The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

NOTES BY THE WAY. The winter assizes for North Wales will be held before Judge Chalmers as folIows:-lfclshpool, January 12th; Dolgelley, 14; Carnarvon, 16th; Beaumaris, 21st; Ruthin, 23rd; and Mol Mr. Justice Grantham and Mr. Justice Bruce w take the Oxford Circuit, and will sit at Shrewsbury on Wednesday, Feburary 27th. # A contemporary says:—" A premature announce- ment has appeared in the papers mentioning the name of Capt. Owen Thomas of Bryfidu, Cemmaes, Anglesey, a former high sheriff of that county, and a member of the Royal Commission on.Agriculture, in connection with the Oswestry Parliamentary Division. Captain Thomas, we feel sure, will be a most acceptable candidate, and there would be great satisfaction amongst the Liberals of the Division if he decides to stand, but up to the present time the matter has not been brought before the Liberal Association, and no official steps have been taKetl in the matter." # We have before us a printed list of subjects, prizes, and conditions for the Eisteddfod which is to be held (by the kind permission of the Earl of Powis), in Powis Castle Park, on Thursday and Friday, June 13th and 14th, and which has been excellently arranged by the hard-working secre- taries Rev. T. C. Jones and Mr. Fredk. D. Ward. It has been neatly printed in book form by Messrs. Salter and Rowlands, and its contents are presented to the reader in both the English and Welsh languages. We find on looking through the list of prizes that the latter amount to nearly £ 250, being less than 16 short of this sum. Music takes JE155 6s. as f011ows:-V ocal, CI03 Is.; instrumental, £51 4s; and composition, £ 1 Is. Literature comes next with £ 52 TOs., divided as followsPoetry, X17 7s., prose, S35 12s., whilst the remaining sum of X37 4s. is devoted to art and other subjects, mak- ing altogether a grand total of £ 245 9s. This is sufficient in itself to suggest to tho mind that the Powis Provincial Eisteddfod of 1895 will, compara- tively speaking, almost equal the National Eistedd- fod, and we are not overstepping the mark when we say that the present programme far excels any of its predecessors. We arc highly gratified to note that the committee have not failed to cater for the rising generation, and among the subjects offered them for competition is one for penman- ship, another for an essay on "The rights of animals to just and kind treatment at the hands of mankind," and another for a recitation of a portion of Shakespeare's .Merchant of Venice." There is also a competition for the best specimen of Pit- man's phonetic shorthand writing, easy reporting style (partly vocalised, the composition to be about 300 words of the competitors' own selection, written on alternate lines and on one side of foolscap paper). In this competition Sir Isaac Pitman, who will adjudicate on the different papers that will be sent in., offers four prizes. We hope our boys will take up this competition. Phono- graphy is fast becoming a necessary in every-day work, and now that some little encouragement is offered to learners of the system, it is hoped that they will not fail to avail themselves of it. The industrious also are not forgotten, suitable prizes being offered for fancy and other sewing work. Altogether the list of competitions covers a wide area, so to speak, and no one should fail in procuring a copy of the list. As will be seen in our issue of last week, tlie new District Councils have commenced work in earnest, and already a number of gentlemen who have won the honour of the Chairmanship are hurrying off to Quarter Sessions and qualifying themselves to act upon the Bench. There was 'DO difficulty over the selection of chairman and vice- chairman for the Forden and Ellesmere Boards of Guardians and the Ellesmere Urban District Council, both the old aud the new members agreeing with cordial unanimity to select those gentlemen whose long years of faithful service in the administration of the poor Jaw and thesanitary requirements respectively, constituted claims whi ch could not be ignored. ï At Caersws the Guardians decided upon the claims of Mr. E. Bennett and Mr. Cornelius Morgan for the post of honour, but which does not carry with it a seat on the magisterial Bench, and the former by amajority of eleven was elected. We con- gratulate him upon his success, and feel no doubt that Mr. Bennett, who was formerly vice-chairman, will do credit to his chairmanship and justify the confidence reposed in him. We should have been equally well pleased to have had the pleasant duty of congratulating Mr. Morgan upon the honour, well knowing that his invaluable public services had merited the distinction. But Mr. Morgan as a free lance will be capable of rendering assistance in the carrying on of the work of the Hoard, of, perhaps, even greater value than he could have done in the capacity of chairman. But whether or not that be so, his turn, if he live long enough, will come like that of all other members of the Board. We must confess that the election of Captain Adams, the former chairman, by the exercise of the power of co-optation would have been a com- pliment well deserved, and we have no hesitation in saving that it would have been the right thing to have taken advantage of it for the purpose of restoring this able and respected cj.-officio guardian and chairman to his wonted seat at the Board. Many of the guardians entertain for the gallant captain the deepest respect, and felt that they could have sacrificed their principles in order to support him. The consciences of the majority of the members were, however, a trifle more elastic, and they succeeded in persuading the Board not to adopt the co-optative principles. As was to be expected, there was much heart-burning over the result outside the Board room, the general public feeling that age, experience, and past services were entitled to some consideration. At the ordinary meeting of the Caersws Board of Guardians on Wednesday it was decided, by fourteen votes to eleven, tc alter the day cf meet- ing from Wednesday to Thursday, in addition to only holding the meetings once a month instead of fortnightly as heretofere, subject, of course, to the approval of the Local Government Board. The last proposition we agree with, because we are of opinion that it will prove a saving to the members, without in the least affecting the pockets of the ratepayers. With regard to the first portion of tho resolution it seems rather hard lines on the old members for a young recruit to commence work bv at once urging the Board to adopt the alteration for the sake of his own personal con- venience. This Mr. J. Lewis, of Carno, the pro- poser, admitted, observing that now he had been elected lie wished to represent the ratepayers to the best of his ability, but tLe only way of doing this was by having the day of meeting altered. His intention is right enough, but Mr. Lewis was fully aware, before he allowed himself to be nominated, that the meetings were usually held on a Wednesday, and therefore, if he considered the dav of meeting would interfere with his business engagements, he ought, most certainly, to have allowed someone else to occupy the position. Mr. W. Francis, an old and valued member, explained to the meeting that the proposed alteration would clash with his engagements, which were not, Mr. Lewis should bear in mind, connected with his own business, but of a charitable nature, and the conse- quence to him will be that a portion of the work he is doing in the interests of the poor and needy will have to suffer. It is now going the round of the gossips that Mr. Lewis was successful in carrying his motion on account of his being a purchaser of pigs from the members on the Board interested in agriculture, and who, to a great, extent, went to make up his majority. There I may be something in that. It is rumoured that a resolution, similar to the one passed at the Forden Guardians' meeting last week, which favours the giving of free dinners to the members, is to be brought forward at the- next meeting of the Caersws Guardians, by one of the leading lights of Radicalism on the Board. We venture to suggest that the movers, besides think- ing of themselves, will also not forget the officers, who have to attend the meetings of the Board, about half-a-dozen in number, and include them in this free ticket for soup business. We hardly know what the world is coming to. The members of the labouring class are not satisfied with having the power conferred upon them of being in a position to have their say in the spending of the ratepayers' money, but must now want their dinners free. Should this whim be sanctioned we shall soon expect to hear of their wishing to be conveyed to the meetings in carriages. They must fancy they are on a fair way towards getting it. But it is only right that the ratepayers should know what this proposition is likely to cost them if sanctioned. In the case of the Forden Guardians there is a total of 37 members. Supposing all the members i attend regularly, each meeting at 6d per head will mean 18s 6d, or a total at the end of the year of £ 24 Is. Jf the Guardians are as charitably disposed to the officers as they are to themselves, a dinner each meeting to the clerk and his assistant, and i the three relieving officers will mean 2s 6d every fortnight or £3 5s per annum, making altogether a sum of S.27 6s to be found by the ratepayers. In the Caersws Union there are 29 members and the same number of officers as at Forden in atten- dance, and the figures, worked out in a way similar to the above, mean that in this union a sum of £ 22 2s will have to be included in the estimate every year for the feeding of the members. It is said that charity begins at home. We believe it, after this. -1,Í" Judge Chalmers, the County Court Judge at Birmingham, who has been appointed the Com- missioner for holding the Assizes at Welshpool to-day, arrived by the 7 o'clock train last night, and was driven to the residence of Captain and Mrs. Westby. This morning the Judge will attend divine service at the Parish Church at 10 o'clock, and will afterwards proceed to open the Assizes at the Town Hall. There is only a single prisoner for trial, one having been committed on Thursday at Llanfyllin on a charge of arson. The appointment of a County Court judge to be a Commissioner of Assize (vice Kennedy J.) is an appropriate stage fn the course of promotion to the higher dignity, and coming so soon after the elevation of another member of that bench, will be very welcome to those who think the lower tribunals are good schools for the High Court. This is said to be the first instance of a County Court judge going circuit, but. the experiment could not be made in a more promising case than that of Judge Chalmers. He was educated at Trinity College, Oxford, and began his career in the Bengal Civil Service. He was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple m 1869, and joined the South-Eastern Circuit. For many years he was "devil" to Mr. (now Lord) Herschell, and was a junior counsel to the Board of Trade and a revising barrister. He drafted the Bills of Exchange Act, 1882, the Bank. ruptcy Act, 1884, and the Sale of Goods Act, 1893, and his works on these subjects are classics. He was made County Court judge at Birmingham in 1834, being then the youngest judge in years and standing. We are very glad to see that the p-ovision of public swimming baths for Oswestry has been advanced a stage by the consent of the" Trustees of the Gymnasium to its being handed over to the Corporation for that purpose. We hope the com mittee to whom the letters of consent have been referred will take the necessary steps to have the building converted into a good swimming bath in time for the coming spring. It would bo another attraction to Oswestry as a residential town. The saving of £ 300 a year on the scavenging account should encourage the Council to incur the small expense necessary to carry out 1.fr. Maclardy's scheme. We venture to advise him not to submit to any further delay. It would cost a great, deal more to acquire the necessary land and erect a suitable building, and in the absence of any other practicable scheme this one should be carried out without further delay. The opening of the New Free Public Lib-try at Oswestry on Friday next is a distinct advance for the Borough. As the amount which can be expended by the Corporation on the purchase of books is necessarily small there is a good oppor- tunity for the generous who are lovers of their fellow men as well as lovers of books to augment the Library by donations of money or books from their own stores. Reference 1 x, -nionce boous and the works of standard authors would be most useful. The question of the disposal of sewage and refuse at Oswestry has now assumed an acute phase, and legal proceedings are imminent if not already begun. This io s 1S Avhat we predicted last summer m this column, and ft r„ d,m ttie correspondence between the Town i -*r io»n Lleik and Mrs. Thomas's solicitors, which was handed tr, u l'iuta to the reporters, carried the .natter no furtber than it was then; The Council knew then and know now that they must either pay X950 and take the land, oi-Oclse pay the damages and costs and seek a site else- where. The only change in the circumstances is that ilrs. Ihomas s solicitors' damages and costs have increased and their patience is exhausted. The matter has been talked about over and over tig,iii both by tlic, coinniittee aiict in the Council, tho Council rir\ c,■ » U must do something, and that at once, or the inevitable result will 1 result will be expensive litigation which can only result in loss and cipcnse to the ratepayers, and the difficulty will be as far do «» f 0n?EeVi" AUtl'at ,l1" Council havo done so far ,s to ask the injured p„,ies t0 ,rive us t'mo while we think about it," and thev have mpbed with this extraordinary recpiest, „d the "lie so. given has been wasted. w„ ,lid before that this policy of cl.Vr i f, i°"cyot unit and delay will get the borough into trouble, and WP uu we a*e sorrv to see our prediction so soon fulfilled.. — —

WELSHPOOL CONSERVATIVE WORKIXG MEN'S CLCM — TI supper in connection with this club was held last ^inday) night, and proved a great success Our report is unavoidably held over? THE FAIR.—There was a fair sunolv nf f F cattle, sheep, and pigs in the Smithfieldou Mon~ day but only a very limited supply 0f stores sold at a slight advance ou last fair, and porl-ets and bacon pigs were dearer. A good nmSw f horses were shown considering the weather \I though young, tliey were mUSst,m^^ A.I. remunerative prices. u IHE LATE MR. GEORGE MORRIS.—Last week reeorded the death of Mr. George Morris, who d>ed it his residence, Elmhnrst, Cheetham, Manchester oni December 31, at the age of seventv-tjve Mr' oins earned on an exteusive business as a wine •md SJrfT,rChant m WelahP°o1 f°i' many year, and -H as highly respected. Much sympathy fs fJl for the bereaved family. 1 • 8 telt SEASONABLE GENEROSITY.—On New Year's eve, the Mayor presented a goose to each member of the local police force, and to the corporation officals and employees. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH ^-YVN NO T to hear that the Sale of Work and Tea, recently held M connection with the above realised «I?«KH over the sum of £ 32. lealued s]ightly PRIMITIVE METHODIST CHURCH.—The auarton^ meeting ot the Shrewsbury District Sunday School Committee was held in the Primitive TULK V 1 Church on Thursday, when the proceedings we're commenced by a business meeting, which wa- nr« G T r™yiReVVi Wright" The ^^tary aw G. r. D. Pidsley, Shrewsbury) ably conductor! v. business, which was of considerable^importance to the respective Sunday Schools oF the denomina- tion. At three o'clock an able and deeply interesting paper, on Sunday School work, was read by Rev. J. Cope, Minsteriey, followed by an animated and valuable discission in which the following gentlemen took pa.rt ;-Revs. G. T. D. Pidsley and J. Wright, Messrs. D. J. Jones, E. Beedles, K. Evans, Cloddia, J. Richards, lluabon, II. Clay, Oakengates, and J. Jlorris, Shrewsbury. A vote of thanks to Rev. J. Cope for his paper and the pronunciation of the Benediction brought the meeting to a close. Afterwards a capital tea was partaken of, the following ladies assisting at the tables Mrs. J. Wright, Mrs. C. T. Pugh, Mrs. W., Lloyd, Mrs. G. Davies. the Misses S. Whittington and S. A. Woodin. In the evening a public meeting was held, when liev. J. Wright presided, and excellent addresses, all bearing on Sunday School work, were given by the Chairman, Rev. J. Cope, Mr. J. Clay, Oakengates, and ftev. G. T. D. Pidsley. At the close, votes of thanks to the speakers, to the ladies who had presided at the tables, to the COUNTY TIMES for sending representatives to their meetings, and to Rev. J. Wright for presiding, were carried with acclamation- After the singing of'the Doxology the company dispersed, naving spent a most enjoyable evening- INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION. A special meeting of the Governors of the W elsh- pool district was held at the Town Clerk's office on .Monday. Present: Mr. W. Forrester Addie (in the chair), Rev. D. G. Davis, Messrs. C. E. Howell, •D. Richards, E. R. James, Richard Jones, 1. fe. Pryce, with Mr. E. L. R. JoneS> clerk. THE CURRICCLUM- On the motion of Rev. D. G. Davis, seconded by Mr. E. R. James, it was resolved that the curriculum of the Welshpool school should be the same as X ewtown, with the addition of cookery and laundry work for girls. AP P OIX T M E T" Rev. D. G. Davis proposed, »nd Mr" D- Richards seconded, that Miss Georgina Naylor be appointed a co-optative governor. COMMITTEE OF INSPECTION. On the proposition of Rev. P- G. Davis, seconded by Mr. T. S. Pryce, it was agreecl that the whole of the District Governors be a committee to inspect temporary premises and to meet a comnnttee appointed by the County Governing Body, and that the date be Monday next the 14th, at 11-30 a.m., and that the clerk to the district Governors inform the clerk of the County Goveming Body to meet on the premises. REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNORS. Mr. E. R. James proposed, and it was seconded by Mr. D. Richards, that the chairman, Rev. D. G. Davis, Mr. Richard Jones, Mrs- Humphreys-Owen, and Miss G. Naylor, be the five representatIve governors under section 55. CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTMENT. Rev. D. G. Davis moved, and Mr. E. B* James seconded, that the ehairman, and lrs. Humphreys- Owen, be the two governors to assist the committee of the Countv Governing Body in going through the testimonials of candidates for appointment, ADJOURÑEXT. On the motion of the chairman, it was agreed that the meeting should be adjourned until Monday the 14th, at three o'clock p.8i., rc Colnmn House, and other business. PROPOSED VISIT OP THE YEOMANRY. On Saturday, a public meeting wts held in the Town Hall, to take into considera^10^. the means of accommodating the MONTGOFL16^8 RE AN(* CST Denbighshire Yeomanry, consists ;,0() men and their horses, with a view to securing the ensuing training at Welshpool. The Mayor (C. E. Howell, Esq.) presided, and amongst tbose present were—- The Town Cleik. ex-Mayor (Mr. R- O. Jones), Sergt.- Major Jestico, Messrs. W. A Rogers, D. Richards, C. Shuker, T. Morris, J. Pryce Jones, T. J. Bratton, W. Collender, P. Barrett, and W. Baker. The MAYOR stated that that meeting had been called on account of communications received by him and the Town Clerk from the authorities of the Montgomery Yeomanry. It, a matter which affected the town and trade Welshpool rather than the Mayor and Corporation, and so lie thought it advisable to call a public meeting, that something could be done to prevent any loss to the town. The Montgomery Yeomanry training had been held here a good many years, rvnd thpy did not secure the training of the two regiments—the Denbighshire and Montgomeryshire—they would lose the Mont- gomeryshire. There was no reason to doubt that AVelshpool was capable of entertaining the Yeo- manry, as in days gone by- The Montgomeryshire leomanry had on former occasions numbered to 350. The two brigades together, would, as far as he knew, number no more than 500 men and horses. The War Office would not allow the brigades to train in Welshpool unless their requirements were fulfilled. In regard to a parade-ground, the opinion was that they would be able to obtain 70 acres by taking down a fencc, by leave of Lord Powis, and by arrangement with the tenants of the field adjoining the present parade- giound. It appeared that that was not sufficient for TI ""uioer which would have to oe unuea. would be necessary to take down another fence to leu m two fields, by which fthey would obtain 130 acres. It Wa" an importat point which they would have toconsiderin securing the tra ning: as regarded the accommodation, he thought that that could be ve,7 properly carried out. The officers and men were Hot unfavourable to drilling in Welshpool. It would do good to the tOWn-GOO men and horses coming for 10 days. In conclusion, he begged to ?0-er,that in the opinion of that meeting, it was tesiraole that they should have the training of the held at Welshpool (applause). Tl MAYOR had much pleasure in seconding. • thought that if he did not mistake the ii' 11 1?,Us Welshpool, they could easily depend ir exei"tions to obtain that training i'1 e shp°°]. j.je 2Ja(j Ilever found Welshpool short » in receiving anything for the benefit »e town. He was sure that they would have le unanimou3 assistance and wannest support of every inhabitant of the town (applause), The proposition was then put aud carried unani- mously. Mr. W. a. ROGERS proposed that a committee appointed to carry out this work. A certain v mounj; wag reqUire £ j for compensating • 'nanta for their land. Lord Powis had met them am 16 onerous way imaginable, etill a certain m,U of money would have to be found. • 10 motion was carried, and the committee con- & s ot the following gentlemen:— The Mayor, Pr7"VV' A' K°e™. V■ Ki'h«li3' T- Morrif' Watkin RATT' A' K BC>UD> J" CLARKO> AND A' hP^ MORRIS remarked that Mr. Bratton and 'a 4»ie?n r0UQd the town and found that there iQj-j su "eient accommodation for the horses and thr. fX required. The next thing was about as r o- That was a question for the committee egarded compensation for tenants. y; PRYCB-JONES said that it was very tliQ^+i! now that they were upon this subject, e7 should petition the Corporation to make applications to the War Office for such powers as rniir /0na^'G them to deal with the question of a i' Wpp'ause). They lost the Militia last year inn conld not provide the military the tow a range. It was a loss of £ 700 to bpf'1G observed that as the meeting had • 1 ca''ed for the purpose of taking into con- eration the desirability and means of providing accommodation for the Yeomanry, they would not 1 il 1U+01 C^er discussing this question. He would Th Tir-v !°W the Probable date of the training- q5 1''tia would be assembling on the 13th May. not fixed AIU^°r JESTIC0 rophed that the date was After some little further discussion as to a range, ie meeting was adjourned uutil Tuesday, to receive the report of the committee, The adjourned public meeting was held at the .ovv" Hall on Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock, "is Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. E. Howell) pre- si ui(r) there being also present—Mr. Edw. Jones V own clerk), Alderman W. A. Rogers, Dr. Oouncillors David Richards, Aaron at-m; and R. p. Jones, Messrs. Thomas Morris, • oston, J. Pryce Jones, Prvce Barratt, A. E. Barratt, Edward Evans, James Pryce, l nomas Farr, W. Farmer, G Suook (borough surveyor), etc. The MAYOR, at the outset, explained that after the meeting held on Saturday some members of committee waited on Mr. 'w. Forrester Addie, an discussed the matter pretty fully as to what ^■ord Powjs's intentions were in order to secure the training of tho Brigade here during the coming spring. They found that his lordship was per- fectly Avilling, to allow the fencing to be removed between the two outside fields and the present training field, and that he would bear part of the expense (applause), the remainder to be supple- mented by the town of Welshpool, in case the idea was carried through. The cost of the fencing would be a serious matter, whilst another very important U/em would be the filling up 0f the ditch under the encmg, which Mr. Addie pointed out would be too much to ask his lordship to pay. The matter of compensation to the tenants was gone through by the committee, and they would report their results. Councillor R. P. JONES said that Mr. Rogers thought it fair for the town and himself it they compensated him to the amount or jC20, the acreage of Mr. Rogers' field being 47 acres, of which they required 38. Councillor WATKIN said the acreage of Mr. James Owen's field was 27, and he did not tliinkJMr. Owen would require more than the others in com- parison. It was stated that the required accommodation for the horses had been secured, and after a long discussion upon the question of filling up the ditch, The MAYOR moved that the Adjutant be written to to the effect that the accommodation and land could be obtained, but it appeared that in the opinion of the meeting the removing of the fence and filling up of the ditch would be a matter of considerable expense, and it was, therefore, hoped that the alterations could be restricted to a portion of this in order to overcome the difficulty. That every effort would be taken, and that he (the Adjutant) be asked to kindly meet the committee on the ground. Councillor R. P. JONES seconded, and it was agreed to, this bringing the meeting to a close. WELSHPOOL DISPENSARY BALL. AN INT ERE STIN G GATHERING. There was a large and brilliant gathering at the Dispensary ball, which was held at the Town Hall, Welshpool, on Wednesday evening, and the event was doubtless one of the most enjoyable and successful in the Terpsichorean annals of the in- stitution. The most elaborate preparations were made for the pleasure and convenience of the guests, and the Assembly Room, supper room, and the corridors were decorated in a most artistic and appropriate manner by the committee. The gentlemen who constituted the committee were :— Messrs. S. Morris, J. E. Jones, G. E. Evans, R. II. Jones, Robert Owen, and T. Simpson Jones. The decorations were in the hands of Mr. J. H. Anderson, plants and flowers being very kindly sent by Lord Powis and his Worship the Mayor (Mr. C. E. Howell), whilst articles were lent by Mr. G. E. Evans and Miss Jenkins. Ample pro- vision had been made for the supplying of the guests with refreshments, whilst the supper room was also suitably decorated, the tables being pro- vided by Mr. D. Richards, Royal Oak Hotel, whose catering gave unbounded satisfaction. Game was received from Col. R. J. Harrison, Capt. Mytton, the Garth, Mrs. Lovell, and Mrs. Naylor. The exacting duties of masters of the ceremonies were excellently performed by Dr. Ward, Mr. J. E. Jones, and Mr. G. E. Evans, and they were ubiquitous in their efforts to please. The music was supplied by Mr. T. Whitting- ham's band, who executed the following music :— Country Dance M.S. \-als( Linger Longer Loo." Lancers Go Bang." Polka Honey, my Honey." Yalse Blue Danube." Lancers. Little Christr. Columbus." V,ilse Sunshine Above." Polka Anneu." Barn Dance Boston Belle." Lancers A Gaiety Girl." Yalse Venus Reigen." Polka •••" His Excellency." Yalse Acclamatioiis." Yalse. Whisper ard I shallhear." Polka Marguerite." Valse Carlotta." Yalse Dans Les Nuages." Barn Dance Lancers Ilound the Town." Polka. En Chasse." Valse. The Betrothal." Yalse Les Patiiieurs." Galop. The Fox Hunter." The scene in the ball room, when the dances were in progress, was exceedingly pretty. The dresses of the ladies being very charming, some of which were of the most elegant description. The ball was opened precsely at 9-30 by the Mayor and Mrs. Humphrevs-Owen. The arduous duties of secretary were efficiently carried out by Mr. F. D. Ward, whose special aptitude in this direction has been amply proved on many previous occasions. We should not forget to mention that the floor was polished and rendered all that could be desired by Messrs. Quinn and Son, Brook Street, Welshpool. Amongst those present were;—The Mayor of AVelshpool (Mr C E Howell); Miss Hilda Twentyman (who acted as Mayoress) the Earl of Powis Col and Mrs Huddleston Capt and Mrs Mytton, Miss Mytton, Miss Ffoulkes and Mies Allison, Messrs G H, H F, and A. R Mytton, Garth Mr H E Twentyman, Major and Mrs Godfrey, Capt Humphreys, Dolforwyn Rev J Roberts, Fron Mr E Jones (town clerk), Welshpool; Mr Wilfred Jones, Miss Jones, Miss Winnie Weaver, Oswestry; Mr and Mrs E Powell, Plasybryn, Newtown Mr and Mrs E B Proctor, Aberhafesp Hall; Mrs Purchas, Miss R Pryce-Jones, Messrs W E and A W Pryce- Jones; Mrs Westby, Mr J A and Miss Lane; Mr Wand Miss Corbett-Winder, Vaynor Park; Mr E S Mostyn-Pryce, Gunley Hall; Mr S D Price- Davies, Marring-ton Hall; Mrs and the Misses Jones, Cefn Bryntalch; Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Pryc3, Pentreheylin the Misses Johnes, Garthmyl ir* IT 1 Mi Jinurice; iurs numpuif)»-uMcu and Mr Arthur Owen Humphreys, Glansevern; Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Binney; Sir and 51 rs L Parsons; Mr and Mrs Ker Trelydan. Madame 11 Price, Guilsfield; Miss Beck; Miss Willis; Miss Hurst; Miss Gwilt; Mr and Mrs White, Churchstoke Mrs Groves; Mr J R, Mrs, t)ie Misses Humphreys, and Miss Marriott, Garthmyl Hall: Mr R W Hughes, Chief Constable; Mr A II Jones; Mr. J H Addie: Col and Mr H H E Harrison, Caerhowel 1r G 51 Hotchkiss, Chirbury Mr Maurice 111 Lloyd, Moutgomery; Miss Morris, London House; Mr James Williamson, Oswestry; Miss Hutton Miss Neale; Mr W H Errington Mr R H joiies Nlisses Morris, Severn Villa; Itr 11 tiid the Misses Morris, Foundry Mr E J and Miss Francis, the Pheasant; Mrs Evans. Berriew Street; Mr Quilliam Mr G Salter; Misses Davies, High Street; Hickman Mr D'Arcy Thompson rParry; Miss Pugh Mr E Jones, Sutton, Mout £ °mer^ •^iss Clarke, Lion Hotel; Mr J Heathcoate, Berriew Street. MONTGOMERY. MONTGOMERY CRICKKT CLUB ANNUAL CONCERT.— Tl is concert, the event of the season in music-loving jtoomery, was held in the Town Hall on Thurs- t.. ° The room was "crowded, both reserved id unreserved seats being filled to their utmost an lCjty, aud even standing room was at a Ca.|>niuini in the rear of the hall. It rebounds to P'c credit of the old country town that one of the 1 Vdin0- artistes of the evening was a Montgomery eoUng° lady, and the success that Miss Ethel Williams gained was unequivocal and an hanced repetition of former achievements. She enas encored enthusiastically for her rendition of The promise of love," but it was her feeling terpretation of Tosti's Good-bye that evoked, •f possible, a still greater amount of applause. There"was a regretful appropriateness in the piece, tno that claimed and obtained the sympathy of the'audience, in the fact that the Stalloe family are soon bidding kdieti to Montgomery. Mr. Ernest Edmunds, a tenor beloved of Salopian diences, made, we believe, his limst appearance across the Border. He, to speak m cricket par- lance "scored" brilliantly, and decidedly "cang-ht" on, Mr. J. Finney, who, since we heard him last, has secured his diploma as an Associate of the College of Violinists, was in fine form, and no other result could accrue to his execution of the valse Brindisi than a repetition of its delightful passages. Mr. D. S. Williams, though all old favourite, is ever new in the appreciation j of his listeners. His imitation of various instru- ments, such as the bagpipe, banjo, Arc. made one marvel at the effects to be produced from such an apparently unambitious instrument as the concertina, Well merited indeed were the encomiums aniversallv bestowed upon the Taylor Quartette Party, Miss E. J. Taylor (contralto), Messrs Oliver Taylor (tenor), H. Carl 1 aylor (Baritone), and Cecil Taylor (bass). In their concerted pieces was heard a perfect balancing of voices, such as is rarely met with, and the render- ing of the sweet old ballad. Home, sweet home," caught the audience in a tender place and the consequent recall was inevitable. The well-known comedian, Mr. T. F. Perks, of Shrewsbury, provided, as usual, delectable fare for his patrons, and, to return to the phraseology of the cricket field, he, OIl the occasion of his second innings,' seemed likely to be not out," for encore succeeded encore in boisterous and persIstent succession. The decorations of tho room, which included the trophy of the national game, were the work of Mr. T H Evans and Miss Jennie Evans, Belle Vue. Plants were kindly lent from the greenhouses of Bank house, the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Fairies, Humphreys. The concert was organised on behalf of the cricket club, by a sub-committee consisting of Messrs. J. Tipping, E. Jones, Bolle Vue, and J. E Tomley, lion. sec., and they are certainly to be congratulated oil the undoubted success of their labours.

NEWTOWN. ADDITIONAL CURATES SO(-IETY.-Oll Sunday last, sermons on behalf of this society w 're preached at the Parish Church, in the morning by Rev. A. T. Fryer, and in the evening by the Rector. On Monday evening at the National Schools, Rev. A. T. Fryer delivered an illustrated lecture on Church work in Cardiff. PETTY SESSIONS. — These sessions were held yesterday (Friday), before R. E. Jones, Esq., Capt. Pryce-Jones, and R. Lloyd, Esq.Al-,tr-aret, Row- lands, Ladywell-street, was charged by P.S. Morgan with cruelty to pigs. Mr. T. M. Taylor defended. The case for the prosecution was that defendant had overcrowded the animals, but the Bench, after a lengthy deliberation, dismissed the case.—Fred Williams, Stewart Edwards, William Tudor, George Davies, Fred Wilcox, James Har- greaves, Pryce Evans, Broad-street, Wm. Tudor, Pool-road, Samuel Breeze, Stone-street, Albert Mold, Eagles Lav. and Mark Pilot, Kerry-road, for playing football in the streets, were fined 2s. 6d. each, including c.>s:s. CHURCH Si'>\y SUHOOL.—On Thursday in last week, a tea was given to the mothers of those attending this school, and about 100. including teachers, sat down to a capital spread in the National Schools, which had been prettily decorated for the occasion. Subsequently the remainder of the evening was spent in a pleasurable manner. MOTHERS' MEETING.—The annual gathering in connection with this important branch of the social work of the Church, was held on Friday evening, the 4th inst. A substantial meat tea was pro vided. Afterwards an adjournment was made to the Infant School, when the clothing made at the meetings held during the past year was distributed among the members. At this stage in the proceed- ings of the evening, the Hector, on behalf of the members, presented Mrs. Macrone, the energetic president of the Mothers' Meeting, with a cruet as a small token of their appr-elation of the kindly interest which she bad always taken in their welfare. The presentation over, a magic lantern lecture on the Chicago Exhibition was given by Mr. T. J. Gorgson. At intervals during the lecture, song's were given by Mr. Davies, Miss Downing, and Master Harard Morgan. MR. FREDERIC RUSSELL AT THE PCBLIC HALL. —There was a large audience at the Public Hall last night (Friday,) on the occasion of the annual entertainment and dance in connection with the Royal Welsh Warehouse Recreation and Improve- ment Society, and those who braved the intensely cold weather were rewarded by witnessing one of the best entertainments ever seen in New-town, and one which proved as successful with the audience as any produced here under tho auspices of this well known institution. The entertainment was an unequivocal, unprecedented triumph, surpassing anything which has been attempted by the society, and the committee are to be congratulated upon the successful result of their efforts. The ball to the visitor on entering, looked particularly inviting. From the walls were hunga large number of Oriental plushette, and lace curtains, interspersed with a quantity of evergreens, whilst a large number of beautiful foliage and other plants, kindly lent bv Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones, M.P., were tastefully ar- ranged along the front of the platform by Mr. George Shute, liead-gardeuer at Dolerw. We should mention that Mr. Thomas Morgan had the management of the decorations, and he received i valuable assistance from Messrs Bennett, E. Hum- phreys, and Benbow. The committee, who went to great pairfs to ensure the success of the under- taking, and who are to be complimented on the result, consisted of Messrs. Bourford-Wood, Meredith, Thompson, and J. M. Jones, the latter of whom fulfilled the arduous duties of secretary to the satisfaction of all. The committee were fortunate in securing the services of Mr. Frederic Russell, the famous ventriloquist, mimic, and society entertainer, who, it appears, has bad the honour of appearing three times before the Royal Family, and upon 50 occasions during the past season at the Crystal Palace, aud Mr. Bob Rae, the inimitable jovial humorist and character comedian, and it is sufficient to state that both these celebrated entertainers justified their engagement, and kept their auditors in one round of laughter from commencement to finish. Each item was excellently contributed, and earned loud applause. After the entertainment there was a dance, at which many attended. Dancing was kept up until three o'clock, to the music of Mr. Brown's Quad- rille Band, a thoroughly enjoyable evening being spent by all. NEWTOWN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. THE STATE OF THE STREETS. A special meeting of this Council was held at seven o'clock last night (Friday), at the Board Room, Mr. Alfred Ford (chairman) presiding, and there were also present: Messrs John Hughes (vice-chairman), David Owen, John Green, R. Bowen, Evan Morgan, Captain E. Pryce-Jones, Barker Halliwell, T. Edmunds, E. Jones (wool merchant), G. H. Ellison, Pryce Wilson Jones, and John Humphreys with Mr. W. Cooke (clerk), and Mr. E. Davies (surveyor). A DISCUSSION ON THE CONDITION OF THE ROADS. The Street Committee reported that they met on the 5th just., and recommended that 100 tons of unbroken stone be ordered from Penstrowed Quarry, and that they be broken at once; that fifty tons of Clee hill stone be purchased, broker., and laid on the main arteries of the town when the weather became favourable. The Pant footbridge being reported cangerous, the committee recom- mended that a footbridge erected there of four inch plank, with iron straining- rods and handrails on both sides, at an estimated cost of X8, and further that one dozen new picks be purchased for road repairing. A general discussion on the reading of the report followed, Captain E. iMlYCE JONES cited certain figures which showed that the late Board did not starve the roads dming the time they weie in oilicc, and as an instance explained that during the three years they Fpent double the money each year that was expended in the preceding two years, when the present chair- man held a similar position. The figures given were as follows 1887-38, £ 330 5s 4d; 1888-89, £ 33- 9s 9d; 189-90, X160 12s Id: 1890-91. X121 l«s 7id 1391-92, £ 316 9s GUI: 1892-93, £J3 5s 7u 1893-94, £ 435 los 9d. If -Liie streetslm 1889-90 and 1890-91 could do with such a small expenditure certainly the new Council could defer the proposed expenditure on the roads for three months, if other estimates were likely to be exceeded. Councillor E. JONES thought that the late chair- man was too bad to them a a Council, to refer to figures without giving them an opportunity of look- HIlO them. He thought it was really unfair. He would not, Ú a member of the Stieets Committee, be prepared to spend one shilling more than was estimated. He was 10 spend what had been estimated and no more. Mr. E. JONES moved the adoption of the report, and Mr. DAVID OWEN seconded. After a long discussion, the proposition was carried unanimously. SANITARY COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The sanitary committee's report on the sewer- age of Nantoer was read. Mr. P. W. JONES moved the adoption of the report, saying that the cottages were in a most deplorable condition. Mr. DAVID OWEN seconded, and Mr. ELLISON supported, saying that the matter had been under the consideration of the old Board for some time, and instructions regarding it given to the sur- veyor, but shortly afterwards the surveyor was taken ill, and the affair consequently delayed. After a short discussion, in the course of which Captain E. Pryce-Jones moved an amendment, that the matter be referred back to the committee, with instructions to them, to acquaint the owners and occupiers that the Council should be approached in a formal way first, It was ultimately agreed, by eight votes to four, that the matter be deferred until May next. CONTRACTS. The tenders of Mr. Richard Rees, for the supply of corn, and Mr. Morgan for smith work were accepted. This was all the business.

FRED* D. WARD, CIVIL ENGINEER, ARCHITECT, SURVEYOR, AND SANITARY SPECIALIST, 19, BROAD STREET, WELSHPOOL. Late Surveyor (three years) to the Powis Castle Estate. Eight years previous experience in Man- che ter and Liverpool. Water and Sewerage Schemes, Buildings, Estate Improvements Plans, &c. VACANCY FOR A PUPIL.

ABERYSTWYTH. HOLY CITY."—The members of the Choral I".lion gave a era mi perfiM-ill!,iiee of llol.Y City," at Phillip's I: Terrace road, on Friday evening. TEE ELECTRIC HOTEL. LAYING OF THE FOUNDATION STONE, Through the invitation of Mr. Soall, the energetic representative of Messrs. Bourne and Grant, who are at present laying out thousands cf pounds in the town of Aberystwyth and the immediate "te neighbourhood, in the erection of a magnifie<-3it hotel at the upper end of the Marine Promenade, the conversion of Constitution Hili into pleasure grounds, and the laying out of the extensive flats known as Biaendolan as a park. a number of ladies and gentlemen assembled upon the site of the hotel "11 Thursday morning for the purpose of t:1 ig part in the pleasing ceremony of laying the foundation stone. Amongst those present, were Dr. Harries, Mayor, Mrs. Webster, Miss Sealey, manageress of the Aberystwyth Steam Laundry, Councillors Ii. J. Jones, and Isaac Hopkins, Mr. John Morgan, J. P., Mr. D. N. Davies, New street, Mr. Henry Webster, Mr. T. H. Edwards, Mr. Hugh Hughes, solicitor. Captain W. H. Wemyss, Mr. Bearne, Mr. S. Moore, Belfast, Mr. W. H." Hollicr Captain Jenks, Cotonel H. fetokes, Mr. Evan Jones Taibot Hotel, Mr. Soal!, Mr. Edward Evans, Mr. David Jones. Mr. C. J. Hedger, Hereford, £ c.. Ac". The M.AY. OLI, who laid the fouDdation stone, wished the undertaking every success. I he ceremony over, the party adjourned to the Lion Royal Hotel, vrbere they were hospitably entertained by Captain Wemyss. "Success to Messrs. Bourne and Grant's enter,, ri,,e. was drunk with a bumper, and general regret was expressed with Aklr. Grant in his illness, and one and all wished him a speedy recovery. Mr. Soall was also asked to wire Mr. DufI, informing him of the day's proceedings, and congratulating him upon his convalescence. I Acting upon Mr. Grant's instructions, the work- men in the firm's employ were also supplied with refreshments in honour of the event. FI BRIGADE DINNER. The annual dinner of the Aberystwyth Fire Brigade was held at 24," Great Darlcgate Street, on Wednesday evening. The members of the Brigade oiubtered at the Smithfield Fire Station, and headed by the Town Band, undei- the leadership of )11'. J. H. Rowe, and a number of torch-bearers, marched in procession to the hotel, where they were met by several guests. Host and Hostess Edmunds catered in first-class style, and everything was done for the comfort and entertainment of their guests. His Worship the Mayor (Dr. Harries) presided, and r among-st the gentlemen present were Coiiiel'. R J. Jones. Capt. W. H. Wemyss, Messrs. D. Dr.vies. C. Hedger, Henry Webster, George Soail, Charles Bearne, W. H. Holher, John Barr, H. E. J. H. Rowe. C. White, Robert Jones, Sunn v 5 3 ill, Jack Garner, W. 11. Jones, T. H.Jones, Terminus Hotel, W. H. Morgan, W. J. Griffiths, New Street, Capt. Peake, Sergt. D.Jones, Engineer I Roberts, Firemen Thomas Stephens, R. Davies (no. 1), David Owen, James Jenkins, R. Davies (no. 2), R. Worthington, William Jones, and Thos. 1ù wards. The cloth having been removed, the usual loyal toasts were duly honoured from the chair. The MAYOR, in proposing the toast of the even- ing, viz., that of The Fire Brigade," referred in fu.Kfustic terms to tiie services rendered by the Brigade during the seven years they had been in existence. Capuin PEAKE, Serjeant JONES, Engineers ROBERTS am* STEPHENS, responded on behalf of the Brigade. In the course of his remarks, Mr. Peake stated that a detachment of their Brigade had attended at Oswestry, Rhyl, and Wrexham. on various occasions, with the view eventually of some benefit accruing to the town of Aberystwyth, and he might tell them that, a promise had beeu made that the Conference of the Welsh district of the National Fire Brigade Union would he held in their town this next summer, which meant bringing- iuto the town something like 150 firemen (applause). Mr. R. J. JONES gave the toast of the Army, Navy, and Auxiliary Forces," with which he coupled the names of Admiral" Stokes. Capt. Edmund, Capt. Wemyss, and Sergt.-Major i-, all of whom responded. The roast o the Visitors," with which were coupled the name" of Mr. Soall, Mr. Barr, and Mr. Bearncs, proposed by Mr. ii. J. JONES, was re- ceived with enthusiasm, and responded Za K,. gentlemen named. C' Mr. HENRY WEBSTER, in giving the U> alth of the Chairman," characterised the toast as i.eing' tne most popular of the evening, adding, in conclu- sion, that the best thing that could happen for Aberystwyth would be to make Dr. Harries, Mayor in perpetuity, seeing what grand work lie had already done in conjunction with his friend, Mr. Grant. The MAY Oil briefly acknowledged the compli- ment, and The Host and Hostess" having been honoured,the conipain broke up after joining in singing Auld Lang Syne" and the National Anthem. During the evening, selections of music were played by Mr. Wheatley's band, and songs, Ac., were also given by the following:—Messrs. '1 lios. Stephens, R: Worthington, Janies Jenkins, W. H. Wemyss, D. M. Da-vies, Jack Garner. IV. J. Griffiths, C. Soail, I. Peake, C. Bearnes, D. Jones, Ac.

ABERDOVEY. LiTF.ttAuv INSTITUTE.—The annuf.l meeting of the n'.cnibe s v. a.- held n Friday evening, January 4th, "Ii r. in the chair. the to 7s. 8d and the expenditure £ 43 IDs. lOd. 'i iiere are 8o0 books in the library, and during the pr.M to readers. It was decided to proceed wiih the akerations to the Institute buildings at a cost of about £ 130, and to add a new ro< m. Jo eo.-t JtIo0. when £ 50 has been collected. The following arc the officers for I t g.) President- Major JGck, H,A.; vice-presidents. Peter (Jotto, Esq., Puchin committee, H. H. Clayton (chairman), Jones Hughes, E. L. Rowlands, Wm. Jones, ILU., J. D. Hubes, J. J. Morgan. Evan Davies, Thomas R. i.'hys, W. J. Eves, John Edwards (i reasure'), R Griffiths (librarian), G. Williams (secretary). Votes ot thanks wore passed to the m t-id to to the to Capt. R. Felix, and io .Mrs. Green (caretaker), for services rendered during the year. ODDFELLOWS.— At the last, meeting the following were appointed officeis for the next ix months: — W. J. Eves, G.Ill.; John Roberts, N.G.: i hilip Evans. V.G.; Humphrey Rowlands and Francis • belies, right and ielr. Laud supporters; John Hen dries, if. Cl-ci-loli, s;lrk vi.->iturs E. R Roberts and John Lumley, Auditors. WHITTINGTON. INVITATION id night or the above ball «o.>k place on Thursday, the 3rd inst., w!<eu there was again a very good attendance, t!u re beimr about forty eoe;evs present. Dancing began about 9-30. ami was indulged in with great mirth and spirit until 4 o'clock the following morning. Among those present were Rev. H. l'.olbf-eh, Mrs. and Y, ib.llowood and Misses L rion (J), Ridge, ..ir. and Mrs. Davies and Miss Jenkins, Root Inn, Mr. and Mrs. G. Marsh, Mr. G. Roberts and the .Misses Roberts, Halston Gardens, Mr. and Airs. A. the Misses Hales (3), White Lion, Mr. 11. ami .Miss Amy Marsh. Penrhos Arms. Mr. and Mrs. W. Sanderson, Mrs. Moss, Mr. L. Morris, St. Martin's, Mr. F. Jones and Miss .Jones, Gobowen, Mr. Nurt and party, [lai.fon, Mr. Corbett and party. Park Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Phillips, Mr., Mrs., and Miss K. Griffiths, Mr. and Mrs. Beckett, Messrs W. and 1. GriDdley, Post Office, Mr. W. H. Brown, Mr. T. Horton, etc. RENT AUDIT.-The Hals.on Estate rent audit took place at the Boot Inn on Monday last, when Mr. Mansell, of the firm of Messrs Bird and Son, received the rents. There was, after the receiving of the reuts, an excellent dinner provided by Mr. and Mrs. W. F. Davies, the host and hostess. Mr. T. Harding took the chair. The following were the toasts: The Queen and Royal Family," The Squire of Halston," proposed by Mr. Freeman, then rather novel toasts, The recent Benedicts," The Bachelors," "The District Councillors," and The host and hostess." The evening was very pleasantly spent by the tenants and the com- pany who were assembled.

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and esteem. It, no doubt, will please the shallow intellects for whom this childish twaddle is principally intended-for men of common sense, although they may be Radicals, will have no difficulty in seeing through it—to find a usuallywell-conductpd newspaper indulging in such coarse abuse of the members of a noble bouse, to whose heacl-a, venerable and benevolent lady Machynlleth owes so much. There are of course, in every town, a few despicable creatures who have no compunction in turn- ing round and biting the hanu tuat lias fed them, and there are others whose sole aim is to glorify themselves, and who, to attain their object, will stop at nothing. If per- chance they can vent their spleen against a gentleman, who, in his station of life, and in the matter of intelligence is far their superior, the better they like it, for they imagine it loolcs big, and that it places a kind of halo of superiority above their heads the more 'disrespectful they are, and the more insulting their invective. 1 iiat being so, it is amusing to hear the language of those who talk about the minions of the Plas," and charge the Londonderry family with coercion and repression. Sensible men laugh at it, and at the same time see another example of what modern Radical- ism has come to. It is a cardinal point in its policy that its adherents must not think for themselves. They must do as they are told, and when it happens that three gentle- men like Messrs. JOHN RICHARDS, JOHN THOMAS, and EVAN JONES decline to be led by the nose and refuse to be simply machines for carrying out the schemes of the local caucus, when in the exercise of their own judgment they think fit to vote for a chairman who they think will be able to do more for the town than his opponent, and who they believe to be in every way the better man. there comes down upon their devoted heads a shower of indignation, and their temerity for voting agains their party is held up to execration and contempt. And yet these verypeople who talk so ghly of intolerat-ion, undue and repressive in- fluence, and so on, have no hesitation in holding up to public scorn and ridicule nien, who. in the exercise of their undoubted rights, voted at a particular meeting as they thought fit. Talk about the blighting in- fluence of the Phs! Why, even if it existed, and this we deny, it would not be one- tenth as bad as the behaviour of these precious Radicals towards those who dare to differ from them. Lord HENRY ANE TEMPEST can very well take care of mmselt, can aiford.to pay no heed to tne snarl- "igs of a disappointed and discredited crew. On the other hand, what fate will befall. the redoubtable three, who have braved the wrath of their would-be masters, is at pre- sent an open question. No doubt the Radical caucus will endeavour to make things unpleasant for them. A so-called minister of the gospel, Rev. JOHN ROBERTS, has set the ball rolling by moving a ieso u tion calling upon .them -ni the'name of consistency, conscience ant jus ice, resign their seats, but we hope the delinquents will treat ,It with the contempt which it deserves.