The Tenby Observer Weekly List of Visitors and Directory

DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT. [BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT]. The Mauretania, the finest and fastest liner afloat, inaugurated the new Transatlantic service from New York to Fishguard on Monday, and in so doing gratified the desires of all interested in the fortunes of the Great Western Railway Company's great enterprise in North Pembroke- shire, as well as justified the prophecy of Brunei, the renowned engineer of the line, who many years ago foresaw a prosperous future for Fishgard Harbour, and made it his objective in the original plans as the western terminus of the Great Western Railway system. Brunei was, however, overruled by those in authority in his day, and Neyland was fixed upon but Monday saw the consummation of Brunei's project, and Fishguard will, it is hoped, figure as the principal port this side of the Atlantic for the landing of passengers and mails -from America. In her homeward run the Mauretania broke her own record time between Ambrose Channel Lightship, New York, and Queenstown by 2h. 54tnin., the details being :— Ambrose Channel Lightship, New York- Noon, Wednesday, August 25th: Queenstown—7.27 a.m., Monday, August 30th. Fishguard Harbour—1.10 p.m. Length of passage for record comparisons, 2807 miles (extra distance from Queenstown making total mileage from New York to Fish- guard, 2902 miles, as against 2951 to Holyhead, 2957 to Plymouth, 3015 to Liverpool, and 3076 to Southampton). New record to Queenstown--4 days 14h. 27min. Highest day's run—610 knots. Highest average speed—25,89 knots. The run from Queenstown to Fishguard was equally expeditious, and everyone connected with the inauguration of the new route was highly delighted with the smooth working of the day's programme. The Mauretania now holds all the eastward and westward records. Her westward passage reduced her previous outward record by 2h. 53min., while the round trip, out and home, occupied only 9 days 5h. 5min., an unpre- cedei^pd performance in Atlantic steaming. The importance 6f the event cannot be over- estimated, and, fully recognising the poten- tialities of the port and its certain bid for popularity amongst ocean travellers, the fifty pressmen, representing the leading journals of the kingdom, as well as of New York and Paris, who welcomed the liner's arrival deputed one of their number to hand the following congra- tulatory message to Captain John Pritchard, the Welsh master of the Mauretania, as soon as the passenger tender was alongside :— The members of the Press, including the representatives of the leading journals of the United Kingdom and the United States, assembled at Fishguard to witness the in- auguration of the Cunard new route to London, desire to congratulate you upon the splendid performance of the Mauretania on this epoch-making voyage, in which new records have been established, both eastward and westward, in linking in closer union Europe with America. In reply Captain Pritchard, with charac- teristic modesty, replied :— I thank the members of the Press for their good wishes. I am very proud indeed to be entrusted with the honour of opening the port of Fishguard for the Cunard Steamship Company. I wish the port every success, and all the more so because I am a Welsh- man. It was a memorable day of stirring events, but there was not the slightest confusion, every detail having been most carefully elaborated beforehand, and in the very near future the arrival of the great Cunarders will fall into the course of ordinary events, for the New York Fishguard service is to be a regular weekly and bi-weekly one. Everyone connected with the arrangements for the reception of the Mauretania and the transhipment of her mails, passengers, and baggage was 'early astir. The warm beams of the sun, from an almost cloudless sky, heralded a delightful day, and the work was conducted under most favourable conditions. Never did an expanse of water look more picturesque than did Fishguard Harbour. The beautiful coast- line, the shimmering stretch of the sun's reful- gence across the bay, the gay fluttering of the profusion of flags and bunting on the shipping and quays, all contributed to make a highly attractive picture. Fortunately, the cinemato- graph men had sufficient festhetic sense to ap- preciate the beauty of the scene which was taken in panorama for the delectation of the public throughout the country, who are evincing remarkable interest in the progress of the port. These pictures, illustrating the day's doings, were exhibited in London on Tuesday evening, and :it is hoped that before another week has elapsed the people of South Wales will be able to witness them also. A general holiday had been proclaimed throughout the Fishguard district, and the scheme of decorations at that growing town and at Goodwick was most creditable and effective. It was a thoroughly Welsh welcome that had been arranged, and outside Goodwick Station the roadway was spanned by a string leel.s Streams of people poured into this station from long distances early in the day. A special train had been arranged from Swansea by the Great Western Railway Company, but the officials had sadly misgauged the amount of interest taken in the inauguration, for the train was filled to its utmost capacity before ib had left Llanelly, and all aloug the line forward to Goodwick the platforms held crowds of in- tending trippers, who looked amazed at their special" running through without stopping to pick them up. Other special trains had to be run at short notice, and long before noon all approaches to Goodwick swarmed with people, who soon made for the summits of the hills overlooking the harbour in order to catch first view of the ocean greyhound as she came round Strumble Head, eight miles away. At eleven o'clock a procession was formed in Market Square, Fishguard, headed by the Pem- broke-Dock Temperance Band. The local 1':#' Territorials, ladies in Welsh costume, school- children, lifeboatmen, etc., marched over the Goodwick beach, and to the Harbour Station, and attracted much attention. Seldom can such a large number of genuinely old Welsh costumes and beaver hats be seen together as was witnessed in this procession. It is quite probable that some of those red wintles and beaver hats were actually worn in 1797 by the gallant Welsh women who that year frightened the French invaders from the hill overlooking the harbour, as these articles are now carefully preserved as heirlooms in the district. The steamer Smeaton was the first tender to leave the quay, the steamer Sir Francis Drake following shortly afterwards, with the directors and officials of the Great Western Railway Company and the Press representatives, and the steamer Great Western, which had to take off the baggage. As soon as the Mauretania was sighted coming round Strumble Head the greatest excitement prevailed, and the crowds lining the hill-tops were seen waving handker- chiefs and demonstrating in various ways, their movements being closely followed by the liner's passengers who were in possession of glasses. When she came within hailing distance a mighty cheer was raised by the party on the Sir Francis Drake. This was taken up by the crowds on the hill, and a hearty response was heard from the liner, greetings being repeated as the distance shortened. Several small craft whisked about, including a Cardiff pilot-boat, and the enormous dimensions and towering height of the Mauretania were exemplified very markedly when one of these little sailing craft crept up to leeward and tossed her way on the crest of the waves right across the liner's length. "If that is not a good picture of Dignity and Imprudence, tell me what is," was the remark of an official who was one of many tickled by the contrast. Without delay the Smeaton got alongside on the port side, and, notwithstanding the fairly heavy swell, the shoot was lowered from the Mauretania expediously, and the appearance of the first mail-bag being shot down on to the deck of the tender was the signal for a cheer of congratulation. As the transhipment of mails was proceeding the Sir Francis Drake also was made fast on the same side, a little further astern, and with the least possible formality, everything was in readiness for the debarking of the passengers. There were 578 passengers aboard. Of these ten joined at Queenstown. They were divided < as follow Passengers. Debarking at Queenstown 83 "Fishguard 238 Liverpool 257 A further analysis of the figures shows con- clusively that the cream of the passenger traffic was taken by Fishguard—a very important ele- 11 ment in the consideration of the financial factor. There were- I First-class passengers for Fishguard 154 Liverpool 66 "Queenstown 21 Over a thousand mail bags and parcels were transhipped with remarkable celerity, 899 being bags. The comparison in this department also is enlightening as far as the importance of Fish- guard as a mail port is concerned. The numbers were as follow — Mail bags for Queenstown 122 Fishguard 899 Liverpool 268 Liverpool 268 The Fishguard mail complement was tran- shipped in twelve minutes, which also estab- lished a record in dealing with such a quantity of bags. Strict account is kept of all these operations, and it was evident that the Maure- tania was out for record-breaking all round, and Fishguard and the Great Western officials can lay to themselves much of the credit. The mails were destined for the Continent, London, aad all parts south of Birmingham. The portion for South Wales, the Midlands, and the West of England were taken off the train at Cardiff, the only stop, where every provision had been made by the postal authorities for quick dis- patch. The South Wales mail bags were imme- diately to the Cardiff Post Office and sorted, the bags for Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth, Southampton, etc., being'dispatched from Car- diff by the ordinary mail trains. Bags are now made up in American centres for Cardiff and then re-distributed throughout South Wales and Monmouthshire. The Cardiff matter fell into the ordinary night delivery at 7.15, and it was hoped that Newport matter would also catch the last delivery. So much could not be expected for Swansea, but every effort was made to catch the first available trains. When the passenger tender arrived alongside the station quay wall those aboard were charmed to see eight good-looking young ladies, in Welsh costume and tall beaver hats, lining the gang- way and carrying large bunches of heather picked on the adjoining hills. Lord Churchill, very appropriately, as chairman of the Great Western Railway Company, was the first to land, and as he approached his lordship was presented with a sprig of heather, which he care- fully placed in his button-hole. A few minutes later his lordship returned and handed to each of the young ladies a copy of the handsomely- bound souviner preparad for presentation to the Mauretania passengers. Within a short space of time almost everyone on the platform was seen wearing, in lappel or hat, sprigs of heather bloom, whilst some of the Americans—especi- ally the ladies-walked proudly away with big bunches in their hands and deposited them care- fully in their compartments, where they were in turn presented with the souviner, With the compliments of the Great Western Railway of England." The other directors on the spot with Lord Churchill were the Hon. Albert Brassey, Mr Charles Mortimer, Mr Ernest Cunard, and Colonel E. H. Llewellyn, whilst amongst the chief officials of the railway company directing operations were Mr J. C. Inglis, general mana- ger Mr J. Morris, superintendent of the line Mr J. Vaughan Williams, assistant superinten- dent of the line, who was ubiquitous and most courteous to the large number of questioners, he being in close touch with all the arrange- ments Mr Rendell, chief goods manager Mr John Rees, divisional superintendent of the Swansea district (which comprises the new port) Mr S. A. Pope, commercial assistant of the superintendent of the line Mr Ramsay, marine architect; whilst the local officials who were responsible for the arrangements were Mr C. Irvine Davidson, the steamboat superinten- dent, controlling the company's fleets at Fish- guard, Plymouth, Weymouth, Neyland, etc. his assistant, Mr T. E. Williams Captain Reginald Sharpe, the marine superintendent and harbour-master; Mr Charles Bowen, the harbour station and quay superintendent and Mr G. Lambert Gibson, M.I.C.E., the resident engineer.

FLED TO THE WOODS. MILFORD FARMER ILL-TREATS HIS WIFE. At Milford Haven Police Court last week, Letitia Davies, of Castle Hall, Milford, applied for a separation order from her husband Thomas Davies, farmer, on the ground of cruelty and desertion. Mr W. J. Jones, Haverfordwest, who appeared for the applicant, told the court that the parties were married in 1896, but he regretted to say that their married life had been a very unhappy one, culminating in extreme acts of violence on the part of the defendant. It ap- peared that while returning from Little Haven sports on the night of August 19th, defendant got out of the trap and declined to be driven home. Afterwards at the house he struck down his wife, kicked her, pursued her into a neighbour's house and continued his brutal conduct there and after- wards in the bedroom. On the following day he again beat and kicked his wife, threatened to smash out her brains, and said he would take the rope for her." She flew to the woods with the child, and was wet, cold, and hungry when found by a police-constable. Defendant admitted assaulting his wife, but_said it was due to her drinking habits. The Bench granted the separa- tion, and made an order for the defendant to j contribute 10s. a week towards the maintenance | of the applicant and her ohild, with costs-

TARIFF REFORM MEETING AT TENBY. '1'- POLICE COURT SEQUEL. ALLEGED ASSAULT. CASE STOPPED BY THE BENCH. At the Tenby Police Court on Monday morn- ing, before the Mayor (Councillor C. Farley) and other magistrates, a case of alleged assault arising out of a recent Tariff Reform meeting, held in Castle Square, Tenby, occupied the attention of the Bench, who, however, stopped the proceedings and dismissed the summons. The compvluant was Henry Parsell, an ap- prentice, residing at No. 12, Harries Street, who charged Thomas Thomas, fisherman, of the Marine Baths, St. Julian Street, with assaulting him on August 6th. Mr G. Meyrick Price, solicitor, Tenby, appeared for the com- plainant, while the defendant was represented by Mr R. D. Gilbertson, solicitor, Pembroke. The Complainant, having been sworn, said that on Friday evening, August 6th, between eight and nine o'clock, he was, in company with George Jenkins and Herbert Thomas, in Castle Square, where a Tariff Reform meeting was being held. After the meeting a gentleman standing on the platform asked whether there were any questions to put, and this drew the crowd closer up to the railings. A little dis- tance away from himself and frieuds were three or four fishermen arguing with Thomas Nicholls. Defendant's father remarked [with referrence to a call for a vote in favour of the Budget] that those who had put their hands up were a lot of boys. He (complainant) had his hand up, and as he turned round to see who had spoken the same man said" There's another." With that he (complainant) back answered him, and his son, the defendant, came up and strnck Jiim three or four times. By Mr Railton (a magistrate)—He (com- plainant) did not strike defendant's father. By Mr Tuck (a magistrate)—He told him to go to h- Continuing his evidence in chief, the com- plainant went on to say that defendant struck him three or four times and knocked his glasses off, with the result that one glass was broken. He could not see without his spectacles, and was pulled out of the crowd. By Mr Railton—He tried to defend himself, but did not hit defendant back, as he was pulled out of the crowd. Mr Laws (a magistrate)—Didn't you think it wise to take your spectacles off before telling a man to go to h- 1 (Laughter). Complainant—I could not see. Cross-examined by Mr Gilbertson-He did not go down to Castle Square with the idea of attending this political meeting. He was not in the habit of attending such meetings, though once before he had done so. It was not true that he attended a political meeting last Friday and Saturday nights. He denied that he had attended a political meeting at all last week. He would swear that he had not done so. It was not true that he had interfered with the speakers and had to be remonstrated with by a prominent gentleman in the town. He would swear to that. He was standing close up against the railings at the Tariff Reform meeting. He would' not admit that before the defendant struck him there was a good deal of pushing and movement, nor would he admit that this commenced when questions began to be asked. He saw nothing of this kind before the defen- dant struck him. He admitted, however, that there was a crowd, but not a crush. He did not hear anyone call out What about the Budget He did not know that some in the crowd were holding up their hands because of that remark. In the course of further cross- examination he admitted that he was holding up his hand, and pressed still harder on the point said he was doing it for the Budget. In reply to counsel's question as to whether his remark about going to h- a proper one to make to a man old enough to be his father, complainant said he did not know. He denied that he came towards the defendant's father in a threatening attitude he would swear that he did not. "I put it to you," persisted Mr Gil- bertson, that you came towards him in a threatening attitude, and that young Thomas stretched forward to protect his father." To this the complainant replied "That is all false." Defendant struck him three or four times. He saw defendant strike and felt the blows. His (complainant's) brother was in the crowd at the time, and he rushed in afterwards and tried to find his spectacles. The Sergeant of Police was at the meeting, and he told him that his glasses had been broken and that he wanted the defendant to pay for them. He admitted, after being pressed, that he told the Sergeant it was Bob Hooper who had struck him, as at the time he did not know the defendant from him. He was confused at the time. By Mr Price—He did not use bad language to the defendant himself. He did not speak to him before or after he struck him. His glasses fell off when he was struck the first time. By Mr Gilbertson—He had no marks on him where he had been struck. His glasses did not come off as the result of being hustled in the crowd. Thomas Nicholls, junior, mason, No. 6, Park Place, Tenby, called for the complainant, said he remembered the night in question, when he went to a Tariff Reform meeting in Castle Square. Defendant's father was standing in front of him, and the defendant himself on the right-hand side of him (witness). When the speaker had finished his address a man in the crowd cried We will take a vote for the Budget," and he held up his hand in favour of the Budget, whereupon defendant's father turned and said "You are nothing, only a lot of boys." To this witness replied that he was not a boy, as he had a vote. Then young Parsell, the complainant, turned round and said something which he (witness) could not hear, after which the defendant struck him in the face. The complainant did not speak to or strike the defendant, who came up and struck Parsell unawares. He (witness) knew of no reason why the defendant should have struck complainant. Cross-examined—The defendant came up and struck Parsell quite unawares. He did not see the complainant get down from the railings and go towards defendant's father. Jle could not say whether Parsell was standing on the railings or the ground. He did not take any more notice of Parsell than anybody else there. He saw only one blow struck because his (witness's) friends pulled him back then. He did not ask them why they pulled him back perhaps they were afraid that he would have the same as the complainant; not that they were afraid he would join in the affair. He deuied that the defendant's father spoke his re- mark to those on the platform it was said direct to him; he would swear that. George Jenkins, a tailor's apprentice, living at No. 14, Edward Street, Tenby, was the next witness put into the box on behalf of the com- plainant. He said he remembered the occasion of the meeting referred to, and went on to explain that when the speaker asked if there were any questions the people got nearer to him. He (witness) was with the complainant and Herbert Thomas, and a little away from them were the defendant and his father, and other fishermen who were arguing with Thomas Nicholls, to whom defendant's father had said "You are like a young boy going about making a distur- bance." Parsell turned round when this re- mark was made, defendant's father saying There's another of them." Complainant back answered him, and defendant came up and struck him on the face, knocking his glasses off and breaking them. He was quite certain that it was the defendant who struck Parsell. The complainant did not have a chance to retaliate because someone pulled him out of the crowd. Cross-examined—He went down to see what the meeting was going to be. He was not inte- rested in Tariff Reform, neither was he a voter. He had no politics. (Laughter.) Mr Gilbertson having addressed the Bench and Mr George Thomas, of the Tenby Sea- men's Rooms, having given evidence, the magistrates stopped the case and dismissed it, each side to pay their own costs.

I LOCAL | NOTES. 1'- I was quite pleased to read in last week's Observer a letter from a lady visitor upon the subject of public bathing in Tenby, appearing as it did after some remarks of mine, in which I called attention to the bathing carnival existing on the South Sands, which up to the time of penning my notes had not, to my knowledge, elicited a sign of disapproval from either resident or visitor. As the owner of the bathing appli- ances plying for hire on the South Sands,—a trading interest, by-the-bye, purchased from owners who go back as far as the seventeenth century,—my readers will quite understand that personal interests are against my sup- porting indiscriminate public bathing from the rocks and sand hills which fringe our beautiful South Shore. Still, I am not foolish enough to imagine that the pecuniary benefit of any single trade can for a moment weigh in the balance against the true interests and popularity of Tenby as an undeniably beautiful bathing resort. Therefore, the question which should be settled is not whether public bathing should be stopped, but whether' it should not be confined to certain places which would permit of at least one good portion of the beach being available for ladies and gentlemen who promenade or sit about, and for children of all ages who play at building castles. fF fF I would not interfere with people who occupy rooms or houses situated on the front, and who value the privi- lege of being able to prepare for their dip in the briny in their own apart- ments and return thence to finish their toilet. This is very different to uti- lising the rocks, cliffs, or sand hills for undressing or dressing purposes. Per- sons from a distance who wish to do this should be strictly confined to cer- tain portions on either beach but it is not fair to expect the bathing-machine owners to see the local bye-laws en- forced. As one of them I have for many years refrained from taking any steps in that direction, and have always maintained that facilities should exist for public bathing free of cost, but the comfort and privacy of those who like to use a bathing-van should be equally studied. I have had many instances of private parties being an- noyed by bathers from the roeks, and it follows that if free and indiscri- minate bathing continues to be per- mitted even those who at present use vans or tents will emulate the general example and discard them. The beaches will thus become unfit for use by sensitive people, and the result will not, I believe, tend to the real advan- tage and. prosperity of Tenby. The subject is one that should be seriously taken up and considered by the Town Council. Regulations in the interests of all parties should be adopted and rigidly enforced. For many years I have advocated this being done, but believe that my pen has failed to achieve its object, prin- cipally because so many, who are in- different to the real welfare of Tenby, have pertinently replied Of course he objects because he's an interested party." The fishing competitions this season have been even more than usually suc- cessful. Mr Richard Davies, (manager London and Provincial Bank) and Mr J. H. Thomas (headmaster Parochial Schools) have been untiring in their efforts to promote a regular series weekly, with the result that as many as three competitions have been held in a single week, a departure which was never attempted in other years. Prizes have been given by visitors as well as residents, and a great deal of keen sport and healthy amusement have resulted from the energetic and laudable efforts of the committee. I can only wish that more committees consisting of two or three local gentle- men would undertake to provide amusement in other ways for the pleasure of the crowds of visitors who come to us during the season. < Last week a crippled lad whilst driving in a butcher's cart near Lydstep, found lying in the roadway, a prize in the shape of a purse con- taining a five-pound note and loose gold and silver, which he took home to his father, a poor working-man, well- known locally as Jim the Dray; and lionest Jim brought it to me to ask what he had better do with it. A small advertisement accordingly ap- peared in a last week's issue, with the result that a lady visitor promptly came forward and claimed the purse, which was handed over to her by the Editor after she had minutely de- scribed its contents. Jim's little cripple lad, I am glad to be able to say, was rewarded with a sovereign for his honesty, the owner remarking in her gratitude that the people of Tenby were a very honest lot." # Considerable praise is due to Mr Edward Laws and Mr Isaac Parcell, who between them have had the refuse tip by Lower Saltern converted from a rubbish heap into excellent pasturage quite an acre in extent. Mr Isaac Parcell has laboured hard at the work with the result that people entering Tenby from the Marsh Road no longer have their senses of sight and smell offended. The Borough Surveyor (Mr Bertie Morley) has also had Corpora- tion men busy removing objectionable articles from the Ritec Stream, and it is much to be hoped that both stream and refuse heaps will be kept clean and tidy for the future in the interests of the community at large. fF I went on Friday night last to the Budget Protest meeting held in Castle Square, and never have I been present at a more disgraceful affair. Tory speakers shouted at Radicals and Socialists, who ha-ed silly remarks or ignorant, senseless queries in return. One of the orators succeeded in ob- taining a moderately fair hearing, but the self-constituted chairman was not at all suited to the task he had set him- self, and ended in abruptly closing the meeting. Some confusion ensued as a result of this untimely conclusion. A stranger got up and amidst other ravings shouted The dukes is a 'owling! Let 'em 'owl says I! Its time they 'owled. If I 'ad my way with 'em I'd smash the lot of 'em. Three cheers for Hasquifli (Great cheering). Three cheers for Lloyd George (Cheers and groans). But the most objectionable part of the proceedings was the behaviour of a number of boys and so-called young men. These hooligans, for I can find no better name for them hae-d the speakers, shouted silly remarks, or booed at anything and everything. As a sample of their intelligence, I need only say that in answer to one of the Tory speakers for questions to be put on the Budget, a young ass quite close to me shouted Who was the first man to swim the Channel?" No doubt he thought himself very smart and clever, but in my opinion he made a ridiculous exhibition of himself. # If Friday night's assembly is a poli- tical meeting, then it is time that all sane people realized the seriousness of the position. Abuse was never a sub- stitute for argument, and if the poli- tical topics of the hour cannot be rationally discussed as between the rival parties then it would be better to dispense with such meetings altogether. Proceedings of the nature I witnessed only bring politics into bad odour, and cannot possibly advance the cause of either side. When I last saw the chair- man he was being escorted up the street by the police and followed by a crowd. J journeyed to Goodwick on Monday last for the purpose of seeing the Mauretania arrive and land mails and passengers at Fishguard Harbour for the first time in history. It was an interesting, although extremely tame affair. The heather clad cliff above the hotel must have held several thou- sand people, whilst on the opposite side of the harbour other large crowds could be observed. Shortly before one o'clock three guns were fired, and at six minutes past one the great ship glided into view, proceeding very slowly to the end of the harbour, where she dropped anchor; a magnificent sight in itself, but I was surprised to see no flags at her mast- heads. Three tenders, after hovering round her like flies round a jam pot, even- tually got alongside, and half-an-hour later left loaded with passengers, mails and baggage. The great ship, with two blasts of her hooter, slipped away just one hour after she had dropped anchor, and so ended her sensational visit to the Great Western Railway Company's new harbour. The weather was delightful, and the sea as calm as the proverbial mill-pond. !i- At Goodwick I saw a few young women attired in more or less correct Welsh costume, but not a cheer, as far as I could hear, either welcomed the arrival or sped the departure of the vessel. The railway company had gone in for some decorations with flags and banners, but as everybody was reli- giously shut out from the harbour, enthusiasm was damped, and even the girls in Welsh costume were wandering aimlessly about. A string of leeks stretched across the principal street just above the bridge was the first ex- hibition of public decoration by the natives that met my eye. 1f. The yarn about Welshwomen fright- ening the French into submission upon their attempted invasion of Fishguard more than a century ago has always seemed to me to lack something to sub- stantiate it as unvarnished truth, and I consequently read with the greatest interest the following letter in Mon- day's Daily Telegraph, which I venture to quote in extenso, as I feel it will be of considerable local interest:— NEW OCEAN PORT. To the Editor of the Daily Telegraph. SIR,—In your interesting account of the "Ancient History of Fishguard," and the abortive attempt of the French invasion in 1797, under General Tate, while reference has been made to the gallant way in which Lord Cawdor, at the head of the local Yeomanry, Militia, and scythe-armed peasantry, and the Welsh women and girls who turned out en masse to defend their country, no reference has been made to the part which the representatives of the sister service took.in the matter. May I state that my maternal great-grand- father, Commander William Dobbin, R.N., at that time commanded the Milford Haven station of what would now be called the Coastguards, but was then known as the Preventive Service, under the Board of Customs. When he heard that a French fleet was in sight, he put to sea on one of H.M. Revenue cruisers, and with the cunning of a sea-dog let the French vessels give chase, leading them into shallow waters and getting them aground. The ships were finally captured, and H.M.S. Fishguard, which was for many years the Com- modore's ship off Woolwich Dockyard, was, I believe, one of the identical ships then taken. For his services Captain Dobbin received a sword from the King, and silver plate from the Trinity House and Patriotic Society. His remains are interred in Steynton Churchyard, Pembrokeshire, and on his tombstone is re- corded the fact that he was for fifty-seven years employed on active service under the Hon. Board of Customs afloat, and received many testimonials of approbation for brave, gallant, and meritorious conduct." It may be of interest to your readers to know that Mr Dobbin, of Felixstowe, Suffolk, is his eldest grandson, and the representative of that Nor- man-Irish family of Carrickfergus which has siuce been located in England.—I am, etc., (Rev.) W. J. MACKAIN. Claremont, Harrogate. F. B. M. THE TATLER."

TENBY COTTAGE HOSPITAL. The following subscriptions and donations are acknowledged with thanks:- Mrs Foley jEl 0 0 "CycleRepair" (donation). 0 2 6 G. E. MAIKLANK, Hon. Sec. and Treasurer.

MASON'S STREET MAP OF TENBY, showing all the streets and public buildings in the town, North and South Sands, etc., should be in the hands of every visitor. Price 2d. To be ob- tained from all local newsagents or at the Obsetver Office.

TENBY FISHING COMPE- TITIONS. I VISITORS' CONTEST. For visitors exclusively a special fishing com- petition was held on the Royal Victoria Pier on Monday afternoon, when prizes as follows were offered ;— (1) silver photo frame given by Mr C. Mottram (2) Welsh milk jug given by Mr C. J. Hoffmann (3) fruit pocket knife supple- mentary prize photographic album to the lady catching the smallest fish. These were won by (1) Mrs Mottram with a plaice weighing 61bs. 12 ozs. (2) Major Seymour; (3) Miss Yaughan supplementary prize, Miss N. Keep. Mrs Mottram's fish is a record in these competitions, and the landing and weighing caused great ex- citement. Mr C. W. R. Stokes, in distributing the prizes, expressed a hope that the visitors when they leave would carry with them a feeling that there was no better place than Tenby to spend a holiday. Mr T. P. Hughes proposed and Mr S. G. Rogers seconded a vote of thanks to Mr Stokes, which was carried with acclamation. Mr Stokes said he would be very pleased to give a prize.

SPECIAL COMPETITION. Mr C. D. Allen (son of the late Mr C. Smith Allen), who was spending a few days in Tenby last week, having expressed a wish to give the committee 95 to be spent in prizes, one of which was to be a cup to be won twice before it became the property of the winner, the com- mittee arranged a competition for Tuesday, when the prizes were a silver cup, a silver clock, and a silver jewel case, all given by Mr Allen and a ladies' silk lined work basket, given by his friend, Mr E. A. Howarth, to the lady catching the smallest fish. The Mayor (Councillor C. Farley) won the cup with a plaice weighing 21lbs. The other winners were Mr J. Hodges, senior, and Mr Rees (postman). Miss McArthur took the basket. Mr Robert Lock, in presenting the prizes, alluded to Mr Allen's father as a well known and highly respected tradesman in the town, and in replying to a vote of thanks, proposed by Colonel Voyle and seconded by the Mayor, said that although he had never fished from the new pier, in his youthful days he had been very successful in catching large red gurnets from the old pier and the rocks under the Castle Hill. Mr Lock hoped the committee would allow him to give a prize.

The sixth weekly competition came off yes- terday (Wednesday) afternoon, when 27 keen fishers-iiot only manfully, but womanfully- faced a cold northerly breeze in contesting for four prizes, viz. a valuable Aneroid barometer and thermometer in oak frame, given by Mr Thomas Angel a sweet dish a fruit stand, given by Mr W. Howells; and a supplementary prize (a bicycle bell to the competitor catching the smallest fish). Mr F. E. L. Mathias Thomas secured premier honours, the other prizes fall- ing to Mr Keep, Mr Mottram, and Mrs Waddy. Miss Angel presented the prizes. Mr Mathias Thomas proposed and Mr Mottram seconded a vote of thanks to Miss and Mr Angel. Mr Angel in replying said he hoped the winner of the first prize experienced as great a pleasure in his success as he did in giving the prize. Mr Angel also indicated the necessity of making the pier more comfortable for those who en- gaged in these competitions, and hoped the committee would make representations to the proper authority to get this done. Mr T. P. Hughes, in an eloquent speech, proposed a vote of thanks to the committee, and said that both Mr Davies and Mr Thomas had devoted a con- siderable amount of time in arranging and car- rying out these competitions, and that their successful efforts were deserving of the highest praise. The vote was seconded by Mr Angel. Mr J. H. Thomas briefly replied. Next Saturday afternoon a competition, open to visitors only, will take place, when the follow- ing prizes will be offered :— (1). A silver wristlet watch, given by Mrs Mottram. (2). A silver-mounted toilet box, given by the Rector. (3) A solid leather purse. A supplementary prize (a motor scarf), given by the Executors of the late S. Davies and Co., to the lady who catches the smallest fish.

CORRESPONDENCE. CHURCH OF ENGLAND WAIFS AND STRAYS SOCIETY (Children's Union). 1o the Editor of the Tenby Observer. SIR,- Will you allow me, through the medium of your paper, to most sincerely thank those who so kindly helped this year at the matinic and sale of work in aid of the above society. We are again greatly indebted to Mrs Bancroft, who undertook the arduous task of managing the tea. Also we wish to tender hearty thanks to those who assisted her so willingly, as well as to those who took part in the programme to Mr and Mrs Sydney James and the members of their company, who so gene- rously gave their services and to the Tenby Pro- menade Band to the stall-holders, who worked so energetically, and to all who contributed in various ways to the success of the afternoon, by gifts or by generous help. Mr George Lyons again very kindly posted the bills free of charge. We must also add a word of praise and thanks to the C.W. members and associates who worked so zealously throughout the year in preparation for the event and to support- the Tenby Cot," and who rendered great help on the day of the sale. The financial result is as follows:- Takenatgate. JE914 6 Sale of tickets c -i*. f. workstaii 3" 545 Flower Stall 1 7 7 Children's Stall o 3 4 Boyb' Work Stall 1 3 g Bran pie 0 7 6 Fishpond. 0 17 10 Programmes 0 18 6 Lenten savings and collecting boxes 2 1 6 Donations- Mrs Lock £ 0 10 0 Mrs C. H. Smith 0 10 0 Mr G. Mainland 0 10 0 Miss Pearse 0 2 6 Miss Lloyd 0 2 0 Miss May 0 1 0 ———— 1 15 6 0 10 Balance from 1908 8 14 8 £ 38 15 6 jLess printing and advertising £ 1 19 6 Mr George Chiles 2 7 0 Room for classes 1 6 0 Material for classes 5 3 0 Incidental expenses. 1 12 0 Forwarded in aid of St. Nicholas Chapel Fund, Pyrford 1 0 0 13 7 6 Balance £ 25 8 0 Yours faithfully, ALICE BAGNALL WOODMAN (Hon. Branch Sec.) Tenby, August 31st, 1909. I

DR. BARNARDO'S HOMES COLLECTION AT TENBY. To the Editor of the Tenby Observer. SIR,-The amount collected on Saturday last on behalf of Dr. Barnardo's Homes amounted to tin £23, made up as follows :—House to house JE11 14s. street collection, JE11 6S, Will you permit me to thank all friends who helped to make the effort a success, especially the collectors, for without their aid we could not have achieved this result ? Thanking you in anticipation, Believe me, yours faithfully, GEO. W. EDGBCUMBK ( Organising Representative j. Park House, Pembroke-Dock, August 31st, 1909.

MASON'S SIXPENNY GUIDE TO TENBY, revised and enlarged edition, is now ready. Contains a street map of the town, together with a new series of attractive illustrations, To be obtained at the Observer Office, the local newsagents, of Wywau and Sou's bookstall.