The Abergavenny Mail

NEWENT. I BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—Mr C Cloke (chairman) presided at the fortnightly meeting of the Board of Guardians on Tuesday.-The master reported the number in the house as 55, against 68 for the same period last year; tramps relieved dur- ing the fortnight 160 as against 223 for the cor- responding period last year. -The Boad acknow- ledged, with thanks, the following gifts Buns from Mr Stanley Cook papers and periodicals from Mrs Beechey, Miss Newbury, Miss Cowles, Miss Dyke, Messrs W J Cook and Sons, and local press proprietors.—A letter was read from the Ledbury Union relating to workhouse children, asking what steps this Board had taken in the matter and suggesting combination, they having twelve children to board out. The Master said there were eleven children in the house. The Rev 0 L Whatley (vice-chairman) said this mat- ter came up at the conference held last week at Malvern, when it was thought best for small Unions to combine. The Clerk was instructed to reply that the question is under consideration. —A communication was read from Coventry Union re Law of Settlement and removal, sug- gesting the system of answers to be reduced to four, to which this Board agreed.—The Postmaster-General replied to the Council's consent to overhead telegraphic line at Broms- berrow.—The Rev A Wynne asked that the scavenging cart should remove his refuse every three months,as the cart had not called since he had lived at the Holts Grove (about 18 months) It was pointed out that the previous tenant's application for the cart to call was refused. The matter was referred to the Water Commit- tee.—Mr Grubb (Surveyor) gave his usual monthly report,

LEDBURY RURAL COUNCIL AND I LADY HENRY SOMERSET. Extraordinary Traffic Action. I Verdict for Defendant. I Full Report ef the Judgment. I In the King's Bench Division, on Monday- before Mr Justice Luoh-the hearing was con- cluded 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 extra- ordinary traffic on part of the main road from Ledbury to Tewkesbury known as the Eastnor Road. Mr A Powell, K.C., and Mr H G Farrant (instructed by Messrs Russell and Co. Ledbury), appeared for the plaintiffs; and Mr Charles, K.C., and Mr J G Hurst (instructed by Mr C E Lilley, Ledbury, and Messrs Joynson Hicks and Co, London), for defendant. Mr Justice Lush, in giving judgment, said This action was brought by the Ledbury Rural District Council, the authority responsible for the maintenance of the road to which I wiM refer in a moment, against Lady Heary Somerset to recover £1,233 17s 6d, monies alleged to be due for extraordinary expenses incurred by the plaintiffs in repairing the road by reason of extraordinary traffic which the plaintiffs said was conducted along the road by or in consequence of the defendant's orders. The action was brought under section 23 of the Highways Act, 1878, as amended by section 13 of the Locomotive Act, 1898. The section as amended is as follows :—"Where by a certi- ficate of their Surveyor it appears to the Authority which is liable or has undertaken to repair any highway, whether a main road or not, that, having regard to the average expense of repairing highway in the neighbourhood, extraordinary expenses have been incurred by such authority in repairing such highway by reason of the damage caused by excessive weight passing along the same or extraordinary traffic thereon, such authority may recover from any person by or in consequence of whose order such weight or traffic has been conducted the amount of such expenses as may be proved to have been incurred, etc. The plaintiffs do not allege that the weight of the traffic was excessive, but only that the traffic was extraordinary. The defendants denied that the traffic was extraordinary within the meaning of the Act and denied that the plaintiffs had incurred extraordinary expenses by reason of it, and they also contended that the plaintiffs could not maintain the action by reason of their own default in- not making up the road and putting it in a condition to bear the traffic which they knew should be expected to be conducted along it. It was obvious that apart from the question whether the traffic was extraordinary that time that would be occupied in considering the other contentions would be considerable and the costs heavy, and it was arranged that I should first try the question whether the defendant's traffic was extraordinary, leaving the other questions to be dealt with afterwards if necessary. The facts are as follows :—The road in ques- tion is a main county road leading from Ledbury to Tewkesbury, called Eastnor-road. About three miles from Ledbury the road passes a stone quarry belonging to the defendant, known as the Holly Bush Quarry, which is near the borders of Herefordshire and Worcestershire. The part of the road on which the expense was incurred is the part which lies between the quarry and the Ledbury Railway Station. The period during which the extraordinary traffic is alleged tit have been conducted is from the beginning of June, 1912, to the end of May, 1913. The plaintiffs Surveyor gave the cer- tificate required to be given by the Act before proceedings can be taken on Juue 10th, 1913. The quarry in question contains a stone which is largely used for the repair of highways. It has been worked for thirty or forty years, and for very many years has been hauled along the Eastnor-road by means partly of waggons drawn by horses, but mainly by traction engines. The road, which is one of the bast roads in that part of the county, is well adapted for such traffic. It was not suggested that it was unsuited for it, or that it was improper to send stone with traction engines along it. During the past few years the quantity of stone conveyed from the quarry along the road has steadily increased. The plaintiffs themselves have been in the habit of purchasing the stone and causing or ordering it to be conveyed along the same road by the same method of traction for road repairs. It has been conveyed by tenants of the defendant and by members of the public also by traction engine. In 1911 th9 agent who managed the defeu Unt's property, finding that the stone was in demand, began to sell it to other local authorities for road repairs, machinery being laid down in th k quarry to enlarge the output, aud the quantity sold and conducted along the road by or in consequence of the defendant's orders has become very con- siderable. In addition to the stone traffic, there is and has been for some years a consider- able quantity of other traction engine traffic along the same road. Furniture has been cnn- veyed along it by traction engines. Flour is hauled there at regular intervals by a steam lorry. Other stone comes to the station and is similarly conveyed along the road. Brewers' products, bricks, steam cultivators, etc., are also hauled in the same way. The summer of the year 1912 was a very wet one. The rainfall in August was exceptionally heavy. One of the witnesses spoke of a cloud burst occurring in the district in question in that month. In June, after heavy rains, a Territorial camp visited the district, and the equipment of the camp was conveyed by trac- tion engines along the road, which in its then condition caused damage to the surface. The general traction engine traffic undoubtedly caused very serious damage to the road. In the result the plaintiffs were put to heavy expense in repairing it. It was necessary in order to determine the question I had to try to go in some detail into the question of the quantity of stone traffic; of the kind I have mentioned conveyed along the road during the twelve months in question and the preceding years. It will, 1 think, be sufficient for me to state the following facts with regard to it:—During the twelve months ending June 30, 1913, approximately, 2 000 tons of stone were conveyed by the defendant's orders along the road between the quarry and the railway station. The total quantity of stone conveyed along the road to various places by other persons, including the plaintiffs, was, approximately, 1,700 tons (I exclude for the purpose in question horse traffic). During the year ending March 31, 1912, the defendant's traffic was approximately 2,300 tons, the traffic of other persons in the aggregate being approximately 2,000 tons. The output from the quarry has, as I have said, been continually increasing. In 1909 it was 7,284 tons, in 1910 14.413 tons, in 1911 15,690 tous, in 1912 17.378 tons. During the winter months of the year in question a very small quantity of stone was conveyed along the road. The figures are as follows so far as the defendant's traffic is con- cerned :—November, 342 tons December, 9G January, 50 and February, 27. I should add that the defendant's traffic is hauled, not by her own traction engines, but by engines hired from a contractor. Some evidence was given as to the engines not being in good condition, but it was not, I think, of very serious moment. There was nothing unusual in the way in which the traffic was hauled. There was no string of waggons, and as I have said the loads were not alleged to be of excessive weight. A load, as far as I could estimate (this was, I think, assented to by the Counsel on both sides), would be sent off by the defendant on the average about every thirty-six hours, and by the other persona engaged in it not quite so frequently, but the difference would be very slight. I think that I have mentioned all the facts which it is necessary for me to state, and I have on these facts to say if the defendant's traffic was extraordinary traffic within the meaning of the Act as interpreted by the numerous authorities which were cited in argument. It was said, and no doubt correctly said, that the question is one of fact, but the difficulty which I have felt is really one of law rather than fact. The real question is, what does the Act mean when it speaks of extraordinary traffic ? What is the test by which the fact must be ascertained 1 Is the defendant's traffic on the facts I have stated to be regarded as ordiaary traffic, or is it, and if so by reason of what circumstances, to be regarded as extra- ordinary? The plaintiffs' Surveyor in his certificate stated that the road, the foundations of which were very good, was quite nt to bear the 1,700 tons sent along it by the plaintiffs and the other persona concerned, but he said that that was the limit of what it could properly bear, and he accordingly contended that all that the defendant sent was extraordinary. That does not appear to me to be a satisfactory or proper way in which to regard the matter. At least one would have thought that if the test of what the road could bear was a right one the defendant ought not to bear the whole brunt of the excess. If one is to apportion it a very difficult question would arise—how to calculate the share of the extraordinary expenses to be borne by the defendant. I do not think that the case can be dealt with on any such footing as that suggested by the Surveyor. In the first place, it seems to me to be pure speculation to say that the road can bear so much, as he said, and ao more. But if the conj ecture is correct it does not follow that the defendant's traffic or the traffic taken as a whole was "extraordinary." To ascertain if it was one must carefully consider the various authorities and see what interpreta- tion they have placed upon the Act and what principles have been laid down. I have found it very difficult to extract from the authorities, which in addition to being numerous are often conflicting on and clear principle on which to decide a case of this kind. I cannot follow the reckoning on which those decisions are based," said Lord Justice Moulton in Billericay Rural District Council v. Poplar Union, 1911, King's Bench Division, page 814, and I trust that they will at some future date undergo reconsideration either in this court or elsewhere." One thing is clear, and that is that the words extraordinary traffic" are not used as one might perhaps have supposed to denote that class of heavy traction engine traffic which in 1861 was said to be "likely to become common (see Preamble to Locomotives Act, 1861). In other words it is not only the character of the traffic or the way it is hauled that must be regarded. Provided that it is conveyed along a road which is adapted to it, and provided it has become ordinary in the sense that it is ordinarily to be seen on that road and is to be expected in the ordinary course, it is so far as the character of the traffic is concerned not extraordinary but ordinary traffic. In Hemsworth Rural District Council v. Mickleth- waite, 68, Justice of the Peace, page 345, each member of the Court apparently thought that j under those circumstanccs the traffic could not be called "extraordinary." Traffic," said Mr Justice Wills, must of necessity as time goes on vary in its character according to the develop- ment of the various industries in the neighbour- hood, and traffic which in one year or at one given time may be extraordinary traffic will in the course of time and it may be in the course of a comparatively short time become ordinary traffic. It is otherwise if the road is not adapted to such traffic. It would not in such a case cease to be extraordinary though it has in fact been conducted along the road for some years (Whitbread v. Sevenoaks Highway Board, 1892, 1 Queen's Bench Division, page 8, and Ilee Bromley Rural District Council v. Croydon Corporation, 37 Law Times, page 173, and Etherley Grange Coal Company Limited v. Auckland District Highway Board, 1894, 1 Queen's Bench Division, page 37). This road, as I have said, is well adapted to such traffic, and it has been used in this way for very many years and the traffic has in my opinion become ordinary traffic so far as that test is concerned. Again, if necessary engine traffic is conducted along a road for some exceptional or occasional purpose it may for that reason be extraordinary traffic (see Norfolk County Council v. Green, 97 Law Times, page 451). Then the carriage of timber purchased and felled in a forest, or the carriage of a very large quantity of stone for the purpose of erecting a large building would be extraordinary traffic. There was no such exceptional purpose here. The business carried on in the defendant's quarry is a recognized local industry. In Wallington v. Hoskins, 6 Queen's Bench Division, page 206, and Rex v. Williamson, 45 Justice of the Peace, page 5Q&, it was held that in such a case as that, where the stone or ore was conveyed along the road in the course of carrying on a recognized local industry the traffic could not be called extra- ordinary. No doubt it might be if the road itself was not propsrly adapted to or used for such traffic (see Geirionydd Rural District Council v. Green, 1909, 2 King's Bench Division, page 845). This is in accordance with the principle I have already referred to. In 1393 the case of Hill v. Thomas came before the Court of Appeal (1893, 2 Queen's Bench Division, page 333) where Lord Justice Bowen delivered the judgment of the Court. It is to be observed that the Lord Justice had previously followed and apparently approved the decision in Wallington v. Hoskins (see Raglan Highway Board v. Monmouth Steam Company, 46 Justice of the Peace, page 598). In Hill v. Thomas neveral of the earlier cases were discussed and the general principle which should be applied was stated. I cannot see after carefully study- ing the judgment that I find it easy to gather what the precise test is which one has to apply. The decision was apparently considered difficult to follow or apply by the Court of Appeal in the Billericay case, judging from a note to the report in 1911, 2, King's Bench Division, iOl, on page 803. I have come to the conclusion, however, upon the best consideration I can give to the case, and following that decision aa I understand it, that the defendant's traffic iu this case has not been shown to be extraordinary traffic. The decisions in Wallington v. Hoskins and Rex v. vVilliamson were cited in the judgment without disapproval, and the instances that were given of traffic which would be extra- ordinary would not in my opinion include the present case. It is true that the defendant's agent sent a larger quantity of stone along the road than any other person, ani slightly more than all the other persons who had it conveyed taken together, but that is not enough to make her traffic extraordinary aooording to Lord Justice Bo wen's judgment. There was nothing I that I can see abnormal either in the quantity or the quality of the traffic; nothing exceptional in the purpose for or mode in which it was I hauled. There was no "sudden irruption of new traffic which has taken the road authority unawares," to use an expression of Mr Justice Rowlatt in Worsborough Urban District Council v. Barnsley, etc., Company, Limited, 77 Justice of the Peace, page 150. It has gradually developed and was expected on the road by the plaintiffs. I have come to the conclusion, therefore, that che plaintiffs' case failed. I am conscious that the result is not altogether satisfactory, having regard to what has been said in one or two of the cases as to the legisla- ture intending that those who subject a road to special burdens which damage it should bear a special part of the cost of making it up. But the question is whether the legislature made this the sole test, and on the decided cases it seems to me clear that it has not. I would point out that the opposite conclusion would be unsatisfactory also. The Act seems to contem- plate the case of a single individual using the road for one extraordinary purpose when the damage can be traced to what he has done. If a large number of persons conduct the same kind of traffic along a road it seems a strange result that the road authorities who have them- selves taken part in the use of the road for that purpose can by their Surveyors certify and then proceed against any one of them, and as I have said to apportion his share of the extraordinary expenses would be of extreme difficulty. It is not perhaps surprising that such difficulties should arise considering the change that has come over the use to which roads are put since the Act passed. If the result is, unsatisfactory it is a matter that in my opinion can only be dealt with by fresh legislation. Having regard to the authorities, I think tbe defence has been made out, and I give judg- ment for the defendant with costs. Mr Arthur Powell This is an important matter, and I should ask that there be a stay. Mr Justice Lusn: I shall give you every possible facility. Mr Arthur Powell: In ordinary cases costs are taxed and paid, but I am not quite sure whether my friend wants that. Mr Justice Lush I think, Mr Charles, you had better be content to let the whole thing stand over for the present. Mr Powell will undertake that notice of appeal shall be given without delay. Mr Arthur Powell: As quickly as possible. I do not know whether we can do it before a meeting of the Councils, because both the County Council and the Ledbury Council are concerned. Mr Justice Lush As soon as you can. I think it will be better in this case to stay execution as to the costs unless Mr Charles or his olient has any proposition to make. It is a very difficult case, and I have felt great difficulty in deciding it, but I think I have made clear what my judgment is. Mr Charles I think we had better say nothing about the costs, it is a public body and they are not going to run away. We do not want costs taxed and undertakings given and so forth. There is at present judgment entered for the defendant with casts. That is all. Mr Justice Lush And a stay of execution. Mr Charles Certainly. Mr Justice Ltmh I should forget there are any coats for the next two or three months. Mr Charles I am afraid we shall not do that, my Lord. Mr Arthur Powell Neither I am afraid will the other mrty who will have to pay, but the stay of \ocution will be until the appeal is heard ?' Mr Citenles Yes, stay until the appeal is heard. Mr Justice Lush There will be a stay of execution and you do not want an undertaking ? Mr Arthur Powell: No, my Lord. Mr Justice Lush: You will proceed with your apneal without any delay. Mr A rhur Powell r I will undertake that the notice ot appeal shall be given without any delay, it being understood that the Councils must be consulted on the matter. Mr Justice Lush r They must, of course. Mr Charles The notice will be given without delay.

COLWALL PAROCHIAL COMMITTEE. I The monthly meeting of the Colwall Parochial Committee was held on Monday at the Work- man's Hall, Colwall, those present including Miss Holland, Messrs T A Pedlingham, F Ballard, G Johns, J Armstrong, A G Allen, J R Roberts, 01 N Holt-Needham, S Pugh, and W Webb. Mr T'A Pedlingham was re-elected Chairman. The Inspector was instructed to make tempo- rary arrange-nents for the cleansing of the Hard- wicke leWllI. The Engineer's report and certificate for the payment of ;Cl6a was presented, and it was resolved that the Ledbury Rural Council be asked to pay the amount to the contractor, also JB15 15s to Mr Rushforth, clerk of the works. Certificates of habitation were granted for new houses for Mr F K Jopp, Golf House, Evendine Miss Kissell, Ellmay Home (Annex) and Mr T Armstrong, two houses in Grosvenor-road.

DYMOCK. I DEATH AND FUNERAL OF MR. WM. MAYO.— We regret to record the death of Mr William Robert Mayo, of Hill Grove, Dymock, which took place at his residence early on Thursday morning in last week at the age of 67 years. Mr Mayo had not enjoyed the best of health for some time, but about three weeks ago he became confined to his room, and dropsy set in, and he passed away as stated. Mr Mayo came from How Caple to Dymock many years ago, and for some time farmed the Old Rock Farm, Dymock, retiring from farming last year, when he went to live at Hill Grove. He was twice married, and his second wife survives him.- The interment took place at Dymock Church- yard on Saturday afternoon last, the first portion of the burial service being held in the church. The Vicar (the Rev S Marston) was the officiating clergyman. The chief mourners were Mrs Mayo (widow), Mr John Mayo (brother), Mr Ernest and Mr Robert Hooper (step-sons), Mra Howe (mother-in-law), Misses Howe (sisters-in-law), Mr Griffiths (How Caple), and Mr J H Parry (Ledbury). Also present were Messrs S Bennion, T J Poiner, T E Jones, E F Marsh, B Bennett, W Huff, T W Hutchins, T Powell (Upton Court), Fencott, J Cowles, W Baglin, W Strange, etc., etc. A large number of wreaths were sent by relatives and friends.—The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr Bailey, of Dymock, and the hearse and mourning coaches were from the Royal Oak Hotel, Ledbury,

fl MEASURE THEIR QUALITY F By the number on the road. A man of moderate means will want better value taaa the rich man- a greater interest on his investment. He can't afford to take chances. That is why he buys U THE FORD. <J t Runabouts £ 125. Five passenger Touring Cars £ 135. Town Cars 1180. Complete with full equipment, head lamps, side and tail lamps, speedometer, horn, hood, windscreen, tyre pump, repair oatfit, two levers, tools and jack. All prices at Works, Manchester. II F. O. SWIFT & Co., LEDBURY B) 'i H E. U N, 1'\4 ER.8 A LC A: R?? A MIGHTY ARMY of Housekeepers are now using Blue Flanie Cookers I; Our clients have built a structure of these stoves, which,, if placed on end would reach over 500 feet high, being more than twice the height of Ledbury Steeple. We are sending these Stoves carriage paid to all parts of England. See full Window Display this Week From one to four burners. Complete Stoves from 30s. 6d. to £4 16s. 6d pr- ASK TO SEE STOVES DEMONSTRATED. F. C. SWIFT & Co., LEDBURY

J. W. STEPHENS, collector of FINE, ANTIQUE FURNITURE, China, Plato, etc -26, Church Street, Hereford, Near Cathedral North Porch). <

HEREFORD MARKET. (Special Farmers' Union Report). There was an average supply of stock in the market to-day, and trade was variable. Fat. lam bs and beef cheaper on the week. CATTLE. A moderate supply, for which there was & good demand at recent rates. Store calves very dear and in great demand. BEEF. A rather full supply. Best quality about 22 per cwt live weight. Rougher qualities and cow beef made lower prices than last week. Best beef 7d to 71d per lb. Other qualities 6d to 7d. Fat calves 10id to Hid per lb. SHEEP. A small supply. Stores and couples very dear. Fat sheep scarce and very dear an advance of 3a to 5s per head in best quality wethers. Fat lambs, a good supply, sold fairly well, but did not reach the sensational figures of last week. Best teg mutton (shorn) gid to 10id per lb. Fat lambs 10 £ d to Hid per lb. PIGS. A small supply. Both stores and fat pigs sold very well. Porks, 6gd to 7d per lb. Bacons 5id to 6i-d. CORN. A small market. Prices unchanged. Wheat per 62 lbs, 4s to 4s. 2d. O-its per 40 lbs, 28 6d to 3s. Malting barley per 56 lbs, 3s 4d to 38 10J. Grinding barley per 56 lbs 28 lOd to 3s 4d. Beaus per 65 lbs, 4s to 4s ld. HAY TRADE. Practically nothing doing. Quotations are for good quality in stack, seller to deliver on rail. Best hay 45s to 50s per ton. Second quality hay 40s to 45s. Clovers 45s to 50s. Wheati straw 458 to 50s. WOOL. Trade quiet, but firm. Best Herefordshire fleeces up to 14d.

1st Battalion Herefordshire Regiment. "C" (LEDBURY) COMPANY. Drill-There will be a Parade for trained N.C.O.'s and Men to-day (Friday), 15th iost., at. 8 p.m. Dress, plain clothes. Musketry. -,The Sergt-Ipstructor will be on the 30-yards' Range on Thursdays and Saturdays during the afternoon, for the purpose of N.C.O.a and Men firing Part 1 Instructional Practices. A. V. HOLMAN, Captain, Commanding u C Company. 18 sent to the Reporter Office, Ledbury, will ensure a copy of this paper being sent post frea every Friday evening for a quarter (13 weeks). Printed and Published for and on behalf of the EXECUTRIX of the late TUOMAS VAUOHAN, by WILLIAM S. BOWES, Manager, at the Printing Works, New Street, Ledbory, 111 the County of Hereford,

wa.¡¡¡¡¡- fill Furniture, Floor Coverings, and all Furnishings. Hereford's Leading Furnishers I LINDSEY PRICE, Ltd. (LATE HOLLOWAY & WEBB), 1 16, COMMERCIAL ST., HEREFORD. I An Immense Selection I IN ALL DEPARTMENTS. I CARRIAGE PAID. I

LEDBURY BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The fortnightly meeting of the Ledbury Board ef Guardians was held at the Board-room of the Uni^n Workhouse on Tuesday morn- ing. There were present—Mr W L Pritchett (Chairman), who presided, Mr J A Thompson (vice-chairman), Revs A G Jones, FCLynch, AH Knapp, and A E Green-Price, Miss Holland, Alderman J Riley, Messrs S H Bickham, L J C filey, J J S Powell, T A Pedlingham, A G BUDn, J C Davies, J Parry, T S S Gardner, T W Holds, J Baughan, H Cowell, W Drew, and A A Yapp, with the Clerk (Mr R Homes), the Relieving Officers (Mr A G Smith and Mr T Thompson), and the Master (Mr J Kendrick). THE WORKHOUSE. I The Master reported the number of inmates in the houso last week as 82 against 78 for the corresponding period last year, an increase of 4. During the fortnight 211 tramps were relieved as against 247. a decrease of 36. He also reported the gifts of papers for the inmates from Miss Martin, Linden House, New-street, Ledbury. and by the kindness of Mr L P Hoult, 4Rhe Picture Palace, the children were ad- mitted to the performance at the Royal Hall on Saturday afternoon last. A vote of thanks was accorded Miss Martin and Mr Hoult. FINANCE. I Mr Bickham stated that the balance in the bank was £1,433 16s lid. It was necessary to Mk that a Committee be formed to inquire into Mr Homes's calculations in regard to allowances and contributions from parishes affected by the alteration of the railway rates. He proposed that the whole of the Finance Committee go into it. Mr Thompson said there was the question of the amount paid to the County Council and he thought they would have to request the County Council to bear their share of the refunding, as they had had the benefit of it. If the Finance Committee would go into the question as Mr Bickham suggested they should also go into the question of the County Council being asked to refund their share. The resolution was carried unanimously, and the name of the Rev A E Green-Price was added to the Committee. THE AGRICULTURAL RATES RELIEF I ACT AND THE NEW BUDGET. I Mr Davies ss.,id they were told that under the ttew Budget the Agricultural Rates Relief Act would be done away with and there would be IÓlea all round. There would be doles to big firms like Oadoury's and agriculturists would receive nothing like what they were going to take off, if they had their proper contribution under the Agricultural Rates Relief Act. What they were receiving now in the way of licenses and whiskey money was all calculated and they were getting 4-5ths now. He believed they were going to be in a worse position than ever. When the grant was made under the Agricultural Rates Relief Act they received half their rates, which were then"2a 3 £ d in the S, and when all this was settled he did not think 5s would pay their rates, and he believed it would be 6s. When the Act was passed it was to relieve them of half their rates and the authorities should be asked that now the rates have gone up tremendously they should receive half. Mr Thompson said he thought the rate would he half on agricultural land as now. He I thought there would be no harm in passing a resolution that in the changes that are to be made they hoped there would be no reduction. If they received half their rates they would receive an advantage. At the present time he did not think any man could say what the I changes would be. They were so vast and enormous that no man could tell what their effect would be. Mr Davies said if Mr Lloyd George had said they were excessively rated he would give a favourable ear to their protest. The Chairman suggested a resolution on the lines of the resolution passed by the Ross Rural District Council to the effect that the grant under the Agricultural Rates Relief Act should ite increased so that it would cover half the rates, as it was intended ito do when the Act was first passed, and that a copy be sent to the Rural District Council's Association and the Boards of Guardians in the county. Mr Davies added that all they wanted was to be fairly treated and they must watch that they were not caught napping. Father Lynch seconded the Rosa resolution, which was acceptsd by Mr Davies and carried. RESIGNATION OF NURSE HALL. I The Clerk announced the receipt of a letter from Nurse Hall resigning her post as nurse and assistant-Matron at the Workhouse, as she had been appointed nurse at the Chesterton Union.. The Chairman said, he had also received a letter from Nurse Hall asking that as her holidays were almost due she should be allowed to leave the workhouse at least one week earlier in order that she might have a little holiday before proceeding to her new post. She also asked for a testimonial, and for a small gratuity for acting as Matron for five weeks. The Board unanimously decided to grant a testimonial and allow Nurse Hall to leave a fortnight before her month's notice was up, and by a majority the Board decided to grant her a gratuity of two guineas for services rendered while the Board were without a Matron. It was decided to advertise for a nurse afc a salary of C30 a year, with board, lodgings, washing and uniform. BOARDING OUT CHILDREN. I The question of removing the children from the Workhouse to cottage homes or boarding them out, as provided by the new order of the Local Government Board, was referred to the Boarding-Out Committee. «

LEDBURY RURAL DISTRICT I COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Ledbury Rural District Council was held subsequent to the Guardians meeting, when the Rural Councillors present at the Guardians meeting attended, and the officials present were the Clerk (Mr R (Homes), the Highways Committee's Clerk (Mr H W Orine), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mr T J Cawsey). Mr W L Pritchett presided. HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE. I The minutes of the Highways Committee were read and confirmed, the following being included A meeting of the Highways Committee was held on April 28. Present: Alderman J Riley, Messrs W L Pritchett, J C Davies, J A Thomoson. H Cowell, E T Lane. H Weston, J Parry, F J V Hamilton, W Pitt, F Innes, D A G Birchley, and the Revs A E Green-Price and A G Jones. Mr John Riley was re-elected Chairman of the Committee for the ensuing year. Finance.—The Committee recommend j the Council to pay the Clerk the sum ef £ 200 on account of roads. The following sums have been paid by the Clerk out of the roads account during the past month Manual labour-Main roads £77 9a lid, dis- trict roads £ 76 17s 4d. Team labour—District roads £115:5 3d. Materials —District roads 3s 8d. Tradesmen's Bills-District roads 3s 3d. Steam Roller-EI5 17s 2d. National Insurance-Main toads 19< district roads £1 2s 3d. Monthly Accounts.—The Committee recom- mend the Council to pay the following accounts.- Team labour -E Goodwin and Son, X50 Is Id mterials-Clee Hill Dhu Stone Co, £10 14s 3d improvements—J Meates and Sons, Ltd., £15 lis lid roller, etc—Bomford and Evershed L25 5s. The following sums have been received from the County Council: £ 374 78 6d for steam haulage, 165 and X26 for hire of steam roller, also t5 43 6d from Messrs Bickham and Richardson for hire \of roller, 9a 61 from Mr H S H Bickham for hire of roller, and 9251 from the Exchequer under the Agricultural Rates Relief Act 1896. Letter from Much Marcle Parish Council.- In response to a letter from the Clerk to Much Marcle Parish Council, the Committee have consented to the erection by the Parish Council of motor danger signs in the Dymock-road, Much Marcle, at each side of the school, subject to the position being approved by the Surveyor. The Committee also raise no objection to the Parish Council placing a danger sign on the Ledbury and Ross main road at the end of the Huntleys-road, provided the consent of the County Council is obtained. Financial Arrangements. The Committee have further considered the question of the highway rate for the year, in view of the reduc- tion in some of the parish assessments, and the amount which those parishes are entitled to claim credit for. The Committee recommend the Council to authorise the issue of precepts upon the parishes at the rate of 81. in the £ on the assessable values, such precepts to give credit to those parishes for one-fourth of the amount, which will be repaid by the overseers to the G. W.R. Co. Roller Repairs.— The Surveyor reported that the season's rolling was practically finished, and that he was having the necessary repairs done to No. 1. Haulage Plant.—The Surveyor reported he had had some slight necessary repairs done to the trucks, and that the engine had now com- menced the season's stone hauling. Tenders for Stone.—The Surveyor submitted a tender for stone from the Colwall Park Quarries, which the Committee have authorised him to accept subject to the usual contract. Yarkhill Marsh.-The Surveyor reported that the parapet walls of the irrigation arches near Yarkhill Marsh bridge were unsafe and that the hedge and bank supporting the road had slipped into the brook. Mr Foley's agent has denied liability in regard to both and being advised that the legal question is of some difficulty the Com- mittee have authorised the Clerk to take counsel's opinion on both questions. Letter from Yarkhill Parish Council.-A, letter from the Clerk to the Yarkhill Parish Council was read calling attention to the flood- ing of the road near the Vicarage. The Surveyor will inspect the road and report to the Committee at the next meeting. ♦

COLWALL PARISH COUNCIL. I The monthly meeting of the Colwall Parish Council was held at the Workman's Hall, Colwall, on Wednesday night. Mr Fred Ballard (Chairman), presided, and also present were Miss Holland, Messrs H E Hanson, T A Pedlingham, R 0 Allen, A G Allen, W Webb, S W Pugh, G Johns, together with the Clerk (Mr G H T Foster), and the Clerk's Assistant (Mr Thomas). A RESIGNATION. T T f I ?, I ? .1 ? ? I A leccer was reaa rrom mr li j jenmns, a member of the Council, tendering his resignation owing to his leaving the parish. Ha thanked the Council for their courtesy and kindness to him since his membership of the Council. The resignation was accepted with regret. THE G.W.R. RE-ASSESSMENT. I The Clerk stated that the G. W.R. re-assess- ment had upset the whole of the liuancial arrangements of the parishes where they ran through. The adjustment would be a complicated business. He would meet Mr. Homes (Clerk to the Ledbury Guardians) on the matter. The Clerk reported that; he had searched the minute book for the G. W. R. tourist arrange- ments. He found that in 1908 a letter was read from the Superintendent of the Q-. W. R. regrett- ing that they could not see their way to place Colwall on the list of tourist stations, but; that holders of tourist tickets could break the journey there. He had seen the stationmaster and he said they were going to issue Friday to Tuesday week-end tickets from and to Colwall. The question of the tourist arrange- ments would have to go over for another season. It was pointed out that market tickets were not issued to Worcester, but that when there were county cricket matches at Worcester cheap ticket were issned. The Chairman said the business mtu had to pay, but people going out for pleasure got off cheap. The Chairman reported that an official of the telephone service had spoken to him about the the trees obstructing the telephone wires. He told him he did not see' how anything could be done, and that the only way would be to have an overhead cable. They could not start cut- ting the trees. Mr Pedlingham reported that he was allowed to spend E2 on repairs to certain footpaths, and he presented the accounts for 92 3s 3d, the extra 3s 3d being for extra labour removing guards from trees. The accounts were ordered to be paid. The Chairman said the Housing Committee had had a meeting, but they had nothing much to report, except that they had had a meeting, and had not got much for'arder. They were rather at contrary with the Local Government Board on the question of drainage and until they had something further from them they would have nothing further to report. A letter was read from Mr Wiltshire, acknow- ledging the clerk's communication in reference to evening classes, and stating that it was improbable that any action would be taken before the autumn, when he would write further on the subject.

MALVERN HILLS CONSERVATORS. Gorse Fire season commenoea. A meeting of the Malvern Hills Conservators was held on Monday afternoon. Present Mr F Ballard (in the chair), Lieut-Colonel Thurlow, Dr Jacob, Messrs W Davis (who has returned from South Africa), A D Melviu, A Wilesmith, T A Pedlingham, F A Moerschell, W T Price, H H F,)ster (Deputy Clerk), A King (Ranger), and F Bourne (Assistant Ranger). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Foster, Browne, G A Jones, W R Karslake and M H Orr Ewing. FIRE ON HEREFORDSHIRE BEACON. I The Ranger and Assistant Ranger reported that a gorse fire occurred on the Herefordshire Beacon on May 2nd. About two acres of gorse were burnt but as the ground was wet the turf was not dammaged. Mr Moerschell said that at Harrogate there were notices asking people not to throw matches or cigar or cigarette ends among the gorse, as this might lead to a fire which would damage the amenities of the place. The Deputy Clerk stated that the following letter addressed by Mrs Hollins (South Bank) to the Malvern Council, had been handed over to the Conservators "Could you bring before the Council a suggestion to place some wire paper- baskets on the hills this summer, with notices asking the public to be good enough to refrain from scattering paper about ? Last year the hill from the Well to the Beacon was quite spoilt by debris of that kind. Probably baskets and no- tices at the donkey shed at St Anne's Well (two) and about the Beacon (three to four) would do something to reduce this disfigurement of the hills at this part. It is only there that the an- noyance exists—not at all on the North Hill, and I believe not elsewhere." Mr Davis Is not this a matter which should go to the Agent to the Foley Estate Mr Moerschell Sir Henry Grey asked Mr Foster to bring it before the Conservators. It was decided to consider the letter at the next meeting, together with the question raised by Mr Moerschell. HILL PATHS AND SEATS. A letter was received from the West Malvern Improvement Association, calling attention to work needed on certain hill paths and seats. The Assistant Ranger said all the work mentioned in the letter was in hand. PICNIC AND PERAMBULATIONS. It was resolved to meet at the Lamb Hotel, West Malvern, June 8th, for a perambulation, and, provisionally, on the second Monday in July, at te plantation on the Jubilee Drive, when the Chairman will repeat the hospitality shown to the Board in former years. «