The Welshman

I —-—. ,?? *? j ?-K?? i jf HTAW^HERACWlMjl IGOMEN RETURNS | -^3 S?STERED ?- ? ?..) — *.?.  .?, .-——— -:< Fac-simile of One-Ounce Packet. Archer's ¡ Golden Returns I The Perfection of Pipe Tobacco, I Coul, SWEET and Fragraxt. I [6377

CARMARTHENSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL. The statutory meeting of the Carmarthenshire County Council was held at the Shire Hall. Car- marthen. on Wednesday, when there were pre- sent: Mr .T. Jones, Llanelly, chairman; Mr. J. John, Parceithin, vice-chairman; Sir J. Drum- mond, Hart., Edwinsford; Lieut.-General Sir J. Hills-Johnes, V.C.. (J.C.B., Dolaucothi; Mr. F. D. Williams-Drummond, Hafodneddyn; Mr. Mervyn Peel, Danyrallt; Mr. Tom Morris. Gar- nant; Rev. R. H.Jones, Llangendeirne; Mr. W. J. Thomas, Llanarthney; Mr. J. Thomas, Trelech; Mr. T. Jones, Penronw; Mr. J. Morse, Laugh- arne; Mr. R. Williams; Mr. J. Simlett, Llanelly; Mr. J .LI Thomas, Tanlan Mr C. E. Morris, Car- iiiartliezi; Dr. Harries, Carmarthen; Mr. Ben. Evans Brithdir Mr T. E. Greville, Cross Hands Mr. J. Ll. Thomas, Pontardulais; Mr. D. Davies, Motlivey Rev .W .Davies, Llandilo; Mr. W. M. Davies, Glansawdde; Mr. J. Lewis, Carmarthen: Prof. D. E. Jones, Carmarthen; Mr. J. Lloyd; Penybank; Mr. D .Evans, Manordaf; Mr. W. B. Jones, Ltanelly; Mr. G. E. Bowen, Kidwelly; Mr W. J. Williams, Brynamman; Mr. W .David, Llanelly; Mr. J. Lewis, Meiros Hall; Rev Fuller Mills, Carmarthen; Mr. H. Jones Thomas. Pen- rhos; Ir. H. E. B. Richards, Carmarthen Dr. R. L. Thomas, Whitland; Mr. Jos. Joseph, Llan- gennech; Mr. D. Davies, Llandebie Mr. Alfred Stephens, Kidwelly; Mr. R. E. Williams, Cily- ein-in; Mr. L. N. Powell, Carregcennen; Mr. J. W. Gwynne Hughes. Tregeyb; Colonel Morris, Bettws; Mr. Jos .Williams, Llanelly; Mr. John Thomas, Llanelly; Mr. J. Roberts. Llanelly; Mr T. Thomas, Llangennech; Mr. J. Rees, Dolgwm; Mr. Thomas, Llangeler; Rev. B. Humphreys, Felinfoel; Rev. T. Johns, Capel Als; Mr. D. C. Parry, Llanelly; Mr. T. R. Jones, Pantglas; Mr. D. Harry, Llanelly; Mr. Vaughan Prvse-Rice, Llandovery; Mr. John Jones, Pontardulais; Mr. W. N. Jones, Tirydail; also the Clerk (Mr. J. W. Nicholas); and other officials. The Chairman read the return of the recent election, and in regard to North Ward, Pembrey, where there was a tie between the old member, Rev. J. H. Rees and Mr. Davies, Star Inn. Trim- saran, said that unless either candidate peti- tioned, the Council could order another election. Dr. Thomas asked if they could bind these two gentlemen without consent until the date for lodging a petition expired Rev. Fuller Mills—Have both power to vote? The Clerk—Neither of them After some correspondence had been read, Mr. W. B. Jones asked if it was correct that one John Lewis personated another, could they take any action in regard to that ? The Clerk replied that lie thought not. Ultimately it was agreed the matter should be left in the hands of the Clerk and the Chairman. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Retiring Chairman, before leaving the chair, gave a summary of the work done by the Council in the past, and referred to the increased duties which fell upon them. He also alluded to the suggestion of Lord Rosebery that a portion of the House of Lords should be elected by the County Councils (hear, hear). He did not think any greater compliment had been paid the County Councils since they had been instituted. He pro- posed that Mr. Johh Johns, vice-chairman, should be elected to preside over the meetings for the coming year. Mr. D. Evans seconded, and the motion was carried. Professor Jones—You said the County Councils would be represented in the House of Lords next year. Is that to be by the ex-Chairman or the coming Chairman? (laughter). The newly-elected Chairman on taking his seat had a goqd reception. He thanked them for the great honour that had been conferred upon him. He must admit he was not a university man, nor a classical speaker; the only thing he had to aid him in this difficult task was a little experience (hear. hear, and Col. Morris: And some common sense). The Chairman went on to speak of the various committees, and said his experience of the Old Age Pension Committee was that it was a very pleasant duty (hear, hear). It was saved a good deal by the tenacity with which old people c lung to small holdings where there was no profit, owing to it being their home. They were thus prevented from getting the old age pension, whereas if they sold their little property they would have no trouble in getting the 5s. The work in connection with the Small Holdings Com- mittee was not so pleasant, and lie thought the great defect was the mode of fixing the rent, by n valuer appointed by the Board of Agriculture. It would, in his opinion, be far better to have the rent fixed in open court by both sides being ad- vocated in public before an arbitrator or some tribunal that would be appointed by the Govern- ment for the purpose. Referring to the roads, he spoke of the increased cost of labour and material, but added they must make the roads and put them in a proper condition for the public, whatever the cost. He alleged that the rates of the county were not put properly before the latepayers, and said that on some demand notes he found the edu- cation rate and the general rate put down in one sum. The large parish of Llanelly put the county contribution at 5Jd. more than it actually was. Now was noWthat a false and fraudulent state- ment? ("Yes and laughter). It surprised him that the members of the County Council for that division tacitly admitted the correctness of that statement by acquiescing without protest or mur- mur. Mr. W. David-If that is necessary I protest at once. Such a statement cannot be true. Mr. W. B. Jones-I understand you said your statement was false, and therefore I said "Yes" (laughter). The Chairman said many similar statements were made in other parishes besides Llanelly, and we should take steps to protect ourselves against the official misrepresentations about the county expenditure (hear, hear). We should defend our- selves against fraudulent statements about the expenditure. Sir James Hills-Johnes—Might I suggest that this lecture should be given to us on the day we commence business as a County Council. To-day we are here to elect different committees on the Council, and it is now more than an hour since we met, and we have simply got the first election over. The Chairman—I think there is no better op- ¡ portunity of making this known than to-day, be- cause we have such a full number of the Council here. Dr. Thomas—Go on we are getting to like it (laughter). Mr. W. B. J ones-I should like you to draw it short, because I should like to catch a train home. Dr. Thomas—I move Mr. Jones goes home now (laughter) The Chairman-I will take another opportunity but I will only point out there is no wonder Llan- elly ratepayers—(Mr, W B. Jones: Leave Llan- elly alone)-are down on the County Council, and condemn us because such false statements are placed officially before them about the expenses of the County Council. Mr. W. David—Might I suggest that before you bring charges of this sort you should give notice, so that we might come as provided to meet them as you are to make them. the Chairman—You will find what I say is absolutely correct if you look at your own demand note. Mr. W. David-If vou had told me yesterday— The Chairman—I am not going to argue with ypu I will argue with you outside. Mr. W. B. Jones—Will you take us one at once outside, or the whole lot together? (laughter). The Chairman—I will take the whole lot to- gether (more laughter). Mr. D. C. Parry—Does your accusation, which is a very serious one, refer to the rural or urban district ? .The Chairman—To the rural; T have said no- thing about the urban. Mr. W .B. Jones—Then I should like you to have given me notice (laughter). Mr. A. Stephens moved that they proceed with the next business. The Chairman—We shall bring Llanelly to a better mood when they know the facts. He went on to say it was much to be regretted that the education question ha dnot been settled; the Board was wrong in giving one denomination me right to appoint teachers. There was no doubt about it. it was detrimental to education. Rev. Fuller Mills—May I appeal to you, you are entering into serious controversial matters, of which some of us know very little, and of course they demand reply. The Chairman-T am not. T only point out it is detrimental to education. Rev. Fuller Mills—I second Mr. Stephens we go on with the business ,and you will have your op- portunity on another occasion. The Chairman—I will leave the Education Com- mittee alone then. and point to the Standing Joint Committee ("Oh." and laughter). Rev. Fuller Mill-rol1 have made serious in- uendos against bodies, and you have gone so far I think they ought to be fully entered into. but not at this time. The Chairman-I consider, with due respect to you, I have a right here to-day to point out that the Standing Joint Committee is an anomaly on this Council, ——————————————————————————————-—-— Rev .Fuller Mills-That is another matter now (laughter). Mr. H. E. B. Richards—May I also appeal to you to proceed with the business ? The Chairman—I shall not be five minutes; I should have finished if you let me alone. The Government that has passed the Standing Joint Committee Rev .Fuller Mills-I ask for a vote on the mat- ter. Shall we proceed with business or not? The Chairman-No, you represent a constitu- ency that has the management of the police, and it is a great reflection on the County Council that they are considered inferior to the Borough of Carmarthen. That is the point. I say distinctly the Government that created the County Council —(Uproar)—said it was only for a time that the Standing Joint Committee should be appointed. He had nothing to say against the Quarter Ses- sions members of the Standing Joint Committee, but still it is a stigma on the County Councils to be considered inferior to the Boroughs and the County Borough Councils. Mr. W. B. Jones—Why do you sit on it? The Chairman—Because it is a legal com- mittee. Mr. W. B. Jones—And it is a stigma to you. The Chairman—I should like to get the Gov- ernment to redeem their promise. Mr. W. B. Jones—We will sent you £ o the House of Lords (laughter). Professor Jones-Time is going on. and I sug- gest the Chairman should bring in a Bill, and we can criticise it (laughter). The Chairman—I consider that in the future I shall be gagged—I shall leave you to speak in future, and I thought this was my only opportun- ity. He then moved a vote of thanks to the Re- tiring Chairman Dr. Thomas seconded, and the motion was car- ried, Mr. T. Jones acknowledging the vote. On the motion of Mr. W. Mabon Davies, seconded by Mr. W. B. Jones .and supported by Mr. Mervyn Peel, it was unanimously agreed that Mr. J. Bevan, Llansadwrn, be elected vice-chair- man. The retiring aldermen were re-elected, with Mr J .Lloyd taking the place of Mr. John Lewis, who is now on the Council as an elected member. Various committees were then elected, the necessary changes caused by non-elected old mem- bers being filled by new members. A lively debate ensued over the election of the Small Holdings Committee, Mr. J. Lloyd propos- ing a resolution that this committee which had had full power in the past should' report to the Council. The Chairman at first ruled it out of order. and afterwards said Mr. Lloyd could bring his motion, whereupon Mr. W. B. Jones urged him to stick to his ruling, and he again ruled the motion out of order. Mr. J .Lloyd objected to the Chairman being turned by people from Llanelly. Mr. A. Stephens—We have had the unusual spectacle of Llanelly being ruled by Carmarthen (laughter). Mr. D. C. Parry—I shall call the attention of the County Council at the next meeting to the wrong ruling of the Chairman (laughter, and "Worse than ever.") The Chairman said there was no useful purpose to be served bv getting these reports. Mr. J .Lloyd—That is possibly why you rule me out of order. The Chairman, warily—I am surprised at you arguing in this manner. Mr. Lloyd. The matter dropped, several members urging Mr. Lloyd to give notice of motion.

The Burden I is Too Heavy Every Pictiire The burden of backache from morning I Tells a Lt to night- The burden of sick headaches and dizzy spel.8 broken sleep woi-n-OUt I nerves- The burden of that dragging-down pain < f < in the loins and sides- The burden of rheumatic pains that seem I to get right into the bones when the I weather is raw and dam p- The burden of growing weakness, and that awful low and depressed feel- ing- f But it is a comfort to know that many Carmarthen men and women have been t cured of these and other kidney and t bladder troubles urinary disorders — gravel-stone, and serious cases of dropsy and inflammation of the kidneys. Another F encouraging Carmarthen instance is given here to-day, f Doan's Backache Kidney Pills succeed because they are a special kidney medicine, JB -3 and only a kidney medicine can sncceed in B kidney troubles. Doan's Pills bi-Bl and tone up the tirrd-out kidneys, and help them to throw off the uric acid poison that causes the above symptoms. Is YOUR BURDEN Dropsy, Rheumatism, Gravel, or Urinary Trouble? Is YOUR BURDEN Backache, Constant Tiredness, Headache, or Nervousness? These are Kidney and Bladder Troubles. CARMARTHEN INSTANCE  disorders, and made my back well and CARMARTHEN INSTANCE. Istrong In fact, I feel like adherent woman In reply to an enquiry Mear? 31 years since I have moo Doan's PiUs. (Signed) after the cure of her backache and urinary (Mrs.) E Lloyd." trouble, Mrs. E. Lloyd, of 24, Chapel Street, Carmarthen, said: I am convinced that for WRITE FOR ILLUSTRATED BOOX- kidney complaints there is no medicine to LET ON KIDNEY AND BLADDER equal Doan's Backache Kidney Pills. Whenever I feel at all out of sorts I take a TROUBLE, SENT POST FREE. dose or two of the pills, and they always do me good. 2/9 a box, 6 boxes 13,19 01 all dealers, For ten years I had been suffering from or post free direct from Fotter-McClellan For ten years I had been au:ffering from or post fr*eiie 7'ells Street, O.Cford Street, kidney trouble," said Mrs. Lloyd, when Co., 8, Wells Street, Oxford Street, describing her case. "The urinary system LoK?OM, W. was much dieordered, the seme. tions from the kidneys was mue disordered, being highly I,449b LIKE Mra LLOYD HAD. I C'oloured, thick, and paIDful;  contained a sediment, too. T pains I Buffered in my back and S' ,^TX loins gave me no peace, day or ???? m night. I could not turn in bed ??? ?S? Z????'?? & t?? tA becaue of the pain, and my rjf*R//I [r appetite became poor. ? I wrnfmra I tS' Jj Ifcr-rflSSl All my efforts to get relief appetite became poor. to get relief R M! ? ?S? ?F?T'B-?F ?V? t??'??K??t proved of no avail; but Doan's Backache Kidney Pills 800n ?3???? ?'F?? ??'TH?W BB?) ?''f??S'?7?.\?*?   brought about a change in somony ?I' Cos. health. They corrected the uhn-   ?m?\?\?????&?

THERE IS HOTHING JUST LIKE BLUE PROSS T EA. ■ Try it, Take no other. Its in Packets J [6387

0; The Bank of England rate of discount was ad- vanced on Thursday, 17th inst., from 3 to 4 per cent., and although the movement was by no means unexpected, it is, none the less, an unusuaP one at this period of the year.

SMALL HOLDINGS ENQUIRIES AT CARMARTHEN. Mr. John Owen, a commissioner under the Board of Agriculture. sat at the Shiro Hall, Car- marthen, on Thursday morning last week to con- duct an enquiry on an application for a compul- sory order by the Carmarthenshire County Coun- cil in respect of Mill Farm, in the parish of Llan- pumpsaint. owned by Mr. Charles Bankes Davies, of Llwvndu, Llangain, and occupied by Mr. D. Davies. Mr. A. Thomas, assistant clerk to the County Council, appeared in support of the application, and Mr. J .Saer opposed on behalf of the owner, Mr. Davies, Llfcyndu. In opening the case Mr. Thomas said the ap- plication was originally made by Mr. Wm. Thomas, of 5, Willy Terrace, Llanpumpsaint, to the Llanpumpsaint Parish Council, and negotia- tions having fallen through, the application in due course w as submitted to the County Council. They had caused enquiries to be held and various steps had been taken with reference to this field on Mill Farm. Mr. H. Jones-Davies, special agent to the -County Council, said in regard to this application he might say the County Council at the outset had taken every possible means to arrive at a volun- tary arrangement for the acquisition of the field in respect to which they asked for a compulsory order. He might further say that the County Council were very loth to take this step, but he- was sorry also to add that nearly half the land acquired in this county had been got through compulsory orders. The County Council had done .everything possible to come to an amicable ar- rangement with the landlords concerned, in their endeavour to supply small holdings as they were commissioned to do by the legislature, but they had to resort to compulsion, and unless they did proceed the Board of Agriculture would step in if they acted in default. The mode of procedure in this case was the usual- simple one. This ap- plication was received, and the applicant in due course appeared before the Small Holdings Com- mittee. who after the interyiew unanimously re- solved lie was a desirable person in every way for small holding. Afterwards they appointed a siub-committee to visit the land applied for. and to report to the next meeting. The date of the local enquiry was fixed, and the applicant, land- lord, agent ,and tenant were acquainted with the date. The sub-committee consisted of a landlord, 'the largest tenant farmer in the county, another large farmer, and the vice-chairman of the Edu- cation Committee, and if that committee had any particular leaning it would be on the side of the tenant farmer, because they were all practical agriculturists. The application was for the whole of a field. containing 6.655 acres altogether, with the plot already in the occupation of the applicant sublet by the present tenant David Davies. The committee inspected the land in the presence of the applicant and tenant, and the latter raised very strong objections to that particular field, be- cause lie said it was one of the best hayfields on his farm. The committee asked him if he was willing to grant any land on the other side of that field, with a rigbt-of-way. He said if he were compelled to relinquish any land at all he would in preference give up a field on the eastern bound- ary of the farm, not far from the homestead. The committee then inspected that field, and de- cided unanimously to substitute th J'teld sug- gested by tl.ie tenant, together Nvitli?,rield siig- .f an acre near that already held by the applicant for a fowl run. The applicant demurred and said he wanted half an acre additional land there. The committee didn't see their way to meet him. mnd reported at the next meeting of the Small Holdings Committee that the land now applied for should be obtained by voluntary arrangement, falling which a compulsory order should be ob- tained if the applicant was willing to concede the point of a quarter of an acre instead of half an acre tind to this he consented. The committee made enquiries with regard to neighbouring lands that might be suitable for small holdings in the district, but decided that this farm, which con- tained 183 acres, was more adapted than any other for this purpose. The Commissioner: Have you any facts as to t he surrounding farms ? Mr. H. Jones-Davies said they made enquiries as to Llandre, a neighbouring farm, about 100 iicres, but the land that would be suitable for small holdings was on the lower side, through which a, brook runs, upon which the farm depended for a water supply more or less. Mr. J. Saer said lie should like to hear what Jones-Davies had to say as regards the suita- bility of the applicants, and what their occupa- tions were. The Commissioner: That is known, and I may :ty this. Heally it is not your business nor mine as to who the applicant is at all. I cannot inter- fere. If you can prove to me the applicant is the most undesira ble in the world 1 cannot refuse the order on that. It is the County Council that be- comes your tenant, and not the applicant. You simply by accident know who the applicant is in this case. Mr. H. Jones-Davies: I submit that is a matter for the County Council entirely. Mr. J. Saer: I submit it is a matter for the Board of Agriculture, and that applicants for small holdings should be experienced in the culti- vation of the land. The Commissioner That they can cultivate the land themselves. The Board of Agriculture do, and always intend to, leave the choice of the ap- plicant to the discretion of the County Council. If I make a recommendation to the Board that I don't think this applicant very suitable, their re- ply would be: It is really the concern of the County Council, who are responsible to the land- lord, and to the county if they choose an un- desirable applicant who will cause the county a loss, and farm the land badly, and become bank- rupt through inability to do anything to the land. Mr. J. Saer: Then it doesn't matter whether he is a tailor, who has not worked an hour "11 the land in his life-time. I think it is desirably you should know whether lie is a person of any ex- perience in the cultivation "f land The Commissioner: I lwnw plenty of tailors who are good gardeners and farmers. The quali- fications of the applicant we leave to the County Council. It is outn-F mv enquiry altogether. Mr. A. Thomas said the applicant was brought upatafarm. MT. H. Joues-Davips: The committee decided unanimously he is* a desirabte applicant. The Commissioner: I cannot stop the County 'Council from letting it. They must know more about the matter than the Board of Agriculture, who can't judge from London- Mr. J .Saer said he had nothing against the man he only knew he was ri tailor, and )Iqd had Do experience in farming whatever. The Commissioner: That is-a matter of opinion. Mr. Saer then cross-examined Mr. H. Jones- Davies as to the extent of the farm, Ili-,(i on the fact that the committee had to go there twice as apparently they could not come to a decision the first time. Mr. H. Jones-Davies said they went the second time in regard to another applicant. Mr. J. Saer: Another tailor? Mr. H. Jones-Davies: A desirable applicant to the committee. Mr. J. Saer: They ought to get seven more tailors, and then they will have one good man (laughter) After further cross-examination, Mr. Saer con- tended that there was no genuine demand for small holdings, and that this claim was made be- cause Mr. Davies, the owner, declined to sell a building plot. though he was prepared to lease it for 99 years. They wanted to buv sites, and that was the secret of the whole tiling. These people were tailors, and there was nO wife or daughter to look after cattle. It was superfluous te say that, cenerallv in this part of. the country .-he- had women to attend to cattle, not tailors. II The Commissioner: Don't be too hard on the tailors, or you will be getting a tight fit one of these davs (laughter). Mr. A. Thomas pointed out that a small hold- ing of 16 acres, called Troedvbr? a, was sub-let y the tenant of Mill Farm to Wf>a"1 s or spinners, t r something of that kind. Mr. J. Saer: They farm the and. The Commissioner: He makes the cloth and t'lie "tailor makes the clothes (laiighter). Mr. J. Saer: He has a wif to attend to t^ >ie. cattle. Mr. A. Thomas said with regard to the building site, if the applicant did want to build a house there was nothing to prevent him applying for land afterwards. That was his Id en'. Mr. J. Saer: Verv 'cute. Mr. A. Thomas: You have to. 1>1'. dealing with some people. There is nothing £ • the application to show to the County Council it va« made out of revenge. Mr. Saer had not proi A that point at all. The tenant was then called .nfc i said he had held the farm ten years, and his ather 35 years. He obtained his water supply f mt thf well in the field proposed to be tak» u. and in dry weather had to go to the villagi *'spout" or to Pantyrhuu. There were 26 acr< > of bog on the farm. (This Mr. H. Jones-Davit? }vu, said cnnkf\ be improved). • Mr. J. Saer—Are you willing t\ tV tailors to have a go at that? The Tenant: They would have to get a boat j (laughter). The Commissioner: They don't ux^.L-rtake to lw- | come sailors (more laughter). In the course of the enquiry the Commissioner markpd the plan where he thought- if the order went through a strong fence should be erected to ■ retain the well for the farm. and that in regard to the quarter acre it should be carried out in such a way as to do the least possible harm to the field. He thought the County Council would have helped them if they had given a plan shew- ing what land they wanted. At the close of the enquiry the Commissioner referred to an enquiry that was to be held in the afternoon about a small holding on Parcnest, and said that he and Mr. Dudley Drummond, the agent, together with the parties, had met, and agreed as to the land to be taken, so that the en- quiry would be unnecessary. SMALL HOLDING AT LLANYBRI. On Friday morning the Assistant Commissioner (Mr. John Owen) again sat in the Shire Hall. when Mr. J. W. Nicholas, clerk to the County Council, appeared in support of an application to confirm an order for the compulsory acquirement of three fields, part of Plasissa farm, situate in the parish of Llanstephan, of a total area of 15 acres, now occupied by Mr. Robert W. Phillips. Mr. Lewis W. Dav .id, of Cardiff, appeared for the owner. In opening the case Mr. Nicholas said the build- ings on the farm were by no means large, and the fact of taking away these fifteen acres of land would not in any way render any part of the build ings unnecessary. The applicant had four child- ren at home, and was desirous of tarrying on the farm and keeping his children with him, for which lie, niiking the application. The fields were all i.etached. and therefore such that might fairly be made the subject of an order of this sort without undue inconvenience to anyone. The great difficulty in these cases was the question of hardship, but here the tenant was leaving on the 29th September, and therefore so far as he was concerned there could be no hardship. With re- gard to the objections of the owner, there was a general objection to the land being taken at all. It appeared that unless the land was taken away under a compulsory order there was no objection to letting two or th ree fields to a Mr. Francis. From the tenour of the correspondence the taking away of these fields was not in question, but the details in connection with the letting, for in one letter it was stated, "If satisfactory terms were arranged we should be willing to withdraw our objection. Other fields had been offered to the applicant without prejudice, but his answer was that those fields were inconvenient to him they were situated about a mile or a mife and a half from where lie resides. It was one of the duties of the County Council to find suitable land, and from what the applicant told them the fields offered would not be suitable. The applicant held 16 of 24 acres on lease, and the owner of those fields, who was now dead, had left them to a lady for life, and afterwards between several sons. The life tenant is a woman over 73 years of age. Applicant would lose them oil the 29th September, when lie would be only one of many others want- ing them, and rather than take the possibility of being able to retain these fields from various co- owners, he came to the Council for tixity of tenure for 35 ydars. Mr. AVin. Williams, butcher and farmer, of Black Anchor. Llanybri. said he was an applicant for three fields. Part of Plas-issa. At present he had 24 acres, of which he owned two himself. Sixteen he held under lease, which expired next September, and there were a good many appli- cants for those fields. He wanted to be under the County Council because if lie got fields from one and then another he was never safe of them, and never knew when he would lose them. Trouble arose every week with Phillips when lie was driv- ing his cattle and sheep to one of the fields, through their animals mixing in the lane, and lie had had to pay damages owing to cattle getting into wheat. He wanted to get out of that trouble He had three boys and a girl at home, and if he lost the 16 acres, and didn't get any more instead of them he would have to send them from home. The fields offered were nearer to Plas-issa than to him they were a mile from his house, and he would have to go through the village. If he got the fields lie wanted he would have a landlord who would not disturb him, and he would keep his children at home. Cross-examined by Mr. David: He had a field adjoining the offered fields. He had not asked the present landlords to let him have the fields on lease again. He would rather have the fields on Plas-issa than the land he now held Mr. H. Jones-Davies. County Council special officer. said he went with the committee on the 10th November to Llanybri. The applicant first asked for tw o fields. They viewed one with north aspect, with a lane leading to it, and then went to see another with a well in it. and seeing they could not grant that field without another in which there was no water, the applicant varied his application, and was now asking for three fields, making fifteen acres. The committee saw the outbuildings to see how they would be affected, and having viewed the mcame unanimously to the conclusion the fields should be granted.. On the 15th January the Small Holdings Committee adopted the report. The buildings were not of a very modern type, and they would not be too ample after these 15 acres were taken away. Cross-examined: Before he became special offi- cer lie was chairman of the Small Holdings Com- mittee. and attended a conference with Lord Car- rington. He asked if he would advise the County Councils on the point of taking land from farms under 100 acres. What was his answer?—That it should be left to the common sense of the County Council. But with an implication he would not advise land being taken from 100 acres where it was possible to take it from larger farms?—I have no recollection of that. Mr. David contended that Plas-issa is nothing but a small holding itself. It is only 84 acres, while there are many larger farms in the dis- trict which qpuld much better spare land. The Commissioner had seen the buildings, and his (Mr. David's) contention was that the house and buildings were sufficient to accommodate more land rather than less, than was now held with them, and if any land were taken away it would seriously deteriorate the farm as a whole. The house was built of stone and slate, and the whole [ h e land of Plas- i ssa place was in nice order. The land of Plas-issa was very scattered, and it might seem at first sight that being so there was no hardship in tak- ing land awny, from this farm. But the very fact of this being so scattered, the taking away of these fields elnbodied in the order would mere ly accentuate the hardship because these fields were part. of the best land they had on the farm.- The one iinjKirtanfc point of the whole matter was this. In one field there was a spring of water that had never been known to be dry. It was the one and onlv spring on the farm that had never been known to be dry. The value of a water supply for a dairy farm was incalculable, and if they took away a spring of that kind they were striking at the "ery heart of the farm. and taking away the life blood of the whole place. The dairy cows in summer time were driven down to that field for water twice daily. In their report of 1898 the Small Holdings Commissioners drew special at- tent-ion to the fact that the Act offers very ample safeguard that the eyes of the farm shall not be taken away in this manner. He contended if this order were confirmed that would be very strongly violated. Hii pointed out that the County Council was not bound to provide the particular land ap- plied for. Th' had no wish to be obstructive to the County Council, and for that reason they offerecfHatche hiJl ground, a little over lOt acres. Thev did not want to lose even that, but were prepared in trying to come to a settlement to give up that rather than have the lifeblood of the farm taken awtv. The fields they had offered had a water supolv at the brook at the bottom. though to drive dairy cattle there would be out of the question. With regard to the 16 Sacres. thfc applicant rented ,nnd wished to give up, he (Mr. Dadd) had a letter from Mr. W eeks, the trustee, saying he could still hold the fields yearly on the same terms as the lease, and a letter from Mrs. Mary Bennett to the same effect. Mr. Nicholas said this letter might or might not have been written by Mr. Weeks, but where letters were put in one wanted to have some proof of genuineness) Mr. David: The idea of our producing forgeries is r:itlier Mr. Nicholas: It is not a question of forgeries, but of having evidence before us in the proper .manner. 1'1: The Commissioner said he would take it for "hat it was worijl he did not think it was worth 1 Mr. W. R. Phillips, the tenant, said he was bt.rn at Plas-issa, and his family had been at the form more than sixty years. With regard to the j 1. i!dingq. he con!d occupy a little more land J v <h the buildings he had got. It would be bad i f(i?? the farm to take these fields away. He never I th w>ht the buildings were not sufficient for the litti 1. He had thjrty-two cattle in and about the bui lings through the winter; fourteen of them d-iii, cowl, .There were two places on the farm whe e the water never went dry one was in the fiel. Williams was applying for. and the other at the bottom of Hatclie Hill. There was another veil, but it -was in an arable field, near Parcy- vicar. The reason he was going from the farm was because Williams had applied for this field with the water. He never thought to move from there. Do you think anybody can go on with Plas-issa farm' and keep a herd if that water is taken away ?—Not without a lot of trouble. It would mean keeping another boy to water the dairy cows. ) Cross-examined: You say you are going away because this man has applied for the land; do you mean that as a fact?—Yes. That is not what you told the committee; try and think. You have bought Mwche haven't you K—I bought Mwche before the application. I thought he was thinking about it before I thought of buying Mwche (laughter) When you first heard lie was thinking of send- ing in an application you thought of buying Mwche ?—Yes. t You are going to Mwclie aren't you ?—Yes. You are making a very fine exchange aren't you?—It is to my advantage. Excellent farm •s Plas-issa is, Mwche is very much larger and better ?—Yes. You had a little talk with Mr. Francis, and told him if he would apply for some fields it might stop the County Council from applying?—No, I N o, that is not it. That is what I understood you to say?—Yes, but Mr. Johns told that. Were you willing for Mr. Francis to have some of the fields?—It didn't matter to me; I had bought Mwche. It doesn't matter to you whether Plas-issa is cut up into small holdings now ?—;Not now. In further reply witness said it was a well- watered farm, but in very dry weather the springs dried up. Mrs. Lewis, Mwche, said she had agreed to rent Plas-issa farm on a yearly tenancy from the 29th September next. She confirmed what Mr. Phil- lips had said that the taking away of the field with the spring in it would be a very serious mat- ter for the farm. She really doubted if this par- ticular field was taken away whether she would eventually be able to keep dairy cattle through- out the dry summer. Cross-examined: She lived close by, and knew all a bout it. She had been over the fields before she took the farm. She had no objection to the other fields being taken, but if this went. the farm being so scattered it was very inconvenient to take dairy cattle far. Ther^was a well at Llanybri, near Plas-issa. but that was a public well. and it had been known to go dry. Last summer it went dry, and people got up at three o'clock in the morning in order to get their supply, because not a drop was in it the whole day. Her sister-in-law lived at Llanybri and told her so. Mr. David pointed out that it was different having a field where they could turn cattle in to .drink at the well than herding them on the public road to drink at the public well. It was a serious thing to take 16 acres from a small farm, a large part of which was arable. They would have only 69 acres left, 20 acres of which were arable, and they felt it would be a great injustice to the own- ers to confirm this order. Mr. Nicholas urged that undue stress had been placed on the point with regard to water. The tenant never said anything about the well close to Llanybri ever being dry. The farm through and through was fairly well watered, and the County Council had to consider the convenience of the applicant. The Commissioner: I will report, and you will hear in due course j CLAIM FROM TRELECH. f In the afternoon the Commissioner again sat to hear the application of Mr. Nicholas on behalf of the County Council for five acres on the farm of Pentrecagill, Trelech, which is owned by Mr. Thomas, and tenanted by Miss Davies. Mr. Nicholas said the applicant was John Jones Imtcher, of Castle Hill, Trelech. There were 92 acres on this farm, and Thomas owned two other farms, making altogether 194 acres. The appli- cant carried on business as a butcher, and had very great difficulty in getting land to keep cattle but lured a field here and there. But they were very inconveniently situated, and he had no security of tenure- The applicant went into the box and stated that on the lltli September last he had a talk with Wm. Thomas, and the latter agreed to sell him this field. He offered £ 200, and Thomas wanted £ 250, but eventually he agl eed to pay t225, and he was to get stones to put up a building free of charge. Everything was settled, and the appli- cant was making arrangements to borrow the money at 3t per cent. on mortgage, when Thomas refused to sign the contract, which he had made verbally, in the presence of three witnesses, and the whole thing fell through. Mr. Evan Thomas, Coedllwyd, Pom., who ap- peared for the owner, his brother-in-law, pointed out that of the 92 acres 20 were moorland. Mr. Nicholas said the owner admitted he had offered to sell the field. Mr. Evan Thomas: I object to an offer that was made in a public-house. The Commissioner: Mr. Wm. Thomas said he agreed subject to your sanction. Mr. Evan Thomas: And I never gave sanc- tion. The Commissioner Your advice was against the sale, and it is no use thrashing it over. Mr. H. Jones-Davies said that on the 23rd August, with Mr. John Johns, he made an en- quiry with regard to the farms generally in this district. They were pointed out some larger farms, but the applicant said he was not prepared to go much further than this land. On the way- back to Carmarthen he and Mr .Johns discussed the master, and unanimously favoured the grant- the matter, field. Nothing had since occurred to ing of this neld. Nothing had since occurred to alter his opinion. Mr. Evan Thomas said the taking of this field would be depriving the farm of five acres of the only nine acres of level land from which hay could be cut and carted away safely, and where it was possible to use a horse rake. The wish of the Legislature was that farmers should till the land, and the owner of this farm had improved it very much more thnn any other in the district. He did not believe it was right to take away land from a farm which was in a state of development. At Cwmglas the site of a building had been cleared and the stone carried there, and the only season it was not done was that Blaenglas had not been finished. I The Commissioner That is a chance. Mr. Evan Thomas Yes, btlt who is to have the :j chance—a stranger or the man who has spent 30 years of his life there in hard labour ? Was every applicant to get his choice of land? The Commissioner: No, they don't. Mr. Evan Thomas This man says he won't ac- cept land anywhere else on any accoupt. The Commissioner: The applicant asks the County Council for the land most suitable to him- self. It is for the County Council to consider whether the application was reasonable,' The case of the County Council is that two experienced men went there to see, and they decided it was ) not a reasonable application. Mr. Evan Thomas complained that Mr Nicholas t was an advocate for the applicant ,and he thought they couldn't employ an advocate or expert or anyone. The Commissioner: You should get advice. The Board cannot undertake to advise you. I am here to hear you at the least possible expense to yourselves, but if you like to go to the expense of a solicitor you can do so by all means. Mr. Evan Thomas said he 'was a member of the Pembrokeshire Small Holdings Committee, and he had never seen such a case as this, taking the best land from a small farm. Miss Davies, the tenant, was then called and she said her father had been on the farm 23 "yTears. This field was the best field on the farm. Three years ago she put on artificial manure, and pro- vided a large amount of artificial manure which was intended for this field last autumn. After some concluding remarks by Mr Nicholas, who submitted that in this case there was no hardship, and that it was a fair application, com- ing well under the Act, The Cor umissioner said he should report in due course.

At the Hotel Metropole on the 16th inst. an in- fluential meeting of business men decided to found "The Register of .British Manufacturers," with a view to stamping out frauds perpetrated by the system of f;iW'ly descnbinir foreign and spurious goods as made by British manufacturers of repute. The rapidity with uhirh the suffragist move- ment is spreading in France may he estimated hy the fact that for the general elections to the Chamber of Deputies in May women candidates are to be brought forward in each of the twenty divisions into which Paris is divided for political purposes. The Right Hon. G. W. E. Russell opens his new book "Sketches and Snapshots," with the guile- less inquiry of an imaginary child: "Mamma, are Tories born wicked, or do they grow wicked after- wards ?" "My dear, they are born wicked, and grow worse." This. he says, summarises the creed of orthodox Whips at the beginning of the late Queen's reign.

I CARMARTHEN BOARD OF GUARDIANS The usual fortnightly meeting of the above Board was held at the Board Room of the Work- house. Carmarthen, Mr. J. S. Williams, Trelech, presiding. Also present were: Mr. Jno Williams, Ahergwili; Mr. D. H. Davies. Abergwili; Mr. D. Williams, Abernant; Mr. John Davies, Conwil; Mr. Herbert Walters, Llandefeilog; Mr. Evan Williams, Llanfiliangel ;#Mr. J. Lewis, Llangen- deirne; Mr. J. T. Williams. Llanginning; Mr. J. Francis, Llanstephan: Mr. T. Davies, Merthyr; Mr. D. Edwards, Newchurch Mr. W. H. Thomas. Mydrim; JIr. D. John, St. Clears; Mr. J. Jones, St. Ishmael; Mr S. Stephens. Cwm Farm Mr. ¡ Wm. Williams, Llangain Factory; Mr. D. Phil- lips. Llangunnor: Miss G. M. E. White, Miss M. A. Thomas, Rev. A. F. :Mills: Mr J. P. Lewis, and Mr J. T Lewis, of St Peter's, Carmarthen. The Master reported as follows: I beg to i submit my report for the fortnight ending the 18th inst. Mr. B. J. Thomas. Old College School, conducted Divine service at the House on the 6th inst. Mr. Wm. Brazell. Llanelly (guardian). visited the House on the 17th inst.. and the fol- lowing is his report: I paid a surprise visit to the House this day. and went through the whole of the building with the Master. T was exceed- ingly pleased to fiii(I evern-tliiiig in good order, | and everyone seemed to be very happy. The num- j ber of inmates in the House on the last day of th& week was 138. as asrainst 135 for the same period last year. Mr. Williams, watchmaker, Lamman Street, kindly cave tobacco to the inmates. Mr I F. Hodge kindly entertained the inmates to a. s,fetv bioscope entertainment at the Assembly Rcuns. The reports of the relieving ofifcers showed the- amount of out-door relief distributed during the* fortnight ended the previous Board day to hav& been as follows:—First week: 932 paupers, a de- crease of 43: expenditure. £ 135 2s. 4d.. a de- cease of -Pil as compared with the. ccrrespuondlng week last vear. Second week: | j 933 paupers, a decrease of 32; expenditure, R12(0 (rL. a decrease of -25 15s. i The Treasurer's report showed the balance in hand on the previous Board day to have been '[ .03.503 10s. 7d.. j A letter was read from the N-ation.91 Society for fhe Prevention of Cruelty to Children asking the Board to grant the yearly sum of 5 guineas. The amount was granted. Mr. Thos. Owen apolied for £ 60 for extra work in connection with the valuation list of the As- sessment Committee. The Rev. A. Fuller Mills proposed that it be granted. Miss G. M. E. White seconded. The motion was carried unanimously. This was all the business of public interest.

A POPULAR CARMARTHENSHIRE LAD I THRICE FAVOURED CANDIDATE. Amongst the many Carmarthen boys who hava carved a course for themselves ,and a distin- guished one County and District Councillor Jas. Jones, of Barry Dock, occupies no mean official station. At the Glamorgan County Council elec- tion last week Mr. Jones, in his endeavour to continue in the seat he had for six years occupied, with dignity and admirable usefulness as member for the Barry Dock division, was challenged by District Councillor F. T. Mossford. The contest. I was looked forward to as one of considerable im- portance, both sides being formidable and deter- mined to exercise every legitimate power to secure, the return of their nominee. At the close of the. polling day, throughout which indications pointed to a close issue, the figures were declared to be— Mr. Jas. Jones, 888; Mr. F. T. Mossford, 311; majority, 577. Seeing that Mr. Mossford has served on the Barry District Council for three years, and has associated himself with many de- s irable movements in the town, the result simply proves the outstanding popularity of Mr. Jones, whose boyhood days were spent at Ffynonddrain, on the outskirts of Carmarthen, where he is well known and admired by many of the old resi- dents. Possessed of a keen business acumen, of experience in various successful business concerns of widespread influence in public life—these and similar attributes in Mr. Jones are but qualities pointing to progress. His chief and captivating qualities, however, are his amiability and gener- ous dsposition, and his readiness at all times to render aid to every good cause, and notably were these qualities in view during his term of office as guardian of the poor for Cardiff and Barry districts. During his chairmanship of the Barry District Council three years ago Mr. Jones brought into unison many of the hitherto self- willed and obstinate members, and in this alone he has accomplished for the town of his adoption a glowing tribute to his tact and clear percep- tion of public duties.