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THE POLITICAL SITUATION.
THE POLITICAL SITUATION. ANOTHER general election about May—is the prognostication which Mr. JOHN RED- MOND, the Irish leader, uttered in the coarse of a speech nfc Newcastle on Wednesday. Now, we are disposed to think that Mr. REDMOND is a very likely gentleman to know. For Mr. REDMOND is the Boss of i ho Radical party and the Dictator to the Radical Government. He is in the position of the centurion of the Scriptures and is able to say to Mr. ASQIUTK —" Come and he cometh. or 4; Go and he gosth. He h-is more than once since the meeting of the present Parliament shown his power over the Government, whom he has caused to toe the line of the policy of disintegration which he has at heart. The abolition of the Lords' veto-iii other words, the abolition of a Second Chamber—is the first step of that po'icy, and to that step he would nppear to have got the Government hopelessly pledged and committed. Even the methods by which it is apparently pro- posed to bring about abolition have a Hibernian smack about them. "Constitu- tional revolution," said Mr. REDMOND at Newcastle, cannot be carried out without revolutionary tactics And the revolu- tion aiy tactics" which he recommends are in fact precisely those which the Govern- ment have adopted. A bold policy," Mr. RE DMOND dictatorialiy pronounces, is ab- solutely necessary. An wavering or hedging, any weak throwing away of weapons, any evasion or hesitation or delay, any departure, in other words, from the bold and consistent policy of the Albert Hall declaration "—which jifr. ASQUITH would fain have swallowed it Mr. REDMOND had permitted him — will not be tolerated by oiir li-tsh Prime Minister. So" revoIn- ionary tactics it is to be. And in pursu- ance ot them, the Government, contrary to established practice, have made financial provision only up to the middle of May. The fi nance of the country is to be chopped off at that date, and, fur all the Radicals and their Irish allies care, the Navv, the Post Office, and the old age pensioners may whistle for their maintenance. What is the object of these tactics P Mr. 11 KD- idea appears to be that they will serve to muddy the stream for the opponents of the Government and bring odium upon them and especially upon the Lords. An exceedingly poor and unworthy reason, surely —though quite Hibernian—for throwing the finances of the nation into grave chaotic deadlock. No Government has the right to make the interests of the nation subordinate to any such wretched party nmceuvring. It is discreditable in the highest degree to attempt to force a mischievous policy upon the country under a menace of financial starvation. Mr. GLADSTONE made it his endeavour always to accommodate party conflicts to the supreme interests of the nation. Radi- in our time, however, has sunk so low as to be willing at the bidding of Irish -L .Nationalist or Labour-Socialist to to any measure, however unworthy or dan- gerous to the State, from which some party tactical advantage might be expected. For our part, we believe such tactics must I v 1 inevitably react upon their authors and that in due season the ragged Coalition responsible for them will be wiped out of existence by a revolted people. With all the Radic-il-Socialist-Nationalist plotting and manoeuvring, the Second Chamber veto we believe, will survive. There are two courses open in dealing with the House of Lords question and two only One is the total destruction of the veto—in other words, the abolition of the Chamber; the other is, the reformation of the Chamber. The Socialists and the Nation- alists are strongly in favour of the first alternative, and they have received a good deal of encouragement from the orthodox Radical party. The Nationalists want to get rid of the Upper House in order to obtain Home Rule, and having secured this they would cease to care a brass farthing either for Britain or her Constitution. The Socialists are in favour of abolition, for then there would be no barrier between them and their wild-cat communistic notions, no opposing force to save the country from their revolutionary schemes of property confiscation and the rest. But the idea of Single-Chamber government is utterly opposed to the sense of the British people at large and it is not likely to be tolerated. No civilised country in the world is governed by single chamber, aad the Mother of Parliament is not going to -se!, the example at this advanced hour of her long history. There remains the other alternative—reform. Now, it is impossible to reform the Secoud Chamber without in some way improving and therefore strengthening it, and we venture to predict that the only outcome of all this present agitation against the House of Lords—if it ever does have any tangible i-esmlt-ivill be that that Houseyil1 emerge a stronger and more powerful body than ever. That is inevitable and ha,ving regard to the decay, which has marked the House of Commons in late years, its lowered tone, its diminished sense of dignity and responsibility, and its increasing susceptibility to mere fitful gusts of mob feeling or passion, we believe that an access of power to the Second Chamber is a thing to be desired rather than deprecated. The Peers themselves have taken up the question of reform and were last week engaged in a discussion of great interest and value on certain important resolutions which Lord. ROSEBJERY submitted for their consider- ation. The resolutions were as follows (1.) That a strong and efficient Second Chamber is not merely an integral part of the British Constitution, but is necessary to the well-being of the State and to the balance of Parliament. (2.) That such a Chamber can best be obtained by the reform and reconstitution of the House of Lords. (S.) That a necessary preliminary of such reform and reconstitution is the 1 acceptance of the principle that the possession of a peerage should no longer of itself give the right to sit and vote in the House of Lords. There is some difference of opinion with regard to the last resolution, but, there is a very general feeling in the House of Lords that reform is desirable. Whether that reform will proceed on the lines of Lord ROSEBERY'S resolutions remains to be seen. Meanwhile the Peers have unanimously agreed to go into Committee this week on the subject.
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NOTES. The result of the visit paid by a War Office representative to the Tregaron annual horse fair was not so satisfactory as the farmers were led to believe it would be. Probably they were unduly optimistic some of them might have read reports of Mr Haldane's eulogistic remarks on Welsh cobs, and fully anticipated that the War Office would require a large number of the Cardiganshire cobs for remounts. As a matter of fact not a single horse was pur- chased for the Army. Colonel Bridge is as not satisfied with the class of animals pre- sented for sale, although dealers from other parts of the country took awav 33 truck loads. After the fair Colonel Bridge ad- dressed a. meeting of farmers and ex- plained the particular type of horse that was required. He pointed out that during peace time only a few hundred horses were req ired for the army, and Ireland alone provides annually several thousands more than the army absorb. In times of stress, however, he admitted that thousands of horses would be required at once. Obviously what is required is a scheme which will admit of preparing in the piping time of peace ample stocks of the real I ii e t I, ii) v. article required by the army. We have no doubt this can be done if the Board of Agriculture spent its apparently unlimited resources in fostering a high standard of horse breeding instead of flooding the country with a crowd of highly paid officials trying to push such an out-of-date article as that of Small Holdings. We congratulate Mr R. S. Rowland, The Garth, upon his appointment to the post of chairman of the Cardigan County Council. The new chairmau is a staunch Conservative, and he is most regular in his attendance at the meetings of the Council. As chairman of the Northern Main Roads Committee he showed a, thorough grasp of county business. Moreover, the Council have never appealed to Mr Rowland in vain when a slice of land was required for widening the roads. At the same meeting the Council elected seven Liberal aldermen and one Conservative. Thelrvclioice in the latter respect fell upon Major Price Lewis, and in the voting 1 he polled more votes -cl 8 than any of the others. The nominations for eight vacant seats in the borough on the Aberystwyth Board of Guardians took place on Thursday. The seats were previously held by Captain G. Fossett Roberts, Mr B. Ellis Morgan, Mrs J. T. Davies, the Rev T. A. Penry, Mr Edwin Morris, vice-chairman, Mr William Thomas, Mr Hugh Hughes, and Mrs Jane James. The first three are Conservatives and the remainder Liberals, but; only three -L ii of the last named were nominated, and the seats held by the Hev T. A- Penry and Mr Edwin Morris will be filled bv Mr C. P. Lloyd and Mr Edward Llewellin. The Conservatives do not owe this gain of two seats to any kindly feeling on the part of the Liberals it was fully their intention to nominate both Mr Penry and Mr Morris, but they failed to do so within the proper time. The new members will be of great service on the Board. Mr Lloyd has lived in the town for many years and is well acquainted with the needs of the poor and Mr Llewellin is an expert on poor law work, and will be able to put his finger on some of the weak points in our local administration. Mr D. C. Roberts has again been re- elected chairman of the Cardiganshire Education Committee without opposition. There was a bit of a flutter amongst the economists as to the appointment of a care- taker for the Aberystwyth Council Schools. It was proposed to pav a man 23s. per week to devote the whole of his time to looking after the buildings, and several of the new country members protested against what they thought was a high wage. Apparently the chief aim of these gentlemen is to pro- test against any and all expenditure, and we would suggest that they would be doing a greater service to the county if they paid more attention to the attendance of the children in the country schools. The posi- tion held by the county in comparison with other Welsh counties is by no means an enviable one, and the loss by way of grants on this account is becoming- a serious matter. Since August, 1905, no less than £ 17,877 10s. llcl. has been spent in improv- ing the Council day schools, and a further sum of £1,545 58: 4d. has been spent on II new desks alone. Notwithstanding the vast sums spent on the schools we learn from a return presented by Mr Jentin James, the director of education, that the average attendance, has fallen by 139 as compared with 1905. The Licensed Victuallers of Aberystwyth unci District held their annual dinner at the Central Hotel on Thursday evening, when Captain G. Fossett Roberts presided. The vice-chair was occupied by Mr Wm. Tarr, vice-president of the Licensed Victuallers' Defence League, who referred it length to the position of the Trade and denounced the revengeful policy of the Government. He made the interesting announcement that he had been called to give evidence before the Royal Commission now sitting- upon the appointment of justices of the peace. Licensed victuallers are not treated fairly in regard to the appointments to the Bench, for whilst it is the custom to place on the Commission men who are bitterly opposed to the Trade, and who are unable, owing to the extreme and who are unable, owing to the extreme views which they hold, to act impartially I when the question of licensing comes before them, members of the Trade are not allowed these privileges. The subject will no doubt have due consideration at the hands of the Commission, and any radical changes which they find necessary should in common fairness to so large and influential a body provide for them more equitable treatment. After all, it would appear, there are a few Nonconformist ministers who have not bowed the knee to Batl-tlie Baal of party Radicalism. The Rev. G. T. Pritchard, a Welsh Nonconformist, in the current issue of Yr Herald Cymraeg," shows that he, at all events, is not joined, as so many of his brethren are, to the idol of party. Hear him There are some able men individually among the Welsh members, but as a party and an organisation they are the weakest of the weaklings. So far as appears, there is not the making of a single statesman among them. There is no more Liberalism in Haldane or Grey or the member for the Mont- gomery Boroughs than there was in Palmerston. The Rev. Mr. Pritchard rather bluntly suggests that not a few members of the Welsh party are in Parliament for what they can get out of it in the way of place or emolument; and he proceeds What we require is men strong enough to turn their backs on < £ 5,000 a year. Some of the greatest reforms have come to us through Tory Governments. Lord Salisbury began the Housing movement. The Government has sold the party over the Navy estimates What con- sistency on the part of the advocates of retrenchment! What havoc would Lloyd George not have played with these pro- posals had he been in opposition But now it is all part of the game of those in office, My influence," concludes Mr Pritchard, may not be great, but such as it is it shall be used to expose fraud and deceit." A nobis resolve. Ws SUggest to the Rev Mr Pritchard that in his campaign against Radical fraud and deceit he should pay an early missionary visit to his Non- conformist brethren in Cardiganshire. These gentry, with their canting and blas- phemous appeals for votes for Mr. Davies and Mr Rees in the name of Christ and religion, appear to us to stand in urgent need of having the state of their souls inquired into by somebody. On the whole the County Council elections in Wales show an improvement so far as Church schools are concerned, par- ticularly in Breconshire and Flint, where those who are in favour of the impartial administration of the Education Acts are v now in control, in the former county by a, majority of fourteen, and the latter by five. In Radnorshire also the position has been considerably improved, while in other districts of Wales, as, for instance, in Bangor, significant victories have been won, which point to a growing feeling of revolt against the waste of the ratepayers' money in erecting unnecessary schools for the sole purpose of destroying those belonging to the Church.
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ABERYSTWYTH. ASSESSMENT COM AIITTEB. —Afc the meeting on Monday a vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman, Mr Edwin Morris, for his services during the past year, and also to the Vice- Chairman. TREFSCHAN SUNDAY SCHOOL.—The annual tea to the members of this school was held on Wednesday afternoon. There was a largo attendance and the tables were presided over by the teachers. After tea a concert was held, presided over by Principal Prys. The pro- gramme was as follows —Song, the children recitations. Martha Lewis and Mary Owen duett, the Misses Evans and Jones recita- tions, David M Jones, Frances Christopher, Richard D Daniel May Jones, Hubert Evans, Miss Nellie Harries, Maud Chamberlain, T L! Owen, Annie Griffiths, Aubrey Jones song; Miss Rees and party; recitations, 01 wen "and Violet Mathias, Mr E M Jenkins, Jennie Evans song, Miss Gwen Jenkins, Blaenplwyf, dialogue, party of girls song, the children song, Mr Joel Rowlands recitation, Mr J Brythonfab James; song, Miss Annie Evans: duett, the Misses Georgina and Rosie Jones song, Mr J Paith Morgan recitations, William Morgan Edwards, E M Jenkins, and T Ll Owen. A vote of thanks was passed to the Chairman. The accompanists were Miss A Jones and Mr J 0 Jones. SALEM BAND OF HOPE,-In connection with the winding up of the winter session a com- petitive meeting was held oil Wednesday night, when there was a large attendance. The Rev Maurice Griffiths (pastor), presided and the conductor was Professor Edward Edwards. Mr James W Cowley adjudicated the music, the adjudicators for the other items being Messrs William Davies, B.A., Tudwal Davies, Rees Jones and Mrs Jenkin James. The accom- panist was Mrs T J Samuel. The secretarial duties were discharged by Miss S A Williams and Mr D Lloyd Jones, Bridge street. The awards were as follows: —Solo for children under twelve, 1 Gwen Williams; 2 Hari Richards j solo for boys under sixteen, 1 Hari Richards 2 Emrys Williams solo for girls under sixteen, 1 Mary Jane Reeves 2 Gwyn. eira Jones; 3 Mary Ellen Lewis; recitation Cariad at Gymru," 1 Hari Richards shaded drawing of collie dog, 1 Emrys Williams; 2 Willie Pugh outline drawing of a bird, 1 John Lewis Jones; recitation, "Molawd Cymru," 1 Bessie Richards; 2 Gwyneira Jones; penillion, "Set Fawr," Mr Charles E Jones soprano solo, 1 Miss Annie Davies, Sea View place impromptu translation from English to Welsh, 1 Mr William Jones, Llangwyryfon bass solo, 1 Mr Richard Rowlands oral exam- ination in "Macs Llafur," class 1 Peggy Hughes; class 2, prize divided between Glyn Richards and Gwen Morgan; class 3, 1 Annie Jones, 2 Rhys Lloyd Jones class 4, Annie Jones and Gwen Williams (equal) class 5, 1 May Evans, 2 Gwyneira Jones class 6, written examination, under sixteen, 1 Emrys Williams, 2 John R Jones answer to leading questions from ,e Maes Liafur for candidates under twenty-one, Pollie Davies and Alfred William Morgan (equal) over twenty-one, 1 Mr R Rowlands, whose essay was highly praised; quartette, Mr John Davies and party essay, Calvin and Calvinism," Mr Alfred William Morgan, Northgate street, the essay evoking high encomiums from the adjudicators sulo for aspirants over forty years, Dechreu canu, dechreu canraawl," Mr Hughes, Sea View place; best pinofore, Miss Ann J Evans; recitation for aspirants over sixteen, Laugh- ter," 1 Mr D Jenkins, Bryncarnedd transla- tion from English to Welsh, Miss Annie Jones, Ceunty School tenor solo, Mr Jack Davies, Council School party exceeding eight in number. Ymlaen, ymlaen, chwi filwyr Duw," Mr T Morgan, South road and party. At the conclusion a vote of thanks was passed to the officials. Boys BRIGADE.—The following are the results of the ambulance examination in con- nection with the Boys Brigade:—Sergeant Fred Radford (35), Lance-corporals J R Watkin (35), and E R Hughes (35); Privates D I Edwards and W iie, White (31) each; and Private W Styles '2(\). The boys were ex- amined by Lieut. Watkin, house surgeon at the Infirmary. SOIREE.—A well-attended soiree, the pro- ceeds of which were in aid of the piano fund, was held at Shiloh Schoolroom on Tue-s;y evening week. The following took part: Mr R Maldwyn Price, Mr Dan Ti bbott, Mr Beynon, Miss Maud Powell, Mr Sidney Thomas, Mbs Nesta Morgan, Mr Kriight,,Alis,,i Gwen Taylor, Mr Tom Pickering, Miss Mollie Owen. Re- freshments were provided during the evening, the officials of the sewing class presiding at the tables as follows:- Mrs D Howells, Cwm (president of the class) Mrs Edwards, The Laurels; Mrs Rowland Morgan, North-parade; and Mrs T W Powell, vice-presidents; Mrs J Jones, Pentre View, treasurer assisted by Mrs Captain Doughton, Mrs Rowlands, North- parade Mrs Thomas, Nantaro; and Mrs Evan Thomas. A vote of thanks to the Chairman and those who had taken part brought an enjoyable evening to a close. MID-GLAMORGAN. — On Wednesday of last week during his visit to Swansea, Professor T E Levi was waited on for a deputation of Liberals headed by Alderman Hopkins Morgan with a request that he would stand as Liberal Candidate for Mid-Glamorgan. The deputa- tion informed Professor Levi that all expenses would be paid by Mr Alt. Mond if he consented to stand, but in view of the attitude of the Chief Liberal whip who advised there should bo no contest be declined the invitation. BOSWELL'S CIRCUS AT THE PAVILION.— Boswell's Stage Circus, which has been per- ioruiing before crowded houses in all parts of the country, will pay a visit to the Pavilion for Easter week. Everywhere audiences have been delighted at the wonderful cricks played by the clever little animals composing the troupe. The entertainment is refined through out, and there is a feast of good natured fun for old and young. In order to meet the con- venience of country school children there will be performances on Monday, Wednesday and oaidrday at 3 p.m. ANIMATED PIOTORES AT THE COLISEUM.— Commencing on Monday eveniiJg M r John Codman's New Empire American Animated Pictures will put in a full week at the Coliseum, Terrace road, with a matinee on Siturd.iy at 2-30, and a sacred concert on the Sunday. A stirring romance of the Dakota* entitled "The Mended Late," is a moving picture based on the life and customs of the American Aboriginals. Another new picture which is taking very well is entitled" A little child shall lead theru." berammagan Passion Play," depictin of Christ will be produced on Sand ng at 8-15. Popular prices, Is 6d, Is and FOOTBALL.—The following will represent Aberystwyth in the semi-final of the Welsh Amateur Cup against Bangor at Portmadoc on Saturday — Crowther 0 Green and E Hughes T Rees, Holt and W D Thomas Tom Jatnes, John Jones, Peter Edwards, T 0 Jones and Wright. A special train leaves at 12-50 p.m. for Purtmadoc returning at, G-20. Fare 2s. GJ. SHIPPING.—The "Grosvenor" arrived in the harbour on Tuesday morning from Liver- pool with 100 tons of rails for the Lampeter and Aberayron Railway. OKITUART. The death took place at 16, High street, on Tuesday murning week, of Mr Evan Edwards, after a long illuess. Deceased was fifty-seven years of age. He was a son of the late Mr John Edwards, of the Market Tavern, Market street, and for some years was employed as clerk in the Borough Accountant's Office. He was a member of the Welsh Con- gregational Church. The funeral took place at Llangorwen on Saturday. The Rev Job Miles officiated at the house and the Rev T D Thomas at the Church and g • i ve»ide.—Mrs Elizabeth ITarcourt, of Gwalia, North-parade, passed away on Sunday nig i She had been ailing since Christmas bilt the end came suddenly. She had reached th ■ advanced age of 74. The funeral took place at the cemetery yesterday (Wednesday). CoUN RY ANTIQUARIAN SOCIETY.—The first field day of the Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society will be held at Lorentiuin, PonfcLIanio, early in May. An address will be delivered by Professor Anwyl and plans, etc., are being prepared by Mr Geo. rCyro Evans. OLD STUDENTS.—The old students will hold their annual reunion nest week. Many of them will reach the town on Saturday and Miss Fewings will be "at home" at the Alexandra hall at 8 p.m. On Monday Miss Tremain, the president, will hold a reception at the college and in the evening there will be a dance at the Lion Hotel. The programme for the rest p I of the week includes picnics, whist drives, a visit to the National Library where tea will be provided by Mrs T E Eliis, dramatic per- formance and the annual ball at the Lion Hotel. SCHOLASTIC.—The following successes wore obtained by the pupils of Caerleon House at the Cambridge local examination held Christ- mas, 1909: Higher examination on arithmetic and French groups, HI class, M Farrar, Man- chester; M Younge, Shrewsbury; junior examination (pass) M Morgan, Carew, E Carr, Dublin, 'L Alban, Llanrhystyd; preliminary examination, S Smith, Aberystwyth, D Holmes, Llanidloes. OBITUARY.—The death took place at the Infirmary on Saturday of Mr Jonathan Cleaton Hughes, who was for many years chief clerk at the Post Office, from which position he was pensioned off some ten years ago. Deceased was a son of Mr John Hughes, lato excise officer, and was formerly employed by Mr Hugh Davies in Pier street. He married a daughter of Mr H Humphreys, a = f'ormer postmaster, and leaves one daughter. POLICE COURT.—At the Police Court on Monday, before Mr T W Powell the adjourned case came on in which John Griffiths, colliery manager, Llwynrhos, Kingston, is charged by his wife Mrs Elizabeth J Griffiths, Cemetery Lodge, with wife desertion. The case was adjourned for a further period of three months. P.S.N.—The weekly entertainment was pro- vided by Bethel Chapel (Welsh Baptist). The Rev Joseph Edwards presided over the first part and Capt. D James over the second. There was an attendance of 450. The following was the programme: Glory song" (illus- trated) address by the Chairman song, Master Harold Thomas; song, Miss Polly Jarman; recitation, "The Milk Maid" (In! Character), Miss Lizzie Williams; song, I Master Willie James Jones song, Misses Polly Thomas anrl Polly Jarman; recitation, Miss Agnes Mason song, Miss Ann E Edwards party, Cwynfan Prydain recitation, Miss Elizabeth A Theophilns party (4 boys), Flaying at Soldiers," W Jones, B Isaac, H Thomas, D Morris; choir, Adre'ti-d'ol song (illustrated), "Mary of Argyle," Mr William Pierce song (illustrated), Ora Pro Nobis," Miss E D Ellis; song (illustrated), "Star of Bethlehem," Mr J W Cowley; recita- tion, Mr J Brythonfab James, encored; duett, Misses E D Eliis and A Ellis, encored party, Ar hyd y nos quartette, Mr J Brythonfab -F James and party duett, Messrs J W Cowley and William Pierco. The accompanists were the Misses Polly and Maggie Jones. Next Saturday night's gathering will be the last of the season and the programme will take the form of a competitive entertainment. SIR SAM EVANS. Oil the occasion of the annual meetings of the Guild of Graduates which are to be held here next month, the old students of the Welsh University College will entertain him to dinner. An effort is being made to secure the attendance of old students, who are contemporaries of Sir Sam Evans at the College. SOIREE. A soiree in aid of the Welsh Baptist Sunday School trip, was held on Wednesday evening. There was a large attendance, presided over by Mr D R Thomas. The following programme was gone through:- Pianoforte duett, the Misses Lizzie Williams and Annie Jones; song, Master Willie Jones; song, Miss Eunice Lewis duett. Messrs D Tibbot and W Pierce song, Miss S A Oiiver song, Miss Elizabeth Ellis; recitation, Mr John James; duett, the Misses Lilian and Letti Morgan song, Miss Annie Ellis song, Master Harold Thomas recitation, Mr D R Thomas; song, Mr W Pierce; part song, Mr John James and party. During the evening refreshments were provided, the following presiding at the tables: Mrs E L Jones, Mrs W H Williams, Mrs Francis, Mrs J Roberts, Mrs Oliver, Mrs R Roberts, Mrs J Morris, the Misses C Lewis, E A Rees, S Phillips, Lilian Morgan, Polly Isaac, E L Jones, Maggie Jones, Kate Phillips, Ada Phillips, JditJl de Lloyd, L Griffiths, S A Oliver, Maggie Roberts and S A Ellis. The accompanist was Mr T L Old. Votes of thanks were passed to the Chairman and all who had taken part in the proceedings. SALVATION Ai--tmy.-In aid of the social and rescue w'ork carried on by this institution a sale of work was held at the Salvation Army Hail, Queen street, on Wednesday, and was well attended. It was opened by Mr W J Cooper, who paid a high tribute to the A.rmy's i work. Mr Cooper announced that he had received donations towards the fund from Sir John Williams and several other gentlemen who were in sympathy with the Army's work. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Cooper for attending. The stall holders were: -Fancy, Mrs Edwards, Miss Jenkins and Mrs Foarnside; refreshments, Mrs Shewring and Mrs Meehan. LIBERAL CLUB.—A meeting of the members was held on Wednesday night, Mr T J Samuel presiding. The Chairman explained tile object I of the meeting which was held with refer- ence to the Guardians election. Mr Samuel I explained that the following day was the last d-w for receiving norninations.-inlr P B Love- day said it was noteworthy that not one of the retiring members were present.—-Mr W II Samuel said he did not see why the Club should go to the expense of an election when such apathy was shown, and proposed that nothing should be done. —Mr P B Loveday seconded and it was unanimously agreed not to take part in the election. —Mr J Griffiths, .Market street, took it that the Club would do their utmost in support of Liberal candidates in the event of all It was decided that the President and Secretary should make arrangements to gef, Mr Hilaire Belloe, M. P., to attend a meeting of the Club on Saturday night.—Mr T J Samuel said that Mr John Evans had promised to give at an early date an address at the Club on registration. THE WELSH NATfONAL LIBRARY.—Under the joint auspices of Y Gymdeithas Gymreig and the Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society, a lecture on "The National Library of Witles and its contents" was delivered by Mr John Ballinger, the libariaii, at the Market Hall on Friday evening. There was a large attendance. Sir John Williams occupied the chair and in his opening remarks said he did not think they had anything like a full conception of the work done at the National Library during the last 18 months. In ths'opening part of his lecture Mr Ballinger said it had often been asked why Wales should have a national library? It was because Wales had literature, both in manu- I script and print, of a very extensive and important character. She turned out every year, some hundreds of books, some 50 or'GO newspapers and periodicals printed in the Welsh language and a great many other literary activities were constantly proceeding which were peculiar to herself. One reason why she should have a national library was in order that the literature and activities of a literary kind should be preserved for future reference and for future workers. But the charter of the library laid down another reason, which to his mind was a very important one. It contended that the library was established to further the objects of all the educational institutions of the principality. The reason for that was that neither of the colleges had a library capable of affording that help in the highest branches of learning for the widest possible area, especially research work which must be at, the disposal of any student or pro- fessor who desired to pursue original" work and fulfil the great aim of all universities—the advancement of knowledge. Let them think for a moment of the condition of Wales as regarded the great books of the world. In England there were three great libraries—the British Museum, the Bodleian, Oxford, and the University at Cambridge, each entitled to receive one copy of every book published in the British Isles, and that privilege had been enjoyed by those three for a very long period, in the case of the British Museum something like 150 years. There was one such library in i Ireland, Trinity College, Dublin, and one in Scotland, Advocates Library, Edinburgh, and there were five in different parts of England, Scotland and Ireland, receiving annually from Parliament grants amounting to thousands of pounds for the purchase of books in lieu of the privilege which they formerly held of receiving a copyright copy of every book. Wales had never had a penny until now for the purchase of a single book she had not had the right to demand a copy of every book, not even those published in her own land. Slie had been starved and he thought that the National Library, very properly, according' to the charter, had to fulfil that function as a part of that great commission from the people of Wales (applause). It followed, therefore, that there were two main sources from which tho Library must look for its supplies. First of all it must collect everything that appeared in the thirteen counties. That was one of its chief duties and one of its main sources of supply, and to that end most splendid contributions had already been received. But there were lots of things they bad not got hold of yet, that were lying up and down the country, hidden away, sometimes waiting to be thrown on the fire or thrown away. There was another great source of supply, even more important and more difficult to realise, because it required a large sum of money. They were bound to import into Wales the great and costly books, the standard books of an nations, which would put the sons and daughters of Wales upon an equal footing with the people of other countries (applause). They proposed to have in the Library departments for manuscripts, prints and drawings, printed books, and newspapers and periodicals. They already filed every newspaper and periodical published in the thirteen counties, to the number of nearly 150, which were sent as a gift from the publishers in every case, and they would be extremely useful to the men who wanted to write the history of any county in 100 years time. Then they would have a department for music. They also hoped to be able to help the people by lending such books as they had a spare copy of.—Mr Ballinger then went en to describe some of the principal contents of the Library and his lecture was illustrated by some excellent lantern slides.—At the conclusion votes of thanks were passed to the lecturer and chairman and also to Mr Humphreys, who manipulated the lantern. TENDERS.—Tenders are invitedfor the supply of meat, milk, coal, grocery, etc., for the Aber- ystwyth Infimary. See advertisement in this week's issue. EASTER.— A large influx of visitors is ex- pected for Easter and if the weather holdft out its present promise, the week should be a fine and enjoyable one. Excellent attraction* have been secured and there will be no lack of entertainment for those who desire it. Special facilities are offered by the Railway Compariys and these are sure to be taken advantage of by a largenumber. SHILOH LITERARY AND DEBATING SOCIETY. —A meeting of this Society was held on Tuesday evening, Mr John Morgan presiding. The subject for debate was Should the Welsti members of Parliament form into a separator party ? Miss Maud Powell and M r L Thomas openerl in the affirmative, and Miss Jenkins and Mr Tom Rees in the negative. The follow- ing also took part in the discussion :-Mr Richard Jones, Sergt. Edwards, MrC A Jones, Miss Lizzie Thomas and Miss Owen. On a division the negative was carried by one vote. A vote of thanks was passed to those who had taken part. DEATH. — We regret to record the death of Mrs Sophia A Rees, wife of Mr James Rees, manager of the Vale of Rheidol Light railway, which took place on Sunday morning. Deceased, who had reached the age of 37 had been indisposed for about a fortnight and was taken seriously ill on the Tuesday night. She underwent an operation for appendicitis on Thursday evening and was expected to pull through, but heart failure brought about tier collapse. The news created quite a sensation. in the town and neighbourhood where Mrs Rees was well-known and much respected, anct the greatest sympathy is felt for Mr Rees in. his sad bereavement. She leaves four children, the eldest of whom is 10 and also three brothers Hugh Thomas, who is in India, Ivor Thomas, Harrow, and Glyn Thomas. Swansea. Deceased was a daughter of the Rev. Thomas Thomas, at one time a well-known Wesleyan minister'. The funeral took place at the cemetery yester- day Wednesday) afternoon. LONG SERVICE MEDALS.—The following members of the Rov&s yscwyth Division (Registrar, Mr J Mortimer, North parade), have been awarded the long service and good conduct modal, instituted last year by His Majesty the King :—Messrs H Davies, J Edwards. J Edwards, R D Edwards, T George, E Giles, W R Jenkins, J Jones, J Jones, T Jones, J Silcock, and J Williams. The medals are of solid silver, hav- ing on one side the bust of the King in Admiral's uniform and on the obverse a first- class battleship of the Dreadnought type with the words Dinturne Fidelis," and having in- scribed on the rim the name of the holder. The medals will be presented by Lieutenant Vaughan, R.N., Divisional Officer of Coast- guards, Tenby. DISTRICT EDUCATION COMMITTEE. A meeting of this Committee was held at the Town Hall on Monday afternoon when there were present Messrs William Evans (retiring chairmao), James James, Morgan James, Ed. Evans, R Ellis, J T Morgan, Major Bonsall, Rev T Mason Jones, William Morris, Evan Richards, D C Roberts, C M Williams, Ed. Jones, J P Lewis and Mrs T Z Jones, with Mr R J Roberts, clerk and other officials.- The first business was the appointment of chairman for the ensuing year, and Mr Ellis proposed that Dr. James be elected to that position.—Mr J T Morgan seconded.—Mr Williams asked whether it was clearly under- stood that Mr J T Morgan had refused the office, because be was one ot the oldest members and had been proposed on a previous occasion. If Mr Morgan had refused, however, he was prepared to support the election of Dr. James. ,—Mr Ellis said he asked Mr Morgan if he should submit his name as he was the senior member and he definitely told him jiot to.— The proposition was agreed to and on the motion of Mr Morgan James, a vote of thanks was passed to the retiring chairman.—After the reports of the attendance officers had been submitted, Mr C M Williams referred to the poor attendance in some districts. Excuses had been made that this was accuunted for by the bad weather, but be took it that the weather was also bid in other counties which showed a better attendance. He was afraid the officers did not watch carefully the families whose children were always skulking away from school. He hoped the circular which the County had directed to be sent to the masters would have good effect. —The 'Rev T Mason- Jones said that, some months ago they appointed an attendance committee which ha-1 not yet been convened. He suggested that they re-appoint that com- mittee, who could consider the reports of the officer"M r ft Ellis supported. They lost ia grants £ 600 or £ 700 from laxity or inefficiency of some sort. The only thing they could do was to ask tho magistrates to take a really serious view of the question. Mi, Lewis, attendance officer, said that some parents had been fined E2 or f:3 and yet those were the worst cases.—It was agreed to place the matter on the agenda for the next meeting.The recommendations of the various school managers were being gone through when it was observed that at a great many of the meet- ings there were no quorums, and it was agreed to refer all such recommendations back to the managers. —Recomendations that conveyances be engaged to carry children residing beyond three miles to Talybont and Ponterwyd Council Schools were considered, and it was decided to refer, the matter to each group of managers for their opinions and the necessary information CAMBRIDGE (WELSH) v. COLLEGE,—These ragby teams will aieet on the vicarage field this Wednes- day afternoon at fonr o'ciock. The names of the -3 y ;;i v i eg players ire (Welsh) Bailey Davies [Lampeter and .Jesus] J Thomaj [ A_berystwyfch and Trinity], E W Lloyd Jones [Murcui&ton and Emmanuel], T Parry L and Euamahuel], B Lewis [Swansea and Trinity Hail], Prichard [Llandovery and Clare], D Evans [Llandovery and King's) W Phillips [Aberystwyth and St. John's] and H Evans lAberystwyth and Trinity Hali]; H Aden [Lampeter and Sf. Catherine'ia], E Evans [Aberystwyth and Trinity Hall], Prichard [Llan- dovery and Ciarej, R Lloyd Gecrge [Portmadoc arid Christ], J Jenkins [Aberystwyth and Trinity] and A Evans [Bangor and Emmanuel] Aberyst- wyth T Thomas L Griffiths, It Hariy, A Williams and A N Other; T Hopkins and 0 J Evans; R Howells, J GraveU, E Thomas, W Havard, A Nicholas, R Thomas, D Parry and W Barns.
Family Notices
.c_> BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. -r- DEATHS. REES March 20th, aged 37, Mrs Sophia Ann iiees, wife of Mr James Rees, manager of the Vale of Jiheidol Light Railway. WILLIAMS.—March 19th, at Hull, aged 59, Captain David Williams, Maesyglyn, Llan- fihangel Geneu'rglyn. HARCOUBT.—March 20th, aged 74, Mrs Elizabeth Harcourt, Gwalia, North parade. HUGHES.—March 19th, Mr Jonathan Cleaton Hughes, for many 3ears chief clerk at the Post Office. .c-2IL-
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