The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

LOCAL M.P.'S AND THEIR VOTES. Mr Nicolls Roberts's useful and interesting Parliamen- tary Buff Book for the session of 1873 has been issued, and there must be many honourable members at the present moment sympathizing with their plain-spoken colleague, to Mr Tracy referred at Llanfyllin, who requested the editor to send his pu lication to a place where, accord- ing to orthodox opinions, it would be speedily destroyed. The sternest Radical, who expects his representative to attend every division, and to sit till any small hour of the morning the House may choose to rise at, can hardly with- hold his eompasssion from the 36 unfortunate gentlemen who know that the election is near, and whose constituents will discover from the Buff Book that they have voted less that! a dozen times or the 92 whose names ate not to be found in more than twenty of the lists which Mr Roberts gives with such provoking care and accuracy. Amongst these appears the senior member for Denbighshire, Sir Wa- kin W. Wynn, whilst his colleague, Mr Osborne Morgan, In spite of his pressing legal duties, stands as high up in the list as 102, and the representative of the Boroughs, Mr Watkin Williams, higher still, 143. There were only 115 members who voted 100 times or more in this list are included the two hon. gentlemen already named, and also Mr Ormsby Gore, one of the most regular, of M.P. with 152, Mr Richard Davies, Mr A. H. Brown, and Mr Figgins. There were altogether 226 divisions, and it is noteworthy that only 88 members were present at half the nunuber. Fifty-five is, as nearly as possible, the num- ber of times that half the House voted, and we may there- fore take) that, roughly, as a line of demarcation below which a member can hardly be allowed to fall without being called upon to explain his absence. Above that line we find the names already given, and also those of Mr Love Jones-Parry, Mr Tracy, Sir R. Cunliffe, Lord R. Grosvenor, Sir T. D.Lloyd, and Mr Holland. Below are Mr C'harles Wynn, who nearly comes up to our rough line of division, with 50, Lord Newport and Sir W. W. Wynn. Still lower stand the Hon. W. 0. Stanley, who only attended 11 divisions, and Mr E. M. Richards with 9 to his name,but the last named gentleman, unfortunately. broke down in health during the session, and was compelled to spend several months abroad. Here is the table, which in- cludes names connected with Shropshire and Wales by residence and other ties, as well as by representation. L, of r,nnrsr* stands for Liberal; C for Conservative AV. E. Gladstone, L Hi7 ,T. R. Ormsby Gore (X. Shropshire), C 152 E. Davies (Anglesea), L 149 A. H. Brown (Wenloek), L 149 J. Figgins (Shrewsbury), C 148 W. Williams (Denbigh Boroughs), L 143 Marquis of Hartington (Radnor Boroughs) L 138 G. 0. Morgan (Denbighshire) L 102 T. L. D. Jones-Parry (Carnarvonshire), L 96 N. Buckley (Stalybridge), L 88 G H. Whalley (Peterborough) L 85 Hon. C. R. D. Hanbury-Tracy (Montgomery Boroughs), L 79 Sir R. A. Cunliffe (Flint Boroughs) L 73 J Jones (Carmarthenshire) U 69 Lord R. Grosvenor (Flintshire) L 68 Sir T. D. Lloyd (Cardigan Borough-), L 66 Hon. G. C. Morgan (Breconshire) C 63 S. Holland (Merionethshire) L 61 H. Richard (Merthyr) L 56 J. P. W. G. Holford (Brecon), C 55 C. W. W. Wynn (Montgomeryshire) C 50 Viscount Newport (N. Shropshire), C 48 Hon. G. H. W. Olive (Ludlow), C 48 W. B. Hughes (Carnarvon Boroughs) L 46 D. Straight (Shrewsbury) C 42 Gen. Forester (Wenloek) C 40 Hon. A. Walsh (Radnorshire) C 37 Lord A. E. Hill Trevor (Down) C 36 Col. Corbett (S. Shropshire), C 30 Sir P. Herbert (S. Shropshire) C 30 W. H. Foster (Bridgnorth) L 25 Sir W. W. Wynn (Denbighshire), C 20 Col. Stepney (Carmarthen Boroughs), L 19 E. J. Sartoris (Carmarthen) L 19 R. Fothergill (Merthyr), L ;"T'" Hon. W. O. Stanley (Anglesea Boroughs), L 11 Sir E. Buckley (Xewcastle-under-Lyme), C 11 P. M. Richards (Cardiganshire) L 9 The list shows that exactly haifthe 22 members for Shrop- shire and North Wales voted above our line of average attend- ance and half below. Of the former 2 were Conservatives and 9 Liberals of the litter S were Conservatives, and 3 Liberals, including one Old Whig, Mr Stanley, and one very Conservative-Liberal, Mr Foster. Taking the whole list, there are 15 L's above the line, and 7 below; while there are 5 C's above the line, and 11 below. It seems, there- fore, a sufficiently established fact that Liberal mem- bers, a.4 a rule, attend better than Conservatives; and it is not unreasonable to explain the fact by the greater earnestness of the Liberal party on the one hand, and on the other by the opinion which prevails amongst certain Conservatives, that it is sufficient honour to have a nobleman or a country gentleman to represent them, and a piece of Radical presumption to expect him to attend to his duti*- Let it be nf)'"rl that the membeis who could not attend the average number of divisions were, with three captions, all c u-itry gentlemen," with, presum- ably, Ielsure. It will s,-<r interesting to note also the divisions which the second defaulting class of members thought it worth their i'e to .attend. Beginning with Sir Wat- kin we i 1 that his. first appearance was to vote against the' M-rrL-'t Women's .Property A ct Amendment Billon the 20th February after which he voted against re- ducing the charge for Mii't'jf Pay and Allowances, against the University Education lll.» the Burials Bill, the Women's Disabilities Bui, Occasional Sermons Bill, the Parliamentary Election ,s<:s against the Government seven times on the Judicature Bill, against Mr Stan-ifelu's Amendment to the Ii.u'ng 11l (June 16), Mr Miall's motion in favour of Disestablishment, Mr Samnehon 3 Amendment oa the Municipal jjorou&hs Exten- sion Bui. and the New Scheme for Emanuel Hospital; and in favour the Municipal Officer* Superannuation Bill, and Lord George Cavendish's amendment to the Rating Bill-nu: a very formidable catalogue of parliamentary work, or very valuable contribution to the legislation of the coun ":V Mr ChlS. Wynn, M.P. for Montgemeryshire, voted—not to menu. n matters of comparatively little importance—in "-»ourof Lord George Cavendish's and against Mr Stans- 1""

Tiii and abroad during the greater part of session. j feld's (June 16) amendment to the Rating Bill, against Mr MiaH's motion for Disi-RtabHshmen+, the Irish Univer- sity Bit:. the Burials Bill, tilt. Women's Disabilities Bill, the Permissive Bill, the Contagious Idseases Act Repeal B I ii(I the E'ection Expanses Bill, in favour of Marriage with a Deceased Wife'sSi.-ter, M< F. S. Powell's amendment turhe Rating Bill (Jr.at- 20), Mr Monk's and Mr Muntz's amendments to the Junes Hill, for referring the Rating Bill t. I a select, committee, aainst adjeurlllng the Public Health Bill, in favour d the Governmeut three times and against it three times on the Judic ture Bill, against adjourning the riebate on the Turnpike Act Continuance Bill, and against r. duoing the Militia Vote. Of the members who attended more than the average number of t.im"s, Mr R. Davies, Mr Love Jones- Parry, Mr HIland, Mr Tracy, Mr Osborne Mor- gan, and Mr Wat km Williams took part in almost all the importantdivisions, and we need hardiysay, their voting was ,-teadil.N Liberal, such as to command the confidence of those who elected them. Sir T. ú. Lloyd did not begin to vote until the 26th of March, before which time there had been divisions on the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill, Mr New- degate's Monasteries Bill, the Married Women's Property Bill, and the University (Ireland) Bill, and he did not vote on the Permissive Bill, r ilr Miall's motion in favour of Disestablishment, from which last Mr Tracy and Mr v Morgan were also absent; but it will be remembered that the debate came to an abrupt end at an unusually early hour, and Mr Morgan, who had hastened up to London from a distance, was accidentally prevented from support- ing the motion. We may note, in conclusion, that the aggregate number of votes recorded last session was the smallest of any ses- sion of the present Parliament, except 1869, and that the average attendance of members was the smallest of any for the last eight sessions. The hon. member who recorded-220; the greatest number of votes was Mr E. A. Bowring (Exeter); there are several names with O's to them and we see that Mr Horsman only recorded six v-)tes. It is necessary to explain that in the figures given above we have not taken Count of the twenty six members who only sat part of the session, and therefore could not vote in all the 226 divisions.

SERIOUS CHARGE AGAINST MR. REGINALD CORBET. On Saturday, November 8th, the case again came of The circumstances were these. Shortly before midnight on At Hallows Eve, the prosecutor, with eight other labourers, went to the hunting box of the defendant tc serenade the inmates, in pursuance of a county custom, called souling." The defendant, accompanied by two men, came out with a gun in his hand, and roughly asked them what they did there. He then knocked down one of ths party, and said to them, If you don't run, I'll shoot you. They all ran down the drive, ó.nd when they had got ten or a d' >zen yards along the high road Mr Corbet fired after them, the shots taking effect in the legs of Tomlinson. They were all then marched back to the messroom, and after an hour's detention, their names having been taken, they were allowed to go. A remarkable point in the case is that Tomlinson did not then make any complaint of having been shot. Subsequently Mr Corbet gave him L25, and obtained a receipt worded thus:—For damage done to me by a gun accident," and linen and other necessaries were furnished to him. The general defence was that these men went to the house and made a great noise, most of them being the worse for drink, that they rang the bell for a quarter of an hour, and that Mr Corbet fired the gun after them to frighten, and not with the intention of shoot- ing them. Further than this, Mr Corbet made a state- ment that he was under the impression that the men were stable helpers whom he had discharged, and who had threatened him, and he said that as he came from Shrop- shire he did not know anything of the custom of "souling." The magistrates committed Mr Corbet for trial at the Quarter Sessions, for unlawful wounding, accepting bail for his appearance. Mr Corbet is a Shropshire magistrate, and resides near Market Drayton. He has a box Cheshire.

SHREWSBURY HUNT BALL. This fashionable assemblage was held at the Music Hall, Shrewsbury, on Thursday, Nov. 6th, when nearly four hundred guests were present. Mr J. Edwardes's Quadrille Band of the 1st Life Guards was engaged, and the pro- gramme included selections from the music of Gung'l, Arban, Coote, Offenbach, Hetel, Strauss, Godfrey, Labitzthy, and the Conductor. The supper was from the Lion Hotel. In the absence of the president, the Hon. R. W. S. Cotton, the ball was opened (with a country dance) by the vice-president, Col. Corbett, M.P., and Mrs Stanley Leighton. The following were present Members afthe Hunt,-)Ir Atcherley, Mr W. G. Bot- field, MrJ. T. Brooke, Mr R.H. L. Burton, MrC. M. Camp- bell, Mr Childe-Pemberton, Mr W. Cope, Colonel Corbett, M. P., Major Corbett, Mr C. C. Cotes, Captain Cast, Mr A. H. Darby, Colonel Edwardes, Lieut.-Co], Freme, Mr W. H. Foster, Mr T. W. Gill, Mr F. Harries, Col. Harries, Mr C. Donaldson Hudson, Mr A. C. Boughton Knight, Sir Baldwyn Leighton, Bart., Mr Stanley Leighton, Mr W. Layton Lowndes, Mr C. S. Lloyd, Mr A. P. Llovd, Mr W. B. Lloyd, Mr J. G. D. Lees, Colonel Lovett, Mr R. Jasper More, Mr C. J. Morris, Viscount Newport, Earl Powis, Mr J. Pritchard, Mr J. Rocke, Captain W. Scott, Mr W. H. Sitwell, Major Stewart, Hon. H. H. Tracy, M.P., Mr E. M. Wakeman, Mr F. A. W. Whitmore, Mr Edmund Wright, Mr J. H. N. Walford, Sir Offley Wakeman, Bart., Mr C. G. Wingfield, Sir C. R. Boughton, Bclrt. Invited Guests.—Mr Baylis, Miss and Miss G. Warring- ton, Mr and Mrs Dayrell, Mr Mitcholl, Mr Wentnor, Capt. Williamson, Miss Boughton Knight, Mr Doyle, Lady Louisa and the Misses Cotes, Mr and Mrs Bagot, Mr and Mrs Wardle, Mr and Mrs Bentley, Mr and Mrs Carew, Mr and the Misses Hornby, Captain and Miss Jenkins, Mr and Mrs Hornsby, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Kenyon, Miss Sandbach, Colonel and Mrs Napier, Mr J. E. Rocke, Mr and Mrs Wicksted, Captain and Mrs Dickin, Lord Combermere, the Hon. Miss Cotton, Mr and Mrs Spencer Phillips, Mrs and Miss Rocke, Mrs and the Misses Childe Pemberton, Sir Frederick and the Hon Lady Smythe, Mrs Crewe-Read, Miss Cust and Miss Needham, Major-General Salusbury, Major Newdegate, Mr and Mrs Carr, Mr, Mrs, and Mrs Hotham, Mr and the Misses Downward, Miss Chance, Miss Sandbacb, the Viscountess Newry and the Misses Needham, Mrs and the Misses Botfield, Mr Gatacre, Mrs Morris, Mr Jenkins, Lady Charlotte and the Misses Montgomery, Captain Forester, (Leighton), Captain, Mrs and Misses Mytton, Mr B. Scott, Mr and Mrs Dugdale, Mrs and Miss Lloyd, Mrs and Miss Noel Hill, Miss Clare Leighton, Mrs and the Misses Naylor, Mr C. J. Naylor, Mr Turner, Mr Row- land Venables, Mrs and the Misses Edwards, Mrs and Miss Lloyd, Mr and Misses Lloyd, Miss Cecil Lovett Colonel, Mrs, and Miss Lovett, Mr Biddulph, Mrs Wa ford, Captain and Mrs Fenwick, Capt. and Mrs Plunkett, Miss and Miss M. Clement, Mr and Miss Moss, Mrs and the Misses Egreuiont, Captain A. Griffiths, Sir Henry and Lady Harnage, Mr and Mrs Adams, Mrs Leighton, Miss Hemmings, Miss Fenwick, Mrs Darby, Mr Giffard, Mrs J. Pritchard, Mr D. Adams, Mr F. Lloyd, Mr E. W. Herbert, Major Lovett, Mr and Mrs Salusbury, Mr and Mrs Riou Benson, Miss Darby, Viscount Newry, Major- General and Mrs Legge, Mr Corfield, the Misses Cotes, Miss Legge, Mr Roscoe, Mr Bridgman, Mrs Pritchard, Mr Wood, Mr Dunne, Lord and Lady William Lennox, Sir H. Hope Edwardes, Mr and Miss Harrison, Mrs More, Mr Charles Leighton, the Misses Edwardes, Miss Blanche Lushington, the Hon. Lady Leighton, Mrs and the Misses Allen, Mrs and Miss How, Mr Douglas, Mrs Stewart, Miss Florence Lushington, Mr W. Lovett, Mrs and the Misses Russell, the Baroness De Rosena, Captain Coldwell, Lewis D. Hall, Mr and Mrs Hall, Mrs and the Misses Kenyon, MrE. R. Kenyon, Mrs and Miss Jacson, Mr Gardner, Miss A. Sandford, Mr and Mrs Longueville, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Tippinge, Captain Montgomery, Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Lux- moore, Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Sandford, Mr Egerton Jeffrys, Mr and Mrs Loxdale, Mrs Kenyon, Mr Craig, the Misses Tracy, Mr and Mrs Mary Watts, Mrs Donaldson Hudson, Miss Donaldson, Mrs and the Misses Hurlock, Mr and Mrs Harcourt Griffin, Miss Warren, Mr R. Seymour, Lord and Lady Hill Trevor, Mr Bently, Colonel and Mrs Field, Sir Colley Karrrwn Scotland, Mr Rivers Bulkeley, Colonel and Mrs Wilkinson, Mr and Mrs Lightfoofc, Mr H. and Miss Davenport, the Hon. Mrs Cotton, Mr Sandbach, Mr Hill, Mr C. B. Childe Pemberton, Mr A. J. Childe, Mr W. E. G. Botfield, Mr Forester, Mr, Mrs, and the Misses Foster, Mr Crossley, Colonel Pryse, Miss Lovedon, Mrs and Miss Cookson, Miss Curtis, Mrs Dumville Lees, Mr and Mrs Salt, Miss Minnie Harrison, Dr, Mrs, and the Misses Burd, Mr Whitmore, Mr Aldon, Mr and Mrs W. Wingfield, Mr Hall, Mr and Mrs E. Corbett, Mr Mrs and Miss Whitmore, Mr R. Corbett, Sir F. Peel, Mr James Foster, Viscount Eliot, Miss Melita Ponsoby, Mr and Mrs Bather, Miss H. Bridgeman, Mrs Whitmore, Captain Kenyon Slaney, Major and Miss Lloyd, Mrs and Miss G. Downward, Mr, Mrs, and Miss Bather, Captain and Mrs Lovett, Captain Inge, Mr Curtis, Mr and Mrs How, Cap- tain and Mrs Wingfield, Mrs and the Misses Wright, Mr F. Cope, Mrs and the Misses Cope, Mr Hamilton, Mr and Mrs Wingfield, Lieut.-Colonel, and Mrs Dickson, Mr and Mrs E. Corbett, Miss Hamilton, Miss Maude Corbett, Dr Edwyn Andrew, Mr E. Bridgman.

OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATIONS. PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES. The presentation of certificates and prizes won at the Oxford local examinations for the North Wales centre (Wrexham) in the years 1872 and 1873, took place in the Public Hall, Wrexham, on Wednesday afternoon, Nov. 5th, the Mayor (Mr J. C. Owc-n) presiding. A large and influential audience had assembled, and on the platform were Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., M.P., Mr Cornwallis West (Lord Lieutenant of the county) and Mrs West, Lady Cunliffe, the Rev. G. H. McGili (Bangor), Dr Williams, Captain and Mrs White, Captain and Mrs Boscawen Griffith, Mr T. T. Griffith, Mr Vaughan Williams (County Court Judge), Mr Charles Hughes, J.P^ Mr T. C. Jones, J P., Mr Painter, J.P., Dr Davies, J.P., Mr J. Pryce-Jones, J.P., Mr John Jones (solicitor), Mr Trevor Parkins, Mr J. Allington Hughes, Mr Llewelyn Williams (hon. sectetary), and Mr Councillor Sherratt. Amongst the audience we noticed—The Rev. Canon Cun- liffe, Rev. J. Dixon, Rev. W. Davies, Rev. J. H. Gibbon, Rev. F. W. Kittermaster (Ruabon), Rev. G. Bewsher (Bersham), Rev. T. F. Nathan (Penybryn), Rev. W. Shaw and Rev. C. Onions (Wesleyan), Rev. E. Jerman (Presby- terian), Captain Godfrey, Captain Gladstone, Messrs Edward Evans (Bronwylfa), George Thomson (Ruabon), Overton, William Thomas, Dixon (Little Acton), Morris (Mayor of Holt), W. Low, Robert Williams (Provincial Insurance Company), Siason, G. Bradley, Allmand Y. Strachan, Wright (Gresford), A. H. Reid, John Bury," Godfrey Price, J. F. Edisbury, Garner (Ruabon), Gittins' J. Brougiiton, T. E. MnisLall, Jackson, Forrest, F. Page, Evan Morris, D. Johnson, Davenport, Heywood, J. Brad- ahaw, Francis (chemist), Bate, Ed. Jones (hatter), most of the gentlemen being accompanied by the ladies of their families. The proceedings commenced with a duet on the harmonium aud piano by the Messrs Harriss and Verce. The MAYOR, who was received with applause, expressed his pleasure at seeing so influential a company present. He regretted exc edingly the absence of Sir Robert Cunliffe and Lady Wynn.the former of whom had unexpectedly been oblig. d to attend a meeting elsewhere. They were, how- ever, very glad to see Lady Cunliffe present, and very grateful to Sir Watkin for attending, notwithstanding the circumstances which they all knew kept Lady Wynn away. These local examinations commenced in 1858, in accordance with a memorial presented to the Oxford University, urging the benefi s that would accrue to those who from economical and other reasons, did not wish to give their gons a Univer- sity education, and the stimulus that would be given ti. masters and scholars if the University would undertake to examine the boys at the time of their leaving school. The University was only asked to test results and not to inquire into merits. To these memorials, the University responded by passing a statute or ordinance for the purpose of these local examinations, and appointed qualified delega: es to carry them out, latitude and freedom being given to the delegates to enable them to make the system work. In these examinations a certain amount of elementary knowledge in the ordinary subjects of education was indispensable to success, but the religious ex- aminations were carried on separately, and were not compulsory. The result.of the examin;itionsdn the country was a surprise, inasmuch as seven out of every eleven can- didated failed to satisfy the examiners. Since then, there had been a steady improvement in the quality of the work done, and a large increase in the number of candidates. Al- though there were centres in other places, North Wales had no centre until the year 1872, when thirty candidates were examined at Wrexham, nineteen of whom passed, being at the rate of 63 per cent. The average in the whole of the twenty-six centres in the United Kingdom was 52'28 The Wrexham centre stood ninth in all the centres of the king- dom-(appl a use) -leaving behind Liverpool, Bath, Bir- mingham, Exeter, London, Manchester, Southampton, aad Oxford. It was very satisfactory to observe the position which the Wrexham centre had taken, not only in the first year but also in the second. This year, the number of candidates was twenty-nine, and certificates had been awarded to twenty of them, being at the rate of sixty-nine per cent.—(applause)—the average per cent. for the king- dom being tifty-nine. And Wrexham centre this year stood fifth in the twenty-seven centres. In the two years there had likewise been observable improvement in the quality of work. In 1872, there were only two Candidates placed in any honour division, both being in the second. This year there were five-two in the first division and three in the seco nd. And he might observe that with re- ference to the names of the schools, that one of the schools belonging to the Wrexham district had a larger number in the first and second division in the honour than any private school in the kingdom, and there were only nine of the large public Schools in the kingdom which had succeeded in passing a large number. (Applanse.) In 1872, the success- ful schools were the Wrexham Grammar School, the Den- bigh Grammar School, and St. Asaph Grammar School, and the private schools were Grove Park School and Holt Acadamy. In 1873, the competing school were the Ruabon, Grammar School, St. Asaph Grammar School, and the Nantwich Grammar School, and the private schools were again Grove Park School and Holt Academy (applause). He would now call on Mr Trevor Parkins to give them some fur- ther information as to the working of the scheme; and he had been requested to say that both the schoolmasters and the committee had reason to be thankfal for the weight and personal influence he had brought to bear on these exam- inations, as superintending examiner. (iA pplause.) Mr TREVOR PARKINS said that having had the honour of representing the University of Oxford on the occasion of the examinations, he had felt it his duty to attend at the request of the committee to explain as far as he could the wording of the examinations. The candidates were divided into two classes, and they were examined separately. The seniors this year were boys and girls who did not much ex- ceed the age of eighteen years, and the age of the juniors was about fifteen-and-a-half. Under a new arrangement to come into force next year, the age of the juniors would be slightly increased, and boys would be examined up to very nearly the age of sixteen. That was to say, the examina- tions would begin on the 2nd of June, and boys would be admissable who would not be sixteen till the 1st of July. In reference to the progress that had been made, a re- markable circumstance was the increase of numbers and the increased success of female candidates. (Applause.) At certain centres where proper arrangements could be made, girls were admitted as candidates, but before the present year no senior girl had succeeded in reaching the first clais. This year that spell bad been broken, and a young lady had succeeded not only in reaching the first class, but in standing at the head of it. (Applause.) Another young ladv was likewise placed first in the first class of the juniors, and two young ladies were first and second in the second class. This year the number of centres was 27, and last year 26 and the number of candi- dates examined this year was 1589 against 1555 last year. This year there were 473 seniors, exactly the same number as last year. There were 1,116 juniors, and last year there were 1,082. The girls in 1872 were 178, and this year 205. Last year 76 were successful, and this year 105. (Applause.) With regard to the preliminary examinations there was to be a change next year. It had been found, he was sorry to say, that a great many candidates failed in history and geography, and the delegates had thought it right to re- move these subjects from the preliminary examination into the English division, and next year there would be eight optional sections for examination for the juniors instead of seven. Respecting religious knowledge, boys at present were examined in the rudiments of faith and religion, and in the Holy Scriptures, or if their parents had conscien- tious objections, they were only examined in the Holy Scriptures. Next year, the boys who were not examined in tho rudiments of faith and religion, would be examined in two books of the Holy Scriptures instead of one. Each centre had its local committee, and the university ap- pointed a superintending examiner, who presided at the examinations, kept order, and saw that the arrangements made by the local committee were sufficient for the pur- pose. He then spoke of the advantages of the examina- tions as a test of eiffciency, and as a means of opening the Universities to those who otherwise would have been un- able to obtain admission, and concluded with a reference to the dinner lately held by the Oxford Union Debating Society, as a proof of the influence exercised by the Uni- versity over the career of those educated there. He trusted that the examinations would continue to flourish, and that other neighbourhoods would show the same recognition of the merits of the University of Oxford which this district had shown. (Applause.) Mr West and Sir Wat kin W. Wynn also addressed the meeting. 1872.—SENIORS WITH THE TITLE OF ASSOCIATE IN ARTS. W. J. Black, Holt Academy, Holt; J. H; Davies, of Holywell, Grove Park School, Wrexham D. o. Jones of Newtown, Grove Park School, Wrexham; W. C. Jones, Grammar School, Denbigh W. H. Moore, of Bedford, Grove Park School, Wrexham J. G. Richards, of Wrex- ham, Grove Park School, Wrexham. JUNIORS. 2nd Honour Division.—T. M. J. Reid, Holt Academy Holt; E. W. Thomas, Holt Academy, Holt. 3rd division. -F. Allmand, of Wrexham, Grove Park School, Wrexham; D. J. Breese, of Machynlleth, Holt Academy, Holt U. H. Broughton, of Wrexham, Grove Park School, Wrexham J. C. Gittins, of Wrexham, Grove Park School, Wrex- ham; W. E. Jones, of Oswestry, Grove Park School, Wrexham W. H. Mandeno, of Liverpool, Grove Park School, Wrexham H. P. Mansbridge, Grammar School, St. Asaph; George W. Sherratt, of Wrexham, Grove Park Schodi, Wrexham R. D. Watkins, Holt Academy, Holt. Note.—Two junior certificates obtained in 1872 by boys of the Wrexham Grammar School had been previously distributed in 1872. 1873.—SENIORS WITH THE TITLE OF ASSOCIATE IN ARTS. J. Farmer, of Ruthin, Grove Park School, Wrexham; J. C. Gittins, of Wrexham, Grove Park School, Wrex- ham, mayor's medal; P. D. Richards, of Wrexham, Grove Park School, Wrexham. JUNIORS. 1st Honour Division—Frank Allmand, of Wrexham, Grove Park School, Wrexham, mayor's medal and prize J. S. Alcock, of Mansfield, Grove Park School Wrex- ham, prize. 2nd Honour Division-C. W. Capewell, of Liverpool, Grove Park School Wrexham, prize; J. Blake- ney Edwards, of Llangollen, (irove Park School, Wrex- ham, prize; Arthur J. Sisson, of Wrexham, Grove Park School, Wrexham. 3rd Division- i). J. Bre?se, of Machyn- lleth, Holt Academy, Holt; J. S. Cadwaladr, Holt Academy, Holt; E. J. Griffiths, of Anglesea, Holt Academy, Holt; E. A. Grocott, of Nantwich, Grammar School Natwich; C. Groom, of Wellington, Grove Park School, Wrexham; R. T. Parry, of Wrexham, Grove Park School, Wrexham E. H. Ridge, of Llandudno, Grammar School, St. Asaph; F. W. W. Sherratt, of ■Wrexham. Grove Park School, Wrexham; C. W. Thomas, of Wrexham, Grove PtIorK School Wrexham. Note.—One senior and two junior certificates, won by boys from the Ruabon Grammar School, wili be distri- buted at their forthcoming annual distribution. OnMaster Gittins's making his appearance to receive one of the Mayor's medals, he was loudly cheered. He was invested by Mrs West. A similar greeting awaited Master Allmand, winner of the junier medal given by the Mayor, and the decoration was performed by Lady Cunliffe. Ths Rev. G. H. MCGILL also addressed the meeting, which concluded with votes of thanks.

WELSHPOOL ANNUAL STAG HUNT AND DINNER. Welshpool annual Stag Hunt took place on Wednesday, November 5th, the Earl of Powis, with the generosity he has displayed for so many years, again furnishing the stag, The weather was lowering, but less actual inconvenience was experience^ from the rain than the threatening aspect of the clouds in the morning seemed to herald. Lord Powis, the Countess of Powis, Mr Frederick Calvert, and Lady Lucy Calvert and party, from Powis the anniversary of whose birthday it was, Castle, were present, and there was a very large field of horsemen, and footmen, whose capacity of endurance four hours' h,rd riding and still harder walking did not ex- haust. The quarry was uncarted at noon in a field by the Bellan Bridge, and the way he took the first fences excited the admiration of the oldest inhabitant present. Speeding over the Moat Farm to Trehelig, the stag crossed the Severi and theCambrian Railway and plunged into Ederton wood. It soon left Ederton Hall to the right, and passed Red House farm and Forden, a twenty minutes check occuring at Leighton Stub Farm. Descried again in the Court House Dingle, he bounded across Leighton Park and the planta- tions, shot through the Balaclava Gateway and the Cwm Dingle passing thence over the top of the Long Mountain and by the Welsh Harp over the Heldre Hill to Winnington, where his stagghip putting the Shrewsbury and Welshpool railway between himself and his pursuers, tojk refuge in Moel-y-Golfa near the Briedden Hill. Captain Adams haft promised to bring his pack over again when the noble animal is found, and as it is asserted that he would indubit. ably stop at the first turnip field he met when the chase was over, an early day may probably witness the capture of what ii said to be the finest of a long series of autiert->i mcnarehs. More than a hundred guests sat down to din er in the evening at the well-spread tuble of mine host of the Royal Oak, Welshpool, Mr Frederick Calvert, London, brother-in-law of Earl Powis, presided, and Mr Wil- liam Jones occupied the vice chair, among the ticket holders and those present being the Right Hon. the E lrl of Powis, Captain D. H. Mytton, Garth, Mr T. Bowen, Mr A. Howell, the Mayor of Welshpool (Mr D. P. Owen), Mr Richard Clayton, Mr C. W. Griffiths. Mr J. W. Hands, Mr J. Anderson, Mr John Savce, Mr John Langford Pugh, Mr David Andrew, Mr John Humphreys, Berriew. Cap- tain R. D. Pryce, Mr W. E. Rider, Mr Thomas Evans (late Sun Inn). Mr Arthur Parrv, Mr H. K. Aspinall, Gen. Scott, Mr Edward Jones, Mr William Thomas, Mr Edwin Green, Bank Farm,Mr J.H. Humphreys, Mr W. L. D. Hum- phreys, Mr Ch-irles Jones, Mr E. Jehu, Mr John Williams, Mr J. Parkinson, Mr J. Whit-hall, Mr T. Pugh Jones, Mr C. E. Howell, Mr E. S R. Trevor, Mr Alfred Wil- liams, Mr W. F. D"lmar, Mr Charles Pugh, Mr W. For- tune, Mr D. Wall, Mr Frederick Castledine, Mr B. Lay, Mr T. Kemble Williams, Mr J. Danily, Major Heyward, Mr Pryce Turner, Major R. D. Harrison, Mr Charles Durham, Captain R. J. Harrison, Mr E. Humphreys. Mr Thomas Newell, Mr E. D. Harrison, Mr J. R. Jones, Mr William Humphreys, Mr E. C. Moore, Mr P. J. Harrison, Mr H. D. Scholefield, Mr William Withy, Mr Jessie Robinson, Mr George Maginnis, Mr Thomas Pugh, Mr J. Buckley Williams, Mr John Morris, Captain Huddleston, Mr W. J. Twyford, Mr E. T. D. Harrison. Mr Thomas Jones. Mr P. Arthur Beck, Mr R. Griffiths. Manchester, Mr John Mytton, Mr Thomas Morris, Mr William Rogers, Mr Lloyd Lloyd, Mr Samuel Salter, Mr W. Jones, Trade Hall, Mr David Davies, Crowder Hall, Mr J. Powell, Buttington Hall, Mr R. Baker, Welshpool, Mr Thomas Rutter, Mr John Hickman, Mr Edward Davies, Mr Samuel Maurice, Mr Charles Mytton, Mr John F. Lewis, Mr John Davies, Mr W. Collender, Mr Inglis Bervon, Mr Richard Richards, Mr John Davies, Berriew, Mr Tuomas Bather, Mr Charles Davies, Mr John Fortune, Mr J. E. Roberts. Rhyl, Mr R. Sturkey, Mr S. Miller (Court), Mr R. Price, Shrewsbury, &c., &c. The PRESIDENT, dinner over, in proposing the Queen, observed that that day the French legislature met. A fortnight ago they were told it was intended to place Henry the Fifth on the throne of Henry the Fourth. That WMS now out of the question, and whether the legislature would contrive some new form of Government, or originate an assembly that would, or wha: that form of Government would be-all was uncertain. It was no small blessiog to this country that it had a settled form of government, and upon whatever points opinion might be divided we were all unanimous in our loyalty. (Applause.) The health of the Queen, followed by that of the Prince and Princess of Wales, having been honoured. The PRESIDENT next proposed the Army, Navy, and Volunteers. England was, he remarked, a very rich country but in consequence we had a pretty price to pay for securing immunity from an unscrupulous invader, for it was of great importance that we should be well defended. He believed we had a mighty navy, perfectly irresistible, and a small army, though he trusted a very strong one, backed up by a sturdy militia and volunteers, the very flower of the country—(Hear, hear)—but he hoped if the day ever came that we might go to war it would be upon the principle of defence not defiance. He hoped they would join with him in drinking success and prosperity to the army and navy to whom they looked for protection. Discipline and zeal were wanted, and in these days to a much greater extent than before the days of science, and he anticipated these would be found in our defenders when they should have to stand forward. (Applause.) Lieut. JOHN JONES, who replied for the Navy, referred to the Ashantee war, and cengratulated the country on such a distinguished, though young, officer as Sir Garnet Wolse- ley, having been selected to command the expedition. Lord Powis proposed the Bishops, Clergy, and Minis- ters of other Denominations. This, he said, was a toast embracing men of various creeds and various classes, to whom society was under great obligation, and who per- formed their laborious functions with great assiduity and very often for very insufficient remuneration. If he might use the word denomination in another sense to that which it bore in that toast he should say we had in England ministers of all denominations except one. We had not got a Cardinal, and in that respect were eclipsed by Ireland. In that parish and town they had a very zealous clergy, who had within the last month caused the town to enjoy the benefit of a series of special services which produced a great impression upon all classes, and brought to their old parish church such numbers as probably none in the room ever saw there before, and not only that but brought to at- tend those services many persons to whom public worship had been a mere form and name. He did not speak as an eye-witness, for that week he had been at the other side of the country attending a very remarkable anniversary con- nected with the University of Cambridge, the twelve hundredth anniversary of the foundation of the Cathedral at Ely. Talk of the antiquity of our sovereign, our lords, and our commons the foundation at Ely was many years older than these, for Queen Ethelreda, who founded it, was the wife of a small Saxon Prince in the days when England was parcelled out into a variety of little Saxon provinces, carrying out the principle of Home Rule to an extent which even Mr Butt might envy. (Laughter). That such an in- stitution should have lasted through all the various phases of English society and English Government was very creditable both to Church and State, and showed the con- tinuity and reality of church membership and church privilege, for whether it were under such changes as that of the Norrran conquest which, of course, involved great rapine and destruction to the property and ranks of the Saxons, or whether under later changes such as when at the Reformation many religious houses were abolished, this Cathedral of Ely survived. This showed the power we had of adapting our old institutions to successive times, and saved us from having, like our French neighbours, to put a fresh head upon our postage stamps every ten years. (Ap- plause and laughter). He trusted they would never forget what great strength to the fabric of modern society religious sanction gave, and we ought always to be disposed to pay all due honour to the clergy and other ministers of religion who, in their several spheres, brought comfort and con- solation to all classes. The toast having been duly honoured, His LORDSHIP next gave the health of the High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire (Capt. D. H. Mytton), whom he con- gratulated on the birth of a son and heir. In old days it might have been his duty.to lead theposse comitatus, not after a stag, which would run away from them, but against Saxon invaders, who might prove themselves stronger than the ancient Britons. In these days, however, the post was still one of great dignity, even though jtvelinmen had been superseded by the police: In that peaceful county their assizes were so short that the time during which he w.^ exe,rcise.his visible power of state and office Tip believeThe was p?Mne^he °nly thinS> his lord- SHip Delievea ne was pmmg f°r> wa? a dissolution that he might enjoy the privilege of gomg in state to. Montgomery and exercising what the noble earl was going.to have oaiiei a septennial privilege, if he had not recollected that at some places, Bath for instance, the people were such advanced politicians they were not content with even annual, but had quarterly elections. (Laughter.) On that side of the border they were always proud to see the old families con- nected with the county. To tell the history of their country 1 gentlemen it would be required to go back to ancient and musty documents, which would try Mr Morris Jones's powers of research. In these days he should be the more anxious to keep these things up, because through the natural beauty of our countryit was becoming very attractive to those who had made great fortunes amongst the smoky chimneys of Lancashire and Yorkshire, from which resulted, as they saw, that when any land came into the market there were numbers of bidders for it from all parts of the king- dom. To Captain Mytton and his family the county had for more than one generation been indebted for great public services. As a magistrate and the best of neighbours he held him in respect, and he was glad he had now given the prospect of providing a high sheriff for the next generation. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Captain MYTTON, in returning thanks to Lord Powis for the way in which his health had been proposed, said that he had also to express his gratitude to the noble earl, it having been he and his father who had rescued the pro- perty of Garth from passing into the hands of those men who made their money by tall chimneys. (Applause.) He could not but feel that it was a source of satisfaction to the tenants who lived under an old family to know that this rendered any disturbance of their holdings unlikely. He had repeatedly seen and talked with men who had changed their farms solely because they had boen sold, the proba- bility in such a case being that the rent would nearly double. With regard to Garth estate it had been rescued, and by degrees they were trying to raise it up to the level which the state of agriculture in the country now required. In conclusion the gallant Captain thanked Lord Powis for coupling his name with that of his son and heir, who some I day he hoped wonld inherit his property. Mr Alderman HOWELL, in proposing the health of the Lord Lieutenant and the magistrates of the county, said there were no people who duties more ably andwith more benefit to the county. He ulu not xLini; any other way of appointing magistrates could be better I adapted to this country than the present, and long might it be I bufore any change were made. (Hear hear.) Mr T. BOWEN returned thanks on behalf of the county magistrates, than whom he thought no body of men could look more carefully after th public interest. The PRESIDENT thtn said :—Gentlemen, fill your gln sses. The next toast t 'hat I propose is"The Earl of Powis and thanks fcr the stag." We greet him this evening as the leader of our sport. He opens to all comers his beautiful park, he pro- vides us with a stag, and thus he affords a healthy amuse- ment to all classes of his neighbours, to the riders on the fleetest of horses and the smallest of ponies, to the crowd of boys who run screaming after the stag, and even to the aged labourer, who for the moment rests from his toils, gazes with delight upon the turmoil around him, and only regret that his advancing age deprives him of the pleasure of taking part in the fray. (Applause.) But I cannot propose his lordship's health on his birthday without ad verting to his career on subjects of greater importance. One year more has passed away in which you have con- tinued to recognize in him the independence of the peer, the language of the classical scholar, the generosity of the faithful friend, and the active energy of one who comes forward on all occasions to promote in th&t community of which he is the distinguished head the cause of moral and religious improvement. (Hear, hear.) Long may he live to set a bright example before all around him, to meet us on his birthday, and to receive our annual tribute of thanks and congratulation. (Loud applause.) The toast having been enthusiastically received, Lord Powis said—Mr President and gentlemen, I thank you sincerely for your kindness. Ii; affords ine great. plea- sure to be able to give a stag, and thus furnish occasion J for the agreeable meeting of to-day. When the pressure of business is fel by all classes, not only those who labour 1 with their hands but by those who labour with their heads, by professional men and by educated and literary classes as well as among those eng,l in all the various trades, manufacturing and commercial, the feeling has un- 'nffl exhibited itself, th't the occasional holiday Physical enjoyment of exercise is be- c iming more and more a necessity not only for all classes but for all individuals. (Applaus,.) The weekly holi- days the harvest homes all indicate the same thing. I believe the attraction 0f physical exercise to the sedentary youths of our great towns has been one verv principal cause of the success of the volunteer movement. A healthy and well-organised body is found to be the s-ire receipt for having a clear head. Gentlemen, the sta°- we hunted to-day has determined to rival any of his pre' decessors and looked very much r s if he would ^give Cap tain Adams one good day's work to bring him' back. I recollect five or six years ago a stag that was lost on Miely Golfa taking wind and straying across the country to Wynnstay, and I hope Captain Adams is prepared to jump railway fences and stem any torrents he may meet in his course. (Hear, hear) His excellent pack con- tributed Very much to the enjoyment to-day, and for- tunately the weather held up for a sufficient time to en- able a great number of people of the neighbourhood to have at all events an agreeable morning's amusement. The CHAIRMAN proposed the health of Captain Adams, who, in responding, expiessed the pleasure it gave him to come into that part of the district, and offered, as his lord- ship had given utterance to a wish for another day's sport, to come over with his hounds again, if, when the stag was found, information was sent him where it was. The CHAIRMAN said he should be forgetting old associa- tions if he did not propose the health of Sir Watkin, who had all the manners of a fine old English gentleman coupled with that of the Yeomanry. ,-f Ada**s, who replied, said he had no doubt that, efficient S"' thef,yeomanry would be found in the same ^r'eTbef" «"«' qUIred before. Mr G. D. HARRISON proposed the toast of the "Countess of Powis and the Ladies of Montgomeryshire." Regarding her ladyship, he could not do better than say that Grace was in all her ways, heaven in her eye, In every gesture dignity and love." He had not been at the hunt that morning to see the ladies who had tnrned out, but he hoped, as was said of John Gipin- When they next do ride abroad May I be there to see." Lord POWIS, in returning thanks, expressed the gratifica- tion which it had afforded the members of her family that her ladyship had been able to be present that morning. Captain MTTTON next gave the health of Lady Lucy Calvert. He was sure that they and all agree with him in thanking their president for having come to see them on that occasion, and for having given the toasts which it had been his duty to propose with such unrivalled eloquence. (Hear, hear.) It was not for the speaker to dilate upon the capabilities of a man so much older than himself, but he might say something with regard to her whom he had wooed and won. He believed the lady whose health he was giving came up to the standard of Solomon, and for their president to have won her argued sterling qualities in himself The PRESIDENT, in replying, said I well understand which name it is that has excited that enthusiastic cheer. I thank you for it on Lady Lucy's behalf as well as my own. For my part, I can truly say that I am happy to be here to-night, and to offer my thanks for the many acts of courtesy and kindness which I have enjoyed amongst you since I became connected with this neighbourhood. (Hear, j'l kady Lucy I can say that her associations with Welshpool are very dear to her. She has never for an in- stant forgotten the friends of her early days, and she re- members them with the earnest wish, that obliged as she is to be very constantly absent, she may never be out of mind, although she is out of sight. We have visited to- gether many parts of Europe and seen most lovely scenery; still her thoughts have incessantly recurred to your beau- tiful environs, and of all the journeys which we take no one is so pleasing to her as that which end,; in Powis Castle. (Applause.) Those who know Lord Powis and the family which surround him will not be surprised at her preference. I may put into her mouth the words of the poet Gold- smith Where'er I roam, whatever realms I see, My heart untravelled, fondly turns to thee, Still to my Brother turns Gentlemen, our marriage has led to a series of happy events. One is that I am here to-day to enjoy your kindly welcome. I am here to acknowledge the sympathy and.warm feel- ing which you displayed on our marriage day. We have not forgotten that on that day from dawn to night Welsh- pool made holiday. We have not forgotten the booming of the guns, the ringing of the bells, the congregation which filled the church and listened with respectful silence to the solemn words uttered by the Archdeacon, nor the affec- tionate faces which greeted our little procession from the church door, nor the arches of flowers beneath which we walked, nor your four daughters that held them, nor the nosegays in our path, nor the bright little girls that strewd them, nor the joyous multitude in the streets. I am here to tell you that those cheers which echoed around us, cheers which came from the hearts of townsmen, aye, and of townswomen of Welshpool, from those who knew by long experience, how true and faithful and glorious warm hearted was the bride that sat beside me, made an impres- sion upon us which has never been effaced, and in thankful remembrance of which 1 wish you God speed in all your undertakings. (Great cheering.) Alderman HARRISON, in asking the company to drink to the health of the county and borough members, observed that it was not required of him to enlarge upon it in any way, but he believed that the Liberals and the Conservatives of I the county and boroughs were well and ably represented by }"r41. h. Captain MYTTON proposed the health of the Mayor and Corporation of Welshpool. Living as he did in the borough this toast peculiarly interested himself. They must all thank the Mayor and Corporation-he would say for their money, but by a recent act they all now paid the money-for the trouble they took in administering to the comforts of the town. Last year was commemorated by the opening of Leighton Bridge which had been carried out in a very public spirited manner totally by a voluntary subscription, and this year there was a great work pro- gressing in the town—he was afraid not by voluntary sub- scription, but he went on the principle that they must pay and look pleasant, and could only hope that the town would look more respectable and cheerful when the new town hall was built than before, though he did not see why this son and heir who had been born to him should not pay something. He did not see why they should pay every- thing, but he was afraid that by the recent election the town had warranted the expenditure of the meney, and he hoped they would all join the Mayor and Corporation in helping to bring the town hall to perfection—(applause)— which had been commenced, that the trade of the town would prosper, and that the farmers would not be driven away to Oswestry. If, indeed, they wished to succeed, and these not to be driven to Oswestry and Shrewsbury, the Smithfield must be improved and carefully inspected, and the whole traffic be improved. Since they were now driving cattle dealers entirely to Oswestry and Shrewsbury, he hoped the Mayor and Corporation would take what he had said into consideration and try by all the means they could to preserve the trade in the town. (Great applause) The MAYOR thanked Captain Mytton for the kind- hearced way in which he had spoken about what to some might seem their shortcomings. Unlike Parliament which in, dissolved at a certain time, the framers of the Municipal Act laid down that a certain portion of corporations should go out year by year, thus enabling electors to signify their approval or disapproval by rejecting a man or placing him in again, and of course to a certain extent this must be taken as an opinion expressed by the public upon their conduct. No doubt some of the acts of the council now and then were not exactly those outside would propose, but if it were possible for those outside to see the reason which governed those inside they themselves might take very different opinions to what they did. Every member took immense trouble in all questions that came before them. Out of thirty meetings the average attendance of every member was twenty-four which he thought did not show a lack of attention. In answer to Capt.||Mytton's remarks about the Smithfield his Worship explained that the tollf- which had formeri, been iu the hands of the contractor had now been taken by the Council up to the conclusion of their financial year iu consequence of the contract having heretofore ended at rather an awkward time for them. He remarked that the contractor said that if they held only monthly fairs he should have nothing to do with tnem, and this was the reason they were now continuing fortnightly fairs. In speaking of municipal matters the Mayor said that with regard to them the year had been a very eventful one, and the municipal bod.iea, healed by Sir Sidney Watorlow, were now (growing in importance, their old friend Punch, which used now and then to exhibit them as Aldermen enjoying turtle soup, no longer cow doing so. His worship having enumerated what the Welshpool Council had done during the year- remarked that a comparison of the rates outside the borough with inside showed the nursing care which had'been taken not onlvT of the inner but of the outer district. The Town Han hnd been wanted a long time, and he felt confluent when it was completed and they were in full possession of it, the only astonishment would be that it had not been done before. The reason the trade went away was that aceon;djy. dation WAS lluver given to the farmers "Vn th: wonld be able to do this, and the same exertions of the e:c Mavor which had built the Leighton Bndgo had now made the approaches, and passeai^ers Would now be a'ole to go over it as dry as over any P rtion of the roads in the neighbourhood. Lord POWIS, remarking that ne did not like that their toasts should be confined exc_^sivisiy to the town, and that the invests of their rnr. 1 na^hbr urs should not be con- sidered, proposed the teas ot the agriculturists of Mont- gomeryshire, to whom the topics mentioned by the Mayor h id naturally ealh'd their attention. No one could have watched during the last twenty-five years the progress of agriculture m the Coun.y without satisfaction. Their e,4 were assuming more m .dern and more moderate pro- portions; their turnpikes were improving,glittering less than they used with that which certainly did not produce gold their various breeds of cattle in the county were gradually expanding a-:d improving, equally those of their richer neighbours in Shropshire. The only point on which they bad .ni,-tliir;g to regret was that they were not maintain- ing their ancient reputation for horses. This year had be,n oll" of considerable trouble and anxiety to the farmer, experienced one of the must tedious harvests they had had for many years, and had had great difficulty in bfinginir crops to perfection, and in harvesting them when ripe. The agricultural shows established in that town a faw ngo had extended in a manner which showed that the breeders; of cattle were willing to accede to the invitation ile:d out to them there by the circumstance of haviny so conveaier t a place at the Smithfield, and he thought he might now say that they were established upon a i.rml)Asis. The show was originated at a meeting h-Ui in that town, and it was to two gentlemen connected wirh the town and the corporation to whom they were^indebitd for the laborious performance of the laborious duties of ] I honorary secretaries. (Applause ) Mr HUMPHREYS, of Walcot, in'responding said that to him an I to all tenants on his lordships, estate he had beeu ill"st kmd. he proceedings concluded soon after. Mr (x. I). Harrison, Mr J. Jones, Mr Hick man Sir good^on'gs? °thbrs' enlivened the evening with' several

ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETIXG.—ELECTION OF MAYOR. • T,he sj;atutory yearly meeting of this Council was h°l<J in the Town Clerk's office, Welshpool, on Mondav ]NV„ ^V'resent, ^Iay°r (^Ir. D- P- Owen), th* ex-'Mayfjt (Mr T. Morna,) Alderman Withy. Harrison, Howell and Jones Councillors, W. E. Rider, G. W. Evans, J. Jones, ji. f VV- Rowlands, S. Davies, T. P. Jones, J. Morris, JoS) and W- E°Kers; the Towq Clerk (.Vlr E. TH» TVT ELECTION OF MA TOE. Mayor for the en«^-Ur ',u"^nes3 is the election of 4 ber of the Council1 year» and now call upon any mem* *r°8,he thin,k» "r for th. repose of propo.mg ,b» Pryce Owen to the office of Mayor for the ensuing year. 1 know that there are objections to this course but at the same time I consider that since we have had a Commission of the Peace for the Borough these objections have verV I much diminished in force. My reason and my only reason for proposing the step is this-Mr Pryce Owen has ern. b irked—of course with our assistance, though I cannot say much of mine—in a very important work, and during hi9 year of office has devoted himself to it very much indeed, a?o ult']ouSh we may differ from him upon certain points, still he has that experience which I am satisfied to lose tot i he ensuing year, may possibly-indepd I really think l would-be to the disadvantage of the public. And though we may differ, yet I know that we all intend to do that which we believe to be for the benefit of the town, and 9S t Mr Pryce Owen has always worked to the best, of his judgment for that, I venture on that score alone, to pro. » pose his re-election. There are precedents when we were in r eWerl 21! °f °ur Tork3 of sewage, I had the honour of being Morris^ wa^aW ,of years, and our ex-Mayor (Mr T- v,. i -.1 re-elected when he was in the middle of hi* work, wi h regard to the Leighton Bridge. I therefore N,Iorris) was also re-electeci when he was in the middle of hi-i work, with regard to the Leighton Bridge. I therefore hope we shall be unanimous in electing Mr David Pryce Owen on the present occasion, and I hope he will discharge the duties of his office this year with renewed ability and that the experience of the past year will suggest to him the removal of anything that can be objectionable in his way of doing business. He may have been a little bit not conciliatory enough, and I have no doubt that in future he will see the great advantage of this in public matters, and a, next year will redeem every little defect of that kind ™ ,We had reason t0 find fault with. I beg to propos- the re-election of Mr D. P. Owen as Mayor, The EX-MAYOU—-I feel great pleasure in rising to second the re-election of Mr Owen. You are perfectly aware that I waen I was mayor of this borough I was re-elected on ac- count of the work in hand—the Leighton Bridge. You can- not please everybody—it is impossible for any man to do it, I' and the opposition to me was immense it might be from peculiar ideas, it might be from jealousy. The Mayor, however, is placed a little bit different to what I was. The work with which he is engaged is a ratep lyers' question, and I do think, for myself, as he has commenced it he should go through with it. We ought, too, to support him in dlf. ferent ways, and must take more interest in the matter ourselves than we have done. It is all very well to talk about it, but without men atten,led to their work them- selves it was no use grumbling at the wav it was done. I myself have been one of that lot, bnt the Mayor was deter- mined to have a town hall, as I was determined to have a bridge. But if he were re-elected, you know he has no more power than we have ourselves, and there are thus fifteen to one. We have, therefore, no occasion to grumble if he does anything wrong, for we have the power to stop it. A ma- jority of the Council can stop anything the Mayor may wish to do, and I know they stopped me on several occa- sions. The Mayor ought to carry out this work as he has commenced it, and I feel great pleasure in seconding Mr Howell's nomination of Mr David Pryce Owen as Mayor for this year. Mr HICKMAN I do not intend proposing any gentleman for the office of mayor, but I wish it to be perfectly under- stood that the re-election is not unanimous. You will only have two majority, but that is quite sufficient. (Chair, chair). I think there is a want of candour in this matter on the part of some gentlemen. The mayor himsdf told me he would never be mayor again, and he never would come into the Council again, and I thought I should hare f had the pleasure of proposing our worthy old townsman Mr Tones, who, with his economical views, would have put f a st 1p to the extravagant expenditure entered into in the last term. but I trust our mayor will have more economical views for the future, and consider he is spending the rate- payers' money and not his own. > The MAYOR then put the motion to the meeting, when it was carried without opposition. Alderman HARRISON-I am verv happy to find that we are not to have a division on this important question. (No!) The Mayor having put it to the meeting whether any sther gentleman had any other candidate to propose, and none having been proposed, I have a right to conclude that there is no other. As an old member I think it a great pleasure and much better for all parties that if it is asserted a certain gentleman is sure to be elected, there should be no difference of opinion in order that no ill-feeling may be occasioned, for sometimes, even upon a pnWic question, though parties may give their votes en™:untiously upon public grounds, it rankles in tbe breasts of individuals and causes ill-feeling where none is intended. I do not quite agree with Mr Hickman. He has no right to con- clude and coolly state how parties would stand if there had been opposition. I can say for one, that I am not in the secret, and I can further say that I never wish to be in the secret, and never did wish it. I think that upon a public question like this, we should one and all come into this room and give our votes independently for the public good. This morning, having gone into th" Smithfield, and I there saw my old and respected friend Alderman Jones, and having heard his name mentioned I thought it candid and straightforward to ask hiw matters stood. I heard from his own lios, and I said "It would pain me very much to vote against you, bnt I think as the Mayor has commenced this very important work he should have the opportunity of finishing it, if it can be finished this year." For I hold the opinion that had we put Alder- man Jones in the chair—and I think no man in the Council is fitter for the post than he is-if anything had gone wrong in carrying out the work. it would have been very easy for him to say "I don't know how it arose, but the blame is my predecessor's, not mine." I do not think that would have been fair, and it is much better for the pub- lie and ourselves that Mr Owen, having had a good deal of credit, and a good deal of odium in the beginning of it, if there is any credit to he gained, or odium to be attached in the completion of the work, it should rest upon hia shoulders, and I therefore came into the room determined f to vote for him, irrespective of anybody who might have been put up in opposition. Alderman JONES—I wo solicited by gentlemen of the Board to come forward on this occasion. I was asked if 1 would serve the office if I were elected, and I said Certainly I should." The Mayor had said the Sun- day before that he was not coming forward as a candidate I out was going to supp>rt me, hut [ can assure y,,u I have no ambition whatever for the office, and am very glad it has not gone to a divison. ° Mr JEHU-With reference to the majority arrived at, it is assuming too much in any one member of the B(.ard to say what majority there might be.. Mr HICKMåN-I don't assert anything but the truth, and if we put it to the test you will see. (Chair, chair ) Mr JEHU—Whatever calculations have been made as to majorities and minorities I am not in the account. Mr HICKMAN What I say I mean. The MAYOR: I should be very sorry to prevent any discussion upon any matter whatever, but I have asked the question whether there is any other candidate and I am told there ii not. I do not therefore think I am goin<» on [ hastily in any way if I ask you to allow me to make^the declaration. The MA YOB ELECT having then made the usual declaration of his competency to fulfil the pecuniary conditions imposed upon holders of the office. 1 Mr T. MORRIS said I see every man at his post to-dav and I hope .-very man will be in his post during the ensuiiiir year and will not come here omv at stated till1" His WORSHIP then said Aldermen and Councillors I am extremely obliged to you for re-electing me mavor. I aui exceedingly sorry, however, that the re-ei.-ction of myself to the importaut office of Mayor of this Borough should have given rise to what might perhaps have been angry feelings. I saic[ j W()Uid not be a c mdi late for the office and u was perfectly well-known it was not my inten- tion to come forward for the Council in any way. I was I however, pressed in a very urgent manner by a great num- tier ot ,he Board and was told that I was not doing my duty to Lie Board, as diverse notions having been about'of my great extravagance I ought to present myself to thy rate- payers to see what they had to say about it. r., wa. It Well-known fact that I did not offer myself for re-election until the last moment, I did not offer my&elf, and I was furthermore told that lought to offer myself for re- lection as Mayor hut tnat I oppCSei On rhf grounds mentioned by Alderman Howell, that it would be depriving the uoioii 'fr or t,;ie use o' a magistrate for twelvemonths and. although we now have a Bench, it is very important to have one associated with you in the discharge of business. I said I would very gladly vote for Alderman -Tones, hilt T did not th.) state I would not be a candidate myself. After- —nr ls members would put my name ir, lyuninu'don nod 1 was told a majority of the Connell t-crc,, for and I then said. 'I am in your hands, and will do whatever you wish." Then there is a charge agaimt me of perhaps hau- teur, or a little want of conciliation, and nothing vexes me m: re than to see myself accused of want of concilia- tion, because nobody has stronger views upon thi3 than myself. What I have done, I have done in the interests of the ratepayers, for I am a heavy ratepayer myself. This is one of the greatest safeguards-that nodUn- Lv done in any manner to burden ourselves. Uutfyou giv- me. credit for what I do not possess fordoing wha' I pica so wirh you—and I can assure vou it u test.i- V moni :1 of vny extraordinary worth—-iiiy having done this ■ without any assistance. I 11 nhi must have consulted you when I have actually attended thirty Council meetings, independently of committee meetings, and how it can be said, T in no way consulted you, I don't know; but if I have in anything been wrong, I shall be most happy to amend it. 1 do not, indeed, go round among you from one Council meetmg to another and say what we want- to do. I have not spoken to you on Council matters from one Tuesday to another, but have at tlitf Council meetings the next Tuesday told you what, has the raeantiiiie. It was for you, the, to say waat sn.:>:i!d be done. If I have in aoy way contracted a h. hit. of it is not. I can assure you, meant upi>n my p.ft,) but i3 a mere mannerism, and nothing else, (Hear,