The Brecon Radnor Express Carmarthen and Swansea Valley Gazette and Brynmawr District Advertiser

HAY GUARDIANS. RE-APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN. MEETINOS TO BE MONTHLY. Present at the fortnightly meeting of Hay G-uardians, on Thursday, were Revs. W. E. T. Morgan (chairman), W. L. Crichton, G. Leigh Spencer, Hubert Griffith and D. Morgan, and Messrs. J. Davies, Enoch George, J. W. Jones, Clias. Butcher, Dd. Wall, W. Jones, J. R. Grif- fiths, E. D. Weaver, J. Griffiths, H. Yorath, D. Fa Powell, T. J. Stokoe, E. Meredith, J. p. Bishop. W. V. Pugh, R. T. Breese, D. Price and R. T. Griffiths (clerk). Key. W. E. T. Morgan was re-elected chairman (OT fhB ensuing year, and Mr J. Davies (Boat- sida)), vice-chairman. Mia Parry and Mrs E. C. Crichton (co-opted gaaardtans) were also re-elected. The several committees were now re-appointed. With regard to dates of meeting, Rev. W. L. Crichton thought the Board should meet monthly, if posa?ble. Meetings should not be held on fair days, if it could possibly be helped. Mr E. George proposed that the Board meet every first Thursday in each month. Mr J. W. Jones seconded, and this course was agreed to. Collectors' monthly statements came to hand from the parishes of Talgartb and Lianelieu. An application from the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, asking for a subscription was granted. The question of a tender for the range at the hospital was referred to the Works committee. Kev. G. Leigh Spencer moved that Dr. T. E. Hincks be re-appointed district medical officer of health for the Herefordshire portion of the Union. There was no other medical officer re- sideafc in the district. The motion was agreed to.

Lord St. David's Wedding. I QUIET CEREMONY AT ST. MARGARET'S, WESTMINSTER. The wedding of Lord St. David's and Miss Betty Rawdon-Hastings, daughter of the late Ron. Paulyn Rawdon-Hastings and Lady Maud Kstwdon-Hastings, of the Manor House, Ashby- de-ta-Zonche, took place at St. Margaret's, West- minster, on Thursday afternoon. The ceremony was of the quietest character, owing to both families being in mourning. The bride has Jost her two brothers in the war (one killed in action and the other having died from enteric fever), whilst Lord St. David's lost his elder son, Capt. the Hon. Colwyn Philipps. The bride is a niece of the Earl of Verulam and the Earl of Loudown. The officiating clergyman was the Rev. the Hon. Robert Grimston, uncle of the bride. Lord St. David 's was accompanied, as best man, bv Lieut.-Colonel D. C. Philpott, late of the Indian Army. The bride was given away by her mother, and looked very charming, being simply attired in white. There were no brides- maids. Later in the day, Lord and Lady St. D&Tid's left for a brief honeymoon in the country.

War Pensions. i Breconshire Committee's Proposals. PROTEST TO THE GOYERNMENT. GENERAL OWEN THOMAS' SCHEME CRITICISED. A special meeting of the Breconshire County Council was he!: at the Shire Hall, Brecon, on Friday, to receive the report of the committee appointed to prepare a scheme for bringing into operation the Naval and Military War Pensions Act and to approve of the draft scheme for the constitution under the Act of a local committee for the county. Committee's Recommendations. The committee, in their report, said they recog- nised that if the objects of the Act are to be suc- cessfully carried out, it will later on become ad- visable to divide the county into districts and to appoint sub-committees for each district. In view of this, they considered that in making their re- commendation to the council on the constitution of the local committee they should have regard to the present division of the county into eight dis- tricts for the purposes of the Old Age Pensions Act, and that they should make this division the basis for the constitution of the local committee. The committee recommend that the local commit- tee shall consist of 29 members, of whom the ,majority must, under the provisions of the Act, be appointed directly by the council, and that re- presentation on the committee should be given as set out in the following scheme, viz. :—16 mem- bers appointed by the council from the council members of the Old Age Pensions Sub-Commit- tees, two being chosen from the members of each sub-committee; 2 members appointed by the coun- cil representing miners, on the recommendation of the Miners' Union; 1 member appointed on the recommendation of the Railwaymen's Union; 1 member representing agricultural labourers: 2 members representing employers of labour; 3 members, of whom 2 shall be women, appointed by the council, on the recommendation of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Families' Association; 1 member, who shall be a woman, appointed by the oouncil, on the recommendation of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Help Society; 3 members, who shall be women, appointed by the council; total, 29. It is hoped that if the council approve of the scheme the sanction to it of the Statutory Com- mittee may be obtained in time for the council to proceed to the appointment of the individual members of the Local Committee at the meeting of the council, to be held on the 5th day of May. and with that object in view the draft scheme has tentatively been submitted to the Statutory Com- mittee, and the organisations referred to above have been asked to submit names of persons from whom selections for appointment may be made by the council. The committee submitted the names of the fol- i lowing members of the council as representing Old Age Pensions Districts :-Brecon, Mr David Powell, Rev. D. Saunders Jones: Brynmawr, Mr John Watkins, Mr John E. Williams; Builth, Mr Hugh M. Lloyd. Ald. Thomas Williams; Crickhowell, Mr A. Beckwith, Rev. W. Llewel- lyn; Defynock. Mr Owen Price, Mr W. S. Mil- ler; Hay and Talgarth, Hon. R. C. Devereux, Mr John Parry; Vaynor, Prof. Joseph Jones. Mr Joseph Price; and Ystradgynlais, Mr James Powell and Mr T. Prosser Jones. Protest to the Government. The committee expressly called attention to the provisions of the Naval and Military War Pen- sions Act, 1915, from which it is made manifest that the payment of pensions and the allowances for disabled soldiers and sailors and their depend- ants, and the cost of providing for their general welfare is to be made, to a large extent, dependent on contributions from charitable sources. The committee "are most strongly of opinion that whatever assistance is necessary should not in I any way be made dependent upon charitable or voluntary effort, but that those who have so free- ly and bravely given themselves and the future of those dependent upon them to the service of their country should be entitled to claim the fullest assistance from the State. Your committee are of opinion that the financial provisions made in the Act are entirely inadequate to meet the neces- sities that must inevitably arise consequent upon the present war. and they would recommend that your council make a strong protest to the Govern- ment to this effect." General Owen Thomas' Scheme. Proceeding, the report stated The council are aware that a scheme for the assistance of Welsh soldiers and sailors and their dependants, both during and after the present war, has been pro- posed and set on foot by Brigadier General Owen Thomas. The objects of this scheme are almost identical with the objects of other organisations which have already been in existence for many months, and which have done, and are doing, ex- cellent work, and they are also identical with the lines of assistance which Parliament has placed as duties to be carried out by the local committees to be appointed under the Naval and Military War Pensions, etc., Act, 1915. Your committee view with very great mis-giving General Owen Thomas' proposals, as they strike against the principles of ) co-ordination, and if proceeded with can only re- sult in great duplication of work and grave waste both of effort and money. Your committee were surprised to learn -that General Owen Thomas, without any reference either to your Council as the Local Education Authority for the county or to your Education Committee, had actually" en- deavoured to open subscription lists in the county elementary schools by a personal appeal to the head-teachers and to the children under their charge. The statutory duty of obtaining volun- tary subscriptions in aid of the objects of the Act is expressly placed upon the local committees about to be established, and your committtee would recommend the council to submit a for- mal protest to the Statutory Committee against General Thomas' action and the interference in the work of the local committees which must in- evitably result if General Thomas's scheme is proceeded with. The report was signed by Mr W. S. Miller, chairman. Discussion. The chairman (Mr Owen Price) referred to General Owen Thomas' scheme, and stated that in reply to a letter he received from General Owen Thomas in February he said he would leave it en- tirely an open question to the members of the Council to decide. Hon. R. C. Devereux I don't think we are in order in considering General Owen Thomas' scheme. We are here for the purpose of adminis- tering the Act. If individuals liked to subscribe to that scheme they can, but, as a County Council, we are not entitled to take it into consideration. The Chairman I wished the Council to quite understand the position. This Act refers to each council. The Clerk, at the request of the council, ex- plained at length the provisions of the Act, and said the County War Distress Committee had been doing the work, which it was now proposed ^should be done by local committees under the County Council, since the war started. Anyone who had read General Owen Thomas's scheme would see that it apparently ignored the work done in the past 18 months and now on behalf of the soldiers and sailors. This County's War Com- mittee were sending out comforts to no less than eight battalions of the S.W.B.. They had sent out additional clothing wherever necessary, and Nothing parties had been established all through the county. These came to a central committee at Brecon and were despatched to each battalion as the commanding officer wrote and told them what help they wanted. Apart from that. they sent out small comforts in the way of tobacco, writing materials, and helped them in every pos- sible way to forget the hardships they were en- during. Furthermore, every prisoner of war be- longing to the S.W.B., had a parcel sent him every week and complete outfit of clothing. (Hear. hear.) There was also the organisation of looking after dependants by local committees throughout the county, yet it was proposed by General Owen Thomas' scheme to take this away from the county and place it under the super- vision of a committee which had had no exper- ience. They would have two schemes which would be more or less competitive, they would have overlapping, and two bodies collecting for the some purpose. It seemed to him that the duty of the council was in the first place to act in accordance with the Act of Parliament. The report deprecated that soldiers and sailors should be placed in tbe position of receiving in any way voluntary charity and thought that the money ought to he found by the State. (Hear, hear). Of course small gifts might be made in addition and which, no doubt, every one would be glad to subscribe to, but our soldiers and sailors ought not to be made to any large extent dependent upon voluntary charity. (Hear, hear). Mr Harries read a letter from the commanding officer of one of the S. W.B. Battalions at the front setting forth their appreciation of what was being done for them. Not only this but scores of letters had been received from non-commissioned officers and privates appreciatory of the work of the county committee. "We have taken charge" said the clerk "of no less than eight battalions. Every thing they have asked for has been supplied. Ap- parently the county has been doing good work in the past and is prepared to do good work in the future. Mr D. T. Jeffreys Have local committees any statutory status? The Clerk Local committees are appointed un- der the Act and have statutory powers. Their functions are stated under the Act. Mr D. T. Jeffreys Then we are bound to carry out these duties, and we cannot allow any private scheme to interfere with them. (Hear, hear). The Clerk said that was his view and under a section they were authorised to solicit voluntary subscriptions for such purposes. It was known to the council that when General Owen Thomas' scheme was started he did not wait for the ap- proval of any County Council but immediately sent to head teachers a pamphlet addressed to children to collect contributions in the school for his fund. When he (the clerk) heard this he brought it to the attention of the Education Com- mittee and a notice was sent out to head teachers that collections for the purpose were not allowed to be made. A letter, dated the 12th April, had been received by the Education Committee from General Owen Thomas which read to the effect that the time intervening between the conference at Shrewsbury and St. David's Day was so short that it did not permit his consulting the committees before sending out his circular. At that time he was not aware that some of the Education An- thorities had made a rule prohibiting collections of any kind by the school children, and up to the present he only knew of one Education Authority in Wales that had forbidden collections towards his national scheme. He was actuated simply and solely by a desire to do the best possible for our brave fellow countrymen who had sacrificed everything for our sake. Mr Miller Speaks Out. Mr W. S. Miller in moving the adoption of the report said it was very unfortunate that there should be any conflict with regard to such a worthy and deserving object. He had no doubt that the ladies and gentlemen who had started auxiliary societies did so with the best possible motives, but it was their business to see that a solid foundation was laid so that there should be no doubt of our soldiers and sailors receiving ade- quate provision for themselves and dependants. He thought the Old Age Pension Act the structure upon which more or less this Act appeared to have been built, was the best index of what this particular fund should be. There should be am- ple provision for war sustenance made secure by an Act of Parliament and it should be administer- ed through the County Council in the same way as the Old Age Pensions Act. As there were charitable people who assisted the poorer people who had hot quite enough, the same would apply to-soldiers and sailors and it would be a very B worthy object to assist. "But," said Mr Miller, with emphasis, "that we should be asked in a kingdom such as this, to go round hat in hand as beggars to obtain support for men like these— men who were giving their lives for us, is a scan- dal-(hear. hearj-and, I feel that we cannot do our duty in this matter unless we send a very strong and determined resolution to the effect that it is altogether below the dignity of our nation that soldiers and sailors should be dependent up- on charity." (Applause). Proceeding Mr Miller said that apparently, from the paltry sum to be allotted to the counties they would not be able to do one-fourth or one-fifth of the work they ought to do. Indeed, he would be quite prepared to take up the position of saying they could not adiiipister, the Act on those lines. They were all anxious to help in the admini-Jration, but they wanted to get a foundation that would V' something ade- quate to the needs of those they had to supply. The wave of enthusiasm which prevailed at pres- ent was quite sufficient to meet all that was de- manded now, but he was old enough to remember the enthusiasm at the time of the Crimean and In- dian Mutinv. but as soon as they were all safe and settled down the poor soldier and his de- pendants had to go to the workhouse. Enthusiasm would last while they were in daager and while they stood and gazed at the valorous deeds, but as soon as these things passed and the cold real- ities came nothing was left to make a home for the widow and children as the nation ought to do. (Applause). He would ask the County Council to take such action as they deemed best to secure something better from the Government than was offered. (Hear. hear). Hon. R. C. Devereux seconded the adoption of the report. Mr Miller, replying to Rev. Rees Evans 49 t-0 General Owen Thomas' scheme, said the Bisl op of St. Asaph told them at the confers v:e tl at that scheme was the 76th scheme in Wales. (Laughter). What was the sense of !"U3 com- plication and over-lapping. (Hear, hea-rl. We ^ant something apart altogether from charitable organisations. Mr Beckwith I understand Mr Miller :s en- tirely in favour of the Act? Mr Miller Yes, as a foundation, only we want a great deal more money to administer it. Rev. Rees Evans said he was not against the report of the committee or the feeling of the coun- cil. What they wanted to ensure was that their soldiers would be cared for after the 'War. They had never been properly cared for yet after any war, and there seemed to be a doubt whether the Government would care for them this time. He appreciated the able manner in which their clerk had placed the matter before them. He (the clerk) was an able advocate and he was speaking for the prosecution with, he supposed, General Owen Thomas as his opponent. (Laughter). He (Mr Evans) did not think they should say any- thing against the scheme of General Owen Tho- mas, for it had arisen entifely out of sympathy for their soldiers and sailors, and to do something more for them than the Government would do. He did not know General Owen Thomas—he (Mr Evans) had very little to do with any Generals- (laughter)—but whatever the scheme was and whatever the irregularities concerning it, it had arisen from a very strong desire to do something for their soldiers and sailors. (Hear, hear). The report was adopted. Constitution of the Committee. I The constitution of the committee was then dis- cussed. and it was ultimately decided to increase its size to 31 members, adding an additional mem- ber representing the miners and another for ag- ricultural labourers. The committee as so far constituted is as fol- lows 16 members of the council as named Miners (three members), Mr T. E. Lewis (Abar- crave), and two others from Cefn and Brynmawr respectively; one member to the nominated by the Railwaymen's Union; 2 members representing agricultural labourers; Employers of labour-Mr Howel Jones (Cefn) and Alderman Morgan (Aber- crave). S. and S.F.A.—Mrs Pugh. Miss Bailey and Mr Pirie Gordon; S. and S. Help Society— Mrs Strick: three ladies appointed by council— Mrs M. F. Thomas, Mrs Inglis, Mrs Judd (Bryn- mawr). A resolution to be sent to the Statutory Com- mittee was also passed on the motion of Mr Beck- with as follows "That the whole interest and efforts of this council be devoted to carrying into effect the purposes set out under the Act and fur- ther they deem as contrary to the public interest any unauthorised scheme to raise funds outside the scope of the Act. The drafting of the resolution of protest to the Government, as suggested in the report, was left in the hands of Mr Beckwith and the clerk.

Llandrindod's general district rate has been fixed at 3/- in the R, a reduction of 2d, as compar- ed with the corresponding half-year.

Breconshire Education Committee. Importance of Physical Training AGRICULTURE TEACHING. A LLANWRTYD CHARITY. There were present at the Breconshire Educa- tion Committee, on Friday, Ald. W. J. Tong (vice-chairman), Councillors Hon. R. C. Devereux, Rev. D. A. Griffith, David Powell, Benjamin Davies, W. S. Miller, J. E. Williams, Wm. Evans, T. Price, A. Beckwith, J. E. Moore Gwyn, Capt. Fk. Travers, James Powell, Rev. W. Llewellyn, Rev. Rees Evans, David Williams, T. Prosser Jones, Owen Price, David Price, Gwilym C. James, James Morgan, Mor- gan Morgan, H. T. Price, Rev. D. Saunders Jones, J. L. Davies and Joseph Price, and Miss Adelaide Williams, Mrs Molyneux F.. Thomas, Mrs Morris, Mr Ed. Butler, Mr Pirie Gordon, Rev. John Davies, Rev. Hilary Lewis and Mr A. J. Corbett, with the sercetary (Mr Leonard) and other officials. Re-Election of Chairman. On the motion of Mr J. E. Moore Gwyn, se- conded by Mr W. S. Miller, the Bishop of Swan- sea was unanimously re-elected chairman, and on the motion of the Rev. D. A. Griffith, seconded by Mr David Powell, Ald. W. J. Tong was re- elected to the vice-chair. Yote of Condolence. The chairman, before proceeding with the busi- ness, referred to the deaths of Mr Edward Davies, Cathedine, and Mr Sant, Llangenny, remarking that by their demise the Education Authority had lost two excellent teachers. He moved a vote of condolence with the bereaved relatives, and, also, that the committee's appreciation of the deceas- eds' services rendered to the county be recorded on the minutes.—Mr A. J. Corbett seconded, and the vote was carried by the members upstanding. Correspondence. Upon the receipt of a communication from the Earl of Meath, respecting the observance of "Em- pire Day" (24th May), it was moved by the Chairman, and seconded by the Rev. D. A. Grif- fith, that the day be observed in the schools as in past years. Shakespeare Day. A letter was read from Mr Alfred Davies, Welsh Department, Board of Education, in which he enclosed, by courtesy of the Shakespeare Ter- centenary Committee, advance proof pages of the official programme for the observance of Shake- speare Day in the schools. One of these, which, in its complete form, would contain an article by Prof. Gollancz on "Shakespeare, the Patriot," should prove helpful to teachers desirous of mak- ing arrangements for carrying out the suggestions as to the observance of the Shakespeare Tercenten- ary in the schools of Wales, to which reference was made in "Patriotism," the Welsh Depart- ment's recent publication. Should the Easter vacation render it difficult for the commemor- ation to be held on May 3rd, the observance, it was suggested, might be arranged for some later and more convenient date after the holidays. A member asked whether there was any con- nection between Shakespeare and the county, to which Mr Corbett replied that it was said that Shakespeare had a very.close connection with the town of Brecon,. It was said he stayed at the Priory and meandered through the Priory Groves, from which he got his material for "Midsummer Night's Dream." The chairman also said that it was claimed for "Cwm Pwcci"—a glen near Gilwern—that Shakespeare visited the spot when staying at the Priory, and that that valley was supposed to be the scene of "Midsummer Night's Dream." No action was taken as to the observance of the Tercentenary. Employment of Children. The secretary said he had received a long letter from the Board of Education on the subject of the employment of school-children in agriculture. It was stated that the figures were "rather alarm- ing," that up to the 31st January over 8,000 were absent from school on account of being so em- ployed. Mr David Powell Breconshire's portion is very small. Mr Owen Price Most of these 8,000 children are in England-very few in Wales. The secretary said it was pointed out in the letter that some counties were very small propor- portionately, Breconshire being one of them, they having only 12 children so employed alto- gether. Between the ages of 12 and 13 there was one boy and one girl, and between 13 and 14, nine boys and one girl. Mr Prosser Jones I understood that no chil- dren under 13 should be allowed? The Secretary No children under 12. Mr Prosser Jones I only hope the county will stick to that position and maintain it. (Hear, hear.) Physical Training. The Welsh Department of the Board of Educa- tion sent a report of one of their Inspectors on Physical Training on the subject of teaching phy- sical exercises in the schools. The report was based upon the visits he paid in November to the schools named in the report. In directing the attention of the committee to the report, it was pointed out that much remained to be done to put this subject—so important to the health of the children—in its right place in the curriculum of the schools of the county. Much could be done during the war with little or no expense, such as the careful perusal by the teachers of the Board's syllabus on the subject. After the war it would be possible to make a fuller inspection, and a fuller report would be sent, when, pro- bably this authority might find it possible to pro- vide further instruction to teachers in the art of teaching physical exercises. Physical exercises were usually taken out of doors, and when taken in the class-room greater use might be made of the windows, which are generally large, and should admit abundance of fresh air and sun- shine, the sites and aspects of the schools in general being excellent. The report proceeded to give some detailed criticism, and concluded that after inspection of these schools it was 'felt that little real progress could be made in physical exercises while teachers possessed so little know- ledge of physical training. This knowedge, generally speaking, could only be obtained from a certain amount of training and instruction. It was, therefore, hoped that when more normal conditions obtained, the Local Education Au- thorities would see their way to institute classes for teachers and encourage v their attendance at the vacation courses held for this subject. The letter was referred to the Staffing and Sal- aries Committee. A resodlutaion was received from a parish meet- ing held by the ratepayers of the Palleg ward (Ystradgynlais) urging the Education Committee to do all in their power to maintain the Educa- tional efficiency of the schools during these stren- uous times by doing all they could to staff the schools with the best teachers available and ap- peal on behalf of one assistant male teacher for each school. Mr David Powell, in reply to Mr Corbett, was understood to say they had already passed a re- solution on this matter and their hands were tied. Higher Education. The report of the Higher Education Committee contained a lengthy reference to the matter re- lating to the contributinons to the Central Welsh Board. The committee were informed that the University of Wales and the Central Welsh Board proposed holding a conference at Llandrindod in May to discuss the teaching of Greek in the schools in Wales, and the committee recommended the County Council to appoint a delegate to at- tend the conference. With respect to evening schools the committee reported having carefully discussed their policy for next session, and had reported to the Finance Committee that a sum of R500 would be-required for the purpose. Instead of offering scholarships tenable at the Glamorgan Summer Mining School as in the past, the committee propose this year to arrange tours of students to some of the best colleries in the South Wales coalfield. They recommended that €64 be voted for this purpose, being the amount equivalent to the value of the scholarships offered last Year. Rev. D. A. Griffith in moving the adoption of the report referred to the dispute between the com- mittee and the C.W.B. over the contributions. This, he said, had been hanging on for some time. Although a committee of the C.W.B. was appointed nearly two years ago to go into the matter, no steps had yet been taken to deal with it. By that morning's post, however, they had received a. communication to the effect that a meeting of the committee to consider the whole matter would be held at Shrewsbury next week. The secretary, in reply to Mr Corbett, said the committee had submitted to the County Finance Committee an estimate and asked them to provide a sum for the 'evening schools next year, and the committee in their future action would be guided by the result of that application. The report was adopted. War Bonus for Teachers. I The Staffing and Salaries Committee reported having again discussed the notice of motion by Councillor W. M. Taylor with respect to war bonus for teachers, and had before them a state- ment of the action, taken by neighbouring au-* thorities. A special sub-committee had been ap- pointed to consider the whole question of giving a war bonus to teachers, with special reference to the cases most deserving of aid. The Buildings Sub-Committee presented a lengthy report in regard to alterations, repairs, etc., of school buildings. Agricultural Education. The Agricultural Education Sub-Committee re- ported that eleven applications were received for the dairy scholarships. The committee awarded six, value £6 each, to the following :-Brecon District, Miss Dora Jones, Cilgwyn, Pontfaen: Brynmawr District, Miss Nanette M. Simpson, Brooklyn House, Clydach; Builth District, Miss Blodwen Price, Tynrhos, Llangammarch Wells; Crickhowell District, Miss Mary Pritchard, Llwy- fen, Bwlch; Defynock District, Miss Lizzie Ann Thomas, Baily Gwern, Cray; Miss M. A. Jenkins, Gellie, Senny. The Agricultural Organiser (Mr Dd. Thomas) reported having completed a series of lectures totalling 23 for the winter with an average attendance of 20, as compared with 22 lectures, with an average attendance of 13 last year Leaflets on the subjects dealt with were distributed at these classes, and also to farm- ers met with at markets and fairs. A consider- able amount of advisory work had been done by correspondence in such matters as feeding of stock, manuring and liming, seed mixtures, etc. The scheme for the distribution of sittings of eggs to cottagers and small-holders promises to be a great success in the county. Lord Selborne's request in the matter of appointing a County War Agri- cultural Committee with District Sub-Committees, with a view to increasing food production, has been complied with. A Women's Farm Labour Committee has also been appointed, whose aim is to organise any women labour that may be avail- able for farmers during the period of war. The. Grant received from the Board of Agricul- ture in respect of the year amounted to J6165. be. ing 44 per cent. of the total expenditure as com- pared with grant received for the previous year re- presenting 36 per cent. of the expenditure. No Reduction in Rate. The Finance Committee submitted the estimates for 1916-17, and Mr Dd. Powell in moving the adoption of the report said they were equivalent to last year's rate and the rate which had been in existence now for two years. A Llanwrtyd Charity. The Finance Committee reported with regard to the application of the income of Margaret Jones' Charity in January, but it was not then clear whe- ther the Education Authority or the managers were responsible for directing the application of the income. A communication had been received from the Board of Education stating that the me- morandum of arrangement by which the school was transferred to the late school board, provided for the application of the income by the school board whose place is now taken by the Local Education Authority and not by the school mana- gers. A sum of zclll 6s 4d has been recovered, representing the accumulation of income since the "appointed day" together with interest thereon. The memorandum of arrangement referred to provided for the application of the income in sev- eral ways but these are now limited to two pur- poses, viz. :—1. Provision of a lending library for the scholars 2. Providing exhibitions for promising scholars to enable them to carry on their education to a higher point at some school of more advanced instruction. The proportion of the annual income of the charity applicable for educational purposes is t7 10s per annum, but this amount is insufficient to maintain a scholarship at the Builth Wells County School continuously. The committee are of opinion that the remainder of the accumu- lated fund, after allocating sufficient for the pur- poses of the library, should be invested, and it seems probable that if this could be done the total annual income would be sufficient to main- tain a scholarship continuously. The committee recommend that part of the accumulated fund be utilised for the purposes of a lending library, and that the suggestion that the balance be invested be submitted to the managers for that considera- tion. Rev. Rees Eans said he thought, for once, the Finance Committee had acted wisely. (Laughter). Mr David Powell Thank you. (Renewed laughter). The report was adopted. I The Under Fives. In discussing the War Savings Committee re- I commendations, the question of excluding children under five years of age again came up. Mr David Powell said it was a big question to consider that day, and he moved that it be referred to the Staffing and Salaries Committee. Mr Owen Price "I see that the London County Council have excluded all children under five. Mr Corbett I don't think that is so. Mr Price I have seen it reported. Mr Corbett Certain schools only. Mr Owen Price said it was a question that should be decided by this committee and local committees should be informed of the decision ar- rived at. It was not fair that one district should exclude under fives and other districts admit them. Rev. D. A. Griffith said he understood it was only in those schools, where their inclusion would interfere with the efficiency of the teaching and expense that they recommended to exclude these children. In the small schools it would make no difference- Mr Dd. Powell It was not suggested that we should exclude them from the rural schools, only in urban schools. Mr Prosser Jones said a resolution was passed by the committee some time ago to exclude child- ren under five in certain schools in order to relieve the teaching staff. That resolution had been act- ed upon in Ystradgynlais for two months, so that that district had been economising while others had not. If they were allowed to bring back sup- plementary and married women teachers they could re-admit the children under five years of age. Mr Dd. Powell said his sympathies were with Ystradgynlais in this matter. The question was referred to the district com- mittees to report to the Staffing and Salaries Committee who will bring up a further report. Proposed New Bye-Law. Mr Beckwith, in accordance with notice, moved "To recommend to the County Council, the adop- tion of the following Bye-Law for dealing with disturbances by unauthorised persons in any of the schools of the county, viz :—"Any person other than a teacher, child, manager, or other duly authorised person, being in or on the build- ings, playground, or other premises of any public elementary school or other school belonging to the Breconshire County Council, as the Local Educa- tion Authority for the County of Brecon, who af- ter being requested to depart therefrom by the head teacher or the teacher in charge of the school for the time being, refuses or fails to depart there- from, makes use of any violent, abusive, profane, indecent or obscene language, or otherwise be- haves in a disorderly manner, shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to conviction to a fine not exceeding f.5." The motion was agreed to.

It is 25 years this year since Llandrindod Wells was formed into an urban area. Of the original members of the Local Board, as it then was, only two remain, viz., Mr Joseph Hurst and Mr William Thomas. Neither of these gentlemen now sits on the Urban Council, but both are still very active in town affairs. Mr D. C. Davies (the first clerk) still retains office.

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Religion in Wales. By AJb Siencyn. On the death of Gulien, his son, Rhyddmarch, was consecrated bishop of St. David's. It is said that Bhyddmarch, like his father, was renowned for his wisdom and scholarship, and that there wa-s no college at St. David's for many years after his days. A manuscript of his, on "The Life of the Saints of Britain," is still extant. As the sins of the Welsh clamoured for a judg- ment, the Lord tolerated an event which brought about a great change in the land. Llewellyn and Einon, two noblemen of South Wales, rebelled against Rhys alb. Tewdor and rushed upon him at Llandudoch, in Pembrokeshire, where he then dwelt. But Rhya defeated them with great slaughter. Einion escaped to Jestyn ab Gwrgant, prince of Glam., who was also in revolt against Rhys. Jestyn promised Einion his daughter in marriage if he succeeded in securing a Norman force to assist him to attack Rhys. Einion went to England, and Robt. Fitzhammon, an influential man at the Norman Court, undertook the task and secured the support of 12 knights of repute and gathered a large army. They landed in Glamor- gan in the following year, and were received with great honour by Jestyn. Having joined forces, they commenced devastating the domains of Rhys. Though Rhys was then 92 years old, he marched against his foes, met them at Hirwaun Wrgant, but was defeated. He was pursued to Rhoddnai Valley, where he was put to death. Thus Rhys met his death, and with him vanished the glory of the ancient principality of S. Wales. Jestyn, having secured S. Wales, paid off the Normans and dismissed them, but refused his daughter's hand to Einion. Einion, full of his disappoint- ment, hurried after the Normans and came up with them before they sailed. He told them of the injustice inflicted upon him by Jestyn, and yvnf Witt caoiW f.hpv could bBoome nwnprB i ^UllllVAl VUV J — — Princes lands. Robt. Fitzhammon, sym- pathising with his friend and seeing an opportunity of entering into possession of rich estates, agreed to his appeal and returned. Jestyn was defeated and dispossessed of his lands. Robert then shar- ed the lands with his 12 knights, keeping the lion's share and making himself overlord of the others. Einion was given the higher and least productive part of the conquered territory. This is how the Normans came to Wales, and how the lord marchers were established. These wars greatly injured the cause of religion in Gwent and Morganwg, and the land was visited by famine for several years and a large portion of the population was swept away. During these troublous times, Hervens was consecrated bishop of Bangor. His discipline was so severe that the Welsh people detested him. He was partial to the English, and this attitude made him more unpopular. The men of Bangor killed his brother, and, when he was threatened with the same fate, he escaped to England and was appointed bishop of Ely. During this time Rhyddmarch, the celebrated bishop of St. David's, died, and Griffiri was consecrated as his suc- cessor. During his tenure of the holy office the see of St. David's lost its archi-episcopal status and became subordinate to the Archbishop of Canterbury. 12th Centurv. Herwallt, bishop of Llandaff, having had 40 j years of dangerous and anxious time in that bishopric, died early in this century at the ad- vanced age of 100 years, and was succeeded by Gwrfan, archdeacon of Llandaff. When Gwrfan became bishop, his bishopric was in a poor and wretched condition. During the devastating wars that had troubled the country the cathedral was destroyed during the wars of Jestyn and Ein- ion. the rents had been forfeited, and, of the 24 canons attached to the cathedral, scarcely could j two of them, with the bishop, be maintained out the income of the see. In order to rectify mat- teio, Gwrfan complained to the Pope, who pre- sented him with letters to the King of England, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the priests and inobility and gentry of the See of Llandaff, appeal- ing to them to render all the assistance in their power to restore the cathedral and the churches destroyed or damaged during the wars. Th9 Archbishop of Canterbury also urged the people to contribute generously towards the restoration of the churches, and, in order to secure this, re- leased all believers from the fourth part of the penance imposed upon them. Gwrfan, having received a large sum of money, pulled down the remnant of the old cathedral and erected the building that is still extant. He caused other churches also to be re-built. Having completed this task, he sought to secure possession of the lands which the bishops of St. David's and Here- ford had seized. He accused them of having taken possession of the districts of Gwyr (Gower), Cydwedi, Cantref Bychan, Yatradwy and Eua-s, which once formed part of the bishopric of Llan- daff. He produced six witnesses in support of his claim, and, having proved his case, the Pope or- dered that the districts involved should be re- stored to the see of Llandaff, and that the popu- lation of the said districts render obedience to Gwrfan as their rightful bishop.

Pte. Arthur Davies (1, Mill Green, Knighton) has just joined the Herefordshire Territorials.

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