The Welshman

THE KIDWELLY SILICA WAR. Protestations of Farmer Ratepayers. The farmer ratepayers of the borough of Kidwelly are joining their protestations to those of the residents in the town against the action of the Town Council in propos- ing to lease the whole of the unlet portion of Mynjddy- gareg to Mr William Young for the annual rent of JE30, though they are, in common with the other ratepayers, in favour of Mr Young being leased a portion of the mountain to the extent of twelve or sixteen acres on the same terms as other lessees. Another ratepayers' meet- ing was held in the Town Hall, Kidwelly, on Saturday night, and though the attendance was not so large as the previous one, those present were apparently the more influential ratepayers in the borough, including many farmers, and the decorum of the proceedings was an evidence of their earnestness in opposing the pro- posed sweeping disposal of Corporation property by the present majority of the Town Council. Mr George Jones, New-street, was voted to the chair, and among others present were Mr John Thomas, manager of the Tinworks Mr Henry Smart, Mr Alfred Stephens, C.C. Mr Beynon, Penallt Mr Williams, Alltcynadda; Mr John Owen, Mill-lands Cottage; Mr Anthony, Penlan; Mr Thomas, Cwm Mr Evqias, Greenfield; Mr Harris, Garreg Mr John Jones, town councillor; Mr Benjamin Griffiths, &c. The Chairman said they were met once more to dis- cuss what they might term the great betrayal of the trust reposed in some of their representatives. Since the last meeting they held in that hall, many strange things had happened in Kidwelly—namely, the private Council meeting held on the previous Tuesday, when the rate- payers were evicted from the meeting. He might say the one topic discussed all over the three counties he travelled was the action of the Kid welly Town Council to-day (" Hear "). He thought if there were any more mountains to be destributed, that the people would be rushing there instead of going to Klondyke looking for gold, when they could get one for X30 (hear, hear, and laughter). The actions of their Town Council did not suit men who claimed to be business-men, rhey had had at last a defence of their actions in a circular dis- tributed during the course of the past week, and in it they started by saying that the report of the meeting held at the Kidwelly Town Hall on the 27th April last, and the circular referred to in that report were so mis- leading and so likely to convey a wrong impression on the public in general that we are bound to trespass on your courtesy, and ask you to be good enough to insert this communication." After that he thought they were going to have the truth, but the whole of that circular was one mass of inconsistency and mis-statements. To begin with, they stated the poster convening the meeting on the 27th was anonymous." He did not know that that made any difference, because, if the gentlemen who called that meeting had all placed their names there, they would have wanted a very large placard. Then they said the demonstration consisted of 100, and the majority of these were employes of Messrs btephens and Mr Smart. He did not know whether they knew it, but they were paying a compliment to those gentlemen in shewing: that they employed such a number of workmen in Kidwelly to day (hear, bear). He doubted whether some of those men who put their signatures to that letter saw the procession at all, so they must have had it from someone else, who must have been a very poor scholar to only be able to couot up to < hundred (laughter). About Mr Young's application, it said Mr Young applies for the unlet silica, sand. atone, clay, &c." When he applied for the unlet he meant the whole. At the end of their circular they omitted one of their party's name-Mr Councillor Thomas Gower, butcher. Whether he had changed his mind and objected to this business he could not say (hear, hear, and laughter). Last November, when these gentlemen solicited their votes, they signed them- selves Your obedient servant," but to-day they were independent no longer. They described themselves also as independent candidates, and to-day they had proved themselves to be independent, so far as the ratepayers were concerned anyway (hear, hear). They acted independently simply to suit their own ends. They said the only portion of the mountain unlet included about 16 acres. Allowing that to be the case, why let it for X30 a year, while thev charged X3 6a. 8d. per acre to Messrs Stephens and Mr Smart P This they intended letting under X2 an acre. They disputed the number of acres, but in their own circular said there were 296a. lr. 29p. They stated that Messrs Stephens held a certain amount of land on lease granted to Mr Webb, but the Corporation bad nothing whatever to do with that portion of the mountain. Mr Webb was the lessee and Messrs Stephens were the sub-lessees. If the Corporation bad anything to do with this, Messrs Stephens would not hold it for a week; the Corporation would give it to someone else. Then they said that Messrs Stephens held a valuable property in Panthowell, but that was wrong Messrs Stephens did not hold it, and, therefore, Panthowell would come in that unlet portion granted to Mr Young (hear, hear). He would like to keep Messrs Stephens and Mr Smart's names out of this matter, but was obliged to introduce them by way of comparison. The other side had nothing to do on their part but to disparage Messrs Stephens and Mr Smart (hear, hear, and applause). Mr John Owens, farmer, Mill Lands Cottage, pro- tested against the action of the Corporation, urging that if they wished to dispose of the mountain they should do so by public tender. S30 a year for 30 years was shameful. Mr Benjamin Griffiths, platelayer, Mount Pleasant, also protested against the manner in which the mountain was being disposed of. He said that had he been an employe of Messrs Stephens or Mr Smart, he should oppose the granting of such a lease to them. With regard to the weighing, he had been working 18 years on the railway where the stones were weighed, and Messrs Stephens were prepared to have all stones weighed so long as it did not inconvenience them, the same as Mr Young. But the Mayor bad stated that they believed Messrs Stephens and Mr Smart would do no injustice, but the Council wished to protect them- selves in case their works should be transferred to someone else in the future. He did not know what Mr Young intended doing with the mountain, unless he was going to let it for sheep grazing. If he couH not get sheep in Scotland, he would advice to send up the eight councillors who voted for the lease to start with (laughter). They knew that Nebuchadnezzar was sent to graze for seven years for the eins he committed (more laughter). In conclusion, the speaker said he was in favour of giving an equal share of the mountain to all applicants. Mr J. Thomas, manager of the Tinplate Works, said he had the same pleasure in being with them that eight as he had at the previous meeting, for the sole reason that he was a ratepayer, and a representative of heavy ratepayers in the borough. It was really a duty he felt to do all he could to assist a very large percentage of the ratepavere-be could Eafely say SO per cen.t. -in protesting against this most unbusinesslike action of the Council. Since he spoke at the last public meeting of ratepayers, he had had the very great pleasure of making the personal acquaintance of almost each one of the farmers, who were really amongst the heaviest ratepayers in the borough of Kidwelly (applause), and he could say, leaving out members of the Council, without exception, tho answers he bad received from the farmers, whom he visited with Mr Harries, Garreg, and Mr Anthony, Penlan, showed they were unanimously against granting the mountain to Mr Young. They were perfectly willing to grant a fair share for all working purposes to Mr Young, but they were very firm against granting the whole, and he believed that was the sum and substance of the protest which they as ratepayers were now making-they were against granting the whole of the mountain (applause). The farmers, of whom he was glad to see a great many there that night, promised to attend and make their personal protest against this extraordinary action of the Council (hear, bear). He was not there to make a long opeech-he simply gave them the report of the work which the Committee asked him to do, and he thought they, as a body of ratepayers, were satisfied with the reply he brought them (hear, hear). He repeated that the action he was taking was not from a party point of view, but that he considered it bis duty to do all in his power to stop this matter going on further, and be trusted they would succeed (applause). They were there to hear the views of the heavy ratepayers. He had given them his, and he was as firm as he possibly could be against the action (applause). Mr Beynon, Penallt, said he should not like to say anything in disparagement of any individual, but it seemed to him in granting the whole of the mountain, either to Mr Young or anyone else, the action cf the tradespeople of the town and the members of the Corporation suggested they thought everything was to come to an end after their days, and they did not wish to leave a legacy to anyone who came after them (hear, hear). Mr Williams, Alltcynadda, objected to Mr Young getting the whole of the mountain for two reasons- first of all because someone else might at some future time want a share of it, and second because the after he made for it was ridiculously small. Mr Youn, apparently, did not know the value of the mountain when he offered such a low price for it. The sand and limestone from Mynyddygarreg was unequalled in South Wales, and he did not know but what some young people in Kidwelly would be glad to have a part of it and become proprietors of works, and work it for the benefit of the town at some future time (hear, hear). Mr Anthony, Penlan, said he would have liked to see a larger attendance, but it was very gratifying to see so many heavy ratepayers present. He thought it was a meeting of heavy ratepayers, and it was they wbo would have to suffer by the Council's action. When Messrs Stephens applied for 3! acres of this mountain it was not granted, but when Mr Young applied the who'e was given to him without any objection at all. He strongly protested against it, and hoped it would not be carried through. They must all combine and stop this action of the Council if possible. They could never expect any good from this Council so long as this selfishness went on. If one side got up it was down on the other. He hoped in the future they would get pro- sressive members on the Council men who would keep a very keen eYQ OD the future were the men they wanted (applause). Mr Thomas, Cwm; Mr Harries, Garreg; and Mr Evans, Greenfield, also spoke against the action of the Corporation, but expressed their willingness to Mr Young getting a share of the mountain on the same terms as the others. Mr John Thomas then rose to move a resolution, but before doing so said there was one matter he felt a very great interest in, and which came very prominently into this matter of the letting of the mountain. That was a letter which appeared in a local newspaper on May 9ih from Mr D. O. Parry, Pelican Stores, Kidwelly. He had no doubt most of them had read that letter, but in case they hid not, it would cnly take him one minute to read it. It was as follows: "The Kldwellv Town Council has been for years full cf spleen and spite, and their deliberation has not been edifying to anyone. The proceedings within the last few weeks have been almost indescribable. A member of the Council, in the person of Mr Young, makes an epplication for the silica stone and sand on the Corporation mountain, and stipulates that he is to have this, with all the rights atd way- leaves, & for a nominal sum for thirty years. He sits on the Council as cne of its members when this application is considered, and prestos cn his fellow- councillors to complete his application without delay. Mr Brown, his solicitor, another council or, advocates his claim and presses for the completion. I have the authority of one member of the Council, who has supported this application that the whole benefit would not be for Mr Young, but that several members are interested (I. Shame. '') I am prepared to swear this in any civil or criminal oourt. I will not moralise on their action, but will ht the ratepayers and the public judge for themselves." When he (Mr Thomas) saw that letter he saw it was a very serious matter, and made it a point on the previous Thursday to see Mr Parry and ask him to come there that night. He was sorry to say he was unable to come as a matter of fact he was not in good health, and had gone to the wells for Whitsuntide. However, he talked the matter over with him, and he authorised him to repeat the same challenge on his behalf at that public meeting (applause). The challenge he had made in that letter still held good, and he on Mr Parry's behalf gave it out that night (hear, bear). So far as he was aware no rep'y bad been made to thia whatever. He considered that very unsatisfactory. If there was a reply or denial, why did they not let them have it. He thought this was a matter worthy the consideration of the ratepayers, and it was not one that should be lightly passed over. He wished now to propose the following resolution That this public meeting of ratepayers demands the Town Council to rescind their resolution granting all the unlet silica stone, limestone, and all other stone, sandstone, sand, and clay belonging to the Corporation on Mynvddygarreg to Mr William Young, and suggests that Mr Young be offered a similar acreage. of good silica stone, eand and clay, to that previously granted by the Corporation to other firms" (hear, hear). Mr Councillor John Jones seconded the resolutions, and after other speakers had given it their suppoit, it was carried unanimously. Another meeting was held on the Mountain, on Wed- nesday evening, Mr John Thomas presiding.

AMROTH ROAD AND SOME OTHER THINGS. [BY MORRIS MAUKICE.] Colonel Ville Bois de Maeuriel, in his book, Ten months with the Boers," relates an interesting incident which happened when he was taken prisoner by the British and handed over to the Connaught Rangers for safe custody. Colonel L. G. Brooke, who is well known in Tenby, shared his tent with him, even going so far as to collect straw with his own hands to make the French- man a bed. If I were in Colonel Brooke's place, I should have made that Frenchman gather his own straw. The law may be an ass, but I don't think it is such a huge mule as to allow that lilliputian authority, the Narberth District Council, to close the Amroth road. Hundreds of visitors frequent this road in the summer. The sea view is magnificent, and if you want to see the whole gamut of green visit this road, and you will be well repaid. Owing to the scandalous neglect of the old highway authority, combined with the supineness of the Amroth people, the road is in a dangerous state, but dangerous roads can be and must be repaired. The Amroth Parish Council is up in arms against such monstrous proceedings, and strongly object to the action of the District Council. Mr Alexander Macmorran, M.A., one of his Majesty's counsel, is of opinion that the consent of the Parish Council is a con- i dition precedent to the making of the declaration that the highway is unnecessary, and not repairable at the public expense, and that no application to view would be granted by justices unless that condition-the absence of which would render all subsequent proceedings futile —had been fulfilled, and it would be advisable to incur the cost of any proceedings unless the obtaining of the necessary consent were first assured. Mr T. R. Colquhoun Dill, B.A., of the Inner Temple, barrister-at-law, says that "if the District Council consent to the prosposal themselves, there must be a meeting of the Parish Council (as successors to the vestry) convened to consider the matter, and if either the District or Parish Council refuse their consent, the matter must drop." Wake up, Amroth, fight 'em. From what spelling-book did that Narberth district councillor get the idea, that "the District Council had nothing to do with public footpaths." Public footpaths are under the control of the District Council, and that authority is to remain liable for the repair and main- tenance of the footpaths, even where a Parish Council has undertaken to repair and maintain them. When Narberth will have withered away to nothingness. Amroth will be a prosperous watering place, and this road will be a boon and a blessing to many a weary soul. I I In olden times," the story goes, when maids were pretty and men were brave, the daughters of the Welsh gentry spat publicly in the face of any cur that did not have sufficient grit in him to answer his country call to arms." It's about time somebody started the spitting in these days, and if they visited Haverfordwest or Cardigan on a Saturday, they would have their work cut out, as there are hundreds of young fellows that refused to answer the call of our late noble Queen, to fight for her white throne, country and Empire. How many Pembrokeshire men are in the Pembroke- shire Yeomanry? How many from Carmarthenshire? How many from Cardiganshire ? Don't answer all at once, please. How many of the men that ride to hounds in the three counties have gone to the front (-men that we were under the impression would face the devil and the deep blue sea. An answer will oblige, but don't shout, someone may hear. This is to give warning that if I see anyone under forty-five riding to hounds over my fields and fences, who is not a member of the Yeomanry, he will be unseated by the means of a haypick stuck through his unpaid-for breeches. At their first meeting the Whitland parish councillors snapped at each other like Bedlington terriers at blue bottle flies, but in less than ten minutes after the meet- ing they were as friendly as ewe lambs on a green meadow. During a rhetorical flight one of the members kicked the coal bucket all over the shop. A chairman of a District Council found the members getting one of hand, so he stood up, slung about twenty Latin quotations at them, and then the whole Council shivered with awe. A competent authority states that it would cost more to convert a Whitland Radical to Toryism than it would to convert a Jew to Christianity, and that (Parliamentary elections always accepted) the Whitland Radical is a broad-minded fellow.

PEMBROKE NOTES. I A rather peculiar accident happened to Mr W. Davies, veterinary surgeon, on Tuesday evening last week. While driving near Lawrenny, a hen pheasant flew across the road right against the horse's head, causing it to shy and fall, the result being that Mr Davies was thrown from the trap, and broke his arm somewhere near the wrist. He, however, had the presence of mind to sit on the horse's bead, where he had to remain for fully half an hour, until some children passed, by whom he sent word for assistance to the nearest village, thus preventing any damage to horse and trap. A very interesting servioetcok place on Sunday even- ing, at St Michael's Church, when Miss Lal Price, in her usual brilliant style, took the solo in the anthem As pants the Heart," and after the usual srvice the vicar (Rev. Mr Spurrell) gave a recit and air from The Elijah, and MrTurton Smith, F.R.O.O. (organist of St Mary's), gave an organ recital. NeedlessJo say, the cfcurch was packed, and the congregation seemed to fully appreciate the service. The annual sheep-shearing competitions took place here on Monday, in the Market Hall, the successful competitors being: First Class (open to all comers) 1st, W. Phillips, Knowles 2nd, W. Jordan, Beavers' Hill; 3rd, H. Merrick, Jameston; 4th, G. Long, White Hill. Second Class (open to thoee who had never won a first prize) 1st, W. Jordan 2nd, H. Merrick; 3rd, F. Miller, South Down 4th, J. Hall, Castleton. Third Class (boys under 18 years of age): 1st, A. Thomas, Nash; 2nd, J. Prout, Trewent. In this competition a third piize was offered, but only two competed, who were farmers' sens, thus showing that very little interest is taken in this matter among the rising generation of the agricultural com- munity. On the whole the shearing was good, but few new faces were seen among the competitors. The boys' work bore very favourable comparison with that of some of the veterans. Some capital yearling sheep were kindly lent by Mr T. Ford, rf Beavers' Hill. The farmers' dinner, which followed at 3 p.m., was largely attended, consideting the attractions elsewhere As Mr Lort Phillips was unable to attend, the chair was taken by Mr W. G. Pareell, of Manorbier, who fulfilled that office in his usual genial style.

UNDENOMINATIONAL SERMONS FROM COLD BLOW." The parable of the fraudulent steward in St. Luke XVI., with our Lord's application, I say unto you make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unright- iousness," has been a source of perplexity, almost of pain, to many a pious soul. Of course every intelligent I person can at once perceive that in it our Lord is holding ) up as our example the wise concentration of aim of the steward, and of those who acted in collusion with him, not the base motive which inspired that aim. But why hold up to our gaze clever determination so mixed up with greed and dishonesty ? Generally our Lord seeks to fasten our attention on the ordered processes of Nature or on homely but genial pictures of domestic life whilst here we are called upon to look at creatures altogether mean and repulsive, their bellies cleave to the dust and their thoughts and actions are unrelieved by a single unselfish or ennobling feature. Why are we bidden to concentrate our minds on such a picture as that ? Is not the answer to be found in the considera- tion of the audience to whom the parable was probably addressed ? The parables of the preceding chapter had been spoken in the hearing of the harlots and outcasts of society, they heard in the stories of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son, that there is a Father in the Universe who seeks to save the most abandoned and rejoices most when the furthest strayed soul returns to its true home, and that most wonderful teaching we can well believe pierced to the care of many a heart and many a fallen woman and hardened man despairing and desperate till then now determined with new born resolution to lead a new life. It is to them that our Lord utters this parable, I I And he said also unto his disciples." Not to the twelve only but to all these new learners in his school. The close of the parable of the prodigal son does not represent the close of the higher life, it represents its threshold only here we come to the work of the life, and so our Lord further addresses his converts and he says to them in effect as follows "You have been unjust stewards. You have given up noble powers of thought and zeal to horrible purposes and trades. You worked with concentrated aim for darkness, even so now work for light." And in his application of the parable our Lord points out that in the work for light as in the work for darkness two things are needed, a method and an instrument. The method is united action. "Make friends is the key note of all successful effort. The steward is powerless by himself, so he makes friends, he plans an ingenious combination for the advantage of mutual interests, only ingenious as it is it is bound sooner or later to fail, because it is founded on perishable principles for a merely temporary end. Whereas it is here pointed out that it is possible to found co-operation and to organize society on imperishable principles. In other words we have here the idea of a church. Evil is strong, because it is resourceful, determined and highly organised; good, therefore, must be still more resourceful, still more determined and still more highly organized. The motto of every meihber of the church must be "make friends," friends in the highest sense, friends for everlasting habitations." And then the instrument wherewith to carry out this method is primarily money. Not because money is the highest gift, not so, but because it is the lowest. We cannot, therefore, handle higher instruments until we have begun to master this the meanest of all. To Christ personal property is a sign of evil. Like industrial and military war it is a symbol and symptom of imperfect and un-Christian life. Money to our Lord is mammon of unrighteousness. But in the evolution of things, until the ideal state is reached it can be turned into an instrument of good. As war is horrible yet until the full purging of the nations it proves and will prove to many a man the means of splendid discipline and heroism so likewise individual property is a draw- back which must one day be swallowed up in universal charity, but until giver and receiver are far more developed than they are at present communion can never be the ordinary Christian rule. Meanwhile the way in which we use money is a primary test of our discipleship. If a man cannot in any way stand this test how can he prate above the true riches P The instruments of Christ's society are indeed very great in number and incomparably greater in kind, not only thou "beef and blankets," but thou even the tenderest and most thoughtful forms of outward charitable assistance, but we cannot even begin to use these spiritual gifts till we are ready to consecrate our money. The primary test is and always must be what a man does with his unrighteous mammon. If he will not readily open his purse, God, says our Lord, will never confide to him any higher gift, so that when such a man talks unctuously about higher things he proves himself a hypocrite. Some of the hearers of Christ when they heard this teaching ridiculed it, and then the Lord spoke to them the parable of the rich man in torment. The refusal to make sacrifices to attain true friendships leads to this tremendous result. AVe realise at last what it is to be without a friend. With what measure we make it shall be measured to us again. A.K. Cold Blow is a district partly within and partly without one of my old parishes. I preach from it as from an imaginary spot outside all parishes. I, there- fore, trespass on no man's land.

E. C. T. F." ON THE BRITISH SOLDIER. TO THE EDITOR OF THE "WELSHMAN." SIR,—In your paper of the 29th March, that saintly creature, called "The Ex-Carmarthenshire Tenant Farmer again blooms forth in one of his wonderful productions, called "Agricultural Jottings from the Midlands." It would be well, perhaps, were he to stick to agriculture, pure and simple, rather than tackle subjects of which he reveals marvellous ignorance, viz., military and the South African War. He appears to have par- ticular aversion towards Tommy Atkins on the point of morals, and a decided kind of pity for Boer women and children placed in proximity to camps. Of course E. C. T. F. has yet to learn that numbers of soldiers have wives, daughters, and relatives who would astonish him and his l family on the point of respectability. This war in South Africa would, perhaps, have been over long since had every Boer, male and female, captured in the different marches been at once sent to St Helena, &c. The women have proved able spies- the cause of many disasters, and have the natural treachery of the male Boer. I wish also that from the start the British forces operating in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony had been made to live as much as possible on the Boer produce, so as to bring about starvation early. He calls war "savage and barbarous," but his friends, the Boers, got so mightily armed, and started war, so that Britain is fortunate in not losing her power in South Africa. What such a loss would have meant is, of course, beyond the comprehension of E. C. T. F." The war, by his friends the Boers, for some eight months past has been composed of murders, train wrecking, a little of the white flag, and the usual oath-breaking, &c. The E. C. T. F. once remarked what a tre- mendous force of British it took to annihilate the Boers, but he should study a little tactics, strategy, and physical geography. On the whole f, a soldier of 14 years standing- the latter six of which have been spent in South Africa-a native of not 15 miles from Carmarthen, I would recommend E. C. T. F." to devote his I mind chiefly to turnip growing and crow scaring in the fields. I believe every loyal Britisher, from the Zambesi to Cape Town would recommend the same, I am, Sir, yours truly, A CONSTANT READER. At a meeting of the Llanelly Board of Guardians on Thursday, 23rd inst., Mr T. Seymour presiding, an application from Mr J. Btvan, master of the Work- house, for an increase of salary was discussed in camera. It was decided to grant him an advance of £ 15, making his oulary 1.70 per annum, A committee was appointed to report upon necessary fire- arplianofq Miss Sarah Rees, Llanell v, was appointed assistant nurse at the Workhouse Infirmary.

I CARMARTHENSHIRE. I I LLANGENDEIRNE. I CBWBYN.—The Welsh Congregational Church at Crwbyn held their anniversary meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday evenings last week. The ministers officiat- ing this year were the Revs. D. Lloyd Morgans, Pontardulais, and O. R. Owen, Glandwr, Pembroke- shire. The sermons were of the very best, and delivered in a most fascinating and popular manner. The two reverend gentlemen are well known in most parts of Wales as true preachers of God's word, and it is needless to say that every sermon delivered by them was thoroughly enjoyed. We congratulate the Church on the success of the meeting. The weather was extremely fine, and good collections were made. May the good seed sown bring forth much fruit.

LAUGHARNE. ANNIVERSARY SERVICES.—The new Congregational I church held its anniversary services on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week, the officiating ministers being the Rev. B. Davies, D.D., Trelech, and the Rev. D. Oliver Edwards, Solva. The pastor, Rev. L. Price, conducted the meetings throughout. Owing, no doubt, to the busy season of the year, especially among agri- culturists, the attendance was not so large as it other- wise would have been. Collections were made in aid of the building fund, and, we understand, were satisfactory. —The report of the successful festival held in the Parish Church on Whit-Monday was too late for this week's paper.

NEWGASTLE-EMLYN. SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIOx.-The triennial election of the Cilrhedyn United District School Board was held at Dapel Evan Board Schoolroom on Wednesday last. There were eight candidates for the five seats, but two of them made it known that they were not seeking votes, viz., Mr J. Bangor Davies, Llwyneinon-uchaf, and Mr Simon O. Jones, Plasyrhafod. The following was the result of the poll:—J. Phillips, Glanrhyd (B.), 205; J. Bowen, Llwyneinon (U.), 166: J. Morgans, Hendy (B.), 162; J. Davies, Gellydanglwst (Cong.), 161; T. Davies, Blaennanthir (Cong.), 150. Non- elected: J. Evans, MountJPleasant (churchman), 124; S. O. Jones, Plasyrhafod (Cong.), 5; and J. Bangor Davies, Llwyneinon-uchaf. Voters recorded their votes in favour of the candidates as follows :—J. Bowen, plumpers 6, electors 95; J. Phillips, plumpers 14, electors 81 J. Davies, plumpers 10, electors 8u J. Morgans, plumpers 12, electors 74; T. Davies, plumpers 12, electors 66; J. Evans, plumpers 6, electors 63 S. O. Jones, plumpers 1. J. Bowen was the only old member seeking re-election who has been a member of the Board for 24 and a clerk for 20 years, and on this occasion, in spite of the energy of his opponents, had the support of 14 voters more than any other candidate. FUNERAL OF MR. LOGIE LLOYD FITZWILLIAMS.—The remains of the late Mr William Logie Lloyd Fitz- williams, of the Volunteer Active Service Company Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, whose death of enteric fever we recorded, were brought home from Netley Hospital on Wednesday, 22nd inst., and the funeral took place on Thursday afternoon in Llandyfriog Churchyard. The funeral was conducted with full military honours. The plain coffin, which simply re- corded deceased's name and age (22 years) and his death (on the 20th inst.), were escorted to the grave by the members of the F Company of the 1st Welsh V.B., with their instructor (Sergeant Fearncley) and the regimental band (conducted by Colour-sergeant T. Lewis) and a section of the Cardigan Naval Reserves, with Mr Fisher (the chief officer), Mr Gill, C.G.I., ind Seaman Gunner Baldwin. The last rites of the Church of England were performed by the Rev. D. D. Evans, vicar of Llandyfriog: the Rev. T. Jones, Penboyr; the Rev. D. H. Davies, Cenarth; Rev. E. Jones, Llan- gunllo; Rev. R. E. Davies, and the Rev. Prebendary Rhys Lloyd, R.D. Before the farewell was taken by r chief mourners-Mr and Mrs Fitzwilliams, and Mr Gerald and Miss Fitzwilliams-three volleys were fired over the grave, and a few bars of the Dead March" being played in muffled drums by the band between each volley, and the Last Post" was sounded. Hundreds of people were present, and all who re- membered the tall, handsome young son of the Squire of Cilgwyn were deeply affected. Among those present were Colonel Lewes, Llysnewydd; Colonel Howell, Pantgwyn Captain S. H. Jones Parry, Ty 11 wyd; iNlr Lewis Bowen, Glanmedeni; Mr A. H. Jones, Penallt; 31r A. H. Jones, Penallt: Colonel Newland, Dolhaidd Messrs W. C. and Charles j Tyler, Mount Guernos; Mr David Lloyd, Gilfachwen Dr Lloyd, Adpar; Deputy Chief Constable Williams; Mr J. H. Evans, registrar, Newcastle Emlyn County Court; Mr George, solicitor, Newcastle-Emlyn; Dr Thomas, Newcastle-Emlyn: Mr Wynne Mathias, Bank, Abervstwith; Mr J. Phillips, Sunnyside; Mr H. Williams, Gwynfryn Mr Edward Williams, Bodafon Mr D. Lloyd, National and Provincial BaLk Rev. W. Jones; Mr W. Henry, Adpar; Mr John Lewis, j Pontwelly Rev. Mr Pritchard, Baptist minister, New castle-Emlyn, &c.

ST. CLEARS. CYMANFA.—The Baptist Sunday schools of Zion, Bwlchnewydd, and Llangunnock held their annual cymanfa, on Monday last, at Zion Chapel. The weather was beautifully fine, causing a large attendance. Par- ticulars shall appear next week. CORRECTION.—In our report of the eisteddfod recently held at Elim a mistake inadvertently appeared. In tby juvenile choral competition the prize was divided between the Elim choir (conducted by Mr D. Thomas) and Llan- ddowror (conducted by Mr J. David), and not the whole to the latter, as stated in our previous account. LECTURE.—The popular lecture announced to have been delivered at the National Schools, Llanddowror, on Thursday evening last, on "Patience as the best light for man," by the Rev. Eynon Hughes, Tumble, has been unavoidably postponed until, we believe, June 6th. Mr Hughes is a popular lecturer, and, no doubt, he will draw a large audience. TRI.NITY.-Last Sunday the pastor, the Rev. J. B. Thomas, officiated at Trinity. In the evening there was a rehearsal preparatory to the festival at Whitland on the following Monday. There was a full attendance of the school; also a good few of visitors from Gibeon and elsewhere. The children and the singers went through their work remarkably well. ACCIDENT.—On Thursday last, whilst Miss Martha Rees, Tynewydd, Laugharne, was driving towards home through Llansadurnen, the pony fretted, and became so restless that Miss Rees was violently thrown out of the trap. Luckily, no bones were broken, but, in addition to a severe shaking, she got some nasty scrapes on her face and hands. A considerable amount of damage was done to the goods that were in the trap. DEATH OF MR. EVANS, FRONFELEN.—We sincerely regret to announce the death, on Thursday, 23rd inst., of Mr William Evans, Fronfelen, Mydrim road, at the early age of 32 years. The deceased (a widower) was the only son of Mrs Ann Evans, of the above address, and a nephew of Mr D. Thomas, Brynbank. The cause of his death was that deadly enemy, consumption, from which he has suffered for a considerable time. An un- usually large concourse of people assembled on Sunday last, when the mortal remains were interred at Salem Burial Ground, the Rev. W. Hopkins officiating. Mr Evans was a young man from whom great things were expected, and will be greatly missed at Salem Baptist Church, where he had been a faithful member for years. He was broad-minded and intelligent, and bore an unblemished character. Much sympathy is felt for his widowed and aged mother, who has now been left in sole charge of his two orphan children, the eldest being under twelve years of age. j

WHITE MILL. CORRECTION.—In the report of White Mill Eisteddfod which we published last week, the names of the winners of the quartette were not correctly given. The names should have been W. James and friends (" Gwynon Youngsters), Llanarthney. It was in the duett and not in the quartette that the prize was divided. AGRICULTURE AND SPORT.—ENJOYABLE DINNER.—On Thursday evening, 23rd inst., Captain Martin, Mr Gollop, and Mr F. Stacey Jones, Carmarthen, invited a few of their sporting friends in the neighbourhood of White Mill to a dinner at the White Mill Inn. About twenty-five friends responded to the invitation, and partook of the sumptuous repast provided by the land- I lady, Mrs Samuel. Captain Martin presided, being I supported by Mr Gollop and Mr Stacey Jones. Amongst others present we noticed: Mr E. W. Francis, Peny- graig; Mr Puddicombe, Carmarthen; Mr J. Thomas, Gilfachrhiw Mr J. Davies, Glantowylan Mr W. Griffiths, Glynmyrddin; Mr W. Hinds, Tyllwyd; Mr W. Davies, Pantgwyn; Mr Ben Davies, White Mill Farm; Mr T. Lodwick, Velindre; Mr W. Davies, Park; Mr R. Morris, The Smithy; Mr D. Thomas, Cricklas; Mr J. Davies, Forum, &c. On the cloth being removed, the usual loyal toasts were proposed by Mr E. W. Francis, and drunk to the tune of God save the King," Mr J. Evans taking the solo. Captain Martin gave Our friends and neighbours at White Mill," remarking that ever since he came to Wales a good many years ago, he had always found the Welsh a kind, generous, and hard-working people. They were always fond of a bit of sport, and he hoped that agri- culture and sport would continue going hand in hand for a long time. The toast was suitably responded to, Mr R. Morris singing Hen Wlad fy Nhadau." Mr Puddicombe gave Our Hosts," to which Captain Martin responded, all joining in singing, "For they are jolly good fellows." Messrs W.. Davies, William Hinds, Harry Evans, and J. Thomas also contributed to the musical part of the evening. The singing of the National Anthem brought to a close a very enjoyable If evening. I

WHITLAND. SUXDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL OF THE C.M. CHURCHES.— The festival of the churches of the St. Clears section of Mydrim district was held at Whitland on Whit-Monday. Five Sunday Schools met, and these were all that had been expected save Laugharne. The presidents were Mr. E. Morgan, Road Surveyor, Pendiue, and Mr. J. David. Three schools repeated in the morning, viz., the English Churches, Pendine, and Red Roses (questioned by the Rev. J. B. Thomas, St. Clears, pastor pro. tern.), on a portion of the I st chapter of St. John's Gospel-Pendine the first paragraph and Red Roses the second. The two churches, considering their small number and their very many disadvantages, did their work very well indeed, and displayed considerable amount of labour, as well as ability and sharpness. The school of Whitland (questioned by the pastor, the Rev. J. Davies) closed in a splendid style, the singing being par excellence. In the afternoon Llanddowror and Trinity repeated, the second being questioned by the pastor, the Rev. J. B. Thomas. The two schools seemed to be in very good form, and the children's work and the singing of both was considered admirable and worthy of every praise, leaving nothing to be desired. We cannot but hope to reap a very good crop —and that in the near future—from seed so healthily r sown in ground so wealthy and productive. Miss Williams, Star, Pendine, and Miss Lewis, Red Roses, recited chapters at the opening of the services, which were introduced by the Rev. J. B. Thomas and Mr. I Jones, Porth. The arrangements were very satisfac- tory, reflecting great credit on the Chairmen as well as on the Secretary (Mr. J. G. Rees, Whitland), and also the senior deacon (Mr. Davies, Waungron). In the afternoon, during the reciting by the two schools, a summary report from the several schools of the district concerning their present state as regards their work during the year was read by the Secretary, which was, on the whole, fairly satisfactory, but evidently there is room to improve, which we trust will be done before the next festival. Nothing is really very, very good if better is possible.

CLYNDERWEN. DEATH AXD BURIAL OF DIXAH EVA.s.-On Sunday, the 19th inst., after a long period of failing health, at the age of 64 years, Dinah, relict of the late John Evans, the respected village smith, passed away. A large number of sympathising friends attended the funeral, which took place on Thursday, in the grave- yard connected with the Pisgah Congregational Chapel, Llandissilio. Deceased was an old and respected resident in Clynderwen, where she nursed up a large family, a'l of whom are grown up.

LLANDISSllIO. I PARISH COUNCIL.—At a meeting of the Llandissilio West Parish Council held on Tuesday evening last week, Mr William James, Gilfachwen, was appointed assistant overseer at a salary of J,6 a year. We congratulate the parish on securing, at so low a figure, the services of an experienced collector of rates.

NARBERTH. I THE BUTTER FACTORY.—Thanks to Sir Charles Philipps, the Narberth Butter Factory has secured a weekly order of 5cwt. of butter to the Intercolonial Stores, London. A few more orders like this would of themselves make the factory a success. But local I farmers should not be content with viewing the matter in that light. It is manifestly their duty, and will be greatly to their own benefit to send their milk to the factory. They will thus make more of it than they could at home by the sale of the butter, not to speak of the great saving of time, care, and labour. Once they have tried this, they will not go back to the old system.

I CONFERENCES AND CONGRESSES. Whitsuntide is a great time for conferences and congresses. An International Confeience of Miners ope. ed on Monday in London, and delegates were pr-sent from Fran. 8 and Belgium as well as from Viirious parts of Great Britain. A resolution was passed expressing 83111patliy with the bereaved rela- tives of tiie miners who had lost their lives in the re. en1 explosion in South Wales. The Belgian dele- gates eniorced the importance of taking steps with a view to the prevention of such accidents. A resolu- tion of condolence with Mr. Pickard, M.P., on the, deiith of Mrs. Pickard, was also adopted. The 3.3rd annual Co operative Congress was opened at Middlesbrough on Monday. The president, Air, Jo,eph Warwick, of North Shields, dwelt on the vxtra< rdinarv growth of the co operative movement, showing that it had out-grown the prejudice of a few j sears ago, and predicted for it a brilliant future. The duty of co-operatives was to raise the social condi- lion of the masses of the people. This they had ult-eady succeeded in accottiplishing, and with cohes on and energy he believed they would dogreat work in solving some of the perplexing social pro- blems. A resolution expressing sorrow for the victims of the Welsh mining disaster was passed. A resolution was carried affirming the desirability of various societies of the union employing their surplus funds in the erection of houses for members in districts where the lack of accommodation was most keenly felt. Grand Master R. Rushton presided on Monday at the opening of the session of the Annual Move- able Committee of the Manchester Unity of Odd- fellows at Norwich. He said that the membership of the Unity on January 1 was 982,830, being an increase on the year of 21,359, and their accumu- lated funds were not far short of £ 11,000,000. There were 2568 female members of the order, which was an increase of 1341 during the year. The progress of the Unity bad been phenomenal, and not less remarkable had been the growth of Odd- fellowship in the Norwich district, and generally through Kast Anglia. The Moveable Committee of the National Inde- pendent Order of Oddfellows opened its annual meeting at Birmingham on Monday. About 130 delegates were present, representing 73,000 mem- bers. In his address the chairman said the total funds in January last amounted to E298,260, being tn increase of C7226 compared with the corre- sponding period of the previous year. The ques- tions of district funeral funds and of inadequate contributions were the two most pressing in connec- tion with the financial position of the order. Incal- culable mischief was being fostered by the system of 8q lIal levies to meet funeral liabilities, existing in all but 20 districts. It was necessary for all the districts and lodges to determine upon the immediate forma- tion of a district funeral fund. Where the equal levy system prevailed, the district was continuing in open violation of the rules of the order.

CRYSTAL PALACE ACCIDENT. GYMNAST FALLS EIGHTY FEET. The gymnast Pedina, who gives daily at the Crystal Palace a very daring performance on a bending mast, a hundred feet high, met with a bad accident on Whit-Monday afternoon. A large holi- day crowd had assembled to witness the feat in the centre transept, and when the performer had climbed to an altitude of eighty feet the mast suddenly snapped, and he fell with a crash on to an iron grating. Naturally the accident caused great excitement, which was intensified by the fact that the poor fellow appeared to be dead. Medical aid was promptly secured, and, happily, the gymnast was found to be still alive. He was conveyed as rapidly as possible to the Norwood Cottage Hospital, where it was found that he suffered from a broken left arm, a fractured rib, and a scalp wound. The patient was quite conscious at night, and, under the circumstances, remarkably cheerful. He talked of returning to his performance in a few days. Pedina is a native of Poland, and, although he has per- formed the feat on numerous occasions, he has iaever met with an accident before. j ==========

OSWESTRY ELECTION. The result of the bye-election in the Oswestry Division of Shropshire shows the constituency to be still Unionist. In 1895 Mr. S. Leighton's majority was 1007, and on Saturday the Hon. George Ormsby Gore retained the seat for the Government by a majority of 1086. The new member is the oldest surviving son of the present Baron Harlech, and is in his 47th year, The present and previous results were 1885. I 1895. S. Leighton (C.) .4753 S. Leighton (C.) 4605 H, Jephson(L.) 3772 Capt. Thomson (R.) 3598 981 I 1007 1901. Hon. G. Ormsby Gore (U.).4516 Mr. A. Bright (R.) 3430 Majority.1086 1896, 1892, and 1900—S. Leighton (C.) unop- posed.

IS "JACK THE RIPPER" STILL ABOUT? A murder of the veritable "Jack the Ripper* type has been committed in a house in Dorset-street, Spitallields.. The victim is a young wcman of the unfortunate class, named Annie Austin, and died in the London Hospital on Whit Monday evening from the wounds indicted upon her. iShe had been violently stabbed in no less than It places, the situa- tion of the cuts pointing to the most horrible design on the part of the murderer. Though more or less sensible when brought to the hospital on Sunday morning, s' e never sufficiently regained conscicus- ness to bt Vole to give any account oi the affair, There is t. present believed to be no clue to the murderer.

ETON COLLEGE is to have a new cricket pavilion, which, it is estimated, will cost about £2600. The governing body have given the site and also made a grant of £ 2000, while Dr. Warre, the head master, has given a donation of £ 60 towards defraying tho expenses of a clock tower. AIR. J. H. SINCLAIR, of the South African team, served under General French as a scout during the first part of the Boer War, and was taken prisoner by De Wet. Strangely enough, Mr. Frank Mitchell, the Yorkshire cricketer, was attached to the force which effected the rescue of Sinclair and his fellow- prisoners. SOIE tima ago several valuable stags, the property of the Dutch Prince Consort, were shot by poachers and sold in Amsterdam shops. Since then Prince Henry has replaced the Dutch gamekeepers by Ger- mans from Schwerin, which has created great dis- satisfaction in Holland.

Ex-President Pretorius, the Washington of the late Transvaal Republic and of its capital, has just died in venerable age after two days' iliness. America's invasion of European markets still occupies attention in New York and Berlin. The Hamburg-American Company now possesses one hundred and eleven steamships. Great loss of life is reported to have occurred as the result of the violent eruption of the volcano Keloet in Java. The district is enveloped in total darkness, and owing to the flow of lava a town in the vicinily has been evacuated by the inhabitants. j Lord and Lady Roberta narrowly escaped injury after the ceremony of opening the military Exhibition at the Crystal Palace. As they were about to enter thdr carriage the horses bolted, causing great panic, and they were with difficulty kept from being thrown down in the rush. Another link with the past has been severed by the death of William Griffiths, grandson of Tomos t.ewis, the well-known bymnologist and blacksmith, of Talley, Carmarthenshire. The deceas d, who was buried on Thursday week, was nearly 90 years of ag9. He had been appn nticed to Tomos Lewis, and kept up the old blacksmith shop until a few y, ars ago, when be left the business in the bands of a grandson. ANOTHER. DREADFUL COLLIERY DISASTER IN GLA- MOROANSHIRE. A disaster, which it is feared has resulted in the death of over eigL ty men, occurred early on Friday morning at the Universal Colliery, in the Aber Valley, about ten miles from Cardiff. Most of the night shift had come up, but eighty-three men j remained below, working overtime, and these were j reinforced by five fiiemen. Soon after five o'clock, two loud reports were heard, the explosions, it is believed, resulting from shot firing. Several rescue parties went down, but many were overcome by the after-damp, aod had to be brought to the surface. Many dead bodies were recovered, while one man, who was terribly burned, was found alive. One of the exploring party said he feared there was no hope that any of the men remaining in the pit would be rescued alive. On Monday it was announced that the Kin?, through the Home Secretary, had telegraphed to Mr Robson, Inspector of Mines, expressing his deep sympathy with the families of those who have lost their lives in the explosion, and his admiration of the gallant attempts made to enter the mine and save life. Up to Sunday night thirty-one bodies had been re- covered, leaving fcrtj-seven still in the pit. The work of rescue was attended with more than ordinary danger, from the fact that the depths of the falls hava impeded ventilation. Most of the men in the colliery were crushed beneath the debris, and it may be weeks before all the bodies arc recovered. Although several previous explosions have claimed more lives this one has been without precedent in its ruinous effect on the workings. It is the extent of the injury infl oted which has made the work of rescue so arduous and so perilous. The airways are blocked by masses of fallen material which have impeded ventilation, and have caused large accumulations of gas. But the obstacles and the risks have served only to stimulate the exertions of the volunteers who have come forward from the neighbourhood to lend help. This readiness to venture life and limb on behalf of comrades is a noble and an unvarjing attendant of thase disasters, which are too often caused by the recklessness of men who have the strongest motives for caution. The immediate cause of this explosion is, and in the absence of witnesses must remain, unknown. The assumption is that on Friday morning one of the men in the mine expcsed fire rashly. If so, he has paid tfor his folly with his life, and has, unhappily, involved about eighty of bis fellow- miners in a common destruction. We would prefer to believg that the misfortune was due to atmospheric conditions, and not to the carelessness of any individual. The history of the mines in this district contains abundant warning for those who have to work in them. From Wednesday's papers we learn that the work of rescue still continues to proceed slowly, but steadily, at Senghenjdd. Between fifty and sixty mangled bodies have now been brought cut, and as each is conveyed home the wife and children and neighbours realise afresh what a terrible visitation an explosion is. On no former occasion in the history of coal mines, according to experienced testimony, has the destroyer sets its hand so ruthlessly on human bodies as at Senghenydd. Along with the work of rescue the work of relief also progresses The Miners' Federation and the several insurance companies and benefit societies are alive to the needs of the locality, and no destitution exists there as yet. Since the late Queen ascended the throne 2,763 miners have been killed in the pits of the Principality alone. This aggregate represents fifty-nine disasters. The greatest number of lives lost in one calamity was at the Albion Colliery explosion in 1894, when 276 men came to their death. In 1878, at Abercarn 268 men were killed, and there were six other cases in which over 100 lives were sacrificed.

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STEAMERS TERRIBLE VOYAGE, Caught by the storm on March 22, while on the way from Mobile to Havre with 3U00 tons of pitch- pine logs, the Cardiff steamer Hudderstield was swamped by a huge sea. The steward was killed in his bunk. The captain was tirst swept right through the ceiling of his cabin on to the deck, and subsequently hurled off the engine room platform, dislocating his arm. The steering gear was rendered useless, and it was not until the vessel had lain at the mercy of wind and waves for many hours that the chief officer was ahle to put her off for Fayal, where she made tempo- rary reptirs. No iilame was attached to the captain at a Board of Trade inquiry at Cardiff on Saturday; while the ch.ei officer was complimented for his ability and resource.

GRKAT THEFT OF JEWELLERY, At Bristol, on Whit Monday, two men named Attenbram and ReD jam in were remanded on a charge of breaking into the premises of Messrs. ColeUIIUl and Tram III age, jewellers, and stealing a quantity of gold articles, watches, rings, &c. On Sunday morning the shop was found to bave been broken into from the roof, and although well wired With elnctric bells the strong room was forced, the safe broken open, and jewellery valued at nearly £ 10< HJ abstracted. All of it was recovered by the police.