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

Llangorse Presentation. APPRECIATION OF SERVICES. On Monday, the 25th ult., a presentation gathering was held in Bethel Calvini-stie Methodist Church, j Llangorse, to present Miss Doris Price, Fairview, with a handsome silver tray, value £ 5 5s., from the members of the Church on the occasion of her marriage with Gunner C. C. Thomas, Middlesborough. Rev. Llewelyn Davics, pastor, presided, and in the course of his remarks he paid tribute, to Miss Price for the good work she had done, particularly as organising secretary of the Free Church Council of that area, the ladies' Section of which had been very industrious this winter knitting comforts for soldiers. He had much pleasure in heartily supporting the members in their mark of appreciation. Mr Davies, Penllanafel, and Mr Powell, Upper Pen- Ilanafel, expressed similar <^entiment« in Welsh. The Rev. D. I. Richards. Gower, gave an interesting ad- dress, and- spoke ¡tighly of Mis.* Price and her family. The following assisted to make a pleasant evening: Solos by the Rev. Llewelyn Davies, Miss Ray Davies, Miss G. Thomas, King's Head; Miss D. Jones, Tyne- wydd: and Miss May Price, Castle hop; recitations by Mies Charlotte Williams. Miss S. William* presented the gift on behalf of the members, in return for which Miss Price thanked them most heartily in a neat and graceful speech. Gunner C. C. Thomas, who was pres- ent, also responded admirably. At the close Rev. Llew. Davies thanked those who took part and also Misses M. Powell, Pencaemaen ard L. Morgan. Central Stores, for their kind and Miece.ful efforts in collecting the subscriptions for the gift. A PROTEST AGAIXST C.O. ARTISTES. ) A concert was held in Siloa Baptist Chapel, Penderyn, on the 6th inst. TIlt proceeds were to be given to lir-, Mary Price and Mrs Hannah Price, two widows in needy rircum'stanees. The event pas->ed off very well until to- wards the do. when Mr Thomas .Jones, J.P.. Bron- wyM. lIirwain, who was chairman, emphatically pro- tested against some conscientious objectors taking part. Other gentlemen joined in the protest. and a well-known resident, who has a son fighting in Palestine, walked out of the chapel. Eventually, at the request of a noisy section of the audience, the C.O. were allowed to sing, but Mr Jones refused to officiate any further and took his depar- ture. declaring it. was a disgrace to listen to men who declined to fight for their country, and who lived in «as« while others fought their battles.

WASTE PAPER C?? ??1 Per Cwt for Mixed. w U • Any Colour or Quality. THOS. OWEN & Co., Ltd., ¡EL' PAPER WORKS, CARDIFF, WILL LEND BAGS AND PAY CARRIAGE. WRITE FOR FULL PARTICULARS RHEUMATISM KIDNEY TROUBLE. Rheumatism is due to uric acid, which is also the cause of backache, lumbago, sciatica, gout, urinary trouble, stone, gravel, dropsy. Estora Tablets, a thoroughly harmless specific based on modern medical I science, are the successful treatment, and have cured from ills, aches and pains, under the impression that they are the victims of ailments common to their sex, but more often than not it is due to the kidneys, and in such ca&es Estora Tablets will set them right! Estora Tablets, an honest remedy at an honest price, 1/3 per box of 40 tablets, or 6 for 6/9. All chemists or postage free from ESTORA Co., 132, Charing Cross I Rad. London, W.C. 2. Brecon Agent, Walter Owillim, M.P.S., Medical Hall; Builth Wells Agent, T. A. Colt- man, M.P.S., The Pharmacy. 424p/184

Painscastis Council. I ROADMEX'S WAGES. I Present at Pa;n-ea.-tle Rural Council at Hay on Thursday were Mr J. Davies (in the chair), Revs. Jl. • Morgan and H. G. Griffiths, and ).¡ ,ST. D. Price, A. Challoner, J. P. Bishop, H. Price, J. Davies, J. dittoes, R. T. Griffiths (clerk) and E. Meredith (surveyor). The surveyor reported that sorae of the roadmen were discontented tll their present rate of wages. Rev. D. Morgan proposed that- all able-bodied work- men In the council's employ, capable of doing a day's work, should receive the same remuneration. Following discussion, the council finally agreed to raise the^cale of wages in two ca.es to 2/. per week.

i I Bredwardine Council. I GRAXT FOR ROAD REPAIRS. Bfedwardinc Rnral Council was bdd at Hay on Thurs- day, Mr D. F. Powell presiding. Others present were Messrs. R. T. Breeze, D. Wall and R. T. Griffiths iL-lerk). Mr James Hutton was appointed a member of the Local Tribunal. The sum of fl.5 was received from the Roads Board in respect to the repair of roa&-? used for timber-hauling i at WtutMY-ci; Wye.

MOLES AND RATS DESTROYED ——— BY USING ——— WARD'S MOLE AND RAT POISON. Largely used for over ten years. Ii- Per Packet Sold only by Chemists, (If you cannot obtain gtfnd the name of your nearest Chemist to the Sole Maker and Originator). « SEE YOU GET WARD S J. Ward, M.P.S., Builth Wells. i brG97/57/2612 jj

Llandovery Funeral.I THE LATE ALDERMAX SAUNDERS-THOMAS. The funeral of the late- Ald. D. Saunders-Thomas, Beimont, took place at Llandinrwt on Thursday, and was very largely attended. There were present repre- sentatives of different public bodies from ail parts of The county, including -the rn:iyor Olr Daniel Jones), the town-clerk (-Ilr H. Alfred Thomas), and other members of the Corporation, members of the County School Committee (of which deceased had fcr many years been clerk), including Lieut.-General Sir Jame; Hills. Johnos, V.C., G.C.N. A service was h id at the Williams' Pantycelyn Me- morial Chape!, of which deceased was senior deacon. Rev. D. J. flenry, Brecon (formerly pastor at Memorial Chapel) officiated, and addresses were delivered by Mr Handler. Rose Cottage (one of the deacons). Rev. H. Ifor James (Haptist), Rte6 Evans (C.M.), Civmhenog, Llanwrtyd Wells, and Joseph Harry (Con kkj nation a!). At the church and grave. the service was conducted bv the vicar, the Rev. D. Edmondes-Owen. the Warden of the College, (where deceased wa-s for many years modern tide master), and the curate, Rev. W. D. Evan-. The mourners were Mrs D. Saunders-Thomas (widow), Mr D. Rie-" Thomas, London (son), Mrs. W. H- Harries, Llandilo (daughter), Mrs W. E. Lees, Dale, Pembroke- shire, MLss .Muriel P. Thomas and Nfis-.s L. 1. (Dolly) Thoma.s (daughters). Master Gerald Harm (grandson), Mr Wiiiiam Rees, Cardiff (brother-in-law), Mr Daniel Jones, Ahcnlare, Mr David .1 -nes, Aberdare, Inspector i Evanc, Carmarthen, Mr M. W. Morgan, Aberdare, :Ir D. P. Morgan. Swansea. Miss Morgan, Cilycwm House, Mrs Davies, Pantglas, Mr Walter James, and Miss James .Fiondeg, Llangadock (cousins).

Every box of "ENGLAND'S GLOIIY Matches used means MORE WORK for British Work -people. -Morel and, Gloucester. 515

Gardeners and Pests. The Importance of Bird Life. WHY THEY SHOULD BE PROTECTED. I By 0. 13. 1 I When we approach the vernal season and when, more than ever in the history of our countryside, we are concerned with the production oi crops in garden, allot- ment and field, a few lines on a subject which is of the greatest importance may not be without avail. It may be thought in these times, especially when the world is regarding with more or less callousness the destruction of human life itself, extremely frivolous to appeal for the protection of birds—especially of those sp.e<:1&<; which do more to assist the production of crops than any artificial manure, or fertiliser ever invented by humaii brain. Many a time in the days of peace has the writer appealed for the protection of birds from an ascetic view-point. But who cares for natural beauty in these times, yet who d.o not care for his or her existence with the spectre of food shortage constantly staring one in the face. "It cannot be too widely known at the present time that any general or indiscriminate destruction of wild birds would be fraughte with grave danger to the food of the people," says a leaflet of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and it is but a simple truthful statement. The hard winters, since t.he war' com- menced, added to a massacre of small birds and their eggs by the misguided efforts of so call "Sparrow" Clubs, s depleted the bird life of our country to such extent to make things serious. J)espite the Protection Orders of County Councils, the larger birds, with the exception of Lapwings (the "Peewit" and themo,t use- ful to the farmer) have (survived. Of rooks, wood- pigeons, gulls, there seem to be as many as ever, but the scarcity of the smaller birds is almost appalling. Space in newspaper columns just now is precious, and it is fmpossible to go fully into the question and as plainly as one would desire, but a few extracts from the afore- mentioned leaflet, which may be had for the asking, and which choul^ be issued as widely as possible and j well-read by everyone and in every school in the land may not be out of place. "In every country and every district where birds have been systematically destroyed, the result has heen the same (1) insect and vermin plagues, (2) serioll losses to crops of all kinds, (3) failure to deal with the plagues, (4) efforts to bring back the birds. "The greatest and most dangerous enemy of the farmer and facd-prcdueed is the insect pest. It has been stated by Mr Walter Collinge, M.Sc., F.K.S., that it is no unusual thing to find injury done by insects to the extent, of 25 to 50 per cent, of the crop; in other eases it is much beyond that. Thus the food-producer loses tens of thousands of pounds in money; the people lo-e ten of thousands of pounds of food. Man himself cannot control insect pests. They increase at a phe- nomenal rate. They are in many case>s &0 small as to be hiirdly visible to man's eyes. They are hidden underground, -and in buds, in ,#ruit, in crannies and crevices of plants, trees, wood, rubbish-heaps, etc. Poi- •son, traps and insecticides of various sort,. have been tried, but all entail heavy outlay in money, time, and labour which can ill lie afforded at this crisis. An ex- ample. of the rate of increase in insects is afforded by the green-fly (aphis). One fly to-day would mean, should all its descendants survive, ]6,000 green flies in a week's time. The Gipsy-moth, which in 1850 stripped the trees of Brussels of their leaves, multiplies so quickly tnat a single pair might in eight years, should all their progeny live, be responsible for the destruction of all the foliage in the Vnittd States. The natural enemy of the insect is the insect-eating bird." "A great proportion of the commoner small birds of the countrywide live entirely or chiefly on insects. The amount they consume is prodigious, for a bird will eat one-sixth of its own weight in a day. Beyond this comes the fact that even those species which a-s adults feed more or less on another diet, feed their young on insects—on grubs, worms, and flies. And at what time of the year is this? In the spring and early summer, just when the destruction of injurious insects is most essential for the life and health of vegetation. it i, impassible to ignore the quantities of insect-food con- sumed by nestling birds. Young birds eat. their own weight of food in 24 hours. A young robin (to quote a well-known computation) will eat 14 feet of worm in 12 hours, and he ready for more.. A moment's considera- tion of the numbers of nests and young, and of tJi" number of times a day, an hour, in which food is brought to the ever-hungry brood, may suggest the millions upon millions of injurious insects m destroyed, but no conception can realise the gigantic totttl.' Profess- r Xewstead state* that on a low average a < Starling visited its young with food 169 times in the 17 hours of its day (on certain days about 340 times); j and the food in that time included 269 injurious in- sects to only four beneficial ones; among them were 14 slugs and snails. In 18 minutes 18 caterpillars of iv- jurious moths and four wire-worms were brought. A great tit watched by the same observer made 384 visits in the day, and 9U per cent of the food brought con- sis ted of noxious lan-re. "If 20 days are occupied in rearing the youn?. that gives us a grand total of 7,680 visits to the nest, so that the single pair of birds would be responsible for the destruction of between 2,000 and 9,000 insects, chiefly caterplilars." The. Red- start has been seen bringing caterpillars to its nest 2:1 times an hour, making, if even but one was brought each time, 2,254 in a week. The Flycatcher feeds its young with flies 500 times a day. Nearly all the small birds of Great Britain are engaged in this work of destruction from March to August; and in a lesser degree all the year through. Ko one '-peci? but de troys wme pest. On the other hand, no bird live wholly or principally on cultivated grain or fruit. Even the house-sparrow, one of the few .species which my he classified as injurious on account of its partiality for grain, eats as many crane-flies (Tipula). small eater- pillars, and wireworms, and feeds its nestlings mainly on harmful insects." Of the insects destroyed by birds in prodigious num- b"T.s may be mentioned, click beetles, wireworms, cock- chafers, leather jackets (which have destroyed fields of oats in a season, turnip fly, the c-attle fly, the N-ar- ious moths, and the spe-cies of weevil (which are more keenly nought for by birds than any other group of insects) ,the green-fly, caterpillars, eggs and chrysalis, snaiLs, slugs-and worms are a staple food of thrushes, blackbirds., etarlings, corncrakes, lapwings .rooks, and scores of other specie.s of birds, and, in short, the great- est destroyers of insect, plant dostroyers are the birds. "The fit movement towards international protection for wild Birds was made by farmers and foresters on the Continent, because of alarming increase in the ravages of insects. In 1S95, consequent on a serious diminution of birds and corresponding increase of. insects, the French Government invited all the other Governments of Europe to take part in a conference on international protection of useful birds. The conference lasted ten ditys. arml its members, representing nearly every Europ- ean country, were unanimous as to the urgent necessity for bird protection in the interests of agriculture. France, since the bad harvest cf ISfll, has been trving to undo the effects of indiscriminate destruction of small birds. Shortly t>efore the outbreak of War the Minis- ter of Agriculture gave instructions to an the pro- fessors of agriculture to teach the absolute necessity- for protecting birds; and the Agricultural Society of the Gironde is sited a placard, "Those who destroy the little birds are worst enemieis of agriculture." In Canada and the United States cf America. gigantic losses from insect depredation* have in recent years led to strong measures for th" preservation of birds. It is estimated that the birds of Nebraska eat 170 cart- loads of insects a day, said Sir Boverton Redwood, peaking to the British Science Guild in 1014; that those of Massachusetts destroy 21,000 bushels daily, and that a single species of hawk saves the farmers of the Western States lï5.0flO (hIs. a Y-t"lr by destroying grass- hoppers and fie'd-mice. "^et millions of people engage in killing the birds that destroy injurious and disease- spreading irhsects; and the moral of these facts applies also to England." Let the farmer kill the birds which he is sure arc the cause of mischief such as the wood-pigeon, bnt Jet him be sure, and let everyonec oncerned see to it that it is really the right bird he kills, otherwise he is doing more than he thinks to preserve the int which hidden from his eye works havoc among his crops. In the writer's opinion it is folly for man to attempt to balance nat- ure. Better allow the few "evil doers" of our bird friends to take their small toll, than to indiscriminately massacre the innocents in "order to revenge on the few guilty ones. If these precautions re not taken look out for insect plagues in garden and fields, to say nothing of a.n equally destructive agency carried on ■ by rats and mice. Above all let schoolmasters te-acii children the value pf bird-life and forbid them to d" stroy their nests and for Heaven's sake do not tell them to take the eggs of sparrow*, for the "sparrow" which does the damage nests in places where the children cannot get at (mostly under the eai, of houses) and, consequently, the hedge sparrow, hedge accentor, one of our most useful insect-devouring birds, u! from false identity and the gardener's produce will suffer ten-fold. ——————————-

THE GREAT SKIN CURE. BUDDEN'S S.R. SKIN OINTMENT will cure Itching after one application, destroys every form of Eczema; heais old Wwinds and Sores; acts like a charoi on Bad Legs; is infallible for Piles; Prevents Cuts from Festering; will cure Ringworm in a few days; removes, the most obstinate Eruptions and Scurvy. Boxes 9d and 1/3. Agentg for Brecon, Mr Stanton and Mr Morrii High Street, Chemists; Buirth Wells, W. Price and Co., T. A. Coltman, Llandovery, J. Nicholas, Chemist; Hav' J. L. Davies and Son; Talgarth, J. Parry, Chemist Crickhowell, Mr Kirkland, Chemist; Bryrimawj, MrA. I. Jones, Chemist; Knighton, Mr Perkins, Chemist; Pontar- dulais, Mr Jones, Chemist. b799/45/257 | Special shöw I j THIS WEEK. I jj New Cretonne Designs HaB s SEE WINDOWS. i I m New Delivery of Spring Blouses and Millinery to hand H S this week. Come inside to see the display. H I David Jones & Co., Talgarth, I B Drapers. The Firm that Yalne Built. Outfitters. c::f2 :r {):f: :=: r2 ;j:1(fi:i;f4;f, -#:J>f..i;: :< >2: 7: Price & Williams, Builth, HOLD THE HEAVIEST STOCK OF British & Foreign (lounl &) Timber in the District. Special Quotations for Truck Loads of Deals, Battens, Boards, Bricks, Slates, Cement, Aberthaw Lime, Plaster of Paris, Crests, Finials, Sinks, Socket Pipes, Spades and Shovel Handles, Dry Oak and Ash Pranking, Spokes, Felloes and Shafts. Solid British OAK GATivu). Always Good Steck Solid British OAK GATE POSTS. i Seasoned Timber AND Thoroughly Well-Made. Seasoned Timber for Builders and Wheelwrights kept in Drying Sheds. Agents for the Best Slate Quarries, Brick and Tile Works, and Agricultural Pipes. PLEASS WroTH FOR PRlCES- PRICE & WILLIAMS, 13TJILTH. Telegrams: WILLIAMS, BUILTH. 'PHONE No. 2. br843/255 THIS BUSINESS IS BEING CARRIED ON AS USUAL. > æææææææææææææææææeæmææææææææææææææææææææææ æ Si m 1 LET I ffl ?-'1- ? | 1 Harold Elston & Co, I I" Harold Elston & Co. i 1 Repair Yo?r Machinery, æ jg Nothing ia the way of welding is beyond the scope of æ Nothing ill the way of weJùing is beyond tbe scope I)f I ffl our Specialists. § I |i j "YV henever a breakage occurs, send the part to us at once, naa to IE  and you will get a sound job at a reasonable price, m g E9 |j You may think the job IMPOSSIBLE, but-we won't. æ B 1 Bj We do the weldm? for the Government Food Production I B s m Department, to their Tractors, etc., by our. Metallur- m m EB II gical 8 )stem of Oxy?cetyline Welding, and Oxy- I æ Hydrogen Welding.. gg ffl æ æ æ B3 NOTE THE ADDRESS- æ m æ THE MODERN GARAGE, m ffl S Telephone—54 and 72. BIECON j|j Telegrams—ELSTON. ffl m B ES æ æ ra

Confirmation Service. I BISHOP: OF SWANSEA AT BUILTH. I There was a large number present for the confirmation rervie,e at St. Mary's Church, Builth, on the 5th inst. Altogether, there were 3» candidates to be presented 26 from Builth and 4 from surrounding parishes. The Bishop Suffragan of Swansea was agisted by Rev. S. H Wenham. Special hymns, accompanied by Mr hjdncy R. Phillips on the organ, were sung for the ccca-ion. After the laving on of hand6, the Bishop. in the course of an address, said he would like to speak a word of welcome to those who had been confirmed. Conhrm- ation was an eventful occasion in their lives and mark- ed their entry into the full heritage of .IMU& Christ. They should think a great deal of the Church and be proud of it. It had thrown to what it was to-day from a very small beginning. A good many people were good at following other people, but they must have courage to lead the way in doing right. The one who led did something greater than, those who followed, and, in the spiritual world, they must all have the courage to lead. When any evit was proposed they must have enough courage to .say that it was wrcng and lead the way. Thev should cultivate the humble spirit of St. Andrew, who had learnt the great ?cret of gettmx rid of ""Ii. They I Id instal self-control and ?df-disopune in place of self-K ulgnce. All those who had been con- firmed that trn oon had been called into the "nice of Christ. Their hih honour was that they should be fellow-workers* with God, and they should not kt any- thing prevent them from attending the House of God Tcniiarlv. The Bishop concluded his address by paying R!!lowing tribute to-the late Sir Stanley Maude, the heroic victor of Bagdad.

MRS. STEVENS' HUMAN STORY. CAN NOW GET UP IN THE MORNING WITHOUT BEING DOUBLED UP WITH PAIN. HER GRATITUDE FOR BAKER'S BACKACHE PELLETS. Mrs G. H. Stevens, of 62, Whitehouse Lane, Sheffield, like thousands of other women, suffered agonies from Backache, but is now completely cured. She sends the following interesting letter J ust a line to let you know how grateful I am for Baker's Backache Pellets. I am taking my third box, and they have been like magic to me. I can now get up in the morning without being doubled up with pain in my back." If you suffer get a box of Baker's Back- ache Pellets to. da,y from your chemist. They only cost 1/3 per box, and tare a positive cure for Backache, Rheu- matism, Lum- bago, Sciatica-, Gravel, Dizziness, and &JI Kidney J Troubles. Sold by all chemists, or post free in J plain wrapper direct from Baker's Medicine Co., I Ltd., 1, Southampton Row, London, W.C.I.

»N DIGESTION j|

Notes and Notions. I By "WYE-SIDER." j a I Abercrave is agitating for free-fishing. Beulah Nursing Association has- £ 103 in hand. CriekhoweJl's rainfall for February was 2.7 inches. Anthracite coal is being worked in the new seam at Abercrave. Ystradgynlais teachers are organising whist-drives for war funds. Councillor W. J. Esmond is a new member of Llan- dovery Tribunal. :;< Two hundred and ten pounds was subscribed to Col- bren War Savings Association the first week. | Tro'r-gieien .<; ,h 001 staff (Cwmtwrch) have presented Mrs Trapnell with a tea-service on her resignation. The death of Mr John Redmond, leader of the Irish Nationalist Party, occurred in London on Wednesday. Llandovery Council asks the owners of fishing rights in the district to grant access to resident holders of licences. ;c Mr Morris (head-master of Garth Council School) in- terested his pupils with the. story of the patron r-aint on St. David's Day. 5jc Mr- D. I. Williams (Llanwrtyd Wells) has been elected to serve on the Sub-Committee of the South Wales Nursing Association. Rhas Dramatic Society gave a performance of the Welsh drama, "Bcddau's Prophwydi" at Cwmllynfeil, in aid of war funds, last week. Mr W. H. Walford (Englefield Green) liaa been ap- pointed to the pastorate of Leintwardine Congregational Church, and commences his duties early in June. Flight-'jeut. W. J. Hamilton Morgan, R.F.C. (Aber- crave), who is home on leave, is claimed to Le the first British airman to cross the enemy lines on the Italian front.. Lieut.-Col. P. W. Woods, M.C. (Australian Force) who was recently decorated by H.M., the Killg. with the I D.S.O., is a nephew of Mr and Mrs W. H. Larkin; Llan- frynaeh. :;c » Subsequent, to an inspection on religious knowledge, Rev. Hilary Lewis, reports that Talybont-on-Fsk gehooi dkl remarkably well, the answers being intelligent and thectcne exceilcnt. ';< Kilsby Jones had a horror of ill-ventilated places of worship, of which there are far too many about even to-day. At a service in one of these he complained, "If I were preaching in a bottle some of you wOllld put a cork in it!" Overheard in BuOthl Farmer's wife (entering gro- cer's shop): I want a bit of cheese. Grocer: But you make your own cheese, don't you? Farmer's Wife: Well, yes. I've eight, 'cheeses' at home, but I thought I would like a little 'American.' The engagement is announced hetween Captain Ivor G. Tos*ell, M.C., Welsh Regiment (third son of Mr and Mrs James Tossell, St. David's, Pembrokeshire) and Kathleen Amy (only daughter of the Rev. Arthur and Mrs Niggerton Evans, of Gladestry Rectory, Kington, Herefordshire). Col. the Hon. W. P. Hore-Ruthven, C.M.G., D.S.O. (Master of Rnthven), appointed a general taft officer (nrst grade), is a nephew of the Hon. C. E. S. Here Ruthven (acting chief constable of Breconshire). He won the D.S.O. during the South African war, and was awarded the C.M.G. in 1915. j Mr D. E. A. Rhvs, for several years a schoolmaster at Peti-rcliurch, and now holding a post at the Control of Finance Branch of the Admiraltv, has been appoint- ed, through the Welfare Department of the Ministry W Munitions, to the important permanent post of Wel- fare Supervisor of Boys under the South Wales and Monmouthshire Iron and Steel )Takers' Aissociation. The following appeared in a supplement to the "Lon- don Gazette on Saturday:—Regular Force,: -Special appointment, graded for pnrposes of pay as an A.A.G. Colonel J. H. du B. Travers, C.B., and to he tempor- ary brigadier-gej>eral whilst so employed. Col. J. H. du B. Travers was for many years associated with the South Wales Borderers, and afterwards held a command at Cardiff. CaptaJn The*. Picton, S.W.B., has been awarded a bar to his Military Cross. Major W. Taunton Raikes (Bwlch), S.W.B., is also possessor of the M.C. The latter is one of the the officer-sons of Mr R. T. Raikes (Treberfydd), anti Captain Pic-ton, who ha." the. double "C.C. originally joined the South Wales Borderers. but is at present attached to a Mid-Wales Territorial JI Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Has anyone ever seen the phantom hounds of Rad- norshire? In one of the monthly magazines there is an article on spectral hounds and huntsmen, and, in it, it is stated that immediately before an outbreak of war, Wild Edric of Shropshire, who was a Saxon who re- volted against William the Conqueror and wa. not easily put down in his fastnesses among the hills of the Welsh border, makes his re-appearance, and may be seen and heard hunting a ghostly pack of hounds over the Stiperstonea of Radnorshire. > Among those decorated by the King at Buckingham Palace, cn Saturday, were Capt. D. Raikes (South Wale", Borderers), now attached to the Tank Corps, who was given the D.S.O., Capt. E. Simons (South Wales Bor. derers). who received the Military Cross and bar, Major W. Raikes (South Wales Borderers), Capt. I,. Williams (Army Ordnance Corps) ,Capt. W. Fo-ter (Welsh Regi- ment). Capt. A. Freeman (Royal Welsh FufiUi?rs). Capt. V. Copland Griffiths (Welsh Guards), and Rev. D .Hughes, all of whom had the. Mititarv Cross, and Capt. a Nevitt (Royal Welsh Fusiliers); the Albert Medal. Relative to an application from the Radnor County Council, Herefordshire Hospital Board has decided that the hospital is not at present able to otter accommoda- tion for the treatment of cases of venereal disease from Radnorshire, but it is hoped it wiil be in a posi- tion to do so in three or four months' time, when the entry into possession of Wolsley Villa, just purchased, as sleeping quarters for nurses, will enable the Board to extend the clinic in the annexe now partially used for Herefordshire eases. Dr. Edgar Morris, remarked that the number of ca-s.es from Radnorshire would be small, and he thought the hospital could very well Uti. dertake the work. The deputy-chairman. Sir George Pigot, Bart., presided on Tuesday of last week, in London, over the annuaf general meeting of the Brecon and Mcrthyr Tydfil Junc- tion Railway Company, and said that. the sum ofkl,915 spent on capital account was chiefly due to permanent way works at Bed was in order to provide facilities for dealing with the Bed was. Colliery traffic. The total net income wa., against t.7,510, an increase of £ 4,570. After payment of the fixed charges the balance was £ 20.300. £10.000 went to reserve, bringing that fund up to £ 31,000. That left a .sum of for distribution, which admitted the same dividends as a year ago, viz., the full dividend of 4 per cent, per an- num on the 1st Preference Stock, and 2 per cent. per annum on the 2nd Preference Stock. carrying forward a balance of 91,940. The output of the new collieries on 6he railway wa-s developing satisfactorilv. One had an output of about 600,000 tons per annum, and another approached 400.000 tons per- annum. Colonel Stephen- son Robert Clarke, C.B., seconded, and the report was adopted and the dividends a»n ed to. The following directors were re-elected :—Mr Wm. Bailev Hawkins, Mr J. B. Bailey Hawkins, Sir Geoige Pigct, Bart., and Colonel S. R. Clarke, C.B. j Rev. Morgan Jones Powell, D.D., vicar of St. Mic- hael's Church, Aberystwyth, has accepted the living of St. John's Church, Cardiff, from which the Rev. Canon A. Henderson retired recently. The former, whose" departure is regretted hy all sections of the communitv" at .\ber stwyth, will leave for Cardiff at an early date. The new Vicar of Cardiff is in his 54th vcar. and is the eldest son of the late Aid. Thomas Powell, J.P., the Elms. Swansea, and nephew cf the late Canon John Powell Joins, vicar cf Llantrissant. He w;<s educated at Bishop Gore's Grammar School and Balliol College, Oxford, where he graduated with honours in classics. He also obtained the degree of D.D. of this college, lie was appointed curate of Tredegar, then at St. John's, Brecon, frcm where he left to he curate-in- charge at Llanelly. then he became the vicar of Llanfry- naeh. appointed to the living of Aberystwyth. He is a popular preaelvr. both in Welsh ard English, and a good lecturer. He was rural (lean for Llanbadarnfawr, acts as one of the proctors in convocation for the diocese of St. David's,and is a member of the new governing body of the Welsh Church. His brother is Mr J. P. Jones Powell (partner in the firm of Messrs. Jeffreys and Powell, solicitors, Brecon).