The Aberystwith Observer

THE OLD AGE PENSIONS. Over 150 persons applied for old age pension forms at the Aberystwth post office. There was also a large demand at the rural post offices, and in some cases a second supply of forms had to be sent. One sub-otlice handed out 57, and two others over 40 each. At Borth nearly 50 forms have been given out. The coast towns of Wales are likely to supply many Reserving cases of widows whose husbands have been lost at sea. In the ease of aged sea- men, the Royal Alfred Institution provides for a. few of the most urgent cases, but there still remains large numbers of old seamen who are only kept from spending their last days in the workhouse by the kindness of friends. To these the pension will be of material help and comfort.

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH BAZAAR. Following the highly successful &rst day at the bazaar held in the Buarth Hall, which was reported in our last issue, the bazaar was opened on the second day (Thursday) by Mrs Phillips, Marine Terrace. As mentioned last week, the bazaar has been convened for the purpose of raising (1) a sum of £ 150 for alter- ations and repairs to the National schools of the town; (2) a fund towards a vicarage; (3) for making the necessary additions to complete the church itself. The stalls were all newly and tastefully arranged and the scene was a very pretty one when Archdeacon Williams led Mrs Phillips, who was accompanied by her two daughters, to the platform. Here she was presented with a bouquet by Miss Janet Griffiths. In introducing Mrs Phillips AI chdeacon Williams remarked on the very successful day which the previous one bad been. He said there was no one in the county more appro- priate for the purpose of opening the bazaar than Mrs Phillips, because she was the widow of the first vicar of Aberystwyth, and it was to him that their schools in the town owed so much. There was a school here before hu;i but it was very small and very much out if date. Many of the most successful inhabi- tants of Aberystwyth owed their education to Dean Phillips. It was for that reason he said, that there was no more suitahle person than Mrs Phillips to perform the opening ceremony for them that day. She had endeared herself to them all by her charitable works He was sure they would all give her a very hearty reception (applause). Mrs Phillips, who was very warmly received, said she was a firm believer in the definite religious instruction which pertained in their schools. She said she had always found the people of Aberystwyth generous in all the many claims made on their purses and she appealed to those present to live up to their reputations and to deplete the stalls of all the good things which the ladies had provided. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Phillips on the proposition of Mr John Jenkin Jones, seconded by Mr Attwood and supported by Archdeacon Williams. From that time to the clo-o of the bazaar the stall holders had a very busy time, espec- ially as the evening advanced when the num- ber of persons present increased rapidly. During the afternoon and evening on both days orchestral music was rendered under the conductorship of Mr J. P. Savin.

ABERYSTWYTH BOARD OF GUARDIANS. MONDAY. The fortnightly meeting was held on Monday, when there were present Rev. N. Thomas, chairman, Air David James, vice-chairman, Mrs James, Mrs Morgan, Mrs Evans, Mrs Davies, Rev. T. A. Penry. Messrs Edwin. Morris, B. Eilis Morgan, G. Fossett Roberts, E. J. Williams, Richard Thomas, Bow Street, Rev. J.M. Lewis, Llanddeinol, E. J. Evans, Llangwyryfon, T. James, Cynnullmawr, J. Pu^h Lewis, David Joues, Lianbadarn Lower, LI. J. Lewis, Lewis Richards, T. Oliver Jones, LlauGhangel Upper, John Richards, Trefeirig. OUT-RELIEF. The amount of out-relief paid during the past fortnight was as follows :-Per Mr T. Yaughan, £ G'J lis. to 214 paupers;, per Mr T. Morgan, £ 50 2s. to He; paupers: per Mr J..1. Hughes, £ 47 IGs. to 1H8 paupers. MASTER'S REPORT. The Master reported that the number in th& house was 42 as compared with 50 in the cor- responding period last year. During the past fortnight the number of vagrants relieved was 89, as compared with 47. Thomas Morgan, who was admitted on the IGth September diefl on the 19th and was interred at the cemetery on the 2ord, all expenses being borne by tho relatives. The innlates paid their annual visit to the Elysian Grove on the 18th September- and were entertained to tea by Mrs and tbo Misses Richardes. A vote of thanks was passed to Mrs and the Misses Richardes for theip kindness. RELIEVING OFFICER'S SALARY. The relieving oHJcer, Mr T. Yaughan, baving been in the service of the Board for ten years, applied for an increase in salary and also for an allowance for the use of one of the rooms of his house as an office. The matter was referred to a special committee for consideration.

SMALL HOLDINGS IN THE COUNTY. The Small Holdings Committee of the Car- diganshire County Council met at Lampeter, woen the chair was taken by Mr Yaughan. Davies, M.P. The reports of the sub-com- mittees from each Union on the applications were considered. In the Aberayron district 20 applications had been received, the acreages being from 2i8 to 385 acres. On the recom- mendation of the sub-committee it was decided. to acquire two farms and one field in order to meet with the number of the applications. Before resorting to compulsory powers the Clerk was requested to acquaint the land- owners of the decision of the committee, and to ask them to treat with the committee. In tho Aberystwyth district 30 applications had been received, the acreage being from 678 to 72:1 acres. It was stated that two of the land- owners had offered to lease two farms to tho Council, and that a number of the sub-com- mittee had been directed to inspect the farms. In the Lampeter district two applications had been received, the acreage being from 15 to 25 acres. 35 applications were received in th& Newcastle Emlyn district, the average being from 320 to 352 acres. Two landowners had offered parts of farms to meet the number of the applications, and on the recommendation. of the sub-committee it was decided to acquire* parts of five farms. Seven applications had been received in the Cardigan district, the. acreage being from 67 to 135 acres. It waa stated that one landowner had offered to arrange with some of the applicants. In th& Tregaron district 1) applications had been received. One landowner offered to sell part of his land. One of the applicants had obtained land, and was holding it direct from the landowner, who was also in treaty with two other applicants.

The penny post between Great Britain and the United States will be inaugurated to-day. Thenceforward the letter-rate to America will be the same as to the British Colonies, viz.- one penny per ounce, instead of 21d. as at present.

TALYBONT PETTY SESSIONS. TUESDAY. before Mr J. T* Morgan, in the chair, Major Barry Taunton, Mr D. Rees, Dr James, Mr R. Thomas, and Mr E. Jones. MOTOR PROSECUTIONS: POLICE COMPLIMENTED. Wm. Henry Harwood, Miers Street, Swan- sea, chaffeur, was charged with having driven a Motor car along the highway from Aberyst- wyth to Talybont at a spot near Maesnewydd, On the afternoon of Sunday August 30th, at a speed of 25 miles per hour. Supt. Jones, of Aberystwyth, conducted the case for the pro- secution, and Mr V. Leader, solicitor, and coroner of Swansea, appeared for the defence, representing the Welsh Automobile Society. Mr Leader applied at the outset for a dis- missal of the case on the grounds that there was a technical defect in the summons, point- Ing out that nothing was said on the summons, as should be the case, as to the speed at which the car was being driven at the time. This Point having been disallowed Sergt. Jones was Called and gave evidence. He was on duty he said at the one end of a measured half-mile On Sunday August 30th. At 3-10 p.m. he saw a car coming from Aberystwyth. He timed the car over the measured distance with a stop watch which he had in his possession, and found that the car covered the measured half- lTlile in one minute 10 two-fifth seconds which Was at the rate of twenty-five miles per hour. He signalled to P.C. Mathias, who was on duty at the other end of the half-mile, and the ear was stopped. Witness then cycled up to where the car was standing and told defen- dant, showing him the stop watch, that he had exceeded the speed limit going at a rate of 25 miles per hour and that proceedings would be taken against him. Cross-examined Mr Thomas, of Swansea, the owner of the car, who was sitting beside the driver, told him (the witness) that he had never been stopped before and that he had never had an accident. He also denied that his driver could have been exceeding the speed limit. Witness did not look at Mr Thomas' speedometer. Questioned by Mr Leader as to how he told when the car arrived at the other end of the half-mile, Sergeant Jones said he could see the road when the car left the end of the measured distance. It was marked by a telegraph post. Mr Leader Can you tell to within a few Yards when you are half-a-mile behind the car ? Sergeant Jones pointed out that the road described somewhat of a circle at this point and he was looking almost broadside on the road at the point where the measured distance ended. P.C. Mathias. Bow Street, said he was on duty at the other end of the measured distance On Sunday, August 30th. He saw Sergeant Jones signal at 3-10, and he stopped the car Whcn it reached him. He told the driver that he was exceeding the speed limit. The owner, Mr Thomas, denied this, and said it Was impossible for them to have been exceed- ing the speed limit because it had taken them 25 minutes to come from Aberystwyth. .This concluded the case for the prosecution. iMr Leader, who said be was instructed by the Welsh Automobile Society, which had taken the case up because it was one which they thought ought not to succeed, asked the magistrates to say whether it was necessary :ior the case to go on any further. He pointed "Di'tt that according to Act of Parliament cor- roborative evidence was necessary, and he contended that P.C. Mathias only stopped the car. He had no knowledge of the speed of the car. For that they depended on the evidence ■off Sergt. Jones alone. How could any man, continued Mr Leader, possibly tell exactly the position of the car when half-a-mile separated them. Mr Thomas, he said, had used motor cars for the last twelve years, and he bad never been stopped before. The defendant himself had been a skilled driver for five years and Lad never been stopped before. He had been in Mr Thomas's employ for four years, and previous to that he was challeur to Madame Patti. Supt. Jones instanced a case, which he claimed was similar to the one now under con- sideration, in which Lord Chief Justice (Lord Alvestone), bad decided against the defen- dants. The Bench decided that it was necessary to hear the rest of the evidence. William Henry Harwood, the chaffeur, was then called. He claimed that he was a care- ful driver and said he bad never been stopped before. On the afternoon in question he drove Mr Thomas and a party of friends to Machyn- lleth. They went just for an afternoon spin. It was 2.45 when they left the Queens Hotel. He was certain that they never exceeded a speed of 17 miles per hour. They had a good speedometer on the car and 17 miles was the highest speed which it registered. When Sergt. Jones came up to them he said first that their speed was 21 miles per hour and cor- rected himself afterwards to 25 miles per hour. Cooss-examined No one had tampered with the speedometer. The instruement registerad the maximium and the minimum speed at which they travelled and once it had registered a speed of 17 miles it did not alter until a higher speed had been reached or until a lever was touched, when it sprang back to 0. Penrose Thomas, manager of the Ocean Colliery, Swansea, owner of the car, said he was sitting beside the driver on the day in ques- tion. He was not fond of fast travelling, and on this day he had no reason to go fast as he was only out for an afternoon run. Cross-examined After leaving Aberystwyth they travelled over the first three miles, in- cluding the ascent of Penglais Hill, at about 8 miles per hour. Benjamin Murray, managing engineer of the Prince of Wales Dock, Swansea, corro- borated what the last witness had said. He said the Sergeant when he first came up to them said the speed was 21 miles per hour. Cross-examined He said the speed for the first three miles was from 6 to 8 miles per hour. The Bench, after deliberating in private for some time, said they thought the police did well to bring the case before the Court, but they would give the defendant the benefit of the doubt and dismiss the case. Mr Leader thanked the Magistrates, and said he wanted to thank the police for the straightforward and excellent way in which they had given their evidence and to con- gratulate them in having such an excellent advocate as Supt. Jones. ILLEGAL FISHING. William Jones, woodcutter, of Eglwysfach, was charged with fishing for trout in certain waters on Penrys farm, of which Major Barry Taunton has sole rights.—Henry Blundell, gamekeeper, Ynyshir, appeared to prosecute.—Major Barry Taunton retired from the bench during the hear- ing of this case.-BlundelI having given evidence as to seeing defendant fishing in the lake in question on the 27th of August, the Bench im- posed a fine of os. and costs. MORE MOTOR PROSECUTIONS. Thomas Russell Fletcher, chaffeur, Barn street, Birmingham, was charged with exceeding the speed limit at Bow Street on August 13th.-Sergt. Jones proved the speed to be 22j miles per hour, and the Bench inflicted a fine of 1:3 and costs. A similar charge was brought against George William Farrow, chaffeur, 265, Bearwood road. Smethwick, Birmingham, at the same time and place .zer.-t Jones proved the speed of the car to be 24 miles per hour.—The father of the defendant, wh, was in the car at the time, ap- peared and sai I he would not dispute the figures oiven. bu the appealed for leniency as this was the iiist offence.-Fined £1 and costs. I' r < Norrey Dewes Best, medical practitioner, Balsall Heath read was similarly charged.— Sergt. Jones proved the speed to be 22 miles per hour.—Defendant, who did not appear was fined X2 and costs. Ruding Davey, Foye house, Leigh Woods, Bris- tol, was similarly charged.- The evidence of Sergt. Jones showed the speed to be 241 miles per hour. 2 Cross-examined by Mr A. W. Harries, who ap- peared for the defence, witness said the car was not making so much dust that he could not see it. The distance was measured by a chain by Supt. Jones, P.C. Mathias and himself.—The Bench im- posed a fine of PZi and costs.

TREGARON PETTY SESSIONS. TUESDAY. Before Mr D. J. Williams, chairman, Rev D. Edwardes. Dr Lloyd, Dr Morgan, Messrs William Owen, Peter Davies and William Jones.

GENTLE ANNIE." BY FELIX. [COPYRIGHT.] A few days ago I smelt the perfume of "New-mown hay" with which my wife had sprinkled her handkerchief; and the odour brought back to my memory certain incidents which occurred between 1896 and 1900. It is strange how trivial things, such as voices of strangers, perfumes, dreams, &c., often refresh the mind and recall the past. Excepting names of individuals and places the following little story is true. I was living in London in 189—, and business necessitated a visit to Southampton, a town quite strange to me. I expected that I should be obliged to stay there for at least a fort- night, and I thought it better for many reasons -economy being the most important one—to occupy lodgings. I therefore asked a friend of mine, who knew Southampton well, if he could recommend any quiet, respectable diggings in that town. He described and named a certain house in a terrace near the harbour, the number of which was 14 and I duly noted the same on the back of a visiting card, which I replaced in my waistcoat pocket. A few days after I arrived at Southampton. Unfortunately, I had left the visiting card in London, and had nothing to guide me but the number 14 and a general idea of the position of the terrace, which my friend had mentioned to me. Leaving my portmanteau, &c., at the railway station, I proceeded to the town to find the house. I had arrived at about 5 p.m., and was in a hurry to settle down before dark, as the month of my visit was October. I searched many terraces near the harbour, but no houses numbered 14 possessed apart- ments to let. At about 7 p m. I alighted on a terrace which answered to my friend's descrip- tion, and on the windows I saw with some satisfaction a card Apartments," and I rang the bell and a woman appeared. She was far from pleasant to gaze upon. Heavy, with drooping underlip, bilious, pale grey glazed eyes and pallid skin, she evidenced a pre- dilection for Old Tom." Whilst I was talk- ing to the landlady her husband came on the scene. He was one of those many men one meets who appear on the point of bursting. His florid, apoplectic face, and bloodshot eyes denoted a weakness for brandy in fact, he might have been classed as a human bomb. I was weary of my search, and yet .surprised that my friend, whom I knew to be particular on small matters, should have recommended me to such people. I asked the couple if my friend bad been lodging there, and they replied to the effect that many travellers put up with them," and that they "could not remember names or dates." Taking Old Tom and Eau de Vie into consideration I was not surprised. I eventually decided to fetch my baggage and give the lodgings a trial for a week, as I was tired and hungry. I returned with a porter and truck, and was duly installed on the first floor. The front room served as a sitting and dining room, and the room in the rear, entered by a separate door on the landing, revealed the bedroom. As I was putting my household goods in order, the landlady, whose name was Burke, entered, and she informed me that the only other lodger was a Miss Annie Spratt, a typewriter. and a real lady (she pronounced it "laidy,") who was with them for the benefit of her health. She added She is the gentlest creature on earth and will not interfere with you in any way. We call her Gentle Annie.' Before proceeding further I will describe the business which necessitated my visit to Southampton. I bad lately arrived from India, and possessed a lot of valuable duplicate stamps which I wished to exchange with first- class collectors, and I had through a well- known paper-" The Exchange and Mart been in communication with certain South- ampton gentlemen. I had learnt that exchanges conducted personally were the safest and best method to improve a collection. In addition to the stamps I had many articles of value in my steel trunk—uncut precious stones, curio- sities, and some very fine ostrich feathers contained in a tin cylinder. Being at that time a rover, and homeless, my small valuables were always with me. I can sum up by stating that the articles aggregated in value four hundred pounds. As I passed with my belongings through the hall I saw by the gaslight a trunk lying near the staircase. It was obviously a woman's property, of American manufacture, and on its sides were two broad bars coloured red and green, while on the cover the initials A.S." were painted. I found my rooms fairly clean, and after having a well-cooked meal retired to rest. Next day I met Gentle Annie on the stairs,-her bedroom was above mine, and her sitting-room was on the ground floor. She was tall, with black hair, blue eyes and a sus- picion of artificial colour on her cheeks. As she passed me she favoured me with one of those meretricious glances and a smile, not quite child-like and bland, peculiar to a class the world terms unfortunates." I avoided Annie, but she had a way of dropping things as I passed her, and exhibited every indica- tion that she wished to be on friendly terms with me. Three days passed, and I had no reason to complain about food or attendance; and I was doing very good business with other stamp collectors. One afternoon, I think it was the fifth after my arrival, I returned suddenly to fetch a packet of stamps which I had left on the dressing-table, and was surprised to find "Gentle Annie" in my bedroom. She apologised, and stated that her water bottle was empty and she was taking the liberty of supplementing her supply from mine. She left the room, and as she left the powerful perfume, New-mown hay," pervaded the air. I spoke to the landlady, and requested her in future to keep Miss Spratt's water bottle full. I found at the end of the week that I still possessed a number of stamps to dispose of, and consequently was booked to stay for four- teen days. On the tenth day I informed Mrs Burke that I should not return until the evening, as I had an appointment to keep with a dealer at Bournemouth. At G p.m. I returned, and found that my room had been ransacked, and every article of value gone, including many rare stamps which I had obtained in exchange for others. I rung up Mrs Burke, who stated that just after my departure Miss Spratt had received a wire stating that her aunt was dying, and that the niece's presence was urgently required. Mrs Burke could give me no further information; in fact, she added Hi and my 'usband is honest people and I hope you don't suspect hus in this matter." I tried in vain to obtain some information about Annie's movements prior to departure. Having had, during my life, a great deal to do with criminals, 1 was not going to part with my property lying down." It was of course too late to take any action that day, and I resolved to thrash the matter out in my own way without invoking the aid of the local police. The trunk with green and red bands, initialled "A.S. had of course disappeared. On the following morning, without saying anything to Mrs Burke or her husband, I pro- ceeded to the railway station, and before thirty minutes had elapsed I found the porter who had labelled Annie's trunk. The green and red bands were remembered, and I ascer- tained that between 11 a.m. and midday Annie I bad departed by a certain train and booked herself for Clapham Junction. Now Clapham Junction is a very difficult spot to trace a criminal, owing to the number of platforms and the trains which arrive there, and I was not quite sure whether my lady, in the tortuous way criminals have, might not have alighted at an intermediate station, or booked again at Clapham Junction for another place. I started, I however, for Clapham Junction, and on arriv- I ing there made it my business to ascertain at which platform the train containing Gentle Annie" had halted. I asked the porters on that platform whether they had been on duty the day before, and they replied in the affirm- ative. None of them could remember the lady from my description, but one of them re- membered the trunk with the green and red bands the said porter did not remove the trunk himself, but he thought that the lady had left in a four-wheeler. I then asked what cabs were on the stand on the previous day, and I found out that there was a cabman called Joe," a phenomenal observer, who had on many occasions helped the police to trace criminals. The porter said "Joe never forgets, and he often can tell you the colour of a necktie worn by a man which no one else would think of noticing." I was introduced to Joe, a shrewd, ferret- eyed little man, and asked him if he had seen a trunk with red and green coloured bands lifted on to a cab on the previous day. A offered him half-a-sovereign if he could help me. In a moment he replied The porter } who brought the trunk is L- now on the platform, and the cab on which the trunk was placed is now second on the row." I called the porter L- who said he remembered lifting a trunk on to the cab notified by Joe, but he had not noticed any colours on the trunk. The porter was a very stupid-looking man but not so the cabman, No. 2 on the row, whom I went and interviewed. He said, I remember the party, smart with cherry ribbons on her hat and a aa-uey look. I took her to No- Wandsworth Road." I directed the cabman at 1; p.m. to take me to the same address and I arrived in front of the house just as Gentle Annie happened to be standing, at the bow window. On seeing me step out of the cab she fled with a look of abject terror on her face. I rang the bell and the door was opened by a venerable old lady with snow-white hair, who asked me what my business might fee. I told her what had hap- pened, and she summoned her grand-niece into my presence. The girl confessed, and made the following statement: I have not got all of your property. The ostrich feathers and some of the curios and uncut stones are with Mrs Burke." I am, I can say, a fair judge of character, and the old lady appealed to feelings which 1 was not aware that I possessed. She was the widow of a warrant-officer once in the Army, who had done good service in the Crimean War and Indian Mutiny, and she begged me not to call in the police. I saw her late husband's medals, and her face was proof that she was ignorant of her grand-nisce's delin- quencies. I am, I know, inclined to be harsh in such matters, and perhaps I was- wrong to spare Gentle Annie," but I did so on the understanding that her great-aunt should hold her until I had returned to Southampton and proved that the Burkes possessed the balance of my property. What Annie possessed was handed to me. I returned to Southampton and arrived there about 5.30 p.m. Mrs Burke, who, was quite ignorant of my excursion, met me with a watery "Old Tom" smile, and informed me that my lunch had been spoilt. I spoke to her quietly as follows: "I wish to have a, conver- sation with you in the presence of your husband." She replied" What for?" and I told her Unless you. comply with my request I will have you arrested." She then began to have a suspicion that I knew too much, and fetched the apoplectic man. I again spoke I give you live minutes to restore the things you have stolen,, other- wise I shall call in the police and b?ing Miss Spratt, now residing at WTandsworth Road, Clapham, as a witness^' The man apparently knew nothing of the matter, but the woman stated that Miss S-pratt had left certain articles in her charge which, if they were my property, I could have. I replied, 44 Hand them over at once, but remember one fact, and that is that I will punish you, as you are more to blame than the girl." The articles were restored, and I punished the Burkes, not by police court prosecution, but in a totally different way, which I will describe. I left the sagacious Burkes' and proceeded next day to Bournemouth, where I wired to the old lady at Ferndale Road that I had ob- tained the balance of my property and would not prosecute. Now about the Burkes. I am somewhat observant, and when I went to lodge at No 14, I noticed that the table linen and cutlery were marked with the stamp of a line of steamers trading between the Cape of Good Hope and Southampton. I also was aware from casual remarks that a head steward of that line of steamers sometimes lodged with the Burkes. I wrote from Bournemouth to the manager of the Steamship line in question and told him about the linen and cutlery, and suggested, that a detective should lodge for a day or so with the Burkes and corroborate my statement. The detective did lodge at the Burkes, and the head steward as thief and the Burkes as receivers found a temporary home behind iron bars, where neither gin nor brandy was obtainable. Strange to say, when at Bournemouth, my hotel caught fire, and I dragged my trunk out with some difficulty through smoke and flame. A Nemesis seemed to attach to my stamp collection, which I subsequently sold, and I now collect less inflammable curiosities. I never heard of Gentle Annie again, nor of her stricken grand-aunt. On the whole, I think I was right in sparing her, as the aunt informed me that the girl was an orphan and had been neglected and badly brought up. When I again met my friend in London he told me that I had gone to reside at the wrong house. I had, as a matter of fact, passed the house he had recommended, owing to the absence of a card Apartments in the window.

SIDNEY SMITH ONCE SAID THANK Goa FOR TEA What would the world do without Tea How did it exist ? I am glad I was not? born before Tea." These words have been repeated again and again by the millions that drink HORNIMAN'S Tea. All who drink HORNIMAN'S Pure Tea acknowledge its invig- orating and nerve-preserving properties. "The drink of pleasure and of health." Full weight without the package, and Always Good Alike." Ask for it, insist upon having it, and take no other. Sold in Aberystwyth by—J. R. James, 10—12 North parade, Special Wholesale Agent E P. Wynne chemist Misses Owen, 19 North parade Ellis, 53 Terrace road j Jones, Cash Tea Stores; Llanfarian, Jones, Tea Merchant; Knighton—Blower, Chemist Lampeter-Meggicks, draper Welshpool-Williams and Co Towyn-on Sea-Lewis and Co.. grocers. At Lampeter on Friday, Arthur Thomas, of Barnes Villa, Carmarthen, chauffeur to Messrs D. E. Jones and Co., Carmarthen, was summoned by the police for driving a motor car to the danger of the public and damaging a trap belonging to William Williams, of Cefn Telych, Llandovery. The evidence was conflicting as to speed. The defence maintained that it was only 12 miles an hour and not 25, as the car was on its second speed with the throttle down. The car was damaged to the extent of .£50. Several witnesses were examined, and the case was dismissed.

I Y-11,500 FOR COOKING CURRANTS AND BANANAS Second Announcement for those Readers of the ObSCFOCT who have not yet sent in their names for our HOME COOKING COMPETITION". There is no Entrance Fee, and the rules and conditions are quite simple. This Great National Competition which is being carried on under conditions similar to those which governed the less xtensive-but Z, extremely popular Currant Cookery Competi- tions of 1907, has, for the convenience of the Com- petitors, and to ensure perfect fairness and equality of judgment, been divided into separate sections for each county throughout Engla-nd, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. How you can help to keep up the credit of our County 1st. By going in yourself for this genuine home-cookery contest, and sending up first-rate samples of the special cakes, pastries, and puddings for which Cardiganshire is so famous. 2nd. By telling your neighbours and friends all about the Competition, and persuading them to join with you in friendly rivalry and good- natured computation for the best prizes. 3rd. By remembering that the value of the cash prizes allotted to each county will be governed by the number of entries-Lhe biggest prizes going to those counties which record the greatest number of Competitors. I CURRANTS are now recognised by the highest medical a-uthorities as tke most whole- some, nutritious, and inexpensive of all dried fruits. Every Brstish Housewife who reals a home-paper knows not only that Currants ;\re good, but knows why they are good, and why it is well worth her while to make a special study of Cusrant cookery, even though they were no such events as Currant Cookery Competitions with tempting prizes for the best dishes. Nevertheless, such a cookery contest as that now announced will be exceedingly popular with the intelligent and clever housewife. She will see at once that all her previous practice in Currant Cookery has been just. perfecting her for this, and she will determine to send up Currant dainties that shall be a pride and delight to her household and a satisfaction to herself. BANANAS are becoming increasingly popular, and doctors are' strongly recommending them as an extremely light and easily-digested form of nourishment. One of the objects of this competition is to stimulate special interest in Banana Cookery, and to show what a nourishing and economical article of daily food they are when cooked. They combine excellently with Currants in the laaking of delicious and simple puddings, cakes, and sweetmeats. Try some of the recipes [ oiven in the little Currant and Banana Cocking- b )r;k mentioned below, and you will realise that.- thsr^ is a new field open to you in supplying the cIa.; Jy needs of the family. The Competition is concerned whoBy and solely with Currant and Banana Cookery, and MANV THOUSANDS OF PRIZES are to be given to those home-cooks who send in the most wholesome and attractive dishes, con- taining, as chief ingredients, either Currants, or Bananas, or an admixture of the two fruits. It is essentially a home contest—no professional chef or confectioner will be allowed to compete. Simple Currant cakes, Currant scones, Currant pastries, Currant tartlets, Currant fritters, Currant; puddings, Banana jelly, Banana, blancmange Banana jam, Banana fritters, just such homely and toothsome dainties a* are always being made* OH every bakirvg day by the careful and "thrifty heuse-wife who is prond F'{' her kitchen manage- ment—these are the disljes that i-ill win thc3 Prizes. The judgment of the Currant a-ad Banana, dishes is to be carried out by oue of the greatest cookery experts cf the day-Mr C. Herman Senn, G C.A., F.C.I., who will award the Bribes, not t,), the most fanciful or m ,st expensive dishes, but let those which are mo-t skilfully compounded, and most satisfactory ttem of every-day fare. When the Current, wi 1-hnana dainties hava been judged, and the prizes awarded—all the good thiugs sent in will be immediately distributed amoug the destitute poor. Therefore, in entering; this Competition, you are making a feast for thosu- who cannot make a feast for themselves. WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO. Intending Competitors must fill in the Coupon, to be found at the end of this notice, and send it. as directed. They wm then receive f "est particulars as to the Competition, uud a ..1 little booklet of recipes for Currart and >. Cookery. Com- petitors may work upor a r these recipes, or- may think out somethi: v'. novel on their own account. Special attention will !•••. .en t > quite new ami original examples of Curr.;i B.ri.u.a Cookery. Any number of people 1 K-hold may- enter, aad extrit entry iorm t s. plied free on application. Start at once and practise ever" d.y lor this Great Cookery Competition—that is .-i.re way* to win one cf the big prizes. Fill in this Coupon before you forget, and semi it to "CURRANTS," 231, STRAND, LONDON. Please send, free of cost, as mentioned in the Aberystwyth. Observer, to Full N am e (Mrs or Miss) Full Postal Address A Copy of the Currant and Banana Recipe Booklet and full particulars of the Great National Cookery Competition. Your Grocer has the little Booklet Simple and Dainty Currant and Banana Recipes." .Jsk him for a Eree Copy.

BOW STREET. PREACHING SERVICES.—The annual preach- ing services in connection with the Welsh Congregational Church commenced on Monday evening when eloquent sermons were delivered to a large congregation by the Rev Edryd Jones, Cwmaman, and the Rev O. L. Roberts, Liverpool. The services were continued on Tuesday when the Rev O. L. Roberts preached in the morning, the Rev Edryd Jones in the afternoon, and the Rev Rees J. Hughes, Bethesda, and the Rev O. L. Roberts in the evening. There were crowded congregations throughout the day.