The Abergavenny Mail

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1914. Topical Tattle. What a week this has been. It opened in a turmoil, which thank goodness has subsided, but everywhere you go it is strik»\ strike, strike." The teachers have at lasr. dune what the bigwigs of the county thought was impossible, and have gone on strike fur a eciie of salaries, and then to make matters viorse some of the youngsters took it iino their heads to do likewise. Surely never have such scenes been witnessed as took place at Led bury, Ashperton and Ross on Monday, when scholars came out on strike also, in sympathy with their old teachers. These outbursts on the part of the youngsters are significant of the spirit of the age and should give students of social life furiously to think. It is evident from the scenes on Monday at various places in the county that the children even have recognised their power, and the whole business has had and must have a very bad effect on the children in the future. There has been a good deal said this week as to the cause of these outbreaks of scholars, and as to who is to blame, but to my mind there can only be one body to blame for the whole business so far as Ledbury is concerned, and that is the Education Authority, for opening a school with less than half a staff and even that portion totally new to their charges. It would have been far better, apart from any question as to the rights or wrongs of the strike, to have kept all schools closed which had not something approaching a full complement of staff, for at present in Ledbury it is a mere waste of time for the children to go to school so far as educational benefit is concerned. • Ledbury has seldom loomed so large in the public eye of the whole country as it has this week, and thanks to the pictures in the papers some people have heard of it who probably never knew of our old Herefordshire town before. It has advertised the place certainly, but it is a doubtful notoriety, and one can only express the hope that we shall never again witness such a scene as last Monday's disgraceful happenings. Thanks to the Rector and Father Lynch the unruly spirits have been quelled, and something like decent order maintained. It is a significant fact that the whole press of the country is on the side of the teachers in their demand for a scale and an increase of salaries. From the ponderous Times down through the whole gamut of Tory, Radical, Labour and Socialistic papers one comes across the same line of thought, expressed naturally in different ways, but all to the same end, the right of the teacher to a scale. And a scale must come eventu- ally, and it would be as well to settle it first as last, and save all the bother. One wQuld think from the attitude of the Education Committee that Herefordshire was the only agricultural county in the country with a preponderance of small schools. The Committee state they will consider salaries annually on their merits, but the teachers have bad some of that in the past. Why, even in the revised salaries granted recently the most glaring inconsistencies occurred, for heads of schools with bad reports jeceived as much increase and in cases more than heads with excellent reports. That is a sample of the Education Committee's view of merit. I don't wonder the teachers kick at it. The only argument of any consequence that I have heard of in opposition to the teachers is that of the cost to the rates. Certainly this is a very important point, but there are indications that ere long there will be a change in the method of pay- ment, and the time is not far distant when education of the children will be made a national charge and not a local one. Educa- tion is a national question, and as such should be paid for out of the Imperial Exchequer and not out of the local treasury. Herefordshire is noted for its low education rate, and compared with other similar coun- ties it certainly is low. You know the old saying about cheap and nasty ? Verb sap. # The school teacher is the most important man in the commonweal," says the Daily Sketch." But in Herefordshire roads come before humanity. In other words the County Council thinks far more of its roads than it does of the men and women who educate the youth of the county. The strike of teachers in Herefordshire has its humorous side," says the Daily Express." The fellow who wrote that must have been at Ledbury, Ashperton or Ross on Monday. # Amidst all the turmoil caused ,by the teachers' strike there is one matter connected with the Urban Council which it is possible may be overlooked, and that is with reference to the insurance under the Insurance Act of Mr A G Maddox, the rate collector. The Council did not insure him until recently, as from October last, and Mr Maddox does net therefore become entitled to benefit until April. As a matter of fact he should have been insured at the com- mencement of the Act, and he would then have been in benefit a year ago. Mean- while he has been ill, and has incurred a doctor's bill which will be no small matter to a man in his position, as naturally a doctor would not accept him as a panel patient for the period covering his illness after that illness. The default on the part of the Council has had this result:—Mr Maddox has lost the 308 maternity benefit, lost 10s per week sick pay for about a month, and has incurred a doctor's bill of probably 12 to 13. The Council have thus something to answer for. The 10s per week sick pay does not much matter, nor perhaps is the maternity benefit of 30s of vast importance, but what is important is the doctor's bill. It will be interesting to see the outcome. Will a claim for the doctor's bill be sent to the Council ? Will they pay it? and if they do will the auditor surcharge the members with it for not carrying cut their duty and insuring Mr Maddox from the outset ? It is a very interesting proposition, and I await the settlement with interest. There is a good deal of virtue in the mere look of a first-class journal," says the Standard." We bow to the compliment aod invite closer inspection. TATTLER. I 4

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LOCAL NEWS. 1 LEDBURY PARISH CHURCH. I RECTOR: REV. F. W. CARNEGY, M.A., R. D. CURATE REV. O. F. R. STRICKLAND, B.A. ORGANIST MR. F. A. HOBRO. Friday—Choir Practice (full) 8 p.m. LESSONS FOR SUNDAY, FEB. 8. Septuagesima Sunday. MORNING. I EVENING. Gen 1. Gen. 2. Rev 21, 1-9. Rev. 21, 9-22, 6. 8 a.m.—Holy Communion. 11 a.m.—Matins. 3-15—Children's Service. 6-30 p.m.—Evensong and Sermon. Collections-Ch areh Expenses. Church Army (Captain Nash)—Church Room, Sunday evenings, 6-30 p.m. Daily Matins 10 except on Wednesdays, Fridays arid Holy Days, when it is at 11 a.m. Daily Evensong at 5-30 p.m. CATHOLIC CHURCH, Southend Street. RECTOR-REV. F. C. LYNCH. Morning—Masses 9.0 and 11.0. Sunday School held at 3-30. Evening Service and Benediction 6.30. Mass daily at 8. Catechism each morning at 9. Benediction and Sermon on Thursdays, 8 p.m. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, High Street. PASTOR-REV. H. A. BARNES. Morning 11. Evening 6.30. Sunday School, 3 p.m. WESLEYAN CHAPEL, Homend Street. SUPT. MINISTER-REV. GEORGE DYER. SnDday-IO-30 a.m., Mr Hawksworth 6-30 p.m., Mr J Fowler. Collections Circuit Funds. Monday, 7-45 p.m.-Wesley Guild. Thursday, 7-30 p.m.—Rev G Dyer. SUNDAYS. Newent—11 a.m. and 6-30 p m., Mr H Bray. Staunton—11 a.m. and 6 p.m., Mr H T Warren. Pendock—11 a.m., Prayer Meeting; 6 p.m., Mr J Davis. Redmarley-3 p.m., Mr Powell; 6 p.m., Mr Hawksworth. Birtsmorton—11 a.m. and 6-30 p.m., Mr Lawrence Colwall-ii a.m. aDd 6 p.m., Mr W J Bray. Much Marele-3 p.m., Mr Herbert. Bosbury-6 p.m., Mr Swift. BAPTIST CHAPEL, Homend Street. Sunday—11 a.m. and 6-30 p.m. Preacher- Rev W Pontifex. Sunday School—10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday—Praise and Prayer Meeting, 7.0 Wednesday-P. W. E., 7-30 Friday—Christian Endeavour, 7-30 Reports of Newent Licensing Sessions and a Wesleyan Home Missionary meeting at Ledbury, are held over till next week owing to pressure on our space. THE FIRST SALMON. We noticed one morning this week a very fine salmon on the slab at the establishment of Mr L W Crossley, High-street, Ledbury. This was the first salmon of the season, which opened on Tuesday. OPENING OF NEW DRILL HALL.—On Thurs- day, February 19, the new drill hall in New- street, of C (Ledbury) Company of the 1st Battalion the Herefordshire Regiment will be opened with the annual ball of the Company, from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. It is hoped that this function will be under distinguished patronage, to be announced later. Carpenter's Ltd. Ales and Stout are always reliable. Brewed for family con- sumption only.-Ledbury AgeDt W H Alleyne, New-street. NATIONAL CONSERVATIVE LEAGUE.—The monthly meeting of the Ledbury District Lodge of the National Conservative League will be held at the lodge-room, the New Inn Hotel, Ledbury, on Saturday, February 14, at 8 p.m., when the speaker will be Mr T Barnett Hunt, of Worcester. FARMERS' UNION Di.N.-s Fit. -The fourth annual dinner of the Ledbury Branch of the Farmers' Union, will be held at the Feathers Hotel, Ledbury, on Thursday, February 19 next, at 7 p.m. Mr John Parry (Chairman of the Branch) will preside. rickets may bo obtained at the hotel, from members of the Committee, or from the local hon. secretary, Mr E B Thompson, Temple Court, Bosbury. If your Eyes Ache come and have them tested free. We supply the exact glasses needed at very moderate p, ices and use the greatest care in fitting. The latest and most comfortable frames in stock. Spectacles from 2/6 the pair in Gold-filled Frames from 10/6.—MINCHIN, Chemist and Optician, 15, Westgate, Gloucester. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IN THE LEDBURY RURAL DISTRICT. — The school attendance returns for the quarter euding September 30, 1913, have just been issued by the County Education Committee. There are ten rural districts in the county, and Ledbury holds the first place for highest percentage at 91, the lowest being 85, and the average 88 7 per cent. In the previous quarter of 1913 Ledbury Rural was bracketed with Ross for first place. Special prizes have recently been given as follows :— Sir James Rankin's silver medal for five years complete attendance, to Archie Webley and Percy Webley, of Coddington, and to Lily James, of Wellington Heath; the Bishop's book prize has been earned by Alice Haughty, of Wellington Heath, who has only missed two attendances in five years. A record of eight years' complete attendances by a Mathon child, Gertrude Hardwicke, has been received by the clerk (Mr H W Hayter), who has forwarded it to the proper quarter for recognition. In the school attendance returns for the quarter the percentage of attendance at schools in this district is as follows :—Coddington 99, Mathon 98, Bosbury Boys 95, Ashperton and Canon Frome 94, Bosbury Girls and Infants 94, Colwall Boys 94, Castle Froome 93, Colwall Valley Girls 93, Colwall Valley Infants 93, Eastnor 93, Yarkhill 93, Little Marcle 92, Wellington Heath Hope End 92, Ledbury Boys 91, Wellington Heath Infants 91. Tarrington 90, Ledbury Girls 89, Putley 87. Woolhope 87, Ledbury Infants 86, Colwall Hill 84, Stretton Gtrandifion and Eggleton 84, Much Marcle 80. Chas. Hodges' Bread, Standard or White, purity and quality guaranteed. Daily deliveries.—42, Bye Stieet, Ledbury. The Ledbury Hunt Point-to-Point Steeple- chases are fixed for Wednesday, April 22nd, 1914, at Redmarley. MILDMAY MISSION TO THE JEWS —Mr Samuel Wilkinson will give a Limelight Lecture on work at home and abroad, at the Mission Hall. Ledbury, on Friday, February 13, at 7-JO. Admission free.—Advert. John Haines and Sens, Practical Chimney Sweeps, Homend Street, Ledbury. All Orders Promptly attended to. Distance no object. Established 1830. NATIONAL DEPOSIT FRIENDLY SOCIETy.-On Wednesday, February 11, the local branch of the National Deposit Friendly Society are promoting a concert in the Town Hall, Ledbury, at 7.30 p.m. INVITATION DANCE.—An invitation dance will be held at the Feathers Hotel Assembly Room, Ledbury, on Thursday, February 12, from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., for which Miss Fardon's band has been engaged. Tickets may be obtained from Miss Barnham, Miss Duncombe, Miss C Vaughan, Mr S Bowen, Mr R Duncombe, Mr G Haines and Mr E W Reed. The promoters of the above dance wish to notify those who have received invitations that the dance will com- mence at 8 p.m. prompt to 2 a.m., instead of the time first published. HUGHES' TOBACCO STORES. The largest stock and variety in the town. See the windows. High class Hair cutting and Shaving Saloon. Razors ground ane set. Umbrellas re-covered and repaired on the premises at the shortest notice. Second-hand bookseller. A large selection of second-hand books on all subjects. Any quantity second-hand books bought for cash.—76, Homend St., Ledbury "SUNFLOWER" MINSTRFI..S.-For some time a local band of amateurs have been practising assiduously,and will blossom forth upon Ledbury and the district on Monday, February 16, as the Sunflower" Minstrels, and will give performances at the Royal Hall, Ledbury, on this and the two succeeding nights. We hear there is an exceptionally smart programme, and the proceeds are in aid of the Ledbury Evening Schools Prize Fund. A good list of distinguished patrons has been secured. Further particulars later. George Lloyd (late James Lloyd). Chimney Sweep, Church Lane, Ledbury. Distance no, object. Prompt and personal attention to all orders. LEDBURY TEMPERANCE COUNCIL.—The Led- bury Temperance Council, at a meeting in the Town Hall, passed unanimously the following resolution, and a copy has been sent to the Right Hon. H H Asquith, M.P., Prime Minister, signed by the Chairman and Hon. Secretary :—"The Council expressed its regret that no time had been found for the intro- duction of the temperance measure promised on so many occasions by His Majesty's Govern- ment. and hopes that His Majesty's Government will introduce a measure of temperance reform during the next session of Parliament. We are of opinion many will be alienated from the Liberal cause if this promise remains un- fulfilled. Mr. 0. W. Jessett's Band (violin, cornet and piano). Open for Engagements for Balls, Danoes, Parties, Social Gatheiings, Concerts, etc. Moderate Terms.-Apply, Mr C W Jessett, 22, Church Street, Ledbury. CONCERT.—On Tuesday an excellent concert was given in the Congregational Schoolroom, Ledbury, the proceeds being in aid of the Church Funds. The Rev H A Barnes (Pastor) presided over an excellent attendance. The programme was as follows :—Selection, tha Band song, Across the Years (encore In Vanity Fair "), Miss Guruay, Newent; song, Somewhere a voice is calling (encore Down by the river side "), Mr R J Carless pianoforte solo (encored), Miss Fardon song, Jack's the boy," Mr P W Bruton song, Turn to the right" (encore If I built a world for you "), Miss Gurney reading, Astronomy made easy," Rev H A Barnes selection, the Band; song, "The Rosary," Miss Gladys Jones; song, "Absent" (encore "Sleep, darling sleep "), Mr R J Carless cornet solo, Schubert's Serenade (encore, selections from Maritana"), Mr Jessett song, How strange a thing," Miss Gladys Jones song, "Church Bells," Mr Morgan; selection, "Smiles, then Kisses," the Band God save the King." At the conclusion the Chairman expressed the thanks of the members of the Church te all those who had contributed to the programme or assisted in any way. Miss Fardon was the accompanist. No more limping! No more pain Never cut your corns again. Lse Cornex —MINCHIN, Chemist, 15, Westgate, Glouceffter. Local Agent MR. MEACHAM, Chemist, Ledbary.

Hollibush Quarru. SECOND BROKEN STONE, suitable for- Erivate, farm and bye roads, concrete and other" building purposes :— uil ?Si.ngalY Quantities .? 3/- per to2. 50 Tons and over. M 2/9 „ 100 Tons and over 2/6 JJ SECOND. ROUGH STONE, suitable for bottoms of roads, filling in fold yards, etc Up to 100 Tons 1/4 per turn. 100 Tons and over 1/2 GRAVEL or Chippings (Unscreened), suitable for facing roads and paths Small Quantities 2/3 per ton. 50 Tons and over 1/9 100 Tons and over 1/6 JJ GRAVEL or Chippings (Screened), excellent material for concrete Small Quantities 3/- per ton 50 Tons and over 2/6 „ 100 i ons and over 2/3 WASTE, suitable for filling in, etc :— 6d. per ton. EASTNOR CASTLE ESTATE OFFICE,. NEAR LEDBURY.