The Pembroke County Guardian and Cardigan Reporter

FISHGUARD WOMAN'S SAD END. DRIXK AXD ii&POSURE. Coroner Iver Evansi, ro Cardigan, he-Id an inquiry at the Towel Mall, IFSfciiguard, on 3Ion- day morning into tlxe circumstances attending the death of Elizabeth Harries, 58 years of age, who resided with her husband at Bank iLane, Kensington Street Mr. Levi JE.vans was ctescn as foreman of the jury- James Harries, a deck-hand .upon the uud- dredger" PortenT," said that llB left home. at six o'clock on the morning .of "the 15th ihto to go oon duty, and return# on the RUi, not having seen or heard from, his wife ditr- ing his absence. Upon arrival he, tried the d-oof, of the house, but found it locked, in cons^ quence of which he went to his house. Returning with his nephettv, he entered! j his own house by the window, aad found thes; deceased sitting in the passage wjrh her folded around a loaf of bread, her left side |i leaning against the outer door ajjd her back h against the wall. She was dead, aul the body ij was quite cold.. He informed his daughter, j .and then reported the occurrence to."the police. She had not previously complained to him of her health, and had been as well as usual vrfihen he had left hr She was fond of (drink—mostly beer—b"„. tvaa sober cm;;he Tues- ,day morning. He had never seen ht have a lit. _Mr. David Eees, baker, etc., of Mans Street, aid that, about three o'clock the previous Wednesday afternoon, deceased came to his establishment and/bought and paid for-a two- PfF loaf of bread. She was then nnr the influence of drink, and said that sbt was ¡ gOJJJf Siome. Witness assisted her out !l the sho>p, .and to about fifteen yeards of her,own door.She was just able to walk. He did not see jher a~ ve afterwards, and did not know any ^Ise who had done so. No inquiries were made about her, as she was in the habit of going (V-iit to work, and it was supposed that she absent for that purpose. Dr. O'DfJCwnell said he was called, and upoat his arrival st ;the house he examined the body, but found i-i'V .marks of violence thereon. From J, his knowledge of the case, couplcd with liisV examination .oft' the .-body, and' the evidence] of the other witnesses, he considered that he was justified ia attributing death to heart fail- ure induced by rillk and exposure. The de- ceased had beeljJ a woman of low vitality, and had lain on the tfi-ags close by the outer door of the house. A verdict in accor^ince with the medical evi- dence was returned.

DIMAS CROSS. The Council School attendance for NovetviTxer reached the satisfactory percentage of ninety three, Succe«». T Master Dewi Roach, of Brya Gelly, a pupil of Miss Miles, has gained tbe Junior Certificate, Trinity Col- lege of Mussic, the examination for which was held recently at Haverfordwest. Master Roach's success is the more gratifying inasmuch as it is only five months since he passed the Prelim- inary Examination. Congratulations to our young friend,, n1 continued success in the future!

DECAMPED WITH THE WATCH. On the night oi the 11th inst., a man whose identity did net then transpire, obtained lod- gings with Mr. Miles, of the Spring Gardens, Fishguard, and was -put to sleep in the same room as Mr. Edward Thomas, who is employed in the electric power-house at the harbour. He stated that he belonged to London and was in search of work at the harbour. He was also there on the Saturday. On the Sunday morning Mr. Thomas upon awakening, found that the man had left and that his own watch was missing. Thinking that he had gone to the Harbour in search of employment; and had taken the watch with him in order to keep count pf the time, the latter went down to Goodwick and made en- quiries as to whether hs fellow-lodger had been successful or not. He could, however, learn nothing about him, and by four o'clock in the afternoon, his suspicions being aroused, he gave information to the police. Supt. Brinn immediately mounted officers on bicycles, sending one in the direction of New- port, and the other towards Haverfordwest with the object of overtaking the supposed culprit, whichever way he might have gone. Too greaf a time had, however, elapsed, and their efforts proved unsuccessful. A description of the man was, nevertheless, circulated by the Superintendent amongst the various jolice stations throughout the county, and on Tuesday morning a man answering thereto was arrested at Pembroke Dock, and conveyed in custody to Fishguard. It was also ascertained that the watch had been sold at Pembroke "Dock for 6s., it being alleged that the arrested man was the vendor. The accused, who gave his name as Frank John Williams, and stated that he had resided at Newport, (Mon.) for ten years, was brought up at the Town Hall on Friday morning before Mr. T. G. Bennett (Mr. W. J. Vaughan acting as clerk of the court), and was charged with the theft of the watch. Formal evidence was given by the owner, and prisoner was remanded in custody to Fishguard Petty Sessions, to be held on the-19th prox.

HE MW SCHO L ATTENDANCE. The lowness of the average school attendance in Pembrokeshire is a subject which is at pre- sent engaging the earnest consideration of educationalists throughout the county, and in- terest therefore centres in a prosecution which took place last week before the Kemes justices sitting at Eglwyswrw. Mr. H. V. Colby presided, and the other magistrates adjudicating were Messrs. D. J. Eokvards, G. B. Bowen, C.A., and W. E. Bennett. Sarah Ann John was sumoned for having faded to send her sons Thomas and William to school on the 10th ult.. and pleaded that she kept them at home with the intention of sending them to Cardigan fair, one of them being unwell that day. The Chairman: Is there any complaint of ir- regular attendance? The Attendance Officer (Mr. Joshua Griffiths) replied in the affirmative, and produced the records of the lads respective attendances. In reply to a question he said they lived two miles distant from the school. Proceeding, he said he visited the school on the 11th ult., and upon examining the register, found that the boys in question had been ab- sent. Mr. Davies, the headmaster, asked where they had been, and they replied that they had been at home. Witness then went to Crym- mych and called at defendant's house, where he saw the sister, who told him that the boys had been at the fair on the previous day. He then went back to the school, and the boys again told him that they had spent the day at home. He could call fifty witnesses to prove The Clerk (Mr. Picton Evans) interposing, said witness had no right to say all that he had been saying that day. The conversations which he had mentioned were not evidence against the defendant, as he had not been present when they had taken place. < Defendant (interrupting): He's very cheeky and impudent. right: the Education Department doesn't pro- The Chairman: As an official he is, perhaps, fess to teach manners to the officials. Mr. Bowen (to his colleagues): Do you know- that the attendance of Pembrokeshire is about 1 the worst in the whole country? The Chairman: Well, perhaps it aaray De. The Clerk (to defendant): You were up here once before ? Defendant replied in the affirmative. The Officer remarked that he always tried. to bring the worst cases before the court, J adding that the cry of the Ed,»calion Cont j mittee was that the attendance was very low. j Mr. Bowen: It is low! Mr. Bowen: It is low! Mr. Edwards: The worst im .the whole oi Wales; and it doesn't say much Jor the attend- ance officers. The Officer said defendant had been before the Bench in June, but had not isajE-oved sinoe 'that date. Mr. Bowen said he thought it was unfor- j tunate that the officer should have summoned j her for that particular day, which was a general, holiday throughout the comnity- j The Officer disputed this, but admitted, in • replying to questions, that a special train was run to Cardigan that day. He pointed out, however, that the boys in question were not at the fair. The Chairman said it was an "unfortunate day for the officer to have selected. The Clerk: Yes, and an unfortunate ex- J cuse! ) Defendant was fined 2s. in tffine cs^e and -Is- j in the other, with costs upon each, the Chair- man remarking that a good school would not need an attendance officer,\because .tlxa would themselves try to go to ït. j

FiSHGUARO. I Football.—Fishguard ent-ertaiu.c-.fi Piiv.yii Mission, of Milford Haven, on the Maesgwyn Feild, on Saturday afternoon, this being the,' last occasion on which Mr. George Moses w'll j officiate as captain of the Al>eTgwain ontm- gent. There were several changes in the l eme team, and the ground was in hat jHmr c- j ui-,j tion. Throughout the afternowis ihera btrtJ little to choose bfetween the rival teams. I Hilliard John was the star of the home side, and his brother, who captained the 'visitors. the most conspicuous in the missionary 1ank:: The interval arrived with a blank flnet. In the second half the visiting centre forward took a long pot-shot at goal from tni*rty vards' range, and Griffiths, who played a gume in the home goal, was unable to it <cwmc to the slippery character of the vtirf Thr- rgli out the remainder of the game Fishguard pressed, but failed to equalise, "Tilliard John experiencing hard luck on several occasions, •with the result that the visiters ultimately emerged victorious by a goal to nil rSatufday Smoker. The attendance at the Stetio-nal Schools on Saturday evening was the largest on record for the present session, and excellent programme was submitted. The .!lnne of the items were admirably rendered by the respective artistes, and the duties of 1 acwinpanists were efficiently discharged Miit J'gy Taveer and Mr. Sidney J. Pitl.Dur- ing jan interval in the proceedings, coffee and hmn., had been kindly prepared by Mrs. ,j and tJhe Misse Tavner were partaken of. At the clse of the proceedings the vioar IRev. lL Evara. ::III/A.> R.D., who presided, proposed a hearty vote .of thanks to the aforementioned ladies. John seconded, and the motion was earsiied wÛth acclamation. Prior to disper- j sal the assembly heartily sang the English National Anthem, and was wished a merry Christmas the rev. Chairman. In view of the flct tisat jiext Saturday w 11 be Boxing Day there wTHl'Dc no concert, the next of these functions beaog .1¡XEC for the first Saturday in the new yea.r, hen light refreshments will again be pnn¡lû{I.

CIODWICK. Phenomenajl.—As in dicative of the remarkable mildness of the wather it may be mentioned that a pansy and a seente<? stock were recently growing in the -garden of Mr. E. Woolard ii* the exposed harbour village on Pen Cw. of the defendants fimid £25 and costs at Mathrv Petty Sessions, went on Saturday to Carmarthen goal for two imprisonment, with hard labour. Accident.—At 1.35 p.m. on Wednesday of last week, Alfred Healing, an employee of the G.W.R. Electrical Department, who resides at 20, Harbour Village, Pen Cw, .eut to Xo. 5 electric crane on the quay to fetch a galvano- meter, He slipped and falling on to the quay platform, sustaining a double fracture of the leg. Mr. W. E. Wollard and Inspector Bowen rendered first, aid and sent for Dr. Thomas,- who however, was at the time absent from home. Dr. O'Donnell, of Fishguard, was then com- municated witha-od was promptly on the spot. The injured member was set. and the unfortu- nate was conveyed home, where he is making as satisfactory progress .as can be expected 1-1n- der the circumstances.

MILFORD URBAN COUNCIL. PRICE OF GAS REDUCED. The monthly meeting was held on Friday even- ing, at the Council Offices, when there were present:—Mr. C. T. Blethyn (in the chair), lr. W. Hire (vice-chairman), Dr. Griffith, Colonel W. R. Roberts, Dr. Davies, Messrs. J. Wliicher, J. LI. Davies, J. S. Kelway, J. Rees, W. Williams, J. Walkley, T. G. Hancock, D. G. Jones, G. S. Kelway, G. Cole, A. S. Chugg, and the officials. THE PRICE OF GAS. tr. Rees proposed the adoption of the re- port of the Gas and Water Committee, which recommended that tHe price of gas be reduced from 6s. to 5s. per 1,000 cubic feet, subject to 25 per cent, discount for payment within four- teen days of demand; and (2) That a new gas main be laid from the end of the houses in St. Anne's Road to a point opposite the pre- mises in course of erection on that part of the road recently taken over, cost about £50.. Dr. Griffith seconded, and remarked that they had made very good profit by the gas works. The only question now was whether they were in too great a hurry in the reduc- tion of price, but he did not think so, and only hoped the time would come when they could also reduce the water charge. There were large works going on, and it was their duty to do all they could to encourage them. Col. Roberts was fully in sympathy with the recommendations, but thought the change ought to take effect next quarter, and moved accordingly. lr. Whieher seconded. He pointed out that the profit for the year was £600, and after the reduction in price it would still be over £300, and that came from the gas consumers. They could also calculate upon the increased con- sumption, continuing. Mr. Kelway pointed out that the gas under- taking had not met all the liabilities which ought properly be charged to it. Only £10 was put down for the collector, and nothing was charged for rates or proper share of cleri cal work. The Chairman said these things would be dealt with in the next balance sheet. The amendment was carried. Dr. Davies then proposed that the reduction be to 4s.nett, instead of 5s. 9d., but found no seconder. Mr. Kelway asked the manager how much further increase could be met by their present holder. The Gas Manager replied that if the Council were prepared to keep the retorts ui the stand-by they were able to go on for an infi- nite period without a holder. But if not, a new holder was needed immediately. At most works there was a reserve in the holding capa- city, but here there was none, as their holder was only sufficient for little more than a 24 hour supply. ir. Kelway: Perhaps we are in too great a hurry after all, because we may have a big I expenditure to meet in the near future. The report was adopted. THE HAKIN SCHOOL. The Highway Committee recommended:- (a)That the owners of property fronting, or ad- joining, or abutting on Warwick Road and Brooke Avenue have taken no steps to have the Wffrk done .as inquired by tttre notices served upon them, and the .time allowed hav- ing expired, your committee ask the Council to empower them to do the said work, the; expenses of the same being recoverable under Section 150 of the Public Health Act, 1875, from the said, owners. Mr. Hire proposed the adoption of the re- port, and Col. Roberts seconded. Dr. Griffith urged the committee to psss the plans for the temporary school at Hakin, which, he said. was urgently lequired. Col. Roberts said the committee were anxjous to secure deceat access to the school for the children, and not for them to have to go through a quadmire. Dr. Griffith said there was a hard Toad there now, but he would .give his personal under- talcing that every reasonable requirement of tfee 'Council was met. C61.R oberts said he was willing to accept that, and Mr. LJ. Davies also thought that this I would meet .the objections of the committee. ¡ The report was then adopted, and the plans of the new school passed. ASSISTANT COLLECTOR AND CLERK. The Finance Committee reported 34 applica- tions for this post, and submitted the follow- ing for consideration:—T. W. Davies, JIakin; H. F. Jones, Milford Haven; R. T. Shea, Mil- ford Haven; A J. White, Hakin. On a vote being taken Mr. Jones was success- ful with nne votes, Mr. Davies receiving five, .and Mr. White-one. M;x.. Clones was appointed. TRAIN SERVICE. The Clerk reported that he had, since the last meeting, written twice to the G.W.R. with regard to the train service, but had received no reply. In one of his 'letters he had for- warded a copy of a letter which the chairman had received from the Rev. C. P. Eaton, of Dale, complaining of the 'long wait at John- stone by the evening express, and the wretched .accommodation at that station for passengers. Mr. LI. -Davies said the G.W. R. were not showing :fhe Council even common courtesy, but he hoped the Council would remember it at some future occasion, when the Company wanted something from them. Chairman: I quite agree. They are not treat- ing us with common -courtesy. Dr. Griffith thought there was an appeal to another oourt if they had a grievance. They ought not to submit the great injustice they .were suffering under, and he suggeeted that a petition be sent from the Council to the County Council with a view to the case being repre- sented in another quarter. iMr. LI. "Davies proposed-that this be done. Mr..secGEflea, and lit-was carrieia.

NORTn HIGHWAY COMMITTEE. MEETING LETCERSTON. A .meeting of the Sarth .Highway Committee ■«f the Haverfordwest ..Rural District Council was held at .Letterstau Friday last. It was the first meeting heW in the spacious new vestry room rf Sajon Chapel, which is near- leg completion. These was a representative gathering of members present, presided over by t'.S.T. J. Reynolds, Tregleinais. The vicc-chair- man( lr. V. J. G. Johns) was also present, as also was the Clerk Hlr: J. E.H. Rogers), and ,district stsrreyor Joseph .Evans). l The Surveyor's quarterly accounts were I passed and the contracts for the coming year for road metalling in the various districts un- der the supervision of the committee were let. Its connection with s. portion of the district x0aó .from Ryardastoii Quarry :to the Round Houfe. a small committee was appointed to in- spect and report to the next meeting to be 11e1(1 in January.

ST DAVIDS We .sow? very sorry -to hear tof the indisposition of the Very Rev. Dean Snutk..who has been eonfiaea to his room for thlast few days. We .u'e to learn he is making goad pro- gress towards recovery. A very successful sale papers and periodi- calo was conducted at the Reading by 111'. L. R. nwcn, auctioneer, Thursday ev-en. iag list. We wouM clnw the of our readers to ihe social teas and 'entertainments shortly to be held at St. David's. On Wednesday next the CVingrega-tionalists will hold their tea at five, and the entertainment win comemnce at G 30. An ex-eeilent programme has 'been pre- pared. The Baptists have theirs on Yeaf' Day; and the Wesleyans on January U-.tii. A very quier marriage was solemnized at Manchester on Monday, of Miss JohrX, assistant mistress at the County School, 10 )1;. Williams, civil engineer. The young couple are leaving this week for Svgnapore.

TREVINE. Temperance Meeting.—A public meeting, vnder the- auspices of the South Wales Tem- perance Association, was held at the C.M. Chapel on Wednesday evening, the 17th inst. ) Mr. W. Howell, head teacher of tiie Council School, was voted to the chair. After a brief address by the chairman, in which the present crisis in temperance legislation was outlined, tho Rev. Morris Morgan, Swansea, the well- known temperance advocate, addressed the meeting with his usual zeal and ability. After quoting the opinions of some of the greatest medical experts in England and Amteriea in favour of temperance, he dealt with the crisis to which the chairman had referred in an ex- haustive manner. The Rev. J. LI. Davies fol- lowed in a neat little speech, dwelling on tem- perance from a biblical standpoint.' A resolu- tion condemning the action of the House of Lords in rejecting the Licensing Bill was passed unanimously. Copies are to be sent U* the Prime Minister and Lord Lansdowne,

HAVERFORDWEST TOWN COUNCIL. Fire Brigade Expenses. Country Users Must Pay. Claim for Flood Damages. The montlily meeting of the Haverfordwest Town Council was held on Tuesday evening, at the Council Chamber, "when there were pre- sent: The Mayor (Councillor I. Reynolds), Councillors H. J. E. Price, P. White, W. G. Rowlands, George Davies, T. H. Thomas, H. J. Rogers, and H. J. P. Thomas. THE BOROUGH TOLLS. The Totfn Clerk (Mr. R. T. P. Williams) re- ported that Mr. John Rogers had taken the tolls for another year at the same rental as be- fore, viz., £160. SUCTION GAS PLANT. Mr. H. J. E. Price moved the adoption of the report of the Water Committee, included in which was the following:—The Borough Sur- veyor reported the position of matters with reference to the delivery of the suction gas plant, and the demand made by the contrac- tors for payment of the amount on account of 80 per cent, of the contract price, but on account of a defect in the body of the pump delivered, the committee recommended that the amount be not paid until a new body is sup- plied. Mr. W. G. Rowlands said that he would like to offer a word of praise. The Surveyor had very properly refused to pass the suction gas plant because of a defect in the pump. Had he not noticed this, the ratepayers would very probably at an early date have been put to considerable expense. The Surveyor's vigi- lance deserved that acknowledgment, and he was glad to call attention to it. The Mayorr We all agree with the senti- ments expressed by Mr. Rowlands. Tilie report was adopted. WAGGON SKIDS. The Sanitary Committee recommended that some necessary repair be done to the Merlin's Hill, and that notice be given that the owner of any waggon or cart using within the borough, any skidpan slipper or shoe not in accordance with the bye-laws of the County Council will be prosecuted. Mr. W. G. Rowlands moved the adoption of the report, which wss carried. The Town Ck-ik reported that he had re- ceived a reply from the Chief Constable star- ing that he would render all the assistance he could to the Council in the matter of the skids and shoes used by waggons. ST. MARTIN S BURIAL BOARD. The following gentlemen were appointed members of the St. Martin's Joint Burial Committee, on the recommendation of the Sanitary Committee:—Messrs. James Thomas, R. T. 'P. Williams, Isaiah Reynolds, F. J. Warren. W. E. Morse, and H. J. P. Thomas. STREET LIGHTS. The report of the Gas Committee was adopted as follows, on the motion of Mr. Rogers:— The Borough Surveyor was instructed to alter the position of the lamps on the Castle Square, Victoria Place, and Bridgend # Square, and to procure a two-light standard lamp for the Bridgend Square at a cost of 59s. U.C.W., ABERYSTWYTH. The Town Clerk said he had received a letter from the above, stating that the Council's re- presentative must not be a member of the Council. The appointment of Mr. H. J. P. Thomas, therefore, would not hold good. His reading of the conditions was that the person had to be from the Council. On the motion of Mr. J. H. Thomas, seconded by Mr. White, Ir. W. J. Jones was appointed. FIRE BRIGADE EXPENSES. The Fire Brigade Committee reported that they had instructed the Captain not to attend a fire outside the borough without a guarantee of payment of expenses. Mr. H. J. P. Thomas pointed out that it was quite possible a case might arise where no one was present who could give the guarantee. A farmer, ior instance, might be away. He did not think that in such a case a place should be allowed to burn down because the guarantee was not forthcoming. The Town Clerk said the difficulty had cropped up in connection with a recent fire, the expense of attending which might not be recovered. The committee felt it was not a fair burden to impose upon the ratepayers the expense of attending fires in the country. Mr. Price: Other instances were mentioned too. The Town Clerk said that was so. In cases before the Council took over the Brigade not a single sixpence had been recovered. Mr. Rogers said the committee, however, were of opinion that where the captain thought the money would be recovered he was to use his own judgment. There was a strong ex- pression of opinion that the ratepayers ought not to be called upon to pay this expense. Mr. H. J. P. Thomas said he was entirely satisfied if the captain was allowed discre- tionary powers The Mayor: If he thinks, the money will be paid he can proceed. In doubtful cases the guarantee must be forthcoming, or the Brigade comes back. Mr. Rowlands said that in such cases as Mr. Thomas had mentioned, it would seem unkind that the Brigade should not render assistance, and itm ust not be forgotten that the town lived chiefly on the support of the farmers. Yet it seemed hard that the Coun-I cil should not be paid for the work done in the country. Could they not advertise the fact that the services of the Brigade would net be rendered outside the borough unless they were paid for. The Town Clerk said there was a good deal 1 in what Mr. Rowlands had said. But they must remember that parish councils had the power to provide appliances for dealing with fires, they did not do so it was only reasonable for the town to expect to be reim- bursed for their out-of-pocket- expenses. Mr. H. J. P. Thomas said bp." was quite satis- fied with the explanation given. The report was then agreed to. A MARTYR'S MEMORIAL. A letter was read from Mr. Richard Sinnett, secretary to the Haverfordwest Free Church Council, asking for permission to erect a brass memorial Jablet to mark the spot where the martyr William Nicholl lost his life. The Town Clerk said William Nitfboll died a martyr's death in 1558 near the steps opposite M essrs. W. H. Srnith and Sons, High Street. 1 Mi. H. J. P. Thomas proposed that the re- quest b-j ranted. Mr. Wh; bonded, and it was carried. CLAIM i-i.021 MESSRS. LLEWELLIN. The Town Clerk read two letters he had re- crived from Messrs. Llewellin and Son, churn manufacturers, respecting the damage done to their works by the recent flood. The first letter stated that the flood was caused by the choking of the Council's culvert, and they would hold the Council responsible. The secend letter gave an estimate of the damage done, prepared by Messrs. Evans and Roach. The estimate was purposely made as reason- J able as possible, and came to £4.3 7s. MesVs. Hevyellin added £6 13s. for loss of timber v.*ash«l away down the river, and claimed a round £50; They also asked that steps should be taken :(f prn ent a recurrence of the dis- aster. The Mayor suggested that as this might possi- bly involve litigation they should discuss it in committee. The Town Clerk said be had no hesitation in saying that on the facts before him the Council was not liable. He would advise the Council to repudiate liability. Mr. Price pioposed that a reply to that effect lbt sent The Mayor said if they were liable in this case they would be liable in a good many mow. There seemed to be a general impres- sion that matters of this kind could be met out of some special funds that did not affect the rates. But, of course, that was not so. It would be a charge on the district fund. Mr. IRogers seconded Mr. Price, and the motion was agreed to. COMPLIMENTS OF THE SEASON. Befure separating, Ms Worship wished the Council and officials all the compliments of the season, a wish which was heartily reciprocated.

Serious Accident to Judge Bishop. Whilst proceeding to investigate the .cause why all the lights in his residence at Dolgarreg, near Llandovery (which is lit by acetylene gas), went out at the same time, his Honour Judge Bishop missed his footing and fell down a flight of stairs. Surgical assitance was imme- diately sumomned, and it was found necessary i to Til ace several stitch ea. 1n. his. ioreiiaad -1

filllFORD HAVEN. I It ic: quite encouraging to see the residents of Dale and the neighbouring districts at last. begin to realize how sleepy they have been. Even Rip Van tinkle, when he awoke after 20 years' slumber, saw that his fellow villagers had kept abreast of the times; but had he fallen asleep here he would have found that the villagers and farmsteads from Milford to at St. Ann's Head were better serve- by Postman. Gosgar and his predecessors 30 and 40 years ago, than they are to-day. At St. Anne's Head letters are delivered at the Light House and Fort Stations at 12 noon, and that within nine miles of a G.W. Station! Letters to the farm of WinsJe in St. Ish- mael's Parish, reach their destination also about 12 noon, within five miles of Milford! While the adjoining farms of Hasguard within the postal delivery of Little Haven get their letters invariably before 9.15 a.m. This is because the mail car to Little Haven comes from Haverfordwest and not from Milford. There should be a letter box at Mullock bridge; and another at Hasguard cross reads. Hasguard cottagers have to post their 'letters at Talbenny or Herbrandston. and Mullock district at Dale or St. Ishmael's. The cottagers from St. Ishmael's to Dale have to post their letters at either of those two villages or wait along the roads in wind and rain for the mail car to pass by. Cannot our Parish Councils muster sufficient energy to petition the Post- master General to alter this state of things? Or will not a go-a-head prospective County- Councillor canvass the district and lay our grievance before the authorities "ftt St. Martins- le.Grand? He wculd earn the gratitude and the united vote of this patient district at the next election. There is a Welsh proverb which says, "AmI gur a dyr y garreg," and nothing less than persistent effort will awaken the slumber- ing officials at Milford Haven connected with the G, W. Railway, the Post Office, and Milford Town to give us what we are entitled to have, and what we have a perfect right to insist on. The "Premier" county wants awakening up in the matter of school attendance. It appears from the Blue Book that the percentage of schildren in schools in England is 88. but only 86 in Wales. In Glamorgan, Monmouth, and Carmarthen, 87; Pembrokeshire is down to 83, while Carnarvon leads with 90. Perhaps the Pembrokeshire Education Authority have given the Attendance Officers the extra job of paying the old age pensioners, or investigating the suitability of the applicants for small holdings,. or perhaps they have been made amateur road- surveyors, and they can't be expected to look up the school attendances as well. At St. Ishmaels on Monday the Committee appointed to consider the applications for Small Holdings met Mr. Owen, the representative of the Board of Agriculture. There were present Mr. H. Warren Davies. J.P., chairman; Mr. J. Bowen, Mr. G. Thomas, Mr. W. Richards, MT. Codd and Mr. J. Griffiths. The application of Mr. J. Griffiths, Butter Hill Lodge, was the only one received. The land will probably be granted him. There are five applicants for al- lotments, but there seems some difficulty in obtaining land. An amicable arrangement with the large farmer ought certainly to be effected, unless the Act is to become a dead letter. The cottager and bound tenant ought to be able to know now who are his friends. At election time he is gulled by all sorts <af promises. What are his masters willing to do for him now that they have it in their power to help him? The Act was intended to assist him to live, and to add to his weekly wage, and enable him to make some provision for wife and children in times of sickness and scarcity of work. Will those who shout and cajole the working. man at election times prove their love for him now by giving him the means to add to his scant wage and provide for a rainy day ? The Pembrokeshire Education Authority ought not to lay so heavy a burden on local managers of schools. They lay upon them too great responsibility. They are even called upon to decide the pattern of the dusters used in the schools, and other like momentous ques- tions. Such trifling matters as fixing the length of Christmas and Summer holiuays do not now perplex them: they have special meetings twice a year for that express purpose, and now it comes easy to them. But to decide on the colour, the pattern, the texture of school dust- ers, only the local managers know the difficul- ties, and the profound knowledge that is re- quired. It demands an artistic knowledge—a. knowledge of light, shade, and harmony; there must be no harsh combination of yellow and green, and red. That would never do for a. duster; then there must be a mathematical knowledge of the lasting properties and absorb- ing qualities of squares, and oblongs, and ragged spaces. It is not every one who can sit down in a little country school for an hour on a winter's evening and discuss the patterns of school dusters. But local school managers- have mastered the problem; and the Pem- brokeshire Education Authority should submit (after Christmas) some other educational diffi- culty for the local school managers to solve, and so help them to retrieve their position as "premier" county. ROOSE.

MILFORD COUNTY SCHC 0L Prize Distribution. The annual prize distribution in coniicction with the Milford Haven County School, took place at the School on Tuesday evening, be- fore a large number of parents and others in- terested in the school. The chair was taken by Dr. George Griffith (chairman of the mana- gers), who was supported on the platform by Rev. E. J. Howells, Rev. W. H. Rosser, Mrs. Price, Mrs. Roch, Professor Rees, Messrs. R. Cole, J. Walkley, and members of the school staff, including Mr. J. L. Lowther (headmaster)^ Miss Inglani (headmistress), Miss Sheard and Miss Adams J.ssstant mistresses). The Chairman opened the proceedings with a few encouraging remarks, which were much. appreciated. Mr. Lowther presented his annual report, which contained some splendid records of pro- gress made during the past year, and also- mentioned the names of the several pupils who were successful in passing examinations. Dr. Griffith, in calling upon Prof. Rees speak, said Mr Rees was an old Milford bev, who had successfully climbed the ladder, and was now art Bangor College. Ir. Rees,'in a few well-chosen words, spoks1 of the splendid work of the secondary schools, and urged parents to encourage and take an interest in their childrens' learning, and if they did not understand the work they were given to do, pretend to understand it. He disliked to hear about the opportunities for the children of the workingman to rise in life. If education is to be merely the rising from class to class it is condemned on. the face of it. The education required is to develop the per- son for the class to which he belongs, and not to rise and. look back upon and dispisc- his eld associates. He was of opinion that too much stress was laid upon examination results. The present system of examinations was a defective one, and was inclined to make prigs who dispisc those who fail. They did not take into consideration the physical strength of the students, and other reasons which prevented them from passing. The object of the instruc- tion they received was to train good citizens, and not to register results. Prof. Rees presented book prizes to he 101- lowing successful pupils:—Form V., Edward Bevan and Christine Forster; Form IV., Annie Hire and Hubert Day: Form Til., E. Jenkins and G. Thomas; Form II., E. Marshall and M. Bevan; Term 1., H. James and L. Jenkerson Pupil Teachers' Prize—Lilian Cowley. Wood. work and cardboard modelling-S: Garrett. Needlework and cookery—C. Mackay and Evelyn Cornish. General efficiency—Edward Bevan and Lillian Cowley Attendance—G- Hughes, W. Powell, and S. Hughes. During the evening an excellent variety pro- gramme was provided by the pupils, and was thoroughly appreciated. The items included school and French songs, recitation by Miss E. Cole, and scenes from Alice n Wonderland," and "ihcl.1.s Nickleby." The proceedmgs were concluded 4y tile sing, ing of the National Anthem, and before de- parting those present, wove served with light refreshments. »

fSOLVA. On Monday night last three valuable heifers, the property of Mr. Reynolds. Trseadwgan, were scf £ ocated through a large quantity of stra a- from a ri;k," situated in a field, falling on them. The loss is very great, as they were 1.