The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

SIR ISAMBARD OWEN'S RESIGNATION That Sir Lsambard Owen was not eligible for re-election as Senior Deputy-Chancellor oi the University of Wales may have been no secret to those acquainted with the inner Wor kings of the Court, as Principal Griffiths stated at Pontypridd, but to the Welshman in the street the news came as a great sur prise, and the mystery surrounding his re signation, if such it may be termed, is dis- co. 11 farting. As the resolution proposed so eloquently by Ïi' Harry Reichel expressed tt Sir lsambard Owen's work has largely contri- buted to place the University on a perma- nent and stable footing, and has won for him an enduring place in the gratitude and regard of the Welsh i.op,e; and that he should be relieved of the office he has tilled so brilliantly for so long a period, except under the happiest of conditions, is to be deplored. Fortunately, the Court have se- cured in Lord Keiiyort an ideal successor. Few, if any, men have done more for higher education in Wales than Lord Kenyon, nd his warm sympathy with the aspiratiois c t his fellow-countrymen, his statesmanship, his wide experience, and h.is exceptional capa- city as a man of business fit him in a special degree to fill a position which, as his lord- s-hip described it, is "the highest honour that could be conferred upon a Welshman." Lord Kenyon said Sir lsambard Owen had done more than anyone to consolidate and estab- lish the Welsh University. The new Senior Deputy-Chancellor may be relied upon to do his share in furthering the interests of the University.

THE CHURCHES. The Rev. Jenkin. Jones, of Keb'e College, Ox- ford- has been appointed curate of Llairrrwst. He will take up his duties about the middle of July. The Rev. Hywel Edwa/rdfe, who recently re- signed the pastorate of the Wheeler-street WeCtih' tOong-jvigatfonail CtiuT\fnt Birmingham, has accepted an invitation to become the minis- ter of Dyffryn Congregational Church, Merdon- ethehim. Mrs R. E. Davies (Rabel o Fon), of Water- town, Wisconsin! has just arrived in this country on a. preaching a.adl lecturing tour.

WESLEYAN BAZAAR AT ABEBGELE. FUNCTION'S SUCCESSFUL CLOSE. (From Our Reporter). The grand floral bazaar organised by the Wos- leyans of the Abergele Circuit for the liquidation of the debt on the new minister's house at Llanddulas, was continued this day week, under ideal climatic ooiitnuonr:. Tne attendance was much Hlore numerous than on uhe iirst day, Wed- nesday (the proceedings of which were reported in our last issue), and the Rev. J. Henry Da- vies, Aldwyn, presided over the opening cere- mony. 'J he soloist (Mr" R. ItobertLi, Glasfryn) ren- dered "Maxi Lee" to ol)oii the proceedings, after which the chairman addressed the gathering, and afterwards introduced Mrs Morris, the wife of the esteemed super.ntendent of the circuit, who performed the opening oeremony. Mrs Morrits, who was cordially received, made a neat little speech. A bazaar, she said, was at all times a great, but pleasant, undertaking. In -Tig. addition to being the means of raising funds. for circuit purposes, it also served to bring people into closer intercourse, and that was an excellent purpose. In conclusion, she hoped that the fuction would be the means of bringing new life and a deep sense of brotherhood and sisterhood into the Church life of the district (applause). On the motion of the Rev. D. Darley Davies, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Morris. Thanks were also, on the proposition of the Rev. D. Morris, passed to the chairman, the soloist, and the accompanist. The bazaar secretary (Mr John R. Ellis) read a telegram from the Rev. R. H. Pritchard of the Bargoed Mission Station, South Wales formerly in charge of this circuit). It was as follows:—"Llwyddiant mawr i chwi vn eich vm drech.—Pritchard." y Seventeen ladies competed in the wood- sawing competition, and the adjudicator (Coun- ciilor Robert Roberts GlaPfryn) awarded the prizes as follows:—1, Mrs E. Hughes, 3. Brvntir- lon-terraoe; 2, Mrs Isaac Hughes, Bryngwen- allt Lodge. There was a large number of competitors in the hat-trimming competit:on for gentlemen. Councillor R. Roberts r-ccured. first pri?e the second was divided between Mr L'ewelvn Jones Mill Crecent. and the Rev. David Morris. Mr David Jones, Golden Grove, Peiuarn, won :n the draw for the ton of coal; and Mrs Ro- berts, of Siirn Rufi, Modfre, in that for the sheep and lamb (presented by Mr R. H. Lloyd JOTl, of Dinorbenl. The proceeds, it is understood, w-ill amount to JB200 clear.

THE NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE. Among the new subscribers to the National Service League are the Earl of Winohelsea and Nottingham, and Messrs E. P. Jelf-Revely, J.P., R. Prys-Owen, J.P., R. Vaughan, J.P., and J. R. Davje, J.P., Ceris, Bangor.

WELSH OFF1CER'S ENGACEMENT. The engagement is announced between Robert Cyril Lynch-Blos.se, lieutenant 3rd Royal Welsh Fusiliers, onJy son of the Rev. R. C. Lynch. Blosee, of Bournemouth, and Dorothy Mary, elder daughter of Edward Cunliffe-Owen, C.M.G., and Mrs Cunliffe-Owen, of 69, Oxford-terrace, Hyde Park, awl grand-daughter of the late Sir Phillip Cunliffe-Owen^. K.C.M.G.. C.B., C.I.E.

CARNARVONSHIRE ASSIZES, (Continued1 from Page 3.) THE FESTINIOG LAMP ACCIDENT. JUDGMENT FOR DEFENDANT. (By Our Reporter.) At the close of the hearinig on Mcmday his. Lordship observed that there now arose the question of common employment, pending the consideration of which he would not give judg- ment. On Tuesday, his Loixtelhip invited counsel to argue the point, p,rex erring to have this done 011 the spot rather than in. London, as the latter course would add greatly to the expense of the Alter listening to and participating in a pro- longed and interesting argument his Lordship said: Cie-ailiy, 1 niu,-t give judg^nemt for the de- fendant with stay of execution as to ccxste for a iortniight, with leave to appeal-

ACTION AGAINST LLANBERIS PAFBSH COUNCIL. LLANDUDNO MOTOR COMPANY GET L71 DAMAGE. Before a special jury the Llandudno Motor and Garage (Jo. Ltd. fougiht to reüovcr damages aga.nst tiie Llanberis Parish Council in respect o: art oocidciat to plaintiffs' motor between l'en- ypass and Lliain beiis 0:1 July 7th, through the wneoltj oi the motor sinking into a trench, wliioh it was alleged, had been unlawfully excavated on the road by the defendants, and th.at no warning' was given to plaintiffs that there was a .n there. Mr Ralph Baiikes and Mr Clement Davies (instructed by Messrs Ellis Davies, Jones and Jones) appeared for the plaintiffs, and Mr Artein'us Jones, (instructed by Mtissrs Carter, V and Co.) fcr fhe diefendaJits. Mr italph Banker said that on the 7th July fast a motor tliar-a-banc belonging to plaintiffs started! from Iiandudr.o with a party on a tour, and the accidicnt occurred about three miles from Llanbers, whore fee rend was 20ft. wide, and there was no ditch'*lpteithe>r side, it being quite open. C.'o-e to the place where the acci- dl:mt ^happened the road was being repaired by tne County CounciJ's workmen, and a ciirain tad! been opened. The car pawned this drain and ako a heap of rubbish on tine road. The drain cut across t:he road was quite open, and the car now came to tihe. tihiiid danger which was the cauø of tlie- aeo-dcsit and which could not 1>3 that wcu the trench which the Parish Ocui.ieil had, opened, and improperly filled up. A c.f the motor went into the trench and was absolutely embedded. The car then col- hced with the wall, and received serious dam- agm In their device the defendants alleged that the- ti'emch was plainly visible-, tad also aJ.egod that the car ran into the wall. The car did nothing- of the kind. defendant* naa now given up that contention, and alleged tiiajb the car wav-u dlrivem too fast. The first witness called was William Powell, driver of the c.har-a-banc, who said that there was a large heap of rubbish on the iifht ■hand suae, about twenty or thirty yards from the scene of the accident. The car was tra- veIling at the rate of six or eight miles an hour, and witness was obliged to keep away a few inches only from the right hand side to avoid going into a drain which stretched into the r<).-I(i, Having pasted this drain and a piece of rock he tried to get on his proper side of the road, when one of the front wheeis of the car fcrgan to sink. It continued. sinking, a.nd witness slowed down. Wne-n h.e alighted witness found that the front wheel had come off its axle and that other damage was done. The wheel, which was broken off, was sunk in the ground about 3ft. 4,in. Witness also sank over his boots. It was impossible to make out that there was a drain there. The place was level. Cross-examined: Witness, who was 23, said he had acted as a chauffeur for s.ix years The caa- remained at the scene of the accident tall about ten p.m. He had told bus man- ager at Llandudno that the wheel had sunk two feet. It was a wet day, and he could just at the time trace the line of other ears. He had passed over the route two davs pre- viously. The rock referred to was on the comer of the open drain. The width of the car was 6ft. 6in. from htrb to hub. He wrs in the ditch before he had had time to pull up, and at the time the car stopped he fe d not touched the wall at all. He did not run into the wall. There were no caution boards in this locality, and witness did not notice a red iflag anywhere. He toJd his manager that he was going about eight miles an hour. In reply to Mr Ralph Bankes, Witness said he had driven this char-a-banc for quite 6000 milooo without an accident of anv kind. The car weighed about two tons, and if it had collided with the wall, the wall wou;d have been down for yards. W. Bowen Jones, surveyor, Carnarvon, said he examined the road, where the accident occurred. It ,was 20ft. wide. The w.vj was an ordinary rough wall, about five feet hiph. Walter Fisher, Leicester, said he was one of the passengers in the car. The driver slowed down ,to what was practically a crawl. Witness could not say w.hy the driver slowed down. He was a very careful driver, and had he dashed into the wall the car and the occupants would have been precipitated o'ver it. Cross-examined: Witwcss said he had noticed that eome of the stones in the wall had been .pushed out. The trench ran along the wall, and the wheel n'aturally ran into the softest part of it. John Beard, another occupant of the car, also gave evidence. Dr. W. McKenzie Morris, Durham, said that there wjas no truth in the suggestion that the car dashed into the wall. T E. O. Marketson, Sydenham, London, and J.I. (Roberts, solicitor and clerk to the Car- n-arvonahirte Countv Council, also gave Evi- deuce in support of plaintiff's case th- htW observing tliat the road in question" wfw maintained by the County Council. The Llanberis Parish Council had received no con- sent to ,opel1 the road. THE DEFENCE. Mr Artemus Jones, for the defence, argued that the only qmoaion the jury wc-ukl have to consider was the question oi fact as to whether the Llanberis Council did, after making the trencn, refill lt and restore it to the condition it was in before the trench was made, and make it reasonably safe and fit for the publio. If he could satisfy them on that point the only pos- sible verdict they could return would be one for the defendants. The evidence for the plain- tiff was no doubt innocently greatly exaggerated For example, it had first been said that the motor car had sunk in the road to the extent of two feet. The sinking had now been reduced to 18 inches. But the place was only 12 inches deep, and at the bottom of it was a pipe, and if the motor car had sunk to the extent asserted the pipe would have been broken. He would call the men who had filled it up to show that the only difference between the filled-in trench and the rest of the road was that the former was a little softer on the surfaoe. What really hap- pened was that the driver caught a stone when he found he could not c-teer to his right side, and wa-s so driven into the wall. Evan Evans, county surveyor, Carnarvon, said he saw the spot two davs after the accident, and found the trench filled in, so that its existence was not noticeable, and the feeling was quite hard and solid. The road was quite safe for traffic. He visited the scene of the accident two days after. He went there to look into matters generally. Croas-examined: He did know whether the Parish Council had to apply to the County Council for power to open a trench. Some Coun- cils did, and some did not. If the Parish Coun- cil did open a trench it was not his duty to see that it was made up properly, In answer to the Judge, Witness Faid when- ever he heard of places which were dangerous to traffic, he attended to them immediately. In answer to further questions by Mr Banker. he said there was a red flag on a heap on the road on the day lie visited there. He doubted whe- ther the wheel of the char-a-banc got into the trench. There was no gign of that when he visi- ted the plaeo two days later. He heard that char-a-bancs often drove into walls. The Judge: Surely that is a poor reason against a particular individual doing it. Wm. Jones, a roadman, said he had fc^cn working Oil the road for thirty years. He was one of tho workmen who opened the trench in June last year. The trench had been finished about a month previous to the accident. He de. scribed the filling in of the trench. Every at- tention was given to this work. The place was quite safe for traffic. Cross-examined: Another man worked with him on the trench. Mr Ishmael Davies, rate col- V ctor, wad a.t the hQad of affairs. He had been employed by the Parish Council for fourteen years. In answer to further questions, Witness said nothing was done to the trench after the 8th June, when it was re-filled. Furtihejr evidence was given by Wm. Owen and J. 0. Thomas, the latter stating that he had put up a red flag- as a signal close to a drain opened by the County Council, Hugh Pritchard (mason), Henry Owen (driver), Llanberis, and J. Emlyn Jones (driver), who said that the road was in a perfectly good condition. The jury, without retiring, found for plain- tics, wo hwer.e awarded JB71 15s 6d damages.

PENMAENMAWR URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. THE FIRE BRIGADE TO PRACTISE. The mon-tihly meeting of the above Council was held on Tuesday. Dr. H. T, Jenkins (vice- chairman) presided' at the outset, and 'later Mr P. H. McClernent, the Chairman of the Coun- cil. tcok the chair. The other members present were:—Col. C. H. Darbishire. Dr. J. R. Wil- liams, Messrs R. D. Owta, R. D. Jones, D. Gordon Jones, Sanll, Roberts, F. D. Ohantrey, J. 11. Hitgson, Tlhos. Roberts, together with the I Clerk (Mr T. E. Parry), the Deputy Cleirk (Mr J. W. Post), the Surveyor (Mr R. J. Hughes), and -1he Collector (Mr Jno. Owen). CONDOLENCE. The Vice-Chairman proposed a vote of oon- dolonoe with the family of the late Rev. D. P. ;c D-iviets, who was an old! inhabitaat of Penmuc-n- mawv, and took great interest in fhet wefara of the district. He was a member of the old r. Losai Board, and one of the Governors of tho Coiunty School. 'l'heffi><.IIu!:)(m3 signified their approval by upstanding. INSPECTORS APPOINTED. Mr Piking, of Rhyl, was. appointed Inspector of Hackney Carriages, and Mr Robert Thomas, of Gonway, was appointed Inspector of Boats. LICENCES GRANTED. Licences were granted to a. number of oab- amd. boatmeni subject to the approval of the inspect/cos. FINANCE. The Ce'Heetor reported that he had coMeete-d during the past month:—Ceneral district rate, £ 338 13s S"lt; genera account, Eg 9B 6d making a total ot £ 348 2s 9d. It was reported that the ciKxht balance a.t the bank was E263 7s 5d. THE FIRE BRIGADE. Co!. Darbiihire reported! that the sub-commit- tee had considered the question of insuring of the Coue;ars workmen, and recomirendcd that a premium of E8 12s lOd be paid) to t'he North- ern As&ui-anoe Company, this cum to include the insurance of Fire Brigade. Mr R. D. Jones said that he would like to ste a little more of the Fire Brigade. The member^ were paid tihe su.m of El a year. Col. Darb-shire: Say "handsome sum" (laugh- ter). Mr^R- D. Jones said he did not call it hamd- sorne^tut it was only righa that they should seo the iiKinbors of tho Fire Brigade occasionally. Fortunately, they were very seldom caLed to a fire at Pen.maonmawr, but the members could tuain out to practise. LONGEVITY AT PENMAENMAWR. The number of births in the district during the. paat. month was six, aud the deaths three. COi. Darhish re: The combined1 ages of the t'hiee who died last month was 267. Their ro- spect; ve ages were 99, 87, and 81. NO PREFERENCE. The Recreation Committee' recommended1:— "That a reply be soent. to Messrs S. 11. Roberts and C'o. :!a. answer to their renewed complaint, that GO preference was giv-en to any tradesman in ocr.siderjng the tendters for furnishing the Golf i louse." The committee's recommendation was adopted. CURTAILING GOLF EXPENDITURE. Tie Recreation Committee also recommended that green braize table covers be ordered for the Golf Pavilion. Odl. Darbishuire, as Chairman of the Finance Committee, adn.-ed the Council to "draw the vy-th regard to f urther expendlituie on the Go. Ci.ub. He thought that the club should now b." soli-supporting, and, therefore, proposed that, after tine purchase of the table covers, no further e,-xpenro be inçrurredi without the, sano tion of the Council. This was. seconded by Mr R. D. Jones and carried. PROMENADE SHELTER. The Ebtate Committee recommended that the tesxlkx- of Mr W. J. Gioflihs to re-cover the roof of Pen-y-Cutting Shelter with zino for JE4 2s 6d b,) acoeiptodi. The committee's recommendation was carried, only Mr R. D. Joaea voting against it.

WEDDING OF A CONWAY TRADESMAN. On Wednesday afternoon, June 1st, the village of Wrenbury looked en fete, OIl the occasion of the marriage of Mr S. J. Wil- liams, second son 01 tne iaie Alderman J. Wil- liaiuo and Mrs YVihiains, C-eiitral Buildings, Con- way, to M Ait-e Robinson, second claugnter of Mr Arthur Robinson, of Yew Tree Farm, NYoud- cott Wicnbury, at St. Margaret's Parish Church, by the Rev. H. W. Bradley, M.A., v.oar. The bride, wtio wore a dress of pa..e fawn poplin trimmed with Ecru puliit lace, tuckod net and pale b.uo siik, crinoline hat trimmed with hyac- inths and silk to match, was given away by her father, the two elder bridesmaids, Miss Williams (sister of the bridegroom) and Miss Robinson (sister of the bride) were dressed in mauve and c.hantung silk dresoos respectively, and Miss Sarah Robinson (sister of the bride) and Miss Cissie liliams (cousin of the bridegroom) were attucd in white silk. Mr A. Robin- sin (cousin of the bride), organist of St. Mar- garet s, pres.ded at the organ. After the cere- mony the reception was held at the home of the bride In a marquee, when about forty guec-ts wore entertained, including the Vicar, who pro- poccd the health of t.he bride and bridegroom, the newly married pair afterwards left for Lon- don. The bride's travelling costume was a mauve coloured cloth trimmed with black moire silk, black crinoline hat trimmed with chiffon, and feathers and feather boa. The esteem in which the bride and bridegroom were held was shown by the number of handsome and useful presents, viz. :— Bridegroom to bride, gold pendant; bride to brides room, gold cuff links and studs; Mr and Mr.s Robinson (parents of bride), feather bed, bolsters and piliowe; Miss Robinson (sister of bjxle), marble timepiece and oak frames; Miss K. RobinSon, do., silver hot water jug, tea cosy, and d'oyleys; Miss S. Robinson, do., silver Coal- port biscuit barrel, tab.e centre, tray cloth, and doyleys; Miss Flora Robinson, do.. massive bronzo photo frame; Master Arthur Robinson (brother), silver teapot; Master Alfred Robinson (brother), set of car\ ers; Master John Robinson (brother), silver-mounted oak salt cellars; Miss S. Robinson (aunt), white counterpane; Miss M. A. Robinson (aunt), tapestry table cover; Mr A. Robinson (cousin), cet of vases; Miss Ada Evans (Wrenbury). silver fruit dish; Mrs Williams (mother of bridegroom), cheque, dining and bed- room suite; Misses Williams (cisters), bedroom services cushions, old china, etc.; Mr J. T, Wil- liams (brother), carvers; Mr W. 0. Williams (brother), old oak table and de,k; Mrs Joseph Jone;. Old Colwyn (sister), cheque, wardrobe and hangings: Mrs Jared Williams (oouein), dinner service Masters J. II. and C. Williams (cousins), china tea service; Miss Cisic Williams (cousin), trinket set; Mrs Brown, silver-mounted teapot; Miss A. Trim by, fancy flower pot; Miss IN. Trimbv, cut sugar and cream; Mr W. D. Jones, C.C., Holyhead, silver dinner cruet; Mrs Jones and M is.? Roberta. Greenwich Buildings, fra.med water colour; Mr and Mrs J. P. Hughes, do., framed water colcur; Mr and Mrs Wynne Ro- berts. Bedroom towels; Mr J. H. Jones, Stan- ley Buildings, silk squares: Dr. Simpson and family, one dozen eolid silver tea spoons; Miss Simnson, embroidered afternoon tea cloth Miss A. S.mp-on, handworked tray cloth Mr H. Simp- eon oil painting; Mrs Fairbrother (Guild- ford), embroidered cushion covers; Miss Edith Hux'ey, ruby sugar and cream; Mrs Everall, d'oyleys; Mrs Whittaker (Wrenbury), honey- comb q.uilt; Mrs Jeremy. Ty Gwyn, copper spirit lamp; Miss Magp-io Williams, silver jam dish and spoon; Mis S. Williams, lace table centre: Mr Hugh Owen, fancy teapot; Mr and Mrs John Jones (Watkin-st.). white counterpane Mrs Ben- nett, kitchen spice box Mn E. Rowlands, fringed table cover; Mr and Mrs John Jones, picture; Mr and Mrs Robert Hughes, pickle and marmalade jam; Mr and Mrs M. A. Rowlands, oco-isional table: Miss Evans (Wrenbury), duchess toilet set; Mr W. Evans (Wrenbury), bread tray; tenants. Llewelyn-street, handsome large- table cloth Mns Jones, Caradoc House, Conawy, silk table centre.

— 111 — g Ea.rl Carrington left Gwydr Castle, Llanrwst, for London, on Saturday. The "Terra Nova," with the members of Capt. Scott's Antoaxitic Expedition 110ft Londjan on 'her way for New Zealand on Wedmesdaiy. 9ho was in chargv at Lieut. Evans. Captain Scott will join her in New Zealand. It is an: IOU noed that King Charles of Roumania has eionfoinod upon King George the collar of the Order of Carol, the first and hig-heet Roumanian distinction.

MUSICAL NOTES. By Peter Edwards, Mus. Bac. (Pedy A laze,), Rhyl. "Y CERDDOiR" FOR JUNE. This number contains a U'an-iat.on of an imaginary cnat wittr some departed muticians, namely, L-hopm. Joseph Haydn, Mcndeajstthn. etc. What roOt-I benefit to musiciaru is to be roaped from the perusal of .such a work it is dithcult to see. Had there been in it proof of some spiritualistic agency; had "Juna" gracious- ly consulted the spirits of these great men, and laid before a credulous world some hitherto un- known facts in their history, or ascertained at, first-hand their opinion of present-day music and musicians, many would no doubt have hailed such, information; but this is only an imaginary chat! in the chat about Chopin, he (Chopin) is tlu p- pceed to say to the author: "They talk much these days about ideals in music. What do they mean? The only ideal the true artist po^seuses is self-expression. This sounds clever though I cannot quite grasp it—probably because I view the matter from a low "plane" of thought or conception. It, not the ideal that which consiits only in idea? Is it not the beat conceivable? The ideal is that which is peifect. Every true artist aims at the ideal, but neither Chopin nor any other musician has, or ever will, reach it in this world—unless and until music (lor instance) reaches that state in which it is absolutely im- possible to improve it. Sinoe the advent of modern music into the realm of "ait," until now, the ideal of one compooer, as he had tried to express it in his best work, seems to have been somewhat of an experiment to another: he has tried to build upon the work of his prede- cessors a still grander super;tructure. From the "Cerddor" article there seems to be nothing really r.ew to be. gleaned from this book of imaginary chats, except, of course, to those Welsh readers who have not read the various biographers of the composers dealt with. • • » » MR T. VINCENT DAVIES is the subject of the sketch in this month's num- ber of the "Cerddor." He was for some time organist of St. Benot's Churoh, Queen Vict-cria- strcet, London; subsequently of St. David's Welsh Church, Paddington. Although a very busy teacher. Mr Davies has written a great deal of niutic, his last undertaking being the publi- cation cf fifty hymn-tunes from his own pen. He has composed much for the pianoforte, and his songs a.rk, well-known to Wel-h people. Mr Davies' son, Thco. L. Davies, k ako a musician. In his twentieth year he was leader of the orchestra in Mr Banister Howard's tour- tng company, when "La Poupoe," etc., were plaved. He is now a student in the "Roval Military School of Music," Kneller Hall, iXounsiow. ♦ « • » MR JAMES SAVAGE. Many readers will recollect those days when Lew Llwyfo toured Waks in company with hk -in-law, James Savage. I well remember hia appearance at Covent Garden in the opera, "Tho per of Hamelin." He has been for many years in America, and has been most successful thero as vocalist and teacher. Mr Dyfed Lewis writes of him that Mr James Savage's recent rendering of the old song "Simon the Cellarer" was the best he ever heard. IL laugh at tho end of it was a real chuckle—"What, marry old Margery? No, No. No!" His treatment of the song was a revelaton to Mr Lewis—experi- enced vocalist as be is. Mr Savage i; about to re-visit the hind of his fathers, and no doubt will receive a really warm we.come. » » » • PART SONG. "THE SPRING by^ Vincent Davies, iinds a place in the "Cerddor." It is a pleasing piece of music, with tome effective changes ot key, notahy that into key C. near the bottom of page one: it is so smooth, and yet so wonderfully fiedi in its effect. The ccon4 movement, for the first twenty-two bans is rather poor m material; and there is a repetition of bars 1—4 at bars 10 13, in the same key, with the same harmony 1 Further on there it; some pretty music. The composer is a good In,elcd..st, and his part-eong should appeal to our choirs who require an easy piece, • # BARDIC GRADUATES. The Gorsedd examination list for 1910 is issued. In music the following have passed:— Chief Mudeian: Miss Gwladvs Pritchard, Liv- erpool; Dav.d Evaiks, Dinoi wic. Llanberis. Musician: Cadwaiadr Williams, Portmadcc. Musical Ovate: R. H. Roberts, Liverpool; Caradoc Jones, Corwen; Samuel Roberts, Liver- pool 1. Ivor Jones, Pantylrynnon. < < < WELSH MUSICIANS. According to the opinioll of Mr Peter Ro- berts, chairman of a rccent Musical Festival, held near Mold, the status of Welsh musi- ciains was much higli,er in the tiins of Queen Elizabeth than it is now. For the word he^e given as status" bri is used by the above- named gentleman in his Welsh speech. If he had sad that Welsh harpists stood high in the time of Elazabeth—as high for that period as later ones in later periods- doubtless, many would have agreed with him; but we have yet to learn the names of the Welsh musicians—composers and vocalists— who stood so high in the esteem of the musical world in the time of Queen Bess. W. 11 M,r Roberts kindly name the composers and their work. One has onJy to look at such collections of Welsh m-usic as Edward Jones', namely, "Bardd y Rrenhin," a. famous W^sh musician of the latter put of the Eighteenth Century, to see that his theoretical know- ledge was very smaU indeed—looked at from the present-day eandaxd And the music of Wales—apart from its rn.eodioesup to wilthim the last hundred years, was si mply wretched, judging fro.m that which has been published. Wales has made wonderful studies within the last half a centurv, although, as Mr Roberts says, its eo.m.po^ers are not among the world's best. Still, svorne youcom- posers of promise are rising: us be patient! » • WOMEN COMPOSERS. A finneiljiy article from the pen of Robert Newman appears in the present number of the "Musical Times." He rightly points out that women have all along been handicapped, z, especially in their career as creative artistes in music. At one time, women were not al- lowed to perform on the En^Vsih stage, the female parte in plays being taken by boys. Wh-e-n women began to act, in the Seven- teenth Century, "the pure ard noble so-ul of man was of course revolt- d, as it always is when women do something that he makcos no scruple of doing bimseii' In 1856, the de- gree of M.us. Bac. was refused to Miss Eliza- beth Stirling, not because her composition was not good enough, but because the statis- t; cs d'd not authevrise the conferring of the degree on a woman. Many women to-day have difficulty in getting thoir music pub- lished, and are obliged to invent names that sound masculine. Mr Newman asks what aristocratic patron ever did for women what Axru ^OTl1? ^°r Ciuek, Beethoven, and others? What friend, or group of friends, ever drew upon his or their purse to provide a. woman wath leisure for composition, as was done for Wagner and Wolf? A woman mav be poor and awkward, and still be received in artistic society but a woman who was as poor as Schubert, and lived his kind of life, would be 001 d-shouldered everywhere. Nothing truer was ever written. 13

THE CAMBRIAN ARCHAEO- LOGISTS. TO MEET AT LLANDRENDOD. This year the Cambrian Archseoloigists will m<;et,11I the wlOOk be:gil11'1.n:g August 22 at Llan- 0 ded. A novel thing—and1 a most welcome WiL; the meeting*? of the Associatioui wïJ.1 bo tlhe UBC of motor charabancs instead of the comparatively slow-moving horse vehicles. It ofteu happened during- nroent years that owing to s'.ow travelling by such vehicles most 01 members have failed to see a'll that was rrungiedi for in the programme, and regarded With envy tho fortunate mem here who utsed ;'r bicyelew or poeiet^ed motor cars" The mo'.or charabancs wll redress the balance. «tcre w.lil be scon in two dlays in this manner nan in a whole week by the former method of itiir.orar.,efing.

The employees of the North Parisian tramways went on strike on Wednesday morning, and none of the company's cars running. The Rev. John Rowsell, rector of Poee!«», and Hono- rary Cain-an (A Norwich Cathedral, died on Wednesday morning, aged fifty-seven. A Reuitcr's Wellington telegram pays :— The. value of exports fi-oni New Zealand during the rmnth c.if May was£1,566,9i7, compared with girW,186 during the corresponding month lost year.

OBITUARY. .eu. M. tolithetietz olucit. The death took place at Tedsmore HaJJ, ShiropahiM, on Monday, of the Rev. Thomae Main waring Bulkeley-Owen, husband of Mrs T. M. Bulkeley-Owen, mother of Lord Kenyon, in his »oth year. T'he deceased gentleman was the second son of Mr T. B. Bulkeley-Owen, and succeeded to the Tedsmore estate on the death of his brother in 1868. Graduating at Christ Church, Oxford, he took orders, and in 1850 became curate of Atcham. Nine years later he was presented to the living of We.'shaimp- ton. This he held until his resignation im 1870. In August, 1880, he married Fanny Mary Catherine, only child of the first Baron Harlech, and widow of the Hon. Lloyd Kenyon, who survives him. He is succeeded in the estate by his nephew, Colonel Main- warimg Jaeson, son of the Rev. Edward J acson. Mr Bulkeley-Owen was a magistrate for tho county of Sa'.op, and attended with great regularity the sittings of the Oswestry Bench, of which he was the second oldest member, having been, plaocd on the Commis- sion in November, 1876. He took the greatest interest in all questions affecting the welfare of the poor, and was a strong temperance advocate. He was keenly opposed to the pro- posals for the Discota.blishment and Disen- dowment of the Church in Wales, and also to tho I-ato Sir Walliam Hareourt's death du- ties. Some years ago he cxect-ed and endowed a Church at Haughtoin, in the parish of West Felton, and here for a number of yeans, until his heaJth failed, he conducted services once a week. Fond of horses, it was a familiar sight to see him driving a coach and four to any important open-air gathering in the oounty, while some years ago, driving a tan- dem, he toured the whole of Wales with his step-son, Lord Kcinyon. Mr Bulkeley-Owen was a keen horticulturist. He was a success- ful exhibitor at Shrewsbury Show, and he took a delight in welcoming all those fond of gardening pursuits to his charming grounds at Tedsmore. He was of a generous dis- position and a great friend to the deserving poor, and his death will be sadly mourned by the whole village of West Felton. The funeral took place yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon, at St. Chad's Church, Haughton, West Fel ton.

o h. tIJ. lew.elun ;¡¡Ji.c!¡a.b-. Dr. D. Llewelyn Prichard. whose sad death was announced last week, was the youngest son of the late Rev. J. Prx-hard, Vicar of Capel Uaimon. He took his degrees, S. aaid L.R.C.P., at Univeis-ty College Hospital, Lon- don, m IbBi), and in 1%2 commenced practice at Bettwsyooed. In a lew years he had worked it up so well, and was so popular and successful in his profession, that it extended from Cerngy- dru.dion, on the one tide, to Ogwen and Peny. g~»vi-y<i on the other, including Pentrevoeias, Yspytty, Nebo. Doiwydde.en, and the adjomuig parfctfio*. liaviiig sucn a jbarge district and so uruuil work toki on ilia strain gt'h, thero is no doubt his iiio was ,uer.ileed to duty. Though so busy in his profession, he found time to take an interiist in the general welfare of the village, and be&.dets 00;11g- a member of the Urban Dis- trict Council, he was chairman of the Glan Liugw.y School, and a sidosman of St. Mary's Church, which duties he fulfilled till his health gave way. His great kindness to the poor and suffering wiil never bo forgotten, and his loss is deeply felt by all his numerous patients and friends. He leaves a widow and two children, for whom great sympathy is felt; also for his sisters, MTO Wilmott Taylor and Mies Prichard, and Mr J. A. P.r.ic,hard (brother), Cape Town. The funeral, which was private, took place at Lodge Hill Cemetery, near Birmingham, 011 Tuesoay week, the mourners being Mrs Prichard, Mrs and Mrs W. Taylor, and Miss Prichard. Wreaths were tent by Mrs Prichard and chil- dren; Mr and Mrs Wilmott Taylor, Miss Prich- ard. Mr and Mrs Tayleur, Misses Owen Jones, Mrs Alison Johnson, Mrs Wisrht-Boycott, Mr and Mrs Meroer, Mrs McCulioch. Mr and Mrs Somerset. Misses Williams (Hendre) Rev. R. M. Jones, Mr and Mrs J. Wynne, Mr'and Mrs H. Ilu'rhes, M.ss K. Williams, Llanrwst.

gutternl of 3#t i»» Ui9 Qj),dttiU,. The funeral of Yvonne, only daughter of Mr Elds Griffith, M.P., took place at Llan- idau Churchyard, on Monday. Although it was of a private nature, a great number of people assembled to express their deep sym- pathy with Mr and Mrs Griffith in their sor- row. Tlie chief mourners were Mr and Mrs Ellis Griffith, Master Arundel Griffith, the Rev. William Owen (Liverpool), Mrs Eames, Mrs Simon, Sir W. Hughes-Hunter, Bart., Mr Huglies-Jones (Cemaes), Mr T. R. Evans (Holyhead), Mr T. H. Parry (Mold), Mr D. U. Griffith, Mr Owen Roberts (Chester), the Rev. and Mrs John Williajiis (Brvntsiencyn), etc. The white coffin was covered with wreaths a.ud flowers, sent by sympathising friends. These included Mrs Alfred Mond, Mrs Eva Mond, the Lady Hughes-Hunter, Mrs Hewitt, Mrs and the Misses Fletcher, Mrs Jocies-Tyrol (Liverpool), Mrs Brunner, Mrs Jones (Craigwen), Mrs Owen Roberts, Mrs Simon, Mr T. R. Evans, amd Mr T. H. Parry. In addition to the family there were present Nurse Simon, who had nursed the girl for nearly a year, through a very painful ill- ness. The little girl, who was seven years old, was laid to rest beside her brother, who died some seven years ago, aged seven years and six months.

frjieatlj of a glitit platli-otrate. Flint has lost one of its best-known and moist popular townsmen by the death of Coun- cillor M. S. Rogers, ¡t.t the age of sixty-two. Ho left his residctnoe on THiesday evening last, to enter a private nursing home in Liverpool, where he underwent an operation on Thursday, and where he di-ed on Sunday night. He was one of the largest builders and contractors in Flintshire. He was a native of Flint. A few months ago he was placed upon the Commission of the Peace.

0 jelle exr parries. The death has occurred of the Rev. Howell Harries, vicar of Ffynnongrcew, Flintshire. Mr Harries -graduated at Lampeter in 1875. He was curate of Llangerndew 1875-9, and curate of TiernoiX'hicin 1879 to 1883, when he was pre- ferred to the living of Ffynnongrcew, which is in t'he patronage of the Bishop of St. Asaph, and dts of the val-ue of JE250 with house.

THE BUDGET V. FOOD TAXATION. STATEMENT BY MR LLOYD GEORGE. A letter from Mr Lloyd1 on the subject of the taxation of articles of food in relation to the next Budget was read at the annual coii- fereineo of the National Temperance Caterer*' Astsociabion at Sea.rorough on Monday. The letter was in reply to one which was addressed to the ChaiKetlor by Ahtermon Thomas, ex- Mayor of Card: If, Alderman Thomas havinig submitted' to the dhia-acellox a resolution which w as to be contiideredl by the conscience peti- tioning the Government, in any future re- arrangement of taxation, to free from duty all articles of few, especially such as tea, coffee, and su'ga.r, which 100' become articles of abso- lute necessity, more particularly to the great mats of the labouring population. Mr Voyd George's reply was as follows: Brynawelon, Criccieth, June 2, 1910. Mr dear Cochfarf,—Anything I might say 011 the topic of your resolution at the present moment would! be ap-t to be misconstrued. I shall have to introduce another Budget in a few weeks, a.nd a friendly Jetter might bo interpreted! to mean that I intend taking dtuti.es off cce or other of the conimo-dities mentioned. You know my sympathies; but I have also to take into account financial exigencies, and :you oannot liave hugo navies as well as social reform without contributions from all olosises.—Ever sincerely, D. LLOYD GEORGE.

The death is announced of Mr Harold Furniss. the well-known artist, who, in his early years, was connected with Liverpool. I Seven thousand Maya Indians are :id to be i O:I the war path in Yucatan, and 500 citizens and .oldicrs aro reported to have been killed in three days.

BAPTIST RE ORGANISATION SCHEME. The ambitious re-organisation scheme initiated by the Baptist Union of Britain and Ireland was discuascd for the first tie in North Wales, at the three-county conference, held at Old Col- wyn, on Tuesday. The €-cheme makes for considerable changes in the administration of church laws, and deals specifically wnth the weak church problem. At present, a Baptist Church is an independent unit sub- let to no outside control except of the "Cymanfa" to which it voluntarily attaches itself, and the authority of the "Cymanfa" I is comparatively little. Latterly, complaints have been made that considerable laxity pre- vails in some churches with regard to the observance of certain rules, especially relat- ing to the acceptance into membership of unbaptieed persons. The Union are a.ppar- ently bent upon remedying matters by weld- ing the various units into a homogeneous whole, each being more or less dependent upon the other financially and otherwise. The weak churches are to receive pecuniary and ministerial assistance from the strong churches; each church is to be under the direct control of a pastor, and no unmarried minister is to receive a lesser stipend than .£100 a year, the minimum in the case of the married minister being X120. A time limct for ministers somewhat on the Wesleyan plan is also suggested. There was but one dis- cordant note in the views of the conference on the scheme, one speaker urging that a spcc-al union for Wales would better meet the needs of the Welsh churches than joint action with the union for the kingdom. The ultimate fate of the scheme remains to be seen. One wonders what the leaders of the United Free Church Moveent think of the project.

DEAR MEAT. The rise in the price of meat seems likely to lead to what we cannot but regard as a regrettable and short-sighted agitation. The importation of Argentine cattle, even for slaughter at the port, has been prohibited for some years. There is no evidence that this prohibition is in any way one of the causes of the rise in the price of meat, as the sup- ply of dead meat is, of course, unaffected. But to the popular imagination tbex-o may appeal- a connection. Yet the withdrawal of the prohibition would not only lay British agriculturists open to terrible loss, but would probably defeat the very object of those who advocate it. The object of the prohibi- tion is the safeguarding of this country from the scourge of foot and mouth disease. This disease can be spread in all sorts of ways, and mere compulsory slaughter at the port ÍB no effective protection aga,inst it, as it is against pleuro-pneumonia which can only be conveyed by the immediate contact of one animal with another. How cautious we should be as to any premature removal of the restriction is shown by the fact that, after an immunity of two years, an outbreak of foot and mouth disease is now spreading rapidly in Argentina, where the Government have recently had to isolate five provinces. During an epidemic of foot and mouth dis- ease in Great Britain from 1880 to 1884, solme 33%PW cattle, 370,000 sheep, a.nd 37,000 swine were reported as having been attacked f by the disease, and it was estimated that stock-owners suffered a direct loss of at least ^62,500,000. It would, therefore, be a disas- trous policy to lay our agriculturists open after an immunity of seven or eight years, to tfhe danger of a recurrence of th.is -terrible doourge. And it must, moreover, be obvious that, should the disease again get a hold Tn this country, the house supply of meat would be seriously curtailed and the price of meat to the consumer increased. Thus the very course advocated to counteract the rise m the price would operate to increase it.

Helping; Friendless Girls. The North Wales Association for the Aid of Friendless Girls has apparently come to stay. The causae of its existence will un- fortunately remain, like the poor, with us for all time, ar.d few societies therefore better deserve a long Ffe of robust health. It has a wide field of labour, extending throughout twenty POOT Law Unions, and during last year it relieved nearly one hundred unhappy women. Of these twenty with their children were kept out of the workhouse altogether. In this direction particularly the Association performs a beneficent and fruitful work. The stigma associated with even the temporary shelter of the workhouse has influenced many sensitive and otherwise respectable women so powerfully that they have never recovered sufficient self-respect to try and recover their old place in society with the result that they have drifted into the -slough of shame only to be followed too often in the same path by their children. Any society which helps the erring under such circumstances deserves public support for it is doing a noble work, and at the same time saving the ratepayers considerable expense.. The appeal made by the committee for a more general recognition of the aims of the Association is to be com- mended to the notice of social reformers and Church workers. As the committee remark, the outlook will be more hopeful when the whole question is not ignored, because it is a disagreeable subject.

< £ Board of Agriculture Ignored. Llanfrotheii farmers have stirred up what may prove to be a serious quarrel between the Merionethshire Counciil ard the Board of Agriculture. Last year an outbreak of sheep scab was reported on the mountain grazing land around Festtiniog; and the Board of Agriculture issued an order insisting upon three sheep dippings in five parishes, including Llanfrothen, during a certain period. The farmers of LI an fro then refused to dip thcix sheep more than twice on the ground that as there was no disease in their district the Order was unreasonable. They were eventually summoned for disobeying the order, but the Pen rhyndeudraeth magis.trcites refused to convict, though defendants ad- mitted an offence. To-day week the County Council were requested by the Beard of Agriculture to appeal against the justices' decision. Mr Haydn Jones, M.P., promptly moved that the Council decline to appeal urging that it was "wrong to impose three dippings upon farmers in a parish free from sc a i). Without going quite so far as to act upon that advice the Council decided to ignore the Board's letter. The Order was perhaps unnecessarily harsh, but it certainly seems unusual for an authority which is largely responsible for the administratiiofn of the law to encourage farmers to resist the law. The Board's next step will be watched with interest, because it is hardly likely that the Department will leave matters as they are.

The Poem "Aber." There is not a more pathetic poem in the English language than that entitled "Aber" in the words of the late T. E. Brown, the Manx poet and distinguished scholar, who waa a master at Clifton for the greater part of his life. It was written after a visit to Aber Falls, when the poet was overcome by the recollections of a former visit paid in the company of his younger son, whom he had since lost. The poem is published in the "Golden Treasury" coLlcction of T. E. Brown's poems, as well as an Macmillan's complete edition of the poems. Students at a certain seat of learning should note that Aber means Aber, and not a vulgar abbrevia- tdon of the name of their town. The "Aber," Prin., Prof., Lit. and Deb. of Aberystwyth students are pronounced by people of educa- tion (and even by those of them who have not too abundant leisure) as Aberystwyth, Principal, Professor, and Literary and De- bating Society.

I t CHESTER PAGEANT. J ARRANCEM, ENTS APPROACHINCI I COMPLETION. „ A meeting of the Grand Council Chester Hietorical Pageant was held on jjjg day, lost week, Hie Worehip the Mayor 'n c,hai-r. The Executive Commjtteoo reported that are now very busy perfecting the for pageant week and the preceding In order to provide the .necessary medical SU-Fef* vision, the Chester Medical Society have boO ili seated to depute two of the n embers tIJ the attendance, while he management of Chester General Infirmary have very agreed to supply any nurses necessary. aI! St. John's Ambulance Corps will send a sq of men to be in attendance at the perforinac^ The most complete arrangements have aØ made for housing- the various departments the ground, and marquees and tents wIll In provided to accommodate a the Performers Field special provision has of madt3 in this respect, so that in the c,cP t Of incieiment weather the various sections, ;11( ing^ the children, wit] find ample cover T he Committee have now definitely several of the ie.hear.sal days, and special rangemonts have been made with the 1 companies in reference to cheap fares to a-tt^ the public rehearsals. The financial report of the Hon. Treasury was most satisfactory, and there was no T<:3 to doubt that the Pageant would be both art is tic and a financial success CHESTER'S ADVERTISEMENT.. y The Publicity Committee reported tluifc Wyjt had very nearly finished their work and city "has never before received such a spread a.nd wholesome advertcenaent as it now getting." ,,f The Lecture Committee had fin ifihed its work with two important lectures^. Tarporley and Crewe, both fixtures largiely attondied, A further series, however, had been orga by Miss Agnes Haynes, the Press Agent of Pageant. The most complete arrangements were rep^rjj ted to have been, made, with regard to fancy dlness bad! whicfe » to be held oa Fridky itn Pageant week. The objection £ dlancing on Friday has been considered'; but is felt to a.ltcr the day would entail confu^1 and expense. The grand stand was. now in course of eref tion and would be available for use on July ,» The stand wij] hold over 4,000 people, and the seats wiH be numbered and reserved. 10' addition to the main auditorium the oI1 suie for tlie chorus and band will hold 250, the Royal boxes will acoctiimodate from 60. MT Hawtirey's box will be on the from which he will control the performers wall be in touch with all parts of the by means of specially organised telephone vice. The Head-di-eas Committee and, the LadId, Committee report their work as almost d1Ø plelted, over 1,200 ladies haviing dealt with ryl" making of costumes and hetwM'recses. f. StencjlO'ing and Painting Committee also rep°r ted near compilation, a.nd the pert'c.5' Committee reported the well in heuid, tlhoug-h the ROVCV had mode heavy demand on the workers- Horse Committee reported that 130 horses been securedj and jjt" wae ihoped that 50 would soon be also arranged, for THE FINAL, PR/OGRAMME 1 Thgi final programme for the week as adep*^ by the Entertainment Ocxmmittee is:— j- Monday: Fiiewor'fes dliBpCjay andi concert by the Band of the Royal Marine** Grosveaior Park 8 p.m., admission 6d. j Tuesday: Children's fantastic play and otf the RoyalMorinee, 8 p.m.. 6d..1 Wednescte-y Again the Bandv, and the illuminations will take place, 6d. Thursday: AmWted pictures of the Page and tihe Banid, 8 p.m., 6d. — Friday Fancy Dieas Ball at the Town tickets inaluding supper, 10s ^d. Pierrots Band of the Royal Marines in Grosvcuior far f 8 p.m., 6d.. Saturday: Battle of Flowers, decorated inotog car prizes, Band of the RoyaJ Mannes, 8 P,104 Is. Mr George P. Haw trey, Master of ^74 Pageant, at the end of the meeting, ex himself delighted with tihe forwardness of preparations, and the oomp'ci.eJy friendly sp0** which bae characterised the preparation.

PLAIN TALKS ON TARIEV REFORM. THE FOOD TAX BOGEY. (By S. SKELHORN.) You are told that Tariff Reform rileen9 tax on the people's foodl. Free Traders nay in a tone of astonished emphasis as though thc™ had never heard of foodl being taxed What an extraordinary talent for they must have Why, during the last faianC year 1908—09, we raised) under "Free Trade no less than £ 10,237,000 by import duties on to** coffee, sugar and other foodstuffs. And yet CobdJenites were wroth and make thearõèChr1 hoarse by shouting "No Tax on, Food. would point out in paasiiijg' that every penny this 10 milhons is paid! by you, that is, by th* consumer, and is no benefit whatever lo th British pixiduocsr, becauee it is imposed upon those imported articles of focd which wo do produce in this country. Does it not strange that we impose taxes which we a compeJiled to pay ourselves when we could rai^ the money just as well by making the foreiig'Dj pay for the privilege of using our marke* But that is "Free Tirade," which we are toldj^ in everlastiaig harmony with the most scientific economic low. Now, 111 place of this top turvey taxation, Tariff Reformers nroDoee to-- (1) Shift the burdlen of taxation from noØ" oompetiltiive iimjjorts to competitive import* and (2) Give a, substantial preference to import produced1 within the Empire thus creating oomini'unity of interests iui<jer flag and delivering us from our dangerous position of dependence upon fordS111 countries for our supply of food. No civilised country has ever been 60 ooff^ pdetely at the meicy of otlier countries as Britain is now. In 1908 we produced onl/ 52,000.000 bushels of wheat; 30 years ago «6 pixxluced nearly 140, 000,000 bushels: and lj&" fore 1846 we produced over 160,000,000 busheJs. We may never again be able to grow suflicieI,ie wheat to feed the whole of our vast popi^ar toon, but we could certainly grow much iii0to than. we do, and it is the object of Tariff ft" form to restore to Gieat Britain tho possession of her own food-supply by increasing 0"r food-growing area, if not at hoane, within t Emprire. Tiiat is all very well, says the Free Trader* but what e.ffect will it have upon the prioe of food; wCtl i,t, make bread dearer Let us seA Tariff Reform proposes a duty of 2s P6* quarter, or one-twentieth of a penny per lb. 0!' foreign whoeat only. Now supposing that th1* meant a rise in price by the exact amount 0 the duty (and it could not possibly mean more), as a quarter of w'lieat poduces on the averag? 120 quartern (4 lb.) loaves, 120 loaves ooul" only be raised in priice by 2s, or 24 pence, or 96 farthings. Tliis works out at less than orJII farthing on a 4-lb. loaf It is certain that eveo this pjiltry increase wouiid not take place, cause expcrieince proves tliat. it takes an crease of at least 4e to 5s per quarter in price of wheat to raise the cost of the loaf eve1* by one farthing. But even if it did, the ill ore'use would be balanced by a reinisision of taXa." tion on other of consumption- For ample, a family of five consumes about J? bushels of corn a year, which costs about £ { 10s. It also consumes sugar to tho value about £ 3; tea to the value of about £ 2; &1. tobacco to the value of about J31 13s. nlat 10 £6 133 on tea, sugar, and tobacco alone, and of this, over JE2 15s consists of taxes which go tØ the National Exchequer. This sum would gP- cordingly be available for remission, in order to compensate the consumer for any increase the price of corn. How oould such a poJi^ mean a greate r burden for the poor ? Surel/ it is self-evident that people cannot be r*K jured by a tax on food (even supposiriig taxes cbd not exist now), unueaa their total 00r tribution' o taxation is increased by it.

FORTHCOMING OPEN AIR FESTIVAL. An interesting event in North Wales th-^ summer Ajjill l>e the great open-air M.ufii°*. Festival, which is to be held in the histon<* grounds of Harlech Castle, when twenty choirs, drawn from Mer.ÏonclhslurØ I and Carnarvonshire—numbering altogether about 1500 voices—wall combine to render Handel's "Messiah." Mr 0. O. Roberts, the. veteran choir leader, of Dolgelley, will coO* II duct, and the committee have invited Mr I* J. Roberts, his Majesty's inspector of school* uduo, to prewute^