The North Wales Express

Bujor Bankruptcy Court. THURSDAY. Before Mr Registrar Jones. A BETHESDA BANKRUPTCY. Evan W. Jones, Cambrian House, and Hope Hall, Bethesda, trading as E. W. Jones and Son, tailor and draper, appeared for his public examination, his accounts showing gross liabilities, E1016 12s 6d; due to un- secured creditors, t732 10s 9d; assets, es- timated to realise, E285 6s; alleged cause of failure, "taking large stock in starting busi- ness, and bad times following immediately after I opened." The bankrupt, for whom Mr D. Griffith Davies, Bethesda, appeared, stated that for some years he was a cutter at Hope Hall, Bethesda., at a salary of 3os a weeK to begin with, which was afterwards increased to E3. He afterwards tcok over the business, and at that time he had a capital of E30 in cash, and two houses, which were subject to a mortgage. Until about six years ago he had a small grocery business at Cambrian House, Bethesda, but it did not pay, and he gave it up. One of his sons had always assisted him in the tailoring business, but there was no partnership between them. He Lad been aware of his insolvency for some years, but kept hoping that things would improve. His liabilities had been conside- rably reduced during the past 18 months. He received a. severe check in the business some years ago, when the quarrymen at the I a' Penrhyn Quarry were only employed for four and five days a week, and when the strike came his takings fell off considerably. About three and halt years ago he commenced to borrow from Isaac Gordon, but he did not then know he was dealing with a Birming- ham moneylender. He saw an advertise- ment in the name of Williams in a Liverpool I paper, and applied! for a loan of £150. He got the oney and signed a promissory note for t200, which amount he repaid in full. He obtained a second loan of the same amount on similar terms, which he also paid off. He then applied for a third loan of £ 150, and signed for L200, and repaid £188, and whilst paying this off he got a fourth loan of the same amount, in respect of which he had repaid £66. He had thus received in actual cash £ 600, and repaid £ 654, and there was now something over £ 100 due. His great mistake had been to start business with an insufficient capital, but he believed that had it not been for the strike he would have been able to pull through.-Tho exa- mination was adjourned to the next sitting, the bankrupt being ordered to amend his deficiency account deficiency account. A STATIC)XMASTER'S TROUBLES. Edwin Williams Harper, of the Station House, Conway, stationmaster, presented accounts showing an indebtedness of £ 290 13s 6d, against assets estimated at £ 28 3s, the alleged causes of failure being "continued sickness in my family; I was ill myself six years ago,and I lost a child at the same time." Replying to the Official Receiver (Mr W. G. Williams) the bankrupt stated that he had been sbtionmaster at Conway for the past 15 months. Prior to that he had been at Connah's Quay and Prestatyn. His present salary was £ 110, out of which he had to pay ¡ house rent. He had been in difficulties for some time, in fact, ever since he went to Prestatyn five or six years ago. He had had a good deal of sickness in his family, and 'I had himself been laid up with pneumonia. Had it not been for this he would have been able to make both ends meet. In March last year he endeavoured to carry out a private arrangement with his creditors, under which he agreed to pay £ 2 10s a month out of his salary, but this he was not able to carry cut. -The examination was closed. AN ANGLESEY CASE. Jane Jones, of Tyddyn Rhosmor Farm, Liangwyfan, Anglesey, lately a farmer, came up for her adjourned examination, with lia- bilities scheduled at £ 145, and assets, nil. The Assistant Official Receiver questioned the bankrupt as to certain farming stock which had been forcibly removed from Tydd- yn Rhosmor to Cerrigydruidion, Llanerch- ymedd, a, farm in the occupation of her brother. The bankrupt alleged that these effects were the property of her son, and that she had no interest in them. It transpired in the course of the examination that pos- session had again been obtained by the Offi- c-ial Receiver, and that the effects had been, sold by auction for the benefit of the credi- tors, the amount realised being £ 148.—The I examination was further adjourned. I A HOLYHEAD FAILURE. James Feltham, late of the Spread Eagle Inn, Market-street, now of 10, Trearddur square, Holyhead, licensed victualler, re- turned his liabilities at JE144 lis 8d, and his assetss at £ 51 19s 6d; alleged causes of failure, "taking over heavy liabilities, ex- orbitant expenses with my wife's family, and falling off in the trade.—In answer to the Assistant Official Receiver, the bankrupt stated that he was at present employed as caretaker at the Market Hall, Holyhead. In November, 1897, he took over the tenancy of the Spread Eagle from his father-in-law. He undertook at that time to pay off a claim of R16 per cent. He had no capital when he commenced. He was very much handi- capped by being obliged to keep his father- in-law, and two son?, and two daughters, for about six months after he took over the > business, in addition to having to provide for his own family. He was formerly colour- sergeant on the "Neptune," and much of his custom was drawn from the gunboat. Then the gunboat left Holyhead, in consequence of Fashoda. business, his takings fell off con- siderably, and he was unable to carry on.- The examination was adjourned. EXAMINATIONS ADJOURNED. The following casas were adjourned to the June court: -David Evans Hughes, Cae Mawr, Llangeinwen, Anglesey, farmer; Philip Port Ayres, 15, Bangor street, Port- din orwic, contractor; Daniel Evans,of West- bourne Grove, and Central Buildings, Rhyl, draper and John Jones, of Chester House, Colwyn, greoer.

Chorai Competitions. A correspondent of the "Musical Times" calls attention to the over-development of the competitive spirit which Eisteddfodio contests tend to foster. "In the opinion of many," he writes, "this competitive spirit, «o extensively displayed as it is in Wales, is not an unmixed good, notwithstanding what the Eisteddfod has done for music within its borders. The continual selection of the same well-known choruses by certain of the great masters and glees and anthems by Welsh composers can hardly make for real musical development. Unfortunately, as long as Eisteddfodau are held with the object of making money, as they almost in- variably are, committees will be to a large extent under the 'tyranny of the choirs' and their conductors, who prefer the repetition of stereotyped and familiar pieces to the effort involved in mastering what is new and less hackneved. The well-wishers of the Eis- teddfod and of music in the Principality have faith, however, for one thing, in the development, sure if slow, of instrumental music as an indirect antidote to this inert- ness and one-sidedness, and it is to be hoped that the forthcoming National Eisteddfod at Cardiff, where important instrumental prizes are offered, may conduce towards eacL"

The North Wales Coal Owners' Association. A joint conference of the North Wales Coal Owners' Association and the Denbigh- shire and Flintshire Miners' Federation was held at Wrexham on Friday to consider the question of charging Is 8d' per ton extra for colliers' cottage coal. It was said that the workmen considered that the proposal in- volved a breach of contract on the part of the employers, as the colliers had been get- ting this coal at a reduced price for -years past. Since the Conciliation Board had been formed the wages had been advanced by 7! per cent., but the extra charges for colliers' coal brought this down to 6 per cent. Considerable discussion ensued, and the decision arrived at was that the extra charge should be lOd instead of Is 8d, that those who had been chargedls 8d should have the amount refunded to them, and that with the view of avoiding a strike the miners should be granted a fortnight in which to consider these terms.—A special meeting of the workmert at Hafod Colliery, Ruabon, was held in the evening. The agent and the other delegates explained the decision ar- rived at by the ccalowners in the afternoon. The action of the coalowners was strongly condemned, and the meeting pledged itself to stand by a former resolution to come out on strike unless the coal is supplied to them at the old rate—viz., 6s per ton.

Presbyterian Conference at Beaumaris. A conference for the counties of Anglesey, Carnarvon, and Denbigh, was held last week at the Presbyterian Church, Beaumaris, under the presidency of the Rev. C. T. Astley, Llandudno. An interesting account was given by the officers of the progress of the cause at Beaumaris, which appears to be slowly but surely establishing itself in the place. It was announced that the church at Llandudno had decided to invite the un- ited conference of the English Presbyterian churches of Wales in October, 1900, and all the churches in the district would render every possible assistance. The next dis- trict meeting will be held at Carnarvon in July, at whicJrcne Rev. Joseph Evans (Den- bigh) and Mr Dargie (Bangor) will read papers. Deep regret was shown at the death of the Rev. R. H. Morgan and Mr T. E. Ellis, M.P., and sympathy expressed with their relatives. The subject of forming the churches of the district into a Presbytery was deferred, and that of holding a musical festival in 1900 referred to the different churches. Arrangements were made for the visitation of the churches. An interesting paper was read by Mr J. Trevor Owen, of Carnarvon, on "Religious instruction in our day schools." Mr Owen strongly argued for religious instruction in day schools, as an essential element in the formation of char- acter, while at the same time steering clear of denominationalism and anything in the shape of proselytism. A discussion followed, in which Mr E. Madoc Jones, the Rev. J. Edwards (Colwyn Bay), Mr Henry Lewis (Bangor), the R-ev. T. G. Owen (Beaumaris), the Rev. Joseph Evans (Denbigh), and the President, took part. Mr Evans said he had been a member of the Birmingham Educa- tion League, which advocated the exclusion of religious instruction altogether, and, he still adhered to the position, denouncing strongly the abuse of so-called "religious" instruction. The President also expressed himelf as having been compelled to take the same position. The Rev. Joseph Evans, of Dfenbigh, preached in the evening.

The Befldgelesl Light Railway At a meeting of the Carnarvon County Council, on Thursday, Mr J. R. Pritchard (chairman) presiding, Mr Richard Davjes stated that the promoters of the Rhyd-ddu and Beddgelert Light Railway, namely, the North Wales Narrow Gauge Railway Co., had come to a settlement with the promoters •of the light railway from: Portmadoc to Beddgelert, as the result of which the Ynys- cynhaiarn Rural District Council (Pcrtmad- oc) had agreed to withdraw their opposi- tion. He, therefore, moved that the County Council heartily approve of the proposed scheme fcr the extension of the existing narrow gauge railway from Rhyd-ddu to Beddgelert under the Light. Railways Act, 1896. He explained that the arrangement provided for'a junction with the proposed Pcrtmadoc line at Beddgelert, and! that the Portmadoc Company should have running powers to Rhyd-ddu.—Mr J. Men- zies seconded.—Mr Vincent, who was pre- sent on behalf of the Narrow Gauge Rail- way Co., said the company only asked for the influence of the Council. The proposed to make the line entirely at their own ex- pense.—Mr J. T. Roberts, Carnarvon, on being informed that though runninz powers would be given to the Portmadoc Company as far as Rhyd-ddu, a similar concession from Beddgelert to Portmadoc would not be madl9 to the Narrow Gauge Railway Com- pany, said he was disappointed to hear that, as the line to Portmadoc would be worked independently, and possibly to the detriment of the other railway. When the Portmadoc line came before them he should oppose it, unless the running powers were given. Mr Vincent stated that his company did not ask for the running powers on the other line, because they did not think they would get them, but they would very much like to have them.—The resolution was then car- ried, and Messrs J. R. Pritchard, J. Men- zies, and G. Farren and the Hon. Fred. Wvnn were appointed to represent the Council in favour of the scheme before the Light Railway Commissioners.

The National Eisteddfod, 1899. (To The Editor.) Sir,—The officers and members of the Car- diff Temperance and Prohibition Association offer their most emphatic protest against the proposed sale of intoxicants in connec- tion with the time-honoured a.nd almost sacred institution the National Eisteddfod of Wales. They deeply regret to find that the Cardiff Eisteddfod Committee, by a small majority of two, insist upon such sale, and that the Cardiff municipal authorities (the ground landlords) admit that they are power- less to prevent the same. Believing that the great majority of the friends and frequenters of the Eisteddfod are opposed to a licence to sell intoxicants the officers and members of the above-named association have by a una- nimous vote requested me to organise a determined opposition to the granting of such a licence, and to invte, through the press, all the religious bodies, temperance societies, and supporters of the Eisteddfod to send on to me wthout delay copies of the resolutions already passed and forwarded by them to the Cardiff Eisteddfod Com- mittee and to the Cardiff Corporation (but which must now be addressed to the Cardiff licensing magistrates), together with addi- tional resolutions, duly verified, for presen- tations to the licensing court. As the Eis- teddfod is a national institution, let the vice of Wales be heard!—I am, &c., J. TERTIUS PHILLIPS. United Kingdom Alliance, St .John's-

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Postal Facilities in Carnarvon- shire. At the quarterly meeting of the Carnar- von County Council on Thursday, the Clerk (Mr Bodvel Roberts), replying to a question, said that no communication had been re- ceived from the Postmaster-General in re- ference to the application for improved post- ing facilities for Carnarvon and beyond in the direction of Portmadoc.—Mr Ephraim Wood said that the last phase of the matter was that the Railway Company were in com- munication with the Post-office with the view of getting them to participate in the cost of running the extra train mileage be- tween Carnarvon and Bangor. The Cam- brian Company had agreed to put on a later train from Pwlliieh and Portmadoc, but he understood th:it what was now required was a corresponding late train from Carnarvon. The matter was referred to Mr Ephraim Wood and the committee which had previ- ously considered it.

Professor 0. M. Edwards, M.A In the House of Commons, on Friday, Professor O. M. Edwards took the oath and his seat for Merioneth, in the room of the late Mr T. E. Ellis. The London corres- pondent of the "Western Ma.il" said that Mr Edwards was the hero of the afternoon. It was his first appearance, and he came to console the Radical party for the loss they have sustained by the death of their late Chief Whip, Mr Tom Ellis. It was, pos- sibly, out of respect to the memory of Mr Ellis that both sides of the House gave the new member a hearty reception. He came in with Mr Alfred Thomas and Mr Lloyd George, and, apparently, these two members were to introduce him, but Mr Bryce went up to the little party, and seemingly com- municated his desire to assist the member in making his bow to the chair. This act on the part of Mr Bryce was, it is believed, due to the new member being a professor, -ti- jjryce himself. Mr Owen Edwards has the figure and looks of a typical Welsh- man, and was quite at home in his new sur- roundings. r,

The LlanllyM Water Works. FAILURE TO ARRIVE AT A SETTLEMENT. At the monthly meeting of the Gwyrfai District. Council, held at Carnarvon on Sat- urday, Mr T. Jones (chairman) presiding, Mr T. W. Williams, on behalf of the Llan- llvfni Local Committee, said that every effort had been made to arrive at an amic- able settlement with Mr John Roberts, of Bryngro Mill, a riparian owner, who had recently obtained an injunction restraining the Council from taking water from Dulyn Lake to supply the villages in the parish. A proposal was sent to Mr Roberts' solicitor to settle upon the following terms —(1) A nominal sum in recognition of water rights (2) undertaking not to diminish the supply to the mill; (3) payment of Mr Roberts' costs. In reply to an invitation, Mr Wil- liams, Mr Morris Owen, solicitor, and the clerk (Mr J. H. Thomas) had an interview with Mr Carter and Mr Walter Jones, and it resulted in the receipt of the following pro- posals for settlement: —(1) The Council to send out of the lake a minimum daily quan- tity of 594,700 gallons of water; (2) to con- struct and maintam a proper gauge near the lake (3) to pay a penalty of 10s a day if the minimum quantity as above is not sent down; (4) to pay t425 in settlement for all claims for compensation and costs. Mr Williams further said that the local com- mittee desired that the question of prosecut- ing the appeal for the reversal of the judg- ment granting the injunction to restrain the taking of water from the lake be left to the decision of the Council unfettered by any recommendation of the committee. Subse- quent to the interview an account had been rendered, and it was ascertained that the costs of the recent litigation amounted to tl78 10s 6d, of which Mr Roberts was re- sponsible for JE94 16s 6d on account of judg- ment having gone against him on a certain point raised by the Council.—Mr Closs pro- posed, and Mr R. B. Ellis seconded, that the Council decline to accept the proposals of settlement made on behalf of Mr Roberts, and that the appeal against the decision of Mr Justice Kekewich be prosecuted in the High Court.—The motion was carried nem con.

NATURE'S SWEET RESTORER. .;)" J).q Who can describe the terrible condition of the man whose sleep is broken and irre- gular, or worse still, who cannot sleep at all ? How all the bodily powers fai! How all pleasure in life has vanished! How life becomes a burden! Terrible indeed is the condition of the man who cannot sleep! He would give all he possessed to be able once more to enjoy that "Balmy sleep! nature's sweet restorer!" And he can get it. Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, The Vege- table Tonic, has been tried and proved to be the best tonic ever discovered! It strengthens the digestion, purifies the blood, braces the nerves, and gives tone to the whole system. Read the following testimo uial:-Pyfl Glanmorganshire. Dear Sir.—When I re- turned home a short time ago, after several weeks' hard work, I felt utterly exhausted and in need of a good tonic. I was recom- mended to try GWILYM EVANS' BIT- TERS. I did so, and am astonished at the result, for I find it invigorates the system and enlivens the spirits-in fact, it is making a new man of me. I am, Sir, truly yours, GURiNOS JONES. If your occupation is an unhealthy one, if you are exposed to the weather, or work long hours in close rooms; if your constitu- tion is weakened, or your health under- mined or if you are in any way not "up to the mark," use Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. It never fails to strengthen the weakened system, to brace the nerves and fortify the constitution. Sold in 2s 9d and 4s 6d bottles. See the name "GWILYM EVANS" on Stamp, Label, and Bottle, as there are numerous imitations. PROPRIETORS: OUINTNE BITTERS MANUFACTURING V COMPANY, LIMITED. LLANELW, SOUTH WALES.

Conway Board of Guardians Mr D. Phillips (chairman) presided at the meeting on Friday.—Mr J. Roberts moved his resolution that the Board be divided for relief list purposes, because it would save a considerable amount of time.—Mr Abram seconded if Mr Roberts added that if either committee disagreed on any particular case it should be referred to the whole Board.— Mr Roberts agreed to add this to his resolu- tion.—In reply to Mr D. Jones, the Clerk said the Local Government Board would have to sanction the arrangement or the auditor might surcharge t-em for all the re- lief granted. The resolution was carried, and the clerk instructed to write for the sanction of the Local Government Board.— Mr John Roberts asked if it was a fact that the Finance Committee had paid 4s each board day for a carriage to convey the ex- chairman from Conway station to the Work- house and back. If so, it was not fair for one member of the board to have that privi- lege while all the others had to walk m all while all the others had to walk in all weathers. When he had taken, a cab he had never paid more than Is, and once he thanked the Chairman warmly for giving him a lift, thinking the money came from his own pocket (laughter).—The clerk (Mr T. E. Parry) said the Board passed a resolution about ten years ago to provide a cab for the Colwyn Bay members, because the train ar- rived rather late for them to get to the board-room (laughter).—Mr Borthwick and Mr Porter were members at the time.—Mr J. Roberts (Colwyn Bay): I never knew of that.—The Clerk: The cab is there for you. -31:r M'Clement: This shows that the Fin- ance Committee are very careless.—Alder- man Hughes: We have never noticed this bill till now.—The Clerk: The bill was al- ways presented to the Board.—Mr J. Ro- berts moved that the Finance Committee look into the matter, and that the clerk pro- duce the resolution he had alluded to as passed ten years ago at the next meeting.— This was carried.—The Rev R. Peris Wil- liams, Llandudno, wrote resigning his seat at the Board, and the clerk was deputed to take the usual steps to fill the vacancy.

Elementary Education in Wales. THE TEACHING OF ENGLISH. A Parliamentary paper was issued on Sat- urday containing the report of Mr A. G. Legard, chief inspector of schools for Wales, on the present position of elementary educa- tion in Wales and Monmouthshire. It is an interesting document, and surveys the Welsh educational system as a whole, with the ob- ject of ascertaining how far the elementary 11 schools are playing their proper part in this organisation. Mr Legard points out that no system can really flourish unless it is supported by national sentiment, and has won the affections of the people. In the case of Wales it is clear, he thinks, that educa- tion has got a firm hold of the popular sym- pathies, just as it has in the northern part of Great Britain. The self-denying efforts of parents in many portions of the Princi- pality to enable their children to enjoy the benefits of a good education, the inspector affirms, deserve warm recognition, and it is a significant fact that at one of the Welsh colleges more than one-third of the students are the sons and daughters of artisans or of the labouring classes. Dealing with the teaching of English to Welsh children, Mr Legard observes: "In some of the Welsh- speaking districts children never hear a word of English outside the schools, and so the English language is something quite apart from. their daily life and interests, and is merely a vehicle for school lessons. I can- not but feel that in the Welsh-speaking parts of Wales English might be better taught than is at present the case. It is the instrument of instruction, but it is only very partially a subject of instruction. Should it not be frankly recognised that English is a foreign language, and that it should be taught by the best methods of teaching foreign languages? Welsh child- ren should not merely learn bookish English but they should be encouraged from their infant school upwards to talk in the foreign tongue about things that interest them- their homes, their games, and their pet animals and when a vocabulary is acquired simple rules of grammar will gradually be deduced, and the children will be trained in due course by speaking correctly to write correctly."

Religious Instruction in Schools -:0:- In the House of Commons, on Monday night, Mr Samuel Smith asked the Vice- President cf the Committee of Council on Education whether he was aware that it had been the custom to take all the children at the National School at Lambourne, in Berkshire, over six years of age on saints' days to celebrations of the Holy Commun- ion at which no one communicates but the minister and that during Lent the children went to church every Wednesday and Fri- day from 11.40 to 12; whether this was an infringement of the conscience clause, as religious instruction was not on the time table at the time, and secular instruction did not begin till 10; whether he was aware that for some months the curate had taken a class in algebra during the time set down on the time table for religious in- struction, this having been done three times a week; whether the aid grant had been used this year for the purpose specif-ied on the conditions under which it was .granted whether the balance sheet of the school ac- counts was published last year, in accordance with the Government .requirements; and whether the balance-sheet supplied to the Education Department was correct., or whe- ther one of the instalements of the fee grant was omitted. Sir John Gorst: The Committee of Coun- cil on Education had no information upon the facts alleged in the first three paragraphs of the question. The practice of attending any religious, observance or of giving any religious instruction in the time not inserted in the time table as approved of by the Edu- eation Department, would be an infringe- ment of the Elementary Education Act, 1870. The Department have not received the accounts for the school year just ended, and they, therefore, cannot say how far the aid grant has been spent. There is no reason for thinking that the previous year's balance sheet has not been published, or that it is incorrect. The fee grant was correctly stated. Mr Smith Will the Vice-President make inquiry ? Sir J. Gorst: The Education Department has nothing to do with the kind of religious instruction in schools. All they can see is that the religious instruction is given in accordance with the time table, and that those parents who object have the op- portunity of withdrawing their children. Mr Smith Is it not the part of the Edu- cation Department to ascertain whether the children are marched to church during hours when the ordinary secular education should be proceeded with ? Sir J. Gorst: That is exactly what I ex- plained in my answer to be theduty of the Department. If any complaints are made that children are taken to a religious serv.,ce during hours devoted to secular instruction, that would be an infringement of the Act, and of that the Department would take notice.

Bangor Board of Guardians. The fortnightly meeting of the Board was held at the workhouse on Friday morning, Mr H. Thomas (chairman) presiding. THE RATE. Mr R. B. Evans (the clerk) reported that the rate for the ensuing year would be 9!d. This year the county rate would be 5d, as oompared with 5id last year. AN EXPLANATION WANTED. A letter was read from the Local Govern- ment Board, stating that they had received a report from Dr. Wheaton upon the inves- tigation he had been instructed to make into the oiroumstances attending the death on the 2nd ultimo of John William Warwick, aged :five months, who lived at 4, Davis. oourt, Bethesda, and the cause of whose death was certified as vaccination erysipelas convulsions. The Board learned from the report of Dr. Wheaton that the child in ques- tion was vaccinated on the 4th of February last by Dr. R. P. Roberts, the public vac- cinator for the 2nd Carnarvonshire district ci the Bangor and Beaumaris Union, and that Dr. Roberts on the occasion of his in- spection of the results of the operation on the 10th of February did not adopt any an- tiseptic precautions with the view to the pro- tection of the vaccinated surface against extraneous infection, as required by No. 6 of the Instructions to Vaccinators under contract, and the Local Government Beard requested the Guardians to call upon the public vaccinator for a written explanation of his neglect to comply with these instruc- tions.—It was resolved to ask for an ex- planation without delay.. MASTER'S REPORT. The Master reported the number in. the house to be 100, as against 99 on the same day last year. Thirty vagrants had been re- lieved during the fortnight, as compared with 89 during the corresponding period of last year. A VISIT TO THE HOUSE. Miss Wynne Jones reported having visited the workhouse on Sundtay quite unexpected- ly. She noticed that the rice pudding with currants was well cooked, and the beef tea which she tasted was well made, the pota- toes and meat with gravy quite satisfactory, and the milk and butter supplied seemed to be excellent. Mrs Henry Lewis and Mrs Dr. Pirice fejso reported that they were pleased to notice the change of nursery, and the improvement in the care of children. They inspected the excellent stock of tidy clothing provided for them, and which for. the most part had been made by the matron. —The Chairman and other members of the Board expressed their satisfaction with the report, and congratulated the master and matron. It was also stated that during the week the inmates had been supplied with tobacco by Mr John Wickens, photographer, and: that a concert had been held in the, work- house, conducted by the Rev. W. R. Saunders.

Death of a Montgomeryshire Landowner. The people of Machynlleth were startled I earlv on Saturday morning by the intelli- gence that Mr Joseph Evans, of Fronygog, had met his death as the result of a gunshot wound in the abdomen. It appears that about seven o'clock that morning Mr Evans said, it was his intention to go out to shoot the hawks which were supposed to have been killing the chickens. Mrs Evans per- suaded him to remain in bed. Half an hour later, however, he rose and proceeded down- stairs. A few minutes afterwards Mrs Evans was startled by the report of a, gun. She immediately proceeded to the breakfast- room, and was horrified to find her husband lying there on the floor with a gunshot wound in the abdomen. Without uttering a word Mr Evans died before medical assist- ance could be procured. Dr. Davis Wil- liams arrived later, and pronounced life ex- tinct. By the unfortunate man's side was a double-barrelled breechloading gun and a ramrod. Mr Evans, who was 43 years of age, was the surviving son of the late Joseph Owen Evans, of Dolcorsllwyn and Frongoch, and grandson of Mr Joseph Evans, of Llwyd- iarth Park, who was in his lifetime the chief agent for the vvynnstay Estates. The de- ceased married Mary Elizabeth, only daugh- ter of the late Mr R. Gillart, at one time agent for the late Marquis of Londonderry's Welsh estates, by whom he leaves three sons and two daughters. Of a cheerful disposi- tion, he was very popular in the district with all classes. He was a justice of the peace for the county, a former alderman of the County Council, and a member of the Machynlleth Urban District Council, and he held a captain's commission in the newly formed 5th V.B. South Wales Borderers. Formerly he held a similar commission in the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Cavalry. A week ago he occupied the vice-chair at a complimentary banquet. toLord Henry Vane- Tempest, Master of the Plas Machynlleth Foxhounds, by the gentry and farmers of the district. THE INQUEST. On Monday evidence was given by Eliza- beth Evans (housemaid), John Humphreys (groom), and Dr. Williams. The Doctor stated that he found the deceased lying dead at full length on the floor of the breakfast- room. A gun, was lying at right angles to his feet, and a cleaning rod was by his side. The right barrel of the gun was empty, but the left contained' a discharged cartridge. There was a round wound of the size of a florin near to the middle line of the body. The wound was blackened with burnt grains of powder, and the coat, waistcoat, and vest were scorched. There was no other sign of violence. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of "Accidental death caused whilst attempting to clean a gun."

A Relic of Sir G. Osborne Morgan A correspondent writes:—"In the beau- tiful garden of Conway Rectory there is an interesting natural memorial of the late Sir George Osborne Morgan. It was at Conway Rectory that Sir George was brought up, his father having been incumbent of the parish, and on the trunk of a fine walnut tree he in his early days cut his initials and the date, 1840. The tree flourished during the life of the late member for East Den- bighshire, but in the very year of his death it was destroyed during a storm. The pre- sent vicar (the Rev. J. P. Lewis) Tias, how- ever, preserved that portion of the trunk containing the initials cut by Sir George, and has surrounded it with a few flowering plants and an ornamental fence."

The "Aberystwyth Observer" wonders if the Rev M. Morgan, vicar of Capel Bangor, hopes for forgiveness in the world to come, for he can hardly hope to be forgiven by some Church people in this world. It is said' that the vicar invited the Rev Evan Jones, Carnarvon, one of the apostles of the Disestablishment movement, and the Rev E. Phillips, Newcastle Emlyn, both of whom were attending the Methodist Association meetings at PenHyn, to dinner with him.