The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

The Welsh Farmer's Gazette, Friday, November 22nd, 1901. WEATHER AND THE CROPS. Winter was very obviously with us on Frida but the completion of wheat sowings at an earlier date than usual has prevented the farmers feeling the arrival of keen frost. Grass has, however, ceased to grow, and artificial feeding has in conse- quence become necessary. With regard to trade, the supply of spring corn has bten good, but inquiry is also excellent, and no depression has been felt. Barley is now in better demand than it was a month ago, and both malting and feeding sorts wore off very steadily. Maizs ia firmer at all markets, and 9d rise in flat sorts is generally obtainable. The colder weather has caused a rise in oats at county markets, but London is moving more slowly, albeit in the same direction. Beans and peas have also received a stiffening from the frost and sell rather well at the best prices of let to 11th inst. The flour market is so depressed by large supplies of American that it is disconcerting to and the American millers grumbling that the existing freights are too heavy. To-daya market closed rather quietly, with prices steady.-Mark- Lane Express.

CORN AVERAGES. For the week ending November 16th,1901. The following are the quantities sold and the w-ices this year and last year QUANTITIES SOLD. PRICKS. This year Last year This year Last year Wheat 57,884. 44,07'2 26a 9d.27s Id ilrSf 201 723.185,342. 26s 9d ..25s 8d StsT. 20,122. 14.400 18s 3d.l7a Id ABERYSTWYTH, Monday.—Wheat, 58 6d to 69 Od per Q5 lbs; barley, 4 Od to 4s 6d per 65 lbs cats (white), R 0 1 to 3s 3d per 40 lbs; black; 0s Od to 33 per bushel eggs> -e1^ i batter (salt),Is to la 2d per lb fresh, la 2d to Is 3d per lb fowls, 3s Od to 49 04 per couple chickens, 3s to4s 0d duck«, 486 1 to Gs 0d geese, 5a to 6i; turkeys, 6s Od to 8a 0d potatoes, 0d Od to 3s 6d per cwt new, 0i to 0s Od p-r cwt. BIRUItfGtfAM CATTLE, Tuesday.—Short Supplits, but a b^ttr-r trade ail round. —Best Hereford! 61(1 to 6fd shorthorns, Od to OOd cows and buils, 5d to 6d calves, 6d to 7fd wether sheep, 7d to 8J ewes and ram, 5d to 6d lambs, 7d to 7^1 per lb. Bacon pigs, 9s 6d to 93 Si; porketg, 118 7d to lis 9 i; sows, 7s 9d to to 8a 0J per score. CARMARTHEN BUTTER, Saturday.-The supply at our market was exceedingly small, which was expected after the large fair on Thursday all fresh made Wife readily disposed of at Is Id to Is 211 per lb all other quantities were neglected. Market closed firm for best goods. CARMARTHEN CHEESE, Saturday.-Only supply. Price for best make reached 32s; small lots were sold at 28" to 30* per cwt. OSWESTRY CORN MARKET, Wednesday.— The following were the prices W htlJe wheat (old), 3s lid to 4s Id per 75 lbs; (new), Os Od to Os Od per 75 lbs red ditto (new), 0a Od to Od 0d ditto (old), 4s Od to 4s 2d per 75 lbs oats (old), 14s Od to 16s Od per 200 lbs ditto (new), lis Od to 12s Od per 200 lbs grinding barley, 13s to 14s 6d per 280 lbs; malting barley, 16s Od to 19s Od per 2S0 lbs. OSWESTRY POULTRY AND BUTTER MAR- KET, Wednesday. — The following were the prices —Butter, Is Id to la 3d per lb; eggs, 7 to 8 for Is; mutton, 7d to Sd veal 7d to 8d lamb, Od to OOd per Ib pork, 7d to bid per lb fowls, 3s 6d to 5s Od ducks, 5s to 63 Od per couple rabbits, 2. Od to 2s 2d per couple carrots, 2!b for 11-d 2 chestnuts, Od to Od per lb filberts, Od per qt cob nuts, Od per lb hedge nuts, OOd to Od per quart apples,2s0d to 49 01 per 100; cauliflowers, 2d to 4d a piece celery, 3d to 4d per stick walnuts, 8d to Od per 100; peara, 5 to 10 for Id; geese,9d per lb; turkeys, 5s to 7s a couple Brussels sprouts, Od to Od per lb; cabbages, Od to Od; rhubarb, Od toOJ per bundle; watercress, Od per bunch; radishes, Od to Od; gooseberries Od to Od per quart beef, 6d to 8d pickle onions, ld per lb cucumbers, Od to Od each potatoes, lOd to la per 201b new potatoes, Id to Od prr 201b; cherries, Od to Od per lb; strawberries, Od to Od per lb lettuce, Od a piece peas, Od per kernel black currants, Od to Od per quart mushrooms, Od to 6d per lb raspberries, Od per quart whimberries, Od per quart; kidney beans, Od to Od per lb plums, Od to OOd per lb. damsons, Od to Id blackberries, Od per qt; Savoy Id to lici each tomatoes, Od to Od per lb beet. root, I d for 2d. LONDON CORN, Monday.—Market steady English white teady-white quoted 28s 6d to 30s 6d red, 28s Od to 30s Od per quarter foreign and American do quiet. Town flour quiet country and American do steady. British oats 6d dearer on the week, and Russian do 9d to Is. Maize 6d to 9d dearer on the week. Beans and peas firm. Lentils steady. Arrivals:- English—Wheat, 495 qrs barley, 1,447 qrs oats, 1,732 qrs maize, 000 qrs malt, 18,013 qrs beans, 654 qrs peas, 365 qrs flour, 22,228 sacks. Foreign — Wheat, 83,170 qrs barley, 37,729 qrs oats, 150,478 qrs maize,51,375 qrs malt, 00 qrs beans, 1,979 qrs peas, 1,332 qrs flour, 54,782 sacks and 252 barrels. LONDON CATTLE, Monday.—Rather larger supply of fat beastg best quality firmer in value, but ordinary description met slower sale at slightly easier rates; fat bulls firm rough cattle only saleable at lowor rates. Arrivals :-25 Scotch, 260 Irish, 57 Norfolk, Suffolk, and Essex, 1,558 Midland, Home, and Western Counties, and 40 Devon. Decreased of 1,200 in number penned in sheep market—best quality wether sheep sold at 2d per Sibs advance, but half meaty sorts, as well as ewes, met slower trade at last week's rates. Few lambs offered were soon sold. Pigs unchanged. Beasts, 2s 4d to 4s 9d; sheep, 3s 2d to 5s 8d calves, Os Od to Os Od lambs, 58 6d to 6s Od pigs, 3s Od to 5s Od per 81b. Total supply—Beasts, 1,940 sheep and lambs, 5,800 calves, 10 pigs, 30. LIVERPOOL CATTLE, Monday.—Numbers Cattle, 2,007 sheep and lambs, 6,404. Prices Best beasts, 5icl to 6d second, 5!d to 5Jd; third, 4d to 5d best Scotch sheep, 71 to OOd other sorts, 5d to 6d lambs, 6d to 71d. An increase of 107 cattle and 106 sheep and lambs. Slow demand for all classes at about late rates. LONDON DEAD MEAT, Monday. — Fair supplies and trade firm. English beef, 3s lOd to 4s Od Scotch sides, 4s Od to 48 2d shorts, 4s 2d to 4s 8d American, 3s 3d to 3s lOd inferior, 2s 41 to 3s Od Brit sh mutton, 4s 4d to 43 8d; foreign, 33 4d to 4s 4d lamb, 0e 0d to Os Od veal, 3s 4d to 43 Sd pork, 3& 4d to 4s 8d per 81b choice small Scotcn, Os Od. LONDON PROVISIONS, Monday.— Mesara Samuel Page and Son's report — Butter trt I Y. Friesland 1103 to 114J y Russian 76s to 96s Finnish, 104s to 112s Finnish-Russian, ODs to 00s Danish and Swedish, 108s to 122s French, 104s to 1144 Australian, 90s to 114s New Zealand,OOs to 000s Canadian, 80s to 108s Jersey, 00s to 0s; American, 70a to lIDs; Irish, 84s to 116s. Bacon firm, supplies being short, hut price without change— Irish 52s to 58s Danish, 48s to58s. Hama— Irish firm, but American dull. Cheese dull, without change. Canadian, 403 to 47s; Edam, 00a Gouda, 00s to OO, BRADFORD WOOL, Monday.—There is again a rather better tone so far as merino and fine cross-breds are concerned, and without any substantial deprecation or values, buyers find it more difficult to do business at present quotations. In strong cross-breds there is also some improve- ment. English wools are at extremely low prices, but dealers are firmer than they were a week ago. Some spinners and most manufacturers are well engaged. CORK BUTTER, Tuesday. -Ordinary-firsts, 95s seconds, 90s thirds, 85s fourths, OOs. Superfine, 98s fine mild, 91s. Choicest boxes, 100s choice boxes, 91 Fresh butter, A, 97a to 96s; B., OOiJ tc 00a. In market, 49 firkins. LONDON POTATOES, Monday.—Heavy supplies and a bad trade at the following prices:— Puritans, 65s to OOs anowdrop-, 65 to OOs up-to- dates, 653 to 75s; British Queen, 60s to 00s; Windsor Castles, 00s to OOOs magnums, Os Od to Os Od blacklands, 45s to 50s per ton; Dutch rounds, Os Od to 0s Od per bag beauty of hebron, 65s to 00s; Belgium rounds,Od Od to 0s Od; domagnums, 0s Od to 0s Od per bag; Dunbars, 000s to 000s; Lincoln up- to-dates, 00s to 00s Saxons, 00s to 00s Bruce, 1458 to 00s Germans, Os Od to Os Od per bag New Canary, 00s to 0s Teneriffes, ODs Od to Oil Od per cwt; Liabons, Os 0.1 Jersey, 00s Od to ODs Od St. Malo, Oa to Os Od Cherbourgs, 100s per ton; early rose, 00s to 00s Gortons, 40s to 50s per; ton. GRIMSBYFISH, Tuesday.—About 30 vessels arrived with a poor supply for which there was a good demand. Quotatious Soles, Is 4d to Os Od turbot, Os lOd to Os Od brills, 8d to 03 Od per lb; lobsters, Is 7a plaice, 53 Od to 6a 0d salmon, Os to Os 0d soles, per lb 00s Od lemon 6s Od to Os Od live halibut, 6s Od to 7s Od dead ditto, 7a Od to 98 Od per stone live ling, Os Od to Os Od; dead ditto, 3s Od to 4s Od; live cod, 5s to 78 6d dead ditto, 4s Od to 4a Od kit haddocks, 20 s to 253; gibbed, 30a to 40s Od; live, 00s to 008 per box live skate,Os Od to Os Od;dead ditto, 4s Od toOse&ch; hake,60 to 100s per score; live coalfish, 008 Od; dead, 20s to 203 per score congers, 08 whitches, OOs Od to 4s Od per box roker, 16s to ODs per score live codlings, 0a dead, 6s to 10s Os per box; live, Os gurnets, Os Od smelts, Os Od per box mackerel, Os Od per score dead whitings. 2s 6d to 3s 6d; live dabs, OOs to 00s; dead dabs, OOs to OOs per box; finnon haddocks, Os Od per stone.

CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.—Approximate return of traffic receipts for the week ending November 17th, 1901: Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, &c., £ 2,077; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, E3,093 total for the week, £ 5,170; aggregate from commencement of half-year, £ 149,287. Actual traffic receipts for the corresponding week last year: Miles open. 250. Passengers, parcels, &c., £ 2,005; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £ 2,798; total for the week, 94,798 aggre- gate from commencement of half-year, 9142,566. Increase for the week: Passengers, parcels, &c., £72 merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £ 300; total for the week, 9372. Aggre- gate increase Passengers, parcels, &c., £4,191 merchandise, minerals, and live stock, 92,530 aggregate from commencement of half-year, £ 6,721.

The monument to the Duke of Argyll recently erected by the Dowager Duchess was blown down during the gale of Tuesday and broken to pieces. The monument—a stone cross 21ft. high—stood on a most exposed pare of the Kintyre coast nearly opposite the Island of Sanda and about twelve miles from the Mull cf Kintyre. The cross could be seen for many miles from land and sea.

BARMOUTH. PETTY SESSIONS, FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH.— Before H. J. Lloyd, W. J. Morris, Lewis Lcwis, I W. Ansell, and John Evans, Esqrs. Liansing. Richard Morris, Llynddu, was charged by P.C. D. Roberts with having been found drunk at the Barmouth Hotel on the 8th November.—The defendant did not appear and, being an old offender, was fined 10s with 10s 6d costs. — Thomas Williams, farm servant, Allt- fawr, was charged by P.S. Brpfze with hav- ing been drunk and exposing his person hut as Inspector Parry of the Cambrian Railways had brought an action against him of having been drunk on the Company's premises at Barmouth Junction, the police withdrew their charge against r him.—Inspector Parry called George Roberts, booking clerk at the Junction, who said the de- fendant was drunk and had to be assisted into the railway carriage. — Defendant, who did not appear until after the case was decided, was fined £1 \1.:fI1 IRq costs. Ciiui jta uj Assault. — R. G. Jackeon, Marine Mansions, summoned Edward Edwards, Llwynon- isaf, for having assaulted his daughter Georgina Jackson on the 15th October. Edwards issued a crcss-t-ummons against Miss Jackson, who is about fifteen years uf age.—Mr Oswald Davies (Messrs W. R. Davies and Davies) appeared for Jackson and Mr R. D. Richards for Edwards.—Georgina Jackson stated that on October 15.h she was on the Frith, not far from Panorama, gathering blackberries, when the defendant went to her and said something to her in Welsh she did not. under- stand and struck her in the with a gnrse stick, on the side of her head, and on her hands. He aho took her basket cf blackberries from her and threw it into a tree. She was very much frightened.—In crosa examination, witness denied having pulled defendant's beard, nor had she been previously warned not to go to the place, though she had been there before.—The sister and mother also gave evidence.—Edwards, giving evidence in respect of his cross-summons, said he flaw the girl, her sister, and mother trespassing on his land and doing damage. He did not go to them at once, but went up the hill after a load of ferns, having asked his daughter to tell them to go away. She, however, declined, saying that whenever she went she was threatened with walk- ing sticks. Coming down from the hill in about an hour and seeiog the Jacksons still on his land, he went to them, taking with him a email stick which he had been using in driving the horse. In taking the basket from the little girl, he might have touched her, but did Dot strike her in thn way described. He threw the basket over the hedge into the road, thinking they would go for it. He also threw a can into the road which Mrs Jackson carried. People were continually on his land.—In cross-examination, Edwards said he had repeatedly cautioned the Jacksons. He knew it was the same lot who were coming there. At first he thought they were visitors, but seeing them there frequently, he knew they must be residents.—Mrs Edwards and her daughter also gave evidence, denying that Edwards had assaulted Miss Jackson.—The Bench, after deliberation, thought that justice would be met by dismissing the case on payment of costs. Tile cross-summons was withdrawn. Rates.—Two persons were summoned for urban rates and one for poor rates.—Two had paid the rates, and an order was made in the case of the third. Sergeant Breeze's Departure.—The Chairman said he l-sarnt with regret that P.S. Breeze was about to leave Barmouth for Festiniog. He recognized in Mr Breeze a conscientious officer and wished him every success in his new station.—The other magistrates spoke highly of P.S. Breeze, and the Clerk (Mr J. C. Hughes) said he knew Mr Breeze while at Dolgelley, where he performed his duty with gre,côt credit to himself and satisfaction to all concerned.—P.S. Breez" acknowledged the kind and encouraging words which had fallen from the magistrates and thanked them heartily for their wish for his future success.

LIBERAL MEETING. ADDRESS BY MR OSMOND WILLIAMS, M.P. CnKridvy owning Mr Osmond Williams, M.P. for Merioneth, addres«ed his constituents at Bar- mouth in the Barmouth School-rooms. Mr C. E. Breeze, Portmadoc, presided, and there was a fair attendance. A telegram was received from the Rev Gwynoro Davies, chairman of the Urban District Council, regretting his inability to be present. Toe CHAIRMAN thanked the local committee of the Liberal Association for having asked him to occupy the chair. He happened also to be a rate- payer of Barmouth and an elector in three divisions of !the county. The war over-shadowed all other political question! It dragged its slow course along without any apparent conclusion in view. Nearly everybody held diametically opposite views with regard to the origin of the war, the manner in which it had been conducted, and the methods adopted for its termination. Everybody, on the other hand, whether in Eogland or in South Africa was anxious for the earliest possible termination of hostilities for whatever else the war had brought forth, it would produce disastrous results fer many years to come, not the least of which would be bitterness and estrangement between the peoples of South Africx. (Hear, hear.) The Government de dared tfJat the war must be carried on at all hazzards. He, however, did not think that all efforts had been exhausted which a strong and practically conquering power could make to conclude the war. He did not think, for instance, that Lord Kitchener had made it sufficiently clear to the whole body of the enemy that equal rights privileges would be given to them immediately on the termination of hostilities, and he further thought that the Government might with safety declare that as a result of the laying down of arms a general amnesty would be granted not only to thu Transvaalers aud Orange Colony Staters, but to the rebels of Cape Colony. Suppose, for instance, Welshmen were waging war against England and Welshmen in England had joined their compatriots, would not the Welshmen con- tinue the struggle to the bitter end if they were told that they would be given generous terms but that their compatriots would be severely with? (Hear, hear.) But apirt from the war, he was afrai I that the position of the Liberal party throughout the kingdom was not a. happy on". Lord Rosebery was ploughing his own furrow. There was no gainsaying his skill and adroitness, and it was to be hoped he would soon return to the bosom of the Liberal party. At present the party had accepted as its leader Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman—(cheers)—but he had to face the abuse, not only of his opponents and of the public press, but of his own followers and those who called themselves units of the Liberal party. All deplored the fact that there were so many political furrows. Mr Asquith and Sir Edward Grey were driving furrows of their own, and there were those classified under the loose term of pro- Boers who were working yet another furrow. The rack and file were, he thought, adapting themselves to the rule of Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman who, it was to be hoped, would plough the longest furrow of the lot. (Cheers.) All those different political furrows made it difficult for the Liberal party to do anything effective, but he hoped that position was temporary only though he feared it might be something more. (Hear, hear.) The difficulty of securing unity in the Liberal party over the w&r would be to a large extent removed by the termination of the war. The Liberal party would then be able to unite on land law reform, disestablishment and disendowment, temperance reform (of which he was a strong advocate in the way of local option), and the reform or abolition of the House of Lccd. (Applause.) At present, in view of the expiration of the term of office of the present Government, the Liberal .leaders had put nothing before the country to guide the party. It was true they said that the Newcastle progamme was still before the country as the programme of the Liberal party. That programme included home rule for Ireland ani disestablishment and disendowment. It would, however, faciliate matters and satisfy the minds of the Liberal party throughout the country if Sir Henry Campbell Bannerman came forward with a well defined programme on certain questions instead of expressing dissatisfaction with the inepitude of the present Goverment. He should like, for instance, to hear that the Liberal party was going to nail its flag to the mast of abolition or reform of the House of Lords, a question which stood in the forefront of all other reforms. (Applause). Mr OSMOND WILLIAMS then rose to address the meeting and was cordially received. He con- gratulated the meeting on the precence of women who were now a force in the political arena. (Hear, hear.) He should like to address himself that evening to questions of domestic legislations but,nolens volens.speakers on political platforms were drawn into the vortex of the war. The other day he felt particularly flattered because 1 he saw that a South Wales Tory paper, referring 1 to a speech made at Bala, had called him a sucking I pro-B.jer but a cheery little mesaenger from COII.8 t.ad considerablyl diminiøhed the satisfaction] he felt at the Tory criticism by referring to the I very same speech and deploring what it called the I fact that Merioneth was now represented by an ( Imperialist Jingo. (Laughter and cheers.) What, 1 then. was he? (Renewed laughter.) Whatever he might be, he could not help coming l bo the conclusion that at the present time the old names of the two E great political parties were being dropped 1 or forgotten and that instead of Liberal and I I Conservative they had now pro-Boer and Imperialist. To hit mind. that was a very lament- able and dangerous stabe of things. No two men would givd the same meaning to the word pro- Boer. Supporters of the Government, and, indeed, ministers of the Crown used the word as a t-rm of opprobrium., -According to, ministers everyone was a pro-Boer and unpatriotic if he durst cast a doubt on the Government's supreme wisdom and statesmanship with regard to the war. (Hear, hear.) But what did the man in the street under- stand by the word ? Was a pro-Boer a man who wanted the Boers to beat our troops iu this war ? If so, he did not believe they would find twelve such men in Great Britaiu. Was there a man in Great Britain who was auxious that peace should be male wifh the B')ers aft-r the defeats and disasters of Magt<er«fnntfin and Colenso ? There were score* of level-headed and deep-thinking m11 who thought that Great Britain never should have gone to war and that the diplomacy vvhieh led up to it was ini-taken but were those men to ba called by oppribrious names simply because they did not agree with the South African policy of the Govetnment? If such men were to be called trahors, there was an end of the nvo political parties in the state and an end to any opposition to a government's foreign and colonial policy. (Hear, hrar.) Let them admit that the Government was wrong in so pressing the Boers about the manage- ment of their internal affairs as to bring war nearer and nearer until it became inevitable. The Boers, seeing it inevitable, invaded British territory. Granting their being driven to do so, the war wai Great Britain's fault; but even then was there a pi o Boer in thi& country who was not ready to back up the Government, in repelling that invasion ? Why, the country rose as one man. Yet now, because many of those men who then backed up the Government considered that peace should have been made on ordinary European lines aft.e.r Pre- toria had been taken, they were opprobriously called pro-Boers. If a man thought and said he considered io regrettable that the Government did not allow Lord Kitchener a free hand in his negoci- stions with Botha last March he was called a pro- Boer. (Hear, hear.) On the other hand, those who were bitterly opposed to the war from every point of view called those who did not agree with them "Imperialist Jingoes." No one found fault with the soldier- Their's not to reason why, Their's but to do and die- whatever one was brought to think about some of the generals but whenever the Colonial Secretary was attacked he at once took shelter behind the soldiers and said it was the soldiers who were being attacked. No one attacked the men, but the methods for which the Government and the Government alone was responsible. (Hear, hear.) I; was argued by supporters of the Government that Great Britain would be humbling itself in making any attempt at negooiation. Well, in answer to that, far greater men than present minis- ters took a different view of what was due to the dignity and honour of the country some sixty years and more ago when it looked like Canada being lost to the empire Canada was then in a state of anarchy. Lord Durham, however, was sent out. He advised that concessions should be made. The ministers of that day did not consider that they were humbling themselves by acting on his advice, and it wai remarkable that tor the first time in the history of the world rebels in that instance actually received compensation for the destruction of their property in a rebellion of their own making. The result ws, that Canada to-day was not only the pride of Great Britain, but had shown itself to be one of the mainstays of the empire. (Cheers.) When Lord Rcberts entered Pretoria the Boer3 were" thoroughly conquered and admitted it. As Lord Roberts taid. be thought the war was over, and so it ought to have been. Then why did not Lord Salisbury offer terms of peace on ordinary European, white-m-n lines at that time ? Did Bismarck in the war with France say that the French should have no shred ",f independence if they yielded ? No, and no com- petent government did such things. Had the B >ers been approached as white men usually were aft-r the war, there would probably at this t'me he a p-aceful and happy South Africa instead of a howling wilderness where the worst passions of the human heart were terribly aroused and had full sc^pe. The Boers at that time were all prepared to make peaceaad agree to almost any t'rms that would allow them at some definite time some slight glimpse of independence, but they were told that it must be I annexion pure and simple, no shred of independ- ence, and not even self-government for generations. (Hear, hear.) If Britihers were in a war and were ¡ toid that, what would Britishers do? Insteal of ptac. Great Britain was now in a worse position J in South Africa than they were fourteen months I ago, and all that was due to the want of statesmanship in those who were at the head of the Government. One of the most serious phases of the situation was the proclamation of martial law in Cape Colony. Trouble could not h-lp coming from giving to officers completely inexperienced in the administration of justice and civic government the care of that large colony and its difficult problem". The only sssfe and wise course would be not to relieve the locil men of their responsibility, but to insist on their retaining it and sharing the burden of Government. (Hear, htar.) Mr Morley asked if there were t.vo or three years of falling trade and declining revenue what taxes would be proposed to meet the deficit? Sir Michael Hicks Beach at the same time was telling the country that next year he would have to ask the. country to bear even greater burdens &nd make greater sacrifices, which he thought would be choerfully borne. He never in.-ide a :greatet- mis- take. The country was too uneasy in its conscience to suffer cheerfully in its pocket. The taxpayer had a desperate future to look forward to and so, indeed, had the capitalist. The question was whether that permanent drain would not drive the Government into disastrous fiscal expedients wherein still heavier burdens would be placed upon the poor. The fact was that the shadow of South Africa ws over everything, and a solution must be fouud in a reasonable space of time or Great Britain would be confronted with a situation which would baffle the wisest. (Applause.) In the meantime the annual expenditure of the country had been increasing at an alarming extent, apart from war expenditure. When the Liberal Government went out of office at the end of the financial year of 1895, the annual expenditure was ninety-four millions. The expenditure had since increased by leaps and hounds until at the present time the annual expenditure was 123 millions, or twenty- nine millions more than when the Liberals went out of office. When to that sum was added eix millions which was not now expended in paying off the national debt, which had been discontinued by the Conservative Government, it would be fouud that the Government had increased the annual expenditure by no less a sum than thirty-five millious. and the question was whether the present Conservative Government was worth all that money? (Hear, hear, and cheers.) With regard to temperance legislation, it was a question which interested Liberals greatly and was exciting a greater interest in the House of Commons than it formerly did. It was unnecessary to dwell on the evils of intemperance. It was un- doubtedly the greatest curse which afflicted this country and had assumed such proportions that foreign nations now regarded it as a national characteristic of Great Britain. It was the great barrier to aoclal, religious, and political progress. Noc only did drunkenness ruin the health of the people, corrupt their morals, and waste their re- sources and energy, but the drink interest was be- coming, if it had not already become, a grave political danger to the State. (Cheers.) The pre- sent Government had donelnothiiig to deal with it, and the trade said they had put the Government into office and could turn it out again. But there was nevertheless a strong, growing feeling through- out the House of Commons against the present condition of things, which was evidenced by the fact that when a private member brought in the Children's Bill the division, which usually oc- cupied eight minutes took up forty-eight minutes, and the promoter of the Bill said that if the whole of the Opposition did not vote at all the Bill would have been carried by the supporters of the Government alone by three to one. (Applause.) The Government was obliged to take it up but after it was dealt with by a giand committee, it was so altered and mutilated that even its own parents did not know it, but had to accept it on the ground that half a loaf was better than no bread at all. (Hear, hear.) The Government had also failed to act on the points on which the Commission of 1896 agreed, Lord Salisbury excusing inaction on the ground that the members of the Commission were not unanimous. But commissions rarely agreed and it could hardly he expected that there would be unanimity on great controversial questions, and if that policy was to be adopted there could be no political pro- gress. The Government did not ask for unanimity when they gave doles to the parsons or when they helped sectarian schools. (Hear, hear.) The temperance question was no doubt a difficult ques- tion, but the Government ought to face it and legislate upon it in order, if possible, to put down the evils which everyone admitted existed at the present time. The Government had a large majority and what was a large majority, for it did not enable a Government to deal with difficult question:! (Hear, hear, and cheers.) In dealing with education, he was struck by the fact that the Government evidently thought more of the renewal of the Doles Bill than of the Education Bills. Mr Balfour withdrew an Education Bill which had some good provisions and brought in a second Bill which omitted the good provisions and included the bad provisions which had damned the first. The Welsh members tried to get the Cuuuty Govsrtiing Bodies substituted for the County Councils, and Sir John Gorat approved, but the Government would uot accept it, as it would throw the Bill into com- mittee stage, and the Bill was ultimately rushed through the House. (Shame.) He had dona his best in regard to a motion for disestablishment, but was unfortunate in having about five minutea before twelve in which to do it. (Cheers.) He also brought forward a Land Bill for Wales. (Cheers.) It was, in his opinion, a good little Bill, and he was proud of it. (Cheers.) He framed it on reasonable lines and on lines that the whole of the member* of the Welsh Land Commission approved; but he was prevented going on with it through the action of the Irish members. He, however, intended pegging away at it and hoped in time to be able to aohieve success. (Applause.) With the increasing war expenses, old age pensions which the Governm-nt promised to give had disappeared. There was also the question of land values which ought to be dealt with, but would not be dealt with by the present Government, or even by a Liberal Government, because a Liberal Government would be defeated in their efforts by the House of Lords so, perhaps, the first thing a Liberal Government would have to deal with, b. fore satisfactory reforms could be secured, was tho abolition or reformation of the House of Lords. (Applause.) Mr T. MARTIN WILLIAMS then proposed, and Mr HUGH EVANS, Penmount, seconded, a proposition recognizing the faithful and valuable services of their Member and expressing the fullest confidence in him, and the proposition was unanimously agreed to and suitably acknowledged. The Rev CADVAN DAVIES proposed a motion deploring the war in the Transvaal and the way it was rushed inco and carried on, especially the way women and children were kept; in concentration camps, appealing to the Government to use every honourable tnetln-i to restore peacc. In the courae of a lengthy and eloquent speech in Walith, the rev. gentleman styled Mr Chamberlain the Herod of the twentieth century. Mr WILSON ROBERTS seconded the proposition, which was agreed to, and the meeting separated on a cordial vote of thanks to Mr Breese for prasiding.

PRESENTATIOiS TO MAJOR B IST. A TRIBUTE TO THE MERIONETH CHIEF CONSTABLE. On Monday morning a pleasant function took place at the County Half, Dolgelley, being the pre- sentation of an illuminated address by the officers ard constables of tho Merionethshire Police Force to their chief, Major Bst, who has been at the head of the force fur nineteen years. Mr J. Leigh Taylor, the Cliffe, presided, and there were present among others, Major and Mrs Best, Captain Bailey, Dr John Jones, Mr John Davies (Dyffryn), Messrs R. Jones Griffith, J. Charles Hughes, Guthrie Joues, John Edwards (chairman of the the Dolgelley Urban Council), and a number of other gentlemen from the town and neighbourhood, together with Superintendent Jones, the inspec-tors, sergean- 's, and a number of the constables of the force. The Chairman read a letter from Mr O. Slaaey W, ynne in wlvch ho deeply regretted that he was unable to be present owiug to illness. He hoped his absence would not be attributed to any lack of sympathy with the presentation, as he considered that Major Best was fully deserving of anything of che kind that the men might wish to make to him. (Cheers.) Supt JONES then read out the address, which was magnificently framed and printed in arciatiaally illuminated characters. It was as follows: To Major Tnomas William Best, chief constable of the county of Merioneth. Sir,—We, the undersigned members of the Merionethshire Police Force, beg respectfully to acknowledge your constant attention to our welfare in the discharge of your duties as Chi. Constable during the last nineteen years. During that period the Force has been strengthened by the addition of two sergeants, while the condi- tions of service generally have been materially im- proved by the provision of county houses, better uniform, &c. These improvements we deem most valuable as being conducive to the efficiency of the Force and the comfort of the men. We also in particular desirj to i-xpress our sincerest and deepest gratitude for the great and valuable service you have rendered us in obtaining a revised scale of pay, the benefit of which will be reaped, not only by the pres-nfc staff, but also by members of the 'a ^r,e future, by receiving an appreciable addition to their weekly pay and a more ample superannuation allowance. We wish to place on record our appreciation of your indefatigable efforts on our behalf in connection with this matter, s well as your devotion to our interests in all matters, and your ever-thoughtful consideration of our needs aud requirements in every respect. Whilst upholding unflinchingly the discipline of the Force, you have done all that lies in your power to improve and ameliorate our condition, and you have staunchly supported every movement that had for its aim the welfare of the Force. Finally, we would express the hope that the numerous and various kindly acts oa your part towards u may still strengthen the ceroi d relatious that have existed between you and zis, that you may be long spared to the profession which you adorn, and that we may be privileged to serve long under an officer who always proves himself to be a trusted chief, a judicious adviser, and a friend and well-wisher in word and action. Wa have the honour to be, sir, your most obedit-ufc servant*, Thomas Jones, super- intendent and deputy chief constable Dd. Thomas Morgans and Robert Roberts, inspectors; Ellis Morris, John Hughes, Stephen Owen, Charles Breeze, Richard Owen, sergeants George Arthur, Richard Price, Thomas William Edwards, Evan Jones, John Morris Jones, John Morgan Jones, Tnomas Parry, Nathaniel Davies, Owen Jones, David R. Davies, Robert E. Davies, John Lloyd, John Griffiths, Morgan Jones, John Barnard, Daniel Davies, Evan Davies. David Jones, James Morgan, Benjamin Evans, David Roberts, John Jones, Josiih Jones, Thomas Williams, John Francis Evans, Jame3 Eiias Jones, constables. November, 1901." In asking the Chairman to formally make the presentation on behalf of the Force, Superintendent JO.VES said it was intended a3 a Eilight:mark of their appreciation of Major Best's constant and well- directed efforts to promote their interest and welfare. (Hear, hear.) He well remembered the time when Major Best came to the Force in 18S3. The Force was not then what it was that day—neither was he (the sp^ak^r) what he was that day-f.- c Major Bast had thrown his heart and soul into the work and had loft no atone unturned to bring the Force into a high state of efficiency. (Cheers.) Being a firm disciplinarian, there was not a man in the Force who would not do anything in his power in order to carry out th, Chief Constable' slightest wish. (Hear, near.) At the same time, Major Best was a true friend of the Force and enjoyed their esteem and most implicit confidence, and that he might long live to be at the head of the Force and to continue his excellent services to the Force and the county wai his (the speaker) earnest wish, and, he was perfectly sure, that of his fellow-officers and constables. (Cheers.) The CHAIRMAN, in making the presentation, said Major Best was proud of his men, and justly so, and, on the other hand, the men were equally proud of him, for while he had always maintained strict discipline in the Force, Major Best at the same time was always just and kind to them. It was this combination of strict discipline—strict justice-and unvarying kindness that had attached the men to him and made them feel that he was a real friend to them. (Cheers.) Turning to the Chief Constable, the Chairman said-It is my privilege, Major Best —and I feel very proud of it-to present you on behalf of the officers and constables of the Mer- ionethshire Police Force with this magnificent address. No man could possibly be more deserv- ing of it. You have done your duty well in every respect—there can be no question about that—and I can only say that I wish your health was stronger and that we all hope that your life will be spared for many years to enable you to continue your duties which you have hitherto discharged so admirably. (Loud cheers.) Major BEST, who was received with applause, said-I thank you, Mr Chairman, for presenting this testimonial from the Force to me to-day and you all for the most cordial reception you have given me. It is the greatest honour any public officer can receive—to receive this most valuable testimonial from his force, the value of which is greatly enhanced by the way in which it has been presented. (Hear, hear.) I am sorry that Mr Owen Slauey Wynne is unable to be here to-day, because I know that he would have liked to be here, as he ha3 always taken the greatest concern and interest in this police Force. (Hear, hear.) Superintendent Jones, officers, and constables, I shall always value this address, and so will Mrs Beat and my sons with me. (Cheers.) Not only for its great value and beauty-it is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen-but also for the sentiments expresaed in it- My own boys in years to come, after I am gone, will be able to point to it and say that at any rate their father was held in some esteem by his men in Merioneth. (Cheers.) I have served with you and been in command over you for nineteen years. We are as good frieuds now as we were in the beginning, ^nd I think that is something to be proud of. (Hear, hear.) Whatever I have been able to do, and whatever Mrs Best has been able to do—(cheers)—we have always been delighted to do. I assure you I have had the interests of the Eorce deeply rooted in my heart. I have tried to improve the men's condition, their conduct and their instractien, aud I am glad to say that I have thoroughly suceeded. (Cheers.) I could not have done this if it had not been for the men themselves. The way in which they have acted with me and supported me has done them all great credit. (Hear, hear.) There is a stiocg esprit de corps in the Force which prevents them, when they go into other counties, from doing anything which would bring discredit on their Force (Cheers.) Superintendent, officers and men, I again thank you from the bottom of my heart and I assure you that I shall value this address to my dying day, and my sons shall value it afterwards. (Loud applause.) Mrs BEST said-I thank you very much for the great kindness you have shown Major Best. We are all very grateful to you. (Cheers.) Inspector MORGAN, Bala, being called upon by the Chairman, said the key note of Major Bests' success with his Force was the encouragement which he gave them in their often very difficult duties, and the praise with which he always rewarded them when it was deserved. (Hear, hear). Immediately after he (the speaker) was promoted to the rank of sprgeant, he had a very difficult case to deal with, and he suggested to the Chief Constable that he should entrust the matter to a more competent and experienced officer but Major Best refused. Afterwards when he (the Inspector) had been successful, Major Best asked him Suppose I had granted your request how much less would your prospects in the Force have been now." (Hear, hear). He could assure them that that had given him great strength and encouragement, and during the nineteen years he had been under Major Best he had always received the same support and encouragement from him, and so bad all of them. (Cheers). Inspector ROBERTS said since M-jor Best had taken over the command of the Force he had gradually worked it up into such a high pitch of efficiency that it would compare with any force in the country. (Hear, hear.) A better chief con- stabl-he did not sAy it with the intention of flattering—could not be found. He was respected and esteemed by all the men serving under him. He had always taken the greatest interest in their welfare. Lately be had successfully advocated their claim for an increase of pay and on many other occasions he had materially advanced their position. (Cheers.) It was but natural, therefore, that they should wish to offer some token of their gratitude to him. (Cheers.) Police-Sergeant MORRIS, Towyn, said Major Best had the firmest loyalty of his men and they had found in him a chief constable who was loyal to their interests. (Cheers.) He had never yet failed his men. (Cheers) Dr JOHN JONES said it was very satisfuctoiy to find this good feeling existing between Major Best and bis men. They all knew how the Merioneth- shire Police Fores had improved since Major Beat had been in command and that it was to-day one of the best disciplined and most efficient force in Wales. (Cheers.) There was no doubt that this improvement was wholly due to the tact and ability of the Chief Constable. (Hear, hear.) It was a well-known fact that Major Best was most firm and strict with his men, but for all that, every member of the Force, from the Superintendent down to the youngest constable, respected, honoured, and esteemed him. They knew that i their Chief Constable they had a gintleman who looked after their interests and welfare as if they were his own. Such a Chief Constable they ought, as a county, to be proud of and he believed they were proud of him. They might differ from him on some questions, but they all respected and honoured him and it was his sin- cere wish, and he was sure it was the wish of all of them, that Major Best and his family would be long spared by Providence to reside amongst the beautiful glens and hills of the old county of Merioneth. (Cheers.) Mr J. CHARLES HCTGHES observed that his office as magistrates' clerk which, by the way, he had held far a good many years—he believed that. he was the oldest official present and that Major Best was the second—brought him into intimate and immediate connection with the Police Force of the county and he could therefore speak from personal knowledge as to the entire and absolute confidence which existed between the Chief Constable and his men, and without which no amount of cleverness or ability would be of any use at all. (Cheers.) Not only the officers and men but all others who came into contact with Maj,)r Best knew him for a man who was incapable of any unworthy thought or deed and as a thoroughly honourable English gentleman. (Cheers.) Captain BAILEY said ho travelled about a good deal, and, b,-ing a soldier, always fixed his atten- tion on men with uniforms on. Nowhere did he see smarter and more intellignnt-looking men in any force than in Merionethshire. (Hear, hear.) There might be forces with a higher average height, where there were large populations to pick from, but nowhere were there men with stouter hearts than in Merionethshire. (Cheers.) He was glad to aee them do that honour lo his old friend. Major Best. (Cheers.) Captain BAiley also paid a tri- bute, amidst cheers, to Mrs Best. Mr R. JONES GRIFFITH apologised for the abseoce of his father, who, he said, had been called away suddenly. He congratulated the Force upon its Chief Constable, and the Chief Constable on his Force. (Hear, hear.) He knew that the members of the Force had the highest respect and admiration for their Chief, and he hoped thai those cordial relations would long continue. (Cheers.) P.S. HUGHES, Corwen, said he had been under three chief constables in the county. The first was good, the second better, and the third the best. (Laughter and cheers ) P.C. Price, the senior constable present, having also spoken, Mr GUTHRIE JONES moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding, which the CHIEF CONSTABLE seconded, and it was carried with acclamation. The company then separated. i

PWLLHELI. 1 LLEYN RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL.—The monthly meeting of the Council was held on Wednesday, Mr Griffith Jones, chairman, presiding.—Mr T. E. Griffith, who occupied the chair when the proceedings commenced, heartily congratulated their clerk (Mr R. O. Jones) on being elected mayor of Pwllheii and said they all joined in the honour conferred upon him. Mr Hugh Williams seconded the vote of congratulation, which was unanimously carried, the Clerk expressing his sincere thanks for the kind feeling exhibited towards him.—There seemed to be a misunder- standing as to the record in the minutes respecting the workmen's petition for an increase in salary and a half-holiday on Saturdays, and it w decided to put the question on the agenda for the next meeting.—The ammount expended on the roads during the month was as followo :—Four- crosses district, £63 19s 3d; Lleyn district, E72 7s lid.—Mr J. T. Rees tendered his tion as road surveyor for Lleyn district aød asked to be relieved before the expiration of the required notice, viz., three montbs. —The Chairman remarked that he was sorry to hear of Mr Rees' resignation.—Mr J. T. JoPeS proposed that they accept the resignation at the end of the preseat year, viz., the 31st of December. —Mr Griffith Jones seconded.—Captain Robert* proposed, and Mr T. E. Griffith seconded, that Mr Rews be permitted to resign at the end ef the month.—The amendment was carried by a majority.—Mr Rees expressed his deep regret parting with the Council.—The Sanitary Inspector (Mr H. Roberts) reported that a system 0 scavenging would be commenced at Trefor at beginning of next month. — Mr T. E. Griffith elected to represent the Council on the Bang0, College Court of Governors.—A letter was recei** from the Local Goverment Board, inquiring as the position of matters respecting the water aupP1^ of Nevin, and the sewerage of Abersoch, hairn, and Abererch.—The Clerk was directed explain to the Local Government Board, boo matters stood, and one of the members amidst laughter, that the great flood of previous day had washed away the complained of at Nevin.—Mr Samuel called attention to the fact that the Abereo bridge hud been swept away and there was means of going in and out of the Station. Bf J been appealing for a bridge but he was afraid would now have to ask for a steamer. —The Chairman said the Parish Council have to do something temporarily. This .,jt was not responsible.—A suggestion was made a local deputation be prevailed upon to se ji^ll- interview with Colonel Lloyd Evans, Broom —With regard to the appointment of a adviser to the Council, it was said that 0! 0 applications had been4 received.—A conin?0jfcli> consisting of the Chairman, Messrs T. E. Grl .0 J. T. Jones, J. F. Roberts, and Capt I:toberts rt to appointed to consider the applications and rep^^ee the next meeting.—Subsequently the Co"1 met and recommended the names of Messrs^ fi, Ivor Parry, O. Robyns Owen, and Davies.

urre^ An untoward and unpleasant incident at a weddidg ceremony in Aylesbury last a which had its sequel in the police court on Sas 0 Emily Eggleton and Catherine Burges eddiØg summoned frr maliciously damaging the B<>o dress of Ada Berry by throwing a m[xturrr0ui f and rice at her as she was returding tbjjf.g church after the ceremony. It was g< family difference existed between the pa ndor^ I bench fined the defendants 25s each, a them to pay the damage done to the dress.

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