committee contain Messrs Evans, Barnes, George, and J. H. Jones. Mr Forster: As an amendment, I pro- pose that Messrs Ellison, Powell, Jarvis and George be the committee. Mr Ellison: I beg to decline. Mr Forster: Let's see, who did I men- tion? (laughter). I propose Mr John Parry in place of Mr Ellison. Mr Ford: I propose Mr Barnes. Mr Pryce: Mr Chairman, I prefer not being on that committee. Mr Powell: I beg to withdraw my name. Mr Ellison: I beg to second the amend- ment. Mr Ford: Is it not usual to have a mem- ber from the outside ward ? The Clerk: Mr Jones is from the outside worrf Mr Forster: Well, as Mr Powell is out- and I am very sorry he is—I propose Mi J. H. Jones. The Chairman: That is my man; you can t propose him, too. Mr Jarvis: I propose that the names be taken seriatim. Mr Powell: I'll second that. Ultimately the Council came out of the forensic chaos, and Councillors Evans, J. H. • Jones, George, and Barnes were ap- pointed. K There were some committees which nearly went begging; for instance, the Fire Bri- gade Committee had few aspirants, and very little keenness was displayed in connection with other committees. MR. FORD'S QUESTION. Mr Ford said before they appointed over- S6u?\ again Taise the question winch he had raised last year, and of which he had no explanation, and that was why nrates m Llanllwchaiarn were 2d in the £ higher than in Newtown. He was sur- prised that the gentlemen who represented the parish did not take more interest in the matter. Certainly it did not effect them in Newtown, but it effected those who were concerned. He hoped the gentlemen who were appointed would take the matter ser- iously in hand. He proposed that instruc- tions be given them to look into the matter, date report to the Council at an early The Clerk: I am afraid you are out of order. Mr Ford: How am I ? The Clerk (smiling): It is not on the agenda, Mr Ford. Mr W. H. Evans said Mr Ford had been informed on three different occasions why the rate is higher in Llanllwchaiarn than in Newtown. Each parish had to produce an amount of money, and that was paya- h*e ou different properties, and as a rule there were more vacant houses than in New- town. Mr Powell: I rise to a point of order. The Chairman: I think Mr Evans has given an explanation previously. The Clerk: This is a special meeting for special business. Messrs S. Powell and Edward Jones were appointed overseers for Newtown, and Messrs W. H. Evans and John Humphreys for Llanllwchaiarn. Messrs Powell and Barnes were appointed trustees of Newtown charities and Mr John Humphreys for Llanllwchaiarn charities. Mr Forster was re-elected the Councils representative on the Newtown County School Governors.

RAILWAY MEN AT PLASDINAM. A Win for Welshpool. The sun shone on the beautiful recreation grounds of Plas Dinam on Thursday, when the annual competition in connection with the St. John' Ambulance Association for the Cambrian challenge shield, presented by Mrs Denniss and Mrs Parry Jones, Oswes- try, was held. The competition lasted for four hours and a half, with an interval for luncheon at 12 o clock, catered for by Mr Evan Bebb, Newtown. Five teams competed-Oswestry Traffic, Oswestry Works, Welshpool, Llanidloes, and Portmadoc, and the adjudicator was Dr Cureton, who is at present in charge of the whole of Wales in connection with the St. John's Ambulance work. The members of the teams were:- Oswestry Works: J. Hampson, H. Smout, A. Palen, D. Wood, and S. B. Jones. Welshpool: T. Jones, E. Howells, G. Blockley, Alfred Jones, and Maurice Evans. Oswestry Traffic: T. H. Evans, E. S. Evans, D. T. Evans, D. Jones, and G. E. Swan. Llanidloes: J. H. Walters, G. Davies, A. Phillips, C. Brown, and J. E. Pugh. Portmadoc: D. C. Owen, W. J. Hughes, J. E. Roberts, G. Preston, and T. W. White. After tea the adjudication and prizes were awarded. Dr Cureton said he was privileged to ad- judicate at that competition, and he was very glad to see such an important gather- ing at that competition. He did not want to find fault with any of the competitors, so he would read the number of marks gamed by the respective teams:—1st Welshpool, 149^; 2nd, Portmadoc, 143 £ 3rd' Llanidloes, 1351 4th, Oswestry traffic, 1031; 5th, Oswestry works, 59!. ri-^r C. S. Denniss general manager of the Cambrian Railways, said that the few re- marks that he was going to make would relate principally to the Cambrian Railway ambulance and its work. Since it was formed in 1895, 973 men had qualified to render first-aid,—(Mr David Davies: Hear, hear.)-507 had passed the first examina- tin, 231 the second, and 154 the third exam- ination; 81 had followed up and obtained further medal bars. They were very an- xious that more of the men should qualify in such work. Mr David Davies had re- ceived the greatest welcome when he was appointed chairman of the Cambrian Rail- ways, and he (Mr Denniss) hoped that the meeting that day under such good condi- tions was an augury of the success which would attend Mr Davies' chairmanship, and he congratulated the Cambrian Railways upon having obtained him as chairman (applause). They appreciated very much the welcome and the hospitality which had been extended to them that day, and they would go away with an encouragement which would induce them to do whatever lay in their power in supporting him in the difficult position he had undertaken, and by which he hoped a brighter future would dawn on the Cambrian (applause). He con- gratulated Welshpool on their well-merited victory. Mrs Davies, Plas Dinam, then gracefully presented the cup to the captain of the Welshpool team. Captain T. Jones, in responding, said that they had before tried their best at pre- vious competitions, and had won at last. Mr Williamson, secretary of the Cambrian Railways, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Mrs Davies. Mr Herbert Jones, locomotive superin- tendent, seconded the proposition, which was carried with cheers. Mr David Davies, who, on rising, was received with loud cheers, said it was right for him to thank them all in place of his mother. It was a great pleasure to have them all there that day, and to have wit- nessed such an excellent competition. He had combined duty and pleasure in con- gratulating the men who had come forward .J"¿- .6. 1 vy wi/jpeie ior the shield. They had not won before, and they had stuck to their guns and won at last. He was sure that ambulance work was the finest thing that any body of men could be employed in, and to render assistance in time of need to one's fellow creatures wag one of the noblest forms of self-sacrifice. He hoped the competition would be more successful in future years, and that those men who had come forward that day would induce others to take ambulance work. He was sorry that no more teams had competed, and he was especially sorry not to see teams from Aberystwyth, Machynlleth, and Barmouth, and he hoped that men in charge of trains such as guards, etc., would take a special interest in the work, and that the winning team would be successful in the larger competition in which they would take part at the end of this month, when they met winning teams from other large railway centres. He trusted they would bring the shield to Montgomeryshire (ap- plause). Referring to his appointment as chairman of the Board of Directors Mr Davies admitted that it was with great re- luctance that he accepted it, because t.hA -'1-- J cluties were very arduous. They had duties to perform to the shareholders, the railway- men, and the public, and between the S sometimes had a very difficult tfcTf' ■■ however, they endeavoured to do their duty towards all three. In conclu- rw Pr°P°seda vote of thanks to Dr Cureton for adjudicating the competition, and also thanked those doctors in the neighbourhood who had from time to time (applause)Wa con<iucted the classes w? Ju- {ones' Welshpool, seconded the Dr' rw.f W;\s caTf ,with applause. Dr Cureton acknowledged the well-merited compliment, and the proceedings ended with three cheers for the host and hostess.

MONTGOMERY. PRESENTATION.-At tli,, annual mwtiner of the w'fr °n Tuptday pining Mr C. B Wil lamR, Fwr.. was p^ppnted hy Alderman Vauehan w,tb tb» "Faceup offLd for the M w'.r season 1908 Mr WiUume pnitahlv acknowledged. ^.E.T.S-An pntprt-mmpnt in aid of the Society wa* held ir, f °.r."nm on Thursday evening. Thnre "a* a full au<Wo* f Mowing programme Ja8f TV ^"ir ed: Pian..f,rte and violin M- Mhe.Mlss,JC Kl,v' r' J «o*jr Children's home Mis* Mu l.r; «'>rMr Fr d FWdle. Mia- Alice Davi.s. „d th-Rpy J P. whMll. gram phone "jWiora bv Mr v-ai1,icM 0wPn; song Miss HeWi Davi P TV entertainment; concluded w.fh R oirtatB hy thP children entitled, < The oom,npofth. fl wer* the principal parts bein £ aken very hv Mi«p Clinstone a? rpr11,c1n?- !Vl"8 AHce Dftviee Miss Davi^e oil Cm StatmrO as • Hvacint h«.' The accom Wh»l7STUWern MiSS Griffifhs f'laa Du), Miss Whall, Mrs Qunner, and Mrs Whall.

A KERRY WEDDING. There was a very pretty wedding in the Baptist Chapel on Easter Monday, when Miss Catherine Annie Bebb, daughter of Mr and Mrs W. Bebb, Kerry, was married to Mr Charles James Williams, mm? WUliamB, Bishop-street, Shrewsbury, i he Rev J. D. Hamer officiated. The biide, who was given away by her father, was attired in a dres3 of cream eolienne, with hat to match. The bridesmaids were Misses M. J. and F. M. Bebb, sisters of the bride. They wore dresses of green shantung silk, trimmed with cream embroidery, and green hats trimmed with roses Mr W I Grwilliam, Shrewsbury, was best man. During the service the hymns, "The Voice that breathed oer Eden," and "0 love divine" were sung After the ceremony a bridal march was played on the organ by Mies Julia Goodwin. Over forty guests were welcomed at the home of the bride. After the leception the happy pair left for Liver- pool, where the honeymoon will be spent. The bride travelled in a dress of mole c oth, with hat of similar shade trimmed with violets. The presents were numerous and useful, and include the following:— Bridegroom to Bride—Set of silver brushes and mirror Bride to Bridegroom-Silver mounted umbrella Bridegroom to Bridesmaids—Pearl and ruby gold brooches Mother of Bride-Household linen Father of bride-Cheque Miss Andrew—Curtains and wedding cake Miss J. Andrew-Hf-m Miss Mary Bebb-Linen sheets and silk scarf Miss F. Bebb-TAble cover and tobacco pouch Miss May Bebb—Tray cloth and d'oyleys Miss Alice Bebb-Towelj Miss Dot Bebb—Jam spoon Mr and Miss Andrew, Belandeg—Cheque Mr and Mrs Andrew, Bronhailog—Dinner service Mr A. Andrew, Glyn—Cheque Miss B. Andrew, Cefn-Dessert spoons Mr and Mrs Alf Williams, Shrewsbury—Timepiece Men in office-Oil paintings Miss A. Alderson-Silver and glass marmalade jar Miss F. White-Trinket set Mrs J. D. Lewis, The Gate-Tray cloth and cushion slip Mrs Sheldon, London-Silver jam dish and spoon Mrs Mark Smith, Norwich-Pickle jar Mrs Bowen, New Inn-Pickle fork Mrs Price, Caellany-Queen Anne clock Miss E. Morgan. Cefngwyn Silver salts. Miss Blaeney—Vases Mrs Evans, Post Office-Toilet covers Mrs S. Breese- Vases and glass dish Miss J. Lewis, Cefnperfa-Pair of vases Miss A. Lewis, Cefnperfa—Glass sugar basin and cream jug Mrs Jones, Forest-China ornaments Miss M. Jones, Forest—Vase and egg-bciler Miss F. Owen-Sugar sifter Miss S. Corfield, Cefnperfa—Pair of brass candle- sticks Miss N. Jerman—Fern pots Miss Lewis, London House—Tray cloth Mr Lewis, London House-Damask tablecloth and serviettes Miss A. Goodwin-Duchesse set and framed photo- graph Misses A. and L. Davies, Oswestry-Flower bowl Mr Gough, Oswestry-Pair of pictures Mrs Simon, Redcar-Tray cloth Mrs Minshall, Oswestry-Bread board and knife Mrs Jones, Trefonen—Scent bottle and pin oushion Mrs Owens, Oswestry-Tencriffe tray cloth Mrs Evans. Shrewsbury-Eider down quilt Miss N. Evans, Shrewsbury—Duchesse set and table centre Mrs Tudman, Shrewsbury—Sheets and pillow slips Mrs S. Evans, Shrewsbury—Damask table cloth Mr Gwilliam, Shrewsbury—Set of carvers Mr Edwards, Aberystwyth—Tea service Mrs Jones, Shrewsbury—Leather handbag Miss Poole, 0,3westry- Blotter Mrs Poole, Oswestry-Duohesse set > Mrs Basin, Oswestry-Glass sugar basin and cream jug Mrs Dodd, Oswestry-Afternoon tablecloth Miss F. Jones, Pantyllydiart-Pair of vases Miss Aggie Jones, Chester-Silver sugar sifter

Penarth Rifle Competition. RESULT OF EASTER MONDAY SHOOT. The eleventh annual competition in connection with the Newtown Detachment of the 7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers took place on Easter Monday.i The boisterous weather, heavy rain storms, new rifles and new targets resulted in low scoring, and the veterans had to give place to two youngsters. The targets at 200 and 300 yards were" disap- pearing," that is to say, the figure representing the body and head of a man appeared for some five or six seconds and then went out of sight. No matter where the wind was, or what the rain may be, the shot had to be got off in the time allotted. At the 500 yards range the figure remained up until the shot was got off. that is, no time limit was enfgretd, The possible score at the three ranges was 76. Bandsman Lawton Reynolds (the son of the Bandmaster) shot most consistently throughout, and not only won Captain Arbuthiiot's beautiful silver cup, but also became possessor of the band cup given by Mr Lambert; the gold jewel given by Mr Ellis Parker, the sum of half-a guinea and also became holder of Mr Martin Woosnam's challenge cup. Reynolds also tied with Private Frank Clayton for the range prize (binoculars) for best score at 200 and 500 yards (combined) and on the tie being shot off Clayton was victorious. The conditions under which the shooting took place were so terribly adverse that the scoring cannot be considered as being at all bad. The prizes will be distributed this evening (Tuesday) in the Armoury by Captain Arbuthnot. We hope next week to give the names of the donors of the prizes. Bandfim Name. 200 ^300^50!) Total. Bandsman L; Reynolds—") Cup, 10/6 & challenge cup ) nil W 10a- 24 12 20 56 Cpl. W. Oiren—ls. 25 18 13 56 £ oergt. A. Towniend 22 6 25 53 rwuidsman S. Tranohard 21 12 19 52 tw' P" ?hliIip £ 20 9 19 48 og..Major J. H. Heap 21 6 22 49 Bandsman D. Clayton 23 12 13 48 rte u. Davies. i« ia io Jh Pte C R Bellis ■" jf Jf g £ f te G. Bennett 19 q jg aj, Lanc.-Cpl. W. Phillips 19 12 12 43 .Bandsman H. Hibbott 22 3 18 4a SPl'fW*JT0w#n — 21 6 16 oergt. E. Jones 21 6 14 41 Bandsman J. E. Harper 18 6 16 40 Jf*/ono8 18 9 18 39 Pte JK. A. Dadge 21 3 14 38 Lance-Sergt. D. W. Oliver 18 9 9 36 Pte A. WooHey 18 q n 35 UugJer J. Breeze 17 « 11 04 Pte T. E. Jones 19 9 5 33 Bandsman W. Morris 19 6 8 33 Pte R. R. Owen 20 3 10 33 Bandsman G. Hibbott 18 12 <> Bugler P. Owen 21 6 5 P L.-Cpl. T. E. Evahe 14 3 14 31 Bandmaster T. Reynolds 15 6 10 S1 Bandsman T. Lloyd 1ft o q, Senrt. W. F. Llovd ™ P? n 1R«ynold8 •" 18 0 12 30 m ^1°chch?fe 16 6 8 30 ■fte O. JJoWDlDir 1«5 Q 19 Capt. W. F. Richards 23 0 6 29 Bandsman Pugh if 9 2 29 ™ man E-Evans 14 9 5 28 "te Jh Townsend. 8 12 7 27 Bandsman A. Nock 13 « 8 27 Pte N. Jones 20 6 1 27 L.-Sergt W. Parry 14 3 9 26 Edwarda 16 3 5 24 Pte Phillips 14 3 6 23 pte Bumford 9 0 14 23 Bugler Lumsden 17 0 6 23 Sergt. J. T. Evans 16 3 3 22 Pte Blayney 15 3 2 21 Bandsman T. Jones 12 3 5 20 Pte M. Jones 15 3 1 19 Pte T. E. Vanner 13 3 2 18 Bandsman A. Smith 12 3 3 18 rce ib. jj. Morgan 10 3 3 16 Bandsman W. E. Vanner 5 3 8 16 Pte N. Edwards 6 3 6 15 SPECIAL PRIZES. Bds. L. Reynolds (Gold jewel) 18 20 38 Pte D. F. Clayton (Binoculars) 24 20 44 Bds. L. Reynolds (Band cup) 62 RECRUITS PRIZES. Bugler J. Breeze (cup & lOa.) 17 6 11 34 Pte W. E. Reynolds (7 6) 18 0 12 30 Bandsman A. Nock (.5/-) 13 6 8 27 Pte Blayney (2/6) 16 3 2 21 Pte T. E. Vanner 13 3 2 18 Pte N. Edwards 6 3 6 15

Passenger traffic on the Cambrian Railways during the week ended April 10th accounted for X960 increased receipts over those of the same period of last year.. Merchandise, minerals, and live stock produced less revenue by X345. THE County Council granted licenses under bhe Poisons and Pharmacy Act for the sale of preparations for agricultural and horticultural ourposes to Messrs Turner Bros., Newtown- r. Lloyd, Carno; and H. E. Ellis, Llanfair. ]

SEEN AND HEARD. Nothing aiteiuU, Mr Mt down aught in malioe. 3uninui, A correspondent writes:—Supplementary to the Bettws incident which you narrated to prove the remarkable endurance of hens, perhaps the following will interest your readers. In my part of the country, on March 9th, the span roof of a poultry run collapsed under the weight of snow, and the owner, fearing that some of her stock had been buried under it, had the greater part of the debris removed. As there was no indication of any fowls, the remaining portion was left undisturbed. On Wednes- day, 31st March, while feeding the fowls, the lady's attention was drawn to the debris by the cackling of a hen. Further exploration discovered a Wyandotte, which had been a prisoner among the ruins for 22 days, without food of any kind. When rescued the creature was quite active and lively, though emaciated after its long fast, and it at once enjoyed a meal heartily. I moved along to Babylon last Sunday afternoon to study Sabbath deportment in that pious part of the planet, from the out- look of an institution still haunted by the spectre of a gander which fate unkindly committed to the hands of an anatomist less skilled than pretentious. You recollect that tragic dismemberment. It is, at any rate, painfully remembered by the chief actor, who has never again been seen to flourish a carver within sight of the an- cient Borough." Little wonder the feath- ered family which scrape the backyard of that well-known hostel have rioted ever since. A pair of them were battling as we entered, and such a battle between two barn-door roosters I never before beheld, despite the landlord's repeated interjections and all the assistance I could lend him. It lasted off and on for about three hours. No brace of bulldogs ever fought with more purposeful intent. And all the while the lady roosters looked on. Well, to go back to the object of my visit. A feeling of remorse overtook me as I looked down at the Ark "-that irre- movable pile which weathers all assaults upon its aged, yet still sturdy frame. For had I not joined in those periodic bombard- ments which almost shivered its timbers and rased this picturesque link with an his- toric past! What though it be the Mecca of the local loafer on week days! He polishes its walls, and airs the dingy archway for the Sabbatarian, whom I beheld congre- gated here in large numbers discussing- well, discussing, I daresay, the lessons of the sermon, while they burned the weed, whose grey smoke curled up to and around the scarred head of that antediluvian structure. There, again, I saw them smok- ing the moments away until the bells clanged for evening worship. Who, then, would dare lift a hand to demolish that hoary sanctuary, where, standing interme- diate between the home and the synagogue, man fraternises at the shrine of Lady Nicotine, to inspire each other with Sab- batarian thoughts ? As I drove past the Ark" on my homeward way, our steed sniffed the pungent fragrance of John Peer," and snorted for relief, and after swinging past the .,aweet-aceni^diank§ of the silvery Severn, where the wild docks are showing their vernal greenery through long stretches of town refuse, the last notes that sounded faint and still fainter were the militant cock-a-doodle-do of those bel- ligerent roosters. Who is responsible for the infamous canard that the household gods of recip- ients of old age pensions will pass to the Government after their death ? There are, I am told, not a few deserving old people who have refrained from applying for the State pension in their belief of this absurd story. It is the duty of those that know them to disabuse their minds of what has evidently been fabricated for political pur- poses. Born of jealousy, much ill-natured party criticism has been directed against this beneficent provision. Ä" rural eisteddfod. Juvenile competition in answering impromptu questions. Adju- dicator to a sharp-looking lad: "Who is the present Prime Minister ?" H Mr As- quith, sir," answered Willie, without hesi- tation. That's quite correct. Now tell me the name of the Secretary for Foreign Affairs." As ciuickly came the reply; "Mr J. D. Rees, sir." The reS'jUant hilarity of the audience retarded for a while the pro- gress of that competition. Lord Rosebefy's phenomenal range of knowledge—quite Gladstonian-like in its sweep and profundity—commands our re- spect for his opinions on whatever subject pronounced. Replying to a vote of thanks for unveiling a memoritd tablet at Cardiff on Wednesday in honour M the late Sir Kdward Reed, his Lordship ejtp^ftssed sin- cere disappointment at not having been regaled with the delights of Welsh choral singing. "When I was last in Cardiff," be said, "the thing that enchanted me most was your Welsh singing, and I did hope to hear it again, having come unnumbered milea fom London. I do not know to what the omission is due, but I would rather hear the Welsh singing than many speeches. I would even make a greater admission. T would rather hear Welsh singing than hear myself speak." Lord Rosebery might not consider himself qualified to fulfil the post of an eisteddfodic adjudicator, but, never- theless, his admiration of Welsh singing is that of a man who has heard the best of the world's musical talent. And none H enchant" him like the sweet singers of Wales. Confounded had luck again, Bill," ex- claimed the smaller of two Poolonians with whom I travelled from Newtown the other evening. Both follow the fool's crame of endeavouring to augment their honest in- comes by having a bit" on the turf. Three seconds and a third were the re- sults of his gamble, which may have cost him anything from 4s to 94. H Mine's beastlier luck still never even a place; These exclamations came simultaneously after their perusal of an evening paper, whose racing news seemed to be gulped down the gaping mouths, which twitched now and again to the order of alternating hope and disappointment. Fools as they are, I couldn't help feeling sorry for them, as they proceeded to study a much thumbed racing calendar. I almost imagined I saw the ugly vision of a landshark hovering over his prey. At Welshpool they made a rapid bee-line for a consolation cup, in which I hope they found inspiration for salutary meditation. Luke Shabpb,

THE BOROUGH MEMBER AND WELSHPOOL. Notwithstanding his political supporters are comparatively few and far between in Welshpool, Mr Rees has ever shown him- self a good friend of that borough. He has striven before and behind the footlights to promote many of its important interests, and in one of his last speeches prior to the Easter recess he engaged the House of Com- mons with an impressive plea for the es- tablishment of one of the proposed six cavalry depots in Pool. The force of that plea he admirably illustrated by ideal situ- ation, abundance of suitable land, railway accessibility, and other favouring circum- stances which cannot be ignored by Mr Haldane and his advisers. It goes without saying that Mr Rees will follow up his Parliamentary efforts with all the influence he can bring to bear, and we hope to com- pliment him upon success. During the past week, Mr Rees visited several of the Boroughs, and called on a number of prom- inent Liberals. He has since gone on a visit to Lord Abingdon for a much needed .rest after an attack of influenza.

THE COUNTY DIRECTOR OF AGRICULTURE. As we conjectured, Mr David Davies promptly dissented from the unwise resolu- tion of the County Council to restrict ap- plications for the post of agricultural di- rector under his scheme to Welsh-speaking Welshmen. That resolution, it may be re- membered, was conceived of the fact that several Montgomeryshire parishes are "essentially Welsh,' but as we pointed out at the time, and Mr Richard Jones has since emphasised it, it would be wrong to limit the choice of candidates for such an important office because of these particular districts, whose inhabitants, presumably, understand English, if they do not con- verse in the language. It seemed to us an unintentional belittlement of Mr Davies's most generous and beneficent offer to pre- clude the selection of the most talented ap- plicant, irrespective of nationality, creed, or politics. It is an appointment certain to entice candidates from all parts of the country, and Mr Davies, who pays the salary, is surely entitled to expect that the Council will secure the services of the most capable of them. This the Council readily appreciated by the summary rescission of their unfortunate resolution.