The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

ABEllYbTWYTH BOARD OF GUARDIANS, Monday. March 7th-.—Present: The Rev J. Davies. Ceulana- maesmawr, presiding ■ Mrs Evans, .urs Colby, Mest's. Hugh Hughes, Fossett Roberts, W. Thomas, Edwin Morris, B. E. Morgan, R. J. Jones, Aberystwyth; Edward Jones, Cwmrheidol; Richard James, Henllys; John Bonner,, JLlanafan W. Mason, Llancynfelin David Morgan, Evan Jones, Llanfihangel Upper; Wm. Davies, DanieJ Morris, Llan- liar; Evan Lewis, Llanrhystyd Haminiog; David Jones, Llanychaiarn; Daniel Jones, Llangwyryfon; David James, Trefeirig; ,James Jones, Llanbadarn Lower; W. Morris, Cyfoethybrenin; Hugh Hughes, clerk; E. Liewellin, assistant clerk; Xhos. Vaughan, J. J. Hughes, T. Morgan, reliev- ing officers; and W. Jones, master. Order Abandoned.—The Clerk stated that he had given notice of appeal respecting three legitimate children relieved, but that morning he receiveg, a communication from Norwich Union saying they abandoned the order. At the last meeting the Clerk reported that the Northwich Union desired to fix the children's chargeability on the Aberystwyth Union, but he had made inquiries as a result of which he ,appealed against the order of Northwich Union. Vagrants.—A communication was read from the Tregaron Guardians in reply to a previous letter on the question of detaining tramps at the Workhouse over Sunday stating that they were corresponding with surrounding unions as to whether they would co-operate.—The Clerk: There is no finality to this. He be- lieved that most of the unions had now ad- opted the system conditionally. The House.—The Master reported that Mrs Darlington, The Larches, had presented toys to the children at the House.—A vote of thanks was accorded to Mrs Darlington on the proposition of Mr. Fossett Roberts, seconded by Mrs. Evans. SCHOOL BOARD. Tuesday, March 8th.— Present, 1r. William Thomas, chairman; Mr. T. B. Hall, Prof. Ed. Edwards, Mrs. Griffiths. Messrs. D. J. Saer, headmaster; D. A. Lloyd, attendance officer; and J. LI. James, acting clerk. Attendance.—The Attendance Officer re- ported the attendance at the school as fol- lows :-Aberystwyth (Board, boys, 93.3; girls, 94.5; infants. 80; Aberystwyth National, boys, 92.4 girls, 88.4 infants Penparke, 68.— The Chairman remarked that Penparke was down considerably. Correspondence.—A letter was read from the Clerk, who was unavoidably absent, asking to be empowered to call a special meeting with a view of looking through the- accounts pre- paratory to presenting them to the Auditor.— It was agreed to comply with the Clerk's re- quest.-A letter was read from Mr. Caleb Williams asking that his superannuation fees should be paid.—The Assistant Clerk was asked to put the matter on the agenda for the next meeting. Tender.—The tender of Mr. J. Lewis Evans for nineteen desks at 19s 6d each were accepted. The Visiting Committee was empowered to in- vite tenders for a hat rail. Visiting Committee.—Messrs. Peter Jones and T. B. Hall were appointed visitors for the month. Science and Art.—The following account for the session ended September 30, 1903. was read:-Fees, grants for arts, grants for science, etc., P,53 17s 7d; fees and grants for 1901. JB55 18s. 3d. ditto for 1902, JB45 19s. 9d. ditto for 1903, JE53 17s. 7d. There was a slight falling off in the number of pupils this year number- ing 82.-The meeting then terminated.

RATEPAYERS ASSOCIA- TION The monthly meeting of the Ratepayers' Association was held at the Corn Market Hall, on Tuesday evening, under the presidency of Mr. J. C. Rea. There was a good attendance, including several new members. Recreation Ground. The Secretary (Mr. T. G. Thomas) read a letter from the Town Clerk saying that the Association's resolution regarding the provision of a recreation ground had been referred to the Public Works Committee. Mr. Rufus Williams—The usual grave of good resolutions. (Laughter.) Mr. Fred Morgan—But there is some hope of a resurrection. The Chairman believed the matter would again be considered by the Cycling Club and a second application made to the Council. Mr. Rufus Williams—Better keep it alive. Councillor Edwards said a large number of the Council were of opinion that as the matter had been decided so recently the Association's resolution should be allowed to lie on the table. He did not know what was done in Committee as he was away. The Chairman supposed the Association would hear what was done if the members lived long enough. The Town's Financial Position. Mr. Fred Morgan asked if any communica- tion had been received from the Council with regard to the amended resolution dealing with the investigation of accounts. The Secretary haying replied in the nega- tive, Mr. Rufus Williams presumed the Coun- cil were not now going in for an audit, but for a cursory revision. The Chairman said the Council had ap- pointed a Committee of four members to go into the question of appointing an auditor. Mr. Gibson—And they have not communi- cated with the Association in any way ? The Chairman—Not in any way. The Committee is appointed to consider what ex- planation should be offered to the Association's report. Councillor Gibson-And deal with the ques- tion of accounts for one year. I was not put on that Committee of course. (Laughter.) After reference to the markets question, Mr Fred Morgan was asked to speak on the action of the Council in regard to their treatment of the Association. In complying, he said he I had hoped there would have been no need for him or anyone else to submit a proposition that evening—that a letter would have been re- ceived from the Town Clerk informing the Association what the Council resolved to do in that matter. It seemed, however, that no- thing had been done. It simply meant—and he did not see how it could be otherwise de- scribed-that the Council were treating the Ratepayers' Association with contempt. They did not care for the Association. The Coun- cil thought they could do what they liked and, as far as they were concerned, the Association could do what they liked. From the news- paper reports, which were what the Associa- tion had to go upon only, the Council had de- cide-d to deviate from the position they took up in November last. When the deputation appointed at the public meeting of ratepayers waited upon the Council, the deputation was received in a very friendly spirit and things went on swimmingly. The Council agreed to go into the finances for the past ten years as they were requested to do by the deputation. From that time until some time early in February, the Association had letters from the Town Clerk saying that the question as to the appointment of auditor was coming up for dis- cussion on the 15th January. No question was raised as to any deviation from the Coun- cil's resolution. After the meeting of the ¡ Finance Committee of the Council in Febru- ary, one of the members of the Council came along and proposed another resolution altoge- ther different, which tvas to do away entirely with the resolution already passed by the Coun- cil and practically to do nothing the Associa- tion wanted the Council to do and to do something the Association never asked the Council to do. The Council then agreed to appoint a committee and en- gage an accountant to inspect the abstract of accounts for 1903 only, which abstract- had not yat been issued and had not been under the consideration of the Association at all. He did not think the Association need talk much about the action of the Council. What they had to see to was the contempt the Council bad shown to members of the Association as ratepayers. (Hear, hear.) One of the most important questions in the Association's report was that relating to the borrowing of money for a specific purpose and spending it for an- other purpose. The town had an object lesson in that at the last meeting of the Coun- cil, when the Association's assertion was borne out with regard to the groyne at Eglwys Mat- thew. It was then admitted that money had been borrowed for that work many years ago and had been spent on some other work and certain members of the Council now wanted to do the work and take the money to pay for it out of the rates. In view of the position the Council had taken up in that matter of the finances, he thought the Association should call another public meeting to see what further steps should be taken. He had not drafted a resolution, but he was prepared to move to the effect that in view of the action of the Council in regard to the treatment of the Ratepayers' Association concerning the town's finances and other matters, that a public meeting should be called at an early date to consider what fur- ther steps should be taken. (Hear, hear.) The Chairman thought the Association had not been treated as it should have been treated and he was sure all the members were in sym- pathy with what Mr. Morgan had stated. Mr Rufus Williams seconded the proposition and asked if there was any particular reason given why the Council objected to do what the Association thought ought to be done? If the Council had made a mistake in promising an investigation of the accounts for the past ten years, the Council ought to tell the Asso- ciation so and say that in their opinion an investigation of the accounts for a lesser period would answer the purpose in view. When the deputation waited upon the Council, members of that body admitted that there was an im- pression abroad that money had been spent recklessly and. possibly, a stronger term might c be applied. One member said distinctly that he would go a long way to have an investiga- tion because he himself was thoroughly honest in the matter. He (the speaker) did not know whether all the others felt equally zealous then but evidently other counsels had pre- vailed and now it was proposed to have an in- vestigation for twelve months only. If there was any reason for deviating from the original resolution, he thought the Association should be informed of it. (Hear, hear.) He believed that some members held that it would entail a wasteful expenditure of public money to en- gage an auditor to go into the accounts for ten years. If the ratepayers of the town in pub- lie meeting, however, were desirous of spend- ing money in that way, he did not see why their wishes should not be respected. The rate- payers were as anxious to be economical as the members of the Council and the ratepayers felt that the best way to secure an economical ad- ministration of the town's finances was, in the first place, to clearly understand what had brought about the present unsatisfactory state of things financially. (Hear, hear.) The Chairman thought the Council ought to treat the ratepayers in a better way. It was not as if Aberystwyth was the only place where the ratepayers had to find fault with their Council. The ratepayers of Swansea and Cardiff had demanded an audit and the criti- cism in the case of Swansea was most scathing. If people could make mistakes in Swansea where they had people who understood fi- nances, perhaps there might be some excuse for Aberystwyth if the Council there made mis- akes and the ratepayers, at any rate, should be respectfully treated when they made com- plaints and asked for information. The proposition was then worded as follows and agreed to unanimously:—" That in view of the resolution of the Town Council to re- scind the previous resolution to grant an in- vestigation into the borough accounts for the past ten years and to grant only an investi- gation into the accounts for the year 1903 (the abstract of which is not yet published), it is hereby resolved to hold a public meeting to consider that- and other subjects, and take the opinion of the ratepayers on what shall be done." Mr. Rufus Williams asked, if the Corpora- tion declined to take action, could the Associa- tion demand a poll of the town ? Mr. Fred Morgan replied that it could be done on a specific subject. Mr. Gibson said the difficulty the ratepayers were in seemed to be this. The Council held a meeting. Members of the Association at- tended as a deputation. As had been said, they were received in a very proper spirit. There seemed to be nothing to hide and no- body seemed disposed to hide it. (Laughter.) A certain length of time lapsed and a member of the Council who not then was present went to the Council and suddenly discovered that all his brothers on the Council had made a heini- ous mistake and proposed that the whole thing should be rescinded and it was rescinded. They followed him like rabbits—tame rabbits —(laughter)—and nothing was done. Councillor Edwards—Not all of them. Mr. Gibson added that there was a certain minority against rescinding the resolution of course. What the Association then had to do was this. They had been spending their time very unwisely in publishing a lengthy and care- fully-prepared report which was all wrong as they were told, or it was mainly right. He believed it was mainly right and that as far as it erred it erred in not stating all the truth, which the Association could not get because the Council refused to give the information and the Local Government Bo,-t,-cl did not feel itself in a position to assist. In these circumstances where were they ? He thought the public meeting held some time ago showed that the Association represented the ratepayers quite as fully, if not more completely, than the Town Council represented the ratepayers and the question was, whether they were going to stand that sort of thing or not? (Hear, hear.) Well, he was not going to stand it—(cheers)—and he presumed the Association was not going to stand it. (Hear, hear.) They were, then, going to have an investigation whatever it cost, and however long it took, into the ac- counts for ten years, which the Association had entered into; and if it took as long a time to shift all the members of the Council they would shift them and then they would get the investigation into the accounts for the past I ten years. (Cheers.) He honestly and deli- berately thought and had no shadow of doubt whatever that there was a great deal to hide and that a great deal was hidden, and it must I be brought to light. If anybody said that he made that statement in a passion or without due thought, they were very much out of it. He knew a great deal, but he could not say it; and he was determined and was sure they all agreed with him and would work together far better than the Council worked together- (hear, hear)—to continue until the result aimed at was brought about. (Hear, hear.) They did not want to fight the Council. The Coun- cil were the representatives of the ratepayers and some of them were even their relations. (Laughter.) They did not want to fight the Council at all and if the Council had the mind to give the ratepayers the information they asked for thoroughly and completely they would be content. They were ready to take it in any way the Council liked to give.it; but it must be complete and thorough and no hanky-panky whatever. (Hear, hear.) There were thousands of pounds worth of leases in the Corporation. Aberystwyth had a revenue of £ 3,000 a year from them. What became of It ? He did not say that anything wrong became of it; but what did become of it ? That was what the ratepayers wanted to know and that was what they were going to know. (Hear, hear.) They would ask the Local Gov- ernment Board respecting the wrong use of money borrowed for one purpose and used for another and other things, and if the Local Government Board would not help they would find out why it would not help and would en- list the sympathy and support of other corpor- !o beSbluffSe"'be?r'' hot ^nbhj'a '«& •, .] xi'. pretty deliberate, but he had aai y^Afs and he was ready to wait is many ftiore years as he should live, but in -tie enc* what they wanted would be obtained, t Present they would hold a public meeting, that carefuHy-prepared resolutions were submitted to -1t- and not say anything they could not pro. Then, having received the mandate from ^h^ ratepayers as his friend, Dr. Harries would say, they would take action and would find tht money to pay the bill. (Cheers.) rthe. Markets Question. The Chare m an reported what had been done at Momd-tly's conference on the markets ques- tion and the Chairman, Mr. Rufus Williams, Mr. Gibson, and Mr. Fred Morgan, were ap- pointed members of the Joint Committee to draw up a resolution to be submitted by a de- putation to the Council.

NORTH CARDIGANSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. MR. VAUGHAN DAVIES REPLIES. Un Monday afternoon, a meeting ol the Llaniiar and Norcii cai'digaiijahiirt} Agricul- tural society was held at tne Lion riotei under tiie presidency ot Jlr. V augiuui .Davies, mere being a good attenelance. JLhe chairman, on taking the cnair, said he wished to tiianK the Society for having re- let elected him president of the society and in doing that, as lie had not been at any meet- ings before keeping up his position ot president oi last year's Society, he tnought it A\ouid be a good tiling ior him to clear up some ot the mysteries hanging around the agricultural in- terest in North Cardiganshire. Charges had been brought against mm of frying to wrecK the North Cardiganshire Society. lhe best answer he could give to that was that they tnemselves, farmers, had re-elected him presi- dent. That, at any rate, showed that farmers did not believe that for the first time in his life he was going against the agricultural interest of North Cardiagnshire, nor was he likely to do it to please newspapers or any- thing else. It was only right that farmers should have a clear statement as to. the position the Society was in a year ago and he challenged any man in or out of that room to contradict what he said. Last year they had perhaps the best show ever held in ales. What was the outcome of that show? The foundation of that show was that Mr Pryse, Mr Powell, and he guarnteed all the open prizes of the show. That was, they guaranteed £360. (Hear, hear.) People who wrote that he and the others he had named were against agriculture, why did they not come out and guarantee iioO ? (Hear, hear.) When he came home very early last year, he found that a majority of the farmers of the district did not agree with the open classes. He believed lie was correct in saying that when it came'to a vote, gentlemen in Aberystwyth who were not farmers, but were keen on agriculture, by their votes outvoted1 the farm- ers. But what did he do? He at once told the farmers if that was the case, lie would withdraw his guarantee so that,, as far as he was concerned, if they did not want open shows they should not have open shows. He was, however, told that it was given out that there would be an open show. and he was not then going to withdraw from his word and he stuck to it. What was their position ? They guaranteed all the open prizes. The King most graciously sent animals down to prove his interest in Welsh agriculture which was an immense draw for the Society. (Hear, hear.) They had a splendid day which was another great thing. They also had grand entries, which was another great thing, and they had all those open classes. With all those advantages how did the Society come out of it ? They had £1 to the good. What then did he say to Mr Pryse ? He said "If the agriculturists of the neighbourhood here do not care for open classes why should you and I run the risk of £ 200 or £ 300? You must clearly understand that I will not be guar- antee for another year." Mr Pryse some time afterward went to him and said he had a let- ter from a gentleman in North Wales and from a gentleman in South Wales who would guarantee IC500 each if they would have a national show for Wales and hold it at Aber- ystwyth. (Cheers.) He asked any man with any common sense what would farmers have said if he and Mr Pryse had replied to those gentlement, We don't care about your offer we won't have anything to do 'vith it." Would i:, not be said that they were losing a grand opportunity for doing what they could to promote not only local agriculture, but the agricultural interest of the whole of Wales- Did not that meeting think they would have been wrong if they refused that offer ? (Hear, hear.) They would have done the worst thing for agriculture that ever men did. (Hear, hear.) They took the opportunity of placing the offer before all the great agri- culturist of Wales and from almost every part of Wales, almost without exception, most splendid support was promised. Who could give greater help than Lord Tredegar? No agricuturist or agricultural society had done more for agricutulture in Wales than Lord Tredegar. He had become one of the first vice- presidents of the Welsh National Agricultural Society. In North Wales, they had Lord Powis. He (the speaker) had seen every mem- ber of Parliament representing Wales and though many of them were not agriculturists, every one toid him it would be a grand thing for Cardiganshire and for Wales generally and that they would do what they could to support the movement. They had also some of the greatest breeders of cattle in North Wales saying they also would help in every possible way, believing that a national show would be of the greatest benefit for agriculture in Wales. (Hear, hear.) In the London meet- ing, they had representatives of many parts of Wales. It was there thought it might be made a movable show. He raised no objection to that, but he was bound to place before the meeting the fact that the £ 500 guarantee by the gentleman in North Wales and by another in South Wales was on condition that the show in South Wales was on condition that the show was held at Aberystwyth, because they thought North and South Wales would meet there as they did last year. At the show last year, cattle were sent to the Aberystwyth show from every county in Wales except Radnorshire. As Radnorshire was an adjoining county, the reason it was not represented could not be distance and possibly it was because the county thought it had not cattle worthy of being sent to the Show. (Hear, hear.) What could be the object of running down the movement ? When all the agriculturists of Wales were trying to start a national show at Aberyst- wyth, it was not- for people living at Aberyst- wyth to try to do Aberystwyth a mischief. He thought people at Aberystwyth should try to support anything that would bring Aberystwyth into prominence. That should be the natural instinct of everyone having the interest of Aberystwyth at heart. He and Mr Pryse had the interest at heart and they thc/ught it would be a grand thing if they could make Aberystwyth the centre of the Welsh agricultural interest. (Hear, hear.) With regard to the local show he had been accused of murdering or strangling it; but no on3 having had a child murdered asked the murderer to come back and murger the par- ents also. (Laughter.) For the past two years he had been frequently asked by farm- ers to try and get up a show at Llanilar. Many of them in that meeting had asked him to do so. They wanted to know why they could not get up as good a show at Llaniiar as at Talybont. He had replied that it was to their advantage to have one big show at Aber- ystwyth. Now they were going to have a big show at Aberystwyth, he was in favour of their having a local show. A meeting had been I g held to discuss the matter and a good many things had been discussed at that meeting be- sides agriculture; but if the farmers did not understand the proposal why did they not adjourn the meeting for a month? Why, if they thought it best, did they not carry on the old' show? There was nothing to prevent it. They might have gone on with the North Cardi- ganshire Society without open classes. It was in their own hands. No one said they must do away with the show and they were perfectly capable of keeping on the local society. It would do no harm to the National Society. The money for the National Show would v come from the whole of Wales, and it would be a show for the whole of Wales. As to accusing him of trying to injure the North Cardiganshire Society, never was there an un- truer word or lie ever written that he thought of doing such a thing. He lived among and spoke to farmers as much as anybody ° and thought he could express their wishes and inclination, so that when he attended a meet- ing he expressed that opinion and left it to them to take action and do what was best. He had never gone to a meeting and did not intend going to a meeting to say what would please people, but he had expressed his views and left it to agriculturists to do what they thought was best in their own interests. He was quite willing to help them in carrying out the Llaniiar Show and if the farmers of the district only worked together there was no reason why they should, not have as good a show at J^lanilar as at Talybont. (Hear, < hear.) He did not think there was a better show J in Cardiganshire than was the Talybont show k the year before last. But what he wanted was j that farmers should work together to make fcihfe show a success and what people wrote about him would not make him budge one inch from the line he had sketched out for himself. (Hear, hear.) As the markets meeting was about commenc- ing, it was agreed to appoint collectors and ad- journ the meeting for a fortnight in order to carefully consider the rules, the Chairman ob- serving that good rules adhered to -were of great importance.

ABERYSTWYTH MARKETS AND FAIRS. IMPORTANT CONFERENCE OF FARMERS On Monday afternoon, a conference of farmers was held at the Royal Lion Motel, Aberystwyth. Mr Vaughan Davies, .M.1" presided. There were about fifty delegates irom the immediate district present. The conference was the result of a movement or- ganised by the Aberystwyth Ratepayers Association. Meetings have been held in different parts, covering the district from Llancynfelin as far down as Llanrhystyd. At each meeting a number of delegates were ap- pointed with a view of having a conference together as to the best means of improving the markets and fairs at Aberystwyth. Dinner was provided for the delegates, and Mr Vaughan Davies was supported at the head ot the table by Mr F R. Roberts, Penywern, and Mr. J. C. Rea, president of the Rate- payers' Association. After dinner, which was excellently prepared by Mr and Mrs Rufus Williams, the Chairman gave the loyal toast and afterward called upon Mr Rufus Williams who was mainly responsible for organizing the movement, to give an account of what had been done. Mr Rufus Williams, who was received-with cheers, said he had been requested by the Committee with which he had been working in regard to the movement to make his state- ment in u elsh and those present who were unfortunate enough not to know Welsh would please sympathise with those who were unfortunate enough not to to know English. (Laughter and cheers.) A committee had been appointed to enquire into the state of the markets and fairs at Aberyst- wyth and had held seven meetings at the fol- lowing plices:—Llaniiar, Mr. Loxdale presid- ing Talybont, Captain Pryse, presiding; Chancery, Mr Richards, Gwarfelin, presiding; Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn, Mr F. R. Roberts Penywern. presiding; Llangwyryfon, the Rev D. Jenkins, presiding; Llanrhystyd, the Rev. D. Lewis presiding; and at Tre'rdd'ol, Dr. Williams presiding. He intended giving a concise, brief, and correct account of those meetings, a task which was difficult in many respects. At the various meetings, a full ac- count was given of the history of the question since the markets were held on the sand-marsh where the Town Hail, Shiloh Chapel, and Queens-road had since been built. Owing to a dispute between farmers and the town auth- orities, the markets were afterward removed to Llanbadarn, but Messrs Pell and Balcombe succeeded in inducing the farmers to return to the town and this was done after obtaining favourable concessions from the Town Council. An account was also given of the efforts of Mi- Edward Ellis to improve the fairs and markets by adopting the selling by auction system as at Oswestrw and other places. However, the Committee's main object was to learn what farmers thought would be the best means of improving and reviving the markets and fairs which had apparently disappeared from their midst. They also desired to know the reason why the markets and fairs had gone down so much. One of the most important complaints which was i-efei-recl to at almost all the meet- ings was that the members of the Town Coun- cil had promised much but had fulfilled next to nothing. (Hear, hear.) What was made very evident by the speakers was the lack of conveniences up to the present. Most of the promises made by the Town Council had either been forgotten or broken. The principal prom- ise referred to was that in respect of the tolls. Farmers had been promised that for every halfpenny they paid as tolls for market con- veniences would be used to increase and im- prove the conveniences, so that they would be sufficient to meet every demand by farmers and dealers. (Hear, hear.) What about ful- filling that promise? Had the Town Council carried out any improvements or increased the accommodation? Was there any inducement for farmers to bring in their stock to Aberyst- wyth markets ? Nothing had been carried out and there was no such inducement for farm- ers. Cardiganshire people were rather shy- (laughter)—but in that respect they were not different to the people of other counties. (Hear, hear.) Welshmen on the whole were a shy nation, and as a nation they allowed other people more forward and daring, but not more able, to get ahead. It was immaterial whether they would admit that national shy- ness or not, but the natural effect of the Town Council breaking their promises was that Cardiganshire people, instead of bringing their stock to the markets and fairs sold them to the travelling dealers—those people who hired a small pony to go from one farm to another. (Laughter and cheers.) If a man was treated badly he would be rather shy the second time, but. on the other hand, if a man was treated right at first he would come again. What the Committee wanted was to have the farm- ers properly treated by the town authorities so that they would continue to bring their stock and, products to the market. (Cheers.) Of late, farmers had taken to the habit of selling at home instead of in open competi- tion, where they could have better dealers and better prices. Not only the Town Coun- cil had carried out no improvements, but the condition of the Smithfield was worse now than it had ever been, with the exception that a small footpath had been made there lately. There were no shelters for milch cows or horses with foals and no water troughs to quench the thirst of the cattle. The result was that farmers kept away from the markets which consequently dwindled down, and sold their cattle at home. Another result was that owing to the absence of stock at markets and' fairs there was also an absence of dealers. Among the suggestions made at the meetings the first in importance and interest was that there should be a proper understanding between farmers and the Town Council. (Hear, hear.) It was a difficult task to obtain that understand- ing, but if the most difficult was accomplished first others could be more easily accomplished. Another suggestion was that there should be a public weighing machine at the Smithfield so that everyone could see for himself without there being any suspicion. There were fur- ther suggestions respecting shelters, troughs, and pens for sheep and pigs. It was also suggested at one meeting that fortnightly fairs should be held between April and the end of July. Fortnightly fairs would be a considerable advantage to farmers and would also be a greater inducement for dealers to come from a distance. Another desirable im- provement would be to adopt the system of selling by auction which would produce greater profits as was done at Oswestry. The last suggestion was that if the Town Council did not accept the opinions of farmers, the confer- ence should ask for the Corporation's terms so that other people could carry out the im- provements required. This suggestion did not really emanate from the meetings, but a gentleman in the town said he was willing to purchase the Smithfield and develop it for the use of farmers. (Applause.) The Chairman then proposed a resolution that a deputation should attend the Town Council and place before it certain proposals for the improvement of the markets and fairs and that a small committee should be ap- pointed to draw up the terms and make the necessary arrangements. The markets ques- tion was a very important matter, not only to agriculturists generally, but also to the town of Aberystwyth. It was important because in his opinion the town of Aberystwyth and the agricultural community ought to work to- gether. He hoped that the delegates present as representing the agricultural interests of the district would do their utmost to help the Town Council in the best spirit and that both would endeavour to meet each other in the give-and-take way on one ground, the prosperity of the town and neighbourhood. (Cheers.) There were two points which they had to consider at the conference. One was what amount of money were they going to ask the Town Council to spend in improving the markets. Another question was were farmers going to support the Town Council afterward? (Cheers.) They had no right to expect the Town Council to spend the rates of the people of Aberystwyth in improving the markets and fairs unless farmers themselves would support the Council to the utmost of their endeavour. (Hear. hear.) Would farmers undertake to do that? He admitted it was a difficult Question to have a direct answer. They had no power over other jn- dividuals. but they must trust to the honour of each individual agriculturist to help in sup- pwtitig the markets. It was not « hether they ■nad accommodation as much as wnether they had animals at tne SmitliUeia. Animals made a fair, not the partitions, and animals brought dealers there and paid the tanners to produce them. (Hear, hear.) 'l'hat v,a^ the turning point of the whole question. Would they as farmers bring their stock to the market or would they insist as many of them did in sel- ling at home ? That was the criterion of the matter. They could not ask the Town Coun- cil to expend £ 10,000 on improvements—that would never make a fair unless farmers them- selves brought in their stock to the town. (Cheers.) Many farmers said they got a better price by selling at home and many of them said that it saved them a great deal of trouble to do so. His only answer to that was that they should not go about complaining of heavy rents and taxes when they did not take the trouble to get higher prices. (Hear, hear.) They contradicted themselves. utner people would say that animals looked better on the farm. Evidently they thought dealers very flat if they wanted them to believe that a beautiful tree or a beautiful hedge would im- prove the look of animals. (Laughter and cheers.) Dealers bought the animals, not the surrounding. (Cheers.) The best horse he ever had was bought in a dirty cab stable in Lon- don and he did not look at the surroundings. He had hunted that horse for over two years in England and sold it at Tattersail's for 420 guineas. If farmers brought their stock to the markets he was sure the town of Aberyst- wyth would do their duty in making the neces- sary improvements. (Hear, hear.) He was going to bring home some little truths to them. During the last week. ten or twelve trucks left Aberystwyth Station, apart from Saturday when there was a fair at Llanrhys- tyd, and ten or twelve animals in each truck. That meant that no fewer than 120 beasts had been bought by dealers who were sharp enough to come and humbug farmers who did not trouble to bring their stock to the markets and fairs. (Cheers.) How many dealers were at that day's fair ? He had been down there and only saw two men who could put down £100 each. They did not want second- rate dealers, but the best dealers of England and Wales. (Cheers.) Many farmers told him—there were very few of them whom lie did not know—that they had the market price. What did they know about market prices? (Hear, hear.) They only got second-class dealers and they gave farmers the price they chose themselves and farmers would go home and say they had had market price. They did not get the market price unless they dealt with the best men who could put down a few hun- dreds of pounds. Those were questions farmers had to consider. How many agricultural papers did they read ? Instead of twenty-six papers they should have 260. No man in the room could say what was the value of an animal unless he followed the prices in the other markets in England. From what he thought they must be a week behind the rul- ing market prices and they could not expect to gain if they were not in touch with the real values of animals. (Cheers.) The real value of animals was not fixed by second-class dealers. If farmers were going to ask the Town Council for better accommodation then they must be able to prove that they would bring in their stock to the markets instead of disposing them to second-ciass dealers. If they got down the best dealers and' obtain the best prices, farmers themselves would gain the benefit. (Hear, hear.) Dealing with the past, he said he remembered the days when the fairs were removed from the Morfa to Llanbadarn because farmers would not be dictated to by the people of Aberystwyth, but now they had got back again. During the past four years farmers had paid L664 Os. 7d, and the Town Council had spent £ 300 14s 0d in making roads, colecting tolls and weigh- bridges. In making roads, £131 17s. ad. had been spent, while £ 96 16s. Id. had been spent for weighbridges, £ 39 12s. Od. for collecting tolls, and £13:¿ 8s lid in maintaining roads. He did think anybody could complain of the tolls the Town Council had charged agricul- turists, excepting that the E131 spent in mak- ing road' required a little explanation because other classes of people beside farmers used the roads to the Smithfield. He had seen merry- go-rounds down there and he wanted to know if they had been charged ? It was not right to charge that amount simply and solely against farmers because other people had used the roads. (Hear, hear.) Another matter he could not understand was the ii- orest on loans for fifteen years amounting to £615, but 1, would probably be explained to the Committee. There was another account, the estimated sinking fund for the same period of L950 which required explanation, but he thought when those matters had been gon into that they could point to the Town Council that they had a slaughter house down there as well. There were also at the Smithfield works connected with the Manchester and Milford Railway, a large foundry, and tanyard. railway station, besides a large number of workmen's cottager All those things should be taken into considera- tion, because those accounts had been put down as if charged only to the agriculturists. (Applause.) Those were matters which required grave consideration on their part. He did not think the tolls were heavy, although they were the heaviset that could be charged, but the question for farmers was to say what they wanted. They wanted pens for cattle, where they could be kept quiet and allowed to re- main. (Hear, hear.) If they had pens, however, they must under the Act be paved, so that they could be washed and disinfected. Those were two items which required a good deal of money. If they carried out a scheme, they ought to have also a railway siding so that the cattle need not be dragged round the streets and kicked about between the mar- ket place and the Railway Station. That was also a question which required considera- tion and should be gone into carefully. It was no use going to the Town Council and say tney wanted this and wanted that. They must have a scheme drawn up, a good scheme which, perhaps, they could not carry out to-day or to-morrow; but a scheme which they could lay before the Town Council who could go into it. Per- haps a part of the scheme could be carried out this year, another part next year, and another part the following year. The Town Council could not be expected to expend a few thou- sand pounds in carrying out the scheme at once and it was no use asking them to do so unless a proper scheme was drawn up. (Hear, hear.) What he would suggest was to send two or three representatives connected with the farming interest of the neighbourhood to visit other market places and1 see what was done there and as tar as possible try and find out what had been expended, or to have some- body down from some large market places who could formulate a scheme suitable for the district. Let them have an expert or go away themselves and find out how they could draw up some proper scheme which could be laid before the Town Council and lie asked that farmers would give support by bringing their cattle into the town. (Cheers.j That was the secret of the whole business, but if they insisted upon selling their cattle at home and put money in the hands of local dealers who sent their men round the neighbourhood to find out where the best bullocks were. (Cheers.) It was on that point the whole subject turned. He was convinced in his own mind that the representatives of the Aberystwyth Ratepayers would meet farmers in a liberal and generous spirit if they were only asked honestly to put the place in order. If a suitable scheme was formulated, he believed they would have the support of the people of Aberystwyth, or else public opinion would back up the agricul- tural interest which was the greatest interest of the county and, eventually, they would have good fairs at Aberystwyth. Everything depended on farmers and only on them. (Applause.) Mr Rufus Williams seconded the resolution and said he fully agreed with what the Chair- man had said as to the necessity for farmers to bring in their stock and produce to the market. He knew that some delegates pres- ente remembered the time when there were between fifteen and eighteen pig dealers in the district and pigs were then sold at good prices, but now it was an admitted fact that there were only two dealers—(laughter and cheers)—and the consequence was that if farm- ers did not sell to one of those two dealers they would have to take their pigs to Oswestry or some other market. (Hear hear.) It would he the same with regard to cattle, horses, and sheep if farmers persisted in selling to local dealers and the principal dealers would be driven away. The number of dealers de- creased every year, and not only that, but the quality of dealers also deteriorated. That must inevitably happen if farmers continued to deal only with second and third-rate dealers who came round the country buying every- thing pertaining to an agricultural community, but if they patronized larger dealers farmers would be induced to bring into the markets better stock and obtain better prices. (Cheers.) He had communicated with the Town Clerk of Carmarthen respecting the market there which was considered to be a splendid market and had received a reply stating that the markets and slaughter house at Carmarthen had cost about £ 16,000. They were let at a rent of CI,580 and the net revenue after pav- ing all expenses might be taken at about C900. The rent had fallen this year, but for many

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L GrOGIiSTAN Parish Meeting.—A parish meeting was held on Monday night last to elect parish council- lors for the next- three years. Mr. Adams, ^7in7\n' °f Parish Council' hoon ? 6 past there had not enough nominations to fill the vacant TW« year thmgs M'ere different, I here were fifteen nominations for the nine seats namely.—Mr. R. Adams, school master Penllwyn Mr. W. B. Bebb, Blaendyffryn Mr D. Navies, monumental mason; Mr J. C. Evans, Board School; Mr- Thos. Oki-eil Post Office; Mi. Job Sylvanus, weaver Capel Ban- Y. gor; Captain Bray J.P. Mr. D. Evans, Druid ?r J\7" Aro'-g< .vicar, Capel Ban- wvd'- \iV JS?T' Llainiaddaw, Ponter- T)' i V ft ,1 Moi'San, Broneirion; Mr J. Rowlands, Dollwen Mr J Jenkins, Goginfa'ch Mi. Moses Roderick, grocer; Mr. Benjamin aughan, tauor, Capel Bangor, the first six named being old members. Seeing dSl \rS ,n;imo was ;m]°ng the candi- dates, Mr Adams vacated the chair and Mr LR°T an?i;v;!S-elected cf]airman Of the meetl ing. The following were elected Messrs W B Bebb Captain Bray, J.P., D. Davies D. Evans, J. C. Evans, the Rev. M. Morgan H. W Morgan J. Jenkins and Moses Roderick. Only three of the old members were returned. Mr. Adams and the Rev. M. Morgan had the same number of votes and the Chairman gave his casting vote in favour of the latter. The meeting afterwards became very heated. After the election was over Mr Parry the present representative of the district, gave a short account of his work on the District Coun- cil and Board of Guardians. The Rev. M. iloigan vicar, also gave a short address, sta- ting that he intended becoming a candidate for the seat He stated that his name had been before the Board very often lately and that he wanted to show that he was not different to some other person. He was sure that he would look arter the poor as well as Mr Parry. Thereupon, Mr. Parry called the speaker to order. He had spoken without introducing any names and he expected to be treated in the same manner. The Rev. M. Morgan apo- logise dfor using Mr. Parry's name, stating that he meant no harm by doing so. Both the Vicar and Mr Parry were proposed and se- conded as candidates for the District Council and Board OL Guardians elections. On being put. to the meeting four voted in favour of the Rev. M. Morgan. Mr. Parry's name was not put up. Therefore there will be a con- test, the two being strong candidates. It is 11mo for the Liberals and Nonconformists of Mehndwr to wake up and it is to be hoped that the meeting has been the means of doing so. er

A YOUNG MAN'S TROUBLE. Pain and illness may come to anyone, but it is not often that a vigorous man is stricken. Few men of his age have suffered as much physical pain as Mr. H. Herbert Selsley West, near Stroud, Gloucester. Mr Herbert says:- I was a great sufferer from Kidney Trouble and under the doctor's treatment for six months without getting the slightest benefit, There was always a sharp, cutting pain across my loins, and when I moved mv limbs seemed to heavy that I could hardly lift'them. I could not sleep at night, and in the morning my face was bloated, there was a bitter taste in my mouth I was nervous, always tired, and I had a pain as if someone was pressing on the top of my head1. I commenced taking Dodd's Ividney Pills and they soon made a marked change in my condition. My pains gradually c disappeared. I slept better, and after I had completed a treatment of Dodd's Kidney Pills I can now say I am completely cured. I have no pains whatever and am well and strong."

years previously it stood at £ 1,700. They had brought into tne market place the cattle fairs which were formerly held in the streets, but the addition to the revenue of the markets from other sources had not been enough to cover the general failing off which had been experienced in other respects. It was be- lieved that cattle fairs in the district were becoming smaller in consequence of the increase of dealing direct from the farms. They had no wool fair, but certain quantities of wool was sold at the weekly markets in the season and there was proper accommodation for wool in the market place. Generally, he should say that their markets were starting to depress owing to the bad season past. Pro- ceeding, Mr W lfliams read a letter from Os- westrv^'and added that he did not think it was necessary to spend E16,000 -on the Snuthfieid. They could start with C600 and another sum next year. If it had taken fifty years to make a market at Oswestry, 'he thought they were perfectly justified in asking the Town Council to commence upon the work now. £ 300 or L- 400 would not be a serious matter for the Town Council, but it would be of great importance to the farmers. (Applause.). Dr. Williams, Tre'rddol, said they could not expect the ratepayers of Aberystwyth who were now fairly high rated to spend much money at the commencement; but when it was borne in mind that farmers had been paying tolls for many years without much in the way of im- proved market accommodation and also con- sidering that the ratepayers had been spending s I I huge sums on otjier projects, they might reasonably be expected to spend a fair sum on markets and fairs. Cattle might look bet- ter on the green grass than when taken to market over long distances, but if proper mar- ket accommodation was provided the difference would not be great. Aberystwyth was the centre of a large agricultural district, extend- ing from Llanrhystyd to Machynlleth and in- land to Tregaron and there were no large towns in the immediate vicinity. Therefore, lie did not see why Aberystwyth should not have markets and fairs commensurate with the importance of the district. (Hear, hear.; Oswestry and Carmarthen had prosperous mar- kets and fairs. At Oswestry, the receipts were C2,326 and the expenditure E2,062, leav- ing a net profit ol C264. What was possible at Oswestry was not impossible at Aberyst- wyth but would take time to develop the markets at Aberystwyth. The Town Council by inviting a conference with delegates ap- pointed by the Board of Guardians was tak- ing a step in the right direction; but the action of the Council had been produced by outside pressure by the influence of the meetings held in the country districts. They must consider the patient ratepayer as well as the patient farmer. He had pleasure in supporting the resolution. (Cheers.) Mr Seymour Davies said he should like to know from the Corporation what had been done with the money that had been paid in tolls by the farmers? The Chairman replied that that question did not arise on the proposition before the meeting and there was no representative of the Corporation present. Mr Seymour Davies added that the Cor- poration did not give facilities for the hold- ing of fairs. There was a row at the fair that day by the Corporation wanting to take a waggon there to disturb the farmers. The Chairman said that also did not arise on the subject before the meeting. Mr Seymour Davies said that at Tregaron and -Machynlleth pens were allowe on the streets and no charge was made for the use of them and the farmers were welcomed and well received. At Llanidloes also the farmers were allowed to sell on the streets; but would the Corporation allow farmers to sell in North- gate-street and' North-parade? The Corpora- tion did not receiev farmers properly or give them proper accommodation. (Applause.) Mr Owen Morris, Ty'nllechwedd, said the markets question was an important one and if the scheme was carried out so that there would be increased accommodation at the Smithfield it would' be of great boneill to agricul- turists. He believed strongly that improve- ments were necessary and hoped that the movement would be strongly supported. (Hear, hear.) He was opposed to selling at home and' had not done so this year, but he regretted having brought his cattle to the fair that day. He had placed his animals beside a wall and had kept them there for about half- an-hour when a man came along with a wag- gon and said that no one else had a right to be there except himself. Consequently, he (Mr Morris) and Mr James, Lanlwyd, had to clear from there and give way to the man with the waggon. It was impossible for farmers to sympathise with the authorities when they were treated in that way and no wonder that they sold their cattle at home instead of bringing them to the market. When he remonstrated with the man, he was spoken to in words that 'could not be decently re- peated. This statement was corroborated by an- other delegate. Mr David Jones, Llanychaiarn said the town and country people must be united in secur- ing the improvements. He did not expect the Town Council to spend money if farmers were not prepared to support them afterward. If a scheme was drawn up, farmers must do all they could to patronize it and bring their stock to the markets. (Applause.) Mr Gibson said one thing the meeting wanted more than anything else was that the farmers themselves should speak for themselves and let those who lived in the town know what it was they wanted and what they c.id not want and what they thought ought to be done. (Cheers.) If they would only speak out then, and not when they went home, and would speak plainly, then that meeting could accomplish anything it liked to accomplish. (Hear., hear.) If farmers went to a meeting and let things be done which they did not like and then went home and said that things ahould have been done differently, little could be acomplished. The Ratepayers' Association had taken a great deal of trouble and had gone to a great deal of expense. Farmers were sitting in that meeting that afternoon and he besought them if they had any care for their own interests. to just speak out like men and never care a toss what people thought about them—(laughter and hear. hear)—and then the townspeople would try to get for farmers what they wanted and try to see that they did1 not get what they did not want. But farmers must say what they wanted, because the town only wanted to do what farmers wanted. If they did not know what they wanted they would be like the Irishman who said he did not know what he wanted but he was determined to get it. (Laughter and cheers.) The Chairman—Aftej- such an appeal, I ex- pect all of you to get up to speak at the same moment. (Laughter.) Mr Benjamin Jones, .Brynda^ said he thor- oughly agreed with what had been said He could corroborate' what Mr Morris had said. They could not expect farmers to bring their cattle to the Smithfield when they were knocked about by the waggons which fetched stones. That was one of the reasons why farmers had been compelled to sell at home and were satis- fied with the prices they received. Although he had sold at home himself, he was willing to repay the tolls if improvements were eff- ected as farmers c-jesfred. He asked if any water trough had been placed there for animals to quench their thirst in dry weather ? Mr Gibson—No, sir. A dirty water trough was put up, but in a short time it was dry, a little longer it was in ruins, and now it is not there at all. (Laughfer.) Mr Jones added that farmers did not expect the Corporation to incur a large expendi- ture at once, but were anxious that there should be certain improvements. As there were no water troughs, water could only be obtained from the river which was said to be lead poisoned. If a few improvements were carried out, he was sure farmers would bring their cattle to the market and patronize Aber- ystwyth. (Applause.) Mr Roberts, Llanfihangel, said it was the duty of farmers to bring their cattle to the fairs and markets. Instead of good dealers from England who would give good prices, now they had whipper ins with two or three servants coming round the country. (Laugh- ter.) He believed that farmers made no effort to attend markets, and the consequence was that they would find themselves left in the hand's of those "whipper ins" who could-do as they chose with farmers. (Hear, hear.) None of the large English graziers would then attend their markets and fairs. Last October, he came in contact with an influential grazier who paid him a pound per head more for his stock than he was offered by the second-class dealer. (Applause.) The Chairman, in putting the resolution to the meeting, asked that three representa- tive farmers should be appointed to meet three members of the Ratepayers' Association. The following were appointed Messrs Owen Morris, Ty'nllechwedd Mr Richard James Brynllys; and Mr Evan Richards, Penuwch. The resolution was t/hen carried unani- mously. Mr. J. C. Rea, president of the Ratepayers' Association, proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman. They knew quite well that Mr V aughan Davies throughout his life had taken a great deal of interest in the agriculture of the district. (Hear, hear.) That day, Mr Davies had shown a tremendous amount of interest by coming down from London to at- tend a meeting in connection with a movement wihch was intended to benefit the town as well as the surrounding district. (Cheers.) Mr. Richards, Gwarfelin, seconded the pro- position and said lie hopett that many good re- sults would accrue from the meeting.0 The proposition was heartily carried. „ Replying, the Chairman said he had come from London especially to attend the meeting because he thought it was of such enormous importance for the agricultural interests of the district that it should be a successful meeting and that farmers should meet the Town Council in a friendly spirit and he hoped the issue would be a good one for agricultur- ists. u (Hear, hear.) As Captain Rea had said, he had been mixed up with agricultural in- terests in the immediate neighbourhood all his life and he hoped to have the same interest again in the future as in the past. (Cheers.) He looked upon agriculture as the very foundation of the prosperity of the country and whatever would be the fate of the national movement, it would be for the benefit of the country at large. He thought a vote of thanks should be accorded to the Ratepayers' Association for the work they had done for the sake of agriculture in the neighbourhood, That conference was the outcome of their interest in the welfare of the agricultural community and the tmvn and lie hop C- farmers ? £ Sn in th f V SUPP,T ?f t,M Association again in the future. (Applause.) Mr Rea's health was then drunk on the Chairman's proposition. fr. Richards, Pentiii-cli. proposed that the delegates before leaving should pledge them- notTel! atbSethe'"r t0 the" Mr. D. Jones, Llangwyryfon, seconded the proposition and said he hoped that the old prejudice between the town and country people would be done away with. (Applause.) P On the propostion of Mr Jones. Brvnda, a vote of thanks was also accorded to those who had provided the dinner. The meeting then separated.