The Abergavenny Mail

KING & SONS, DRAPERS, MILLINERS, COSTUMIERS. SPECIAL SHOW In all Departments of Easter Novelties MILLINERY, COSTUMES, BLOUSES, RAINCOATS. HOSIERY, GLOVES, I BELTS, FANCY NECKWEAR. I EVERYTHING UP-TO-DATE. j LONDON HOUSE, HEREFORD. ?zm ?? ML

LEDBURY POLICE. I WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8. Before Alderman John Riley (in the chair), Admiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Fanshawe, Mr S H Bickham, Dr M A Wood, Mr J W Hewitt and Mr E H Hopkins. PARISH CONSTABLE. I Henry Holbrook was appointed parish I oonstnble for Woolhope district. EXTENSIONS. I An occasional license to sell from 9 p.m. till 4 a.m. was granted to Messrs Gabb Bros., "No. 7," Ledbury, for a Territorial Ball at the new Drill Hall on Easter Monday. George Wadley, The Wellington Inn, Ledbury, was granted an extension till 12 mid- night on April 16th, the occasion of a supper and dance in connection with the aii-rifle club. Mr Hopkins did not adjudicate during the hearing of these applications. NO COLLAR. I Walter Pitt, of Canon Froome, was summoned for allowing a dog to be on the highway without a collar bearing the name and address of the owner, at Ashpcrton on March 12th. The case was proved by P.C. Griffin. Defendant pleaded guilty, but said that he had no wish to evade the law. As a matter of fact he considered the Act was a very good one. The collar was taken off the dog and put on another, which was sent to a man who did not return it. Then it was forgotten. The Bench imposed a fine of 2s 6d. Defendant: Thank you. HIGHWAY OFFENCE. I Herbert R E Shambrook, of Woolhope, was charged with having a waggon wheel tied with- out a skid pan at the Cockshoot, Woolhope, on March 26th. P.C. Matthews stated that he saw defendant with a light cart heavily laden with clover and drawn by one horse. Both wheels of the cart were locked but there was only one skidpan. Witnesa drew defendant's attention to the fact that a notice was displayed at the top of the hill cautioning the public against tying wheels without skidpans, and defendant said he knew all about it. In that neighbourhood it was usual to have two skidpans. Defendant said he had a skidpan on one wheel, and he found that the load was over- taking the horse and to avoid anything more serious happening he tied the other wheel. Supt. Williams said ho did not wish to press this charge on account of defendant's family, but it should be made known that it was as bad to have one skidpan and one tied wheel as it was to have one wheel tied with no skidpan. A fine of 103 inclusive was imposed, defendant being warned not to let such a thing occur again. The Chairman and Mr Hopkins, being members of the County Council, did not adjudicate in this case.

Children's Court. Herbert Hopkins (9) and James Davis (9), both of Nowto.vn, Yarkhill, were charged with stealing two motor-car head lamps, one generator, one watch, one jack, one leather glove, and one tumbler glass, from a motor-car, and the property of the Rev E W Randle, the new vicar of Stretton Grandison. The father of the boy Divis elected for the case to be tried now, but Hopkins's father elected for his son to be tried before a jury. P.C. Matthews stated that on March 28 he went to Whitwick Manor, Yarkhill, in con- sequence of certain information. He saw the boy Davis in the presence of his father. Wit- Bess cautioned the boy, who made a voluntary statement. In conseqnence of that statement witness went to Stretton Grandison and saw the boy Hopkins, who was with his father. Witness told him that he had made inquiries as to certain articles being stolen from a motor-car at Whitwick Manor, and that he suspected the lad of taking the things. Witness then took the lad Hopkins, who was accompanied by his father, to Newtown, Yarkhill, to Davis, who also was with his father. Witness cautioned them in the usual manner, and afterwards read the statement made by James Davis. The statement, which witness wrote at the time, was as follows On Wednesday last (March 25th) I came home from school with Herbert Hopkins. When by Whitwick Manor I was in the front meadow when I saw Herbert Hopkins go to a motor-car, which was in the next field, and take a lamp off the motor and a glass out of the car, and a glove. He put the glass in his pocket and put the glove on his hand, and after- wards put it in his pocket. He put the lamp in his school bag. He then came on to the road and caught me up. He said he had got some- thing from the car aud showed them to me. They were the same things that I saw him take. He walked down the road with me a bit and got ever into the coppice and went in the direction of his home across the fields." After that, continued witness, when charged Herbert Hopkins said I did not take them. Jim Davis took them, and hid them at the bottom of the orchard by my home." James Davies then said, "You are telling lies of me, Herbert. You had them." Witness went to the gorse and searched for the stolen property but did not find it. When searching the gorse Herbert Hopkins said that he was on the road when James Davis got the stuff off the motor car, and gave it to him, and that they abared the stuff, Herbert Hopkins had the two lamps and the motor watch and the glove, and he (Davis) had the motor jack and some spanners. Witness brought both boys to Led. bury, where they were released on their own recognisances. When at Ledbury Herbert Hopkins said that he had all the stuff and took it home and gave it to his mother. She took it upstairs aad he had not seen it since. Witness returned to Newtown, Yarkhill, and searched for the stolen property, but failed to find it. He went to the house and made inquiries, but the mother denied any knowledge of the articles, although the boy said in witness's presence that he gave them to his mother. The car was broken down at the time and was left in a field by the side of the road at Whitwick Manor. Witness had continued to search for the stuff since, but had failed to find it. Supt Williams said that upon that evidence he would ask for a remand till the next court. The articles were valued at £7 and he thought they ought to be discovered. The father of Davis was asked if he had any objection to the remaad and he replied that he had not. Hopkins further said he had nothing to say. The Chairman said The boys will be remanded for a fortnight. In the meantime the Bench think it would be in the interests of the parents to assist in finding the articles.

LOCAL LAW SUIT. Ledbury Council and Lady Henry Somerset. What is "Extraordinary" Traffic? Judgment Reserved. In the King's Bench Division, oo Saturday, Mr Justice Lush continued the hearing of the action brought by the Ledbury Rural District Council against Lady Henry Somerset to recover damages in respect of injury alleged to have been caused by extraordinary traffic on part of the main road from Ledbury to Tewkesbury, known as the Eastnor Road. The defendant, Lady Henry Somerset, is the owner of a quarry situated on the border line of Worcestershire and Herefordshire. In 1911 extra plant was put into the quarry, and the stone was advertised as being for sale to any- body who chose to buy it. Since that date it was alleged that the traffic from the quarry to Ledbury Station had considerably inceased and the issue was whether the traffic was extra- ordinary within the meaning of the Statute. The defendant contended that the traffic was not extraordinary, inasmuch at the road had been used for such traffic for many years. The case was commenced at the Birmingeam Assizes last week. Mr Arthur Powell, K. C., and Mr H. G Farrant (instructed by Russell and Co., Led- bury) appeared for the plaintiffs while Mr Charles, K.C., and Mr J G Hurst (instructed by Joynson, Hicks, and Co., London, and Mr Lilley, of Ledbury) represented the defendant. Mr Justice Lush asked Mr Powell on what principle was the defendant to be held to be sending extraordinary traffic over the road, while other people who were sending nearly as mush were not to be responsible for extraordinary traffic. Mr Powell replied that other people were not worth going for. If a man put his hand on his shoulder the man committed an assault, but it was not worth taking any notice of it. But if that man put his fist in his (counsel's) eye he would proceed against him. He asked his lordship to decide this case on the ground that the defendant used the road much more than her neighbours. If one person put fifty times as much traffic on a road as another, he contended that that person was using the road for extra- ordinary traffic. Traffic was extraordinary because of its effect on the road. What was ordinary traffic in dry weather, might amount to extraordinary traffic in wet weather. Mr Justice Lush said in his opinion this case depended upon the answer to the following question :—Supposing traction engines had for many years been used for carrying stone from the defendant's quarry in large quantities, was it right as a proposition of law to say that because the defendant had largely increased the output of her quarry, that increased use of the road by similar traction engines of itself created ex- traordinary traffic ? Mr Powell argued that an increase of ordinary traffic might convert it into extraordinary traffic. The learned counsel had not concluded his arguments when the further hearing was ad- journed till Tuesday. On Tuesday Mr Justice Lush continued the hearing of the action. Replying, to the Judge, Mr Powell said it was impossible to include in the claim all the persons who put excessive traffic on the road. His Lordship Why is Lady Henry Somerset, who is only sending the same traffic as the others, sending extraordinary traffic, while that of the others is ordinary ? Counsel: My answer is that you are not to consider every one of those persons. We say this traffic is extraordinary because it is so much larger than all the others put together, because it is continuous, and because it is new. PA37 per mile is an extraordinary price to pay for road-making. In former times this road has cost something like £40. His Lordship said, rightly or wrongly, he had excluded that consideration, and he was not going to decide the case upon it. There were several reasons why the cost was so much. Would Lady Somerset, he asked, have been free from action if she had sold the stone at the quarry, leaving the purchasers to fetch it away ? Counsel: I suppose she would. In conclusion counsel urged that if any doubt existed it should be given in favour of the Coun- cil, because if it went the other way it would throw the burden of this traffic upon those who gained nothing whatever from it, and did not ask for it. It was a question of the greatest importance to quarry districts. Mr Charles, in reply, urged that there was no evidence of extraordinary traffic. The Judge I suppose that when the local authority find that traffic like this has come to stay they make up the road so as to stand it; Counsel: Yes, that always happens. His Lordship said he would give his judgment next sittings.

I Perhaps it is not geneially understood that we undertake all descriptions of Coloured and Plain Stamping. We get dies cat and tarn out th6 order complete. Send on a trial I order to te. Reporter Oifice.

I LEDBURY URBAN COUNCIL The monthly meeting of the Ledbury Urban Council, the last of the Council year, was held on Tuesday night—owing to Monday being election day-at the Barrett-Browning Institute, when the Councillors present were-Messrs E H Hopkins (chairman), who presided, W L Tilley, J Preece, A Warren, W G Davis, R Lawrence, J E Craddock, A T Jones, H Thacker, A C Lewis, S Clarke, T S S Gardner, and C H Bastow, together with the Clerk (Mr Reginald Masefield), and the Surveyor (Mr R G Gurney). AN ELECTION ECHO. Mr Warren asked the Chairman if he was prepared to say the same across the table that night as he said the previous night outside the Town Hall, and was he (Mr Warren) one of the men he had referred to as a man who told lies and what were the lies ? The Chairman The matter has nothing to do with the Ledbury Urban Council. Mr Craddock rose and asked if that was in order, and the Chairman said it was not. Mr Preece made a remark, and was called to order by the Chairman. Mr Preece This Council has nothing to do with what takes place outside. I ASSESSMENT OF THE ROYAL HALL. Mr Davis asked if the Overseers of the parish had taken into consideration the increased value of the Royal Hall through it being used as a picture palace, and had they taken any action in the matter ? The Chairman There are no overseers at the present tioae. Mr Davis Have the orerseers in the past considered it ? The Chairman was understood to say they could mot. Mr Davis Then I beg to draw the attention of the next overseers to it. THE PROPOSED WINDMILL AT THE PUMPING STATION. Mr Lawrence asked if the question of the proposed windmill at the pumping station had dropped altogether out of existence ? The Chairman said he had heard nothing since the last report of the Streets Committee on the question. Mr Preece said he understood the question of cost caused an abandonment of the question. The Chairman Mr Preece, I cannot allow you to discuss a question. APPOINTMENT OF OVERSEERS. The appointment of overseers, which was adjourned from the last meeting, again came up, and Mr Craddock proposed the election of Mr Hopkins and Mr Tilley, remarking that t-he Chairman had had a long experience of the work. Mr Bastow seconded, and said Mr Hopkins had been overseer a good many years and no- body in the town understood the work better than Mr Hopkins did. He had given a great deal of attention to the duties. Mr Thicker proposed Mr W G Davis in place of Mr Hopkins. He thought it was very near time they had a change for this sort of job. It was pulling the strings from one end of the table all the year round. Mr Warren seconded Mr Thacker's amend- ment, and said he did not think they should have one man in the same position all the time. This sort of thing ought to go round. Mr Preece, in supporting the original resolu- tion, said it was not a question of a monopoly. He considered the best man should occupy the position, and no man had devoted the time that Mr Hopkins had to the financial arrangements of the Council, to which he belonged. To knock him off would be an insult to hin* and not complimentary to the urban district. The amendment was then put and four voted for the amendment, and seven against. The original resolution was then put and seven voted for it and five against, Mr Hopkins and Mr Tilley accordingly being declared elected as overseers for the ensuing twelve months. BANK CRESCENT ROAD. A letter was read from Mr H J Pritchard, on behalf of the Ledbury Building Society, to the effect that the Directors of the Society were in agreement with the terms arranged between the Sub-Committees of the Council and the Building Society for the taking over of the Bank Crescent Road by the Council. The Directors were pleased to know that an amicable settlement had at last been arrived at on the matter. I FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Chairman presented the report of the Finance Committee, which showed that since the last meeting the sum of J3207 7s 3d had been paid into the treasury. Bills for payment amounted to 2209 16a 3d, and a further sum of 13s lld had been struck off for voids. The collection of general district rate and water charges completed entirely th" amount of the rate and water charges. (Elea-, hear.) It was very gratifying to the CommL;;ee to find the work had been done in such an efficient manner —(hear, hear)—and he would like to add his meed of praise to Mr Maddox' aid his work. The wage bill of j539 13s 6d was slightly in excess of the ordinary monthly amount and was accounted for by the overtime and extra work that had been done daring the period in connection with water services. The Com- mittee had under consideration a letter from Mr Symonds, clerk to the County Council, with regard to the establishment charges for the main roads and the services of the Surveyor. He was of opinion that now they were acting as agents and not contractors, and had to find tools and the services of their surveyor they certainly thought they ought to be in the same position as the other Councils in the county and the committee recommended that application be made to the County Council for the usual five per cent. on the cost of the repairs done. When the matter was before the Roads and Bridges Committee they could rest assured it would receive his very strong support. Mr Clarke seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried unanimously. I STREETS COMMITTEE. Mr Bastow moved the adoption of the follow- ing report of the Streets Committee :— Tenders-The Committee recommended that the tender of Messrs. Bebbington be accepted for oats and bran, the tender of Mr V W Meacham for oil, and that of Mr Hodgetts for hauling. New Main in Church-street.-The Surveyor reported that he had accepted the estimate of Messrs. Spittle, Ltd., and that the work would be done immediately after Easter. Pipe Joints.—The Committee recommended that the tender of Mr R Preece be accepted. Leakage near Mr Molesworth's.—The Sur- veyor reported a very serious leakage at this spot, which had been repaired as soon as ascer- tained. New Plan.—Plans for a new warehouse at the back of Mr F W Juckes' premises in the Homend were inspected. Mr Bastow said that the leakage near Mr Molesworth's was a serious matter, and for- tunately it was early discovered. There was as much water running from the leakage, or nearly as much as the town was using. It had now been put right. With regard to the ques- tion of repairs to the Railway Terrace-road, leading past the electric power station to Messrs. Hill and Sons' premises, since the meeting of the Committee Mr Gurney had had a letter from the Electric Light Company ask- ing if the Council would take over the road if they first of all made the surface good to the surveyor's satisfaction. He thought it would be a very wise thing for the Council to do. That portion of the town was disgraceful at the present time, as everybody knew who had been down there. He would add that to the report, so that it could receive the sanction of the Council that night. Mr Lawrence, in seconding, said it would be a very good thing when this matter was settled. The report was then unanimously carried, with the addition referred to bv Mr Bastow. I RECENT FIRE AT BERROW. The Chairman presented a report on the recent fire at Borrow. The expense of the Brigade amounted to £9, which was made up as follows :—steamer j35 5a working expenses 5s Brigade 23 10s. I SANITARY COMMITTEE. I Mr T S S Gardner presented the report of the Sanitary Committee, which stated that a sub-com- I mittee, consisting of the Chairman, Mr Davis and the Inspector, had bee* appointed to go roundtthe sewage ditches at a convenient date. This was seconded and agreed to. I MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT. I The report of the Medical Officer (Dr J Mc- Kean Harrison) reported that during the past month there had been four births and eight deaths. One case of scarlet fever had been notified. I PLAN. u I A plan or a new warenouse tor ivir F w Juckes, Homend-street, at the back of his I premises, was produced, and the usual resolution offering no objection to it was passed. I THE TERRIFIC PACE OF MOTOR I CYCLISTS. Mr Davis asked if the Council had power to call the attention of the police to the terrific pace at which some motor cyclists went through the town. The pace of some of them was extremely dangerous, to children especially. The Chairman said he quite agreed with Mr Davis, but added whenever they made any attempt to draw attention to this and other traffic matters they got no support whatever. There was a case where a traction engine broke water mains and because Mr Gurney was not in Court it was dismissed. He thought the Standing Joint Committee might have their attention drawn to it. Mr Davis said as a motor cycliat himself he would not like to see a speed limit, but it was dangerous riding he wished to see stopped. Mr Clarke There won't be anything done till somebody is killed. The Chairman said the Standing Joint Com- mittee could not put on a speed limit without coming to the County Council If the Council passed a resolution asking that the Committee call the attention of the police to it that would be sufficient. Mr Craddock thought such a resolution would be casting a slur on their Superintendent of Police. The Chairman did not think so. Mr Davis said he would rather call' the atten- tion of the police to the matter. Mr Craddock I think it unfair to the police. It was eventually decided to call the attention of the police to the matter. I ROAD MATTERS. I Mr Lewis- moved that the attention of the G. W.R. Co's, engineer be Galled to the water coming from the railway bridge at the station. Mr Davis seconded and this was agreed to. Mr Warren raised the question of the slippery state of the road near the weighing machine at the Town Hall. Mr S Hodgetts had a horse down there that day. The road was like glass. The attention of the Surveyor was called to this matter, and it was left in his hands. I ANNUAL MEETING. I I The annual meeting of the Council was fixed f for Friday, April 17, at 6 p.m. I JLEAVE-TAKINGw I Mr Bastow said they had with them that night a most valuable member of the Council, Mr Jones, who he was sorry would not be with them in the future, and he would like to bear record to the value of his work on the Council. (Hear, hear.) As Chairman of the Streets Com- mittee he could, say in all sincerity that he had been one of the most useful members of the Council, and he was sincerely sorry they would not have the pleasure of Mr Jones's prasence with them in future. He would also like to say how much they regretted the infirmity that had attached itself to Mr Morgan, who had been a valued and useful member of the Council and he regretted very much that his infirmity had necessitated-his retirement from. the Council. Mr Preoce, Mr Clarke and Mr Gardner associated themselves with Mr Bastow's remarks. Mr Jones thanked Mr Bastow for his kind remarks. All he had been able to do. was to attend as regjularly as it was possible to attend, aad what little good he had been able to do had always been a pleasure to him. Probably he would not be leaving the Council had not some of the wire pullers been at work, but if they would forgive him for what he had done he would forgive them for what they had very successfully tried to do. This concluded the business of the meeting.

HEREFORD POLICE INQUIRY.—Inconsequence of charges of favouritism by Police-constable Hall against the Chief Constable of Hereford (Mr Frank Richardson), the Watch Committee have held an inquiry. The charges alleged f ivouritism with respect to recent promotions, and that certain constables, while registered as doing "additional reserve duty," were being employed doing private work for the Chief Constable. H. M. Inspector was present at the inquiry, and the committee decided against the complainant, on the charge of favouritism. They considered the Chief was justified in what he had done, but in regard to other matters decided that the old oustom should be discon- tinued.

MEN'S WEAR New Deliveries in Goods, Suitable for the Present Season. STRAW HATS A Speciality. CHRISTY'S 1914 MODELS. 2b. 6d. to 5s. 6d. Soft Felt Hats New Colours and Styles. 3s. 6d. to 4s. 6d. Soft Plush Hats Latest Designs and Colours. 4s. 6d. to 7s. 6d. Hard Felt Hats New Models for the Season. os. to 6s. 6d. Tweed Caps A Large Selection. Is. to 3s. Gd. SPORTS JACKETS In Tweeds and Garbircords. i e dQ 3 158. 6d. to 30a.§ Flannel Trousers Permanent Turn-ups. In Greys and Lorats. 8s. 6d. to 12s. 6d. Rainproof Overcoats Special Value. 328. 6d. to 60s. TWEED SUITS Men's. Best Style and Finish. 21s. to 35s. Tweed Trousers Assorted Designs. BREECHES In Riding Tweeds. 8s. Gd. to 12s. Gd. I PANTALOONS In Riding Tweeds. 12s. lid. to 18s. 6d. Drill Breeches For Summer Wear. 128. 6d. to las. 6d. TUNIC- SHIRTS New Range of Designs. 2s. lid. to 4s. 6d. J.BACHE Homend Street, Ledbury, Respectfully Invites your Inspection and Patronagelt

Hollgbiish Quarrii. SECOND BROKEN STONE, suitable for- Crivate, farm and bye roads, concrete and other building purposes ?S.all Quantities "4 3/- per ton. 50 Tons and over 2/9 100 Tons and over 2/6 H SECOND ROUGH STONE, suitable for bottoms of roads, filling in fold yards, etc •— Up to 100 Tons 1/4 pex too. 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 „ QRAVEL or Chippings (Screened), excellent material for concrete Small Quantities 3L- per ton 50 Tons and over 2/6 Is 100 Ions and over 2/3 „ WASTE, suitable for filling in, etc :— 6d. per ton. EASTNOR CASTLE ESTATE OFFICE, NEAR LEDBURY.

I STAIN ER'S "CRUCIFIXION." I Splendid Rendering by Ledbury Church < Choir. There was a large congregation at Led- bury Church on Friday night, when the Church Choir gave a fine rendering of Stainer's Crucifixion," which is a medita- tion on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer. The words were selected and written by the Rev J Sparrow-Simpson, M.A., and the work abounds in music which at once appeals to all who listen to it. The solo work, which is the principal feature of the Crucifixion," is entrusted to tenor and bass voices, and upon this occasion—it has been rendered two or three times pre- viously within the past 20 years—Mr F, A.\ Hobro,the organist and choirmaster, who had sowell trained the choir for this performancei dispensed with special cathedral soloists, and entrusted the solo work to two of his choristers. Mr Hobro was at the organ, and the choir were robed for the performance. Assisting the choir were Mrs Horton, Mrs W Hodges, Mrs Berkley and Miss Maddison. The si.loints were Mr H B Wbyld (tenor) and Mr J \V Teague (bass), whilst the the Rector (Rev F W Carnegy) sang. the part written for a voice in the choir." After prayers bad been said by the Rev 0 F R Strickland (curate), the sacred work was opened with the opening recitative for tenor "And they came to a place namedi Gethsemane," which leads up to The Agony "—"Could ye not watch with Me one., brief hour? by the baritone; followed by the chorus: Jesu, Lord Jesu, bowed in bitter anguish." A very fine passage is that, for tenor voice, Then the high priest rent, his clothes," which is emphasised by the succeeding march, Processional to Calvary," in which Mr Hobro excelled. The chorus, "Fling wide the Gates," mostly, doable-forte, until the final refrain is. reached, was given splendidly by the choir.. One of the fiaest solos in the work. is-tbab: written for tenor, entitled King, everr glorious," the first passage Thou art, the King" requiring much power and) expression, in order to bring out the ideas, of the brilliant composer. Mr W-hyldi acquitted himself finely in his solo. wor k and Mr Teague was especially good in la. it nothing to you ? The soloists joined in the magnificent duet So Thou.liftest Thy Divine Petition," which was beautifully rendered. The highest praise is due to the choir for their tuneful rendering of God so loved the World," and also for the chorus entitled The Appeal to the Cruci Ged." The passages written for tenors. and; bftssea were each very well aang in good time and tune, and the Rector was excellent ia the rendition of the parts allocated to a. voice in the choir. There are five hymns in the- work, specially written for the coDgregatioa- to. join in the sinking. These were very lieartily taken up by the congregation, tlim adding; greatly to the interest of the performance. Copies of the words and the hymns were provided and this was much appreciated. Mr Hobro, the organist and, chuirmaster, is to be highly congratulated. apon the all round excellence of the performance, the opinion being, universally expressed that on the whole it was the best performance of its kind ever given in Ledbury. By special request the duet was again sung by Messra H B Whyld and J W Tfeague at Sunday evening's service.. The collection at the end of the recital on Friday evening in aid of the choir funds realised over £ 2 10s, an amount far above the average on such occasions.

LETTEBS TO THE EDITOR. I I THE PRICE OF BREAD. I I To the Editor. Sir,-Allow me through your columns to call attention to the discrepancy between the price-of wheat and the price of bread. As near as I can find ou.t it takes six bushels of wheat to make a sack (five bash- elf) of flour. For the six bushels of wheat the farmer gets 24a. This has to pay the workmen, wheelwright, saddler, blacksmith, insurances of all kinds, the landlord, the pardon, land taxes of various kinds, repairs, etc., and the crop only comes once in twelve months, with attendant risk of weather. The sack of flour is selling at 26s, and when scientifically manipulated, I am told, makes 96 loaves of bread, which, at 6d per loaf, equals 48s. At this rate the baker is makiug, within 2s. or 3s, per sack. as much profit to make the flour into bread as the farmer is getting for the wheat which makes the sack of flour, and out of this he has to pay all the before-mentioned outgoings, and into the bargain the baker can turn his money over twel ve times in a year. I am amazed at the effrontery of a miller named Mr Watkins, of Hereford, having the cheek to stump about the county abusing the farmer for not paying better wages. All are agreed (farmers included) that better wages should be paid, but how is it to be done when, under our unfair system of p so-called Free Trade, these millers and bakers are getting the plunder at the expense of the farmer. Last year I noticed a firm of millers made over X140,000 profit, and a coal company over £ 300,000. Let me warn farm workmen that windbags like this Mr Watkins have some other object in view than the good of farmers or workmen. My opinion their object is this infernal political wire-pulling to bolster up a Government pledged to this unfair system of trading. There is only one remedy to obtain fair play for those on the land, that is by a com- bination of farm workmen, farmers and land- owners to form rural leagues, come to a decision as to what is a living price for wheat, hops, hay, etc., and a fair wage for the men. j, Having arrived at this, then say to the Government that we are going to have fair play in competition with all the races and cliques on earth. The Boers have taught us what a few countrymen can do. With- out going further, farmers and landowners supported by their workmen have only to combine and strike against the payment of their rates and taxes, when the Government would find they bad the biggest strike on hand they ever had. Let me earnestly suggest to farm workmen, farmers and landowners without further delay joining bands for their common weal. VERITAS. Ledbury, April 7th, 1914

D E, A r ?SUCC?E,? S -? BY CONSULTING an introductory journal full of GENUINE v advertisements appending to all classes 6t tl desirous of marriage. Ladies and No Exorbitant Fees. =4"kqe'. 8d. Poet Free in Sealed Envelop*. aditw, 18, Hoprth Road, Earl's OnaTt. Printed and Pnblifilhed for and on behalf of the EXECUTRIX of the late THOMAS VATJGHAV, by WILLIAM S. BOWES, Manager, at the Printing Works, New street, Ledbary, ia the County of Hereford*