The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

-=- s. UP AND DOWN THE COAST. THE ABERYSTWYTH MARES NEST. This nest has been fouled and deserted. THE BRIDGE AT MACHYNLLETH. The Directors must know that the other day there was an exciting scene at this railway station, owing to the narrow escape of a woman who passed behind a train and dia not see that another was coming up. A large landed proprietor from the other side of the Dovey was a witness of the incident. All that is wanted is a passage under the luie, so that passengers and luggage could be taken over. 1. there not one director who will take this matter up, and put an end to a condition of things that must end in loss of life, and that daily causes an immense amount of inconvenience. Everything at Mtchynlleth seems to move slowlv and not always in the right direction. COOKING HIS GOOSE. A gentleman came to a town not far from my bit of a place on the Coast the other day, and in due course went to an hotel. He was supplied with some little chops, a wiak 1 Kittle of claret, and his BILL, which last ran as fellows Luncheon, 3s. Gd. claret, 4s. attendance, 6d. t' -t.il It would have been cheaper, and could not have been more unsatisfactory, to have studied anatomy and discussed a threepenny half-pint of beer at a refreshment room on the railway. Even at threepence the half-pint for beer, and twopence the square inch for sandwiches, a man might almost take the edge off his appetite for eight shillings. AT LAST. Almost ten years have passed away since my friends all up and down the coast were asked to take an interest in a large sum of money left by Mr. Downie, of Aberys- twyth, to the sick poor of that town. A scheme was pre- pared about a year ago for the administration of a portion of this money, and since then several other schemes have been prepared. The final result is that the trustees of the fund will be fairly representative, and if they like may nicies a grant towards the town library. The contention was that the money was intended for a Church of Eng- bnd Society, and that the public generally had no right to any share of the management. This contention has been settled by allowing the public four town councillors as representatives, and the Church the vicar. Nogreatharm can now be done with this money as long as the public take interest in its administration. The case may be taken to the House of Lords if the Church party are not satisfied, but they may easily go further and fare worse. The representatives of the public have good reason to be satisfied with the result. More work of this kind will have to be taken up. There is th Infirmary money yet to be disposed of, and a scheme will have to be prepared for its administration. I hope the same measure of success will attend the further efforts of the non-sectarian party. THE POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE OF WAR. The Jingoes are still full of tight, but what on earth the v, u- is to be about nobody knows. The army reserve men in each district have been escorted to the railway stations amid much noise, and already the first tears have fallen The poor have at this early date been made to feel how w r will press upon them and blast their lives. It is not yet too late for reason to prevail over brute force. From e-ery corner of Wales let men urge upon Government the duty and necessity of preserving peace, at any rate until they know what there is to fight about. If this talked-of war becomes an accomplished fact, how will men dare to aril; "Almightv God to bless our arms in this righteous C'V THE SUMMER SEASON. Will the Aberystwyth Town Council please to remove the dead tree from near Shiloh Chapel, and the others in North Parade. There are some large stones in the gentlemen's bathing-ground, which it was understood would be removed last year. Can they not be taken away this? Local Boards in other places besides Aber- ystwyth should brighten up their towns, see that nuisances are kept down, and attend to details of management. Strange dirt at once strikes visitors who never notice that they are accustomed to. THE SCREW. A recalcitrant butcher at Lampeter, I am told, refuses to .laughter his sheep and cattle at the slaughter house in that town. The members of the Board, therefore, decided to withdraw their custom from him until he complies with the rule. Here is a laughable instance of the application of the screw. Gentlemen, of Lampeter Local Board, your little plan may work in your little town but it is only very few places that are small enough for the dmen members of a Local Board to enforce their orders by withdrawing custom from those who set them at de- fiance. Is not this conspiracy to injure a man in business ? How primitive How oblivious of satire! How un- conscious of lurking laughter. Upon my word I should die of melancholy if it.were not for the comic ways of pub- lic bodies. It is hard to be sad among them, grim as life iu In many of its phases. THE MACHYNLLETH BOARD OF GUARDIANS Whether the Clerk to the Board or the Chairman is the official who ought to prevent people who are not qualified from acting as guardians is a question that the officials may settle among them at their leisure. All I have to aa- is that nobody ought to sit on a Board who is not legally qualified. Suppose it were a question of acting as°a magistrate. Would the Bench allow some one who is not a magistrate to sit on the Bench There is a great deal of dulness in cases of this kind that turns to sharpness when it does not suit the case. Great landowners surely do aot tolerate this sort of thing. Why not settle this matter without allowing all this fuss to be made. One of the Xilanbrynmair Guardians has no more right to a seat on the Board than, I have simply because he is not rated high enough. NATURE HATH FRAMED STRANGE FELLOWS IN HER TIME" Yes, Mr. Shakespeare, and some of them live in Wales. What would the dear old stupids think when they heard that there had been a Shakesperian Recital" at Dr. Williams's School. Do they not look at Shakespeare as a low play acting fellow, whose name ought never to be mentioned without a groan. They believe all acting is of ths devil, and recitals are oh dear! What a sad thing it 'is? Perhaps they will get up acting next. Shameful! Trie, Mr. Shakespeare, as you say, "the world is a huge thing," but did one ever in all the world hear of such a thing. These same dear old stupids have, perhaps, not yet scented the evil, but once they no.se it they will have it out, for they are "gentlemen of brave mettle." They "would lift the moon out of her sphere if she would continue in it five weeks without changing." Ah, it would have pleased me immensely if I could only have been present that evening, and heard the daughters of good old members of Yr hen gorph" mouthing Shakespeare. There is hope for you yet, Mr. Shake- speare. If you can once get a hold in Wales, your fortune is made. Take the word of an ardent admirer for that. A WORD OF WARNING. Gas at Aberystwyth is now 5s. per thousand feet, in some places it is more. Large consumers can now obtain a machine for making their own gas at less than 5s. per 1,000 feet, and no doubt these machines will be used, when they are known. Just think what a commotion will be caused if the railways, the hotels, the churches and chapels, and so on, get the new gas maker. It would be wise on the part of gas managers and directors to consider this matter before it is too late. Gas is dear at 5s. per 1,000 feet. The Coast. PERRY WINKLE.

ABERYSTWYTH. GLASGOW LADDIE.—Three colts by this Clydesdale horse are expected at Nanteos. /ETHERSCOPE ENTERTAINMENT.—At the Queen's Hotel, on and after Monday, May 6th, as will be seen from an advertisement, there will be a series of interesting enter- tainments well worth seeing. FAVOURABLE WEATHER.—On Sunday last the sea was literally as calm as a mill pond. There were no waves to break on the shore, and even a ripple could only be sworn to by careful observation. There are a few visitors in the town, but in the absence of knowledge it is not to be ex- pected that people will come into W ales until the usual time. CRUELTY TO A DOG.-At the Town Hall, on Monday, April 2"). before T. W. Bonsall, Esq., and Capt. Thomas, Henry "Wright and John Parry were charged with having been cruel to a. dog.—Alexander Richardes, Penglaise, said he vita- at Brynymor on Sunday, April 21, and saw three nien in a hedge, about 200 yards distance. It was between two and three in the afternoon. He saw one of the men take up a large stone and hold it in both hands. He then dashed it down with all his might on the outside of the hedge into the field where witness was standing. The nieu saw him and went into the wood. He went to find out what they were throwing at and then saw a dog lying under the hedge. It was lying on its side, and its head was crushed and bleeding. It was alive, but was dying. The dog was close to the stone.—Inspector Robt. Everitt said he went to investigate the case on Monday, and went in company with Sergeant Evans to the defendant Parry. He was in his master's stables. Witness told him that it was alleged he had cruelly killed a dog at Brynymor in company with Henry Wright.—Defendant Parry made a statement in reply, in which he said the dog fell down in a fit, and he took up two stones and killed it with them.—The Inspector then went to Wright, who, in reoiv, said I will tell you the truth. I was going to Brynymor yesterday week. I came up with John Parry a-:d several others. When weot to Brynymor, Parry ,.i Here I want you to kill this dog. It has broken a. lot of dishes down at Master's and it must nt go back I ag.n.' We went through Mr. Morgan's yard and I took u?; stick and struck it on the head once. Parry then to ;>:< it up and carried it to the bank, and threw it over and dropped two stones upon it." On the following day Wright said to the inspector, I hope you won't make a bother about this. I will take care that nothing of the sort shall occur again." He also took the inspector to the co-house and showed him a large stone with which he said h truck the dog.—Defendants were fined 5s., or 1:1 in aiding costs. Mr. Griffith Jones, solicitor, appeared fo the defendants. SOCIETY FOR PREVENTION OF CLCELTY TO ANIMALS.— The Aberystwyth branch of this Society held its jannr.al meeting on Wednesday afternoon, May 1st. There were present Canon Phillips, in the chair, Mrs. Evans, Mrs. Williams, Mr. Morris Davies, hoi), sec., Mr. Gwynne V aiighan', Mr. John Roberts, Lion Hotel, Mr. M. H. Davis, Mr. George Jones, Mr. Gibson, &c. The Hon. ibecre;ary read a statement of the accounts, and said that in the first year the branch sent JE19 19.3. 6d. to the Car- marthen branch; for the year ending the last day of April they sent Jel9 19s. 9d. to Carmarthen. The costs the first year were 7s. 3d., and next year they were a few shillings more.—The Chairman thought it would be well to print a list of local subscribers.—Mr. George Jones suggested that an abstract of the accounts, and other in- formation, should be given with the names of subscribers. -This was agreed to.—The Secretary then made a long statement, showing that there had been ten convictions during the year, that the Inspector had attended the town twenty-eight times, &c. He also said he had attended the Town Council, and tried to get a stand erected for the donkeys on the Terrace, and had had an interview with Mr. Godby respecting the time allowed to the Aberaeron mail man. There were several long conversations arising out of the secretary's state- ment. and it was decided that the secretary should write to Mr. Colam, and try to obtain an extension of the time allowed the mailman from two hours to two hours and twenty minutes.—The Chairman said that the society did good work by pointing out to people that act. they were accustomed to were cruel. It often happened that people were cruel for want of thought more than from want of heart.—Votes of thanks were moved by the chairman to the president, committee, secretary and officers for their valuable, services, and especially to the secretary, upon whom fell the bulk of the work.The secretary acknowledged the vote, which was seconded by Mr GN,vnne the motion of Mr. M. H.Davis, Sir Pryse Pryse was re-elected president, and the officers were also re-appointed. There was a good deal of conversa- tion as to the working of the society. Mrs. Evans (for- merly Miss Hunter), who, before her marriage resided at Carmarthen, and most efficiently filled the office of secre- tary, was present, and a vote of thanks was heartily ac- corded to her for her services. VESTRY.—At the Easter Vestry held at St. Michael's Church, on Friday, 26th April, Mr. John Watkins and Mr. Thomas Griffiths were re-appointed churchwardens for the ensuing year. ELLIS AND OWEX V. THE CORPORATION".—We are given ti) understand on the best authority that the plaintiffs in this case are strongly advised to apply for a new trial, and this will be immediately done. THE INDEPENDENTS.—The opening services of the Welsh Independent Chapel in Baker-street commenced on Tuesday evening, April 30, and were continued throughout Wednesday. The Revs. D. M. Jenkins, Liverpool. Owen Evans, Llanbrynmair, John Thomas, Liverpool, Thomas Rees, Swansea, and William Rees, Chester, preached. The interior of the chapel is accounted the prettiest in the town and altogether the building is a great advance on the past in an architectural point of view. FIRE.—About half-past four o'clock on Saturday after- noon, Mr. Rees Jones, town surveyor, when going down Queen-street, saw smoke issuing from the roof of a house in Woodcock's Court. He went to the house, and found the top room on fire. After a few bucketsful of water the conflagration was extinguished. THE RESERVES.—On Tuesday the remainder of the Reserves left Aberystwyth for Woolwich and Weedon. All the men were marched to the station to meet the eight o'clock train, preceded by the Militia Band playing McDermot's War Song, "The girl I left behind me," and Auld Lang Syne," and followed by over a thousand people. The men destined for Weedon, however, were not sent off in the morning, because there was no escort ready to conduct them. When the train left the station the people cheered lustily. In the evening the men to be sent to Weedon were again escorted to the station and again a dense crowd followed them. Profiting by their experience in the morning the station officials barricaded the entrances to the platform, and guarded the openings between the carriages. Although some of the soldiers were in high spirits, others were slightly depressed, and several affecting scenes of farewell between husbands and wives occurred. In one instance a wife carrying a baby on her arm and holding by the hand a fine little fellow dressed in Scotch costume, could hardly be induced to leave her husband, and her farewell was sad in the extreme. Other wives parted from their husbands in tears. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, MAY lsT.-Before Alderman Watkins (ex-mayor), and Isaac Morgan, Esq. School Board Cases.-William Jones, Skinner-street, was summoned for not sending his boy to school. This was the case of the boy who some months ago it was said would be allowed to go to an Industrial School, but the father on being called said he was not willing. The boy had never been in a public elementary school since.—The Clerk applied that the boy should be sent to an industrial school. The father went for the boy. An order was made for the boy to be sent to an Industrial School.— Owen Joseph, Moor-street, was summoned for the non- attendance of two boys. This was not the first summons. The case was proved.—The Clerk said the case had been proved, and this was not the defendant's first appearance. He must insist upon a conviction.—A fine of 5s. was in- flicted in each case.-Sehoiakiiii Edwards, Spring Gardens, was summoned for the non-attendance of one child. The attendance officer said the child had been absent eighty-eight times out of eighty-nine. The father said that he worked at Pwllheli, and the children were left to themselves. He was willing to send the boy to an industrial school, but the cost, 3s. 6d. a week, was too much out of his wages.—Adjourned for a week.—Henry Felix. Moor-street, was charged with not seeing that his child attended school. The mother appeared, and on being asked where the boy was she said she locked him in the house and he ran through the window. Fined 5s.— Thomas Roberts, Portland-lane, was charged with not sending his boy to school. This was the first offence. Fined Is.—Sarah Morris, Moor-lane. This was the first offence. Fined Is.—Thomas Morgan, Penparke. Had attended about twenty times out of eighty-nine. Fined Is. Licen-iiwi Offcnce.-The adjourned case of Daniel Morgan, Royal Oak, was dismissed. The Bench were of opinion that the holder had the same right as other publi- cans to keep his house open on any day except Sunday. Malicious Injury.—James Jenkins, Pound Place, was charged with this offence, on Sunday last, at the Vicarage. P.O. 34 said that on Sunday, Sergeant Evans sent him to the Vicarage to see if there were any boys injurying the trees or flowers. About twenty minutes after he got there he saw the defendant on the grounds. He ran away. At the same time and place he saw Richard Davies, and he ran away too. They were trespassing.—The Rev. Canon Phillips said that the case was really this There was a wood behind the house, for which he paid a rent of a shilling a year. From spring to autumn boys went to the wood for nests, and came down to the lawn. When he was away from home the boys pelted the old servant man. The nuisance was intolerable, and an end should be put to it. He had done all lie could to put an end to the nuisance by telling the trespassers, who went away at the time, but came back again. On Sundays there were thirty or forty lads there, and they shouted and created a disturbance. At last he asked Sergeant Evans to send a man, and these two boys were the first resRIti.-Fined 6d. each for damage, Is. each for trespas- sing, and the costs, 6s. FURTHER ALLEGED IRREGULARITIES AT THE WORKHOUSE.. On Saturday, April 27, the House Committee of the Board of Guardians met to investigate further charges of irregularity. There were present-Mr. H. C. Fryer, in the chair, Mr. Lewis Pugh Pugh, Mr. Morris Davies, and Mr. Abraham James, vice-chairmen, the Rev. W. Davies, Messrs. Edward Hamer, John James, Aberyst- wyth, John Jones, Commerce House, John Jones, Tre'r ddol, David Rees, David Jones, Rest, Isaac Williams, Edward Lloyd, Hugh Hughes, clerk, David Jones, assistant clerk, D. Thomas, Master, Thos. Griffi hs, grocer, and D. P. Richards. The CHAIRMAN said the question before them was to in- vestigate the subject as to the supply of wheat. Perhaps he had better read Mr. Griffiths's letter. It was as follows :— Aberystwyth, April 18, 1378. El. C. Fryer, Esq., Chairman of the Aberystwyth Board of G1tardian.. Sir,—I regret to have to trouble the Board of Guardians again with reference to the bills of Messrs. D. P. and W. Richards against the Union, but having, on careful examination and com- parison of their bills for wheat with the miller's account for wheat ground, found certain discrepancies, I have deemed it right to ask you to give Messrs. Richards and the miller an op- portunity to explain them. The following statements will show which of the quarterly bills are referred to, and also the discre- pancies to which I have alluded.—Yours truly, THOMAS GRIFFITHS. The following was the statement:— Quantity of wheat supplied the quarter ended 29th June, 1877, 100 bushels; quantity of wheat ground by miller during the quarter ended the 20th of June, 1377, 123 bushels discre- pancy, Quantity of wheat supplied for quarter ended 29th September, 1S77, 165 quantity ground for same period, 112; discrepancy, S3. Quantity consumed, quarter ended 29th Dec. 1377, 184 quantity ground same period. 152 discrepancy, 32 Quantity consumed for quarter ended 29th March, 1877, 105 ground same period 80 discrepancy, 25. Total wheat supplied, (ill; total ground by miller, 472; discrepancy, 142. That, the Chairman added, he took to be the charges. Mr. GRIFFITHS remarked that that was what he had re- quested should be explained by the contractors and the miller. A short conversation occurred respecting the desira- bility of having the miller present, but as his figures were acknowledged by the Master to be correct, it was decided that there was no necessity for his presence. The Master then produced his books, and the investiga- tion was proceeded with. Mr. Griffiths's statement that a bushel of wheat produced 50 lbs. of flour, and some offal," was taken as correct. For the quarter ended 25th June, 1877, it was stated that 160 bushels of wheat had been supplied, but only 128 ground, showing a discrepancy of 32 bushels. According to the Master's books there were 3,693 lbs. in stock at the end of the previous quarter; and the new stock ordered since the commencement of the June quarter, 9,(380 lbs. It was found that 160 bushels of wheat produced 8,000 lbs. of flour and, in addition, six sacks offtour had been sup- plied, 1,680 lbs., which made up the exact amount of 9.680 lbs. to a pound. The amount consumed by paupers that quarter was 6,122 lbs., and by officers 533 lbs., which, with the balance of 6,718 lbs., made up the total of balance of last quarter and new stock, 13,373 lbs. Mr. GRIFFITHS thought the figures had been altered from 9,880 new stockto 9,680. Mr. PUGH thought the alteratfon had been made up at the time, and that the Master had discovered the mistake by finding that the total of consumption and balance in hand did not tally with the new stock and the balance of the previous quarter. The Master debited himself with the full amount sent in, and if the Contractor sent in less than was ordered it was the Master's loss. In answer to questions put by Mr. Morris Davies and Mr. Griffiths, the MASTER stated that flour was mentioned in the contract, and supplied and charged for as Hour. But when flour had been sent in instead of wheat the sack was taken as 200 lbs. instead of 280 lbs. It was the same quality flour as that supplied under the contract and charged for as flour. Mr. MORRIS DAVIZS said the contractor sent in flour and charged 8s. 6d. for it. He got 7s. for wheat. Mr. RICHARDS then took Mr. Griffiths's letter and said he looked upon it as a very serious charge against them as contractors. It appeared by that letter that they had not sent in 142 bushels, although they had charged for it. When Mr. Thomas sent out for flour they had dent flour. If he sent down for 32 bushels of wheat they sent up flour instead of it, but they charged the same price for the flour a3 for the wheat. Mr. MORRIS DAVIEs-Tlien you only charged 7s. for flour instead of 8s. 6d.? Mr. RICHARDs-Yes, we charged 7s. instead of 7s. 9d. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—And lost Is. 6d. per bushel by it? Mr. GRIFFITHS added that the harvest of 187G was an exceptionally good one, and yet flour was sent up in the June quarter of 1877 to mix with wheat because the latter was not good. Alr. MoRitis DAVIES remarked that by sending up flour to mix with the wheat the contractors were continually admitting that they were sending up bad wheat. The Guardians had nothing to grumble at if the contractors I sent up 8s. 6d. flour and charged it at 7s. The Guardians should also remember that bad wheat was supplied by men who had sent in an excellent sample—a too marvellous sample-a most marvellous sample. Mr. JOHN JAMES remarked that when he was contractor tlie-Master had sent down for wheat, and he had sent a sack of flour, not because the wheat was bad, but because he had no wheat in store just at that time. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, supposed it was then charged as wheat? Mr. JAMES said he did not know. The CHAIRMAN said the Board. had the fact before them that the wheat was made up by the flour. It might have been irregular to do so, but it was nothing very serious. Mr. MORIUS DAVIES added that Mr. Thomas, the master, had accounted for every pound. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, did not see why a difference should have been made in the charge for flour and wheat. The CHAIRMAN said it was explained that when the wheat was not good, flour was sent up and charged at the same price as the wheat. Mr. MOIWIS DAYIES remarked that there was this in it: that the contractor had been sending up bad wheat, and that he had been sending up 5s. flour for 7s. The CHAIRMAN said he did not think that had much to do with the enquiry. If the contractor had been the loser that was his look out. In fairness to the Richardses it should be remembered that they did not say that the wheat was bad. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, thought it was said both by the master and the contractor at the first enquiry. Mr. GRIFFITHS remarked that the sample of wheat was excellent, and he should like to know why the bulk was not the same. Mr. RICHARDS said Mr. Griffiths knew very well that he could not always send according to sample. Mr. JOHN JAMES added that everyone knew it. When he had the contract he was only able to send up as near to the sample as he possibly could. Mr. GRIFFITHS said so far as lie knew it was the Master's duty first of all to inform the contractors that the wheat did not come up to the mark. If the contractors refused to replace it with other wheat the master should then re- port the matter to the House Committee. Had the Master reported it ? He had, it seemed, taken upon himself to order what he liked. Mr. JOHN JAmssaicl he had not heard it reported to the House Committee. The MASTER replied that he had never reported it, but the House Committee had seen the bread. Flour had. however, been sent up by Mr. Griffiths and all other con- tractors. The CHAIRMAN thought that a different question alto- gether from that they had met to investigate. It would form the subject of future enquiries. Any person could make a calculation according to the dietary table. The question before the Board was whether the wheat which had been charged for had come into the house in some shape or other. Mr. PLGH added that if the Committee took one point after another they would arrive at some conclusion. It appeared to be clear that 9,6801bs. of flour had been de- livered. The contractors said so, and the Master said he had received it and hs would have to account for it. A part of it must have been ground flour. The question was whether the union had been defrauded to the extent of 142 bushels. If the Guardians were satisfied that the wheat had been received in the form of flour, it seemed to him that the question of fraud was done away with. The question whether the Master ought not to have re- ported the matter was a subject for enquiry OR another occasion. Mr. GRIFIGTHS said there were five or six alterations in the book, and he should like to ask the Master how it had occurred ? The CHAIRMAN replied that that would be an interest- ing question for the House Committee to enquire into. He thought the Committee had better proceed with the distinct subject before them. The accounts for the next quarter (ended 29th Sept., 1877) were then examined. They began with a balance in hand of 6,718, to which was added 9,090 new stock, making a total of 15,8081bs. There had been consumed by paupers 6,3691bs. and by officers, 533, leaving a balance at the end of the quarter of 8,9061bs. This again agreed with the amount charged for in the bills to a pound. Mr. GRIFFITHS pointed out that there was sufficient in stock at the commencement of the quarter to keep the house going for a quarter, but notwithstanding that the Master had ordered 9,0u01bs. new stock—and cooked the books up terribly. THE CHAIRMAN—I don't think you can say that. Mr. PUGH did not think expressions like that should be allowed. A man might be poor and illiterate and make mistakes. The charge ought certainly not to be made especially by a man like Mr. Griffiths. In one case the Master had charged himself with too little, and he had in- creased the figures. The MASTER said the reason why he ordered more was because he was running short. He had never kept stock, and he had been too liberal, but had not charged the union with more than the amount allowed by the dietary table. The accounts for the quarter ending December 2oth, 1877, were then examined. They commenced with a. balance in hand of 8.906ibs., with 10,3201bs. new stock, making a total of 19,'2261bs. The amount consumed by paupers was 7,093lbs., and by officers 533, leaving a balance at the end of the quarter of 11,600. This also tallied to a pound with the bills. Mr. Pueff again pointed out an instance where the Master had again altered the figures against himself. Mr. ABRAHAM JAMES—How has the book been altered? Mr. PUGH—Well, some people make mistakes, Mr. James. (A laugh.) The CLERK added that a man must be very careful and very competent to keep the books without a mistake. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES having asked when the book was put right, an examination ensued. It was found that when the Master was balancing his accounts for a current quarter he discovered a mistake in the balance in the quarter which had passed the audit. He accordingly altered the figure, and that appeared to have thrown out other figures which depended on the balance. The CLERK said that a mistake had occurred in the accounts. He had been stopped in making them up for the audit, and an examination had ensued, which resulted in an alteration of the Master's books. The MASTER said he could not tell whether the totals tallied until the end of the quarter. Mr. JENKINS (the Clerk's clerk) said the Master found out the mistake about April 9. Further examination elicited the fact that the Master's total money account was correct, and had not to be altered, but the goods in respect to which the alteration had been made did not agree with the money account. The CLERK said the Master accounted for the money value of the goods, but not exactly for the goods, and hence the alteration had been made. An examination of the fourth quarter, that ended March, 1878, showed the balance to be 11,600, and the new stock to be 8,3731bs., making a total of 19,9731bs. The amount consumed by the paupers was 6,500, and by new stock to be 8,3731bs., making a total of 19,9731bs. The amount consumed by the paupers was 6,500, and by officers 451, leaving a balance of 13,0221bs. Thi3 again agreed within 51bs. in favour of the contractor with the amount made up of wheat and flour charged for in the bills. 0 # The CHAIRMAN then remarked that the Committee had investigated the accounts for the four quarters so far as the charges of Mr. Griffiths went. In going through the books they had found that in each quarter the amount which had been charged for was accounted for either by wheat or flour, and therefore so far as* it affects the con- tractor it might be considered settled. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES said he was sorry to have to say he could not agree with the Chairman. That was sup- posing the goods were in stock. Mr. JAMES—No, no. I think you are wrong altogether. What we have to deal with is, was it delivered or not? The contractors have nothing to do with whether it is in stock or not. That is a matter between us and the Master. Mr. MORlm; DAYIES-I agree with you there. The CHAIRMAN—The charge is that 614 bushels have been charged for, and 472 only delivered. That is practically the charge, and the question is whether it has been shown to the satisfaction of this Committee that the whole of the 614 bushels has been accounted for. Mr. JOKES, Tre'rddol-So long as Thomas says so we connot go further. We can only form our opinion upon what the Master says. Mr. HAMER—You can go by the Master's books, and he has debited himself with the balances. Mr. ABRAHAM JAMES—So far as Mr. Richards goes he is perfectly clear. Mr. PUGH-It seems that the only thing is that he sent in flour for wheat. 0 Mr. ABRAHAM JAMES—I don't find any fault with the contractor. If I got an order for flour I should send flour. The CHAIRMAN—It is not that exactly. You have in a certain quarter an amount of wheat charged for, and also a certain amount of flour. You find that the full quantity of wheat has not been delivered as wheat, but a part in flour. Then the contractor, on being asked why he did not charge as nour all that had been 0 delivered, said, "I followed the orders of the. Master. When he sent an order for wheat, either through not having enough, or having none in stock, I followed the order, and charged the flour as wheat." Mr. GRIFFITHS—Sent flour and charged it as wheat. Mr. PCGH-He had an order for 100 bushels of wheat, for instance. He thereupon supplied 128 bushels, which were ground, and he supplied flour answering to the re- maining 32 bushels. 0 Mr. DAVID REES—If that is so, I don't know what is the good of having contracts. Mr. PUGH—No doubt that will be altered in the future. Mr. GRIFFITHS—Where is the order book. Thomas says it is with the clerk, and the clerk says it is with the Master. Mr. PUGH—Even if you get the order books I don't see what further advance you can make. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES-It would prove whether the de- fence was true or false. The Master produced the orders for the past two quarters, and said after the audit the clerk took possession of them. The counterfoils were produced, and showed, as has already appeared, that they had not been kept. Moreover, Mr. Richards said he sometimes had received an order not upon its proper form. Mr. PUGH remarked that both the contractor and the Master proved that the order book had been irregularly kept, if that was any good as against them. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, said the Guardians might as well remain at home if they were to rely upon the statements which people made. Mr. PUGH said there was no doubt the books must be regularly kept in future. He felt sure the Committee would arrive at no conclusion even if they had the orders. Mr. HAMER added that it was a waste of time to prolong the enquiry upon that head, as both the Master and the Contractor admitted that orders had been given without the proper form. Whose duty was it to examine the bills before the audit ? The CHAIRMAN said it was the duty of the Clerk. The CLERK said it was the duty of the Assistant Clerk. The CHAIRMAN again called the Committee's attention to the subject under investigation Mr. PUGIf said his opinion upon the evidence before the Committee was that the wheat had been ordered or re- ceived into the house in the form of flour; but there could be no doubt but that the books had been irregularly kept, and the order book treated as of no value. Mr. HAMER said the next question was, had the Master got in stock the amount of goods with which he debited himself ? If he had the stock on hand, it would prove his and the contractor's statements. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, said it was admitted that the stock did not exist. Mr. JOHN JAIIES added that the Master admitted that a larger quantity had been consumed than allowed by the dietary table. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, said if the diet was too meagre, let the table be altered. If the Committee examined the matter, however, they would find that it was more than usually liberal. Mr. J aux JAMES thought the Committee should go through the house and see what was the deficiency in the stock. Mr. RAMEIt said the sooner it was done the better. The CHAIRMAN thought the first thing the Committee should decide was whether the charges, so far as the con- tractors were concerned, had been set at rest. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, remarked that the Master took the whole responsibility on his own shoulders. He said the goods had been delivered, but as he had not weighed them, he must be very clever to be able to say. Mr. MORIW; DAVIES added that if the books and the shelves tallied, it would do; but as they did not, it was all moonshine. The books had been corrected back to March. Mr. PUGH said that might have- been an error. The money value was right. The CHAJRMAN—And another thing. If the figures had been left they would never have been found out. They passed the auditor. Mr. Pumr-If the Master liked to have left it alone, it would have remained for some indefinite time. Mr. HANrrR-Tlie most serious thing is that the stock on hand does not agree with the books. The CHAIRMAN—But that refers to the Master. So far as the contractor goeg- Mr. ABRAHAM JAMES—I think he may go. The CHAIRMAN (continuing)—I think all are of opinion that the charges have been answered. Mr. HAMER-—Tt 1>1 rvnlv answered bv sfritpmpn t-.q n>"rl by the Master, who has entered the goods in his books and taken upon himself the responsibility. Mr. PUGli-Tlie contractor says he has delivered the goods and the Master says he has received them. If we sat here for a week we could go no further. (It was then about two o'clock in the afternoon.) The CHAIRMAN—We had better proceed to the next charge. Mr. uGH-I see there is some charge about the soap, a question concerning which you investigated before for a whole day. The CHAIRMAN—Are we to re-open the whole question ? Mr. PUGH- Yau sat here last time from ten to four and if you are going over the same ground I don't think you will finish to-day. Mr. Jo.Nis-Yes; but when you make a contract for 4Jd. soap, and when you find 87 bars of inferior soap- Mr. RICtrARDs-I defy you to find that charged for in our bills. Mr. PUGH-It is very easy for people to say things. I i think it should be put in writing, for when one thing is said and another thing is said, I don't think there is sufficient basis for investigation. If there is a written charge, I for one am prepared to spend any amount of time in its investigation; but any casual observation is not worthy of consideration. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES said they were sitting that day as a House Committee. The CHAIRMAN remarked that the Guardians had never paid 4d. for Bristol soap. Mr. PJUGH added that the contractor said he never sup- plied that soap to the Union. Mr. HAMER asked how Thomas of Bristol's soap found its way into the Workhouse. One third of the stock was of inferior quality. Perhaps the Master could explain it. The MASTER—-The soap was supplied by Mr. Richards to me, and I paid for it. Here is the receipt. The receipt was dated March 25th. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES-Why did you get it in ? The MASTER—Because there was little in stock. Mr. MORRIS DAvIES-On the 16th March 5 cwt. of soap was delivered by the contractors, and the Master ordered 2 cwt. on the 25th March. Mr. PUGII-NO one said that. His stock is short, no doubt. Mr. ABRAHAM JAMES—It was said that he had 7 cwt. on the shelves. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol-It seems that Thomas says he has been buying this soap to make the deficiency up, but I don't see what reason he had for doing it. No one asked him to make up the deficiency. It looks very much as if the contractor and the Master understood one -onother. Mr. JONES, Commerce House—How was it you did not buy Knight's soap ? The MASTER—Because Mr. Richards had none in stock. Mr. MonRis DAVIEs-The soap was brought in the very day after the rumours appeared. The CHAIRMAN said it was stated after the first investi- gation that 6 cwt. of soap was in stock, and it appeared that 2 cwt. of that was what the Master had had in. Mr. MORIns DAVIES pointed out that between the 10th of November and 5th March In cwt. of soap had been had into the House. The MASTER, replying to Mr. Jones, Tre'rddol, said he had bought other things besides soap. .1 Mr. JONES, Rest, said the Bristol soap was not put by itself, but it was mixed up with the other, as if it came altogether. Mr. JOHN JAMES supposed that when the Master heard the rumours he got frightened and bought the soap. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, asked why the Master got fright- ened about the soap and not about the flour? Mr. PUGH replied that there had been no statement made as to whether the Master had or had not bought flour. Supposing the Master, finding that he ought to have more soap than he had, it did not seem an extraordinary thing for him to run and buy some to make up the defi- ciency. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—Not the day before the enquiry ? It was also mixed up with the other. We never knew until the other day that the soap was bought to make up the deficiency, but we thought it waa a part of the soap which had been paid for in the bills. Mr. DAVID JONES, Rest-The great charge certainly was about the soap. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol—Ther« was no charge made against the Master as to quantity. Mr. DAVID JONES—But everybody was talking about the quantity. Mr. GRIFFITHS—The soap in store was supposed to be all John Knight's. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—And Thomas's soap was delivered the day before we examined the store. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol—And then supposing there was none in stock we did not blame the Master. Mr. PUGH-Yes, but he would be open to blame if he could not show that he had the same amount on the shelves as he said he had by his books. What you find on inves- tigation is not an extravagant amount for the consumption of the house. He might have put down more, and he no doubt would have done if he was committing a fraud. Instead of that,however, he carries a balance against him- self. Even now he says that he has 1,8951bs. in hand on the 25th March. The man might have acted foolishly in buying the soap, but he might have done so neverthe- less. Mr. JOHN JAMES said last Monday there was 6571bs. of soap in stock. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES and Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, then made a calculation to show the quantity of soap which had been consumed at the workhouse during a given period, and the Master said he had debited himself with too much. Mr. PUGH said if it were a question of two or three cwt. of soap it was scarcely worth their while to waste their time, but if it were fraud their time would be usefully em- ployed in investigation. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol, remarked that he said nothing with regard to the quantity of the soap, but he was not satisfied with the conduct of the Master with regard to it. The CHAIRMAN asked Mr. Jones what proposal he had to make ? The great question was whether there was fraud or negligence. Mr. PUGH said he was not satisfied with the conduct of the Master, as he had been lax and negligent, but he saw no evidence that the Master or the contractor had been fraudulent. Mr. HAMER added that from the evidence before the committee there had been no fraud but only negligence in not having weighed out the supplies. Mr. PUGH thought it should be said that the Guardians could not find a workhouse more scrupulously clean than that of Aberystwyth. The washerwomen, moreover, were not skilled, and the Guardians knew how diffi- cult a thing it was even to induce their servants to be economical. Mr. HAMER added that he noticed last week that the house was kept scrupulously clean. The CHAIRMAN said the Guardians must also know that the cost per head was not in excess of what it was in other unions, and the paupers were better fed than those of nine unions out of ten. Mr. PUGH said there had been no sort of wholesale robbery by the contractor or Master, or the books would have shown it. He had had a great deal of experience, but he had never seen a case (where books had been fraudu- lently manufactured) like the books of the Master. Mr. HAMER added that the Committee must dismiss from t'-ieir minds the question of fraud, as there was nothing to justify it. Mr. PaGR said the next thing to be done was to take stock. Mr. HAMER said no doubt the Master had been dealing with a fictitious balance. He suggested the formation of a sub-committee to take stock. Mr. ABRAHAM JAMES did not think it right to finish the enquiry that day, as he believed it would not satisfy the ratepayers. He hoped the subject would be left open until the Clerk heard from other unions as to the quantity 1 of soap consumed. Mr. PUGH remarked that the enquiry would do much good, and the Guardians ought to be thankful to those who had brought the subject forward. Mr. ABRAHAM JAMES said he must speak out his mind. He was a friend of the Master's, but he could have no further confidence in him. In the course of conversation, Mr. GRIFFITHS stated that Mr. Powell, Market-street, had said to him that he (Mr. Powell) had delivered four "sacks of flour at the Workhouse. The MASTER indignantly denied the assertion,and called his wife into the room, who also denied it. Mr. GRIFFITHS replied that if the Guardians wished, he could prove it by sending for Mr. Powell. [Since the enquiry Mr. POWELL has denied having supplied any flour to the Workhouse.] THE ENGLISH BAPTISTS.—It is understood that the Rev. T. E. Williams, Baptist minister, is about to visit the United States of America, and will be absent from his charge about three months from June. After a short conversation respecting English cheese, commenced by Mr. Pugh, Mr. GRIFFITHS asked the Committee if a receipted bill produced, was sufficiently strong evidence to convince them that the soap was delivered. No bill was spoken of first of all, when the soap was found in stock. The bill could have been made out at any time. If that evidence were sufficiently strong for the Guardians to palm off these charges, he knew the feeling of the ratepayers would be in favour of further investigation. The CHAIRMAN—There is no intention or inclination to palm off any of these charges. Mr. PUGH- \Ve have sat here very patiently, I think. I understand that this charge now is that the bill which has been produced is a false and fabricated bill. I say it is altogether wrong to make such a charge without a tittle of evidence to that effect before us. I have had experience in these matters, but I never considered it right that a man should bring forward a charge without bringing forward anything to prove it. If allegations are made that this is a piece of fraud, and that they are robbing the Union, some evidence ought to be produced to prove it. I* Mr. GRIFFITHS—Why did not Mr. Thomas bring for- ward that bill at the last meeting ? Mr. RICH Alms-It was never asked for. Mr. GRIFFITHS—It was admitted by all that the soap was John Knight's. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—It was also stated that all the soap had been delivered in 2.1 cwt. boxes. Mr. PUGH-The question was never asked the Master if he had bought some soap- privately, and you want to make use of an answer to one question which was given to another. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol—Why did not the Master come before us with clean hands. He bars everything. Mr. FRYER said if a large minority of the Committee thought there should be an enquiry, he was of opinion their wish should be granted. Mr. PUGH did not see what good would result from having an enquiry. During the time the Local Govern- ment Board Inspector was coming, as well aa the time of the enquiry, and when waiting for the report, things in the Workhouse would go on pretty much as they had been going oil whereas, if the Guardians settled it as soon as possible, affairs in the house would be put right, and the irregularities discontinued in the future. He did not see that further enquiry would end in any better result. In the end of a discussion, it was understood not to ask for an enquiry, but to take stock of the goods in the house as soon as convenient. Mr. JOHN JAMES said he wanted to call attention to a speech made by Mr. Morris Davies, and he wanted to know how that gentleman made out the statements it con- tained. Mr. James then proceeded to read from the Cambrian News, the following :—"Mr. Morris Davies said as a member of the Committee, he would say that the irregularities would have been found out nine months ago, but for one man, a member of the House Committee. He went into the question of the bills, and remarked upon the extraordinary amount of provisions ordered, and espe- cially upon the Indian meal." Mr. Momus DAVIES—That is a misprint. Mr. JOHN JAMES—Now I never heard of that matter. I only attended two committee meetings-, and he had it all his own way. He says "Mr. James prevented him (Mr. Davies) then as well as on Saturday, March 23rd." I never prevented him. He said it was not right to do so, seeing they had paid officials, and unless they were trusted it was no use to have them." Now this latter part is true. I did say that it would take a long time, and it was not the duty of the Guardians to examine the bills, seeing they had a clerk and an assistant clerk. "He (Mr. Davies) foolishly trusted them, and did not go into the investigation. In all cases when he saw 'D.J.' signed at the bottom of the bills he signed them and let them pass. When he wanted to investigate them he was stopped by Mr. James. He was burked by Mr. James." Now, I never stopped him. I never attempted to do any- thing of the kind. "He was burked by Mr. James." I had no idea that I had such influence over him. As to burked" perhaps he will explain that word to the Guar- dians as well as mare's nest." (Laughter.) On the 23rd of March just before he attended the Workhouse, he was told by Mr. Griffiths that there had been irregu- larities, but when he went to look over the bills he was again asked by Mr. James to pass them." I never asked him to pass a single bill. I asked him when we had the bills in the next room whether he was going to sign them or not. He was throwing them about more like a mad- man than anything else. We were all looking at him. The first bill that came before us was one from Rees Peter, for mending boots, and a question arose about dis- count. Mr. Davies was continually going on about rumours, and I could not make out what he meant. At last, I said, "If you have anything to say let us have it out." He said, You shall have it presently," and after a deal of throwing the bills about he signed two of them. He had it all his own way. He went up to Mr. Fryer- Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—By your leave. Mr. JOHN JAMES—He said he must go up to Mr. Fryer. Some people, seeing Mr. Davies going up to Mr. fryer on a Sunday asked if anyone was ill or dead. (Laughter.) They could not make it out. Mr. Davies said he was going up but he (Mr. James) did not tell anyone that Mr. Davies was going up with the accounts to be examined on a Sunday. (Laughter.) "The bills," Mr. James con- tinued to read, certainly did talley with the book, but the items did not tally. He would 'not sign the bills but left it to Mr. James, who, he believed, signed them." I never signed them. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES-You were one of those who signed them. Your name appeared on one of the bills produced to-day. Mr. JAMES reading, "It certainly was a grave charge to bring against Mr. James, but he thwarted him (Mr. Davies) when he wanted to look into the bills." I did not thwart or burke him in any way whatever. I never at- tempted to do anything of the kind. He had it all his own way and there WAS an end of the matter. I certainly did disagree with him in knocking off discount from those people when they had made a reasonable charge for their work. I think it was really unfair to bring the charge against me in my absence. Mr. MORRIS DAVIE3—The reason why I made that short speech, if it can be called a speech, was this Mr. Jones (Tre'rddol) who sat on my right used some such re- mark as this: .he hltped that there would be a better House Committee, that some people should not be mem- bers. Mr. JONES, Tre'rddol—Not my words. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—I did not seek to keep the per- son dark. I said he burked the question and the reason I said so was this About six months ago I was sitting in the Finance Committee, and the question of payment of bills came on. I could not understand why we, as a Board of Guardians, should be asked to pay in full when private persons like himself and Mr. James were allowed discount, even if their bills had been owing some time. I brought that question before the committee that pro- posed that some discount should be taken off. The bill in my hand then was one of one or two weeks' standing. About five or six of the Finance Committee were pre- sent. I brought what had taken place at that meeting to the attention of Mr. Fryer, and informed him that the bills were passed in a very off-hand manner, ini- tialled by three persons and then paid. At the first meeting to which I alluded, when I thought a little discount should be taken off, Mr. James said, "No. no; we have paid officials, and we ought totrust them." If I had known what I know now I should have gone on, and these bills would have been found out. I trusted the paid officials, and I trusted Mr. James. Mr. JAMES—And I trusted you. (Laughter.) Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—On that Saturday, March 23, the Saturday immediately preceding the enquiry, I was asked to sign a lot of bills. This was one of them. We ex- amined them to see if they tallied with the long book kept by Thomas, and they all tallied except one. Mr. James said that they were according to the contract prices, and were siged by D. J. and the committee ought to sign them blindly. Mr. JAMES—No, I did not. Mr. TVIORRIIA DAVIEI-I would not, but he signed the bills himself. Mr. JAMES—I will repeat now what I said then. I said it was the duty of the clerk or the deputy clerk to see that the items were carried out correctly, and th1,t we should not stop there all day examining the bills. I"say so now, I would sign them. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—Net with these rumours floating about. Mr. JAMES—I then did not know a word about the rumours. Mr. MORIUS DAVIES—Oh. Well. Mr. JAMES—And that made me astonished with the way you were going on. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—I had the pen in my hand like this, and I threw it down, saying, What, sign these bills with all these rumours floating about ? Certainly not." And Mr. James did sign the bills. I did not sign one of them. Mr. James says I behaved more like a madman than anything else. Excited I certainly was, and I will give you the reason. I felt that this. Board had charges brought against it of such magnitude that I could scarcely conceive them to be true. When I entered the room Mr. James said, Stop a bit my fine fellow, I will bring you to book." Mr. TAirEs-I never said such words. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES—" Wait a bit my fine fellow, wait a bit, my boy," were the words. Mr. JAMES—I did not make use of such familiar ex- pressions. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES He said I made charges against Thomas about Indian meal, and he said, "Wait a bit my fine fellow." He afterwards found out that I did not make the charges, but David Rees, of Panty- gwyfol. But he never apologised in the least. Into this room we came to enquire about them, and that is the reason I made that speech. I was prevented six months ago by Mr. James. The bills were signed by David] Jones. The ASSISTANT CLERK—There was only one bill wrong. Besides, I don't tw stock, ZZ- The CHAIRMAN-Do you think we do any practical good by discussing these personal matter? 1 am sorry that personal feeling has been imported into this subject. I am sure we do not consult the dignity of the Board or ths benefit of the Union by prolonging the discussion. Mr. PuGi-f-I think the matter can be explained. Mr. James entered the room not knowing about the rumours' whilst Mr. Davies did, and you could not understand one another. After it had been arranged that the House- Committee should meet that day week, Mr. JAMES, referring to a letter before hiln, said m justice to the contractors he thought the letter should be read. He had objected to read it, as he thought the Chairman was the proper person to do so. The CHAIRMAN, after consulting Mr. Pugh, thought no advantage would accrue from reading the letter and that it would only revive a personal discussion, as'it was a personal matter between Mr. Morris Davies and the contractors. Mr. MORRIS DAVIES said he understood the letter was against him. The reporters might print it in every paper in Wales in large type if they liked. The wheat was sold by his servant, and not by him, at a price paid by Mr. irtichards. J The CHAIRMAN said the Board could not go into the matter, as they had enough to do to mind their own butti ness. Further conversation followed, during which the CHAIR- MAX suggested that the House Committee should have a Chairman, who might take an interest in all matters coming under consideration. The Committee rose at nearly four o'clock, having sat without adjournment from 11.30. ° THE AIIERYSTWYTI-I WORKHOUSE WHEAT. To the Chairman and Guardian* of the Aberystwyth Union. Gentlemen,—Having been mtormed through soma of tho Guardians, that Mr. Moms Davies emphatically denied on two occasions at the Board, ever hanng told us that the wheat we purchased from him m the month of January list Kood for the Workhouse, and m fact; repudiated altogether oTr version of the conversation that took place when we purchased the wheat, it behoves us, as tradesmen doing extensive hu«nBSa with persons residing in the rural districts, to^Wndfcata onr selves before the public by stating all the facts as they occuwpd" In the month of January, Mr. Davies sent his man o, shop with three samples of wheat, wliich he (Mr Diviesl ,il sired to sell to us. We inspected the samples, and found there was not much difference between tht m. The price however asked per bushel was the same, viz., 8s., for the three We instantly told the servant man that Mr. Davies knew VP^ weH our contract price for supplying wheat to the Workhouse was 7s. gel. per bushel, and consequently we could not give the price asked and moreover, that we feared those samples were not good enough for the Workhouse." On the 23rd Jan Mr. Davies called at the shop himself, and made use of tS words W nl you buy my wheat? It is a splendid quality and its worth, according to market prices of to-Sav, 8s Der hrAh^l I have compared it with Glanymor and Morfa Maw'r wheat and it s quite equal to that; but as you are the Union contractors I must allow you something in it, and I say 7s. 0d. then "We again said lie knew our contract was 7s. !)d. Mr. Davies turned round and said You are very hard. How much will you take" Will you take it at all ■ We asked him what quantity he had to sell and he replied Fourteen or fifteen sacks." We then remarked, "\ery well, we will take it if YOU sruaranW TB» quality is good enou-h for the Workhouse." Mr. Davies replied without the slightest hesitation, "Oh! it is too good fo? the Workhouse. I ought to have the highest price for it Indeed I guarantee the wheat is Yery wood" Mr Davies then went out, and walked about" six v-irrl* when he turned back and cried out loud in the street, "Could '"u •"■ „ «ea that we could. Mr. Davies accordingly called on Monday, the 28th, when a chemiA IV.IS handed to him for the total sum duo in respect of the wheat This cheque was presented on the same day, and in fact before we had received from the mill an ounce of his wheat in flour. Before any of the wheat was ground, and on the day after we had purchased it, Mr. Davies sent his servant man for the empty sacks, which we gave him. Mr. Davies's wheat was subsequently sent to Morfa Mill, as we intended, on the faith of Mr. Davies's guarantee to send the flour made from it to the Workhouse. We are informed that Mr. Davies on the day of the enquiry or some day previously, expressed his opinion strongly that the breatl at the Workhouse, at that time was J,eiy Yo'i w.U perhaps be astonished to know that the very bread m question was made from Mr Davies s wheat which he had so well recommended as being "too good for the Workhouse." Could it be for a moment sup- posed that we would purchase the wheat if we knew it won Id not suit the Workhouse ? wowa We ought to state that we lost over twenty shillings on Mr. Davies's transaction, and we were oblIg-ed to send five sacks of the best flour to the mill to mix with the flour from his wheat in order to make the identical quality supplied to the Work- house. In concluding, we beg to ask you to give the above facta your thoughtful consideration, as we are rather sanguine you will not heedlessly draw a wrong inference in this matter.—We are yours, &c. D. P. AND W. RICHARDS. COTTAGERS' IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. The annual meeting of the Committee of the Cottagers' Improvement Society was held at the Belle Vue Hotel on Wednesday, April 24, in compliance with the rules of the Society. Present—Lady Pryse, G-ogerddan, Mrs. Parry, Llidiarde, Mrs. Pugh, Abermaide, Mrs. Richardes, Bryneithin, Mrs. Hughes, Glynpadarn, Mrs. Morgan, Nantceirio, Miss Jones, Mount Pleasant the Rev° j' Pii"h Llanbadarn, and Mr. Lewis William's, secretaries! and Captain Cosens, director. It was agreed that the show should be held on the same day as the North Car- diganshire Agricultural Society's Show, and that there should be no alteration in the rules and classes, with ore slight exception, viz., that exhibitors should not be allowed to make more than one entry of each description, as last year, in many classes, the same exhibitor made three or four entries of the same article, and ultimately sent only one, thereby wasting a great deal of room, as each exhibit has its space allotted to it on the evening previous to the Much regret was expressed for the loss of one of the secretaries, the Rev. James Lewis, who had worked very hard for the good of the Society but it was hoped that they might be able to find some one willing to fill up his place. Captain COSEXS 9tated to the meeting that he was crlad to say that there was a small balance in hand from last year, but that, as Sir Pryse Pryse would continue to act as cashier to the Society, they might rest assured that the financial part would be well looked to. Happily for this year. that was the great consideration. The Society he say, existed on sufferance, as a society without a show could not exist, and a show could not be held with- out a place to hold it in. They were all aware how the show had increased, how popular it had become and what a misfortune it would belfor the country, if it had to be discontinued. It was owing to the kindness of Mr. James that they had been enabled to hold the show last year, and he had come forward in the same handsome manner this year, and had given the use of his Hall. Last week Sir Pryse Pryse and he had called on Mr. James and stated how they were situated regarding a place in which to hold the show, and asked if they might have the use of the Hall again this year, and begged of him to allow the Society to make him° some compensation for the loss he would incur in closing his place of business, but Mr. James not only stated that he would willingly give the Society the Hall for the day, but also, that nothing would induce him to accept any compensation for the use of it, so convinced was he of the good it was doing to the town and neighbourhood. He could not speak too highly of Mr. James's, liberality, as but for the use of the Hall the show could not take place. for supposing a large tent had to be hired that alone would cost about £35, and when they had got it where could they pitch it ? This year he had good reason to believe that the show would be considerably larger than it had ever been, as last year between forty and fifty intending exhi- bitors were disqualified inconsequence of not having made their entries in the specified time. He hoped that there would be more entries from Aberystwyth this year, espe- cially when he saw the capital gardens attached to the new cottages which were being built in the vicinity of the town, and the pains the occupants were taking in making their front gardens pleasant for the passers by to look at; all over the country he now observed the increased atten- tion bestowed on the cultivation of gardens and flowers, which a few years ago was confined to one or two favoured localities. He was glad to say that Lady Pryse and Mrs, Richardes had intimated their intention of continuing to give their extra prize for the best basket of vegetables from the same garden, not less than seven different kinds. He thought it a most useful prize, and he knew that there would be a large competition for it this vear, which he thought would be very close, as it tended to encourage cottagers to make the most of their gardens. It being decided to ask the Rev. Mr. Jenkins, vicar of Llanychaiarn to act a secretary in the roomlof the Rev. James Lewis, late vicar of Llanilar, the meeting ter- minated.

BALA. PREACHING MEETING.—The annual preaching meeting was held at the Congregational Chapel, Bala, on Monday evenings and Tuesday, the 29th and 30th April. The following ministers preached Revs. Henry Rees, Chester • — Nicholson, Liverpool; — Evans, Ceinewydd. The sermons were effective, and the meetings well attended.

LLANYCHAIARN. LLANYCHAIAX CHURCH.—The invitation for tenders for the re-building of this church has been issued, and the work will be proceeded with without loss of time. The outlay will be about £1,500, and about a third of this sum is still wanted. Printed by EDW ART, WoooALL. and Puhtiahedfor the Proprietors at the dwelling-house of JACOB JOXT'.S, Hiirh-street Bali in the county of Merioneth of JOHN GIBSON, 3, Queen's road Aberystwyth, in the county of Cardigan; and of PAYID. LLOI:D, Vortmadoc, in tho county of Carnarvon. 1 r Friday, May 1878.