The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

(I How Would Yon Like It?" FARM LABOURER FACES THE FORDEN GUARDIANS. Some time ago the Forden Board of Guardians decided to make a levy of Is a week upon a rural labourer, which would relieve the ratepayers of oae-quarter the cost of "maintaining"hismother. Last Wednesday he appeared before the Board and stated emphatically that he could not afford to pay the weekly shilling. He was getting 15s a week; he paid X4 a year for his house, and, if be had to pay Is a week towards his mother, how did they expect him and his wife to live on what was left ? The Chairman (Mr William Pritehard) Are you willing to pay anything at all ?-No, sir! No Mr James Whittaker (Brompton Hall): If you had children you would have to keep them.—I can't afford it. I have two brothers and they are paying nothing towards her and I am married, and why should I do it ? Mr John Anwyl (a Priest Weston farmer): What position are the two brothers in ? It was stated that one brother was 29 years of age, married, and had FOUR CHILDREN AND 158 A WEEK. Mr Richard Edwards (a Montgomery farmer) Surely you can give Is The Rural Labourer (indignantly) Look here! If you had to pay for your house and you wunna getting but 158 a week, how would you like it ? The guardians laughed. The Squire of Brompton: I thiak he ought to pay Is a week. Mr William Humphreys, J.P., (Welshpool) I don't see how he can pay. £ 4* a year rent, that only leaves 13a 3d a week for him and his wife. Mr Anwyl: I am sorry to say I can't agree with that. In our district we have workmen only .earning the same as he does and contributing towards their parents.—[A guardian farmfr Hear, hear.J-I think it very rude of the man to speak like that-he has no family at all, and to come and be obstinate as he is! I think he ought to be compelled to pay The Board agreed to levy Is weekly on the passive resister.

Should Methodist Officers be Abstainers. PROPOSED NEW TEST. At the quarterly meeting of the North Wales Calvinistic Methodists, held at Menai Bridge on Tuesday, an interesting discussion ensued upon a communication received from the London monthly meeting urging that the Association should be In total abstainers from all intoxicating liquors. The Rev Juhn Roberts (Portmadoc) recognised the importance of the question, and thought it highly desirable that all officers should be total abstainers, but he feared that at the moment it it would be impracticable to proceed to the extent of applying compulsion, as was done by the South Wales Association. In order that the question should receive maturer consideration he moved that the question be deferred pending inquiries by the Temperance Committee. The Rev Francis Jones (Abergele), in seconding the proposal, declared that personally he would never have known the taste of fermented wine were it not that he became a church member. It would be regrettable, in his opinion, to legislate in advance of the people's convictions. A Flintshire delegate pointed out that no person was elected a deacon in that county unless he con- sented to 3ign the pledge. According to the Rev William Owen (Liverpool) the same rule applied to Liverpool, where church officers never raised any objection to becoming abstainers. He deprecated settling the question by the drafting of petty rules. The Rev Wynn Davies (Bangor) apprehended that there was very good reason for pressing the question upon the attention of the Association inasmuch as complaints were not wantirg that Church officers were not so clear of this evil as they ought to be. Recently the Church was face to face with the enemy, and to all outward appear- ances emerged vanquished from the fray. There was therefore every reason why the Association should take up an unmistakable attitude. Rev. William Evans (Liverpool) said that every officer in his church was an abstainer. He was anxious that the Association should create such an an atmosphere as would make it impossible for any but total abstainers to hold offices in the churches. Dr Collins Lewis (Denbigh) twitted the Associ- ation upon the fact that a large body of ministers attending that meeting put up at one of the local hotels (laughter). As a medical man he most earnestly declared that it was undesirable to adjourn the decision even for twelve months. Further discussion followed, and eventually the proposal to dofer consideration of the question was adopted.

During a reception given by leading Bengali notables at Calcutta, in honour of Mr Sinha's ap- pointment to the Viceroy's Council, the Maharaja of Tagore made a speech of impassioned loyalty. Among the great masses of the people, he declared Anarchism was unquestionably abhorrent to the liege subjects of the King, and he expressed the hope that returning confidence would again attract British capital to India.

"OLD MILES." How Pool was Flooded with Beer. A Tale of Bread-and-Cheese- "What Every Ma.n Ought to Have/1 CHAPTER XI. Among the wondrous ways of men and time He went as one that ever found and sought And bore in hand the lamplight spirit 01 thought. r b v —SWINBURNE. Wondrous have been the ways of men during many an election in the ancient borough of Pool. And (writes an 'Ex- press' man), listening to "Old Miles'" ex- periences of bye-gone days, I felt that the above lines from Swinburne's tribute to Browning are no less applicable to the ven- erable peasant of Groespluan "Common." You should hear him tell the following tale. Ft Instance, with grim, Carlylean humour: There was one borough election in the Town Hal! here. There was old Huddleston and Richards, the Oak, and some lot of the gentry there on the top of the stairs, all agait with the election, looking at the people coming up. I was going up the steps—up into the Assembly Rooms, you know—I was a good half-way up the steps, and here comes old X. half-way down to meet me—I can see him -.fiow! And he ketches hold of me by this (right) arm. I had this (left) arm on the iron paling going up. And I stopped—I knew him so well, and said: | What art thee doing ? Come up now,' he says, f and vote for bo-and-So!" 'Why!' I says, dost thee think I am such a big fool as I canna find my way up these steps without thee helping me ? If thee dost not loosen me, I'll hit thee down there head over heels There was a fine laugh on the top of the stairs, and some of them bawled: (LET THE MAN ALONE! He's a man with a mind of his own, which every man ought to have!' X. backed agen the wall, and looked like a oaf, never said a word! He was going to make a pretty noodle of me to lead me up the steps. There was a fine laugh at him by the gentry. By jingo! If he hadn't loosed me, I would have fetched him down, though I have never been in the habit of fighting, never in my life. I have struck a blow by chance, but very rare, not above once or twice." "Tell you another who attacked me once," continued "Old Miles," with a smile. One of the A.'s.' He never looked at me since. He was by the Town Hall at one election, began to collar me. But, by jingo! He had to drop me. He was going to instruct me. There were their colours, and their blue and their yellow. And he says. to me: Bill! Where's thee colours ? Colours! What do I want with colours? My colour's inside That's the way they worked elections in Pool. But that 'bacco gets over me—to give 'em 'bacco to blind their eyes! Blind- ing the ignorant! It is all the movement amongst the big uns. People must be fine ignorant and blind to think as a bit or two of 'bacco is going to turn me any way they please. By jingo! I should give 'em lip. But it does, you know. And a drop of beer election times! There used to be feasts on them elec- tion days in Pool. There was old B.—hisn was a good house, and different houses. They used to give them farmers a dinner, and then it come down to a quart of ale and bread and cheese. I never had one— I suppose I was too big-sorted! A TICKET FOR A QUART OF ALE. Go to such a place; it said on the ticket what house you were to go to. That was afore the election was put into wards, you know. I was in town when old Squire Pugh was chaired when he got into Parliament— there was tbe farmers shouting, 'Squire Pugh for ever! then. Of course, there was no votes only by the farmers in them days. We never had Parliamentary votes till later years. Quarts of ale and bread and cheese they had. There was a little fellow used to work for Lord Powis, so little B. went and got his ticket, and they'd dropped it at last from a quart of ale and bread and cheese to only a quart of ale! When little B.'s turn came for the ticket, someone said: B.C. Quart of ale!' 'Doesn't it say no bread-and-chiss?' said little B. That's how he went—Welsh, you know. No, they had no bread-and-cheese, only a quart of, ale. D's would have barrels, and would sweep the town! I never had none of their beer either. They were used to have a horse and go with a water barrel on Avheels —you see them lugging 'em from the canal when they want water, when water was scarce. They used to go about with the barrel full of beer! Start at the Cross Pump, and go up street, and a man leading the horse, and another standing on the shafts, and you must have your own tots. These fellows knowed about it, and he Would dip it in the tub, and reach it out, and then when he had served the man he would move on, and someone cried, Let someone else come and get it!' I have seen them stop- ping the horse, and all the street full. That would be in the days of open voting. No wards then. You could vote for four on your paper then, but now it's one man one vote." Both on the Borough Council and in Par- liament alike "Old Miles'" prescription is that we want men in power WITH THREE PARTS OF CHRISTIANITY IN THEM, and only one of the world, and then we should have a chance; we should become brothers and sisters, helping one another, instead of murdering one another! But you'll have great difficulty to get men, even the working class, to believe it! There were two men—workingmen—come to see me here Christmas Day, and they were on about Parliament.. 'Well/ one says, we want gentlemen in Parliament, not them working-class as they've put in as is good for nothing.' 'Well,' I says, I think we want working- men in Parliament.' 0 They are good for nothing, he says. 'We want gentlemen in Parliament.' I don't say nothing against gentlemen, as far as they're concerned,' says I. 'But, look here' What's gentlemen done now they're in ? We want somebody to go into Parliament to overthrow these beggars. They're up a ladder and now we re getting fellows into Parlament, and use their brains and take things into consideration at the present day, and push things forward. They're stepping up the ladder, step by step after them now, and when they get to the top there will be a good many pitched over, and will get their necks br<}ke! But many thousands die afore ever we get these reforms that have been promised. Mind What I'm telling you. We haven't got men in power fighting for right, but for all that they can get out of it. That is what the world is doing to-day, and has for the last 60 years, however. We want to bring out the wrong-doings, and we want to condemn it. But you canna get fellows to fight and COME OUT FOR THE RIGHT. "I was shearing a grave in the church- yard—me and my dog--a good bit ago. And a curate came in. He had a dog with him, and came as near as you are. My little dog went to him, and wanted to make friends with him. Get on!' he said, growling-like, to the dog. She won't touch you, sir!' says I. Get out!' (She won't touch you, sir,' says I again. Get out!' < She won't touch you!' says 1. 'And if you ministers and clergy of this town were as friendly as my dog, you would know the circumstances of every poor person in the town! He never looked at me. I thought he would be pretty dull, if he didn't under- stand me. No no no I thought the fel- low would have come up to you, and axed you how you were getting on, and try to notice you, and know how you were getting on in the Christian life. Do you know what I've suggested ? I've suggested if I was in power I would take all the salary off every minister, and would see who would preach then. And they that would preach, when they have no pay, shall be paid well. The others are hirelings—the Saviour says they're hirelings [To be continued.]

GOLF GOSSIP. I BY COLONEL FOOZLIR.] I walked over a local golf course the other day and was amazed to behold the countless number of divots that lay all around, whatever direction I struck. It was exasperating to reflect upon the shameless indifference of those who had thus scalped the turf and left the track of their ploughing for others to repair. There are some players who never like to be seen replacing the turf," because it smacks of the novitiate stage, and so if eyes are about they deliberately leave" the upturned clods to rot, and without one self stricken look at the gaping holes pass quickly on, Such players are the bane of a golf course, harrows and rollers are of small utility where these persons abound. The havoc they do is untold. In the pavilion and at every turn of the course the stern lesson should face all players "Replace the turf"—and all players should regard it as their duty—it is a duty to themselves —to reprove those who ignore it. Local Club t Committees must give the matter their serious attention. There is need for a reading of the riot Act. I The size of the divots which a really bad player can lift is something astonishing. There is more than one golfer who earned the reproach of the caddie who exclaimed, Its no use trying to put back the divots yon man lifts. Its no good replacing the turf; ye wud need to returf the place." I agree with the scribe who observes that for the player who omits to put back the divot he has sent hurling through the air no words are bad enough to describe him. The scripture saith something about a man falling into the pit which he has dug for another. If every player found his ball lying cosily in the mark of the divot tie forgot to place the round before-well, there would be less forgetting. If we sclaff, though we finally win, Yet the turf wound is left on the course, The' Allah and Earth pardon sin, Yet remaineth for ever remorse. KIPLING. The Captain and his good lady annexed the premier honours in the mixed foursome competi- tion of the Newtown Club last week. All the ladies who figured on the four best cards played, I am told, an excellent game, equal to, in some instances, that of their partners. Lewis, the pro has a good estimate of several of the lady members, and under his tuition they are certainly developing style and effect. If any ladies in other parts of the county have a notion of their superiority they will be readily entertained by their sisters at Newtown. Someone has said that the worst of most divots is that when you come to replace them-yea, even after you have searched for scattered fragments diligently and with tears-it never seems to be anything like big enough to fill the place where it was. And so you march on feeling like a murderer who has left the grave of his victim half filled in for the first passer-by to discover the cruelty. Some of my friends are at present complaining of being off their drive. Wonderful these off seasons, which simply represent the contraction of some bad fault, developed more often than not in the cultivation of a new stance, or through more attention to their own play. Granted that the stance is correct, one must never allow- one- self to forget the inviolable principles of the drive. Mr Joshua Taylor (brother of J.H.) discusses this subject in a contemporary rather helpfully. Here is a passage in his article that should be noted. The body in the drive should never be moved out of the perpendicular; in swinging the club back, turn the body slightly from the hips just sufficient to allow the club to reach the right shoulder, too much turn while the club is going back means losing sight of the ball. Here is a simple test as to whether you are taming the body too much and, therefore, over-swinging (for no one couW over-swing if the body was turned but slightly. Take your stance, having before asked a friend to catch you at the top of the swing and hold you there, then close the left eye and see how much of the ball is in view. Don't be surprised if it has vanished. It will be clear proof that the body has turned too much. When you can see the ball with both eyes, swing down, giving the club full freedom, turn the body sufficiently to allow the arms to follow the line of flight, push the arms well away in front, and always remember it is arms first. The body will be swung round by the force of the arms swinging through; therefore there is no necessity T« f push the right shoulder forward. It the arms are allowed full play, the body will follow as a matter of course, and that is all that is wanted. Dora, you were coy and blushing, I was over-bold and gushing, That first morning when we met; Then, alas we both grew fonder, Hand in hand we used to wander. Now in vain would I forget. How the very first sensation Of our virgin osculation Was a trifle out of place; How the tunnel quickly ending Found a smile add blush contending On your downcast face. ° Thus our liven got further blended, And one day I had intended, Had not Fortune been averse, To ask you if your soul would fetter Its truant-flight to mine for better Or, perhaps, for worse! But to golf that day we wandered- Ah, what memories we squandered When your divots filled the sky For your golf was so pernicious That it killed my dearest wishes: You are single, so am 1!

A Dying Body ? FORDEN BOARD OF GUARDIANS. •R Chairman is very kind and good to us f-UiL pe he wil1 hold the reins a little bit tighter and closer. I think we have been delay- ing business a little by getting up so many times and talking a little bit off the point This confession was made at the annual meeting ,or<^en Board of Guardians last Wednes- day by Mr John Edwards, seconding the re-elec- tion of Mr William Pritehard as chairman, which .A; Bond had proposed. The motion was carried unanimously. the motion of Mr John Pryce Jones, seconded by Mr John Anwyl, Mr Stafford Price-Davies was unanimously re-elected vice-chairman. In res- unanimously re-elected vice-chairman. In res- ponding the Squire of Marrington Hall said he had been studying the Poor-Law Commissioners' rfPn and referred to the description of Boards of Guardians as moribund bodies." The defini- tion of "moribund" was in a dying condition," out it looked to him there was life in the old dog yet (laughter). He did not think they need fear very much just yet. It took a long time to pass toete matters. At any rate, he expected they should probably be the same thing under another name when it was all said and done and over (ap- plause). r

In the London Sheriff's Court, Miss Mary Annie Morgan, variety artiste, obtained X300 damages for breach of promise of marriage against Dr. Hubert Carl Wilhelm Dornhurst, medical officer at the Aberdare Cottage Hospital. J

Upper Montgomery Calvinistic Methodist Sunday School Examination. DIVISION I. Matthew 25-28. Maximum, 100. Mary Breeze, Caersws 96 Hugh E. Jones, Mallwyd 94 Lily Hughes,. Llandinam 92- Robert A. Ford, Carno 90 John H. Evans, Pantperthog 89 David Owen, Aberangell 88 William Jones, Maengwyn 87 W. D. Lewis, Oakley Park 85 May Cann, Maengwyn 8t Sarah Jane Wilson.Carno. 78 Tom Davies, China-street. 78 Evan Lloyd, Pantperthog 76 Evan Thomas, Aberangell. 75 Annie Jones,.Carno. 75 Robert Roberts,. Maengwyn 74 R. D. Evans, Carno. 70 Edward Jones, Aberangell 66 Mary Emma Davies, Llawryglyn 65 Unclassod No.61 marks. DIVISION II. (21-25). Matthew 25—28. John Pugh, Gleiniant 94 M. J. Morgan, Oakley Park 92 Annie Woosnam, Llandinam 89 Mary L. Evans, Neuadd 86 Hannah Breese, Bont 85 Sally Watkin, Gleiniant 83 Annie M. Richards, Maengwyn 83 Margaret Bebb, Gleiniant 82 Mary Ramer, Carno. 81 M. Myfanwy Bunford, China-street 80 Elizabeth Hughes, Oakley tark 78 Sarah Jane Astley, Carno 77 Evan S. Bunford, China-street 77 John Jehu, Drefnewydd 73 Maggie Rowlands,.Pennant 70 Leah James, Aberangell 66 DIVISION III (16—21). Matthew 25-2,&. John Richard Evans, Gleiniant 93 Evan John Jones, Penegoes 93 Mary Matilda Gittins, Carno 95 Maggie Rees, Maengwyn 93 Annie R, Morgan, Oakley Park 91 Mary C. Woosnam,-Llandinam 91 Mignon Morgan, Machynlleth 91 Ceredig E. Williams, Machynlleth 91 Edith Elsie Bennett, Llandinam 90 lucho,rd Thomas,. Caerews 90 Llewelyn Vaughan Evans. Maengwyn 90 Jennie Jarman, Maengwyn 90 Sarah M. Humphreys, Bont 89 Maggie M. Jones, Bont 89 Blodwen Evans, Neuadd 89 M. J. Lewis, Oakley Park 89 Evan Thomas Jones, Llandinam 89 Myfanwy James, Bont 88 Ann Roberts, Bont I. 88 Edward Morgan, Neuadd 88 Annie E. Brown, Llangurig 88 Sidney Wilson, Carno 87 Annie Evans, Gleiniant 86 Maggie Lloyd, Llandinam. 86 Nellie Millwood, Caersws 86. Nannie Jones, Caersws 86 Lewis Williams, Llandinam 85 May Francis, Caersws 8.5 Evan J. Jones, Maengwyn 85 Catherine Owen, Penegoes 84 Phoebe Jones, Llawryglyn 83 Sarah Roberts, Carno 83 Onllwyn Jones, Maengwyn 82 Sally Humphreys, Bont 81 ] Sarah Jane Owen, Gleiniant 81 Maggie Owen, Gleiniant 1. 80 Edith Jones; Gleiniant 79 H. N. Meredith, China-street 77 Thomas J. Jones, Gleiniant 76 Jennie Davies, Llangurig 76 Edward Jones, Abergell 75 Blanche E. Wemyss, China-street 74 Matthew P. Wilson, Caersws 73 J. T. Jones, Carno 71 Sarah Ellen Owen, Cemmaes 71 John Morgan, Pantperthog 70 George Thomas, Bont 67 Margaret A. Reese. Carno 67 Bunley Roberts, Carno 66 David P Jones, Cemmaes 65 Griffith Gittins, Carno 63 May Jane Jervis, Melinbyrhedyn 60 DIVISION IV. (13-16). Matthew 26-28. Sarah E. Jones, Oakley Park 98 David Roberts, Neuadd 97 Anetta E. Owen, China-stroet 96 Annie Maud Evans, Neuadd 93 Mary Breeze, Bont 92 Mary Evans, Gleiniant 92 Mary Elizabeth Evans, Bont 91 Hannah Evans, Llawryglyn 89 Gertrude Lloyd, Carno 88 Gertie Gittins, Carno 87 Nellie Richards, Caersws 86 Sarah Ann Jones, Rhiwen 86 Jane Mary Lewis, Cemmaes 85 Thomas E. Morgan, Bethel-street 85 Mary Jane Williams, Gleiniant 85 Stephen Tudor, Graig 84 Sarah Jonee, Saron 84 W. Anwyl Jones, Melinbyrhedyn 84 R. Hugh Brown, Llangurig 83 Robert Jones, Rhiwen 83 Hilda Swancott, Carno 82 Annie S. Evans, Gleiniant. 82 Sarah A. Evans, Pennant 82 Susannah Evans, Llandinam 82 Mary Evans, Saron 82 Richard A. Hughes, Cemmaes 82 Ethel Pugh, China-street 79 Annie Ashton, Llandinam 79 Maud Wilson, Llandinam 79 George A. Caffrey, Machynlleth (E) 79 Sarah E. Owen, Carno 78 Annie E. Jones, Penegoes. 78 Margaret E. Gethin, Llandinam 77 Edwin G. Lathom, Machynlleth (E) 77 Daniel Lewis, Bont 74 Annie Williams, Llandinam 74 Charles M. Breese, Caersws 73 A.nnie M. Thomas, Aberangell 72 Willie Gittins, Carno 71 Mary Dakin, Bethel-street 70 Edith Davies, Waen 70 Edward R. Evans, Llangurig 70 Ifor ap Bennett, Pantperthog 70 Catherine Humphreys, Saron 63 Florence J. Jones, Darowen 68 Winifred J. Jones, Darowen 68 David J. Evans, Llawryglyn 67 Olive Mills, Bethel-street 66 David J. Micah, Maengwyn 65 Edward V. Owen, China-street 65 Emanuel Owen, China-street 64 Blodwen Evans. Newtown 64 Richard Jones, Graig 63 Gwennie Owen, Aberangell 62 Annie Jones, Newtown 61 Bonsall George, China-street 60 Richard Lewis, Darowen 59 Charles Inward, China-street 58 Jane Jones, Waen 58 Maria E. Watkin, Bont 57 David Davies, Aberangell. 56 Priscilla A. Evans. Llandinam 55 Emrys LI. Davies, Maengwyn 52 Rinhard Williams, Corris 50 FlcHrie Davies, Newtown 50 Frederick Davies, Bethel-street 50 Mary E. Evans, Waen 50 DIVISION V (Under 13). Matthew 26-28. John Meddins, Manledd. 95 Maggie Jones, Saron 94 Myfanwy Hamer, Caersws 93 Euronwy Thomas, Caersws 92 Blodwen Davies, China-street 92 Trevor O. Davies, Seion 91 Gwladys Roberts, Melinbyrhedyn 90 Richie Lewis, Seion 90 Patti L. Evans, China-street 89 Elizabeth M. Pryse, Llangurig 89 Marian 1. Gethin, Llandinam 88 Annie M. Lewis, Neuadd 88 Ryder H. Evans. Cemmaes 87 Robert E. Evans. Maengwyn 87 John Jones, Waen 87 Sarah Morgan, Oakley Park 87 William N. Jenkins, Machynlleth (E) 86 Gwen Evans. Newtown. 86 Richard W. Lewis, Oakley Park 86 Priscilla A. Evans, Llawryglyn 85 J. Ernest Williams, Bont 85 Herbert W. G. Wyers, Pantperthog 85 Ethel M. Lewis, Neuadd 84 David J. Roberts, Cemmaes 84 Meredydd Morgan, Carno 84 W. A. Burbridge, Machynlleth (E) 83 Teddy Caffray, Machynlleth (E) 83 Ellis G. P. Ap Hennett, Pantperthog 83 Elisabeth B. Jones, Llandinam 83 Sarah Anne Williams, Seion 83 Ceridwen H. Pryse, Llangurig 83 Besbie Mills, Oakley Park ••• ••• ••• 83 Edward Evans, Gleiniant 82 Ebenezer B. Richards, Caersws 82 Dora Evans,Pantperthog. 81 Elizabeth Williams, Seion 81 Hilda M. Edwards, Machynlleth (E) 80 Dorothy Banks, Machynlleth (E) SO Phoebe Davies, Saron 80 David J. Lewis, Bont 80 Maggie Lewis, Darowen ^0 Magrgie M. Lewis, Seion Jane R. Morgan, Carno 79 Wilson Lloyd, Carno 79 David J. Davies, Maengwyn 79 Edith M. Brown, Llangurig 79 Robert H. Lewis, Derwenlas 78 Thomas D. Hughes, Cemmaes. 77 R. Watkin, Rhiwen 77 Humphrey Jones. Penegoes 16 E. Emrys Jones. Llandinam 76 Maldwyn G. Pierce, Machynlleth (E) 75 Dora Pugh, Gleiniant 75 Margaret J. Davies, Newtown 75 Maggie Richards, Llandinam 75 Nellie Banks, Machynlleth (E) 75 Lewis W. Lewis, Seion 74 John R. Roberts, Mallwyd 74 Trevor Swancott, Carno 74 Phyllis Mills. Bethel-street 73 Margaret J. Humphreys, Caersws 73 Elsie Reese, Caersws 73 Enid M. Jones, Mallwyd 79 Irene Thomas, Carno 72 John Rae, Caersws 72 ^amer, Caersws 72 William Richards Darowen 72 Berthr Wilson, Llandinam 72 Jhrvan O, Beedle, Oakley Park 72 MarvK8 Cudworth Machynlleth (E) 71 Mary E- O-en, China-street 71 Nellie M George, China-street n Margaret E. Savage, Llandinam 71 Chnstme Humphreys, Caersws 70 Edward Savage, Llandinam 4A ^i D Br,ey' Machynlleth (E) Wdhe P. Roberts, Maengwyn AQ Hilda M. Evan,, CemmaL ™ Edward R. Jehu, Carno 22 Olive Jones, Maengwyn £ 7 Elizabeth B. Evans, Pennant Arthur LI. George, China-street William W. George, China-street. Clara Humphreys, Machynlleth (E) Hugh Tudor, Gleiniant ™ Lilly WOrthington, Caersws Mary E'. Owen, Aberangell Mary E. Price, Llandinam. 64- Ethel Owen, China-street 62 Blodwen Jones, Darowen 62 Catherine M. Roberts, Maengwyn 62 Rosie Jones, Maengwyn 62 Annie J. Foulkes. Saron 61 Jennie Owen, Bont 61 Gracie Evans, Derwenlas 61 Sarah Jane Tudor, Gleiniant 60 Gwladys L. Owen, Aberangell 60 Evan T. Jones, Pantperthog 60 Ellen J. Jones, Mallwyd 59 Mary L. Morris, Bethel-street 59 Jennie Lewis, Darowen 59 Frank Jones. Caersws 57 Mair Hughes, Aberangell 55 Edward Rees, Wern 54 David Jones, Aberangell 54 Bessie Miller, Bont so Rhys Jones, Ab-rangell 50 James Mills, Berthlas 50

I — Lord Joicey's Local Rent Audits. BETTWS. The half-yearly rent audit of Lord Joicey's Gregynog estate was held at the Talbot Inn on Thursday, the 15th inst. Mr Scott Owen, the agent, assisted by Mr A. D. Jones, attended to to receive the rents due at Michaelmas last, on which an abatement of five per cent. on the unre- duced rents was allowed. At the close of the receipt about 45 tenants sat down to an excellent dinner provided by host Jones, to which ample justice was done. The chair was ably occupied by Mr Scott Owen, the vice-chairs being: filled by Messrs Thomas Whitti- case and Edward Watkins. After the cloth had been removed the Chairman proposed the health of the King, Prince and Princess of Wales, and the rest of the Royal Family. In proposing the next toast, that of the Bishops and Clergy and Ministers of all other denominations, the Chairman referred to the good work done by them, and coupled the names of the Vicar of Bettws (Rev W. Gwynne Vaughan) and Mr J. Hamer Jones with the toast. This toast was well received and duly honoured, which the Rev Gwynne Vaughan and Mr J. Hamer Jones duly acknowledged. Mr Thomas Whitticase proposed the health of the Right Hon. Lord Joicey, and feelingly referred te the recent serious accident which had befallen the Hon. Drevor Joicey, and expressed the sym- pathy they felt for Lord and Lady Joicey, and hoped Mr Drevor Joicey would soon regain his usual health. This toast was received with enthusiasm and accorded musical honours, cheers being given for Lady Joicey and the rest of the family. Song by Mr W. H. Corfield, Boys of the old brigade." Mr Edward Watkins proposed the health of Mr Scott Owen, and referred to the help he always was willing to give to any movement calculated to further the interests of agriculturists. Drunk with musical honours, cheers being given for Mr Scott Owen and the rest of the family. Mr Scott Owen briefly acknowledged the toast. Song by Mr E. G. Lewis, A soldier and a man." The Chairman next proposed the health of Mr Thomas Wbitticase, which was well received and accordod musical honours, and which Mr Whitti- case suitably acknowledged. Song by Mr J. Hamer Jones, "Oh let the kind minstrel." The health of Mr Edward Watkins was next drunk, being proposed by the Chairman and accorded musical honours, which Mr Watkins briefly acknowledged. Song by Mr E. Lewis, A motto for every man." Mr Scott Owen proposed the health, of the Host and Hostess who had provided such an excellent dinner, and he also expressed their sympathy with them in thair recent sad bereavement. This toast was well received and duly honoured. Mr J. Jones thanked the company for their kind expressions towards himself and wife. The health of Messrs A. D. Jones and J. Jackson was proposed by Mr J. Hamer Jones aDd duly honoured, which Mr A. D. Jones and Mr Jackson briefly acknowledged. Other songs followed, and the evening came to a termination by the singing of the National Anthem. CAERSWS. The Gregynog Estate rent audit for this district was held on the 16th inst., at the Unicorn Hotel. After the receipt the tenants sat down to a well served dinner. The chair was taken by Mr W. Scott Owen, and the vice chairs by Messrs David Rogers, Thomas Rogers, and E. P. Davies. The following toast was given by the chair, and duly honoured "The King," "The Queen, Prince and Princess of Wales, and rest df the Royal Family." Mr David Rogers next proposed the health of "Lord Joicey, their landlord," and in a pithy speech referred to the assistance his Lordship give to his tenants in subscribing handsomely towards the hire of shire stallion and giving them the use of a hackney stallion at a nominal fee, and in several other ways; he also wished to express the sympathy of the tenants with his Lordship and Lady Joicey owing to the serious accident which had befallen their son the Hon. Drever Joicey, and hoped he would speedily be restored to health again. This toast was accorded musical honours, and cheers were given for Lady Joicey and the rest of the family. Trio, Three young men," Messrs Whitticase, Breese, and Francis. Mr Thomas Rogers proposed the "Health of Mr Scott Owen," who he said had been agent for the Gregynog Estate for a great many years, and for whom they all entertained the greatest respect. This toast was well received, and all accorded musical honours. Mr Scott Owen acknowledged the toast and thanked them. Trio. "A little farm well tilled," Messrs Breeze, Francis and Whitticase. The" Health of Mr David Rogers and Mr Thomas Rogers," given by the Chairman, were next drunk with musical honours, and were suitably acknowledged. Mr Thomas Rogers proposed the Health of the Hostess," and said that they all joined in praising the well served and excellent dinner they had partaken of. This toast was well received and duly honoured.

Forden Council's New Leaders. Mr William Pritchard was last Wednesday unanimously elected chairman of the Forden Rural Council the mover being the Rev D. E Rowlands and the seconder Mr Richard Jones P J' *r.dthen vacated the chair, and Mr Pritehard m taking over the command, observed that he did not think there was anything extraor dmary to come before the Council during the ensuing year. But the work was always into rest! T; %rwrr?misu th°mm tht ™ feeling that always existed between the various members of tbe Council (applause). Mr John Edwards proposed, and Mr T. Rogers seconded that Mr Percival Hurlbutt be the VIce- Chairman. Mr Edward Davies: I should like to support that. In some matters Mr Hurlbutt and I differ But we are bound to respect Mr Hurlbutt for his business abilities. I always respect him and I l admire his business abilities, and I am sure he will make a good vice-chairman (applause) — Agreed.

News OF THE WEEK. Tha late Mr Arnold-Forster left estate valued at Z13,754.gross. An ex-butler, aged seventy-three, who was in receipt of an old-age pension, was convicted of big&my, at the Old Bailey. A huge temporary boarding-house for working people at San Francisco was destroyed by fire, and fifty perished in the flames. Probate of the will of the late Sir Frederick weH"^nown tobacco firm, showed that he left over £ 3,000,000. The Law Courts re-opened with a full list for Easter Term. The libel actions set down reach the remarkable total of 47, and there are a number of cases of theatrical interest. As was fully anticipated, the price of bread in London rose generally from 6d to 6id, while West- end bread of finest quality was sold at 8d The London flour-millers, at their weekly Mark-lane meeting, advanced the price of flour by Is. per sack. Establishing a world's record with a weight of ] 0,400 tons, the Sao Paulo, one of Brazil's new Dreadnoughts so much discussed of late, was suc- cessfully launched at Barrow. In the opinion of Mr Albert Vickers, the new ship is in power second to none afloat. Early on Wednesday morning a locomotive en- gine exploded at the Cardiff docks, killing three men instantly and wounding several others. Por- tions of the bodies of the men killed were found at great distances from the engine, and one of the men was literally blown in bits. During the over-hauling of a manor-house ibrary in the North a treasure was brought to light which will come into the sale-room next month. It consists of five Caxtons—one of them the extremely rare "Argument of the Declamac- yon bound together in one volume. ^n0vmOUi^dam^lere, c°mputed at £ 200,000, was pLifiT ? ^reT^n bonded stores district Messrs J. and J. McConnell's stores, containing over half a million gallons of whisky and other spirits, were destroyed, besides a chemi- cal laboratory and other adjoining premises. Joseph William Shaw, aged 28, a plumber, of Lindley Huddersfield, died at Huddersfield as a result; or an extraordinary accident. While at work he fell from some steps, alighting on his head in a pan of molten lead. His skull was frac- tured, in addition to terrible burns from the molten lead. In the Court of Session, Edinburgh, Lord Sal- vesen dismissed the action for XIU,000 for alleged slander brought against Lord Rosebery by his late factor at Dalmeny, Mr Andrew Learmouth Drys- dale. The plaintiff complained that the action of the defendant's law agent in taking possession of the estate books and papers amounted tc a charge of unfaithfulness, and vras consequently slan- derous. The relatives of Mr John Davidson have now only to much reason to believe that the poet, in a. moment of acute depression, has committed suicide. A search among his effects revealed several documents, among them the manuscript of a new volume, with a preface containing the following passage: The time has come to make an end. There are several motives" Among those motives was the insufficiency of pension, and he addod, my health also counts."

General Booth's Eightieth Birthday. Scenes of unbounded enthusiasm were "witnessed iR the Albert Hall, where thousands of Salvation- ists gathered to celebrate the 80th birthday of their well-beloved chief. An almost boisterous animation marked the whole proceedings, and General Booth himself, after receiving a series of congratulatory addresses, made a brief speech on the work and future ot the Army. Among time messages received was a cordial telegram from the Prime Minister. Atrocities in Asia Minor. Further details of the atrocities in Asia Minor show how fiercely the Moslem fanatics acted up to the motto of the hour. Not a twig of the accursed race shall be suffered to live." Upwards of 10 000 Armenians are said to have been massacred in Syrian towns and villages, chiefly in the vilayet of Adana, during the Mohammedan spring festival. At Karikan the whole population was slain, to the last babe. It apoears certain that the widespread slaughter has been organised by the adherents of the old regime. Shropshire and West Midland. The next show of the Shropshire and West Midland Agricultural Society will be held at Shrewsbury on June ^Tth and 18th. Tie prize list for the live stock and farm produce sections has just been issued. The list was thoroughly revised last year, and the number of open classes has been reduced from 61 to 35, the West Midland classes (open to all residents in the area of nine counties) being increased from 22 to 41, and the tenant-farmer classes increased from 15 to 30. Call for a Welsh Cavalry Depot. A meeting of the Welsh party was held at the House of Commons. They unanimously passed a resolution asking that the cavalry depot of the Western Command be established in Wales, and that the resolution be communicated to Mr Haldane. A conference which had been convened for Thursday, the 29th inst., at the House of Com- mons, between the Welsh members and represen- tatives of educational authorities in the Princi- pality on the subject of the proposed new training colleges and hostels has been postponed. Lord C. Beresford. There was published a remarkable letter which was read at a Navy meeting at Bournemouth, and which, it was stated, came from Lord Charles Beresford. The text of the letter was given as follows :— I wish you every luck at your meeting on April 19th to try and arouse your people to the great danger arising from our unpreparedness for war. If the country knew the real truth there would be a panic. On the publication of the letter. Lord Charles at once sent the following telegram of contradiction I have made no statement to the effect that if the truth were known there would be a panic. Denounced at the Graveside, An extraordinary incident took place at the burial of a Tunstali (Staffs) man named Samuel Leech, when the Rev D. H. Briggs, at the grave- side, denounced the author of an anonymous letter received by the deceased man, which, the vicar said, had broken his heart. The charge made against Leech that he was a rogue and a scoundrel was an infernal lie. He (the vicar) knew the man to have bean honourable and upright. All anonymous letter-writers," con- tinued the rev. geatleman, are cowards, and if this scoundrel be standing within earshot I remind him that he will have to render an account of his deed at the great Day of Judgment All we can hope is that the culprit may repent of his murderous sin, and that others may take warning." A Significant Hint. The Prime Minister visited Glasgow, and, after owning a new Liberal Club, addressed a maS w?th *gr*f J"6 W'S HalL °Pening his speech VJJ to the situation in Turkey, Mr to tbl eCt-re<^ at new Cabinet adhered ,^ons^jt^tion, to liberty and just administra- 1 ,wou-ld keep its title to British sympathy; otherwise British sympathy would be entirely withdrawn. The right hon. gentleman then made an important contribution to the naval discussion. He stated plainly that a concordat on a slackening of naval armaments remained for the time being an unattamed, although I hope not for all time an unattainable, ideal." Recapitulating the Government's arguments against laying down immediately the four provisional Dreadnoughts, he asserted that steps had been taken to ensure that this country could keep ahead in productive power, and deliberately warned his audience that at this very moment" we might be on the eve of new developments in naval construction vitally affecting the conditions of naval policy. Finally Mr Asquith suggested that the great Colonies and the Mother Country might come together in con- sultation, with a view to ascertaining their respec- tive shares in the defence of the Empire.

BUTCHERS' HIDE, SKiN AND VVOOLJ Company Limited, New Canal-street, Birmingham —Current Prices tlid«s—90 and un 5^—5^. 89- 79■5-5:60 *V 5-4■ 50 to 59, 5 4; 49 and under, 5—0 • oows 60 and n £ 5 50 t0 5- 4i-4f bulls, 3|- 31; warbled and irregg., 3|—4 £ Call. 17 and up, «• 12 W.8. » to 11, 8; light, V| HcS hides. 20/17/9,^ l<t 15 33 10 7 3j 6/3> Wools—Lots, 9/7, 8,1], 8/5, 8'1, 8/ 7 10 7/8, 7/6 6/6. Wools-AL 7/2, A 6/4, B 4/8, c'2/lO. Welsh Wools 4/8, 2/10, 1/6. Fat-Bost beef, 2¡d; seconds, 2d best mutton, 2d common, lid. Mixed fat, 2d. Bones—Marrow 1/2. Waste, 9d per score.