The Abergavenny Mail

FORTHCOMING TEMPERANCE I MISSION AT LEDBURY. The Ledbary Temperance Councfl have made arrangements for a Temperance Mission to be held in the Town Hall, Led bury, from February 12 to 10 inclusive. The speaker on the first two nights of the mission will be Mr G A Neal, of Plymouth, representative of the Western Temperance League, who on Thursday, February 12, will speak on The Problem of Intemperance," and will have the Rev H A Barnes as Chairman of the meeting and on Friday, February 13, the subject will be Some Signs of the Times," and Mr J W Hopkins, of Gloucester, will take the chair. On Saturday, February 14, and the succeed- ing days to the end of the mission the speaker will be Mr George Blaiklock, Barrister-at- Law, of London. On Saturday his subject will be Labour and Liquor," and Mr Stephen Ballard, of Col wall, will preside on Sunday afternoon Mr Blaiklock will speak at the weekly meeting of the Ledbury Brotherhood on "Christian Character and ■Citizenship, wiih Mr Lewis Jones as Ohairman. and in the evening his subject will be Moderate Drinking," with the Rev George Dyer as Chairman and on Monday, February 1G, the last night of the mission, the Chairman will be Mr James Fielding, J.P., of Gloucester, and the speaker's subject Temperance and Social Reform." MR. G. A. NEAL. I Mr G A Neal, of Plymouth, is the agent of the Western Temperance League. He was born at Banbury, Oxfordshire, forty years ago, and afterwards removed to Burton-on-Trent, where he was educated. At the age of 21, under a definite religious experience, he signed the pledge. He afterwards became an active religious and temperance worker. Sabbath school teacher, local preacher. In 1900 he received a call into the United Methodist Free Church ministry, and took charge of the Victoria- road Church, South Shields. Six years be laboured in this church, with good results. A new church scheme was organised and carried to a successful issue, and a new church was built, costing £ 5,000. In 1906 he received a call to Sunderland, and after successful work he was invited to take the secretaryship of the Sunderland United Temperance Society. In this capacity he laboured for two years with very good results. Mr Neal is conversant with all aispectaof the temperance movement. He has proved to be a very successful mis- sioner, and at both outdoor and indoor meetings he is an able exponent of the question. Hn has been highly spoken of by leaders of the movement in the North of England. MR. GEORGE BLAIKLOCK. I Mr Blaiklock, who has long been known as a distinguished advocate on the Temperence platform, was born in 1856; he joined the Good Tempi ir Order when eighteen years of age, and at the same time he became super- intendent of the Bind of Hope in connection with bis own Sunday School. For six years of his early manhood he gave himself to the study of Faizlish Grammar, Composition, History, Elocution, Chemistry and Human Physiology, at the City of London College and other scholastic centres. For three years longer be studied Human Physiology under Dr Edward Aveling, at the London University Lectures, taking a firat-class certificate for the advanced stage. In 1892 he began to study for the legal profession. Entering Gray's Inn, he passed his examina- tion in December, 1891, being called to the Bar in June, 1895. The whole of the hard legal study was done while engaged in his work of travelling and lecturing, and the necessary introduction to the Benchers for call was given in the highest terms of commendation by the late Lord Chief Justice of England, Lord Russell of Killowen. Mr Blaiklock's legal work is well known. He is an expert in Licensing Law,and he was counsel in the leading cases of Boulter v Justices of Kent, the South Shields and the Sunderland cases, the Chancery case of the Attorney-General v L.C.C., being led in soxde of these cases by the Right Hon. H H Asquith, K.C., M.P. (now Prime Minister), and bas during the fifteen years he has practised at the Bar had considerable experience in civil and criminal cases. Be is standing counsel to the Royal Sailors' Rest," and a member of the Midland Circuit. As a speaker Mr Blaikloek is in demand ia the metropolis and all over the country. His style is terse, vigorous, eloquent, and occasionally humorous. There are few men who can equal his power to raise the passion and enthusiasm of an audience; and for thirty-four years he has devoted his great gifts to the cause of righteousness, of Temperance and political reform, often to his financial loss. Mr Blaiklock has for the Temperance movement taken lecturing tours in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the United States and Canada.

Miry had a little corn Upon her little toe, Bnt Cornex took it right away In a couple of days or so. —7$d.— MINCHIX, Chemist, lp, Westgate, Gloucester. Local Aent Ma. M.EACHAM, Chemist, Ledbury. 1/S sent to the Reporter Office, Ledbury, will I ensure a copy of this paper being sent post free Ovory Friday evening for a quarter ll3 weeks)..

HUNTING. I WITH THE LEDBURY. I There was a considerable amount of frost in the ground when hounds reached their appointment on Friday last at the Green Dragon, Corse Lawn. Matters, how- ever, improved as the sun put forth its powers, and an hour's delay made the going somewhat better. After endeavouring to drop upon an outlier in the Severn meadows, hounds were taken to Corse Grove. Quickly a brace of foxes were afoot and settling to one that went away at the top end, they ran him for Corset Hill, where he tarned right- handed over the road near Haw Bridge, for Eldersfield, going on to Berth Hill. On facing the open again, he was headed and doubled sharp back, and then set out for Corse Lawn. Turning left-handed over the Marshes, Downend appeared to be his destination, but swinging totheright for Corse he was again headed and bore to the right, over Mr Terry's farm, to try the main earths. Finding them closed he ran the brook side for the Hawthorns and Staunton. Leaving the village on the right he crossed the Gloucester-road, and slipped through Corset Hill, where he was viewd plodding on for Hasfield. Covert Side lay to the right as he led us through Corse Grove for Chaceley. The Grove, however, proved too fascinating, for once again he doubled back to his old quarters, where scent failed, and he was left after a good but twisting hunt of 1 hour 45 minutes. Frost prevented the Kennels fixture being kept on Saturday. Moudav saw us at the new meet, the Post Office, Greenway. Ockington Spinneys and the meadows along the riverside were drawn without responding, but Spicer, the keeper, knew where a fox usually lay, and soon went and put him on his legs. Running along the river bank to the Biddulph Arms, he got to ground and was left. Ryton Firs were reached before a substitute was found, and a lot of persuasion was necessary to induce him to quit for Lintridge. Scent was not at all good, and hounds could hardly hold the line, but on reaching the Grove at Bromesberrow Heath, they got on better terms and pushed him away for the Grove House Coppice. Doubling back to the Grove he crossed to the Firs, and after a good deal of bustling about in the Covert, he faced the open, going away over the Callow Farm for Dymock. Swinging round as though the Quabs was his point, he ran by the village back to the Firs and went to ground. He was got out and killed, whilst a brace in the same earth were set free. FOR'ARD ON. I

NORTH HEREFORDSHIRE HUNT. I The annual meeting of the North Hereford- shire Hunt was held at the Green Dragon Hotel, Hereford, on Wednesday, Colonel Clowes presiding. The financial statement showed a balance in hand of J316, but it was stated that there were bills outstanding amounting to R.32 10s. Owing to deaths and other causes they had lost B155 in subscriptions, and new sub- scrigtions amounted to only £ 67.—Captain E Heygate thought the subscriptions, which were based on a minimum of j35 per horse, were low. They got far better hunting in Herefordshire than was to be had in Worcestershire and other counties, and yet they did not pay as much for it.—Mr Logan Kids ton was re-elected master.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. LEDBURY. Saturday, Jan 31-British Camp, at 11 Monday, Feb 2-Highleadon Green, at 11 Wednesday, Feb 4-Kileote, at 11 Friday, Feh 6—Hethelpit Gate, at 11 Saturday, Feb 7-The Trumpet, at 11 The Master of the Ledbury Haunds begs to draw the attention of all who intend to ran one or more horses in the Ledbury Point-te-Point Races that such horse or horses must be brought to his notice at least eight times at the Meet, and also later on during the day. NORTH LEDBURY. Saturday, Jan 31—Cradley New Church, at 11 Tuesday, Feb 3—Gains Worcester Lodge, 11. ,-Saturday, Feb 7-Bosbiiry, at 11. NORTH HEREFORDSHIRE. Saturday, Jan 31 Hope-u nier- Din more, at 11 Monday, Feb 2—Duke's Wood, at 11 Thursday, Feb 5-Sutton Cross Rods, at 11 Saturday, Feb 7-Kennels, 11 SOUTH HEREFORDSHIRE. Saturday, Jan 31-Kilforge House, at 11 Tuesday, Feb 3-Kilpeck, at 11 Saturday, Feb 7—Kynaston, at 11 WORCESTERSHIRE. Monday, Feb. 2—Wheelbarrow and Castle, Radford, at 11 Thursday, Feb. 5-Fockbury, at 11 Friday, Feb. 6-Bredicot, at 11 Saturday, Feb. 7—Knightsford Bridge, at 11 LEDBURY BE.\GLE-HARRIER3. (Weather permitting). Saturday, Jan 31—Stores Brook Bridge, at 11 M.R. Thursday, Feb 5—Bromsberrow Heath, at 11 M.R. ROSS HARRIERS. (W eather permitting). Wednesday, Feb 4-Ltangrove, at 11

"HOLIDAY HAUNTS," 1914.—The 1914 issue! of Holiday Haunts," that hardy annual of the Great Western Railway Company, is in course of active preparation, and proprietors of hotels and boarding establishments would do well to make early arrangements for the insertion of their announcements. Enjoying as it does an immense circulation, Holiday Haunts is one of the most attractive media for bringing to the notice of holiday makers and others the advantages of such-and-such an hotel or boarding house. Those who have aocom- modation to let during 1914 should write at once to Mr Chas. Aldington, Superintendent of the Line, Paddington Station, who will forward all particulars, post free.

I Newly-Appointed Master Withdraws. I It was stated on Friday that Mr H Phillips, the assistant master at the Ross Council Schools, had given notice to Mr W G Edwards, head master of the school, that he was about to withdraw his appointment as head master of the Walford Schools in the place of Mr A E Bellamy. In conversa- tion with Mr Edwards, a correspondent was informed that Mr Phillips had shown him the draft letter he had written to Mr John Wiltshire, secretary of the county authority, and it is also understood that U, r Phillips has said that under the present circum- stances he could not conscientiously accept the post, and adds that he now thinks it his duty to remain loyal to the union and sup- port his fellow teachers in the demand for an increased and a proper scale. The announcement has put fresh vigour into the members of the union in the Ross district, and they are now confident that the four teachers, one in the boys' department, two in the girls, and one in the infants' schools, who have not yet resigned, will do so in the near future. The withdrawal of Mr Phillips from the Walford school will place the county authority in a further dilemma, as it is understood on reliable authority that they have not received sufficient applications to fill a quarter of the vacancies that will occur at the end of this week. It is said that at a meeting of the Ross ccanagers, when the question of the teachers' dispute was taken in committee-and the statement has been authenticated by the chairman (Mr F S Collins)—that there were five of the managers in favour of appealing to the Board of Education for arbitration, and five who supported the county authority. When it came to giving a casting vote the Chairman, who ia a member of the county authority, decided in favour of supporting that body. The Rev J W Kettle, whose appointment as a manager of the Roas school was sanctioned by the County Council two days previously, was not notified of his appoint- ment until the morning after the managers' meeting. This made considerable difference to the situation so far as the Ross managers are concerned, for the Rev J W Kettle would have supported the proposition for arbitration had be been present at the meeting. No other appointments have yet been made in the Ross schools, which are the largest in the county outside the city of Hereford. ♦ ————-

A Deadlock. I Teachers and Education Authority I Fail to Agree. The fight between the Herefordshire teachers and the local Education Committee is to continue, negotiations having again broken down on Saturday. The teachers demanded a scale of salaries, so that their remuneration can rise from a minimum to a maximum, but the Education Cbnamittee have definitely refused the request, although they have offered increases anaouating to Y,1,300 per annum, and an annual revision 'n is o ffor, of the salaries as an alternative. This offer, however, the teachers have unanimously declined. Through the intervention of the Bishop of Hereford a conference took place on Satur- day between the Special Committee of the Herefordshire Education Authority and the teachers of the N.U.T. Mr A W Dakers (president of the Js.y^T.), Mr W A Nicholls (local representative of the N.U.T.). Mr F Taylor (member of the executive), Mr A A Thomas and Mr Derry (Herefordshire Society) represented the teachers. The matter was fully discussed, but the Educa- tion Committee stated that they had resolved not to depart from their original decision. Subsequently a larssly-attnnded meeting of the county teachers was he) I in the Town Hall. The following resolute m was unani- mously adopted That this meeting of teachers engaged in the county of Hereford reaffirms its fidelity and loyalty to the National Union of Teachers, and thanks the executive and the association^ of the uuion for the whole-hearted support accorded them." The Education Committee, it is offiaiallv stated, are making efforts to fill the 223 vacancies which will o^cur next-month. It is said that several Scottish teachers who had accepted positions in ignorance of the facts have withdrawn their acceptance and Mr Phillips, the assistant master, who was offered a headmastership at Walford, near Ross, at an increased salary of £ 40 per annum, has withdrawn; while a teacher who was offered an extra £50 a year to take a vacant post has also declined to accept it. — ♦ —

I Statement by the Union. I After the conference the following state- ment was issued to the Press Asa result of the intervention of the Bishop of Hereford a meeting took place on Saturday between the Special Committee of the Here- ford Education Committee and the following representatives of the National Union of Teachers Mr Andrew W Dakers, B. A. (pre- sident of the Union), Mr A A Thomas (standing counsel of the Union), Mr Frank Taylor, and Mr W A Nicholls and Mr J C Derry (repre- senting the local teachers). The case for the teachers was very fully submitted, but the Special Committee intimated that they had resolved not to depart from their original resolution, and were not prepared to make any alteration to meet the teachers' wishes. The authority are making efforts to secure teachers for the 223 vacancies which will occur on Feb- ruary 1st or later. Mr Phillips, assistant master, who was promised an increase of 940 to take the place of a head teacher who had resigned, has withdrawn his acceptance and another teacher who was offered an increase of 950 a year to take a vacated post has also declined. Several Scottish teachers, who had accepted posts in ignorance of the facts, have withdrawn their acceptances. In one of these cases a teacher withdrew although her post in Scotland had been filled up. A teachers' meeting was held in the afternoon and the result of the negotiations was reported to them. The chair was occupied by the President of the Union and, in his absence, by Mr G T Hyden, and the following members of the Executive were present:—Mr C W Cook, B.A., B.Sc., Mr Frank Taylor, J.P., Miss Agnes L Broome, of Ipswich, Mr Arthur A Thomas, and Mr Rbys Nicholas. The follow- ing resolution was passed with enthusiasm That this meeting of teachers, engaged in the county of Herefordshire, reaffirms its fidelity and loyalty to the National Union of Teachers, and thanks the Executive and the Associations of the Union for the whole-hearted support accorded to them." « •

I Aotlon by the Speolal Committee. I I Mr John Wiltshire, secretary to the Here- fordshire Education Authority, in reply to a press representative, stated The proposals put before thei Committee last Saturday by the National Union of Teachers would have the effect almost immediately of increasing the head teachers' salaries by over 110,000 which is more than the product of a 4d rate. That is to say nothing of the increases asked for assistant teachers in the County." Be- yond this, Mr Wiltshire would say nothing. Subsequently, however, the following letter was issued by Mr Wiltskire :— "I have told the National Union of Teachers that it is impossible to keep their proposed scale of salaries private as the figures must be embodied in the Special Committee's report to the Education Committee, which is open to the Press. I have 4arefully examined the figures and as accordiiag te their proposal the maximum salary would have to begin at once in many cases and very soon in nearly all, their proposal means that head teachers' salaries would be increased from £ 19;,625 te 230,080, and this would require more than a lid rate for head teachers alone. The sooner this is known throughout the county, the better, I think." A letter on this point will be foand in oar- columns from Mr E H Hopkins, the County Councillor for Ledbury Urban, and a mem- ber of the Special Committee. On Monday the National Union of Teachers at Hereford received a letter from Mr Wiltshire stating that although the National Union of Teachers at the conference on Saturday, in submitting a proposed scale, stated that it must be regarded as private and confidential and must not be divulged, the Committee were of opinion that the. scale should be published for the benefit of the public, who would thus be able to see- what the demands of the National Union of Teachers woold mean, viz., an increase of £ 10,000 in salaries, which would mean more than a 4d rate. «

The Union's Reply. I Interviewed on this point over the telephone yesterday (Thursday), by our representative, Mr W A Nicholls, of the National Union. of Teachers, Hereford, stated that when the National Union of Teachers' representatives attended the conference and submitted their proposed scale, they definitely stated that it was not intended for publication, but on Monday he received a letter from Mr Wiltshire stating that it could not be considered private and con- ndential. His (Mr Nicholls') reply to Mr Wiltshire's action was that the Union laid down that scale as a basis of negotiations, not as an ultimate demand. The National Union oE Teachers expected that it would be discussed and that some compromise might possibly be arrived at on it. As to the statement of Mr Wiltshire that it would have the effect almost im- mediately of increasing the head teachers' salaries by over £ 1Q;000; which was more than a 4d rate, Mr Nicholls said the ultimate cost was the business of the Education Committee to work out and not the N.U.T. Even if it would mean an additional 4d. rate as Mir Wiltshire sug- ests," went on Mr Nicholls, "it would only bring Herefordshire up to. the level of most of the other counties, and it would not be up to the level of Worcestershire even. The point is that Mr Wiltshire has estimated that everybody shall bene6t immediately. That does not follow at all. A scale means beginning at a minimum and going on to a maximum. As a matter of fact the authorities themselves have provided a scale, but they keep it secret and do not make it known. We want to know definitely what their scale is and what their grading is, and we might easily have come to an agreement with them had they been prepared to deal with us in a considerate way. But Sir James Rankin deliberately interrupted We have told you what we can do and we cannot go beyond that, and we cannot discuss the matter with you.' In further oonversation Mr Nicholls con- firmed the statement that Miss Fernie, of Stirling, had withdrawn from the appoint- ment of headmistress of the infants' school at Ledbury. It was stated yesterday (Thursday) that the Education Committee had filled nearly aU the vacancies caused by the resignations. This is open to question, as we are assured just before we go to press that the corres- pondent of the Ledbury managers (Mr H Vernon Smith) has not received any notifica- tion of the appointment of teachers by the Education Committee.

I THE DEADLOCK. 1 Last Saturday proved an exciting and momentous day in the dispute between the teachers and the County Education Authority. Close on 300 teachers met in Hereford to listen to the speeches made by members of the executive of the N.U.T., explaining the situation. It appears that great enthusiasm was evoked at the outset when it was known that, through the good offices of the Bishop, a conference had been arranged between the Salaries Committee, then sitting at the Shire Hall, and the representatives of the N.U.T. and the local teachers together. Ibis had the appearance of liklihoods of some kind of settlement of the vexed question, which every educated person in the county wishes to see put aside as soog, as possible. It certainly is not dignified to be quibbling over a question of salaries, when the future education of a section of the nation is in jeopardy. Why, if we are a people who believe in education at all, we should be prepared to spend money on it, and willingly too, in order to give the children the best of edacatiou and thus fit them for the position they must occupy in the nation, which can only thus maintain its high estate among the peoples of tho world. And yet- our inefficient aad blundering Local Authority—condemned by its own action in offering £ 1,300 as a settlement of a question which the teachers have been putting forward for nine years— continue to maintain that stubborn resistance to just demands, mainly I suppose on the assumption that teachers who have been sweated in the past will cave in at the last moment. The patience of these selfsame teachers has been looked upon as cowardice, and right glad I am to see that they have at last shown they have pluck and resolution. All honour to them for sticking so well-and steadfastness will win. There is just one point here that strikes me, too. The Local Education Authority pose as wishing to save the ratepayers. Well, once more they give themselves away, for although they brought Miss Henley's (head teacher at Girk' School) salary to J:110, yet they offered her successor 1126. Why ? Miss Henley has always done her work efficiently, as her reports show. Now, my fellow ratepayers, look at this. Under a scale of salaries the new-comer would have started at the minimum, I suppose, at about 185 or f,90 and thus the Local Education Authority in order not to deal with the teachers in a just and fair manner, but to break the strike, are willing to give £30 a year more than would be given to a new comer under a scale. If the new comer is worth £ 120; Miss Henley is too. And then all this advertising for teachers at higher rates What does it mean? Sheer waste; for as soon as the present conditions of service are made known tke applicants withdraw. Of coarse it may be that Mr Wiltshire has many applications -he is keeping very quiet about it all-but of this I am sure, they are the blacklegs of the profession and as such will mot be able to command the respect of the parents, who I am quite expecting will strike also just now if their teachers, all of whom are popular, are not replaced. "Empty desks will be the next heading in the daily j papers. I THE HIGH HAND. I But to resume. The teachers' case was submitted, but there the matter ended, for what everyone anticipated was prevented by the high handed manner of Sir James Rankin, who appeared to be unwilling to enter into any friendly negotiations whatever. It was expected that a discussion would take place and then some agreement made which would bring a lasting peace. But not so. The Union made no demands, but stated a case and put forward a scale for the purpose of negotiation. But no discussion was allowed, and the deputation withdrew after being told that the authority had laid down their plans and that they had in their own minds a standard which they would not make P,vl,lic or discuss. What right have they to z-.ep dark the salaries of public servants. [ should like to know, unless they are ashamed of the figures and how they compare with others. And I am informed on good authority that they have always had a scale-it should be preserved as a memorial of the art of keeping teachers at the lowest salaries-and yet they say a scale i not a good thing. It seems to me that they are just making rods for their own backs all the time, and having got into a muddle are endeavouring to bluff out of it," instead of which they still make matters worse. Mr Wiltshire stated to a press representa- tive that the Union's proposals would mean an almost immediate increase of £10.000.- more than a 4d rate. Now what sensible man breathing is going to believe for one minute that the N.U.T. would expect to get XIO,000 at one swoop out of the people of Herefordshire. Why they would alienate sympathy entirely. No l the Union would have to be satisfied with much less than that but I can well understand if their demands are hiuh, for they have been treated abomin- ably by the Education Authority, and we all know that if you wish to strike a bargain in Herefordshire it is useless to ask just what you are willing to receive—tradespeople know only too well-you never get it. But again the Committee are laying themselves open to be asked for much higher salaries than an early conference would have settled, for they are advertising salaries higher, some mem- bers of the Union say, than the teachers expected to get, and what annoys me so much is that if they had offered this money years ago by means of annual increments, there would have been no dispute at present—but of course all those many authorities who use a scale are foolish and only Herefordshire and a few others have wisdom. On the other hand it is possible that the Local Education Authority has some plan or other ready to produce at the proper time. If so, well and good, but whatever they do, they cannot even pretend that they have efficiently fulfilled the duties entrusted to them in the past, and all ed ucated people will agree with me that the teacher is doing a most useful and necessary work in the community, his responsibility is great, his task monotonous and nPfve shattering, and his salary should be sufficient to enable him to live up to bis high position without having to supplement it by outside offices. J.B.S. I

Daorease of Teaohers. I A note of alarm is sounded in the annual report of the London County Council upon the training of teachers. Clever children are still shunning the teaching profession. The decline in the numbers of candidates, which has been referred to in the last two annual reports, hai continued. In 1907 the candidates numbered 1,139; in 1908. 1,181; in 1909, 878; in 1910, 577 in 1911, 477 and in 1912, 365. This sensational decrease is not confined to London, hut is also in evidence throughout the country. It appears, there- fore, probable that in a few years' time the number of teachers leaving the training colleges will be insufficient to meet the needs of the schools.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. I HEREFORDSHIRE ELEMENTARY I TEACHERS. To the Editor. Sir,—As the County Council representative of the parish of Ledbury Urban, and a member of the Special Committee deputed by the County Education Authority to deal with the resignations of the above, I think it necessary the ratepayers of this locality should be cognisant of the following facts, and therefore beg you will give publicity to them in your next issue:— 1. That the representatives of the National Union of Teachers had an inter- view with the Committee, on Saturday last, at, the Shire Hall, Hereford. 2. That a scale of salaries was demanded by them, which if agreed to would raise the salaries of head teachers from £ 19,625, as at present, to C30,080, an increase of £ 10,455. 3. That this would require a rate of 4d in the £ in addition to the existing rate of 7-id in the f. for head teachers alone. 4. That the Committee declined to accede to the proposals, and are proceeding to fill the vacancies, most of which are now completed. 5. That the Committee declined to keep the proposed scale of salaries private? as requested by the representatives of the N.U.T., as the figures must be embodied in their report to the Education Authority, the meetings of which are open to the Press. 6. That the Committee recently revised the salaries of the head teachers, raising them in the aggregate by £ 1,300, taking effect as from January 1st, 1914. Thanking you in anticipation I Yours faithfully, ERNEST H HOPKINS. Ledbury, January 28, 1914.

PASSENGERS Booked to all Parts of the JL World at Lowest Rates by all Steamship Lines. Assisted Passages to Australia and New Zealand to Farmers, Farm Labourers and Domestic Servants. All Infor- mation and Pamphlets .free.- Jaynes and Scholey, Passenger, Sbipping and Insuran e Agents, Market Parade. Gloucester. PRINTING of all kinds executed in best style M. at the "Reporter" Printing Works, Led bury.

LEDBURY AND DISTRICT AIR-RIFLE LEAGUE. LEAGUE TABLE TO DATE. Shot Won Lost Tied Attsrstt Pts Fox 17 17 o 0 4042 34 White Hart. 17 13 3 1 3967 27 New lun IS 12 5 1 4195 25 Yew Tree. 17 12 5 0 3859 24 Biddulph 18 11 7 0 4074 22 Putley 17 10 6 1 3785 21 Nondeseripts 17 7 1 3908 19 Talbot is 9 8 1 4046 19 Wellington IS 8 9 1 4020 17 Prince of Wales 18 5 13 0 4010 10 Wellington Hth 16 5 11 0 3508 10 Bell 17 5 12 0 3729 10 Plough 17 2 15 0 3566 4 Ledbury W.M.C. 17 0 17 0 3378 0 MONTHLY LEAGUE MEETING. I The monthly league meeting of the club delegates will be held at headquarters, the New Inn Hotel, Ledbury, to-morrow (Saturday) at 7.50 p.m. sharp. A. T. JONES, hon. sec. ob WHITE HART v. NEW INN. Shot on the former's range and won by the homesters hy i points. Score:- White Hart—W Connop 29, H Smith Zi. J Smith 29, T Phillips 29. E Howard 31, P Adams 34, C Fardon 31, C Curnock 31—total 241. New Inn-W HOWPIIS 29, W Dowding 30, J C Smith 31, G Palmer 27, W Alien 29, F Drink- water 2&, A T Jones 29, W Pitt 30—total 933. YEW TREE v. FOX. Shot on the former's range and won by the visitors by 19 points. Score :— Fox—J Hnish 32, G Hulls 29, F Reece 29, E Hampton 29. J Brown 32, E G Morris 30, G Walters 30, J Hollings 33—total 244. Yew Tree-P Lewis 28. H Hill 25, H Wharton 29. H Baldwin 28. H Hitchings 31. W Clarke 29, A Cotterell 30, G Moore 25—total 225. PLOUGH v. BIDDULPH. Shot on the former's range and won by the visitors by 25 points. Score ;— Plough—T Lane 25, H Turner 23, L A Ingram 26. T> Weal 21, E Mark 30, J Madders 26, J Holder 29. G Brookps 21—total 201. Biddulph Arms—T Porter 25, A Wadeley 29. W Plice 24. C Smart, iiinr., 27, W E Hyde 28, J Potter 3(}, W Brookes 32, C Smart, senr. 31—total 226. BIDDULPH v. TALBOT. Shot on the formel's range and won by the visitors by 9 points. Score :— Biddnlph -T Porter 27, C Smart junr, 29, J Potter 28. A Wadeley 22. G Cliadd 29. C Smart, senr, 32, W Brookes 30, W E Hyde 28—total 225. Talbot-C Huish 27, G Hankins 29, H Barnes 30, F Elliott 29, S Allen 29, W Huish 28, J James 32, C Pudge 31-total 234. NEW INN v. PRINCE OF WALES. Shot on the former's range and won by the homesters by 20 points. Score :— New Inn-G Palmer 28', F Smith 33, W Dowdinsr 29. J C Smith 31, W Allen 29, E W Palmer 30, F Drinkwater 30, A T Jones 28—total 238. Prince of Wales—W Turner 29. W Davis 29. H Baynham 2(5, F Bufton 291, E Gibbons 17, C Hodges 29, J Jones 29, T Davis 3O-total 21S. WELLINGTON v. BELL. Shot on the former's range and won by the homesters by 12 points. Score:- -Wellington-F R^ves 31, C Moss 27, P George 30, F Brake 28, C Webley26. C Thomas 28, J Hunt 32, W Lane 34-total 236 Bell—J Vicarage 29, J Hodges 30, F W Davies 27, B Morris 30, F Walker 26, F Lissimore 27, W Hodges 27, H Griffiths 28—total 224.

I HEREFORD MARKET. I (Special Farmers' Union Report). The market to-day was a busy one with a good supply of live stock and a full attendance of the general public. CATTLE. I There was a fairly good supply of store cattle, I which met with a brisk trade at satisfactory I prices. BEEF. I A moderate supply, for which trade was very I firm. Best beef 7d to 7id per lb. Other I qualities 6d to 7d. Fat calves 9d to lOld. SHEEP. I A fairly full supply. Store sheep in good demand. Fat sheep slightly easier. Best teg mutton 9d to lOd per lb. Best wether mutton 8id to 9d. Other qualities, 7d to 8id. PIGS. I A moderate supply. Stores in good demand. Porks and bacons very firm at rather better than recent rates. Porks, 7d to 8d per lb. Baouna 6d to 7d. Heavy-weights 5d to 6d. CORN. I A dull market. Trade quiet with prices un- changed. Wheat per 62 lbs, 38 lid to 4s. O!d. Oats per 40 lbs, 2s 6d to 3s. Malting barley per 56 lbs, 3e 6d to 4s. Grinding barley per 56 lbs, 3s to 39 6d.' Beans per 65 lbs, 4s to 4s 2d. HAY TRADE. I Hay trade shows little improvement, with prices unchanged. Best hay 50s to 55s per ton. Second quality hay 458 to 50s. Clovers (aood) 50s to 55s. Good wheat straw 40s to 45s.

A well-connected maiden lady of seventy fiummers iólo much exercised with modern de- velopment. says- a correspondent. She has been in the habit of solving all the perplexing problems of the day as they beset lier by writii-g as M. A. S." to her favourite lady's uewspu-per, which politely and cleverly solved the difflelÚv for her in its Answers to Cor- respondents." She was always ent-ljusiaslic in her praise of the ability with which her journal was conducted, and of the almost superhuman wisdom of its editor Then her graceless nephew came to her. A riddle had been propounded to him to which he could find no nswer. My dear hay." paid his aunt, "I will write to London "and she m-sntioned the name of her favourite journal. The nephew thanked IHM*. but grinned when her hack was turned. Next week the dear old lady could scarcely believe her ey-es when, in Answers to Correspon- dents." she read: "We must ask M. A. S.' to send us no further communications. We decline to answer improper conundrums." This irreproachable (spinster of seventy is at present uncertain whether she shall give up the paper which had grown part of her life. or disinherit the nephew, who had a very warm place in her heart. It is one of life's little tragedies. I seek for thee in every flower," a tenor song of Mr. William Gànz. has been fre- quently sung by Edward Lloyd and Ben Davies, as well as by singers not perhaps so wsll known to fame. It was one of the-e who, being asked what he was going to sing at a village concert, wrote that he had chosen I seek for thee" (in A flat). In i;i.r programme it accordingly appeared as: Soitg-' I seek for.thee in a flat'—W. Gauz." Mr. Steve Bartle contributes to the Encore Annual some witticisms which he calls L;i.ii.dl,ady Logic All boarding-houses are the same board- ing-house." RoruVters in the same boarding-house and on the same flat are equal to rw*c another." The landlady of a boarding-house is a parallelogram—tbat. is. an oblong angular figure, which cannot be described, but which is equal to anything." "All the other rooms being taken, a single room is said to be a double room." The landlady can be reduced to her lowest terms by a series of propositions." Any two meals at a boarding-house are together less than two square meals." Miss Mary Moran tells of an incident that occurred when she was playing Belle, the bad lady in R. C. Carton's play, "The Tree of Knowle-dce," to a holiday audience. At the end of the fourth act Belle leaves her hus- band, ari goes away with the villaki of the piece. >1 a moment of remorse she bends over her sleeping husband, kisses him, and, taking f om her neck his mother's chain, she places i: beaide him, remarking as she exits: The 1-,{>t, and the worst of us are fools." On I this particular oocasdon the clasp of the chain refused to unclasp. Twice she tried to re- move it, when a voice from the gallery ex- claimed: "Keep it, Belle, you'll want some,, thing to pawn if you're going with that otheJ tyoke.

KYNOCH'S CARTRIDGES 8/6 per 100. 9/6 per 100. 10/6 per 100. ELEY'S CARTRIDGES Smokeless 8/6 lOO (Pink Case). Diamond Grain 10/6 „ (Blue Case). CeoiqeHill &tSoaq i s 1 rz 0 N 1*.l 0 N G ? T? Cross, LEMuS?

GLOUCESTERSHIRE FARMERS' UNION. Dinner of Nowent Branch The third annual dinner of the Newent Branch of tht- above Union was held at the George Hotel on Tuesday evening, when 88 members and friends assembled under the genial chairman- ship of Mr E Jenner, supported by Messrs. E de Peyer, W Pearce Ellis, E F Bellamy, J M Scott, F Treasure, F P Treasure, J L Stelfox, C.C., Phelps, A R Chew, C.C., Hayward, Kid- ney, Chidley, Akerman, Penwarden, and F Cowles (vice-chairman). After the toast of "The King" had been. loyally honoured, Mr de Peyer, in a very inter- esting speech, gave The Army and Navy," to which Mr W Akerman suitably responded. The National Farmers' Unioa and the Gloucestershire Branches was submitted by Mr, A R Chew, who touched upon the game laws, the shooting tenant, rural cottages, the slaught- ering of cattle, and the rates. Mr W Pearce Ellis responded, and in the. course of his remarks said that the Farmers' Union of Gloucestershire had 14 branches, consisting of 1,380 members, and the member- ship was growing at the rate of 500 a year. He urged all present to get fresh memebers. Mr J Mr Scott proposed "Success to. Agri- culture," and gave two things as essential to that succt ss, viz security of tenure and co-operation. Mr log. in a breezy s peech, respouded, speaking of many unjust burdens the farmer- had lo t'enr. Mr J L Srelfox gave The Town and Tiade- of Newent," which was responded to by Mr J J' Clark. Mr Holloway proposed" The Chairman." and. Mr F Cowles The Visitors," to which Mr F' Treasure replied. Mr W P Ellis submitteed the toasi of." The. Hon. Secretary," and Mr N. W Jenner replied. He mentioned that the Branch had just granted him an honorarium of E5, for which he thanked them. He was sorry to say he would, not) be, able to fill the post of hon. secretary next year. Mr Tom Stelfox proposed the health of Mrs Lodge, the hostess, and Mr F Cowles replied on her behalf. Mr Tom Hay sang several of his comic songs, and Mr C Tunnicliff also contributed. Th& National Anthem brought a very pleasant even- ing to a close.

DYMOCK. A DYMOCK BUTCHER'S BANKRUPTCY.—The statement of affairs of Albert Mayo, batcher, Dymock, who has been adjudged bankrupt on his own petition,shows gross liabilities estimated at £ 376 18s 7d, of which £341 6s 3d ( £ 190 7s lid due to 27 unsecured creditors and J3150 18s 4d due to one creditor for £.174- 18s 4d, who holds securities estimated to be worth £2.4) is expected to rank for dividend. Eg 15s is due for rent; and £1. 17a 4d for rates. The assets are estimated as folia ws: Cash deposited with solicitor for coats of the petition JE15 10s, stock- in-trade 10s, trade ifxtures, etc., J312 10s, and 41 good book debts JS14 12s 2d, a totil of B41 2s 2d, which, deducting Ell 12, 4d for preferential creditors, leave an estimated deficiency of JS511 16.,3 51. The cause of failure alleged by debt,or is bad trade.—First meeting February 5, at 12, at Official Receiver's, Station- road, Gloucester public examination, March 3, at 12. at Shire Hall, Gloucester. POST OB-FICE. EMTEJRTVIN VIKXT.—An enter- tainment in aid of the Rowland Hill Benevolent Society was given in the Rifle Hall on Monday evening. Mr Eustace Lord, a retired postal official, has organised a series of entertainments to be given all over the country, the first part consisting of slides illustrative of the work of the Post Office, the second half being musical items supplied by local talent and arranged by a local secretary. Mr Griftiohs acred as sec- retary for the entertainments, making ail the arrangements, seHing tickets, etc., and his efforts were well rewarded by seeing the room filled with a most appreciative audience, who in their turn were delighted at the excellence of the programme placed before them. Tho Sec- retary's eiforts were well backed up by all the postal staff, who vied with each other as to who could sell most tickets, and who also kindly acted as stewards. The Vicar acted as chair- man, and also kiudly lent a number of chairs, as the usual supply in the hall was insufficient to seat everyone. Miss Divies acted as accom- panist with her kindly willingness, and earned the gratitude of both secretary and performers. Programme.—Part 1 Post Office pictures, animated pictures. Part 2-Song, "Excel- sior," Mr Lord recitation, Mr M Cowie song (in character), Rags," Mr Griffiths song, Tom Bowling," Rev S Marston duet, Lar- board Watch," Messrs Lord and Rogers; recitation, Mr M Cowie; song, Anchored," Redwing," Mr W Strange; song, Mary, (cncore) Mr P Rogers; song (in character), ::BLAr,sy 'Varin," Mr Griffiths. "God save the King." The gross takings were £ 7 3s. There were also donations of El from Captain Smyth and 21 ls from Mr G L Ac worth. Printed and Published for and on behalf of the EXECUTRIX of the late TIIOMAS VAUGHAN, by WILLIAM S. BOWKS, Manager, at the Printing Works, New Street, Ledbury, it the County of Hereford,