The Aberystwith Observer

— »- TOWYiN. FREE CHURCH COUNCIL. 'The'annual sermons were delivered during the week when the several ministers in the district interchanged pulpits. The Rev Egryn Jones, Melbourne, Australia, delivered a powerful sermon last night to a large congregation LECTURE. The Church Bible Class was given a treat on Monday evening, when Miss Edith Matthews delivered an illustrated lecture on A Trip to Italy." Views were shown of Rome, Pisa, Turin, Florence and Venice, and the lecturer graphically described them. The chair was taken by the Rev R. R. Roberts, B.A., curate, who pro. posed a hearty vote of thanks to the lecturer. PETTY SESSIONS—Yesterday, before Messrs Chid- law Roberts, H Haydn Jones, E L Rowlands, and Edward Williams, Michael Mannion, Brynorng, tramping tinman, was charged by P.C. Robert E Davies, Towyn, with having allowed two horses to stray on January 13th. He was fined 6d, and 4s 6d costs.—Daniel Sherry was charged by Sergt Jones with having stolen a bicycle from the boiler house at Dolgoch on January 19th last. He had been employed there, and the value of the bicycle was X4 10s. The Bench sentenced the accused to prison for one month with hard labour. BREWSTER SESSIONS,—These sessions were held t yesterday, before Messrs J Childlaw Roberts, chairman; H Hadyn Jones, E L Rowland and Edward WilliamB.—The Clerk (Mr David Evans) read the annual report, which stated that there were 17 licensed houses, two beer and two off licenses for the sale of wine, making a total of 21 being one public house to every 401 of the popu- lation omitting the wine licenses. There were three six-day licenses and of the 19 seven were tied. Ten persons had been proceeded against for drunkenness and were convicted, being the same number as in the previous year. All were males and three were non-residents.—All the licensee were renewed.

PRINTING of every description executed neat, quick and cheap at the COUMTT TIMBS Offloe, Welshpool and Aberystwyth. MONTGOMERYSHIRE TERRITORIAL FORCES ASSOCIATION. A meeting of the above was held al. Welshpool on January 7th. Present—Colonel A. B. Sand bach (chairman), Mr J. Lomax (vice-chairman), Colonel A. W. Wynn, Lieut-Colonel Napier, Mr. J. M. Dugdale, Major Walton, Captain Corbett. Winder, Mr. A. E. Humphreys Owen, with the Secretary (Major G. H. Mytton). On the recommendation of the Recruiting and Organization Committee, it was decided to approach the Chief Constable with the aribgesti in (hat, in future, appointments to the County Con- stabulary, preference should be givei* to men who had served in either the regular or terrilotial forces of the Crown. It was also decided to make the same suggestion to the Posmaater-General in regard to the appointment of ostnien. On the recommendation of the same Committee it was decided that the Regimental Head Qaurters of the Montgomery shire Yeomanry and the Head Quarters of C Company 7th Batt. R. W. Fngiliers be moved to the Armoury, Welshpool, by March 25th. It was reported that the plans of the range at Castle Caereinion were now completed, and that it was proposed to ask for tenders for its construction forthwith. It wa, reported that the strength of he Yeomanry in the County was 17 officers and 312 rank and file out of an establishment of 22 officers and 338 rank and file; and that of the Infantry, 14 officers and 368 rank and file out, of an establish. ment of 18 officers and 511 rank and file. On the recommendation of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, it was decided that the contract for the supply of gi eat coats to the 7th Batt. R. W. Fusiliers, should be given te Messrs. Pryce Jones, Ltd., Newtown. -< Old Charon waits across the Styx To ferry all souls over; In th.e winter time the old chap nicks Full boatloads—he's in clover. But of late years he wondersi why Big loads ho can't procure, And often he a curse lets fly At Woods' Great Peppermint Cure. 7TH (MONTGOMERY AND MERIONETH- SHIRE) BATTALION ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS. REGIMENTAL ORDERS By LIETTT.-COL. SIR W. L. NAPIER, BART. Commanding. Headquarters, Newtown, 6th February, 1909. ENLISTMENTS—The under-mentioned having en- listed into the Territorial Force on the dates stated are taken on the strength of the Battalion, posted to Companies, and allotted regimental numbers as stated against their names :A Company (Llanid- loes), No 376 H Edwards. 377 G Ridge, 18/1/09- 378 W E Hughes, 19/1/09. Oaersws, 374 W R Jones, 375 J Myett, 8/1/09. D Co (. lanbrynmair), 379 G Adolphus, 380 R Evans, 1/2/09. G Co (Blaenau Festiniog), 2197 R J Edwards, 2199 Z Roberts, 2201 R R Jones, 2202 W Rees, 2203 E Jones, 2204 E Owen, 6/1/09, 2205 E Lewis, 15/! 1/08; 2206 H Roberts, 18/11/08:2207 J E Jones,20111109; 2208 W Edwards, 2209 D Williams, 2210 T L Jones, 2211 W H Pritchard, 2212 R Jones; 21/11/08. At Festiniog, 2198 J Brown, 2200 J P Jones, 6/11/08. F Co (Aberdovev), 2213 E Jones, 2214 L T Eynon, 2215 J Francis, 2216 D Powell, 2217 R Richards, 2218 R T Griffiths, 2219 R 0 Jenkins, 2220 J W L Henderson, 2221 R Evans, 2222 R H Jones, 16/1/09. RE-ENGAGEMENTS.—The Oommanding Offioer has been pleased to approve of the undermentioned N.C.O. and men re-engaging to continue in the Territorial Force for the periods stated :-—F Co (Aberdovey), No 2000 Cpl J M Jones, 2004 Pte B E Owen, 2005 Pte J G Williams. 20bl Pte C H Millington (for four years), 2001 Pte J W Lloyd (for one year). SIGNALLING CLASS.—The signalling class will attend at the Armoury headquarters every Tues- day evening at eight p.m. until further orders for instruction. INFANTRY TRAINING.—A now edition of the In- fantry Training, with amendments to 1908, having been issued to Companies, will be taken into use at once, and all old editions will be destroyed. STRUCK OFF.—No 2031 Pte R L Hughes, F Co (Towyn), having died on the 11th January, 1909, is struck off the strength of the battalion from tnat date. TRANSFER.—No 311 Pte J C Humphreys, C Co (Llanfair), having been transferred to the Aber- ystwyth College O. T. Corps on the 21/11/08, is struck off the strength of the bnttalion from that date. TRANSFER.—No 2016 Bugler G C Owen, E Co (Dolgelley), is transferred from the buglers to the ranks from this date. A. T. C. RUNDLE, Captain. Adjutant 7th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliejg. -0. For Chronic Chest Complainte, Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, I/lyl, 2/9.

-+-. Archdeacon Thomas, who is at present in resi- dence at the Canonry, St. Asaph, has been elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Anti. quaries of Ireland.

TAKE 9, HEATING'S T LOZENGES Tins I3 £

ROMANTIC SHROPSHIRE WEDDING. WELL-CONNECTED LADY MARRIES A RAILWAY PORTER. SPECIAL INTERVIEW WITH THE YOUNG COUPLE. The prete] little village of Pant, which iwetles among the hills of the Shropabire-Welah fcorder, a few miles from Oswestry, and which in much frequented "by members of the golfing In&terniry, has been the scene of a remarkable romance in real life. Miss "Dolly" Hopton, the 19-year-old daughter of well-to-do parents, vhose seat is at Kemerton Court, Tewkesbury, WM eecretiy married the other day to Mr Thomas Edward Jones, a young signal porter, 'n who during the pa-st nine months or so has been in- the employ of the Cambrian Railways at Llynclys station. The news of the interesting, hut wholly unexpected, event ha-s only just he- come public property, and naturally the resi- dents of the district are greatly exercised over tthe occurrence. It was quite a runaway match and the details call to mind the romantic mar- riages of the Gretna Green days. The arrange, saente for the wedding were made with the ui- most secrecy, and besides the contracting par- ■•ties, and, of course, the officiating clergyman, the only persons present when the "nuptial knot" was tied were a sister of the bridegroom and an intimate Oswestry friend. The little f&rish Church of Morton, which is quite close ,to Llynclys station. was the scene of the cere- mony, which was authorised by special licence *od performed by the Rev C. "R. Garnett-Bot- field. A most interesting story of the young couple's -romantic courtship and subsequent marriage -a,s told a, COFNTY TIMES representative on Sunday afternoon. I was fortunate enough," he writes, to meet Mr and Mrs Jones in Os- we-stry just aftc-t., they had been enjoying a, cup of tea, at the house of a friend, and I offered ihem my congratulations. The, young couple seemed to be bubbling over with good spirits, and they heartily acknowledged my good wish- Z7, flfl. A joke wa.s cracked about the very original way some people- have of doing things, and then After sampling the wedding cake cut for me by ¡ilie young bride herself, I asked for the whole at,ory. Without hesitation, .Mrs Jon-ea sat down and commeneed to tell me all .about it. She is ■ prepossessing, vivacious, and cultured young ■lady, and her husband, a pleasant spoken, well- ■dressed young fellow of 19, frequently 'joined in with her in narrating the events which led up to the romantic wedding. "We have nothing to be ashamed of," was Itne of the first remarks Mrs Jones made. Everything," she added with emphasis. has i^een quite straightforward, and quite legal." and the husband added assent. The young wife then informed me that she is the daughter of Mr anl Mrs H. Chester Hop- ton. of Kemerton Court, Tewkesbury. Her father, who is in South Africa, was a Protest- ant, and her mother a Roman Catholic. She came into the Oswestry district with her mother »ome time ago—she thought it was in April of last year. At first they stayed in Oswestry, but afterwards- moved to Llanymynech. For jsome time they wer.e in furnished apartments, but in October her mother took the furnished residence known as The Cottage near the vil- lage of Pant. I had only been in my ne.w home a very short time," Mrs Jones added with. a smile, before I met him." She touched her hus- band's arm, and the young man laughingly re- marked that the circumstances of their first meeting were very unromantic. I said I should like to hear all a-bout it. Well," he replied, Dolly's mother was ill in bed at the time, and she wanted a hot water bottle. There wasn't one in the house though, and so she sent down to mypa,rentB' house at Old Chapel to borrow one. My brother Willie took the water bottle up to The Cottage, and I went with him." "Just for company's sake?" "Yeti. We saw Miss Hopton. That was the first time she and I met. The following Sun- day I came to Oswestry, and quite accidentally met her with the servant there. She spoke to me, and I accompanied her home. Then on Monday night I went up to the back door of The Cottage and met her there. I continued 10 meet her there often afterwards." "I was supposed to be learning cookery in the kitchen with the servant," th,e young wife naively interposed. 11 "And your mother, I suppose, knew nothing About these meetings—about your tuition being neglected?" "No. of course not," she laughed heartily. It was the old. old story. ".Clearl,Y a case of love at first sight?" I ven- tured to remark. Oh. yes. quite f" YIr." Jones replied. And did every thing go on smoothly tus the course of true love should?" I enquired. "Oh! yes on the, whole," was the husband's reply. "We were not always able to meet, though we had to be careful, you know. We •didnt mind what the villagers thought much, but it wouldn't do for Mrs Hopton to know." "Did Mrs Hopton know you?" YeN. I remember the first time I spoke to her. It was on November 5th. The Hop ton's were having Guy Fawke's celebration, and I was one of those who assisted at the -affair. I went there from Porthywaen, where I had been on duty that day. I was invited to supper to- gether with the others. I believe'that was the -first time Dollys mother saw me. There was a sort of m-uaical evening after supper, and I en- joyed myself immensely. I met Dolly as often as I could after that." "A..d at that time Mrs Hopton had no sus- -first time Dolly''s mother saw me. There was a sort of musical evening after supper, and I en- joyed myself immensely. I naet Dolly as often as I could after that." "A.d at that time Mrs Hopton had no sus- picions That there was anv love-making' going on?" ° No. but it was common talk in the village. All the villagers knew about it and some of the young fellows were verv jealous of me. Some of the people threatened to tell :11rs Hop- ton what was going on." But they weren't bold enough to tell mother," onimed in AiM Jones. "Everything went on 11.8 per usual until Christmas, when mother and I went to London for the holidays. I returned 'before mother to get the house ready. My bro- ther Reginald eame on leave from Gibraltar. 'He is with the Eastern Telegraph Company z' there. He stayed a week with me, and we en- joyed ourselves all right. We both sang at a concert in Pant, at which Tom also assisted. 'The next day I remember as we were out eye- ting, my machine was punctured, and my brother sent for Toifi and mend it." Yon advised him of me." her husband re- minded her. It was a labour of love," he added. Naturally," I suggested, "all these little happenings helped to tighten the love-knot?" "'Quite RO!" was the young wife's reply. But just then, my mother came back from 'London, and she seems to have become SITS- pictous. At any rate, there was a lot of talk about my being sent to a convent at Brussels. You &ee my mother Ts a Catholic-, and I was re- baptised into that faith." "And what were your feelings when you heard of this suggestion?" Well you can guess. I didn't like the idee at all. I didn't know what to do at first." "You thought your mother was serious?" "I thought Z, so. Tom and I talked it over a, great deal, and at last we decided to get mar- ried. We thought it WVÆ the only way out of She difficulty." "Did you intend to get married immediate- ly? I queried. As soon as we possibly could," Mr Jonea applied. "We decided to get a special licence, ,sn,i I consulted Mr J. Hennery Leww, Oswes- try, who has been a good friend to me." "You have known Mr Lewis since you were quite young, I believe? "Ye«. He is a well-known bird fancier, and I'm a bit of a one. That's what threw us to- other. "Well I went to see Mr Lewis, who told me what to do in order to get a lioenee. ffs etfrwrti ate to be straightforward and honest about the matter. On Friday week we —Mr Lewis, my brother and myself—went to see Archdeacon Wynne-Jones to arrange for a licence." Did you succeed f Not- then. I answered all the questions asked me. and told him the truth about- my age and all that. On the following Monday, MifJig Hopton went to see the Archdeacon." Mrs Jones here interposed. "He told me," she said, that he couldn't issue a licence with- out the consent of the father, as I was un- der age. I explained that father was away in South Africa, and after further explanations, he granted the licence." On the Tuesday," Mr Jones went on to say, "I saw- the Rev Garnett-Botfield, vicar of Mor- ton, and a/sked him if he would marry me in his church the following day. He said: I want to know the lady's name," and I replied I've promised not to divulge it, sir." "Of course, Mr-Botfield knew Mies Hopton?" Yee. The next morning, Mr Botfield came Oswestry by train, and saw me on the plat- form at Llynclys. He asked Who are you go- ing to marry, Jon-es? I told him then" Eve- lin Dorothy Hopton, sir.' He then said: < I will arrange for the wedding to take place at 1-30.' I had previously mentioned that time, as it was during my dinner hour." "And nobody, except those immediately con- cerned, knew that such an interesting event wae going to take plac-e I,, "'Oh! no," Mrs Jones replied. "We had kept it quite dark. Sometime during the morn- I ing, mother sent me.to the village to fetch some eggs. but instead of getting them, I went to Morton church to get married. Was I dressed up for*the occasion? Oh no. That would have 1 1 arc used suspicion. I was dressed simply in or- dinary every-day elotlies-a grey tailor-made costume and a fur toque. I had two miles to walk to Morton church, and I got there shortly after one." I turned to the young husband, and was pro- ceeding to question him as to how h? got to the station unobserved, when he anticipated me. "Oh," he remarked, ""it was very easily done. I left my work at Llynclys station at one o'clock. I had arranged for Mr Lewis to meet me there, 'and I put it out among the station chaps that we were going in search of some •Birds." "During the dinner hour?" "Yes. Of course it was all bluff. I doffed my uniform and put on more suitable clothes, with brown overcoat. Mr Lewi* and I went to church, and we met Dolly and my sister and Mr Botfield there. Mr Lewis gave the bride away, and my sister was bridesmaid. Mr Bot- Mr Botfield there. Mr Lewis gave the bride away, and my sister was bridesmaid. Mr Bot- field performed the ceremony, and the only I other person in the church besides us was Mrs Kendrick. :She is the wife of the parish clerk. After signing the register we went back to Llynclys station." I understand you introduced your wife to the station staff?" Yes, and they weren't half excited over it." They wouldn't believe it at first," Mrs Jones exclaimed with a laugh. "The 8t.ationma,ster said he wouldn't believe it, and so I took off my glove and showed him the wedding ring," "They teased me a littIe," Jones added. "OI1>B of the porters asked me How many birds did you buy, Tom?' I replied, 'I've got one cop at any rate "That retort was a bit too smart for them?" I suppose so. I went back to work after that just as if nothing fat all had happened." "And I," said the blushing bride, "went to break the news to mother. Oh, yes, it was the most disagreeable part of it all:' When I got home I ran upstairs and said, 'Mother, I've gone and done it. I'm married.' Naturally MrR Hopton was staggered with this unexpected intelligence" z, She wa-3 indeed. She was awfully angry, too, and gave me ,a, bit of her mind. She order- ed me not to leave the house and sent for Father Moore." "The Roman 'Catholic priest at Welshpool?" Yes. He used to visit us often and he knew us well. He came with the mail train that evening, but as he reached the house I crept out and ran' all the way to Jones' place. The people about knew there was a row, and there was .a crowd of them outside The Cottage to see what was going to happen." .> Yes. and they were keeping a bit of a row, too," Jones went on. "They all knew me and were singing "For he's a jolly good fellow. Continuting her interesting narrative. Mrs Jones said that on Thursday morning her mother went to Liverpool to consult a solicitor "1"-VV"" L.\J ClJ OV.1.L'J.L'Ul.. and apparently to see whether the marriage was strictly legal. On the following day the solicitor came to the Old Chapel House, accom- panied by her mother end Father Moore, and demanded that she should return to her home. The solicitor asked for "Miss Hopton." and the reply was made that there was no "Miss Hopton" there. This was perfectly true," the young wife added, and laughed heartily at the joke. He then asked (she continued) where site was. and received the reply that she was perfectly happy and comfortable. Anii is that the end of the story?" I asked. Not quite," Jones replied. On the Friday night I went to The Cottage to see Mrs Hop- ton. 'She asked Tri,, why didn't I bring Dollv with^ me. She was not angry—at any rate, she didn't show it—but she refused to shake hands with me." "And now," I asked, "what are vour inten- tions with regard to the future?" Jones replied that he intended to continue his employment as a, relief signalman at Llyn- clys and would settle down in the district, for a time at any rate. "And I," said the young wife in a very de- termined way, "I will stay with Tom whatever happens. I don't care what happens." One more question," I said. I understand Mr« Jones, that you are a ward in Chancery, and have some expectations?" 'Well, I wouJd rather not ray anything about that." ° With that, a "Thank you," cordial hand- shakes, and reiterated congratulations, I 1.ft the happy pair. Shortly afterwards, I had a few minutes' chat with Mr J. Hennery Lewie, of Parkside, Oswestry, who, Mr Jones told me, had given him great assistance. Mr Lewis gave me an interesting account, of the wedding, and added that the young bride wished, through the Press, z;1 to give an absolute denial to the statement that has been circulated in the district that she paid for the marriage licence with money which ishe took from her home without her mother's know- ledge. "It was the young man himself who foorife that expense," Mr Lewis assured me. I also saw young Jones' father, Mr T. Bolton Jones, who is a house decorator in business at Pant. 'He said that the evening prior to the wedding day his son asked him for his consent to be married, and he told him to get married next morning if he liked. "I looked upon the whole thing ae a joke." added Mr Jones. 4-1 never dreamt it was going to come off."

■+ DOLGELLEY. DiKNM.—The High Sheriff entertained the members of the) Police Force and others' to a dinner at the Angel Hotel. A smaking concert was held afterwards. FMTBALL.—On Saturday a match was played tatween the Towyn and Dolgelley School teams I and resulted in a victory for the former of three | goals to nil. The proceeds of the gate-money was I devoted to St David's Home, Dolgelley. ACCIDBNT.-An accident befell Ebenezer Morris, a workman, engaged by Messrs. Davies, Bros., contractois. Barmouth, on Monday afternoon, when he fell from the boiler of the steam roller, His leg was fractured in two places. and the unfortunate man was sent to a Liverpool hospital. LOCAL WILL.-The late Mr J. Leigh Taylor J P, D.L, Penmaenncha left £81,593 gross and £54,916 net. He bequeathed E200 to F Kingston, coachman; JE100 to Mary Biokley, housekeeper, for "her de. vodoo to his grand-daughter; £100 to J Gooldby butler, and one years' wages to each of his indoor servants of two years' service.

#- ■ 'I.J~J~TIRTTRRTRR*T-J" ■'■■ii"M~^iinMWTiTiiiniigwrBWiww>T—irTiinnfrfn*iirrMi—[[^■■iwnnm hi ■» N mumMN■ in11N »II. I • Til f ;• N aS&. A ¡¡ i Tirf y 1 T.X7 ? "P 1 ik. JLlUiLif £ &&&v ~«_JI ""Ji 'W ¥ v jayciL/Ji^ if DO I 71 7, ONE TIO 7 SOLD IN EVERY TOWN AND VILLAGE IN THE II II UNITED KINGDOM

GILCHKIST LECTURE AT WELSHPOOL. NATURE AT WOPTK AND FLAY." The third of th.e excellent series of continua- tion lectures which are 'being given at Welsh- pool this winter, under the auspices of the Gil- christ Trust-, was held in tho Town Hall on Friday of last week. The lecturer was. Mr R. ivearton, the well-known inaturalist, who gave an interesting, informative, and capitally illus- trated address on Nature'at Work and Play." Mr J. D. Rtees, M.P., presided and there was a large audience. The Borough Member,' recog- nising, as lie said, that it was not one of the duties of a chairman to stand between the audience and the lecturer, wa-s cominciidably brief in introducing SMr Kearton, and 'the emi- nent ornithologist at once plunged into his 'vsubjeet with the command for the first lime- light picture. This was- one of that familiar bird, the sparrow hawk, reproduced with notice- able accuracy of line and tone and during the evening it was followed by scores of other well- .known and little-known .specimens of bird life. Mr Kearton explained that eomo 17 years ago he 'conceived the idea that greater truth and accuracy were -required in the illustrations L a' which appeared in popular natural history books and especially in those prepared for young people, and so lie set to work, with the help of his brother, to illustrate & book on British birds entirely by means of the camera. They had gone on since then, until they had succeeded in photographing the greater number of British birds., and he proposed to -show a selection from the numerous slides they had made from ten thousand- photographs, eind negative*. The selection with which Mr Kearton afterwards de- lighted the audience WAS an .excellent one, and was splendidly representative of the natural wild life of the British Isles. 'Some of the re- productions were remarkable, and the stories which the lecturer told of the difficulties that had been encountered in procuring the photo- graphs- were most interesting. 'Some of the methods adopted were very ingenious, including the use of such things as dummy rocks, 'behind le which the photographer waited for hours before being able to obtain the snapshots required. Some, on the other hand, necessitated not a little daring and courage, rus, for instance when Mr Kearton took photos of the golden eagle in the Outer Hebrides whilst suspended on the face of a ste-ep cliff by means of a, rope fasten- ed to a crowbar at the summit. Mr Kearton also gave details of important results that had been achieved by means of some of the photo- graphs. In nature, he pointed out, it was never safe to dogmatise, and it was necessary to have first hand evidence of the appearance and hab- its of birds. The lecturer's pliotographs of the sparrow hawk, for instance, proved that this bird is capable of building her own most if she cared to do so; his studies of migratory birds confirmed the idea that these creatures come back to their old haunts, season after season to breed, supposing no accident has -befallen them in the meantime; his close observations of the brown wren showed that though a particular one may have several nests all over a district, they are not intended to be occupied by eggs or young ones, they are generally used by blue tits, or marsh tits. A remarkable eenee of photographs of a, stoat proved conclusively that this peculijar animal shuts its eyes before at- tacking its prey; another photograph showed that a spider ie quite capable of the ruse of feigning death m order to lure its prey; and other photographs proved that the intelli- gence in some birds was not so high as to pre- vent their being deceived by dummy eggs, but j that this experiment, tried on a plover in the Shetlands, was quite unsuccessful. The, are only a. few instances of valuable results achiev- ed by Mr Kearton, as shown on the screen, and he must have travelled much and gone to an in- finite amount of trouble to obtain them. Per. haps the most striking slid.e shown was from a, photograph of the live trout in too water in a I olear Westmoreland stream. Mr Kearton de- scribed thia M one of the most remarkable photographs he had ever succeeded in taking. Some of slides were amusing as well as in- structive-. These included two robbing that had made their nest in the open husk of a cocoa-nut, and a French partridge that had made its home beneath a cracked flower-pot. Mr Rees., in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Kearton for his entertaining lecture, said the screen, like the- magic carpet of the Arabian Nights, had transported them to all parts of the United Kingdom, and had brought them into close proximity with interesting birds in sum- mer and in spring. They saw that it had re- quired not only infinite patience to make the experiments Mr Kearton had shown, but not a little courage to photograph rabbits under the fire of ill shooting Volunteers or perhaps that more dangerous creature the obstinate farmer (laughter). In .all seriousness it seemed to him that the man who would go on photographing a rabbit under nre showed that devotion to his profession which must bring iiim who did it to that eminence which Mr Kearton had acquired (hear, hear). 1-Mr Rees went on to say that he had onoe mistaken a; tiger for a bird, and only knew the creature was a tiger when it moved; and he had also mistaken a porcupine for a bear, when he was not a child, but a grown-up j man (laughter). Nothing was more remarkoible in nature -than the way in which these animals, were protected by their skins and colouring, He had often :noticed that in dry, sandy places a tiger had a light coat and stripes, and was al- most invisible, but if they went up to the hill climate they would find the same beast with a far thicker coat and different colouring, making it hardly distinguishable from the wood and grass in which it lived. He had seen animals counterfeiting their surroundings with the most extraordinary fidelity. He remembered once, when riding out, a friend plucked a twig from a tree to smack his horse, and he noticed that on' the twig a little green snake had curled itgelf round..So that his friend was actually whipping bis horse with a snake, and it remind- ed him of the saying about the scorpions (laugh- ter). 11 Colonel Hutchins, in seconding, said whet the idea was, an hour previously, first presented to his mind that ilie honour of seconding the vote of thanks to Mr Kearton was to fall to his lot, it seemed to him that the lecture they wero albout to listen to on Nature at work "-al- though of peculiar interest to a very humble member like himself of a society professing to be the exponent of the art of directing the great sources of power in nature to the use and convenience of man—would be one of a scien- tific and somewhat dry kind to the ordinary listener. But how charming the disillusion- ment! The lecturer had taken them into the homes of some of the most interesting of Nature's studies., and had introduced them to the home life and to the habits of our lesser furred and feathered friends; and if perhaps the larger and fiercer animals of the jungle, as Mr Bees had ably said, presented a. grander view of natural history, this most interesting lecture of Mr Kearton's had given them a, far preasanter and more attractive view of animal life. He had the greatest pleasure in seconding the vote of thanks proposed by Mr J. D. ltees" the lecturer for the very entertaining and i-a, structive hour's recreation he had afforded them (applause). The vote of thanks, was warmly ac- corded. Mr Kearton replied, and proposed a vote, ai thanks to the chairman.—This was seconded by Mr D. J. Jones, and also heartily given. 1

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LLANIDLOES COUNTY SCHOOL GOVERNORS. There were only four members of this Authority in attendance on Tuesday evening at the Schools one short of a quorum. Those present were Mr. Evan Williams, Mr Godfrey Bowen, Mr J. Constan- tine, and Mr Richard George, together with the headmaster, Mr Horsfall Turner, and the clerk" Mr Spencer.-Mr Godfrey Bowen assumed the chair at the invitation of Mr Spencer, and the Governors decided to consider and pass useful matters subject to the sanction of a full meeting. -An application for the use of the room for St. David's Day celebrations from the Cymrodorion Society was read.—Mr Turner said that they had the school last year.—The Chairman What did they pay?—The Clerk: Nothing.—Mrs Williams said that there should be a set fee. The caretaker bad told her that she had received nothing from the Welsh Class last year nor from this Society. She thought these fees should go through the Clerk, and that he should give an account to the Governors.—It was decided to grant the use of the room for lOa 6d, and that the caretaker be paid her amount out of that.—Mr J. E. Lane. Griffiths, secretary to the local branch of the ijeague 01 the .Empire, wrote stating that Governors' subscription of 5s had not yet been paid, and asking that the amount be remitted.- .e«^erk explained that when the amount was paid^before, he pointed out that the auditor might object to it. When the auditor called about a month or two ago he raised the question and said that the payment was an illegal one. He (the Clerk) explained the circumstances and the auditor allowed it to pass for that year.-The Chairman I don't believe in this subscription of 5s.-The matter was deferred.