The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

MISUNDERSTOOD ESTIMATES. Newtown Council on Thursday night had before them a report of the Collector, which cleared up the apparent discrepancy in the estimates relating to the general district rate. It is decidedly unfortunate that the impression should have got abroad that the Collector was in any way to blame, for his explanation clearly disposes of anything like negligence on his part. The apparent ano- maly existed in the fact that there was an increase of something like P.300 in the rate- able value of the district over last year, and in the figure estimating this year's rate no allowance was made—nor would it appear can be made-for irrecoverables (that is to say the difference between the sums which will actually be received and the amount estimated owing to vacancies and other such contingencies). These mat- ters we consider would have been much better properly threshed out in committee before coming into open Council, and then this misunderstanding would have been ob- viated. Mr Woolley's report and statement appear in another column, and from a perusal thereof any clear-minded person will be able to see how this illusion arose. To show that the Council are completely satisfied with Mr Woolley's explanation a unanimous vote of confidence was passed. A more tangible expression of the Council's confidence, however, was passed at a later stage, when the indefatigable and most long-suffering collector was granted an in- crease in his well-earned salary.

THE BEST SON OF WELSHPOOL. "He loved Welshpool," said Alderman Wyke on Tuesday, in reference to the late Mr Charles Howell, of Rhiewport, at a ceremony instituted to perpetuate the memory of that worthy townsman; and it can just as truly be said that Welshpool loved Mr Charles Howell, and reveres the' memory of a philanthropist who did so much to earn esteem and affection. The speeches at the unveiling ceremony adequately described the general feeling of appreciation and regard, but more demonstrative even than the post mortem eloquence was the spontaneity of the gathering, to which flocked not merely a large number of invited guests, but also a host of the uninvited, who had come to pay a humble tribute and hear kind words spoken of the popular benefactor. Mr Howells' benefactions are all of an enduring type, and are all additional memorials. They were not confined to Welshpool alone, but whatever he considered designed for the permanent good of Wales found in Mr Howell a warm patron, and his heart strings were long enough to reach his pocket When the Welshpool authority did not grapple with that miasma of slumdom known as Puzzle- square, Mr Charles Howell, out of his pri- vate purse, erased the hovels and presented the site to the Corporation; when the County School Governors feared that they would be exceeding the financial limits by the instal- lation of a wood-work department, Mr Howell stepped in and equipped one out of his pocket. These instances are but indices which enable us to estimate such a sterling, genial, and generous character.

Congregational Choral Festival at Newtown. The annual choral festival and distribution of prizes and distribution of prizes and cer- tificates in connection with the scripture examination was held on Thursday last in the English Congregational Church, New- town, and proved a great success. In the afternoon the attendance was not very large, but in the evening the church was almost full, and the singing all day was exceptionally good. The conductor, Mr Caradog Roberts, Mus. Bac., F.R.C.O., was very eulogistic in his remarks, declaring that he had seldom heard better hymn- singing and never better chanting—evidently the result of years of careful and capable training. Everybody was charmed with Mr Roberts, both as a conductor and an organist. He gave an excellent organ recital at both services. Mr Edward Powell, J.P., who was to have presided at the afternoon meeting, was unable to be present, and wrote express- ing great regret at unavoidable absence, and sent a handsome subscription to the funds. I The Rev E. Jones-Williams occupied the chair in the afternoon, and Mr Hugh Lewis, J.P., in the evening. The following were the scholars who re- ceived prizes and certificates:- Grade I., section A., under seven years of age—Eva Phillips, Bwlchyffridd, prize and ue-L ..Cate; Gorman Percy Evans and Pollie Whitticase, Bwlchyffridd, Violet Hibbott, Alfred Richards. Mollie Jones, Hampden Lewis, Gerant Goodwin, and Ernest Rich- ards, Newtown, certificates of merit. Sec- tion B, (under nine): Sarah Alice Phillips, Bwlchyffridd, prize and certificate. Section C. (under 12): Gertrude Sarah Price, Bwlchyffridd, prize and certificate; James Francis Price, Susie Ann Morris, Bessie Jones, Sarah Maria Evans, Hannah Jones, Bwlchyffridd, Gladys Weaver and Florrie Jones, Newtown, certificates. Grade II. (under 16 years of age)—Ernest Weaver, Newtown, first prize and certifi- cate; Elsie May Evans, Bwlchyffridd, second prize and certificate; Dorothy Phil- lips and Nellie Davies, Newtown, Norah Elizabeth Price, Nellie Andrews, and Gertie Phillips, Bwlchyffridd, certificates. Grade IV.—John Henry Richards, New- town, second prize and certificate. At the close of the evening meeting a very hearty vote of thanks, moved by the Rev Hugh Parry, seconded by Mr T. Rees, was passed to the examiners, the chairmen, the conductor, and accompanist. The ac- companist was Miss Edith Reynolds, and Mr Roberts expressed himself as exceedingly pleased with her playing. <

MONTGOMERY. MR MAURICE OWEN, J P., West View, Mont- gomery, gave his annual tea to the teachers and scholais of the Weeleyan Sunday School, Mont goineiy, on Empire Day. Tea was provided in the Wesleyan schoolroom and was partaken of by about sixty juveniles and adults. After tea was over they adjourned to the Castle grounds, where games were enjoyed until dusk.

CLEARING THE AIR. Amenities at Newtown Urban Council. The Collector Exonerated. Owing to what appeared to be a dis- crepancy in the estimates presented at the Estimates Committee of Newtown Urban Council, the Collector (Mr D. M. Woolley) ap- peared in person on Thursday night, and completely explained how the mistake arose. The report from the Collector stated that he regretted he was not present at the last meeting of the Council, but as it had not in the past been the custom for the col- lector to attend, he did not consider his presence necessary. He was very much grieved when he read the account of the meeting in the local press with headings such as these: £ 200 missing Where is the collector ?" etc. These headings arose out of the remarks made by Coun- cillor Jarvis. Since the report of the meet- ing appeared in the press his name had been bandied about the town and country in an unkind and offensive way, and was doing him a great amount of harm. He re- minded the Council that he had been its faithful servant for upwards of seven years, and had at each audit during that time been complimented by the auditor on the way he did his work and kept his accounts, and the auditor some time ago recommended an increase in his salary. In order that the Council might see how unfair and incorrect Councillor Jarvis' statements were, he begged to produce his rate book made up to the end of the year, namely, 31st March, ready for audit. The committee appointed to go through the irrecoverables, etc., would, of course, be able to satisfy themselves upon the correctness of his statement relating to this particular item. The publication of the remarks made about him, and the headings in the newspapers, as well as other state- ments printed in large type in the local newspapers, he considered GRAVE REFLECTIONS on him, especially holding the responsible position he did, and had caused him serious trouble and injury. The guarantee society might at any moment call upon him to give an explanation. The duty of a collector of rates and taxes is at all times anything but a pleasant one, and so long as he did his duty honestly he needed all the assistance he could get from his em- ployers, instead of being hampered and made the object of suspicion before the pub- lic. He should do his duty in the future, as he had always done in the past, and serve the Council faithfully and honestly, and he hoped he should not be asking too much when he made the request that the Council should shield him from personal attacks which he certainly did not deserve. Mr Jarvis said that he did not anticipate it would be necessary to make any remarks at all, but simply to ask the collector a question which he asked at the special meeting of the Council which was called to consider the question of the estimates for the current year. But as Mr Woolley had written a long and incorrect statement, he would ask the indulgence of the Council. In the first place, he was not responsible for what appeared in the paper, or for head- ings that the press might think it advisable to put there, or for any remarks except those which he actually made, and no others. Therefore he did not see how he was to blame for that. He entirely re- pudiated Mr Woolley's assertion as to A PERSONAL ATTACK. He had absolutely no feeling whatever in the matter, and he had not, when he asked the question, Mr Woolley at all in his mind. He pointed out that between the estimate which they had before them last year and the actual receipts which were presented to them this year on the general district rate there was a discrepancy of £ 200 which was not accounted for, and which he ven- ventured to say any gentleman around that board who understood figures would agree with him. He placed the blame on no one; he merely asked for an explanation of the fact, and no one could give it him. It was suggested that if the collector was present he probably would be able to explain how the difference arose, and therefore he asked whether he was present, and he was told that he had had notice to attend that meet- ing with the officials, and he ventured to say it was the duty of the officials to attend. He did not want them always to be AT THEIR BECK AND CALL, but at all events it was the duty and cer- tainly the duty of anyone holding the re- sponsible position of rate collector, to be present when the Council were considering the estimates for the year. One never knew what question might be raised, and he should have thought that the collector would have been present. At all events he was not present, and therefore the question had to be postponed. At the same tim'e it was a question which should be answered, because it was a serious matter. The dis- crepancy between the estimates and the re- ceipts, and the discrepancy between the es- timates with regard to the water rate and receipts, made them have a nett balance on the 31st March of something like £500, instead of something like £ 900, according to the estimate, and if they were to estimate and make such a mistake as that, why, to say the very least of it, they would land themselves in considerable difficulties. Last year it was estimated, after providing for the arrears at the end of the year, that there would be received from the general district rate £ 4,126. The Chairman: If you please, Mr Jarvis, I must ask you to stick to the report. You are going over estimates which have nothing to do with it. Mr Jarvis said that he would show that it was the whole question of this S:200, and that it arose out of the estimates. It was estimated that r,4,126 10s 5d would be pro- duced. As a matter of fact it produced £3,920 13s 3d, a difference of £200. All he asked was-how was it accounted for ? A DIVERSION. The Collector said that the rateable value of the inner district was E18,536 15s 9d The rate produced from that at 4s 3d in the £ amounted to £3,936 Is 3d. In the outer district the rateable value was £2,573 lis 4td, which at 3s 9d makes a total of P-482 10s lOd. The total, with arrears of previous year zF-281 15s 4d, and the post office rate of £ 38 16s 8d, would produce, if collected, £4,742 4s Id. He collected out of that rate £ 4,219. The irrecoverables of that rate amounted to E173 3s lid; the recoverables E350 5s, £68 9s 8d more than last year, but the irrecoverables were less than last year. Mr Jarvis: That does not agree with the figures put before us. What were the actual arrears on the 31st March Mr Woolley: f-,350 5s. Mr Jarvis: I do not know who is responsi- ble for that, but we have it in the estimates at E270 2s 4d. Mr Woolley: They are estimates. Mr Jarvis: Allow me. This is not a round figure, E270 2s 4d, made up in May, and the books were up to the 31st March, therefore I submit that it was absolutely impossible to tell to a halfpenny what the arrears were, and then we have the actual figures. If it had been E300 we could- Mr George: The books were not made up, sir. Mr Woolley: The books were not balanced, and it takes a long time. THE CLERK JOINS IN THE FRAY. The Clerk: If anyone knew anything about the books they would not make a statement like Mr Jarvis. Mr Jarvis: I submit I know quite as much about the books as anyone else. The Clerk: I don't think you do. I don't think you know anything about this rate book, and your strictures about the collector are quite unfair Mr Jarvis: I don't say I know this book, but I know something about rate books. My strictures on the collector are not unfair. The Chairman: We could not have ac- tual figures. These are estimates. Mr Jarvis: I quite accept the collector's statement so far as it goes. The Clerk: Very unfair blaming the man. Mr Jarvis: I submit the Clerk has no right to make those remarks about a mem- ber of the Council. How are we to arrive at a proper estimate and appreciation of the figures if they are given to us so in- correctly ? The Chairman: Mr Woolley does not charge Mr Jarvis, but says these are the results of what Mr Jarvis has said. Mr Jarvis: He said about personal at- tacks, and I tell Mr Woolley this: I have been on perfectly friendly term with Mr Woolley ever since I have been in New- town, and I have never made a personal attack on anyone, but if I ask a question like I have asked on this matter, it should be answered. It was not I who said any- thing about the collector. IT WAS THE CLERK HIMSELF, who said that the collector could explain. We are entitled to ask for information, and to have a better statement put before us than the one we have. The Chairman I will say this much, that when it was found that Mr Woolley was not on the premises, and could not be found, I think we should have acted wisely if we had let the matter rest until Mr Woolley was present, and then discussed it in committee. Mr George: Hear, hear. Mr Jarvis: I quite agree. MR- PARRY'S PRATSE Mr Parry: It is very unfortunate that this disturbance should have occurred, espec- ially when we consider that we had the pleasure of hearing the auditor speak so highly of Mr Woolley, and wishing that col- lectors in other towns kept their books as well as he does. He also stated that the services of the collector should be ack- nowledged in this matter. He has been in the employ of this Council for seven or eight years; when we have good servants we ought to be good to them, and this Coun- cil has not paid the attention to him that they ought to have done. I move about a good deal, and I don't think it would be Mr Jarvis' intention to do anything against Mr Woolley, but, unfortunately, it has had a bad effect, and the people have asked me what has become of this £200, and where has it gone. And that after the manner in which he has served us! However, I hope it will all be finished by now, and that Mr Jarvis will have no personal feeling in the matter. Mr Jarvis: I never called his work into question for a single moment. The Chairman: As a result of what has passed there has been a LOT OF LOOSE TALK in the town. After the excellent report presented by our Collector, I beg to move a hearty vote of confidence in him for the way in which he has attended to the work. Mr W. H. Evans: I have much pleasure in seconding and in endorsing what Mr Parry has said about Mr Woolley, and we all hope his career will be equal to what it has been in the past (hear, hear). Mr Jarvis: And I should like to support it. In doing so, I think the question, as the Chairman said, should have been dis- cussed in private. Mr Woolley knows I have been on perfectly friendly terms with him. I did not act on the suggestion of Mr Ford to interview him privately, be- cause I think it should be beneath the dig- nity of members of the Council to interview officials apart from other members of the Council, I am not ashamed of what I have done; I think I have simply done my duty. The arrears are very much higher than they were estimated. I most cordially sup- port the resolution. The Collector: All I want to know, sir, is this E200 cleared up now ? Mr Jarvis: Yes, as far as I am concerned. The vote of confidence was then passed unanimously.

UNEARTHING THE PAST. Archaeological Explorations at Caersws. More Light on the Roman Camp. Professor Sosanquet's Discoveries. He can read something in every shovel- ful A Caersws villager paid admiring tribute in these homely words to the distinguished scholar who has been directing excavations during the past week in the Ancient City, and who, by his genial personality, has dis- pelled any popular idea that every Professor of Classical Archaeology must be a Dr Dryasdust unapproachable by ordinary mor- tals. The present movement to gain more sys- tematic knowledge concerning the Roman occupation of Wales has been stimulated by an Exploration Committee connected with the Liverpool University, and the Powysland Club of Antiquaries is assisting in the Montgomeryshire operations. They hope in the Principality to arrive at definite results regarding the dark period from the departure of the Romans to the beginning of documentary history, because certain ele- ments persisted in Wales of the Roman civilization which was blotted out in the greater part of England by the Saxon con- quest. And to the expert archoeologist each fort that is thus examined scientifically will usually disclose important fragment of historical information. Always proud of the fact that theirs is no modern settlement of mushroom growth, the Caersws folk are especially delighted that archaeological ATTENTION IS FOCUSSED once more upon the camp which adjoins their village. At the present day the site of the Roman fortress is represented by the pasture fields that surround Pendre home- stead-the farm which the Montgomery County Council is buying from Mr David Davies, M.P., for the purposes of the Small Holdings Act. The Cambrian line h%s cut off a slice of the camp, on whose southern corner the railway station now stands. The opposite side of the rectangular fortress is bounded by the Carno highway, and here, in the south-eastern corner, which adjoins the playground of the Council School, deep trenches were dug last week by half-a-dozen wielders of picks and shovels. Just over a hundred years ago Sir R. C. Hoare recorded that the area of the camp "was very visible," and he found that the eastern and northern side measured "nearly 544 feet each way." But no extensive archaeological excavations were made until the '50's, when the Rev David Davies, then curate of Llanwnog, made some interesting discoveries in the north-eastern and north- western angles of the ramnart. HP fnnnrl a granite handmill and pieces of glossy Roman pottery of sealing-wax colour, known as Samian ware; also large blocks of sand- stone, charcoal, and ashes with stones that had apparently been used in furnaces or hearths, together with a quantity of white dross, which suggested that the Romans had here smelted lead ore brought from the foot of Plynlimon. The antiquarian curate-who afterwards became first vicar of Dylife-also traced the site of what he described as a Roman villa, but which formed really the local baths of the Roman settlement. This place is now denoted by the CAMBRIAN RAILWAY GOODS SHED. For nearly fifty. years afterwards no further systematic excavations took place, until Archdeacon D. R. Thomas, Llandrinio- leader of the Powysland Club—together with the late Mr Richard Williams, New- town, had a few trenches dug here and there within the camp to show to the Cambrian Arcateological Society in 1901. But no great results ensued. Now, however, local archaeological expec- tations are running higher than ever, for the excavations are being renewed under the direction of Mr R. C. Bosanquet, M.A, F.S.A., who has been for the last throe years Professor of Classical Archaeology in V the Liverpool University, and is a member of the Royal Commission now enquiring into the preservation of Welsh monuments. A scholar of European reputation, his past record may be summarized briefly in the following lines from "Who's Who":— Educated: Eton; Trinity College, Cambridge (Scholar). Craven Travelling Student, 1895-97; excavated at Athens and in Melos excavated Camp of Housesteads (Borcovicium) on Roman wall, 1898; Assistant Director British School, at Athens, 1899; Director, 1900-06; Director of Cretan Exploration Fund excavated in Crete (Praisos, Palaikastro, Temple of Dictajan Zeus), 1901-4; and in Laconia (Sparta, Temple of Artemis Orthia), 1905.(6; Foreign member German and Austrian Archaeological Insti- tutes; Knight Comm. Order of Redeemer; Delegate of British Government at Olympic Games, 1906. Publications: Seven Summers, an Eton Medley," (with E. Parker and R. Rankin), 1890; Boicovi- 1904: part-ttuthor Phylakopi," 1904; papers in Annual of British School at Athens and Journal of Hellenic Studies." Recreation: In Cambridge Athletic Team (hammer), 1891 and 1894. Such excavations as are now commenced in Caersws have resulted elsewhere-for example at Gelli Gaer near Cardiff, and at Ardoch in Perthshire-in plans of these Roman fortresses being drawn with such exactitude and detail as though they were designs of a modern mansion by A 20TH CENTURY ARCHITECT. Only a slight slope in the fields around Pendre farmhouse now survives the wear- and-tear of time and immemorial tillage to remind the casual onlooker that here could be traced the ramparts of Caersws camp. But the very first experimental trenches tnat the labourers cut last week in the south-eastern corner revealed details regard- ing the fortress, which have never previously been published. There was exposed a mas- sive layer of solid clay, rising in places al- most to the surface. The artificial nature of this stratum was proved by the founda- tion of cobbles underneath, which separated it from the subsoil-and it evidently formed a portion of the clay rampart which sur- rounded the camp. Outside, traces were also unearthed of a red-sandstone wall— now much destroyed. The walls of local churches and houses contain pieces of this red sandstone, which cannot be quarried within ten miles of Caersws, but were evi-' dently taken by the builders some time or other from the local Roman ruins. In one of the trenches at this corner the excavations disclosed three holes to a depth of ten feet, penetrating through the clayey rampart into the subsoil. And at the bottom a little black matter resembling decayed wood. The clay around was also filled with decayed wood, so as to suggest that at this angle of the fortress tree trunks had been driven into the ground, and perhaps pro- jected into a tower. These post-holes were first observed a dozen years ago in the Roman camp at Ardoch, where they abounded. This Caersws discovery has also an interesting parallel at Castle Shaw camp, a little east of Manchester, where two years ago traces of timber were found in a clay rampart. In the very first section that Professor Bosanquet had excavated last week SAMIAN POTTERY WAS FOUND at a depth of ten feet, embedded in the rampart; the fragments, of an early shape, pointed to the second half of the first cen- tury. The Romans carried their campaign into Wales about 75 A.D.—when the Glamor- ganshire camp of Gelligaer seems to have been built—and it may turn out that the Caersws encampment was constructed dur- ing the same campaign or series of cam- paigns against the Ordovices, the original Brythonic inhabitants of Powys. At this early stage of the excavations, however, it would be advisable not to draw many conclusions, until by slow but sure degrees the internal plan of the fortress has been worked out. Yet, considering the important position which Caersws occupied some 1800 years ago-at the junction of no fewer than five Roman roads-the possi- biities of important discoveries are great. And Professor Bosanquet may be depended upon with every confidence to make the best possible use of this opportunity to throw new light upon the dark ages of Roman Britain. Possessing profound knowledge and extensive excavatory experience, he con- tinues the work which the curate of Llanwnog began some sixty years ago. "Much more remains to be done at Caer- sws," said the Rev David Davies in 1857, as he closed his investigations, and I trust that better days are approaching, when there will be no missing tribe or lost city, and when the clergy and laity, imitating the Jews in building the wall of Jerusalem (each building the portion next to his own place), collecting facts and fragments widely diffused, will ultimately cause the history of Wales to be fully developed."

Montgomery Stock Sales. Messrs Morris, Marshall, and Poole had a record entry of stock for June at their sale on Thursday last, over 200 fat and store cattle and 600 sheep changing hands at satisfactory prices. There was a large attendance of buyers from the Midlands, Shrewsbury, and Oswestry district?. The sale commenced with the cows and calves, 34 being offered. They were hardly of as good quality as usual, Mr Price, Cwmearl, realising top price, £ 17. The fat cattle numbered 81, and there was a very keen demand for anything of good quality, the highest price being £ 22, which was made by a heavy bullock from Mrs Davies, Hendomen, and also by a nice heifer from Mr Fernyhough, Aberbechan. The principle vendors of fat stock were Messrs Williams, Mellington (14), including 12 yearlings of grand quality which averaged X13 each, AlderRnn, Lea, six choice. heifers averaging nearly .£17 each, James, Brompton (6), Owen Cockshutt (6), Vaughan, Court Calmore (6), Jones, Cwmberllan, Jones, Great Weston, and Price, Cwmearl, the largest buyers being Messrs M. Powell, Newtown (16), Slattery, Birmingham (14), Monk, Birmingham (10), Shuker, Burton-on-Trent, Mason, Wednes- bury, and Davies, Oswestry, in addition to the local men. Nearly 100 store cattle went through the ring, mostly yearling and two-year-old bul- locks, and they met with a better trade. The principal vendors were Messrs Alderson, Glanme- heli, 20 two-year-old bullocks, which made nD to X13 12 6d; Rogers, Penyllan (10), which realised up to £ 14; Morris, Gwernygoe, 15 yearling bullocks up to .£10 17s 6d Price Cwmearl, James, Brompton, Jones, Cefn Bryntalch, and Whitting- ham, Hendomen. The demand for sheep showed a little much?needed improvement, good wethers meeting a ready trade at prices up to 47?, which was obtained by Mr J. Morris, Gwenrygoe. The chief vendors were Mrs Green, Pant (50), Messrs Ward, Crankwell (35), which made up to 46s, Morris, Gwernygoe (20), 47s, Rogers, Penyllan (50), Jones, Cwm Bromley (40), Jcnes, Cwmber- llan (40), Jones, Great Weston (40), Evans, Bahaillon (30). Fat lambs were up to 33s.

E. ||S|fss B- 7TH MONTGOMERY AND MERIONETH BATTALION ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS. REGIMENTAL ORDERS BY LIEUT.-COL. SIR W. L. NAPIER, BART, Commanding. Headquarters, Newtown, 5fch June, 1909. ENLISTMENTS.—The undermentioned men having enlisted into the Territorial Force on the dates stated against their names, are taken on the strength of the Battalion, posted to Companies, and allotted Regimental Numbers as stated against their names:—C Company, Llanfair, 505 S. Black- burn, 31/5/09; E Company, Dolgelley. 2382 J. T Roberts, 17/5;09: 2383 Ivor Price, 29iGj09: 2384 E. P. Jones, 1/6/09. DISCHARGES.—The undermentioned men having completed their engagement on the dates stated, are struck off the strength of the Battalion accordingly:-B Company, 236 Pte J. Humphreys 2S/5/09; 113 Pte E. Mills, 13/09; C Company, 230 Pte G. Higgins, 24/5/09; 243 Pte G. Pryce 31/5/09 181 Pto R E Davies, 11/5/09; D Company 139 Pte T. Owen, 20/4/09; E Company, 2052 Pti R. G. Roberts, 2053 Pte D. E. Jones, 27/5 09. RIFLE COMPETITION.—The results of the annual Rifle Competitition will be found on page A. T. C. RGNDLE, Captain. Adjutant 7th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. I

BATTALION RIFLE COMPETITION. The annual rifle competition in connection with the 7th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers took place on Whit Monday on the Penarth Range. Teams ftom the Band and six companies put in an appearance, and the competition took p'ace under conditions which were in every way most favourable and enjoyable. The ranges were 200, 300, and 400 yards, five seconds being allowed for each shot at the shorter and longer rang", and 40 seconds for all at the middle distance. It is held by some experts that firing at bulls-eye was targets is no criterion of the value of the marks- man under service conditions, but the scores given below show that in nearly every instance the good shots under the old rules came out top under the new regulations. The Welshpool Company succeeeded in wrest- ing the cup from the previous year's winners- Towyn Company-but Newtown Company ran the top scorers very close, only three prints dividing them. The reason for Newtown's downfall may be gleaned by the inspection of the scores. Col. Sir Lennox Napier and several other officers were present on the range during the day. RANK AND NAME. TOTAL C COMPANY-Sergt. F Bluck. 54 C-Sergt. D Rowlands. 46 Pte. E Cooper 45 Pte. G Richards. 42 Corporal W Owen 39 Pte. C Bishop 39 Pte. T Large 39 Pte. C Thomas 32 Totals -336 B COMPANY-Corpl. W Owen 50 Corpl W J Owen 49 Sergt. E Jones 45 Lan.-Sergt. A Townsend 44 Pte. F Clayton 41 Lan.-Corpl. T E Evans 38 Pte. F Bellis 38 Pte. W E Reynolds. 28 Totals -333 F COMPANY—Corpl. J M Jones 50 Lan.-Corpl. E L Jones 47 „ W G Jones 43 Lon.-Sergt. J F Edwards. 42 Lan.-Carpi. J Davies. 39 „ W Morris 37 E Evans 34 „ W Thomas 26 Totals -318 THE BAND-Pte H Hibbott 41 „ L Reynolds 41 „ S Tranebard 40 „ G Hibbott 40 „ A Smith 40 Sergt. T Reynolds 39 Pte. S Humphreys 37 „ D Clayton 32 Totals -310 E COMPANY—Lan.-Corpl. E W Owen 50 Pte. G C Owen 47 „ W G Evans 47 T W Evans. 45 „ H James 41 Col.-Sergt. R H Mills 37 Corpl. R E Jones 20 Pte. T Morris 18 Totals -305 D COMPANY—Sergt. T Hughes 47 Pte. C H EvaDs 43 Lan.-Corpl. Vaughan 41 Pte. 0 Morris 40 Lan.-Sergt. E E Hamer 39 Corpl. T Leeke 36 Col.-Sergt. D P Jones 20 Lan.-Corpl. E Owen 27 Totals —302 A COMPANY-Pte. R Stevens 44 „ G Hercomb 41 Sergt. D Davieu 40 Pte. D Woosnam 36 Sergt. F Roberts 32 Pte. R 0 Jones 29 Lan.-S(,r-t. T P Williams 28 Pte. J Evans 21 Totals —271 PER. STAFF—Sergt.-Major J H Heap 31 XI Col. S-Inst. G Halford 3015" 4 „ G Hies 29 108 „ G Holley 28 W O'Neill 27 „ C H Segers 26 PRIZE LIST l-Srgt. F Bluek (C) 54 Cup, gold medal, and 30s Lan.-Corpl. E W Owen (E) 50 Silver medal and j81 Corpl. J M Jones (F) 50 Bronze medal and los Corpl. W Owen (B) 5012/6 „ W J Owen (B) 4910s Pte. G C Owen (E) 477/6 „ W G Evans (E) 475/- Lan.-Corpl. E L Jones (F) 47 5/- Sergt. T Hughes (D) 47 3/- Col.-Sergt. D Rowlands (C) 46 3/- Pte. T W Evans (E) 45 2/- Sergt. E Jones (B) 452/- PRIZE LIST 2-Pte. J Davies (F) 16 10/- Pte. F Clayton (B) 16 7/6 „ L Reynolds. (Band) 15 5/- „ H James (F) 15 4/- „ S Humphreys (Band) 15 3/- Col.-Sergt. t) P Jones (D) 15 2/6 L.-Sergt. J. F. Edwards (F) 14 2/-

MEIFOD. DAVID JONES & SON, High-street, Welshpool* are noted for pure Indian and Ceylon Teas and delicious Home Cured Hams and Bacons.—[Advt.

LLANBRYNMAIR. IT will pay you to pay a visit to the Music Salon, 8, Broad-street, Newtown. SuccEss.-Mr Tom Edwards, Old Post Office, won the 1st prize for the 100 yards flat race at the Pwliheli Recreation 'Sports on Whit Monday. Also, Mr J. B. Davies, Bryncoch Smithy, 1st prize for the three lap bicycle race. In both events there were very good competitors.

LLANFYLLIN. OBITUARY.—A very successful and much re- spected farmer in the person of Mr Edward Jones, Cwm Farm, Nantymeichied, past away on Sunday week at the age of 77. Deceased, who was well- known, will be greatly missed in the Nanty- meichied Valley. The funeral took place on Wednesday at Llanfyllin Cemetery. WE regret to record the death, which took place at Enfield House, op Monday, of Miss GrllCP Hughes, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs Robert Hughes. Miss Hughes, who was 24 years of age, was not of a strong constitution and about seven weeks ago she was taken seriously ill with influenza and this had a serious effect on her heart,

SARN. Two more deaths from pneumonia occurred here this Whitsuntide. On Friday, 27th ult., Richard Morgan, aged 25 years, of Bahailion, and' on Saturday, 28th ult., Lew;s Bilrd, aged 17 yeats, of the Havod, succumbed to this extraordinary and fatal outbreak after only a few days illness. The funeral of the former took place at Sarn on Whit-Monday, the Vicar officiating, and many friends and neighbours attending. The latter was buried at Llandyssil on Tuesday. Both being old boys of Sarn C. E. School, the flag was half- masted on these days. THE LATE MR. HUGH MORGAN.—The following is the list of wreaths and floral tributes which were sent on the occasion of the funeral of the late Mr"G. F. H. Morgan:—To darling HuLby from his little Wife; Father, Mother, Elsie, anti Evelyn; Harold; Mother and Pater; Edward, Catharine, and Polly; Mr and Mrs Henry Morgan and family, Bradford; Aunt Lizzie; Aunt Say, Nancy and Joe; All at Hendidley; Ally and Willie Woosnam; Mr and Mrs A. C. Milluish; Annie and Fred; Fan and George; Ethel and I Ted; Mrs Smith and Beattie; flowers from Cousin; flowers from Cousin; Aunt Gray and Uncle Jack; Eric and Mollie and Cousin Win; from Colleagues and Friends; Mr and Mrs S. J. Waring, London. "A token of great esteem and regard and high appreciation of a life distinguished by great moral virtue and a lofty and sterling character"; Mr and Mrs John Waiing, London; a harp ia choice flowers from Colleagues at Messrs Waring and Gillows, Ltd.; Mr T. R. Ronald, director of the Law, Guarantee and Trust Society; Mr and' Mrs T. Parry Jones, Park House; Mr and Mrs A. S. Cooke, Newtown Mr and Mrs C. M. Jordans; Mr W. Williams, Oswestry; Billi and Gert Mr and Mrs D. Mackenzie; Mrs Stroud, Frank and Elsie; Thomas Harold; Messrs Stair and Andrews.

SEEN AND HEARD. -Nolf.nw extonwittM. nor wt iiown ancrht iu malice. SHKtSFfAMX. Obedience to the orders of an authority that brooks no challenge finds me at the moment of writing in far-famed Tweeddale —the valley of the same classic stream which' forms the border and one-time bar- rier dividing Gael and Sassenach, the same majestic water which traverses a district over which the magician Scott has thrown the bewitching spell of romantic story. Rich in literary, historical, and poetic as- sociations, abounding in antiquarian relics such as standing stones and prehistoric re- mains, British camps, perhaps one of the best Roman camps to be seen in the coun- try, peel towers, mediaeval castles, ancient churches and keeps, it is also the neigh- bourhood in which Scott found inspiration to write much of his novels and poetry, em- bracing as it does St. Ronan's Well and the old ruined cottage of the" Black Dwarf." In the dell by my secluded homestead the wide-swelling Tweed flows silently on its tortuous way to the bosom of the ocean through unending forests of fragrant pines that roll away up almost to the skyline of the mighty mountains. Just close by my door is Drumelzier, famous in story. Here Arthur fought one of his battles. Here, also, under an aged yew, lie. the remains of Merlin, the heathen bard and Christian novice. The precise spot is just at the confluence of the Powsail burn (streamlet) with the Tweed. "When Tweed and Powsail meeteat Merlin's grave, Scotland and England shall one monarch have." That prophecy was fulfilled in 1603, when the King of Scotland took possession of his English Kingdom. It is recorded that at the same time a great flood caused a divergence in the beds of the rivers, effecting their junction thenceforth near to the grave of Merlin. For no one ever loved the Tweed, Who was not loved by it in turn, It smiled in gentle Merlin's face, It soughs in sorrow round his bourne." Immediately across the Tweed I see the huge monolothic natural altar at which Kentigern admitted Merlin into the Christian Church, following upon which conversion he was put to death by shepherds. In Drumel- zier Church is still preserved the old hour glass for measuring the length of time occu- pied by the sermon. I have just returned from a drive to the ruined cottage home of the Black Dwarf," which is- not the least interesting of Scott's legends.. As readers of this novel know, the dwarf was a man of vast strength and life- long misanthropy. He affected to be a judge of the beauty of the fair damsels of the district. Each damsel presented her blushing charms at the little hole or bole, which is still to be seen in the cottage wall. If his fastidious fancy were pleased he passed out to her one of the roes for which he was famous, but an unsuccessful competitor had the tiny window rudely closed in her face. As I stood by that historic wee window, even less pretentious than the window in Thrums," I thought of the many ambitious damsels who came and went bounding i1!. joy or distracted by the grief of blasted hopes. A rowan tree or monntatrr aslr ttTarKs the spot where the" Black Dwarf" was buried, but his bones were subsequently disinterred, and now repose in the museum of the Royal College of Surgeons at Edin- burgh. My precise abiding is on the Kailsic estate, immortalized by King James 1. in his poem "Peebles to the Play.' By the side of Kailsic house stands what is said to be the oldest larch tree in the country. Upon a knoll hard by are the ivied ruins of a pre- reformation Church, and within the old toll- house at a corner of the public road I have seen a peculiarly carved stone serving as the mantel-piece of the kitchen. It was probably the lintel of a doorway in the old Church, as it bears in raised letters the words, "A Hous For Prayer, 1614." With ancient Keeps the district is numerously studded. As a rule they have had bartisan roofs, from which signals were made by smoke during the day and by fire at nighty to give warning of the approach of an enemy in those stirring days of old, when the val- leys rang with clan war and bloody strife. They are observable all along both sides of the Tweed and up the glens of its tributaries, occupying capricious knolls in sight of and in communication with one another. Who that knows his Scott does not wish to gaze upon Neidpath Castle, whose vener- able and pictuesque pile I can see from my doorstep. From one of its windows the dying Maid of Neidpath failed to be recognised by her returning lover, and this tragedy is commemorated in one of Scott's finest poems. Let my readers again refer to it. The his- tory of Neidpath Castle can be traced accu- rately only as far back as the fourteenth century, when Sir William Wallace issued from the now ruined Keep at the back and thrice defeated the English army in one day at the battle of Roslyn Moor. But the part of which I am particularly fond in this historic and lovely country side is Ashestiel, which breathes the spirit of the great Scott. Here was the centre of the happiest associations of his lifetime. Here he led a free, healthy, and genuine happy life, and accomplished the first fruits of his literary fame. It was here that his renown as a poet rose to its full height. The Lay of the Last Minstrel," Marmion," The Lady of the Lake," were all written and published during his stay at Ashestiel, also the first chapter of Waverley composed, then laid aside, to be resurrected in 1813. Refer to the introductory epistles to "Marmion," and you will find them crowded with local allusions to scenery and customs of this locality, and with incidents relating to its past. All Scott's personal friends visited him here, as well as all those worth knowing in the literary world. What a thrilling feeling overtakes one while perambulating these secluded woodland bye-paths traversed by this literary genius crooning over his masterpieces of song and story. But I must call a halt to these musings, and get out into the fragrant air in obedience to the same authority that brought me here. L un SHARPE.

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE.—From Tuesday's 'London Gazette':—Captain H M Pryce-Jones, Coldstream Guards, to be aidp de camp to Lieut.- Gen. Sir C. W. H. Douglas, K C. B., appointed a General Officer Commanding-in-Cbief. I