The North Wales Express

Notes of the Week. A Change of Chairman. Mr Hugh Thomas' term as chairman of the Bangor and Beaumaws Board ot Guardians has come to an end, after twenty- fire years' unbroken occupancy of the chair. We congratulate the Board upon its action. Mr Thomas was an excellent, chairman, and it is no personal reason that makes us take the view we do of the matter. We do not believe in permanent chairmen for local authorities, for the long tenancy of the chair by one man prevents other members from obtaining the experience that is to be had by pass^ig the chair. It also debars them from attaining the goal of a perfectly legitimate ambition, and it may "ve a. damaging effect upon puhlie busi- ness, Mr Hugh Thomas has dune his duty faithfully and well, and we are quite certain ibhat it was no personal feeling that im- pelled the Board to take the step it di<L Society and the Individual. Csnon Hicks, in his stirring and eloquent address on temperance at. Bangor, touched a point which should receive more attention tinw has hitherto been accorded if. Deal- ing with temperance legislation, he re- marked that the liberty of the subject, was t6 thing to be oonsidereo. but that tho iiberty of the community also deserved equal consideration. The liberty of the, community is the important thing th,at individualists are always. ignoring, but >\e ØirO not sure whether it is not. really the more important of the two, esj^eciallj' whew the reasonable liberty of the individual lias already been secured. Judged by the law of the liberty and safety of the eOIll- munity, slum landlords, jewy builders, cwid am.stoera.tic land-filcliers axe, as much ■criminals as the thieve*, i burglars, and (murderers whose i-rimes against, the in- dividual are so drastically punished by tvho present law. The real reason why all legislation on social, rather than upon in- dividualistic, lines is so strenuously opposed and denounced as Socialistic and revolu- tionary is that suoh legislation would practically put. another code of morality into operation. Individual liberty with no rest-rait from the community degenerates into the tyranny of the- strongest. Dogs Asrafn. At tlio Bangor Police, Court, O Tuesday, 'Superintendent Guest said he had been in- s.tructed by the Chief-Constable to oppose application for exemption under the Doge Act. if the applicant did not. hold six ° h1" We do not know where tbn CM-Constable finds his rule. It is probably an arbitrary one, formed with the idea of making the work of the police simpler. In any ease, it did not work a.t Ba.ngor on Tuesday, and we can think of quite a number of case. where it would not work. It seems to us that the only course open to the magistrates is to grant every application when the applicant has made a duly-attested declaration, and to prosecute afterwards if that declaration is found to be false. Thi". would very soon have' the effect of (1oing away with unqualified appli- cants. Arbitrary rules, whether made by County Counciils or by Chief-Constables are never satisfactory. They express a. personal opinion as to how an Act should be administered, and no more. Small Holdings and Allot- ments. Mr Walter Williams, organising secretary for Wales of the Agricultural Organisa- tion Society, visited Carnarvon yes.terday in connection with the proposed formation of a, local Small Holdings and Allotments Society. We trust tha.t the movement will succeed, for there is no doubt that the future of agriouture in this country lies in the direction of co-operative effort. A Small Holdings amd Allotments Society can be, formed and can rent land from County Councils, sub-letting the same to its own members. rphe fee payable upon applica- tion for membership is one shilling, and there is a, further payment of half-a-crown upon allotment. This may be sufficient to meet- all expenses, but if further calls be- came necessary, they ca,n only be calls for half-ia-crowu, with three- months.' notice in eac-h ease, and the member's liability can- not under any circumstance exceed the amount- of his share. The advantage of this jiroc-eedin-g over the- indi vidual process ib that it simplifies the collection of rent; greater security for rent; secures land a,t a. lower,rant; induces general co- operation and an interest in the collective welfare; and promotes credit-banking, in- surance and other objects'. Many societies have already been formed amd are in ex celient working order in some ca-es. The movomeri-t certainly deserves to suceed; ._+-

As showing the great popularity of the Raleigh bicycle in our dominions beyond the seas, it is interesting to note that. the manufacturers have recently received a. large order from India for bicycles intended for an important Volunteer Rifle Corps in that country.

I THE" MYSTERY" IN THE SLATE TRADE. (To the Editor of the "North Wales Observer and Express"). Sir,—I read with great interest your lead- ing article upon the "Mystery" in the Slate Trade, but as, in my opinion, the conclu- sions you draw are erroneous, as everyone who is largely connected with the slate in- dustry knows, I think it only fair to ac- quaint your readers with another aspect of the question. In the firtit place allow me to point out that foreign slates were practically un- known in this country until about the time of the first Penrhyn Strike, whereas, on the other hand we exported between V200,000 and £ 300,000 annually, the bulk of which were sent to Germany. In 1907 we only ex- ported £ 124,424, a reduction of at least 50 per cent. Unfortunately the Penrhyn Strikes caused a complete dislocation in both the home and foreign trade. These strikes caused a great ^scarcity in the home market, which resulted in a. large increase in the importation of foreign slates, and a reduction in our exports. Following these events some foreign countries substantially increased their tariffs upon slates imported, and so detrimentally affected us. The re- result is that our foreign competitors keep their own markets to themselves, and are therefore in a position to dump their sur- plus stocks into our market free of all duty. There is no '"Mystery" about this. The large stocks which are held at the Port- madoc and Carnarvon Qtiarries, as well as bv leading merchants, are only too painful evidence that, notwithstanding the great re- duction in the production of home slates, the quantities now manufactured coupled with foreign competition are far too great for the demand. 'Hence the recent large reduction of labour at Nantlle and the con- templated further discharge of 350 men at Blaenau Festiniog. As I have already pub. licly stated, our home production has been reduced by about L400,000 since 1904. It is true that foreign imports have also been re- duced during that period, but still, accord- illg to the latest returns there are over £ 100,000 worth imported' annually. If we could revert to the condition of things existing prior to the first Penrhyn Strike, it naturally follows Ciat- the bulk of this £ 100,000 would be distributed among the quarries of Carnarvon and Merioneth. What a vast difference "this would make to this locality, and more particularly to the pro- ducers, viz., the Welsh quarrymen! Our Free Trade friends argue that any imposition f duty must result in an in- creased cost of the "consumer." This I do not admit when the duty is moderate and imposed so as to equalise the conditions of manufacture. Even if the whole duty was borne by the "consumer," the increase in the total cost of a rooj' of slates would be so infinitesimally email as to be no deter- rent to building operations, and the cost would be no greater than a few years ago when foreign slates were unknown in our market. Further, the -superior quality of the Welsh slate would in the long run com- pensate the "consumer" many times ovei for the extra coat. If our Government only had the power of bargaining with foreign countries by threat ening them with reprisals unless they traded with us upon equal terms, we would soon see their Tariffs either reduced or abolished. This would materially assist in bringing about an improvement in the slate indus- try. I notice you place considerable im- portance upon the comparative prices of Welsh and foreign slates, but your asser- tion that the latter realise better prices than Welsh elates is unfortunately also in- correct. The reason for this is that the basis of comparison you lmve utied 15 dI. fferent. In the case of foreign spates you only gave the value of those imported, into this country, and as these are generally of large sizes and Of the best quality, the prices per ton work out at a high figure. In the case of Welsh slate6 all sizes as well as all qualities are included, which natur- ally reduces the aver p I C,per too. I have before me the lists of Frencn slates for the year1905 and 1909. I y°" take the prices of two or three standard sizes which are largely imported, and com pare them with the prices o, Carnarvon slates, it will at once prove that French slates, although not so durable, are fai cheaper than Welsh slates. In 1905 beso French slates were sold as lo.lows C.i.i- L-ondon 20 x If) £7 56 per Mille. 18 x 10 F-6 305 6d. The prizes to-day are, for 20 x 10 £ 5 2s 6cl, for 18 x 10, £ 4 5s, or a, reductio l in price of 30 per cent. In 190o, Best Car- narvon Slates would have cost C.i.f Lon- don tlO 6s 6d for 20 x 10, and £ 8 12s 6d for 18 x 10. To-day's prices work out at Cg B for 20 x 10 and P.6 14s 3d for 18 x 10, reduction of 16 per cent. The prices of these tAvo sizes in French slates are there- fore 40 per cent cheaper than those from the Carnarvon Quarries, all C.i.f. London. I do not apologise for the lengthy of my letter, because I consider that the import- of the subject warrants a full and com- plete statement in the interests of all con- eenwd, in the prosperity of the Welsh plate industry.—I am, sir, your obedient ser- Vant' ALFRED H. RICHARDS. Gwenallt, Carnarvon* April 28th, 1909.

CARNARVON COUNTY COURT. I Yesterday (Wednesday), before his Honour Judge Moss. BROTHERS IN LITIGATION. Thomas Williams, Morfa, &ued D3.vid Williams, Cae LlyAvarch, Llandwrog, his brother, for 156, for rent of a farm. Mr Hamlet Roberts, who appeared for the plaintiff, said plaintiff had the tenancy of the farm transferred to him on his father's death, and he lived there with his mother. Plaintiff, being in ill-health, per- suaded his brother (defendant) to come there to live. The defenda-nt agreed, and an agreement was entered into, under which the defendant was to be, responsible for the rent, to plaintiff as sub-tenant. Plaintiff and his mother remained with defendant as lodgers, the plaintiff agreeing to pa.y his brother 15s a we-ek, A sum of EIO 15s haod been paid into court. Mr R. Roberts was for defendant. There was a dispute as to the balance of £5. Judgment wa. giveai,for amount paid into court, and for the. defendant on the balance of £ 5. SHEEP-GRAZING. Mary Roberts, Gwmcoryn Farm, Llan- aelhaiam sued J. W. Owen, Votty, Llan- beris, for £21, balance alleged to be due in respect of the grazing of the defendant's hEp on I land. Mr R. Roberts appeared for plaintiff. R. 0. Roberts, son of plaintiff, said the. usual charge per head for the grazing of fi.h-e.ep was 4s 6d. About two bunjredi I sheep belonging to defendant were brought to his land for grazing over the winter months. A sum of R40 had been paid on account. Mr Evan R. Davies was for defendant, who countcrclaimed £ 41 for loss of a number of lambs. Judgment Avas entered for .plaintiff for £ 12 8s.

:Dr T. Witton Davies., of Bangor, has in the press a commentary on Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther for the "Century Bible" series. It is his intention to follow this up with a j work on Po&t-Bxilic Judaism, its beliefs and institutions." )

ii" 'J- TWRCWYN (BANGOR) SALE OF WORK. A GREAT SUCCESS. 1 LIST OF STALL-HOLDERS. ) I lesterday (Wednesday), a most successful sale of work held in connection with Tivr- gwyn Ca.lvinistic Methodist Chapel, Bangor, was opened before a large audience at the Penrhyn Hall. The sale was held in order to clear a debt on the chapel. The large number of members of the Twr- gwyn Chapel who acted on the various OOIll. mittees in connection with the sale of work had worked harmoniously and energetically, and their efforts were crowned yesterday, when a large number of people visited the hall to purchase the result of their months' untiring labour. The stalls were erected in a most attrac- tive manner in the hall, and they were re- plete with choice collections of most useful and ornamental articles. The most pic- turesque stall was the fruit and flower stall, which held a commanding position in the centre of the hall, and it contained flow-ers from Vaynol, Baron Hill, Ceris, Trebortli, &c. The opening ceremony took place at three o'clock before a good gathering. Amongst those who were on the platform, were Mrs, Da-vies, Treborth; Mrs J. R. Da- vies, Ceris; the Revs Wynn Davies (who pre- sided), Daniel Rowlands, H. N. Henderson, Henry Rees Davies, D. J. Williams, and R. W. Hughes (Park Hill), Mr W. R. Jones, and Mr Broadie Griffith. The President said that he was anxious to give expression first of all to his sense of gratitute to all the friends that had made it convenient to be present for the opening of their sale of work. He might say that the idea of holding the sale of work started from a very small origin. When they brought the matter forward, their object was simply to have a small sale of work in their own school- room, but it ha-d developed, and eventually they decided to hold it in the Penrhyn Hall, so that they would enlist the sympathy of all the city to their efforts. People who did not feel that they had the right to take part in church work—thought they wrongly thought so—had come forward and worked energetic- ally, and he felt grateful to them. They ha.d two reasons for holding the sale of work. The first was that they had a debt, and they were as anxious as anyone else to clear their debt, although they had not a big debt. Their present debt was £ 2,750, which was not much when they compared it with the full value of the buildings, which was between eight and ten thousand pounds. Still. with two thousand pounds remaining as a debt, they were afraid lest it would get old. It was easier to kill a. debt when it was young than when it had become old. That was why they were anxious to rid themselves of that debt. They knew that their sifter churches in the town were en- deavouring to do the same. But they at Twrgwyn had' been inspired by their work, and he congratulated the ministers of those churches upon the work. He sympathised greatly with the senior minister of their city, who had done valiant work in connection with the debt of his chapel. Twrgwyn were anxious to rid themselves of the debt in order that they could then help their sister churches in the city (hear, hear). Debts always hampered the moral and spiritual progress of the church, and he hoped that they would realise a very substantial sum before it was over. They had during the last three years cleared a sum of £ 650, and he estimated that they could realise the sum of £ 3">0, so as to clear off in that- number of years £ 1.000. He regretted that the Rev Mostyn Jones, of Glanadda, could not be present, as he had left for a. cruise in the Mediterranean, on account of his health. He trusted that he would return having re- covered his health. There were several pro- minent .lady members of the committee ab- sent, who had worked faithfully and ener- getically all along. He referred with grief and disappointment to the president of their sale of work, Mrs J. Evan Roberts. She had been advised by her medical advisers to stay in South Wales, and they hoped that she would return having recuperated her health (cheers). She had sent a cheque for Y.10 (cheers). They had also invited Miss Davies, of Treborth, to the sale of work, but she could not come owing to another engage- ment. She had, however, sent a cheque for £ 1 Is. Mr Edward Williams had also sent, a. cheque for E2. Mrs Davies, of Llan- dinam, had also sent MiSt;, Menai Rowlands a cheque for ClO for her stall; all of which sums they were grateful for (cheers). He had great pleasure in asking Mrs Davies, Treborth, whom they were all glad to see present, to declare the sale of work open. Mil's Vera Wynn Davies, at this stage, presented a beautiful boquet to Mrs Davies. Mrs Davies, Treborth, in the course ot a FEAV remarks, expressed her regret that TAVT- gwvn Chapel was in debt, for it was, she gwyn Chapel was in debt, for it was, she believed, one of the oldest chapels in the city, and she had hoped that it was one of the blessed chapels which had escaped debt. At the C.M. Association meeting at Menai Bridge, last week, the ever-present chapel debt question was discussed, and it was time one great effort was made to remove this incubus, for an incubus it certainly was, and she hoped that there would be a General Assembly one day when the joyful news would be proclaimed that their connexion wa.s clear of all chapel debts, for there was work for them in the wide world which they could not perform owing to the debts. There was also work for them abroad. She also hoped the day would arrive when institutes would be established in all villages and towns to counter-act the influence of the public-house, so they could see that a lot of work awaited them outside their own imme- diate sphere. She did not believe that bazaars would vanish with the chapel debts. S'he agreed with Mr Wynn Davies. that bazaars led to great co-operation amongst the chapel members. She also referred to the illness of Mr Wheldon, and said that she hoped the cloud which o'erspread Taber- nacle would soon pass. She had pleasure in declaring the sale of work open (cheers). Mrs Wynn Davies rendered a solo in a most excellent manner. The Rev Wynn Davies regretted the absence of several of their lady member*. arid mentioned th'aft- Mrs Charles Davies had givpn El to several of the stalls. The Rev Daniel Rowlands proposed a vote of tha-nk-s to Mrs Davies for having opened the sale of work, and Mr Broadie ,Griffi,tbe, seconded, oriia, the vote wais car- ried wittli acclamation. Business was then very briskly com- menced. The follow!n'g were the stall holders.-— 'Sewing Slil (No. 1).—Mrs John Bowren (■president), Mrs Hnsrhes, LH-s Menai (v'ce- wefiident), Mrs Hashes, Prince's terrace (treasurer), Miss Williams, Elm Bank (sec- retary). assisted fry Mrs R. W. Hughes. Brvn S-enrion; Mrs Evan Williams, Mrs Charles Bo wen, Mrs O. R. Rowlands. Mrs Willi,aTP-s. Vulcan House; Miss Gwl-adys Bfvwen, Mrs, Fames, Miss Doris Bowen. Sewing Stall (No. 2h—Mrs Jones. Creqn- irvn Miss Menai Rowlands (vice- pTesideni), Miss Pritchard, Brvnamedd (treasurer); Miss Dovie's. Mornnnedd (sec- retary) assisted1 by Miss Williams, Menai View; Mrs Thomas, The Crescent; Mrs Hugh Lloyd, M M. Thomas, Mrs Parry tHughee. Fruit and Flower Stall.—Mrs Gapt. Ro- berts (president), Mrs H. R. Jones and Mrs Dr. Thomas (vice-presidents), Mrs Hughes, Fron Eirian (treasurer); Miss K. Lloyd Roberts (secretary), assisted by Miss Paul, Mrs Evans, College road; Miss Myfanwv Hughes. Farrar roaf-1; Miss Katie Williams, Victoria avenue; Miss Hannah Jones. You-iig Ladier,' Stall. — Mrs Fitzgerald (preside™,), Miss Pritchard, Victoria Park (vice-president), Mies Jones, Pen'rallt road (treasurer), Miss Xan:3, Hughes (secretary), assisted by Miss Williams, Liys Tyrion; '1r:3 Prestldge, Miss M. Jones, Victoria Park Mrs Jones, Victoria street; M'ss Wiiliams, Clarence street; Mss Jones, James street; Miss Jones, Penllys tlerrace; •Miss Morris, West End; Miss Niii L-y Parry, Miss M. Paul, Miss Annie Pritchard, Fron square, Miss Elizabeth Williams, Britannia F-q, Stall "Yr Hen Lancicu." Mr T. R. Owen (president), Mr E. P. Dowel! (vice- president), Mr Griffith Williams ('trea- surer), Messrs L. 0. Jones and O. Pritchard (secretaries), assisted by Messrs D. Owen, G. O. Williams, Arthur Humphreys, Hugh Pritchard, R. Hughes (Wicklcw House), with Misses Winifred* Owen, Ella May- Jonas, Vercnica Prestid-ge. Refreshment, Stall.—Mrs 0. R. Rowlands 'and Mrs Rofb-ert Thomas (presidents), Mrs Hope Da-vies and Mrs E. P. Roberts (vice- preoidentsv); superintendents of teas, Mrs T. G. Jones an-d Miss Jcrcs. Coolderagh Mrs (Hughes, Park street (treasurer), Mrs W. R- Jones and Miss Susie Thomas (secretaries), ■assisted by Mrs Jones, 50, Melind'a terrace; Isaac Davies, 12, Albert street; Mrs Evans, Sunny Side Miss C. E. Roberts, 12, Crescent; Miss Pri'tchard, Snovvdon Villas; iMiiss Jones, Llvs Menai; Miss Pritchard, Albert street Miss Edtith Morris, Menai Vie w Mrs Thomas, Menai View with Mr Wan. Griffith, Park; Mr Richard Williams, Itejgerat street; Mr T. G. Jones, CoHege Road Mr Hughi-? Pritchard, Miss EIHie Jones, College road; Miss Hilda Wynn Davies, Miss Vera Davies, Master Holy Smith Owen. Master Aliirt Pritchard, Mr Emyr Humphreys, Mr Gwilym Humphreys, (Mies- Davies, Bryu Eglwys; Miss Xd.1ie Wiilliams, Cartreif; Miss Thomas, Prince's road. T- J" f"(-J..¡-- -L._J_£ I i He ucicoration L-ommittee consisieo on Mr Cornelius Hughes (chairman) with iMiesers C. Bowen, W. Hughes, Evan Wil- liams, T. Charles Williams, T. H. Evans, T. G. Jones, ltc. The Entertainment Committee consisted of Messrs Broadie Griffith (chairman), R. W. Hughes (vice-dhiairman), T. Charles Wil- liams, with Miss Oiwe-n Rowlands and Mr T. H. Evans as secretaries. The telegraph operatotis were L-i-ly (Hughes and Mr G wiiym Jones; and Mr J. [ E. EGlw6 was in charge of the shooting gallery. The" side entertainiments included a re- fined spectacular exhibition of mechanical wasx figures and living automata, grovy fair ■and historical groups. The ma.n.ipuLa.tor.s were Sigr.or Stephano and his man Petro. C'.Tubal drill by 12 girls from Garth School, instructed by" Miss Humphreys, amd in Inctikn songs in costume by Mis-s Veronica Prest-idge. The museum and art gallery, iwith 150 rare and valuable articles, under the charge of Messrs R. H. Jones and G. 0. Thorn-as. Mystery tent, Madtam Sinfi. Musical selections (instrumental and vocal) we-re rendered during the inter-yak by the Tabernacle Chapel Orchestra con- ducted by Mr H. Gwilym Owen) and the Universiity College Students. A feature of the sale of work was the great gymnastic disiplay given by the mem- bers of the Bangor Y.(-AI.C.A." under the in- .s'trtuc'tors'hip of Mr A. F. Maude, A.G.M. Thp performance wsts a most attractive item, and greatly applauded. Air Miaiude aNo gave an Indian club dis- play. 'i'h.e ocf the sale was an election, the oar-tdidates being Messrs R. W. Hughes and 1, es Rdbort Them as. The res ult of the poll will ibe seen in our next week's issue. The members of the Executive Committee -wene Mrs J. Evan Roberts (president), Mrs Humiphw.is and Mrs Smith Owen (viee- r.<r:sidente), Mrs John Rowlands (treasurer), a,nd the secretarial duties were IDCfi.t qLv Aret:O!\i'vÐ! discharged by 'Mrs Wynn Davies and Mr W. R. Jones, Garth. The sale will be opened to-day (Thurs- day) by Mr H. Bulke-ley Price, J.P.

ARE WE SAINTS ? (To the Editor "Observer and Express"). Syr,—A writer in your paper referring to the "request of the Rev T. C. Williams for the prayers of the saints to follow him in his work in America, raises an interesting point. The whole question of Armaments rests on the theory whether we are saints or not. Is there an inferior and superior raICe of men? Is England the elect and chosen people of God who have been placed in the position of Chief Magistrates of the world? It would be ridiculous to set a criminal as judge over another criminal. A judge ie always a superior person. If Englishmen are saints, then she requires the big Navy and Army not io defend herself but to see that other nations behave themseh*es. Are we saints? Are we M a. nation good enough to be the ruler of nations? Dreadnoughts are not the important factor; it is who makes use of them that counts. Put Nelson on an Anglesey Ferry boat and he would conquer the world, as Kaliff Omar did with his walking stick and barley and water. Put some men in charge of the world's biggest fleet and they may "muddle through. From what I hear and read, I should feel safer on the side of Germany. It is Avritten in the history books which children read that centuries ago the Roman Emperor &aw some English slaves in the market place, and re- marked, "Not Angles but angels." I wish they had remained angels. 1 would not hesitate much in drawing the sword and fi^htir.s on the Bi of the angels, but really I canifot trust "pothouse patriotism," nor can I trust selfish landlords and money- makers. If a rich landlord cannot sacrifice a bit of land for his countrymen out of work, I cannot trust that lie will sacrifice much if war comes. People may call me a traitor, but. I reailv can't be such a fool as to follow my co'iritrv when it is going to the cevil. "Into the mouth of hell rode the six hun- dr.ed:t" I prefer outside. Wales seems on the point of becoming the dominant nation in the United Kingdom, and the old gentle- man is showing me the nations of the earth she might rule if I rather love Wales. and the offer is tempting. I wish I could find some of the saints. I feel weak without, them. There is in this nation of a. superior breed the great danger of pride At-hufh ruined the Jews of the time of Christ. A big navy means a. big hat, and a big hat means a swelled head.—Yours, PEACE. -<

DISESTABLISHMENT. At a meeting of the Arvon C.M. Monthly Meeting, held at Brynmenai on Monday (the Rev R. W. Hughes, Bangor) presiding, the Rev Daniel Rowlands, Bangor, proposed a resolution dealing with the Disestablish- ment of the Church in Wales. The resolu- tion congratulated the Prime Minister on having, for the third time, introduced a Welsh Disestablishment Bill to the House, and hailed with delight- the attempt to ren- der justice to the Welsh nation, and that they earnestly hope it would find its Avay to the Statute book of the re-t.1m.Ilr S. R. Williams, Salem, seconded, and it was car- ried unanimously.

PWLLHELI MARKET. WEDNESDAY.—Butter, Is 3d per 1b. beef. 6d to ga: mutton, 7d to lOd pork, 6d to 9d boiling fowls. 2s 8d to 3s per couple ducklings, 5s to 5s 6d per couple chickens, Ss 6d to 5s per couple; eggs, 6s per 120; fat pigs, 4d per Job, porketa, IS-a to 33s.

| Do You Know 5 That, according to the "Christian World," Mr Lloyd George has grown much stouter this last year? From all her vales rejoices Wales, Though enemies would flout her, She fears no foes, for new sJie knows Lloyd George is growing stouter 1 That an unexpected performer proved a. great Succes." at a recent concert? That his appearance at the rear of the hall detracted somewhat from the attention paid to the plaform? That the hat and the eye-glasses were particularly effective? That, after a short conversation with the Mayor and the Registrar, the new arrival subsided into a chair, and listened, with air of critical appreciation, to the sing- ing? That why shouldn't lie? That, one football enthusiast smoked an ounce and a half of shag watching the match on Saturday? That he felt a little bit seedy afterwards? That the Avhole landscape became such a blur that lie found, himself walking in a direction quite away from the place he Avantcd to get to? That he had some work to convince his (friends that it was the shag and nothing else! Thax it really W1\1"? That the pale and abstracted looks of some Carnarvon people are to be attributed to the coming Eisteddfod ? That Ave hear that more midnight gas has been burnt during the last few nights than during the whole of the winter? That the flashes of imagination should have served instead of artificial light? /hat we hope the hard work will not be wasted? That, if the choir means to win. it must not go out of tune at the end ol tne "Tempest? fh-at, even when it does go out of tune, (glaring fiercely at it will not bring it back again ? That some people are getting very anxious about to-day's Budget? That we know one man who has purchased a stock of tobacco sufficient to last him a.bortt two months ? That eme. old lady says that if there is a tax on tea or sugar she will go up to London .and tell Mr Lloyd George what she thinks of him? That cc.-ne big lancllorris are distinctly anxious? "TIhlllt fnolxx!y else cares a button what happens to them? That, they get a pretty good time- of it, any- how so we needn't bother about it? Tha.t to let them pay a little bit more to- wards the maintenance of the country they profess to love so dclvortedJy-is only reasonable and right? That the Young Turks on the Bangor and Beaumaris Board of Guardians have de- posed their particular Sultan? That he was a very good Sultan, his only crime being that he had been on the throne rather too long? That the Young Turks were afraid that the longer he stuck there the harder it might be to move him? i That the revolution was accomplished very quietly, but, although there were so many soft speeches, there was a little soreness? That, after twenty-five years, this is not to be wondered at ? That, on the whole, we think everything will move quite smoothly, and we hope the Board will, in future, change its chairman every year? That a. young man who was trying to escape a motor ear on the Square the other day collided with a perambulator? That in his hurry to extricate himself he "od on a dog's foot? That the dog promptly resented it? 11 That the unfortunate young man now thinks he had better confine his walks abroad to mountains and other desolate places, where the- motors cease from rushing, and perambulators perambulate no more? That. Lleyn people are confident that the Disevs-tablishment Bill will be-come law? That they are so confident, that the sextons are obtaining jobs under the local authorities ? That as Lleyn is notoriously healthy as well as Nonconformist. it may be that the sextons fed the time hangs heavily, a.nd that they will like a little extra oeeu- patio n ? That the "clochydd" is generally a handy man? That some amusement was caused at the County Court yesterday during the re- hearing of a Reddgelert case? Th at, some funny answers were given? That the advocate asked one witness "How did you go home?" That the answer was-. "On my two f(){)'t, That the other question was: "How do you know that it was the 30th J u n! That the reply was: "Because it was the art d.ay of the month?"

COMMON OINTMENTS USELESS. 15 WEEKS' BLOOD-POISON FROM A CUT. ZAM-BUK StHOWS ITS WONDERFUL POWER. Thousands of workers daily run risks simi- lar to those which brought Mr John Gil- christ, of 33, Marsh road, Middlesboro', sitnch. a shocking leg from blocd-poison. Yet Mr Gilchrist, thanks entirely to Zam- BuJt, now bears no signs of injury. "Work being slack at the ironworks where I am employed," he told a local reporter, 'T got a turn at the docks. During my morning's work there, an iron gate 'jutnlpof:Xl' and caught my right shin bone. Beyond stopping the, bleeding I took no notice of the injury until a few days later throbbing and shooting pains attacked the leg. I found the wound was festering, amd foolish- ly encjigh I applied some cheap ointment I had: by me. "My leg swelled and pai nod me so that I could not sleep a.t night and I had to stay mny from work, though times were very bad. Deis-pitc every core the leg got worse, and for 15 A\-e<eks my life was miserable. I tried oinitiments and salves, but they were useless. 'iHiappi-ly. Zam-Bnk was brought to my notice one night, and I dres.se-d my leg with it. I slept all the night through for the finst time for many Aveeks. and i.n the morn- ing was surprised at the imijwOTement Zam- BuJt had made. After a few mere dressings with this rare balm the swelling went down. Zasm-Ruk continued to draw out the poi- sonous matter, and when the wound was olefin again a new skin grew over it. "I returned to my work with my leg per- fectly hem-led and thoroughly sitrooig again." Zam-Buk. which justifies its claim to cure eczema, ulcers, ringworms, and poisoned wounds, is prepared only 'by The Zam-Buk Co.. and sold by chemists at Is 1, 2s 9d, or 4" 6d a box, each box being scaled witli the Government Stamp.

Without Prejudice. SOME CJJ.'AJvCE-S. We are continually told, particularly in the English press, that the Welsh novelist is a lon-g time coming, "the novelist who will do lor Wales what Sir Waiter Scott did for Scotland," we are told. Personally, I think that he will come when English i-eaders are in the mood in which they were in Scott's time, and when the publishers' foolometers have got rid of the idea that, the only essentials, oi a novel are an astound- ingly unnatural plot and plenty of dialogue. At last- year's National Eisteddfod, all (English publisher very kindly offered about, sixty pounds- altogether, I think, for a novel descriptive of Weish life. Whether this magnificent offer succeeded in bringing out a Welsh Scott, I don't know. The real trouibie, of course, is that Welsh writ-ers write mostly in Welsh, and that for a cen- tury or more, Welsh scholarship was shame- fully neglected by those responsible for Welsh education, so that writers had a. very- limited outlook and a very poor command of the language. For most of them, until the present educational awakening, Welsh literature only meant the products- of the ] ast two hundred years or so, the poorest of its periods. But there is a good time coming for novel- ists, for Welsh ones, that is, or for English ones who know merely a few Welsh phrases to scatter about their "tales- of Welsh life," perhaps. buch a novelist may actually win twelve guineas for two novels, five for one, t) and seven for the other. The five guinea novel is to be a. "historical novel of Welsh life, with original characters who lived in Denbighshire during last century." The subject for the seven guinea, romance is "Maelgwn Owynedd and his times." For this chance, the novelists have to thank the Colwyn Bay National Eisteddfod Committee. It will be seen that the first novel could be written without- much historical study, but the reference to "original characters" is not very clear. The subject- of the second requires much research to enable a. writer properly to deal with it. I believe Pea-cock dealt/with the period, but now his works are only known to the few. An Eis- teddfod prize of seven guineas and about, twelve months' time are not likely to pro- duce anything in any way comparable even to the writings of Peacock. If Eisteddfod Committees wish to encourage fiction of this kind, they must give bigger prizes and more time. But it is not the novelists only who have a chance at Colwyn Bay. Any scholar, in- terested in Welsh poetry, and not, interested in his own finances, may win fifteen pounds for the best collection of the unpublished work of any Welsh bard who flourished in the Tudor period, together with a RJwri, life of the. poet, and critical notes upon his works. Then fifteen pounds are offered for a work on "The origin, history, and deve- lopment of the Celtic branches," and twelve pounds for a treatise on "The in- fluence of the Romans upon the language, eivilis-stiou, and heredity of the Cymry." Nor doers the above exhaust the chances of the budding genius. Ten pounds are offered for a critical essay on the works and genius of Llew Llwyfo, and ten pounds for a somewhat similar work on Twm o'r Narrt. A collection of Denbighshire folk-hire would bring in ten pounds, and the same amount. is thought to be sufficient for a "handbook containing abort biographies and selections from the works of deceased Welsh poets." As almost every other Welshman claims to be a poet, I think that there must be a misprint in the last sub- ject. One might he able to deal with the diseased poets in the way suggested, but even that would be a big order! But the ll-Mt chance of all, perhaps, is that-offered to the man who may be a scientist, a philosopher, and a theologian, in quest of ten pounds. He could raise the money by writing an essay on "The effects of the latest, researches into science and philosophy upon the theological ideas f the Cymry." The poets get their usual chances. For the chair, the subject, is "Summer." One would have thought that good poetry on that subject is "already quite plentiful, and that jingling nonsense on the same subject is still more so. The crown subject—"Ednyfed Fychan"—ix better, and the choice of ^Deirdre" as the subject of the "love-song" is to be commended. But, for the "cy.vydd," we have "The Angel" a-s subject. Altogether, the committee has been too ambitious. It has aimed at a list of sub- jects which ;s too comprehensive, and n prize-list which is too limited. I am never surpr.V+ed at anything that an Eisteddfod 'Committee does, particularlv when, an in Colwyn Bay, thev appoint adjudicators on the sectarian principle. All the same. 1 have a desire to thank the committee for one thing, and that M, that, they did not. offer the eliair prize for the ''Colwyn Bav 'Holiday Hand-hook," although, if they had done so, the hards. could undoubtedly handle the hand-book quite as well as they can -nm up the Summer. -u

THE SLATE TRADE AND PROTECTION. MR ELLIS DAVIES, M.P., AT PENYGROES. RADICAL AND CONSERVATIVE EVIDENCE. Mr Ellis W. Davies, M.P., addressed a meeting of his constituents at Penygroes on Friday night. Dealing with the slat's trade, he said, although trade was bad, there were signs of imiprovement. It was stated that therfc was lees unmploymetrt, and also an increase in, the number of work- men employed in the building trade, on which the slate trade depended. Some people argued that the introduction of foreign slates was the cause of the depres- sion in this country, but he could say, on the authority of two gentlemen WHO WERE WELL KNOWN to those present—one of them a. Radical and the other a Conservative—that the depres- sion was attributed to the depressed state of the building t1"ad, For over twelve years the quantity of slates produced was less than was necessary to supply the needs of the country, and he was not sure that the conduct of owners of quarries, when tilings were going well, had not militated against f the slate trade (hear. hevr). It was well known that a most, unreasonable price was charged during the Penrhyn Strike. The "fleet of that- was that builders were pompelled to use tiles, &c., for roofing purposes. Foreign slates imported into this vountry had decreased from 87,157 tons in 1904 to 30,641 tons in 1908. It was said- that the production o? slates in this country had decreased. That was true; but, whereas the quantity of foreign slates imported was reduced by 66 PER CET., the production of slates in this country had only decreased by 16 per cent. (applause). It was suggested that the remedy was the taxation of foreign goods, but he argued that the working-man would receive no benefit by the imposition of such a tax. If a. tax of 2& 6d was put on foreign boots, the result would be that the price of boots would be increased by 2s 6d, and the purchaser would have to pay it. The 8a.me thing applied; to other taxes which might be imposed. It was. invariably being paid by the purchaser in this country (applause). Mr Daviee went on to refer to the position of the working-man in France and Gar- many under a system of tariffs. Wages in France were 5s in the £ less than in this country, and the working-man in France worked seventeen hours a week more than the British workman. Food in France was also dearer. Twenty shillings' worth of food in France could be bought in this country for 16s 6d (applause). The &tate of things in Germany was still worse. Did the quarrymen of Nantlle Vale wish to live- under such conditions ? Mr Davies believed it was necessary to change a great deal in the system in vogue in the quarries, parti- cularly as regards the- "bargain" system. What was defective in this country was, not the want of capital, but the need of a system which would provide that every section should have a fair portion of the wealth produced (applause).

UNIVERSITY COlli CE OF NORTH WALES. NEW BUILDINGS. FURTHER MUNIFICENT GIFT BY THE DRAPERS' COMPANY. Principal Sir Harry Jl, Picichel "has re- ceived the following resolution from the Draipers' Company:— "At a Court- of Assistants of the Drapers' Company held iVL. Drapers' Hall on the 22nd April, 1909, "Resolved "That a. further donation of tl6,046 from the cash of the company be made to the University College of North Wales, Bangor, the amount, together with the grant of £ 5,000 previously made by the company, to be applied in payment or the cost of erect- ing the new Library and Museum at the College. "E. H. POOLEY, "Clerk." In consequence of this gift, which pro- vides for the whole c-ost of the building of the Library and Museum wing, this portion of the ColIegeo buildings will bear the name of the Drapers' Company. The sum which ■now remains to be raised towards the total cost, of the present section of the new build- ings is £11,000.

AN APPEAL FROM LUSHAI. A N ilVE BOY'S LETTER. We have received the following quaint appeal from a native of the Lushai Hills. We print exactly as written by him:- Tjufthai Hills is a hilly country, it lies to the east; of India. Its illllabitante, are very ignora/nt, having no alphabets during hun- 11 dreds, of years. And about 15 years ago -.N Missionaries made 24 letters out of English alphabets, and they are very easy to learn. And a man can read Bible (Four Gospels and 1. and If. Corinthians translated) very AVell in three months even if he begins from b, c." And the suri-oundingnations who are civilized and have more knowledge. despise us instead of helping us, and look upon us a« dogs, pig", and monkeys, and oi'len call us "monkey, &e. when thev get an*ov and displeased. There are two miss ion am- stations one in South Lushai and one in North Lushai. Now -ili,ere are about one thousand Lushais who can read and write their own Language. Most of them learnt themselves at home. asking friends who knew a little. "Aijal is the missionary station in North Lushai, a.nd there are 'about 800 Military Sepoys. And most of the school boys here are feed by Seooys, and the how; clean their v-ooking-pote, &-p. in return. Many young (Lushai) men often come to the missionaries to ask them to feed and send them to school, for some of them are living very far from Aijal, if thev want to f'ome to Aijal thev have to walk very steep ways about 20 io 100 miles, and very difieult 1o feed themselves in Aijal, even if they have rice enough toO live at home no bul- hi.ks and homv. to carry rice for tbim. Here in Aiial one man can live on 6s (six whillingw) nicely for a month. I notice "that m("IRt of the VOHnp- men who v«me from far vill,,igep to Aijal to learn often longing for God's work, when the-" gain a little more knowledge of God: and went out from here, as' EvnnQ'elistR, tench- ens, &c. Missionaries are doing their best to sumxvrt the young men who come from far villages, bl; only missionaries, cannot cii-,iorf such a 1 r. of vounar men. Dear reader, if vou see our hanerrv coun- try you will b* s'^mri^tT: most of the peo- ple ire as a blind"1 an. Avithout reading and vriting. God a"il't "The silver is mino The gold is mine." R. T)ALA, Lushai Christian. Aijal. Lushai Hills. 27 March, 1909.