The Pembroke County Guardian and Cardigan Reporter

PEMBROKE COUNTY COUNCIL. THE EDUCATIONAL RATE. PEMBROKE DOCKYARD DISCHARGES. THE WELSH NATIONAL COUNCIL. The annual meeting of this Council was held on Tuesday at the Shire Hall, Haverford- west, when there were present Dr. Griffith (chairman), Mr. G. P. Brewer (vice-chairman), Lord Kensington,-Sir Chas. Philipps, Sir Owen Scuu.rtield,Col. Ivor Philipps, M.P., Col. Mi: e- house, Mr. J. F. Lort Phillips, Mr. Seymour Allen, Mr. C. F. Egerton Allen, Mr. 1". A. Roch, Mr. A. McColl, 1\1: Joseph Thomas, Mr. Ben Reer, Mr. S. B. Sketch, Mr. h. ilobmison, Mr. W. Palmer Morgan, Mr. J. Whicher, Mr. E. H. James, Mr. J. Howard Griffiths, Mr. T. Llewellin (Haythog), Dr. Havard, Mr. Jonah Evans, Mr. Daniel Davias, Rev. W. Griffiths, Rev. James Phillips, Rev. W. Powell. Mr. J. Harries, Mr. Wm. Robinson, Mr. W. Grieve, Mr. YV. Lawrence, Mr. J. S. Evam, Mr. W. Gibbs, Major O. H. S. Williams, Mr. W. Evans, Mr. W. T. Davies, Mr. I. Reynolds, Mr. W. Howell Walters, Messrs. R. Cole, LI. Rees, James Thomas( Philbeach), T. Evans, D. G. Gri..„ihs, John Thomas, W. Vaughan, and J. C. S. Glanville. CHAIRMAN AND VICE-CHAIRMAN. On the motion of Mr. Joseph Thomas, sec- onded by Mr. J. S. Evans, Dr. Giiffith was unanimously re-elected chairman for the fourth time, and he returned thanks for the confidence shown him. On the motion of Mr. S. B. Sketch, sec- onded by Mr. McColl, and supported by Mr. Palmer Morgan, Mr. G. P. Brewer was re- elected vice-chairman, and briefly returned • thanks, observing that he thought the honours of the chair and vice-chair ought to pass rounu the Council. COMPLIMENTARY. The Chairman said they were all pleased to see amingjfet them again an old councillor (the Rev. Lewis James). (Hear, hear.) They were all glad to see him in good health and in his old place. (Hear, hear.) AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Letters of thanks have been received from the Secretary of State, and from the Private Secretary to their Majesties, for the vote of* condolence the Council had passed on the death of King Christian. APPOINTMENTS. Sir Charles Philipps proposed the re-election of Mr. Mathias Thomas, of Tenby, as Return- ing Officer,, remarking that he had been a very efficient officer from the commencement of the County Council. This was seconded by Mr. Joseph Thomas and carried. Mr. Joseph Richards was re-appointed In- spector of Weights and Measures. FISHGUARD URBAN POWERS. A communication wan received from the Local Government Board with respect to the application to constitute Fishguard an ur- ban district, asking for certain statutory re- quirements to be complied with, submitting ordnance maps, on which the proposed area had to be marked, the acreage, population, assessible value, etc., and asking the view. of the Council upon a letter which had been submitted to them by Mr. Hodges. The Chairman, said they would all be glad to see that the Local Government Board, on the recommendation of the Council, were about to make Fishguard—the coming capi- tal of Pembrokeshire—(laughter)—an urban district. The Local Givernment Committee had held two enquiries,, and had succeeded in fixing an area which was approved by the people of Fishguard. Now it was evident from the letter which had been read that the Local Government Board meant to grant the powers required as soon as certain satutory obliga- tions had been complied with. He moved that the lettea; be referred back to the Local Government Board with full power to conclude the matter. This was seconded by the Rev. James Phillips, and was carried. THE UNEMPLOYED. The Chairman said a communication had been received with regard to the Unemployed Workmen's Act, 1905, but as it would take a long time to go into it, and he thought it would be better to refer it to the General Purposes Committee, who would report to the next meeting. Mr. Egerton Allen asked who it was from, and was told it came from the Local Govern- ment Board. Sir Charles Philipps asked what was it about? The Clerk replied that it was an inquiry as to whether the Council was taking any action in applying the provisions of the Act. On the motion of Col. Ivor Philipps, sec- onded by Mr. Sketch, the matter was referred to the General Purposes Committee. PUBLIC WORKS. Mr. G. P. Brewer brought up the report of the' committee. It included the reports of the Surveyor,, which was chiefly occupied with improvements made at various police stations, and of the Inspector of Weights and Measures. The committee reported that they had con- sidered the matter of the raising of the charge across Pembroke Ferry, and recommended that the Council place the matter before the owner of the- ferry- The reports and recommendations were adopted. AMytOTH SEA WALL. The Assistant Surveyor brought up a report upon this matter, and said the Narberth Dis- trict Council had applied for assistance to- wards the cost of building a sea wall about 34 yards long by an average height of about 11 feet, a road fence, and a certain amount of under pinning and facing up of the old sea wall. In his opinion the wall wa:; absolutely necessary to prevent the sea encroaching and taking away the adjoining roadway, which was about 20 feet above the level of the beach. Col. Ivor Philipps thought this was a case in which the Council ought to bear some por- tion of the cost, and he moved that the Coun- cil contribute one-third of the total cost of £88 for the repairs of the wall. Mr. Glanville seconded. Mr. N. A. Roch and Mr. Cole objected to the county money being used for any such pur- pose. The Vice-Chairman supported Col. Ivor Philipps' motion, on the ground that the ravages caused by encroachments of the !3ea ought to be borne by the particular district. He believed indeed tha it ought to be placed on a broader basis than the county, and that it should be a charge upon imperial taxation. We had in this county about 100 miles of coast line, and for any damage caused to any part of that area as a matter of principle the burden ought to be shared by all. Lord Kensington said as he had a personal imterest in a certain portion of the coast line, he should not like to see the Council bear- ing some portion of the burden of its main- tenance Rev. James Phillips agreed that the prin- ciple laid down by the Vice-Chairman was a sound one. It was fitting that a charge of this sort should be borne by the county as well as the district affected. Mr. Lort Phillips asked who had borne the cost hitherto? The Chairman said that he had on several occasions. They had also done something similar at Dale. Mr. Dan Davies, Mr. Sketch, Mr. Howard Griffiths, and Mr. B. Rees having spoken, Col. Ivor Philipps replied. Lord Kensington said they had an identical case at Dale, where through the kindness of Capt. Dale the damage was made good, and he did Hot believe he ever received one penny by way of reimbursement for what he had expended. On a vote being taken 19 voted for Col. Ivor Philipps' amendment and 25 against. The recommendation of the committee, not to make a grant, was then confirmed. MAIN ROADS AND BRIDGES. Mr. Roch brought up the following recom- mendations:—The committee recommend the payment to the Haberfordwest Corporation of the sum of £20, being the half-year's allow- ance for repairs of bridges' approaches due 31st March; also the payment to the same Corporation of the sum of £375 for repair of main road within the borough for the year ending 31st March last, but subject to a certi- ficate being furnished by the Assistant Surdeyor that such roads had been properly repaired. and maintained during that period. The com- mittee have directed the Assistant Surveydr to report on the present condition of the dis- trict road between Cilgerran Railway Station and Glanpwllafon in the borough of Cardigan, and the probable cost of putting it in repair and future repairs, and have adjourned the consideration of the proposal to constitute such road a main road to their next meet- ing. The committee require a further credit of £1,500. Mr. E. Robinson seconded the report, which was adopted. THE HAVERFORDWEST ROADS. Mr. I. Reynolds asked the Assistant Sur- veyor if he could give a certificate that the roads in Haverfordwest were properly kept, so that the Haverfordwest Council could have a cheque. Mr. Robinson. Do you want the cheque now ? l Mr. Reynolds: We should like it; we want the money. Mr. Roch said Mr. Eaton Evans had been there to tell him he had not had the Surveyor's certificate. The Surveyor (Mr. Arthur H. Thomas) said he sent the certificate to Mr. Eaton Evans by me: senger. Asked what was its purport, he said hi:, teport was an unfavourable one. Mr. Roch said in that ca.§€ no cheque would be given. Mr. Reynolds moved that st copy of the Sur- veyor's report should be forwarded to the Haverfordwest Town Council,, that they might know what the defects were. Mr. Roch: They are not in proper repair. Mr. Reynolds said if the Road and Bridges Committee had to fix the standard1 the Town Council should know in what respect the roads were below that standard, so that they might do what was necessary to obtain the cheque. THE COUNTY RATE. Mr. N. A. Roch brought up the report of the Finance Committee, which contained a recommendation that a rate of 9d. in the £ be levied as the- county rate for the current financial year, 4d. to be collected in the first half-year, and the remaining 4d. at dates to be hereafter determined. The estimates showed that a rate of 7jd. might have sufficed, but a majority of the Finance Committee thought it would be betten to levy 9d.; and in the second half of the year if they found they did not need 4d. they could reduce it. He moved the adoption of the report of the eoim mittee. Mr. James Thomas (Philbeach) seconded. A letter was read from Mr. Lewis, clerk to the Narberth Rural Council, protesting against the increasing county rate for educa- tion, maintenance of roads, and salaries of officials, and enclosing a resolution to the effect that the recent financial administration of the county was not carried out with due regard to economy, and asking the Council to take steps to effect a reduction. Mr. Sketch asked was that letter from Nar- berth, and had they not just been asking for a contribution towards the Amroth sea wall? (Laughter.) Mr. Egerton Allen moved an amendment-, which, he said, was purely one of account. The Rev. James Phillips seconded. On a division, however, the amendment was lost, and the recommendation of the Finance Committee adopted. ELEMENTARY EDUCATION. Mr. Roch next moved that a rate of 8d. in the £ be levied for elementary education, 4d. to be levied in the first half of the year, in two moieties on or before the 31st of May, and the 1st of August, and the remainder at a date to be fixed hereafter. Mr. Egerton Allen pointed to the increase in tdie rate. Last year it was 6d., and now 8d;i Avas asked. Yet they got any ae count of how the money received was ex- pended, and he did not consider the Council was properly treated. He contended that a portion of the amount paid as salaries to officials ought to be charged to higher educa tion account. Mr. S. B. Sketch said the matter was under consideration, and pleaded that the Education Committee should have some allowances made. At present it was quite impossible to properly estimate the expenditure: there were so manv incidental expenses that they could only make an approximate estimate. The Rev. James Phillips thought from £150 to £200 would be a fair estimate of the salaries which should be transferred from elementary to intermediate education. Then again with regard to attendance officers, we were paying very much more than other counties. At the same time the Education Committee could not be charged with extravagance, nor could it be shown that they were spending a sovereign where 17s. 6d. would do. They were one of the most economical counties in Wales in the administration of the Education Act. Mr. Brewer thought it was very unfair to giumble at the action of the Education Com mittee when they had done their best. Mr. S. B. Sketch said by the increased at- tendance, brought about by the attendance officers, they would increase their income by at least £1,400; were it not for that they would require at least another penny. The recommendation of the Finance Com- mittee was then adopted IIGHER EDUCATION. Mr. Roch brought up a further recommenda- tion that a rate of' 2d. in the £ be levied for higher and intermediate education, at the rate of d. in the £ for intermediate and Id. for higher education, on the 31st of May, and Id. in the £ on or before the 1st day of Augur.t. Mr. Egerton Allen proceeded to criticise the proposed rate at considerable length. The Chairman, after Mr. Allen had been speaking some time, called his attention to the standing order, limiting speeches to ten minutes, and asked him if he had any resoiti- tio 1 to e ? Mr. Egerton Allen said he was about to raov that they refuse 2d. of the proposed rate. The Chairman hoped Mr. Allen would be brief, as he had already exceeded his time. Mr. Egerton Allen said everybody complained that he took up too much time, but there were complaints all over the county that young people were being educated to enter lucrative professions at the public expense. Again reminded of the standing orders by the Chairman on the motion of Mr. Howell Walter, seconded by Mr. Vaughan, these were suspended. Mr. Egerton Allen proceeded with his criti- cism, complaining that no details were given of the accounts, ending by proposing that the 2d. higher education rate be reduced to Id., and if they were satisfied that was not enough the other Id. zould be levied later. Mr. Vaughan seconded. Mr. Palmer Morgan promised that more de tai-led accounts should be furnished in future, and appealed to the Council to remember that there was another point of view from that taken by Mr. Allen, the interest., of the rising generation, who were looking to them for an education such as would equip them for the future. X Mr. Howell Walters said he was thoroughly in favour of technical education, but his com- plaint was that too much of this money was taken to bolster up the intermediate schools. Rev. W. Powell asked for more information, and said people were often asking what was done with the money. Col. Ivor Philipps said if they could have an assurance that fuller reports would come from the committee, he would not support the amendment. He understood that the accounts of many of the county schools were not pub- lished, and if that were so, he should not be prepared to vote another penny. Mr. Palmer Morgan said the accounts of all the county schools were open for inspection, and if people would not take the trouble to go and see them they could not help it. The Vice-Chairman said there was a statutory obligation to publish the accounts, and more- over every item was passed by the Government auditor. j Mr. Egerton Allen said the grants from the Board of Education were not shown, but Mr. Brewer produced the accounts show ing that they were. He added tttat they had eight -centres in this county, as against five in Car- marthen; and sail considering the work accom- plished the committee could not be accused of extravagance. He was S1;re the committee would pay every attention to the wishes of the Council in giving fuller details of the ac- count: The Rev. James Phillips said when he looked upon the first item in the estimate, £900 for pupil teachers and probationers' fees, he felt that the money was misappropriated, and he might even use a stronger adjective. Mr. E. Robinson: You don't mean one be- ginning with a capital D, I hope? (Laughter.) Rev. James Phillips said if any part of the money was well spent it was that upon classes for science and ait, and he could not but feel that money was spent in ether directions which ought to go to those classes. Mr. J. S Evaus thought if the com,nittee had seen its way to do with a penny, it would never have asked for twopence (Hear, hear ) After the assurance that fuller details would be given in future, he could not vote for the amendment. Mr. Skrtch wanted to know why tho;e who fell foul of the committee did not attend its meetings. One member of the committee held it up to ridicule because such and a form was not adopted. ("Name.") Another member of the committee suggested that the report was irregular. Why did he not move in the matter in the committee, and see the report was properly drawn up, and not throw his dirt upon other people. ("Name," called out. Mr. Howell Walters.) Mr. Sketch: The Rev. J. Phillips. With re- gard to the 2d. rate, he continued, it was an estimate, and it must not be taken that the whole of the money would be spent. What did they propose to cut out of the programmeY The committee wanted this money if the pro- gramme was to be carried out. Rev. James Phillips wanted one word of ex- planation. He had said no more there than he had said at meetings of the Higher Edur cation Committee. Mr. Lawrence having protested against so much time being wasted, the Chairman took a vote. Eleven votes were stated to have been cast for the amendment, when the Rev. James Phillips called attention to the fact that his vote made 12. For the motion 25 votes were given. Before the recommendation of the committee was finally adopted ah amendment was accepted, proposed by Mr. Evan Thomas, and seconded by Sir Chas. Philipps, that the second instalment should be paid in November instead of August. In its amended form the resolution was then adopted. | Mr, Brewer said the County Council con- sisted of 64 members, sud-the Education Com- mittee' of 32, so it came to this that one-half the Cotfrtcil could not trust the other. (La-ogbter,> Ml*- Pa:l Kigr Morgan: And the members of the Educa'ion Committee are the most pro- minent in opposing the vote. Mr. Sketch:' That is light, NI,(orrn. MORE FINANCE. Mr. Bre-utep said Mr. Roch had left.- and had asked him top t charge of the next -part | of the financial- rrt. It referred! to a re- commendation that the sum of £ 2.ft72 8s. 5d., balance of lines anrS i!s nnappropÜate 1, be appropriated for county purposes. He asked i that the recommendation might be deleted for the present. Mr. Egerton Allen asked to what it referued, anl was told that it -was a sum of money whieh had been owing for fines and fees at Pembroke for some time.—Agreed^ A recommendation t&r the payment of pen p sion- and other salaries, amounting to £5,296 9s., was also adopted. j1 THE ASYLUM, f There was no report from the visitors to the j' Lunatic Asylum, but the Chairman remarked that they had least rate in connection wi.h j; the asylum of any similar institution in Great h Britain.- Mr. Sketch: I believe thete is a reduction ot 3d j, CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. Mr. T. Llewellin brought up the teport of the Contagious Diseases (Antrnalst Committee, which stated that the committee in response to a communication received from the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries have written to the Board respectfully asking that Pembroke- shire shall not be included with the other counties of Wales in a compulsory sheep dip ping area. The Board had replied to the effect that they could make no exception. Mr. Dan Davies said considering, we had no sheep scab in Pembrokeshire, it was surely unnecessary to make this. The Chairman: Do you move that we be pas- sive resisters ? 1 (Laughter.) Mr. J. Harries moved that the matter be referred back to the committee. Mr T. Llewellin moved and Mr. Joseph Thomas seconded that a protest be sent to' the Board of Agriculture, and this was carried. THE COMMITTEES. The report of the Selection Committee con- stituting the committees was adopted. The committee recommend that the Chair- man ond vice-Chairman of the Council for the t:me being shall oe additional members, virtute officii of- all committees and sub-com- mittees of the Council except where the num- ber of members cn a committee are fixed by statue. The committee recommends the following committees for the ensuing year:— Standing Joint Committee.—Lord Kensing- ton, Messrs. J. H.. Griffiths, W. Gibbs, E. li. James, C. F. Egerton Allen, E. Robinson, S. B. Sketch, Joseph Thoma:, T. Llewellin (Hay- thos., and Colonel. Ivor Philipps. Roads and Bridges Committees.—Lord Ken- sington, Sir Charles Philipps, Bart., Colonel Ivor Philipps, Messrs. N. A. Roch, W. J. Canton, W. Robinson, W. T. Davies, Isaiah Reynolds, R. Cole, B. Powell, James Harries, E. H. James, T. Llewellin (Haythog). W. Palmer Morgan, E, Robinson, D. G. Griffiths, John Rowlands, J. M. Evans, T. E. Thomas, John Thomas, J. F. Lort Phillips, \V. H. v\ alters, and W. L. Williams. Finance Committee.—Sir Charles Philipps, Bart., Rev. James Phillips, Lieut.-Col. ivor Philipps. Messrs. C. F. Egerton Allen, Joseph Whicher Evan Thomas Isaiah Reynolds A. McColL E. Robinson, S. B. Sketch, Joseph Thomas, J. H. Griffiths. Public w orks and General Purposes Com- mittee.—Sir Charles Philipps, Bart., Colonel Ivor Philipps. 'Messrs. V\. Robinson, W. J. Canton, Ll. Rees, S. R. Allen, R. Cole, A. McCull. T. Llewellin, S. B. Sketch, Joseph Thomas W. H. Walters, James Harries, and Rev. W. Powell. Local Gover laient Act, 1894 and 1896 Com- mittee.—Sir Charles Philipps, Bart., Colonel ho" Philipps. Rev. James Phillips, Rev. Powell, Messrs. W. T. L'avies, C. F. Egerton Allen, J. S. Evans, Jonah Evans, W. Gibbs, W. H. Walters, B. Rees Evan Thomas, N. A. Roch, E. Robinso 1, Joseph Thomas, and Walter Evans. Contagious Disease:; (Animals) Committee.— Sir Charles Philipps, Bart., Sir Owen Scour- field. Bart.. Messrs. Daniel Davies, W. T. Davies, J. M. Evans, O. H. S. Williams, Walter Evans John White, T. Lewellin (Haythog), D. G. Griffiths, T. E. Thomas, Jame^ Thomas, Joseph Thomas. W. H. Walters, and J. F. Lort Phillips. Boundaries Committer.—Sir Charles Philipps, Bart., Sir Owen Scourfield, Bart., Colonel Mire- house Rev. Wm. Griffiths, Messrs. Jonathan George. C. F. Egerton Allen, Daniel Davies, J. Morgan Evans, J. S. Evans, D. Havard, Evan Thomas, E. H. James, T. Llewellin (Haythog), J. Llewellin, J. F. Lort Phillips, Benjamin Rees. \y. Robinson, H. S. Allen. Join: Counties Imnatie Asylum Committee. —Messrs. George Griffith, J. H. Griffith. E. Robinson, S. B. Sketch, William William-, T. Llewellin (Flemingtont. County Rate Assessment Comm'ittee.-Sir Charles Philipps, Bart., Messrs. N. A. Roch, G. P. Brewer. W. H. Walters, S. B. Sketch, Ll. Rees. J. H. Griffiths. D. Havard, E. H. James, T. Lie vellin (Haythog), B. Rees. Small Holdings Committee.—Sir Charles Philipps, Ba.-T.. Sir Owen Scourfield, Bait., Colonel Mirehouse, Messrs. H. S. Allen, Walte. Evans, vV. T. Davies. Robert Cole, E. H James, J. Llewellin, C. W.Rees Stokes, W. H. Walters. Railway Rates Committee.—Sir Charles Philipps, Bart Sir- Owen Scourfield, Bart., Messrs. E. Robint»% Isaiah Reynolds, C. W. Rees Stokes. WaIf. Evans. Milford Haven Sea Fisheiies Committe* — Sir Charles Philipps. Bart., Messrs. George Griffith, E. H. James. W. Lawrence C. W. Rees Stokes Joseph Thomas, W H. Walters, and Angus McColl. Allotments Act (1890) Committee.—Sir Charles Philipps, Bart., Rev. W. Powell, Messrs. G. P. Brewer, George Griffith, W. Gibbs, D. Havard. W. Grieve, Evan Thomas, N. A. Roeh. E Robinson, S. B. Sketch, Joseph Thomas, J. H. Griffiths, C. F. Egerton Allen, W. L. Williams. W. Lawrence. Sa litary Cc.mrnittee;- Haveiford A e-t Union.—Joseph Thon.a;. J. H. Griffiths. T. Llewellin, W. T. Davies, George Griffith. Pembroke Union.—Daniel Davies, N. fJ A. Roch, Angus McColl, Colnel Mirehouse, James Hutchings. Narberth Union,-Sir. Charles Philipps, Bart., W. P. Morgan. Ll. Rees. Cardigan Union.—Benjamin Rees, D. G. Griffiths. Newcastle Emlyn Union.—E. H. James, Evan Tnomas. Agricultural Committee (University College of Walezi.-N.lessrs. H. S. Allen, O. H. S. Williams, W. Gibbs. Custodians of County Seal.—Mr. Joseph Thomas and Rev. James Phillips. Selection Committg^—Sir Charles Philipps, Messrs. T. Lie yellin (Haythog), J. H. Griffiths, David G. Griffiths. E. H. James, W. Palmer Morgan. J. F. Lort Phillips, Benjamin Rees, S. B. Sketch^ Joseph Thomas, W. Gibbs, Rev. James Phillips. THE v. -LSH NATIONAL COUNCIL. The Selection Committee recommended as a committee to assist in the drafting of a scheme for the formation of a National Education Council, Dr. Griffith and Mr. S. B. Sketch, as representing the majority of the Council; and Sir Chas. Philipps as representing the minority. Mr. W. Howell Walters said he was dead against the Welsh National Council for Edu- cation. He had often heard members of that Council condemn the Central Welsh Board, and they were now going to glorify an ex- aggerated Welsh Board. Mr. 1. Reynolds: A Lloyd Georgeite Commit- tee. Mr. W. Howell Walters said he could not allow it to pass without making a protest against it. They had heard a great deal about decentralisation and the great blessing of giving control of education to the various County Councils, and the moment they had got it ,they wished to put them under the management of a central body. He had no doubt it had been worked for other purposes, and he could only regard it as a step towards Home Rule for Wales. Mrk Egerton Allen: A good thing, too. (Hear, hear.) Mr. W. Howell Walters said he wished to enter his protest against it if he stood alone. The Chairman Isaid the Welsh National Council was adopted unanimously at a meeting of all parties, at which the Welsh Bishops were present. He proposed the three names which had been submitted. Mr. W. Howell Walters took exception to the Chairman's statement that the National Council was agreed to unanimously. Mr. W. Palmer Morgan took exception to Mr. Howell Walter's description of the Cen- tral Welsh Board. That body had given Wales an educational system which was the admira- tion of the world. The resolution was carried. THE COUNTY BRIDGES. Mr. Angus McColl moved that the care of the county bridges be reinstated in the Public Works Committee. A bridge was a building and he considered that the care of them should be in the hands of the Public Works Com- mittee, in common with all other public build- ings in the county. When the change was jwade he certainly disagreed with it, for the Ftifelic Works committee had controlled the bridges for 16 or 18 years, and he never heard that 'hen. was a hitch. For that reason he did not think it right that the change .hould be madr. He understood that it was only to be for 12 months or so, and he pre sumed if any new bridges had to be built it would come before the Public Works Com, mittee; and if a buttress of a bridge belonged to the Public Works Committee, surely the whole bridge would? Mr. LI. Rees seconded the resolution. Col. Ivor Philipps said he proposed the change, because it seemed absurd Jo him that a committee should have charge of the road* and not th3 bridge which .carried the road. As far as he knew both were undei one committee in all other counties. 00 a vote being taken 17 voted for the l'e- si.'ution and 7 against. The resolution was therefore; carried, and wih take effect from the beginning of the financial year. DOCKPARD DISCHARGES. A COMMITTEE APPOINTED, Mr, Isaiah Reynolds called attention to the from Pembroke Dockyards and said as the lime was far advanced he would con- dense his remauks as much as possible. The discharges from the Dockyard was a matter which affected the whole county, affecting its ratable value, and it was a serious DDAtter. if the discharges continued, and the«Docii- tyards should be closed, the rates would be ery mru-h higher than they were now. Pem- broKe Dock people had been moving heav.. i and: earth: to' d, something, but so far with very little apparent success. They all knew the causes of the discharges. One was the destruction of the' Russian fleet, whidi re duced the balance of naval power: an-i the ¡ other was the Boer wax and the conseqm H t reaction. Those two matters had much. to do with the discharges. Then there weie the changes in the Buard of Admiralty—or should he call it the Cawdor Board?-—during the time of the later Government. No one would find fault with any Government for making economical changes; but inasmuch as dockyards were, to a certain extent, a necessary evil, he thought it was their duty to see that a fair distribution of future worK should be given to Government yards. The change of policy was a very serious matter indeed for Pembroke Dock. The discharges up to the present numbered 500 men, and boys about 00O, which represented about 1,JVV people; and tne wages which were last year .£3,510 per week, had fallen to £2j021, a weekly IOSS of £883. \\orkmen had invested their money in houses Mr. Sketch: On short leases. Mr. Reynolds: And it was impossible for them to recoup themselves for their losses in any shape or form. Though all these dis- charges had been going on, up to the pre sent not a single official had been sent away. He hoped that was a good sign. He looked on this as a national question, inasmuch as this was the only dockyard in Wales. There would undoubtedly have to be a reduction in our dockyards, for a new and peaceful era was dawning OIl our country. If it were the fixed policy of the Government to close one of the dockyards, then that Council should do it:; utmost to retain the only dockyard we had in Wales, and he appealed to the members of that Council to be unit-id on this matter. He moved' "that a committee be appointed, and given powers, to take such steps as may from time to time be considered necessary, either with the co-operation of the ¡ Welsh members of Parliament or otherwise, to prevent, if possible, any measures that will tend to injure Pembroke Dockyard. Mr. Hy. Seymour Allen endorsed all the reo marks of the last speaker, and he hoped that all through Pembrokeshire no effort would be spared to bring pressure to bear on the Government in this matter. He seconded ¡ the resolution. Sir Charles Philipps said he was very glad I the County Council had taken up this matter. They all knew the immense benefit the county experienced when Pembroke Dockyard was prosperous. He believed it was the only dockyard that was freehold, and therefore was absolutely the property of the Government, who could do with it what they liked, for it was its own landlord. He had heard men of the very best authority state that the work done at Pembroke was as good as was done in any other yard. All who had been present at launches knew that the work had been effi- cieutly and properly performed. They could hardly have a better testimonial than the se- lection of the Pembroke yard for the building of the Royal yacht of her late Majesty, and that of our present King. As far as he had been able to gather the policy of the Admiralty was to build ships by private firms rather than in Government dockyards. He thought it was a mistaken idea. (Hear, hear.) The great railway companies found it to their ad- vantage to build their own ships, and surely if they found it to their advantage, if the same care and attention was taken, it would also be to the advantage of the country to use ) the Royal doekyards. In the Government yards the workmen were entirely above strikes, and in case of a great European war it would be a great advantage to know that the Royal dockyards were well equipped, and the work- men to be relied upon, as far as strikes were concerned. Mr. A. McColl wished to add a few words to what Sir Charles Philipps had said. He had had experience outside, and he knew thai at Pembroke Dockyard they had first-class men, quite equal to any that could be found elsewhere, though, of course, where they had 2.000 men they would be sure to find some not quite up to the mark.. But taken all round—and he had had 28 years of experience— they were excellent men, and did excellent work. (Hear. hear.) Col. Ivor Philipps said if fewer ships were to be built those which were to be built ought first of all to be given to Government dock- yards. It was also bad policy to give the preference to private yards, for at present they were crowded with ships, and there was no necessity to give Government orders to pri- vate yards in order to keep them going, so that disposed of the claim that it was neces- sary to place ships in private yards in order to keep them going. They had, in fact. to build the Russian fleet to start with. Any- thing the County Council could possibly do to bring home to the authorities the necessity of keeping the Government yards going ought to be done. He supported the motiin. Mr. Lort Phillips wished to show his sym- pathy with the resolution. He had done all he could, by personal influence in the same direction. He could not see, however, how the resolution would keep the men already out. or those whom it had been decided to send away. Would it not be possible to peti- tion the Government to find work for the men who were now out of employment, and many of whom were practically destitute? Mr. Dan Davies pointed out that there were men retained in the yard who had small farms, and were ready to snap at any piece of land which came into the market. These men put labourers on the land while they followed their work :n the yard. Those were the men who should be first turned adrift. The Vice-Chairman supported the resolu- tion, pointing out that we could hardly esti- mate the injury which a loss of £40.000 or £50.000 a year meant to the county. The Dockyard was the only absolutely new in- dustry which had been brought into the county for years, and if it were to be stopped it would injure the whole of South Wales. If the Council could do anything he hoped they would throw their whole weight into the matter. The Chairman said he did not care what Government was in power, but it would be criminally liable if it persisted in inflicting injury upon the people as was now being done at Pembroke Dock. Every one in the county of Pembroke, and indeed throughout South Wales, ought to use their influence, so that whatever could be done should be done to re- store prosperity to Pembroke Dockyard. If they did not do so it would be an everlasting disgrace. It was an everlasting disgrace to the last Government, and it would be to this if things were not altered at once. The resolution was carried unanimously, and a committee, consisting of the Chairman", Lord Kensington, Sir Charles Philipps, Mr. Lort Phillips, Mr. McColl, and Mr. Isaiah Rey- nolds, was appointed to carry it into effect. Col. Ivor Philipps hoped the committee would not lose sight of the important sug- gestion made by Mr. Lort Phillips, that something should be done for the men now out of employment. NO GRIEVANCE. A letter was read from Mr. T. O. Bowen, chairman Eglwyswrw Parish meeting, praying that the County Council will establish an ad- ditional polling district in that part of the county for county elections. It was stated that the present polling station was six miles from the furthest point of the parish. Mr. Jonah Evans: I know something about that district, and they have no grievance at all. On the suggestion of Mr. B. Rees, the letter was referred to the Local Government Com- mittee. The Council then rose, after sitting nearly six hours.

ECONOMICAL & RELIABLE. B0RWICK? The best BAKING POWDER in the World. I Sold everywhere in Id. and 2d. packets also 6d.. Sh a and 5/- TIN CANISTERS.

STEAMER IN COLLISION. A crl'ision ocorrrcd off DUlei v ITi-ad or Tues- I drvv morning between the Lonuon steamer Blanefield, homeward bound irom the west coast of fouth America wiih a C '.rgo of nitrate value at £811.000. and the Kate Thomas, a large four-masted barque b >ud from Hamburg to Callao. The Blanoficld sank nlmnst immediately, and thirteen of the crew. irchuiiiig Cnp^m Isaac, were picked up by two Flushing pilot boats, toeing subsequently iandedat N t-\V!KI ven. -Thebosfswain, Suumel 8<-ott\vood. of Jarrow-on-Tyne, who was among tJrowe picked op. was so Imcily injured that he died On board ow of the pilot boats before reaching Newliaven. It i. supposed that several members of the crew of the Bfou«-f!eld ;u e on board the Kate Thomas, but it is feared that live meu are drowned. At the time of the eollfwon there was a thick haze in the Clvaimel, and when the mist clcared the top-masts of the wrecked steamer could be- seen just above' the water. Several of the steamers small boats were also found floating upside down. The Blanefield. a vessel of Mil tons, belongs to the Seafield Shipping Company. Limited, of which Messrs. Lowther, &>atta, and Co" are the managers. The Kate Thomas, a vessel of 1748 tons, belongs to the Kate Thomas Sailing Ship Company, of Sunderland.

GUARDSMAN SENTENCED. An exciting story of a struggle- in front of a. train was told at the Old Bailey when Alfred Tulford, a Coldstream Guards private, was indicted for attempting to murder a policeman aad assault- ing a railway timekeeper. The policeman was called to Queen'a-road Station to arrest the guardsman, who was intoxi- cated. when Tulford threatened to throw him in front of a train, and did drag- him on the metals, his heel being touched by the engine of an approaching train. Major Lord Lanesborough and Lieutewmt Sir Walter Barttelot gave an excellent character to Tulford, who was sentenced to the mouths' im- prisonment for common assault.

HISTORIC MANSION# UNSOLD. The historic Villa Palmipri: which the' late Queen Victoria occupied during her visits to Florence, was put up for sale by auction at the Mart, by direction of the Earl of Crawford. The vitta contains a private chapel and theatre* but although situated in delightful country, witftin a mile of Florence, no bids were oIered" and'the property was withdrawn. The Honington Hall estate. Warwickshire; 3;226 acres, including nearl all the parish of Honington, with the perpetual right of presentation to tiie vicarage and the original Jacobean mansion, was bought in for £RO,OOU.

(P0NVICTS ATTACK WARDERS. TW. attacks on wnrders are reported: fra- Dartmoor Prison. A convict named Chuter, who had been reported by Assistant Warder Gwmery for excessive talking, sprang at him and struck him twice on the neck and face. He was seieed and overpowered by other officials. Convict Ilollitt, when ordered to fill 3;basket with fuel, struck Assistant Warder Marhew on the cheek with a mason's trowel, and hit him on the month, cutting open his lip. He also ram for a shovel, exclaiming. I'll murder yon." The con- vict was seized by warders, and the injured man was taken to the hospital.

WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION. The Home Secretary reeved on Tacsdfty at Ie- putation Iron provincial chiMiiher-: of comiiieaiee, in- troduced by Mr. l'hamhedaill, in reference-to sug- gested amendments of the Workmen's Compensation Bill. Mr. Ch;if l'x rlain said they were not opposed to the bill, and desired an extension of' the Act of 1897, but were anxious that it should be a bill to compensate workmen, and not a Lawyer's Em- ployment Pill. He urgrd ohfctions to the redac- tion below a fortnight of the period to elapse-after an accident before compensation could be claimed. Criticisms of the bill on other points were offered by other members of the deputation and Mr. Glad- stone, m reply, said the Government were qnite ready to consider any suggestions which could be justiüw., for the further extei siou of tbp bill., He defended some of the proyii. its to which excep- tion had-been taken. pointed out that the proposal to brin industrial diseases within the scope of compensation constituted a strong argument) for establishing something in the nature of national insurance for all accidents, and premised careful consideration for all the points raised by the ^depu- tation.

LONG FIRM FRAUDS; At Manchester Assizes, John Pendlebury, an undischarged bankrupt, Ada, his wife, and A. E. Cooke, his brother-in-law, were found guilty, after a trial lasting two days, of a series of long firm frauds involving a loss of thousands of pounds to merchants, chiefly in the Manchester district. The prisoners, of whom John Pendlebuny was the leader, carried on business at three ad- dresses in the neighbourhood of the Barbican,. London. Mr. Justice Bigharn sentenced John Pendlebury to two Hard labour, Cooke to nine months' hard labour, and Mrs. Pendleburj to six months' hard labour.

A MILE OF FLAME. Considerable devastation was caused. at Mar- Heath Norfolk, by a fire which broke out ic night. Owing to th? istate of the herbage, the flamea quickly spread, and th? conflagraton raged all the next day. despite the eflorte of a number of labour3ie and gamekeepers to beat it out with st.ick.s. On one of the heath therc was a mile of fiame,and a plantat. on of Scotch firs wag destroyed. Several fine br gades were in attendance to protect ilhe ke^pere' cot- tages and the manor house.

SEVENTY YEARS MARRIED. Having been marr ed cn Aprir 90, 1836, Mr. and MID. W lliam Woola<?i3. of Laneham, near Gainsborough, hav? celebrated the seventieth anniversary of their wedding day. Mr. Wolaes has been a canal boatman, and he and his wife have lived :n the same cottage for over 65 years. The old couple have eeveniy-viiree descendants •—one son. two daughters, twenty-eight grand- children. forty-one great-grandchildren, and one t; reivt-gre a t-gxandch. Id.

THE FARMERS 1'\ I.t REVOLT. THE REBSCGA RIOTS. "By the Rev. J. Lloyd Jo.u > (Civ: yd wen fro). These two ineasuies, aiid taking them to- gether, were the most likely means to put a stop to the riots which had .taken place. If tthe Commi: sion he had referred was conduce d in the same spirit—it it were characterised 1 y the same generous spirit which the Com uui Commissioners had manifested in this I stance, he would expect the most hapy le- suits tu accompany it. He could not otherwise than feel impressed that the prisoners them- selves, and all related to them, and even he '•ihini!?elf,fel' truly ,hankfui t. the for the generosity they id shown Oil this occas.011. By thus acting he was sure he had followed his own kind tendencies, and that he also acted in the wi-e t manner; and he trusted he would be rewarded for his humaneness in seing tl. • good effects which won'd follow. It has l-.en invariably dis- covered that examples of terror have not had the effect expected, and that they never answer the end denied. Great i. a^y mo.e beneficial • resulis may be expected froiu mercy than from cruelly. Air hough he was a nuanger to Wales, yet he could L ut otherwise than feel that it was a part of hi own dear coun- 'try. He knew that h s < \vn opinion was of no importance, nor his wishes of any benetit, but he could not bur wish that faith- fulness and loyalty might be yet established in es, and that South might become as eminent as ever for good character in peace for many generations. It seems that this excellent speech by prud- ent barrister, on behalf of the unfortunate prisoners, made a deep impression on the minsd of the court, and on every one who heard him defending then: so effectively and feelingly. Then, after John Hughs-, who was brought in guilty, on Saturday, had been placed before the Bench with the othe prisoners, Baron Gurney addressed them as follows:— He told them that th y had been found guilty of breaking the lav., a cr'me of the worst kind. They and others had combined together, had assemb'ed together in a great multitude in the depth of night, having armed themselves with deadly weapons: and they had proved that they were intending to make use of them. Having thus p:?pared7 they had gone to demolish a gate on the highway, and then to pull down the toll house. They had assembled in such numbers so as to overcome all opposition on the par: of th'3 man who lived in the home, and even his neighbours. They were hindered in their purpose by the justices and the policemen, and then they made use of the firearms with which they had provided themselves. and thus they had defied theiaw,¡ and they disturbed the peace of the country; and all those doings consti- tuted a great crime against the law. Until recently those crimes wen not frequent in this Kingdom, and were almost unknown. Per- haps the check they had received might prove a prevention to such crime in the future in this county, but it was impossible for the court to be ignorant that such crimes had been fre- quently committed in a neighbouring county. It was indispensably necessary to put the law in force, that the peace of the country should be kept, and that good order and peace should be restored. In the pian adopted by the Crown in this case, undoubted y everything was done that was necessary to ensure the most perfect justice. They, the prisoners, had been brought to be tried in a part of the county afar from th? place where the crime had been perpetrated. where the pas- sions of the people had not been excited, and where a calm and impartial judgment be arrived at in the case. The jury, after a long and patient hearing, had found John Hughes guilty, and the prisoners, David Jones and John Hugh, had admitted that they had been guilty of a similar crime; and their learned counsel, in his address to the court, had very properly pre-sed on their considera- tion the repentance they felt, and which it was intended in some measure to submit to the mercy of the court. This circumstance was not by an means being forgotten, and yet an example was necessary. They, as re- sponsible persons, and of higher than the common position, were suitable to be made examples of, so as to prevent others commit- ting the same crime. They were liabe to be transported beyond the sea during their lives, but, considering what had been said of David Jones and John Hugh, the court were of opinion that it was impossible to give a lighter sentence than that which he was going to announce, namtely, that they were to be transported for seven years. As to John Hughes, the court could not adopt the same view of the case. It seemed that he belonged "to a higher class in human society than the others-one that was not likely to be mis'ed by others; but yet, according to evidence, he was proved to be a leader, if not the leader of the riotous gathering. His conduct at the time. as wall as the papers found in his pocket, proved that he was. at least, a leader— that he was active and persevering to gather friends and fellow workers, and that lie had used something like threats towards those who seemed unwi ling to join in his purposes. The jury had recommended him to the mercy of the court, but the court felt the greatest difficulty to diminish his punishment in the least. The law said that he was liable to be transported for his lifetime: and after giving due consideration to all the circumstances, together with the wish of the jury, the court ■could not give him a lighter sentence than transportation for twenty years. Respecting a further extension of mercy than this, the pri- soners must submit themselves to the grace 'and mercy of the Crown: but that mercy could not 'be expected, if these crimes were con- tinued, and if the peace of the country was not fully restored. He had now fulfilled an important duty to him. and he hoped that the mercy of the Crown, as well as the punish- ments given by the court, have the desirable effect of putting a stop to such crimes being perpetrated in the future. As to David Lewis, against whom there was the accusation of malicious cutting and wounding, the Common Commissioner an- nounced that he had considered all the cir- cumstances, and that he did not intend to 'bring on further prosecution against him. Then that prisoner was set free. Then Lewis Davies wa" put on his trial for breaking the gate at Lla::ddo-Talybont, and he pleaded guilty. The Common Commis- sioner said that he had given due attention to this case, and he did not see it necessary to ask the court, to inflict any punishment "On him; he thought it won d be sufficient for the prisoner to be bound over to appear to receive judgment whenever the' court would cite him, which he did, and he was set free. Morgan Morgan and Esther Morgan pleaded guilty of the accusation of encouraging and assisting Margaret Morgan of cutting and wounding C. F. Napier, with a view to prevent Henry Morgan being caught The Common Commissioner announced that lie would not proceed f-.trth er against these persons. Having considered their great age and the other circumstance" pertaining to the case, he would be willing to set. them free on their guarantee. They did this undertaking, and were set free. Margaret Morgan, Rees Morgan, and John Morgan, confessed their of assaulting the police constables, and the first had six months and the other two twelve months of imprisonment. Then Baron Gurney thanked the jury, and the Assizes ended. The fo lowing address to* their fellow-coun- trymen and associates was afterwards drawn up and signed by the prisoners, who were sentenced to punishment,:— "To the public in general and to our own neighbours in particular. "We, John Hughes, David Jones, and John Hugh, who are now in prison at Cardiff, being condemned for the assault made on the Pont- •arddulais highway gate and on the persons appointed to defend them—and having been « sentenced to transportation—desire, and sol- emnly call upon others, to take warning from us, and to desist from their insane deeds before they fall into our condemnation. We are guilty, and have been sentenced to suffer, while hundreds have escaped—let them and all take care that they be not yet led to destroy public or persona! property, and resist the power of the law. for it will cer- tainly overtake them with vengeance, and bring them to ruin. "We are now only in prison, but in a week or two we shall have been handed over as rogues-to be slaves to strangers in a foreign land. We shall be obliged to go in the morning of life from our happy homes to live and work with slaves of the lowest tvpe. and be regarded as thieves. "Friends, neighbours, aU-hut particularly young men—keep from night gatherings! shun doing wrong, and fear the terrors of the Judge. "Think of what we mat. and what may be possible for you to suffer, before you do as we did.

_='="="==== .C ALL BIGHTS RESERVED. J Specially written for YN AMSANG EIN TADAU THE ANTIQUARIES' COLUMN. I- If you live peaceab y, and as honest men, with God's blessing you may expect prosperity; and we, excommunicated and miserable wretches, can- be thankful for the mercy of the Crown; fpr on no other conditions but your good conduct, compassion will be taken on us, or others, who may fall into our almort hopeless position. "(Signed) John Hughes. David Jones. "Marg. and John Morgan. Cardiff Prison, No/. 1, 1843. "Witness: John B. Woods, Goaler." NOTES. 1.—The whole of the above account of the Rebeccaites' trial was found by the writer in the" Seren Comer," for December, 1843, and was translated by h/iin from the Welsh for the Guardian." 2.—The trial at Cardiff, and the transporta- tion sentences on the leading men in the rio:s at Pontarddulais, terrified" Rebecca and her daughters in the various districts, and caused the collapse of the movement. The "Diwyg iwr," "Dysgedydd,' and other periodicals and papers published warnings which had the desired effect, and the epople wisely desisted from their midnight maraudings. 3.—The Ptmbroiteohiie Rebecca (Tom of Car- nabooth, Monaclilogddu), successfully escaped capture and prosecution, as none would betray him for the sake of the £100 leward. 4.—The movement of the Welsh "Rebecca" was attempted by Pat, in Ireland; for on Satur- day, the 15th of July, 1843, a turnpike gate, at a place near Cork, was demolished in imi- tation of the Welsh mode of midnight war- fare, but the movement did not spread in the Green Isle. 5.—The Rebecca operations in Wales had their desired effects; the farmers' revolt re- su Ited in a considerable diminution of the number of toll gates, the lowering of the fees for passing through them, and in a system of tickets which cleared all other gates, on a single journey, after payment of the fee at the first. Thus peace was once more restored, and Wales has ever since practised obedience to the laws of the country, and is distinguished for her loyalty. J. LLOYD JAMES. -1VU>-¥_1'.1ilII:I'lt:

Because she was worried through a son hav- ing left her. a woman threw herself into the Thames at Windsor. She was prompt1- res- cued by two ferrymen. Parliameri will shortly be asked to allow the Zoological Gardens to be to the public free during certain hours in the week. Mr. Clement William Hardv Cozens-Hardy died at Clev Hall. Norfolk. He was a large landowner and succ.-p.sfi.il farmer, and was a brother of Lord Justice Cozens-Hardy. Lord Hugh Cecil, speaking at* Bradford on Monday night, said their opponents, always think- ing of the machinery of education, never seemed to think of the children. What they resented in the bill was not that it built up Nonconformity, but that it destroyed Churchmanship. The Bishop of Lincoln, in a letter to the clergy of his diocese, condemns the bill as unjust in relation to the religious liberties of the people and the rights of property. The Bishop of llarkmg, in a visitation charge at Maldon, on Monday, said he looked upon the bill as flagrantly immoral in ciicorr-'gi,-g trustees to dis- I regard their most oh i^a'ions.

FliOM CONSTABLE TO BENCH. Mr. H. Adams hal quaI-fled fcr the posifcioa of county magistrate by his election as chairman of the Eai5tieigh Urban D strict- Council, which carries with it the posit on of -sx-officio mag.tr- trate during the term of office. Mr. Adams was for many years in the Hamp- shire county police, and for some time was superintendent of the Southampton Division, rex ring on a well-earned pene on. with many manifestations of respect from the magistrates, the poliice. and the public generally. Hamp- shire constabulary feel honoured in seeing ODe who started on the lowest rung of the ladder promoted to a position on the Bench.

TRAGIC END TO A FIGHT. A terrible tragedy was discovered at a sea- men's boarding-house in Loudoun-square, Car- diff, John Smith, a Russian, and John Klienge- iel, a German, were left drinking in the kitchen overnight, and in the morning Smith was found lying there dead with his head battered in, Kliengebiel was asleep on the sofa witti hitt lower lip nearly torn off. and his hands severely cut. When arrested he at first refused to be- lieve that Smith was dead. He said they fought for an hour, and that Smith would have killed him had he not defended himself.

RESCUED THROUGH THE ROOF. A fire broke out in a cottage at Acton Wick. occupied by two widows named Hopkins and Knight. The building consisted merely of wood and plaster, and withm a few minutes was blu- ing fiercely. The Kingston Fire Brigade, who quickly arrived, were informed that both the oc- cupants were inside, whereupon Engineers Bea- chamber and Salter, and Fireman Smith and Hicks, pluckily mounted to the roof, and, remov- ing several tiles, effected an entrance and res- cued both women, though not before they bad vustained severe burns.

TRAGEDY AT A RECTORY. A domestic tragedy occurred on Dartmoor. The housekeeper to the rector of Belstone, three miles from Okehampton, had been nursing her employer, who was striken with paralysis. The strain of her duties and the apprehension of his death caused her to steal out of the sick-room in the early hotznv of the morning, and, seizing a razor, she repaired to an outhouse, where she cut her throat from ear to ear, and death was instantaneous. 61m wm only 20 years of age.