The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

Rural District Council Th-. met tin7 of the Rural District Council ii,as subsequently held, Mr. W, E. Rieburde,, Felin.gwm, presiding. REFLECTION UPON FARMERS AND A PROTEST. Submitting- the report of the Roads 'Com- mittee, Mr. J. Lewie stated it han been re- solved that where roadmen will be spared by the surveyors t.) assist farmers, the wages to be paid by the farmers' will be the saroo as paid by the Council, namely, 4s. 4d. per day. „ Mr. J. J&ohajrdig mentioned that when people worked with iariitci-B it was the custom to give them food. So, he thought, the payment of 4e 4d. in money was not fatr. Mr. Thos. James—I wae very glad to get 4c.boUrer>s to assist for 5s. a. day last summer. Mr. J. Richards-But is in reference to general farm work all through the year. It does not aprply to the hay harvest. I know of plenty of men who would v illmgly pay 6s. cr 7s. a day to men during the hay baivcst, and who would then not look upon the workmen until the next hay harvest came round. The Chairman—We thought where food was given it should be taken into consi iora- tion and the amount adjusted. Mr. J. Bor-in said there was another sitfe to the question also. They were told of men working with the farmers and only getting a few pence. It could be proved that some of their men only got 2e. 6d a day and had to take their own food. Mr. J. Rionards demanded that the matter be thrashed out, and asked Mr. Bevan to mention oio case in point. Mr. J. Bevan—I call on Mr. Thomas, the surveyor. He was the author of it. Mr. J. L. NVilliarns-I don't think it's to the advantage of the public to know. Mr. Evan Davios-It may not be, but it is a matter of fairness to these people that are blamed, and I challenge — Mr. J. Bevan—You are a prcgietsive furmer, we agree Mr. Evan Davies-That isn't the point. Mr. Robert Matthews-If Mr. Ihornas proves it to you and Mr. Richards it will bo alright. Mr. Evan Davies-It isn't far. The thing has beer made public. The Chairman ruled the matter out of order. Mr. J. I", ards-I will submit to your ruling, but when a man makes a. remark in a public meeting, it is th general custom that an opportunity be given for contradiction in public. Mr. Evan Davies—Mr. Thomas should sub- stantiate his statement. Mr. rhomie I.the surveyor) said all he wai.ted was protection for the men. There v.ere many farmers that were prepared to i)ay a substantial waga, but there were other different cases. Mr. D. Glyn Jenkins-The best protec- tion is to keep them on the road. Mr. Evan Davits— e have no substantia- tion at ail from Mr. Thomas. It i* most oorardly. COMMON LAND FOR ALLOTMENTS. Mr. J. L. Williams moved that an appli- cation be made to Lord Cawdor's agent for permission to take allotments on the Bettws and Black mouiit-iihs for cultivation pur- poses during the war, and uftei r ,„a/ds, if necessary. He said thera was no i>e<x ssity for him to dwell upon the importance of the uiban, when all the councils of the King- dom were using every endeavour to ir.crease our food prooti ction. They had large tracts t oerrirnon land, much of which was very feitile if it were only properly cultivated. It could jpossibly only ibe cultivated now in u small allotments. At Brynamman and Bettws they had a large population within easy distance, and he thought there would be no harm at least in offering them the privilege of halving a plot to cultivate. Mr. Gomer Harries said he was in entire agreement with the motion, but he did not know that they were moving on the right lines. The people in his district. would en- thusiastically take up allotments, and there were no better amateur gardeners to be had. But they wanted to know the conditions under wliidh the plots would be 91-.en, and the position when the war is over. Mr. Evan Dalvies also thought it was only light that these people should have some understanding as to the conditions. He knew of instances of people working hard to cultivate plots of common land, and in a certain number uf years, the crown or the lord of the manor coming and selling it, and these parties, who had put all their labour and money into it, had to pay twice over for their own. Mr. J. L. Williams said they should have the Clerk to rrange with Lord C\o\"dor'¡¡ agent, and he had no doubt that the charge would be purely nominal, and the ground given for a certain period. Mr. D. Thomas < xplainej the steps taken at. Llanfynydd. The parish council there had been informed Iby the Board of Agri- culture and Fisheries that for the purpose of cultivation they could take possession of common land and fence it in. Mr. D. Glvn Jenkins said power of deal- ing with common land had been retted in the parish coined. Cierk—To a certain extent, but the lord of the manor is interested and equally so are the homagers. Mr. J. Richards believed those Act, ,bad now been placed on on.>. side. They read of placea li,k Cardiff commandeering land. Mr. L. N Powell said he looked upon the matter rather from u different .standpoint from what an urban council would do of land in close proximity and plenty of labour t(; work it. They were in a rural district, and although, he had listened closely, he had not hfard it suggested where it was pro- posed to get labour to cultivate this common land. They all knew of farios in that union that might be cultivated but could not he cultivated on account of lack of laibour. To his mind it would be a far more Stine pro- poal to get into touch with these fanners, to try and get extrt labour to cultivate fields which were adopted for cultivation, and where implements are on the spot ready for the punpcse He did not wish to throw cold water on this proposal, because we were all compelled to do everything we could to cultivate land to produce more food- But the quest,ion occurred to him whether in a rural district it would not be a fa-' better proposal to try and get the land alit-adv partly under cultivation, into thor oi trh working order, than to embark on rather a questionable scheme of trying to cultivate land which has not been Under the plough for generationll: Mr. D. Glyn Jerkins said tho farmers had already refused labour in the shape of Ger- man prisoners Of war. as they v-ere afraid of them. He contended that these men ought to be put to work on available land instead of being kept as guests in this coun try while our men have to work in Germany for a penny a day and are half staived. Mr. Wm. Williams said the object of the motion was to utilise common land close to the popilotts areas. Mr. D. W. Lewis sajid a great deal de- pended upon the question of security. He did not think a miner would give his leipuro hours to the cultivation of a plot unless he could be guaranteed the fruits of his labours for a leaaonable period. Mr. Jacob Daviea recalled that years ago farmers gave to cottagers plots of land to clcar for a (period of three years, and he shculd be prepared to do so now. Mr. J. Bevan—We have hundreds of acree tn our distriat that have not seen the plough since antereduvian times. It would be a good thing to the landowner to have it cleared as the land would command more rent afterwards. Mr. Robert* Matthews oortended that in a. rural district the parish councils were the bodies to apply to the Board of Agricul- ture. The motion was carried, and the Clerk was direcbd to communicate with the Board of Agriculture as well as with the parish councils in the industrial areas.

WELSH PASTOR'S RESIGNATION. The Rev. David Oliver has announced to the Welsh Oongregational Church at Holywell his pending resignation of the part-orate of that churdh, which he has held since 1873. He was ordained in 18M. so that. he has been 52 years in the Welsh Oon- gregational ministry. Ho is one of tho leaders of Nonconformity in North Wales, and is widely known as preacher, writer, and Nationalist. He is a native of Llan- fynydd, Carmarthenshire, and his first pastorate was at Llariberis, where he la- boured for nine years, after which he po- ceeded to Holywell. In 1903 he was elect d chairman of the Welsh Congregational Union. |

DR!LL HALL, LLANDOVERY THE war and PEACE. 1917 and —— Speaking at the Drill Hall, Llandoverv on January 1st, 1917, CAPTAIN"CREMLYN aiJ ;-Tlw most ter- rible war in the history of mankind had now raged --or about two and a. half years. The year that had just expired was one of ithe most momentoi:,? in the wonderful his- tory of the Auglo-Saxon race—a period piragnant with import not only to the country, and Constitution, and Empire to which they were prouder than ever to belong •Z i" -M'- ^'10 brave, undaunted Allies—to ■the bri.hant constellation that had struggled! ;so coiirt!zeoti,siv against overwhelming odds —Thank God the rank rivers of blood that threatened to overflow Europe and civilisa- tion with its devastating floods of unbridled disaster and unshakable atrocities had been dammed lapqliuse). The spawn of iniquity had been largely exterminated. If the rats had not been dug out of their holes (laugh ter) their breeding grounds had been dis- turbed their ships of war penned in their pestiferous canals; their Zeps, brought down in flames; their sheds burnt down by fire; itheir tnasteri of the air successfully cihal- lenged; their black Johnson's silenced; their submarines rammed torpedoed', or netted (loud cheers); their colonies con- su/ered; their road to Paris permanently closed; their road to Calais and the Channel barred; their road to Bagdad and the East stopped. On land and sea, in the heavens above, and on the earth below and in the wa-ters under the earth, the Huns were being surely strangled (loud applause). At Verdun they were hopelessly defeated by" the intrepid French troops; on the Somme they were pushed back hellter skelter by Hatg -ind hi« dour men (toheers). What a humiliating their enemies pre- sented to-day. Their arrival at the French capita' was two veare' orverdue, and the self- advertised world-conquerors of mankind, the Prussian blonde beasts, tho mighty apostles of teutonic lcultur, the slayers of ba.bes, the murderers and rapers of women, the fiacxi- ligious destroyers of God's temples, were now whining, a<nd screeching and grovel ling on their knees before neutrajsi and begging them to insist upon a pea-ce when there was no peace (hear, hear). The ring wai9 to be broken into in order to preVent JiVu k.u*'ly knocked out (laughter). The dove of peace let loose with iti olive branch for the eagle of war to pounce down Iupon; an ,ai'm.:ii*tIce arranged iso that Wilhelm and his death-head hordes might obtain breathing apace; of bourse, some of the peaoe-at-any-price merchants would tell you that was a venomous version; they would have you beliefve that Kaiser Bill was a magnanimous, sympathetic old soul, whose kind, g'enerous. lacerated heart, bled for the misery caused owing to the Govern- ments of Britain and France refusing to ad- mit defeat. He did not wish to be hard', to prolong their agony, to exterminate them. Having demonstrated his power) he could afford to exhibit graciousness (loud laugh- ter). KAISER'S MAGNANIMITY. The German Emperor may impose upon our simple, 'home-n-iido hllrid of Tittle Englanders; he miglltt even tickle the fancy of t,,ro-protid to-fi,-bt Wilson, but he would not bEnd thê Allies to the true inwardness of his machiavellian Bche-nes (cheers) The masquerading lamb can no more disguise the wolf's skin than the leopard can change Iim spots (laughter). He pretends <o want peace in ordier to be in a position to tell the neutral countries that we insist upon war. Just as well might a convicted thief pro- mise to reform and embrace honesty when penal servitude is the only alternative (laughter). There will be no peace on such 'terms. The war will continue until the Kaiset and hiS Prussian military auto- cracy is beaten (applause); unitl the Mad Mullah of Europe is destroyed; until the liberty of small nations ii restored; until ocmper>?<:ifcion has been exacted for the past, and g,u:irantees found far tho future (applnuse). There is no VIA MEDIA; no com- promise; no patched-up peace; no "as you were" solution possible (cheers). The Allies have staked their all upon this contest—they must hive security from another Germanic avalanche: quietude for social and com- mercial development; safeguards against the perpetual menace of huge armaments; peace to rebuild, upon moral foundations, international law and the oomatv of nations (applause). These are the principles for the preservation and maintenance of which the Allies are determined to win or die, tri- umph or fall (cheers). These are the very fundamentals of constitutional government, which can never flourish, or mature, or even exi in the fetid atmosphere of Prussian megalomania. Deepfte the magnificent efforts of their bralve sons and in|vinoible Allies, these objects had not yet been fully achieved, and the war must continue until they were fulfilled to the letter (cheers). He was not disheartened. He looked forward with a hope and confidence to the future. The enemy were anxious to make terms. These terms would not be accepted. They were tottering to their inevitable fall. They were on the verge of starvation. They were bankrupt. They were straining every neirve and employing (!)very sinister diplo- matic trick in order to cajole and hood- wink the Allies into premature negotiations ,for peace on Prussian terms. But they had the Aark on a taut line, and there muet be no slacking of the grip—no losing of con- trol until we land him high and dry (laughter and cheetre). NEUTRAL INTERFERENCE. The enemy were engaged in an endeafvour to drag in neutral countries to their assis- tance. They threatened the Allies with the wrath of these neuttral nations if the peaiae offer was 1 ejected. He (Capt. Cremlyn) would remind them of the most emphatic wanning giv.en by Mr. Lloyd George (loud applause!— then Secretary for War—now Prime Minister (renewed applause), to all web-meaning interfering interceefcariee. In plain, blunt Anglo-Saxon our great oountrv- man, anticipating this device, told all such neutrals to mind their own business; to keep off the graas (laughter); to wait until their advioo was asked for; otherwise their meddling would be regarded as a. hostile and unfriendly act (cheers). Such impertinence would not profit anyone. Was it likely that the APe, after bearing alone the heat and burden of the day. and travelling together a long way towards victory, would allow pusillanimous outsiders, who stood aside, or sat on the fence, or worefull) tngaged pro- fiteering, to butt in at the eleventh hour, when the danger was over, and take a share of the spoils and decide the issue (' No" and cheer") Certainly not. The neutrals who suffered for so long from cold feet would not be welcome. They would not be ad- mitted into the confidence of the Allies. They would take no part itt arranging the term3 of peace. And do not forget that Germany has offered no definite terms. She has merely flown a balloon, and that a pricked one. She merely wanted to get the Allies into a conferem-,o without making any offer. She wanted to negotiate. But | there is only one effective way to negotiate with nn armed ruffian (batight*r). Tke Alice offer terms-Unconditional currender (loud applause). That was the only possible answer to the enemy, unless ail their loss of blood and treasure was to be in vain Would Germany »ver throw up the sponger xes, provided they mobilised the whole British nation: provided they were prepared to sink all differences and piaoe themselves at the disposal of their country, instead of trying, as some did, by all kinds of mean demises, to escape serving, and airoid responsibility. That was the only way to bring Germany to her knees. It wae the only hard way to a glorious and permanent peace. They had got the men. They had found the man (applause). But the Prime Minister and the new Government would be helpless with- out a determined and united idountry be- hind them. Away with party politics; tear off all labels, abolish creeds, cease equab- blin-combine, uqjite, concentrate and I focus all your energies upon finiehing the war and clearing the blockade from the path of freedom, so tha.t you may travel once again the ways of liberty and take up once more the stern duties and the genial, pursuits of an oulightemad and civilized people (applause). WHEN PEACE OOMES. So much for the present. What of the day when peaoo comes-when the grim tragedy of war ;6 past—when the black, angry clouds of unrest have rolled away, and the sun shincp resplendant in the heavens; when the dark gloomy streets are illuminated; when the shopikeeper may lift his blinds and show his (roods without ofieriand advertise his existence, with blazing electricity, without fear of fines aiii penalties (Laughter). When curfew will not ring at eight and they might Venture out of doors after dark without fear of loot- pad or stumbling and risking their recks. When a neighbour might veature to suggest I to his friend, That another little drink won't do any haim "—(laughter)—without fear of the sergeant or his worship the mayor. When trains, motors, and all the ameinities of existence were fully restored. Might he speak of such things, as an addi- tional incentive to forget everything el e and win the war, so thit paradise might be regf-ined. Nothing wouli be quite the same as before the groat calamity overtook Europe. Many questions which had laid doimant would have to be tackled. One thing he hoped for—that the results would not be all bad—thai good would come out of evil He 'believed that jealousy btrcween class and class would not be .'o bitter. Ex- travagance not so ramp;mt. That callous selfishness and indifference to poverty arid uffenng wotld decrease. That sympathy rnd neighbourly regard would temper com- petition and soften the struggle for exist- ence. (Applause). That the feeling of grati tude for our brave SOlltS wno foight and bled for King ajid Country, for home and Empire, would nú bo merely effervescent. (Applause). That titef would be lookod •after as a right and privilege and not left to r.tarve or to charity as happened after many of our prerious campaigns. (Hear, hear). That husbands and sons who had answered the call to arms would be as isted by an indebted State. (Applause). If the union of all classes taught depend- anco upon each other; taught them that labour as essential to capital-that Church and ohapel ought to combino fo rpui poses of common salvation; that all sections of the community had a real and legitimate place in the body .politic. Then, indeed, the war would not Rave 'been, in vain. (Ap- jlause). RE-ADJUSTMENT OF SOCIETY. Depend upon it, things could not be allowed to ramblo and shuffle along in. the old haphazard fashion. The right of pro- perty and capital would, he hoped, still re- ceive the protection of the State, but the old thrall oif serfdom had gone for ever. 1 (Applause). Labour would insist upon a fairer and mere equitable share of the wealth whiah it largely helped to create. Equality of opportumty was the Iri-cdue-able minimum which the industrial classes would accept from a State or the defenc3 and mamtenaiics of which 90 per cent. of those engaged belonged to that order. Courage, he need hardly say, was not the prerogative of any particular section. No one would give evidence more gladly to the bearing of their officers than those who fought under them. (Hear, hear). No one would be more eager to testify to the bravery of the aristocrat than the working-man" ho strug- gled shoulder to shoulder with him in the trench and on the plain, m defence and offence. No thinking man doubted this coinage of the race. It had been proved again and again. It had buivived all ordeals. It had won fresh laurels for the glory and renown of British arms. (Ap- plau). Might he hope that all classes would be equally patient friendly and cour- ageous in the severe test that lav imm'di- ately before them fhe future was replete with difficulties. All the geniue, and cour- age and intellect of our people would be requisite to steer the ship of State through tho stcrm and stress oi the near future. (Hear. hear). There wo lid have to be a complete re-adjustment of eociety. He cculd not to-night enter into details. But old standards would go by the board—old idfals be sacrificed. Old quarrels—which had often wasted the time of Parliament— wculd no longer be tolerated. The member, would have to represent the electorate, and cease t. bo the mere obsequious creatures ai the party caucus. (Applause). DECENTRALIZATION. Perhaps some form of decentralization might prevent squabbles about Irish ;.ffairs; local government, church and chaipel occu- pying too much of the time of Parliament, and give it the opportunity of attending and give it the opportunity of attending generally to wider matters of Imperial, com- mercial and domestic importance. The times following the war woul 1 no doubt be sti enuous and the economic conditions fall of difficulty. But he w by no means de- spondent. They were not played out. Their course was not run They would face the awaikening—tho bloodle68 revolution- with stout hearts pnd clear heads. He be- lieved that the genius of their people for statesmanship would rise superior to the difficulties ctf the new iregurAK, Privilege might have to go, but sound, democratic, progressiva government would remain. A fair field and no farvour. A healthier envi- ronment, sanitary conditions, decent dwell- ings, congenial workshops and factories must be constructed. An equality of opportunity and no handicap, save only the natural one imposed by tho mental, physical, and moral difference between man and man. Genius, not birth; brains, not wealth, ability to 0' serve the country and not the power to re- sist the will of the State would be the crite- rion of worth, in an administration ambi- tious, not to set class against class, and Labour agavnst Capital, but to promote the hi.ppir.ess, contentment, and prosperity of the people, and the strength of their great Empire (Loud f.fplause).

RHEUMATISM-KIDNEY TROUBLE Rheumatism is due io uric acid crystals in the joints and muselog, the result of ex- cessive uric acid in the system tnat the kidneys failed to remove as nature in- tended. and this acid is also the cause of backacne, lumbago, eciatioa, gout, urinary trouble, stone, gravel, dropsy. Bstora, Tablets«, u epecifio based on modern medi- cinal scienoe are the successful treatment, and have cured numberless obstinate cases after the failure of all other tried remedies, which accounts for them superseding out-of- date medicines sold at a price beyond all but the wealthy. Women frequentlv suffer from ills, aches and pains, under the impression that they are victims of ailments common to their sex, but more often than not it w due to the kidneys, and in such cases Eetora Tablets will set them right. Estora Tablets-an honest remedy at an honest price -1/3 pejr box of 40 tablets or 6 boxes for 6/9. Alt Chemists or postage free from Estora Co., 132, Charing Cross Road, London, W.C. Carmarthen Agent A. 1. Jones. M.P.S., 16 Lammas-street. (P281—23:2

EARLY LAMBING. Mr. Willie James, Talardc! Farm, Llan- dilo. has had pome lambs since last Satur- day, December 30th, and ia the first ie. the surrounding districto to receive this year's lamhs.

last week was the anniversary of the faU of thp castles of Cardigan and Kiljferran, attacked by Prinoel Llewelyn about r-00 years ago. »

LLANDOVERY RURAL TRIBUNAL The Tribunal acting for the rural district ojr Llandovery sait for nearly seven hours at the Town Hall on Wednesday last to con- sider 38 applications for exemption from service. Mr. D. Davies, J.P., of Rhybhd, presided and there were also pre- sent:—Mesfcrs. L. Roderick, Nouaddfawr; W. Thomas, Tremavon: T. Evans, Aber- naint; T. Williams. Cwmllynfo-uchat, T. Davies. CViusawdde; N. Nicholas, l.i;n- wrda Shop; D. Lewis, Ynysborde, and D. Jones, Aehet.li; together with the Clerk (Mr. O- T. M. Jones); the Military Representa- tive (Captain Edwards), and the Representa- tive of the Beard of Agriculture (Mr Thos Evans). AGRICULTURAL CASES. A farmer from the district of Bethlehem appealed for the exemption of his servant man, aged 27 years. Temporary exemption until 1st May granted, conditionally upon 20 acres being ploughed, sowed, and harvested; ona acra to be for t'/otatoes. The claim of a farm servant from Pump- saint was adjourned to enable the man to be examined by the Army Medical Boatrd. The tenant farmer of the seme farm, which comprised 147 acres, was granted a conditional exemption, applicant stating that he had already one brother serving in the Army in France and who had recently been I reported as missing. A Pumpsaint farmer claimed exemption for his son aged 18 years. The case was. however, adjourned until the young man received his colling up notice for service, but the applicant was requested to plough 20 acres, one acre to comprise potatoes A Llanddiiwsant farmer made a like Expli- cation, and tho same decision was arrived at. A Llandovery fanner appealed for the exemption of his son aged 29 years. Conditional exemption wsuj granted pro- vided 30 acres of land were ploughed, 2 acres to oomprise potatoes. Another llandoverv farmer, v. ho occupied 60 acres of land, aged 35 years, was given a conditional exemption, but applicant was requested to plough 14 acres of land. A Llanddauf-aint farmer, holding- 68 acres, was granted a conditional exa-npiion upon his ploughing 15 acres one acre of which was to comprise potatoes. A Llanwtdy, farmer applied for the ex- emption of his son, aged 25 years. Conditional exemption waea granted, but 25 acres of land were to be ploughed, one acre to comprise potatoes. A Pentretygwyr, farmer was granted a conditional exemption for his son aged B3 years, conditionally upon 27 acres Ixurv ploughed, one acre to comprise potatoes. A Bethlehem farmer was granted a condi- tional exemption for his son aged 23 years, conditionally upon 314 acres being ploughed, 1.1 acres to comprise potatoes. A I farmer was granted a tem- porary exemption until 1st May next for his servant man to enable a substitute to be found -by that date, the exemption to be conditional upon 31 acres being ploughed, of which 1 acres ""re to comprise potatoes. The npp<u! of a Llansradook farmer for the exemption of his son was adjourned to the next meeting, the Military Representative stating that there were three sons on the farm, one of whom was now before the County Tribunal. A farmer from the Llandovery district <upiplted for the exemption of his sen, aged 22 years. A temporary exemption until May 1st next was granted, so that a suitable substitute rray be found meanwhile, and conditionally that 20 acres were ploughed, 2 acres to com- prise potatoes. A Llansadwrn firmer claimed exemption for his head farm servant and ploughman. Temporary exemption until July 1st next. A farmer irom Gwynfe appealed for the exemption of his son. A temporary exemption until 1st May next. was granted, conditionally upon 15 acres being ploughed, of which 1 acies wer3 to comprise potatoes. A Llaiugadook farmer claimed exemption for his son aged 26 years. Temporary exemption granted until 1st May neixt, conditionally tnat 85 acres were ploughed, of which half an acre was to comprise potatoes. A farmer from Gwynfe applied for the exemption of his son aged 30 years. Temporary exemption granted until 1st May next, conditionally upon 15 acres being .ploughed, of which 1 acre was to comprise potatoes. A fanner from Llandovery applied for the exemption of his son. Temporary exemption granted until 1st May next. conditionally upon 22 acres being ploughed, of which 2 acres were to comprise potatoes. A Llandovery fairmer claimed the exemp- tion of his servant man Exemption granted until a satisfactory si-l»stitute was found, conditionally upon 22 acres being ploughed, of which 2 acres were to comprise potatoes. A farmer from thJ Rhmdirm^yn distiict, eged 28 years, claimed exemption. It transpired that the applicant was gran- ted a temporary exemption ui-til the j 9th December in Octcbar last, with no further right of appeal witbout leave from the Tri- bunal. The application was accordingly dismissed. A farmer from Liangadock, ,-hose hold- ing oompris:d 66 acres, was granted a condi- tional' exemption upon 10 acres being ploughed, and also that the applicant worked one day a week on other farms. A farmer from Llandovery appealed for the exemption of his servant man, 25 years of ag-e. Temporary exemption until the 1st May next conditionally upon 12 acres being ploughed, 2 acres to include pctatoes. A farmer from Halfway was granted a conditional exemption for his eon, condi- tionally thit 30 acres were ploughed, one ircre to comprise potatoes. A Llandovery fcimer aged 38 years, who was joint occupier with a brother above military age, was given a temporary exemp- tior until 1st May next, conditio nelly upon 52 acres 'being ploughed, 2 acres to comprise potatoe. A farmer residing near Myddfad applied fo* the exemption of his son aged 24 years. Conditional exemption granted provided 111 acres were ploughed 2 acres to comprise potatoes. A Crugybar farmer applied for the exemp- tior' of his brother, who was a servant on the farm. Temporary exemption until the 1st April next Wii; allowed, so thai1; a suitable substi- ttitc, might be found meanwhile, but on the condition that 25 acres of land were ploughed, one acre to comprise potatoes. A Crugybar farmer, who was the joint occupier of t farm 134 acres in extent, and 27 years of age, vras granted aI temporary exemption until 1st May next, conditionally upon 30 acre;3 being ploughed, 1 acre to com- prise potatoes. A fjirm labourer in charge of a farm in Talley district was granted a conditional exemption, provided he ploughed 25 acres, one acre to comprise irx.tatoes. Another Crugybar farmer claimed the exemption of 'his son, 18 years of age. Temporary exemption until 1st May next allowed. A farmer from Bethlehem appealed for the exemption of his farm servant. Ii transpired that the man was formerly employed on ai farITl near Broad Oak, Lian- dilo, and was released in order to join the si my. The appeal was dismissed. A farmer from the Llandovery district ashed for the exemption of his eon. Tcmiporary exemption granted until 1st May next conditionally upon 16 acres being ploughed, one acre to comprise potatoes. The next was a novjl application. The applicant was a female amd the tenant of a small farm n Uauwrda, parish, fund ap- pealed for the exemption of ner husband, aged 27 years, and some years her junior. The appeal was successful, a conditional exemption being granted on the under- I standing that the man worked on other farms one day per week. OTHER OASES A Llangadock butcher, whose appeal was disnnsf-ed at the last meeting of the Tri- > buiial. applied for a ro hearine- on the ground of new facts. The application was granted. and after he tiring the ..acts, the appeal was again dis- missed. A bacon ourer from Pumpsaint, who also occupied several acres of land, was granted a temporary exemption until the 27th March next. A bootmaker and repairer failing from I londdauBawit claimed exemption on the ground of being indispensable to the dhtriot. A conditional exemption was granted. An applicant from Llangadock. who was a draper, outfitter, stationer, and nowsagent, all combined, seeked exemption. Temporary exemption until February 27th next. was allowed with no further right of appeal without leavo of the Tribunal. A grocer, provision merchant, ironmonger and sub-postmaster at Pumpsaint, claimed to be exempted. Applicant caused some diversion by stat- ing- that ho had allowed his wife to issiet at the Red tross Hospital, which necessitated him working until midnighs at his books. His saci-ifioe was awarded with a condi- tional exemption. Summarised, the result of the Tribunal was that 15 conditional exemptions, end 16 > •• temporary exemptions were granted, three esses dismissed, and four adjourned.

TYCROES SHOT FIRING VICTIMS SHOTSMAN "VERY MUCH TO BLAME." The Swansea Borough Coroner (Mr. J. C. Moirisl held an inquiry on Thursday in last week into 'he circumstances surrounding the death of Henry Davies (30), of Garnganol, Tycioes, Pautyffjnon, who died at the hos- ( pital on Tuasday from injuries received as a result of an accident whilst shot-firing at tho Wernas Collieiy.As three of the witnesses spc.ke only in Welsh an interpreter had to be secured. f David Davics (brother) who also sustained 1 an injury at the same time, said he was working with his brother on December 19th as a collier. The shot-firer was a man of eight or nine years' experience. The first.. shot was fired and everything was all right i the shot-firer following his instructions in every detail. He then asked witness if he would connect the cable to the second shot a.nd witness assented, knowing, however, that it was wrong to do so. He did it out of kindness and en f ideration for the age of the shot-firer, John Thomas. Just as Luvies was about to do as, he wa" asked by Thomas, his brother arrived on the scene and was acquainted with Tl.omats' request and pro- ceeded to do what witness was aaked to do, the latter n the meantime performing some details in connection with the work. Whilst at the job the shot went off, and witness, who had his back to the shot, was struck at the rear off his head, ajid his brother, who had his faca to the shot and in closer proxi- mity to it, sustained more severe injuries to his head and body. Thomas was asked by witness, IN liy did you do this?" and the 'former replied. Why did you let the r.an" (referring to a labourer who had gone to where they were) "come up. I thought it was you By Mr. Own (Inspector of Mines)—Wit- ness had performed this oparation for the same ehotsman before, when there were two shots. He knew he was violating the law. and did it out of consideration for John Thomas. Did you know that the smoke from the shot affected the shotsman ?—No. What was the second shot charged with? —Twelve pligs of Samsonitj. Dr. Huibert Thomas (Swansea Hospital) said deceased was admitted on the 19th inst., at 6.45 p.m., with injuries to the arm. body and face. His sight was aho affected. He died from injuries received Owen Thomas. 9, ViHieri-road, Amman- ford, labourer, spoke to being- in the com- pany of the Brothers Davies, end corrobora- ted David Davies- evidence, and added that he told John Thomas he had fired, the latter replying that he thought he (Owen Thomas) was Davier, After the customs ry warning that he need not answer any questions which he con- sidered would incriminate him, the shots- man, John Thomas, Ileidre, was called and safid that the reason why he asked David IVvies to do what he himself should have done was because he considered Davies to be entrusted with tho, erk. He (Thomas) also sent a message to those below to remain there until the second shot was over in a rr:uck hole." which he considered to be a perfectly iafo place This instruction he gave to the fueman and Henry Davies. He expected Davies to have remained there in- stead of coming out. Witness re-affirmed Davie" Davies' statement as to its being a casè of mistaken identity as to deceased and Owen Thomas. Had not Henry Davies •come out the accident would not have oc- curred. By Mr. Owen—You gave definite instruc- tions for everyone ro get a place of safety* — Yes. Do -yeti 1 now that you Should youreaif see that everyone should ba in a place of safety?—Yes. Have you read the rules pertaining to the duties of shotsman?—I can't say I've read them all. It was your duty to examine the place before anyone went near it. Did you do eo on this occasion ?—No. Why did you contravene the rules in ask- ing Davies to do what waa your work —I can't explain that now, sir. Did you follow the usual custom in sliout- ing out any warning that you were firing?— No Is it jour custom to allow colliers to at- tach the cable?—No. Have yon been constantly warned about allowing colliers to meddle with the sbot- firing apparmtw?-Yes The Coroner, summing up, said the cause of death w-ig clear. If they believed the evidence of the last witness, he thought 'hat in sending a warning the shotsman probably thought he .'i.tid adequately filled, the require- ments of the law. He (the coroner did not 'believe any of them would be 00 conscien- tious as to fulfil the rules to the letter. 'It war, quit wrong for John Thomas to send down Davies to do the coupling, but he diared say it was a simple operation, and Davies went as soon AS asked. This was the most serious part of it. If he had gone himself he would have seen them clear. It was for th? jury to decide whether the neglect of duty of the shotsman. was suffi- ciently incriminating to ilustity their bring- ing in a verdict of manslaughter or whether the neglect was not so culpable as' to war- rant this. J lie manager remarked that this was the -fir-At accident of its kind in the colliery .for thirty years. It was a. great pity John Thomas did not go down himself. After a retirement the jury brought in a verdiot of Death according to medical evidence, the neglect on John Thomas part not being sufficient to justify manslaughter." The Coroner, addressing Thomas, an elderly man of 61, said undoubtedly ho was very, very much to blame, and much oould be traced to his negloot. The jury hoped that Thomas would take dur. warning from this In future Thc,ma.s-I will

Lord Derby has given instructions to plough up and sow corn in about 100 acres of the deer park at Knowslev Park, his Lordship's Lancashire residence. The death has oocurred at Bedford Park of Mr. W. M. Gee, who founded the Church Lads' Brigade in 1891 and had been secre- tary and chief staff officer ever sir oe. Over a quarter of a million past and present members bwe joired the colours, eleven of v hom have gained the Victoria Cross