Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
8 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
FULFILLING THE PLEDGE.
FULFILLING THE PLEDGE. We have witnessed in our own lifetime a marvellous transformation in the methods and the attitude of the Church in Wales. Yes, but where and in what degree in this, her latest and best phase, has the Church of England in Wales been most succesafnl P The answer, I think, is obvious and undeniable. She has been most successful just where, and just in so far as, by developing institutions like the Sunday School, and by throwing herself upon the voluntary effort and enthusiasm of the people (cheers), she has descended into the arena without either the advan- tages or the drawbacks of privilege and endowment, and has taken her place side by side with her Non- conformist sisters in a splendid and even rivalry upon a common field (hear, hear). In our opinion-certainly, it is my honest and delib- erate opinion-freed from her burden of past tradi- tions and of present encumbrances she will find that she has gained more than she has lost, and she can appeal as she has never done before to the hearts and the sympathies of the m&ss of the people of Wales (loud cheers).—The PRIME MINISTER'S last words in introducing the Established Church (Wales) Bill last Wednesday. Amid the Brummagem tumult of the last general election, Wales did not rest content with a sturdy defence of Free Trade. 1906 brought to the Free Churchmen of Cymru an inspiring New Year's message, voiced by Mr Lloyd George to the National Con- vention at Carnarvon. The Disestablish- ment of the Welsh Church," he said, has been an essential part of the Liberal pro- gramme since 1892. Nobody has plucked it out of the programme, and my friend, Sir Alfred Thomas, and I have the authority of the Prime Minister for saying that it is still an essential part of the programme." The Principality accepted this pledge, and almost immediately there arose in the land a lamentation, which even yet has not died away in our neighbourhood: "Such is the anomaly of our representative Government of the day that the 34 of the Welsh mem- bers represent one party only, and one- third of the nation-those of us who call ourselves Churchmen and Conservatives, are without a single representative in the House of Commons." Welsh Free Church- men had a strenuous fight against an un- holy alliance of the Castle, the Church, and the Public-house. But when the long expected measure came before Parliament on Wednesday there was no Welsh member to flaunt the determined demand that the nation has expressed for religious equality. Introduced by the same Statesman as in 1895, the Bill and the case for it remains the same, but the proposals, while sub- stantially identical, offer even more gener- ous terms to the Church, and are also more in harmony with Welsh national feeling. That the Government had not waited un- til the publication of the Royal Commis- sion's report on the Church in Wales was the plea wherewith the Conservative Churchmen opened the attack. The Solicitor-General retorted that the Commis- sion had nothing to do with policy, while with regard to the question of endowments, all the facts and figures had already been collected, and the Commission were now merely considering the terms in which they would make their report to the House. The Free Churchmen of Wales, with whom Disestablishment and Disendowment has been a burning question since the historic election of 1868, can spare no sympathy for the protesting tactics of those who cry out against guch "hasty legislation." Apart from the question of the Commission's re- port, the Opposition adduced no fresh argu- ments on the first reading. The familiar ideas and descriptive phrases that prevail at Church Defence meetings abounded. Mr Clive Bridgeman implored the Government to pause for one moment before they in- flict upon the country of Wales the sin of sacrilege; Mr F. E. Smith could not dis- tinguish the proposal to disendow the Church in Wales from any other act of com- mon t peculation; Lord Robert Cecil did not know in the least what is meant by a badge of inferiority imposed upon Noncon- formity by the establishment and endow- ment of the Church; Mr Cave drew an alarming picture of future risk of taking from every village in the country one who is there, to some extent, for the purpose of helping not only in religious matters, but giving, as a charitable person, help to every poor inhabitant of his parish; while Nonconformists farmers in particular would be interested in Mr Balfour's definition that a tithe is a debt." 11 As in 1895, so at the present time the motives of the Government in introducing the Welsh Church Bill are being impugned; the measure is not intended seriously, it is a mere sop to the Welsh members where- with to keep their constituents quiet! But the position of Disestablishment and Disen- dowment to-day is incomparably stronger than fourteen years ago. There is a solid phalanx of Welsh members, who vary in their personal religious creeds, and who po- litically include both the strong Individual- ism of our Borough Member and the Social- ism of Mr Keir Hardie, yet one and all are united on this particular question. The strong Cymric representation in the Cabinet itself has been and continues to be a weighty consideration. The minority in the House of Commons will lay their trust in the" Upper" House, but we venture to anticipate that the Bill is not so easily doomed if only Wales will display in no ambiguous manner her continued earnest- ness. Every Free Churchman in every town, village, and hamlet throughout the length and breadth of the country, all po- litical and other organisations which are pledged to support the principle of religious equality, are now expected to do their duty, and in no wavering manner declare that this Bill now before the country must become law. Let Montgomeryshire, at any rate, be not remiss. The County 'and Borough Mem- bers are sound and stalwart on this meas- ure, and their constituents may confidently look to them to take a leading part in the activities of the campaign that now re- opens.
-----A DUAL APPOINTMENT.
A DUAL APPOINTMENT. By electing Mr Wm. Pritchard chairman of both the public bodies which meet at Forden, a record in the history of those bodies has been established. This is the fourth year in succession for Mr Pritchard to be honoured in this fashion by his fellow Guardians, and the selection was made by their unanimous vote. His accession to the chair of the Rural District Council followed a period of service in the vice-chair. Mr Pritchard has literally gone grey in the pub- lic service, and on the score of humaneness he is amongst the very best of those who aie elected to watch and ward the pauper in- terests in Forden Union. He has, moreover, a capable grip of public business which I especially comtoends him for the chairman- ship of the rural authority, and we are cer- tain that he will fulfil his duties in the moat ( painstaking and disinterested fashion. We I can only say that we were rather surprized not to find Mr Pritchard's name figuring in I another honours list which was published this week. r A BURDEN BUT A DUTY. In another column our readers will find a summary of the first annual report on the schools and school children of Montgomery- shire by Dr. C. E. Humphreys, school medical officer. There is a considerable amount of unpleasant reading in the report. For many years the State has recognised it as the com- mnnal duty to instil knowledge into the child, and now the State has acknowledged its responsibility in the matter of the child's physical condition, so what is recommended in the report can be neither shunned nor shelved. The Medical Officer has advised the Committee to make arrangements for the treatment of some children in the hospitals, and he throws out a charitable suggestion that those members of the Education Committee who have hospital recommendations would help much by placing them at the disposal of the Medical Officer, when "they would have the satisfaction of knowing that only those who cannot afford a fee would have the benefit of them." Those children whose parents are unable to pay for the removal of physical defects must receive medical atten- tion, and the liability rests on the shoulders of the public. The shocking condition of many Montgomeryshire schools has been revealed in the report. Bad light, drainage, ventilation, and sanitation are rampant, and in some instances there is an utter absence of water supply and drainage. Here is a duty which requires the serious attention of the authorities. This cannot be shirked. The ratepayers-or at least a section of the ratepayers—feel the present burden heavily, but here there is only one course to pursue, and that course, in the words of Dr. Hum- phreys, will lead to the physical, intellec- tual, and moral improvement of the rase." It will be money well invested.
"THEY BLEW THE SMOKE AGAIN/'
"THEY BLEW THE SMOKE AGAIN/' Montgomery's Political Entertainment. An Old Campaigner on the Colonel's Platform. The Silence of Mr. Morgan Owen. Political meetings aren't much in season except at election time!" This was the candid opinion which a lead- ing Tory voiced in front of the Montgomery Town Hall last Thursday night. "But"- and here came the all-important proposition —"but 'bacco is always in season!" To promote the Conservative cause and candidate in the Montgomery Boroughs another political smoking concert had been organised. Punctual to the minute, a waggonette was driven up, the bank, and halted opposite the entrance gate, and there descended Mr Timothy Morgan Owen, of Penybryn. He was accompanied by his two sons-Mr Morgan Morgan Owen, the noted athlete-a Welsh C. B. Fry-together with Mr Guth Morgan Owen, another Welsh international footballer. There also came on the scene that well-known Church- stoke farmer, Mr Peter Jones, of Rockley, and Colonel Pryce-Jones; also two Mont- gomery gentlemen in evening dress-Mr John Maurice Lloyd, barrister, and Colonel Cautley, late of the Royal Engineers, now of Clawdd-y-dre; Mrs Welch and Mrs Cautley came to grace the meeting with their presence. Upstairs Mr R. Turnbull, Lord Powis' es- tate foreman at Lymore, was superintending the arrangements for the smoker,—and the preparations included a box of cigars and cigarettes for free distribution by and by. According to the local custom the meeting began twenty minutes late; the attendance then numbered about 40, which later arriv- als swelled into a century of men and women. Mr Peter Jones took the chair, with Colonel Pryce-Jones, Colonel Cautley, and Mr John Lloyd on his right. At the piano on the left Mrs Bunner appeared periodically during the evening to accom- pany the songs with her capable touch. I don't see so many here," said the Chairman. We can't congratulate our- selves on a big audience just yet, but it is a smoking concert, and I'm very PLEASED TO SEE A FEW OF THE LADIES here (smiles). We shall not smoke for the first part of the concert. We shall just get a song and a few speeches, but we will limit them to ten minutes. I am afraid it will be a bit hard lines for the Colonel here (smiles, in which the Colonel joined), but he may take a little leave!" Mr J. M. Tipping gave a skipper's song, and then the Chairman announced: "Now I call upon Mr Morgan Owen for a speech." The Squire of Penybryn, however, did not rise from his seat at once, and the Colonel --with characteristic considerateness for the comfort of his supporters-suggested to the Chairman that they should smoke, the room being very empty. Mr Peter Jones then re- peated his invitation to Mr Morgan Owen: "Will you kindly come on the platform The long delay on the part of the ex-school inspector in mounting the political platform for the good of the cause began to attract attention on the part of the people who sat near by. In fact those who know the gen- tleman well, and had seen his name adver- tized in public notices to be (with the Colonel) the speaker of the evening, were somewhat surprised that he had not gone on the platform at the same time as the Chairman and the three other good Conser- vatives. However, the slight surprise de- veloped into a mild sensation when Mr ] Morgan Owen, with frigid politeness, re- plied curtly: 4 "NO, I BEG TO BE EXCUSED!" The platform politicians held a short tete-a-tete, out of which came the Chair- man s next announcement: "We will now call upon Mr Evan Humphreys!" "Hear, hear! Newtown!" agreed the Colonel. Mr Humphreys, formerly a prominent Conser- vative politician in the Montgomery Bor- oughs, now lives in London, but, travelling for a brewery firm, he found himself over- night in the County town, and now sat well on in the audience, by the side of Mrs E. T. Davies, hostess of the Checkers Inn. Mr Humphreys lingered in his seat a few seconds, but did not pursue the policy of passive resistance that had been adopted by Mr Timothy Motgan Owen. Mine hos- tess of the Checkers nudged him encour- agingly, so the veteran supporter of the Pryce-Joneses walked forward. The Colonel stepped forward to the edge of the platform to meet him, and when Mr Humphreys asked for instructions as to what political subject he should speak on the Colonel gen- erously answered: "Anything you like!" So Mr Evan Humphreys went around the corner, up the steps to the platform, and then faced his audience with the mirth- provoking observation: "I don't know what on earth I was called on this platform for!" "To make a speech!" came the matter- of-fact opinion from Mr John Lloyd. "To make a speech!" retorted Mr Hum- phreys modestly. "I never did!" However, he went on talking for five min- utes. He remarked that he was at Mont- gomery in 1885 when their respected candi- date's father was returned. He (Mr Hum- phreys) was with him when he was de- feated HE WAS WITH THE SON when he was returned. Mr Humphreys was apparently away from the boroughs in 1906, for he made no refer- ence to that general election, but expressed a hope at the next general election, which would not be above three or four months' distance, to see their esteemed candidate returned for the Montgomery Boroughs (hear, hear, and loud applause). "That," said the speaker, "must be done at any price! But I think it is easier to- day than it was when we fought for his father in 1885. In those days the boroughs were Radical—Newtown was Radical—but now where can you find a Radical? I can't!" (loud laughter). This observation of Mr Evan Humphreys, of course, was not intended to carry the idea that all the licensed victuallers he meets in business are staunch Conserva- tives. He proceeded to explain that he did meet Liberals about the country, who said they always had been Liberals. And why? "Oh, my father was a Liberal, and I am a Liberal!" (laughter). But he had never met a Liberal yet who could say a word in fa- vour of the Government "that is ruining our country day by day, and if we don't turn them out soon, the country will be in a state of chaos!" (loud applause). The veteran Newtown campaigner was getting on well with his stump speech, and arousing the enthusiasm of the audience, though, as he said laughingly, he had only come as a member of the audience, and had no idea of speaking. The Disestablishment Bill he next described as ONE OF THE BIGGEST FARCES that ever was brought in by any Govern- ment. They had no more intention of pass- ing it than a lawyer had of going to heaven! The audience roared, and Mr John Lloyd, as one of the legal brotherhood, buried his face in his hands for a second or two. The Colonel exploded with laughter. The Church of England in Wales, contin- ued Mr Humphreys, was stronger now and safer now, and likely to last longer than ever it had done before (applause, set a- going by hall-keeper Beddoes). The attack on the Church was simply monstrous! "I would ask everyone," advised the stalwart Anglican, "to be Churchmen first and poli- ticians afterwards." The Government had simply brought in the Bill to please the majority of the Welsh members.. They had no idea of passing it, but simply to amuse or please the Welsh constituents. Mr Evan Humphreys kept well within the time limit; he was only on his feet for five minutes. Mr John Owen, Caeblaidd, Kerry, then sang, in his own inimitable style, a song. appropriate at any smoker, but particularly so at the present political entertainment. The "Jolly Smokers," said! Mr John Owen: "They talk'd of this, And talked of that, As all good smokers do, Of Par-lia-ments and politics, And, when the wind blew louder, Blew louder! They blew the smoke again!" The Colonel, who had been blowing the smoke of one of his noted "tubes," was next called upon to speak. He received A ROUSING OVATION as he rose, cigar in hand, and asked the Montgomery gentlemen in the rear of the room to come to the front and fill up the chairs there. They made an advance, but halted, and sat at a respectful distance to the rear of the seats that were vacant by the side of the Morgan Owens on the one side and of Mrs Welch and Mrs Cautley on the other. The Conservative candidate then spoke first for twelve minutes on the local political situation and the Dises- tablishment Bill, and afterwards for nine minutes on the supply of a Welsh horse for the army and the naval alarm. Mr Chairman, ladies and gentlemen," said the speaker, it is a very great pleas- ure to me to be here to-night once again to meet my friends in Montgomery. We are met on a convivial evening, an occasion when smoking is to be allowed, and to dis- cuss amongst ourselves the great political questions of the day. I am here amongst my political friends, and I am very pleased, ladies and gentlemen, to report to you that -notwithstanding a great many disadvan- tages under which I suffer, shortcomings which I know that I have—that in all the boroughs, Machynlleth, Llanidloes, New- town, Welshpool, and Llanfyllin, I have had meetings such as I have never had in the past—I don't think any Conservative has ever had such enthusiastic meetings, well attended, AND WHY IS IT? It's not because your little candidate has got qualities which other men haven't got, for I know that my shortcomings are great. But it is, ladies and gentlemen, because the country at the present is dissatisfied with the present Government; a Government returned to power with tremendous power behind them, who have only been in office 3! years, and yet even in their own strong- holds such as Manchester, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, where Radicals have been re- turned to power by a large majority, it is with the greatest difficulty that they can even retain the seats by the skin of their teeth. Why, only this last week, East, Edinburgh, where the majority has been thousands in the past, what do we find? Their majority has been simply hundreds. -(Mr John Lloyd: Hear, hear). My friend, Mr Evan Humphreys, who has done so much for the cause in the past in the boroughs, and who has helped me to such a great extent, for which I am deeply grateful, has referred to the Bill that was introduced in the House of Com- mons last night, having for its object the Disestablishment and Disendowment of the Church of England in Wales, the oldest institution that we have in Wales. Older the Welsh Church is, I believe, than the English Church.—(A voice: Hear, hear.)— Mr Evan Humphreys has pointed out that the Bill has been introduced by the Gov- ernment with no real belief that it will aver be passed into law. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I think the Government have made A GREAT MISTAKE in introducing that Bill, especially at the present time. The last Disestablishment ..J T' 1 aim jjisenaowment Bill was introduced, I think, in 1895 by the present Prime Minis- ter, Mr Asquith. He has been urged dur- ing the last three years to introduce another Disestablishment and Disendowment Bill, but he put it off. The Welsh members are all of them returned to represent one party only in Wales. Although Wales is divided into two parties-we will say that two- thirds, if you like, are Radicals and Non- conformists, and one-third are Church and Conservative, yet such is the anomaly of our representative Government of the day that 34 of the Welsh members represent one party only, and one-third of the nation- those of us who call ourselves Churchmen and Conservatives, are without a single re- presentative in the House of Commons." The recital of this disgraceful state of affairs produced such an impression on the Chairman that, although he is a Noncon- formist, he put his politics before his Non- conformity, and cried out "Shame!" And the Colonel continued: Notwithstanding that on, the face of it Wales speaks with one voice-which we Conservatives deny- Mr Asquith, like a great Statesman, told the Welsh members, told those who sent the Welsh members to Parliament, that he could not dream of bringing in a Welsh Disestablishment Bill until he had some evidence different to what was brought for- ward in the House of Commons in 1895. Well, at last Mr Asquith, by the urging on, the egging on of the Welsh Radical mem- bers, appointed a Royal Commission to go into the question of what the Church and our friends the Nonconformists were doing, in order that the members of the House of Commons, who are supposed to be repre- sentatives of all the GREAT INTERESTS OF THE STATE, COMMERCIALLY AND RELIGIOUSLY, when they came to legislate, to interfere with institutions that have lasted for cen- turies, should have beore them the latest evidence and the latet facts with regard to the particular matte that Parliament is called upon to legislat. This is their own Commission appointed by themselves. The Commission has sat, md the Commission is still sitting, but hs not reported, and yet the Prime Minister and the Government are daring enough, vaturesome enough to introduce a Disestabishment and Disen- dowment Bill before iis evidence is before them. Ladies and ge:tlemen, if there are any Nonconformists present to-night—any- one who differs witt the State and the Church on this great question—I ask you whether it is usual in England or anywhere where the name of Biton is respected, for magistrates in petty sessions or in an assize for your judge to deliver sentence upon a man or upon p-operty before all the evidence is before then ? And yet that is the position that our Church in Wales to- day stands before the country. Shortly we hope the Commission will report, will tell us that not only the Church is doing good work, but that the Nonconformists also are doing good work. W< hope they will tell us that the money wlich has been devoted for the use of religion to console those who are of a religious diposition may be re- spected. If there are any anomalies, any inequalities, any cases of injustice, we hope to have the full evi(ence before us. But here we find our grea Parliament bringing forward a measure afferent in many re- spects to the measure they brought forward in 1895. Some of the proposals of the Bill of 1895 are no longer ,o be seen in the pro- posals we see to-day. Well, LET US ARGUE AS A LAWYER would argue (smiles). If in some 14 years they find that by the Bill of 1895 they were doing injustice to i religious body, that they were making a mistake, is it not likely that in a few years lence, if they pass the Bill, they may find when it is too late, that they have done a grave injustice to a religious body belongng to the Principality I of Wales. Therefore, I say that our friends who represent the opposition in this matter, have incurred a grea, responsibility in ask- ing Mr Asquith to Iring this measure for- ward before this Ro;al Commission has re- ported I think, lades and gentlemen, on this matter I need :ay nothing further to- night, except perhapi that I agree with Mr Evan Humphreys tiat the Government have done so to satsfy for the time being the 34 members wh< represent Wales, and in order to retain heir votes for a little longer that the Government may hold fast (applause). There are 34 Webh members who repre- sent Wales. Well, an hon. member not far from this constituency asked a very per- tinent question the ther day in the House of Commons as to the number of horses that Wales supplied no the army. Of course, we know that the army requires a great many horses for cavalry and artillery. Well, the answer vas one from Wales!' (laughter). I should like to ask my politi- cal opponents what was our share in Mont- gomeryshire of that horse. Only one horse supplied from the vhole of Wales for the British Empire! Atd we in Montgomery- shire pride ourselveA upon our horses, and our share was even less than a horse! Mr John Lloyd (Itughingly): One thirty- fourth The Colonel passel on to discuss ANOTHER QUESTION, "THE ABIDING ONE REALLY." "I don't think," he said, "that Disestab- lishment and Disendowment is seriously be- fore the country, tut there has been the great question of the supremacy of the navy." He joined in Mr Balfour's cam- paign, and afterwards remarked that he had only touched on one subject out of twenty that he had done on his notes. But he was not going to trouble them any more, because the Chairman had said they ought to be limited to ten minutes, and this was a smoking concert. "I simply thank you as your candidate. I hope in future to be your member again."—(Mr John Lloyd: Hear, hear.—Applattse). I Mr Morgan Morgan Owen next supplied a song, which was encored, and the Chair- man remarked that if Mr Timothy Morgan Owen was nervous, his son was not nervous in the least. However, he made another appeal to the Squire of Penybryn to fulfil his engagement. But that worthy remained seated in his chair, puffing a cigarette, and disdaining even to glance at Mr Peter Jones. The spectators of this re- markable scene were painfully conscious of some hitch somewhere. But for the fact that he appeared so buoyant when he de- scended from the four-wheeler at eight o'clock in front of the Town Hall, some mis- givings might have been entertained with regard to the state of his health. There was only one feasible theory TO EXPLAIN THIS OMINOUS SILENCE. Had the Chairman, by imposing an ar- bitrary time-limit of ten minutes, made it utterly imposible for Mr Timothy Morgan Owen to deliver his message, not merely to the hundred expectant listeners in the Town Hall at Montgomery, but also to the far wider circle of local newspaper readers? At any rate, whatever the cause, there was forthcoming no speech with characteristic Johnsonian diction, no damning indictment of this iniquitous Government. Mr Mor- gan Owen remained immutable as the Sphinx. So the Chairman asked Mr John Lloyd to speak. Montgomery's genial counsel rose to the occasion, and quoted from a newspaper some statistics of the bye-elections that had gone against the Government. "We have had rather a severe winter," he remarked, amid laughter, "and now the spring is com- ing. I observe the little birds are begin- ning to sing—(more laughter)-and I think a few statistics which have reached us dur- ing the present year and last autumn may make us a little bit chirpy."—(The Colonel: Hear, hear). Mr Lloyd summarized the results by say- ing that "the Unionist gains have been ten. The Liberal gains have been a duck's egg (loud laughter from the cricket-loving towns- men). Not one! And—the Labour and Socialist gains have been two! Now I think that ought to make us feel rather more comfortable." Mr John Lloyd was only on his feet two minutes, and the Chairman turned with a smiling reproach to him, remarking: "I am afraid YOU DIDN'T USE THE TEN MINUTES, sir!" So Mr Lloyd gave a few more figures, beginning with Peckham. Mr Gornall next electrified the mixed audience with a true-blue recital of the midnight adventure of a newly-wedded couple honeymooning in the County town. The Colonel followed with an interesting criticism of the Small Holdings movement, the full text of which will appear next week on our "Farmers' page." Then came a comic song by Mr Fred Beedles, who ap- peared "in character" with a yellow wig and vermillion tinted nose. At the Colonel's smokng concert in Welsh- pool last February the chorus of the evening was: He's going, he's going to break up trade, what ho! We'll soon be multi-millionaires thro' 'good old Joe! But Mr Beedles, as one of the Upper Ten," now declared that: It's better far to be A poor man with a contented mind Than a millionaire like me!" After this Mr Morgan Morgan Owen came on the platform to make a ten minutes' speech on the question of our existence as a nation, the question of National De- fence." Only the previous night, said the well-known captain of the "Corinthians," he had returned from the continent; he was in Germany, he was in Austria, and he was impressed by their wealth and strength. He related a chat he had with two Austrian officers about their Dreadnoughts that they were laying down "against Italy. That is what the newspapers say," whereat the three laughed. Mr Morgan Morgan Owen clenched his review of European politics with a translation of A "VERY WISE" LATIN QUOTATION: If you wish for peace, prepare for war!" He also submitted the translation of another classical quotation: "Whom the gods wish to destroy, they make insane!" "Cannot it be truly said," he inquired, that if they haven't made the present Government in- sane that they have made them half in- sane ? When the young orator had gone, amid applause, to resume his seat by his father's side, the Colonel beamed encouragingly upon him. Mr John Owen then rendered another song, "It's the Law! It's the Law. It's the duty of the Old Turnkey!" in a manner that brought down the house. Mr Gornall recited the woes of "Poor old Carter Bill!" and Mr Tipping gave another song. Then Mr John Lloyd made a hit with a fishing story, "In the usual'way"; Mr John Owen gave yet another musical selection about "Tom the Tinker!" Colonel Cautley moved a vote of thanks to the speakers, which was duly accorded on the seconding of Councillor T. G. Mit- chell. It was now just after ten o'clock, but the Colonel, in responding, managed to put in a few words about the Tariff Re- former's proposal to put a 2s tax per quar- ter on corn. "I would like to tell my friends in the boroughs," said he, ulthat no Parliament, whether it be Conservative or Liberal, would dare to put any tax or duty on any article of food which would have the result of making it dear for the people of the country."—(A voice: Hear, hear.)—In 1903, when Mr Chamberlain launched his scheme, the price of wheat was about 26s a quarter. To-day, without any duty, it was about 50s a quarter. This proved that a small duty would not have the effect that their opponents made out, but putting a, small duty on foreign wheat would enlarge ¡ and develop wheat-growing in the Colonies, especially in Canada. The Colonel moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman and the singers Alderman Vaughan: There never was a time we want to rally around the good old British flag in England as much as at the present moment (hear, hear, and loud ap- plause). As far as I can see, we are going backwards instead of forwards! I beg to second the vote of thanks. The loyal gathering then broke up after singing God save the King."
DEPARTURE OF A POPULAR NEWTONIAN.
DEPARTURE OF A POPULAR NEWTONIAN. Farewell Presentation to Mr F. P. Keay. When it became bruited in Newtown that Mr F. P. Keay, of the R.W.W., had se- cured a splendid appointment in Chicago, he became the recipient of many a hearty handshake; but whilst his friends con- gratulated him, they could not shut their eyes to the loss which they would sustain through his removal. During his 24 years' stay in Newtown he actively associated himself with institutions both at the R.W.W. and in the town. On committees of athletic clubs he was well-nigh indis- pensable. He has always been an active worker on the R.W.W. Recreation Society; he was also a committee man of the now defunct Newtown football club, and has played cricket for years for the Warehouse. He joined the local amateur dramatic so- ciety in 1901; for a number of years he has been one of the secretaries of the R.W.W. annual sports, and had recently been elected on the executive of the Ratepayers' Association. He figured prominently in the Christy Minstrel troupes, and contributed star turns on many occasions for charitable objects. He was also a keen volunteer and sergeant of the ambulance corps. These are only a few of the many institutions with which he was connected, and his popular personality will be greatly missed. Mr Keay was on Friday the recipient of a hand- some gold watch presented by the Directors and employees of the Royal Welsh Warehouse. Mr W. E. Prycs-Jones, in making the presenta- tion. said that owing to the unavoidable absence of Colonel Pryce-Jones he had been asked on behalf of the employees to make the presentation to Mr Keay, who was leaving the firm after 25 years of loyal.and faithful service. He said that when the announcement was made that Mr Keay was going to sever his connection it came as a great surprise, as it was always thought htl would remain amongst them, as owing to his genial manner Mr Keay had made many friends, not only at the Royal Welsh Warehouse, but in the town and also outside; likewise in its neighbour- ing villages. Ho felt sure the employees would all agree that Mr Keay was leaving behind a great number of friends and no enemies, and that he had always taken a deep interest in their welfare, particularly in the Royal Welsh Warehouse Recreation Society's sports and all its branches, be having acted as hon. secretary, and also for the Cricket Club. Apart from that, Mr Keay had rendered active service in the town and ether places in the cause of charity as a singer and in amateur theatricals. OR behalf of the employees and directors it gave him very great pleasure to present the watch as a token of the esteem, appre- ciation, and good feeling that had subsisted between them for so many years He wished Mr Keay every happiness and good luck in his new home, and hoped that when he would look upon the watch in years to come it would remind him of the many friends and happy feelings he had had in their midst. Mr T. Meredith then spoke on behalf of the Royal Welsh Warehouse Recreation Society. He said that at a meeting held on Wednesday it was decided to make a presentation to Mr Keay on his departure for America, and it was intended, on receipt of the articles, that they should be given during the coming week. But as the present was a favourable oppor- tunity it would be well to associate the Society with the presentation of the employees, seeing they practi- cally belonged to one another. Unfortunately, the articles selected by Mr Keay, which be was asked to choose for himself, had not arrived, and the presenta- tion could only be in a formal manner. The articles selected were an overland dressing case and a gold ring. On behalf ot the Society, Mr Meredith said it gave him the greatest possible pleasure in asking Mr Keay's acceptance of the presents, with the hope that he would long live to enjoy the use of them, and that they would remind him of the many happy times spent amongst them. Mr Meredith stated he could heartily endorse every sentiment expressed so feelingly by Mr W. E. Pryce-Jones. He would like to refer back to the quarter of a century Mr Keay had spent amongst them, during which period he (Mr Keay) had taken a very deep interest in the Society's welfare. They would all recollect the fine troupe of minstrels in which Mr Keay took such a prominent part-it was in itself an institution. He had been a comedian of very high standing, and always willing; to give his services when required. He also took a keen interest in the Society's sports, and it was very much regretted Mr Keay had to leave them before the next festival took place, viz., on the 12th June. Mr Meredith (continuing) said he felt the Society would feel the loss of Mr Keay, seeing his services were always willingly given, and that he was always so amiable on and off the field with everyone he came in contact. Mr Beresford Wood said that, as having been more closely associated with Mr Keay in bis work, a few words would perhaps be expected from him and though Mr Ernest Pryce-Jones and Mr Meredith had spoken in eulogistic terms, he would like to add his tribute of appreciation of the good qualities of Mr Keay. Incidents of this kind had their pathetic side; however, their sorrow in losing an old comrade would be to some extent mitigated by the thought that what would be their loss would be his gain. He happened to know that Mr Keay had received a press- ing invitation from relatives in the United States, who occupied positions of much interest there, and would consequently be able to advance his material interests even more than they could here. Notwith- standing that his hair was showing silver threads, that was not surprising when he had laboured amongst them for a quarter of a century. He felt sure he was only voicing the sentiments of all in saying that Mr Keay had their united and hearty wishes for his future welfare, prosperity and advance- ment, and the tokens he was receiving at their hands would surely remind him of the past, and help him to remember them in his new, far away home, whilst they would not forget him though his genial face and familiar figure, which were always prominent in con- nection with matters at the R.W.W., whether from a business or sporting point of view, would iudeed be missed. Mr F. P. Keay, on rising to respond, was visibly affected by the warmth and cordiality which had been evinced, and admitted that he was so overcome that it was only with the greatest difficulty he could express his thoughts. However, he wished to thank them one and all—directors and employees-for the more than magnificent presents which they bad given him on the occasion of his departure for America. i Ho could assure them that the severing of such happy associations, which had extended over a period of some 24 years, came as a severe wrench, but he would always look back to his connection with the Royal Welsh Warehouse and the Recreation Society with the happiest recollections. He hoped that some day he might come back again and see them, for they were his old friends and their kindness would never be forgotten by him. He could only tell them a small part ot the gratitude he felt, and he would once again ask them to accept his thanks and his best wishes for happiness and prosperity for the rest of their days. The watch which was given Mr Keay was a heavy 18-carat gold English lever demi-hunter, fully- jewelled, with his monogram engraved on the back, and the following inscription inside :—" Presented to Mr F. P. Keay upon his departure for Chicago by his comrades in the Royal Welsh Warehouse and members of the Recreation Society as a token of esteem. Newtown, North Wales, April 23rd, 1909."
- Runaway Ho se in a Railway…
Runaway Ho se in a Railway Station. Pool Quay station was the scene of an extraordinary runaway accident last Tues- day morning, which resulted in the death of a valuable four-year-old thorough-bred. The horse and trap, belonging to Mr W. P. Hole, Crowther's Hall, was being driven by a roadman in the direction of the station from Four Crosses. When it was near the blacksmith's shop, a distance of a quarter of a mile from the station, some colts in a field galloping along the hedge-side, un- nerved the horse, which became restive, with the result that a heavy driving apron in the trap slipped and kept slapping each spoke. The horse by then had got on to a full gallop, and Mr Green, Bank, who was riding behind on horseback at the time, tried to overtake the runaway, but in vain. At the station crossing the gates were thrown across the road, owing to the 10-57 a.m. train coming in, but the horse made a leap over the railings near the signal-box. The dropping-pin broke in the splinter-bar, and the maddened animal was thus free. The trap wheels, catching the iron posts and railings, rebounded a yard or two, while the horse galloped level with the in- coming train along the platform. When about half-way along it got its fore-foot be- tween the platform and the engine, and I this was cut off, but on three legs it dashed on. Ultimately the horse was caught by the buffers of the engine, and had its necki practically severed, besides being much cut about.
! " The Terriers."
The Terriers." KING CONSENTS TO PRESENT COLOURS King Edward has sent a communication, through his private secretary, to the Mont- gomeryshire Territorial Association stating that he had consented to present colours to the infantry and standards to the yeo- manry of Montgomeryshire next June. At a meeting of the Association in Welsh- pool, over which Colonel Sandbach, D.S.O., presided last Friday, it was unanimously agreed that the necessary colours and standards be provided.
Caersws Y. Forden.
Caersws Y. Forden. A FOOD-BILL INQUIRY. Forden Board of Guardians appointed a com- mittee last Wednesday to inquire into the reasons why the food bill of the workhouse exoeeded that at Caersws. Mr Stafford Price-Davies said that according to the particulars given by Mr Williams, Local] Government Board Inspector, for the year ending last Michaelmas, the amount they spent, after allowing for a slight difference in numbers, amounted to about X200 a year. This referred to the food of the officers and paupers, but the discrepancy was in the expenditure on the paupers. The reason he singled out Caersws was that being next door to them the circumstances were very ] much the same-it was mostly agricultural with two towns, and their numbers were very much the ( same. Their dietary was Almost the same, and the contract prices were in favour of Foiden.
SEEN AND HEARD.
SEEN AND HEARD. Nothing extenaate, nor net down nutfht in malice. SHAKl-BFKAbB. I never liked the crowd. It's noise, and bustle and heated breath offend me. Yet it has a peculiar fascination when per- chance I mingle in it, for there one may discern the play of temperament, the traits, th idiosyncrasies of an infinite variety of human nature. And the proper study of mankind is man." The football crowd is immensely interesting—at any rate that portion of it whose pronounced partisanhip and intense eagerness to anticipate every movement of the ball and the player work them up to an amazing pitch of excited exclamation and unconscious demonstration, which not infrequently leave a temporary indelible mark upon the shins of their next- neighbours. At a final cup tie I once saw one of these over-excited beings actually clutch a neighbour by the throat in an un- conscious attempt to overthrow a "forward" who was preparing to shoot at his favourite goal. Nothing quite so bad as this was visible in the final for the Montgomeryshire Cup at Newtown, but often as I have witnessed the play of tremendous enthusiasm among crowds within the R.W.W enclosure, the spectacular following of that game eclipsed all previous sights of the kind. To me the progress of the game was a thing apart, and as to the result I was more or less in- different, save for a feeling of sympathy with the losers. But the crowd formed a rare study. Among the partisans one could discern somewhat distinctive types. There were the ruddy rustics from around the County town, and the swarthy lads from Babylon. It was an indescribable treat to watch the alternating light and shade which danced over their features, to see the physical gesticulations, and hear the full- throated notes of encouragement, disap- pointment, and protest as the sphere bounded along and across the arena. The boundary ropes creaked ominously under the strain, as the transfixed crowd heaved and swayed, and shouted and yelled in con- certed counsel, cheer, and censure. To me it was a good match, and I believe the boys from the county town could rightly claim the coveted trophy. But experts tell me that the Babylonians, with a little more sym- pathy from jade Luck, might very easily have reversed the result. They will live to fight and win another day, and may I be there to see. Concerning what befel the cup after it had been removed to the County town, the pages of its subsequent history will form—I can promise—most fascinating read- ing. I have been implored, however, to withhold this chapter for a time, but I do not intend to keep my readers in suspense for more than a week. So when next I write I shall duly a round unvarnished tale deliver concerning the peregrinations of this coveted trophy, and how the wardens gave it, and, incidentally, themelves, into the custody of the officers of his Sovereign Majesty King Edward VII. X I am delighted to announce of my friend, Mr Charles Garland, the esteemed account- ant at the National Provincial Bank in Newtown, that he has been deservedly pro- moted to sucCeM"'Mt TSseph Lloyd Hugheer-* as manager of the Company's branch at Towyn. During his ten years' residence in Newtown, Mr Garland has zealously asso- ciated himself with many institutions, lit- erary and recreative, all which substantially benefited from his practical advice and sup- port, ever ungrudgingly given. With my- self, he was one of the pioneers of the Bachelors' Literary Society, which for some years had an enjoyable existence until as- sailed and sacked by the ladies. Game and grimly the diminishing remnant held the flag flying against the untiring feminine bombardment. But the die was cast. I shall always remember that gallant last stand" when the citadel went down; but only after the attack had been reinforced by the captured "hubbies." I heartily unite with a big troop of friends in best wishes to Mr Garland, his talented, public- spirited wife, and my dear little friend, wee Babbie, the darling of their ingleside.1 Newtown suffers another loss by the de- parture of Mr F. P. Keay for Chicago. where, I rejoice to hear, he has obtained an important and lucrative appointment. The way-going of popular personalities like Mr Keay creates impressive communal gaps difficult to fill. Mr Keay is one of those enviable happy mortals whose nature con- tinuously feeds upon the luxury of doing good. His self-sacrificing devotion to public causes, and all organisations to which he was officially or in any way attached, al- ways struck me as being most natural. How much we admire and envy a disposi- tion of that sort. What immensely in- creased enjoyment we should all extract from our daily work and our leizure hours did we possess that overflowing desire to distinguish our citizenship by helpful ser- vice to our fellows. I need not try to enumerate the admirable work which Mr Keay has performed in various capacities, but I know from observation and informa- tion how heartily, and therefore how thor- oughly, it was performed. His fellow- workers at the R.W.W. will miss him be- yond expression; so, surely, will the entire community. For all his splendid services he will have the reward in the enduring joy that on the other side of the broad Atlantic the warmest and best wishes of innumerable friends are ever with him. Bon voyage and all the blessings, my friend. While I write at the window of a subur- ban residence in a northern part, my atten- tion is arrested by numerous tiny figures moving peculiarly over the furze-clad hill in the distance. It is part of the little army of boy scouts which the town has or- ganised. Every week it substantially in- creases in number, and the juvenilis are deserting football and other popular recrea- tions for the healthy excitement of scout- ing, which trains their various faculties as few other pastimes can. I should like to see a boys' scouting corps in every town in Montgomeryshire. There is conceivably no healthier exercise for both mind and body, and none more enjoyable once the lads have been gripped by the initiative re- sources, judgment, calculation, and stra- tegical skill it cultivates and develops. In )ur county we have the ideal ground around all the towns for rare scouting, and I feel positive that whoever is public-spirited mough to organise the first corps will not lave any difficulty in securing recruits: LUKE SHARPS.