The Aberystwith Observer

V10NTG0MKRYSA1RE ENGLISH]} CONORKGAf I< >NAL UNION. The district meeting was held at Newt-own on rhursday, and the meetings were presided over c )y Mr Richard Pryce, Manllwyd, Kerry. 4 ] The business conference commenced at 12-15, when there was a large number of delegates pre- ;ent. The Rev E. Jones, Llansaintffraidd, open- ed with prayer, after which Mr R. Pryce gave in address. The Treasurer (Mr T. Rees, Newtown) report- 1 ?d that at the commencement of 1907 there was a balance due to the treasurer and now at the close of the year there was a small balance in hand. The Rev J. M. Edwards, Sarnau, editor of the county magazine, reported on the magazine account which was considered satisfactory. The festival for the Upper District has been fixed for Bwlchyffridd on May 18th, and the fes- tival for the Lower District on June 18th at Llansaintffraid. The conductor at both festi- vals will be Mr William Jenkins, Newtown. The Rev W. J. Lewis, of Llandvsilio, who is secretary of the Montgomeryshire County Union, and who was elected at the annual meeting at Hodley in his absence secretary of the Psa.lmody and Scripture Examination Association, now wished to be relieved of the secretaryship. He was secretary of the Sunday School Union and also secretary of the Montgomeryshire County Union. He had also his own pastoral work to do. and was not able to spare the time to the work. The minute of the annual meeting in reference to Mr Lewis' appointment as secre- tary to the Psalmody and scripture examina- tion Association was then rescinded, and on the motion of the Rev W. J. Lewis, seconded by Rev E. Jones-Williams, Newtown. the Rev Hugh Parry, Bwlchyfridd, was elected secretary of the Psalmody and Scripture Examination As- sociation. The catechisms and lessons to be learnt for the scripture examination were approved of, after which the delegates adjourned for lunch- eon in the English Congregational schoolroom. There was a much larger attendance of dele- gates than usual, at 2-30, when the conference commenced. The schedules from the various aided churches were read and recommendations passed. A resolution supporting the Temper- ance Bill, and hoping the Government will give power to the people to have local veto, was car- ried. The place of next meeting was fixed for Sarnau. A communion service was held at the close of the conference, presided over by the Rev E. Jones-Williams, Newtown, and the Rev Hugh Parry, and R. Jones, Newtown, offered prayer. At 4-45 the delegates sat down to an excellent tea at the English Congregational Schoolroom. After ten. a vote of thanks was accorded to the friends at the English Congregational Church for entertaining the delegates. The catering was in the hands of Mr J. T. Howell, Kerry road, Newtown. In the evening the Rev W. Evans (late of Blackpool), now sup- p- erintendent of the Salford Central Mission, preached to a good attendance. «

MONTGOMERY DISTRICT OFO ODDFELLOWS. The annual meeting of the Montgomery Dis- trict of Oddfellows (M.U.) was held at the Vil- )age Hall, Llandinam, on Wednesday. The District consists of 17 lodges with 2,436 adult members and 400 juvenile members. The offi- cers in attendance were Bros G. Mountford, Prov.G.M.. Churehstoko; John E. Tomley, Prov.D.G.M., Montgomery; T. Morgan, P.P.G.M., Newtown and Charles Shuker, Prov. C.S., Welshpool. The following were the depu- ties—tBro E. Berwick and T. M. Morris, Mont- gomery; Arthur Jones, P.P.G.M., and W. G. Maddocks, Bishop's Castle; T. Humphreys, Llanidloes; Evan Davies and Edward Davies. Welshpool; John S. Slater and R. Morris. Churchstoke F. W. Cooke, P.P.G.M., and W. H. Humphreys, Newtown F. S. Sparkes, Builth Wells; John Francis, Berriew; D. Thomas, Trefeglwys; Thomas Jones, Carno; G. E. Pryce, Kerry; Richard Preece. Middletown Alfred Andrew, Bettws; James Bennett, Llan- dinam Charles James, Llanfair; Rev T. Smith, Llanbrynmair; and Edward Roberts, Llanerfyl. There were also present Bios. T. Richards and A. Bright. j The auditors reported that the books were neatly and correctly kept and the financial con- dition of the District and each of the lodges was very satisfactory. Grants from the distress fund were given in two cases of special distress -the one to a member at Bishop's Castle and the other to a member at Welshpool. Two pro- positions were sent up to the Directors for con- sideration at the Cardiff A.M.C. in June next. (1) That the Directors of the Unity be requested to communicate with the kindred Friendly Soci- eties inviting them to make mutual arrange- ments (where practicable) for the receipt of contributions and payment of benefits of mem- bers residing in places outside the radius of a lodge of the Manchester Unity; and (2) that Districts may, if they choose, elect three mem- bers only to act with the district officers as a board of arbitrators in cases of dispute. The Prov.C.S. reported that several lodges had carried out a complete amendment of their rules on a uniform plan an dincorporating in them the most recent amendments of the general rules and the new objects carried out by the Order, and the meeting decided to make a com- plete revision of the District rules, and appoint, ed a small committee for this purpose. Bro. John. E. Tomley was elected Prov.G.M. and examiner of lodge books for the ensuing year; Bro Charles Owen (Llanidloes) was elect- ed Prov. D.G.M. and Bros G. Mountford. P.P.G.M., and T. Morgans, P.P.G.M., were elected to represent the District at the Cardiff A.M.C. The usual board of arbitrators were appointed, and Bros F. W. Cooke and R. W. Francis were added to the District officers as a sub-committee to carry out the provisions of the distress fund. Churchstoke was chosen as the place for holding the next meeting. At the close of the business Bro Tomley was duly in- stalled in the Grand Master's chair, and Bro T. Morgans, on the part of the District, presented Bro Mountford, the retiring Grand Master, with a certificate handsomely framed, to mark the very efficient manner in which he had. fulfilled his duties during the past year. It should be mentioned also that Dro Tomlev was nominated for election on the Investigation Committee of the Order and the Board of Directors, and Bro Morgans was nominated for his portrait in the Oddfellows* Magazine. The proceedings closed with an excellent dinner at the Lion Hotel.

DEATH OF MR JOHN JONES, LLANDUDNO. We regret to state that at Bournemouth, whither he had gone for the benefit of his health, the death took place late on Tuesday night of Mr John Jones, of Dinarth Hall, near Colwyn Bay. He was born nearly 63 years ago at a small farmhouse in the Moc-hclre valley, at the foot of the picturesque Bryn Euryn. At an early age he went to live at Llandudno, where he soon laid the foundation of his successful business as butcher and cattle dealer. More recently, how- ever, he was better known as a breeder of Welsh ponies at Dinarth Hall, being very successful for years as an exhibitor at shows, not in Wales only, but in liondon and various parts of Eng- land. Mr Jones was in the habit of attending fairs and auctions in Welsh agricultural centres as a buyer for the LIandudno business and as a aeaier. ne was expert in alt matters affecting live stock, and his services were in continual requisition as a jadgf, valuer, and so forth. He had held office on the committee of the Hackney Society, tho Polo Ponr Society, and other in- stitutions, and assisted in the management of many agricultural shows in the ootwgs of his career. Mr Jonas was an effective and fluent speaker in English and Welsh, and a man of t'ox- cellent business ability. In politics Mf Jones was at one time strongly Liberal, but in recent years he became Protectionist. He sat ou the Caroarroa County Council as an independent number. H.. knifes a widow, thritf BDRS, and serga GafigKeni

MACHYNLLETH RURAL DISTRICT I COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of this Council was held in Wednesday afternoon when the chairman, Mr Edward Hughes, presided. CEMMAES. The Inspector reported that there was a heap of nanure in front of the cowshed occupied y Mr IVhitlingtOD, blacksmith. This was. in his opinion, } ■ 00 near the dwelling house, and as Mr Whittington WDB Belling milk it was also too near the shed where his cows were housed. In these days when jo much importance was attached to pare milk, it was of the utmost importance that the sheds of the cow" and their surroundings should be kept clesn. A notice had been served, but had not been com- plied with, though it had expired more than a month ago. It was fair to state that when he served the notice Mr Whittington piomised to have the place cleaned on the advent of the frosty weather. He inspected the placs last Saturday and found that nothing had been done.—The CK-rk was directed to write. The Inspector reported that the yard of Mr Evan Jones, at the bottom of Stryt Ipsa, Cemmacs vil- lage, was almost always in an ursatitfactory sani- tary condition, owing to the keeping of swille and fowls Manure was left to accumulate and to ferment in the yard. He had served Mr Jones with a notice, dated November 28th last, asking [' him to discontinue the keeping of swine, to remove all manure and to thoroughly cleanse the yard. The yard was in close proximity to dwelling honpec, and was in his opinion—in the present coi dition- dangerous to the health of the inhabit- ants. The notice had not been compljt <3 with.— jk The Clerk was directed to write in this case also. DAROWEN. The Inspector reported that the drainage of the Dovey Vail- y Hotel and Dovey Cottages near Cemmaes Road are still being discharge.1 into the stream of water supplying Gwastadgoed farm with water for milking cows and domestic use. He had Starved a notice on the owner dated October 8rh las' asking him to drain the hotel and cottages to a properly constructed ceBsjonl. Ha Imd re* po;ied on this case on November 20th, and the J CI rk was instructed to write to Mt Keen, but | nothing had been done by the owner.—The Clerk v was requested to write to Mr Rees pressing for a reply PENYGROKS. The Inspector leported that the improvements req reda' Tafarn inn were still uncompleted.—The clerk was directed to write to the owntrs. MOTOR TRAFFIC. Mr Geo. D. Harrison, clerk to the Connty Coun- ci', wr te acknowledging the receipt of their letter re the above and stating that the letter wonhl be j plnced before the next meeting of the Mair. Roads Committee. SMALL HOLDINGS. A circular letter waa received from the Local Goverr ment Board informing the Council that the powets and duties of the Rural District Council under the Allotments Acts are tra. aferred to the Par's Council from January 1, 1908, when tho Act Wttme into operation. GELLIFACH BRIDGE. The Clerk of the Pennal Parish Council wrote i statins; that at a meeting of tho Parish Council [ el«i on the 27th December, it was decided by 35 votes to 16 to approve of the i("solution passed on M rch 2nd, which was as followsThat a 1 trer be aentto the Machynlleth Rural District Council calling their attention to the proposed 1 new out bridge at Gellifach, ai d to xirge upon the i C'lfwcil to give directions to the Surveyor to pro- c ed with the new brilge without delay." The Is, er wMa referred back to the Polish Council for further consideration. RHIWSAISON BRIDGE. I T he plans and specifications for this bridge t presented by the County Soiv^yor were con- sidered to be too elaborate ar.d expei.sive, and the I pin-s were directed to be returned to the Sur- veyor for modification.

MACHYNLLETH BOARD OF i, GUARDIANS. f Mr Richard Gillart, chairmar, presided over I mon'Hy meeting of the Machynlleth Board of Gaardi>»ns, held on Wednesdsy morning. There v»e e also present Messrs E. Frnncis, vice-chairman, t Ua<id Evans, J. Fdwards, Penegoes, Richard "ughes, Edward Hughes, Evan Jone», John "ughes, Edward Hughes, Evan Jone", John H ehps, Humphrey J .ne<, Thomas Jenkins, Wm. Jo-^s, E. M. Jones, O^en 0*en, John Edwsrds, | C*tnmaes, with Messrs David Evans, clerk, David I Morgan, HB9iatant cle'k, and the officials. j MASTER'S REPORT. j The Master reported that the number in the H use was 23, 8 males, 12 females and 3 children, against 26 in the corresponding period last year. Th, usual dinner was givn on Christmas DIIY. consisting of roast beef and plum pudding. There we e present Mr Richard Gilltut, chairman, Mr j nod Mrs Edward Jones, Mrs Lloyd, Neweastle j Emlyn, and Mr Lewis Matthews. Thews ladies and gentlemen sent sweets, oranges, &e. lIrs. Thomas, a Guardian, also sent presents, and the Rev LI Williams gave the men sixpence each. A v t", of thanks was accorded the Board for their kindness in allowing the dinner to be provided. On New Year's Day, the Women's Temperance Association gave a few cakes, &0. In the evening .1 a lantern entertainment was givn under the pre- sidency of Mrs Jones, Cambrian House. The ladies who took a prominent part in the proceed. ings were Mrs Lloyd who gave an address, Mist R., s, Mies Petra Jones, Mi>s Edwards, Miss Jenkins, Miss Richards, Miss Breese, and Mra Trevor Jones, who sccoBipanied en the organ. A « vote of thanks was passed to those who took part on the motion of Mr John Thomas, and the meet- rgcatre to a close with the singing of" Hen Wlad fv Nhhdrtu Mra Jones, Cumbrian House, distri- buted 6d each to the men and women, and coppers to the children. Major Bonsati, Galltyllan, H"nt eight rabbits on New Year's Day The number of vagrants relieved during the last four weeks was 174, against 141 in the corres- p r.ding period last year, an inereate of 33.—It was d o d-d, on the proposition of Mr David Evans, that 1 he usual votftll of thanks be accorded to the lwiit sand gentlemen for thsir generosity.—The Master also reported that Humphrey Morris, an inm te, had not been punished for takirg leavo of absence without permission and getting drunk on the 1st. He had previously been to prison for a similar offence. John Jones, an inmate, had ab- sconded on the 13th, but no pnnishmenfc had been me ed oat to him. He was eppiehended near Pennal Mid hacded over to the police. He was brought to the police station and was discharged, I as the magistrate, who was a doctor, considered j him to be mora fit to be sent to an asylum. He had a fit on Monday and fell on the are. PAINTING. J*' The tender of Mr J. O. Williams for painting and cementing the sick wards was accepted. FINANCIAL. Bills were passed to the amount of J6337 63 4d. SO-CALLED FATHER." A letter was read from a man enclosing 2s as a co- trihution towards the maintenance of his Eo- called father (laughter). GOODS FOR THE IlOtJSE. Mr John Edwards, Pfnegoes, called attention to j the acoonnt which had been received for 57 yatds | of matting.—The Master said that he had ordered the matting as it was reqaired for the Honse.- It was decided that the Master should in future get the consent of the Board or of the Yisitiug Cum. mittee bafore ordering any gondt.

THE GREAT SKIN CUBE. BUDDBN'S S.R. SKIN OINTMENT will cure Itching after one »pplioation; destroys very form of Eczema s heals old Wouada aad Sorefl acts like a charm on bad Lee*; is Iaf-alij. ble for Piles; Prevents Cots from Festering; wiU enre Ringworm in a few days removes the moat obstinate Bmpdona and Scarry. Boxes 7;d. acd la Agest for Welshpool: Mr H. Psjrne, Cbenmt, 16, Broad Street. Newtswa: Aorgmand 800s, i heCr tss. Aberystwyth: B. HorgM, B J. Bv*. s. H feynlUtV H-r 6. M. hdtcr. Mont. oromjw, If* P .«baft. Tttwyn i Ib Mr turn. 4

MONTGOMERYSHIRE; ASSIZES. The Winter Assizes for the county of Mont- gomery were opened on Monday morning at the Town Hall, Welshpool. before Mr Justice Bray. Prior to the opening of the Court, the Judge at- tended Divine service at the Parish Church, at wbich were also the High Sheriff (Mr Hugh Ethelston Peel), the Under Sheriff (Mr G. D. Harrison), the chaplain (the Rev P. R. Hart- ley), and the usual retinue. The Vicar (the Rev D. G. Davis), took the service, and the judge's chaplain preached. THE JUDGE'S CHARGE: THE WORK OF ASSIZE. The following were sworn on the Grand Jury: Captain D. H. Mytton (foreman), Mr R. Lloyd, Colonel E. Pryoe-Jones, Captain H. O. Johnes, Mr John Lomax, Mr E. S. Mostyn Pryce, Mr J. C, Hilton, Mr Hugh Lewis, Mr Edward Jones, Mr Richard Jones, Mr Richard Morgan, Colonel W. J. Twyford, Mr W. Rogers, Mr E. Green, Mr A. W. Williams-Wynn, Major W. J. Corbett- Winder, Major D. A. Evans, Mr George Kemp- star, Mr T. H. Vaughan, Mr Charles Shuker, Mr T. Morgan-Owen, Dr C. E. Humphreys, Dr W. H. Lewis, and Mr N. P. J. Turner. The Judge, in his charge to the Grand Jury, said no doubt they had heard that there were no c&sea for them to consider that day. and he con- gratulated them and the county upon that fact. OF course he knew that did not mean that there was no crime in the county-no doubt they had held their Quarter Sessions, and had dealt with the least serious cases—but it meant that there were not such serious cases as required a judge to try. That was a satisfactory state of things. That was the first time he had been in that county, although he had been on the circuit before now, but certainly his experience had been that in the greater part of Wales- there was little very serious crime. There was an exception in the county of Glamorgan, where, they knew, there were several seaport towns, witich always brought in a certain amount of crime. There were a great many there who were not Welsh, and Walos could hardly be considered to be responsible for the crime they committed. There was a number of seamen going to these sort of places, and there was a great deal of drinking there, and when he had the pleasure or misfortune, as the case might be, to go to Swansea, he always found a very heavy list. But that was an exception. Now he was happy to think that his time, although there were no prisoners for trial, would not be wasted. There were two causes, if he might judge from the pleadings, two causes of some eubstanoe and interest. el He was glad of that, because he did not think it was desirable that there should bo many cases of judges coming to these towns in Wales and having nothing to do. It gave encouragement to those persons—and there were a good many—who said that As- sizes in these small towns should be done away with. and the the business should be con- centrated in the larger towns. Now that had ne.ver been his opinion. He was very strongly of opinion that no Assize should be taken away from any town that now had it. He thought it was productive of great good generally that judges should go there, and that the people should see how justice was administered. It made, or tended to make, them good citizens and law abiding people, and therefore he was glad at all events that although the time of the Grand Jury might be to some extent wasted his would not be. But there was a great deal of exaggeration about this waste of time. There was not so much waste of time as they saw stated in the newspapers sometimes. At any rate. if there was some waste of time at some towns it was made up by work in others. When judges went to Cardiff or Swansea they had to he there a fortnight or more, and they often had to sit uutil six o'clock and sometimes un- til seven. And if a calculation was made, the oxtra time during which judges sat after four o'clock—in London they did not sit after four o'clock—made up to a very large extent for the time that was lo..t in other places. They might have noticed that the question arose in Parlia- ment when there was a question last summer of appointing a new judge, and it was said then that with more economy of time and some ar- rangement with rega.rd to Assizes, the appoint- ment would be unnecessary. Now the Govern- ment very properly had 'asked the judges to make returns for the years 1905-06 as to the sittings they had held in their circuits. He did not think the returns had yet been published, but the result, from his point of view, was ex- ceedingly satisfactory, because when the hours were counted up, excluding those occupied on Commission and in travelling, it was found that more hours on circuit than if they htta been sitting in London, and it came to an exoees of something over 300 hours in the two rears 1905-06. That meant 60 days, and that, lie thought, was very satisfactory. They tried ta make arrangements so as to lose as little time a6 possible. There were certain days fix- ed for Commission days, but these were not absolute. They might change them, and they did when they found there was no business or very little business. In illustration of that he said that when he fixed the date for Delgelley, the next place to which he went, there were no prisoners committed for trial, and so be allow- ed one day. but sinoe then it turned out that tWo prisoners had been committed for trial for nerjary. Perjury case", were rather important, but he would have to do his best to finish the Assize within the time. So much for his time. Now to « certain extent the time of the Grand Jury had been wasted that day. but he did not tliiak ther would regret coming there, and he tlitftigfot they would agree with him that they would much rather be put to some inconveni- ence and expense, rather than see the Assizes dona away with. They would agree with him, lie thought, that it wa-s worth their while mak- ing a small saerifloe in order to have the As- sizes held there. Iø conclusion his lordship said he ac-eepted the pair of white glovea which the High Sheriff was good enough to present tcr-ùim. A LLANBISTER SHOOTING AFFRAY: ACTION FOR DAMAGES. Oø of the two civil cases down far hearing was an action brought by John Watson, of Mar Vie-w, Llanbister, against Henry Clive Rolla- 600, Castle View, Llanaano, to recover dam- ages caused by a ganshofc wo«nd in the right sida of tfie face on December 18th, 1905. Plain- tiff was represented by Mr Ellis Joaoa 0-riffifch, M.P., with whom was Mr T. H. Parry (in- structed by Mr P. H. Miser, of Manchester), and Mr F. Marshall, K.G., and Mr R. Trevor Lloyd (instructed by Mr C. S. Pryce, Mont- gomery) were for the defence. Mr Griffith, in opening the case for the plain- till, said Watson was a caretaker of woods and plantations on the estate of Squire Stephens, and he had been in that occupation for about 1St years prior to September of 1905. At that time the defendant had taken Squire Stephens' mansion and the shooting on the estate. On the evening of September 18th, at about 6-30, M the plaintiff was going across a field, he saw some sheep in a plantation on Tynypant farm, ft was, of course, his duty, as caretaker, to strive the sheep out. He went across a field for some considerable distance—between 200 and 800 yards-in order to ent-er the plantation to tlrive off the sheep. It appeared that the de- fendant was shooting in the plantation at the time, and just as plaintiff was going along near ilia hedge in the field he was shot in the right Hide of the face, and nine pellets entered his face. He was attended to by some people on the spot, and the next day was taken to Shrews bury Infirmary. He was there from September ioth until October 7th. His face was very seriously injured, and the aight of the right eye was practically lost. In fact it would be n-e- oessary to have the eye taken out. The left ""7B had been sympathetically affected, and the flight in it was very much less than what it was fjrerioasly. The aotion was brought for negli- pWiM, and also, in the alternative, far trespass. Tba defendant wae shooting partridges at the $UP3. SitkeF he saw the plaifitiff or did not see him. If he saw him the negligence was ;lear, but on the other hand, if he did not see tiim. a man must not shoot in that way without seeing what was. in the line of shooting. After the accident Squire Stephens went on paying plaintiff his wages and letting him occupy a cottage on iiie estate free of rent. After his return from the Infirmary he was not able to go on with his occupation, and at Christmas, 1906 -about 15 months after the accident-his wages were stopped; and at Easter, 1907, notice to quit was served in respect of the cottage. Plain- tiff tried to get some other employment, and got some at about 8s. a week, but this did not last very long. The real question in the case, con- cluded Mr Griffith, was one of liability, and the plaintiff was entitled to something for the pain and suffering he had undergone, and. above all, some recompense for the permanent injury he had suffered. The first witness called was Dr Hawksworth, of Welshpool, who stated that he examined the plaintiff on the previous day. He found that two pellets had entered the akin on the right side of the forehead. The right eye was de- stroyed ,and the left eye was suffering from sympathetic irritation, so that the accommoda- tion was weakened, and continual vision for near objects was more or less impaired and painful. There was considerable neuralgic pain in the forehead and at the back of the head due to the injury to the right eye. To remedy this condition the removal of the right eye would be necessary. His general health for a man of his age—65—was fairly good, but had been adversely affected by the condition of his right eye.—Witness was cross-examined at length by Mr Marshall as to the details of the injury. In answer to a question the doctor said he knew nothing about the previous history of the case. Aaron Moseley, the next witness called, said he was for many years agent to Mrs Stephens, and afterwards for Mr C. R. Stephens. He gave evidence as to the character of the planta- tion and surroundings. John Watson, the plaintiff, said that for 16 years and 8 months he was employed upon the estate of Mr Stephens. His duties were to wire fences, repair gates, and sometimes to mind the game and do anything that was wanted on the estate. He planted this particular wood. Tho average height of the trees would be about three or four or five feet, and in some parts of the wood higher. About 6-30 on the day in ques- tion he was going home along the road when he saw sheep in the plantation. He went to drive them away, but instead of going by Tyny- pant farm he went over the corner and up the field, about 16 yards from the fence. When he was shot he was on the right side of the fence, and about 60 yards from the road. After the accident he went up the road. and met Mr Lewis, the tenant of Tynypant. Afterwards Mr y Rollason came out of the wood. He was carry- I ing a gun ,and Mr Lewis called the two beatc-rs. -Thurston and Griffiths. They went to Dr Davies', plaintiff riding a pony. The doctor ex- amined his face and took out two pellets. There were nine shots in all. Next day he went to the Shrewsbury Eye Infirmary, and remained there for 19 days.-In answer to further ques- tions as to the actual accident, plaintiff said he heard one shot when he was coming along the road not more than 15 minutes before he wa* shot. He did not know from what direction the shot came. Before the accident he had the name of being one of the best at marking game, but he could not do that now.—Cross-examined He heard one shot fired when he was talking to a Mr Hamer on the road. He said Good- day to Mr Hamer, but he did not remember saying I'll go and see the sport." He was not quite certain about it. The gap in the hedge where he saw the sheep from was about :00 yards from the wood. The sheep belonged to Mr Lewis, Tynypant, and were 40 or 50 yards inside the wood. He did not say he stood in a little hole where there were some brambles, just below the plantation, where he thought it was safe to watch tha sport. When he was struck he did not call out, but walked across the field to the road. Lewis or Griffiths did not say it was very foolish of him to go to the brambles. He did not say that he thought it was quite safe, and that he had nobody to blame but himself. He did not say at the Red Lion, Llanbister, that it was not the fault of Mr Rollason but entirely his own fault. He had never stated that on other occasions sinoe to Thurston and Lewis. Mrs Watson, wife of the plaintiff, said she turned the sheep out of the plantation.—Cross- examined It was about 6-30 in t'he evening when she did this. J. Speake, a builder on the estate, gave evi- dence as to the place where plaintiff pointeo1 out to him was the spot where he was shot. This concluded the case for the plaintiff, and Mr Marshall afterwards opened the case for the defence. He said there was no question of tres- pltSS, and submitted that there was no evidence of negligence, according to the plaintiff's own statement, and that the only question was whether there was reasonable care shown on the part. of the defendant. The plaintiff must, satisfy them that negligence had taken place. He commented on the significant fact that not a word of complaint was made by the plaintiff during two years after the date of the accident until July of last year when defendant received a lawyer's letter. Proceeding, Mr Marshall said he would produce evidence to show that before the accident occurred the plaintiff was talking with Mr Hamer, a farmer in the neigh- bourhood, on the road. They heard shots, and then plaintiff said he must go and watch thcil sport." He then turned away and went in the direction from which the firing came. He went along a road lying between him and the field and then through a gap in the hedge and on to the field. In fact he went exactly in the direction from which the sound of firing came. As he went up the field to the brambles he could not be seen from the plantation. He got to the brambles in order to watch the sport, and it was there that he was hurt. He waa hurt because he was not seen, and if a man did a thing of this sort he must be blamed, and must stand the consequences. The question was whether the defendant took reasonable precaution. There were three of the shooting party—Rollason, Thurston, and Griffiths. The last named saw Watson when he was down by the ga.p but did not see him going up the field afterwards. Not one of the party saw him. What happened was as follows. First of all, when in the field above the plantation, some birds started. Defendant shot at them, killing one and missing the other. He then asked Griffiths and Thurston to go round the hedge and beat, so that the birds should go in his direction. They proceeded to do that, but de- fendanb fired three or four times afterwards, and when Watson went up the field he must undoubtedly have heard more firing. He knew perfectly well what was going on in the wood, arid he ought to have been very careful as to what he did. The defendant took every care that a sportsman could in order to avoid injury to anybody. The party did not see Watson, and under the circumstances no blame could be attached to them. After the accident, Watson admitted to Griffiths that he was shot whilst watching the sport, and that be was to blame, and not the defendant. A year and a half af- terwards he went to a Manchester solicitor and asked Mr Rcdlason for damages. Where was the consistency a-nd the righteousness of it? Edward Clement Jones, surveyor to the New- town Urban District Council, waa the first wit- ness called fwr the defence. Ho produced ex- tracts from tho ordnance maps showing the whereabouts of the accident, with tho various spota referred to ia the evidence narked titre, on u shown to him by the defendant. Thoma.s Hamer, Esgairfawr, Llanbister, far- mer, the next witness called, said on the date in question he was going to the blacksmith's shop when lie met Watson on the roadside. 1 After talking together for some time they 1 heard shots. Watson said I'll go an and see < the sport." The sound of shots cazae from the °-f TJrn->'Pant» plaintiff went ia 1 that direction. A short while afterward, as ] K out of the blacksmith's shop he met Mr Bojlason and hia party going home 1 8abssquant!y he saw plaintiff going tie dec- <

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tor.—Cro&R-examined He had heard that other peoplo had been shot by Mr Rollason. Defendant said he was out shooting on the date in question, accompanied by Griffiths and Thurston. (Between six and seven in the even- ing they put up a covey of birds about 40 yards from the plantation on Tynypant farm. The birds scattered and went into the plantation. He walked througk the wood and had three shots at single birds. Ho killed at each shot and picked up the birds. After that he returned, and another bird was flushed at about the same angle as before, but he missed it. Other birds got up, but he did not shoot at them. Then Thurston and Griffiths came up to him. After- wards he met Watson in the roadway. He noticed his face bleeding, but did not know what was the matter. At first he though plaintiff had been fighting with somebody. Then he asked him whether he had fallen over some barbed wire. Then a youth, the son of Mr Lewis, of Tynypant, who was working on a hay stack near by called out to him "You shot him." After- wards witness sent Watson off to the doctor's. If Watson had come openly through the gate into the field he could have seen him for about a hundred yards. He subsequently gave plain- tiff £2.-Cr088-examined by Mr Grimth He had taken the shooting of the estate on lease. He looked into the field next the plantation be- fore he shot, but saw nobody. He could not see the brambles where it was said defendant was standing from the plantation, but he could see in the direction of the brambles. It was true that he had shot another man. He had been unfortunate enough to shoot a man named William Pugh slightly by accident in the 1805 season. And a man named Davies had shot him (defendant).—Re-examined He shot Pugh after he shot Watson (laughter). Witness described how this happened, and said it was quite acci- dental. George Griffiths, Glanrafon, farmer, stated that he occasionally went with defendant to beat and he did so on the date in question. Thomas Thurston was also there. In the evening, after six o'clock, he was putting up a covey of birds in the wood. The birds new into what they call- ed the sugax loaf field. Mr Rollason went to a bare space in this plantation, and Thurston and witness with the four dogs started to drive the covey towards him. When they went up to him they found three birds at his feet. Then they took the upper part and finished their beat, turning to the left. Their attention wtuj then called to the unfortunate occurrence. They had just turned the top corner of the wood, when Mr Lewis, Tynypant, who, with his boy. was at a stack, unloading, called to him Tell the gen- tleman to come here." Witness and Thurston then went over the hedge and found that Wat- sou was shot. Plaintiff said he was shot at the top of the meadow in a little hole where he was watching the sport, and where he thought him- self safe. He also said it was an unfortunate occurrence, but that it was his own fault, and nobody else was to blame. Mr Rollason then came out, and Watson was placed on a pony and taken to the doctor. When they started in the sugar loaf witness had seen Watson standing opposite him in the far corner of the meadow. Witness did not see him afterwards, until he was shot. About four or five shots were fired after witness saw Watson he could have heard the ahots easily. It was by no means a safe thing for him to come up the field while the firing was going on. They did not see any eheep in the cover. Watson did not say anything to him about the sheep being there. lIe saw Watson the same night at tho Red Lion Inn at Llanbis- ter, and talked the matter over with him. They also talked aboot the matter in Shrewsbury. Watson said be could not blame Mr IWlluon m the least.—Cross-examined J He saw Watson M the ga>p ia tho hedge. He did not hira again until ha wa« shot. He could not see the field From the plantation. He admitted ib would be possible to sea Nbeop from the gap. It would be Saageroas for a man to be within 23 yards optlto iodg,o when shooting waa going on, whether h. .&11 standing up or in a hole.—Re-exMaiaed Plaintiff waa a> fairly good shot. Thouaaa Thurston, 1ria.e, whes th8 acoiie** nappeied, was keeper t. My RoitasoB, uid U iid Mt 9#0 Witeei emfil he was afoot. B(& tfcfji heard Griffiths speak to plaintiff, who said he came up to see tho sport, and that he was in a hole against some brambles. Witness he was to blajne. Plaintiff said he did not blame Mr Rollaaoo. — Cross-examined Watsaa had taken ail the blame upon his own shoulders from that day to this. Mr Rollason was a reiy good shot. Alfred Lewis, Tynypant, farmer, said he saw Tfateoo aftw ftwraait, eatf on fcflfng fafbem- ed by him as to how it occurred he called the attention of the shooting party to the matter. Watson said it was hi8 fault, as he was watching the sport when he was shot. Witness added that he did not see any sheep in the meadow that day. The place was in his occupation. Dr R. D. Thomas, Welshpool, said he, in company with Dr Skinner, his partner, examin- ed the plaintiff that morning. He found him totally blind in one eye. There were no marks of a.ny pellets in the eye itself. The sight in the left eye was not very good. but it was a ques- tion whether this was due to constitutional dis- ease or not. The vision in the eye was good for a man of plaintiff's age, and it would be better if he used a special description of glass. Dr Skinner gave corroborative evidence, and the Court then adjourned. VERDICT FOR THE DEFENDANT. At the resumption of the hearing on Tuesday morning, Dr Moxon, who has been locum tenuis at the Salop Eye and Ear Hospital during the past fortnight, was called. He said he exam- ined Watson at the hosiptal on January 10th. He understood that Dr Russ Wood, who attend- ed Watson in September of 1905, was now in Switzerland. Proceeding, witness said the plain, tiff'a right eye waa injured and the sight in it was completely gone, but he saw no sign that a pellet had entered it. In his opinion, the eye should not be removed at present. It was usual far the other eye to be sympathetically affected, provided the pellet, or whatever it was, had gone into the injured eye. He examined the laft eye and found that at present the sight was failing, but not more so than was consistent with age. The condition of the right eye would not affect it at present. — Cross-examined There was nothing to show that a pellet had entered the right eye.—In reply to the Judge, witness said a pellet would not be taken out of an eye unless it set up severe inflamation. He should say that there was no inflamation in the eye at pre- 6ent. Afterwards Counsel addressed the jury, and the Judge reviewed the evidenoe. After a re- tirement lasting a few minutes, the jury found for the defendant. In their opinion, the de- fendant was not guilty of negligence, but the plaintiff was guilty of contributory negligence. BREACH OF PROMISE ACTION. When the court opened on Tuesday, Mr E. Jones-Griffith, M.P. mentioned the action brought by Elizabeth Ellis, of Glanrafon, Llan- fyllin, spinster, for damages for breach of pro- mise against William Roberts, of Glanfeiglo, Llanfyllin, and said that defendant had con- tented to judgment for the amount stated on Counsels' briers. We understand that the settlement arrived at was that plaintiff should be paid £ 190 damages with aosts.