The Tenby Observer Weekly List of Visitors and Directory

A.- ANNUAL MEETING OF WELSH INSTITUTION. ELECTION OF MR. A. H. BROOKMAN AS PRESIDENT. A goodly number of members of the Wales and Monmouthshire District Institution of Gas En- gineers and Managers met at Tenby on Wednes- day of last week for the purpose of their annual meeting, which was held in the Royal Gate House Assembly Rooms. A cogent reason for Tenby's selection this year as the place of meet- ing was the election as President of the In- stitution of Mr Alfred H. Brookman, the esteemed manager of the local Gas-works, who has been connected with the Cbmpany for thirty-three years, during which long period he has witnessed a remarkable development in the Tenby undertaking. Mr Thomas Acland, the retiring President, occupied the chair, and in addition to the members of the Institution there were present Alderman J. Leach (vice- chairman of the Tenby Gas Consumers' Com- pany, Limited); Messrs. George Chiles, William Lewis, and Thomas Tucker (directors) and Mr C. W. R. Stokes (secretary). In the regrettable absence of the chairman of the Company (Mr H. Travers Smyth), the members of the Insti- tution were formally welcomed to Tenby by Alderman Leach on behalf of the directors, and in the course of his remarks expressed the pleasure which the directors felt at the honour conferred on their excellent manager, Mr Brookman, by electing him President of the Institution for the ensuing year. During the time which Mr Brookman had been associated with the Tenby Gas Company he had rendered good service to the undertaking, and the speaker had no doubt but that he would render equally good service to the Institution. Mr Leach then gave an interesting sketch of the historical associations of Tenby, and at the close was accorded the thanks of the President on behalf of the Institution. In the course of his presi- dential address, Mr Brookman, who was en- thusiastically received, said the Wales and Monmouthshire District Institution of Gas Engineers and Managers had been in existence four years, and he held the opinion that district associations such as their's served a purpose even more useful than that of the parent Institution of Gas Engineers. For one reason, they could hold their meetings in towns, such as Tenby, which were not likely to be visited by the Institution of Gas Engineers. He con- gratulated the Sir George Livesey Memorial Committee on having established a Chair of fuel and gas engineering at Leeds University, as the great need of the profession was the best obtainable scientific and technical training. He regretted the first student had not entered the gas profession. There was room in the gas industry for more practical appreciation of the trained scientist; Referring to the report of the Departmental Committee upon the system of accounts of local authorities of England and Wales, Mr Brookman urged that gas engineers under local bodies should retain their authority, that the changes suggested by the Institute of Municipal Treasurers and Accountants should be opposed. Speaking of technical matters, the President dwelt on the many changes, both in the manufacture and supply of gas, that had been brought about in his experience, and while some of these had relieved managers of many worries, others had added greatly to their re- sponsibilities. The tendency towards an equal consumption in winter and summer made it necessary to duplicate many parts of the works, and to keep up uniform pressure day and night. There was a growing tendency to adopt labour saving appliances for every purpose, but he urged that very great care and caution should be exercised before undertaking capital expen- diture which might take years of saving to overtake. The past fifty years had been marked by great advances in all the industries of the world, and not least in the gas industry. Al- though gas no longer held the monopoly of artificial lighting, the improvement in the means of using it for other purposes had placed it in a much stronger position than it held before, and through the great invention of the Welsbach it was unsurpassed in the beauty and cheapness of its light. Mr Brookman's in- teresting address was followed by an admirable paper on "Some points in Gas Economy," written by Mr J. H. Canning, of Newport, Mon., and read in his absence by the secretary, Mr Octavius Thomas. An illumi- nating discussion followed, taken part in by Mr Acland, Mr J. W. Helps, and Mr Norton Humphries. A paper descriptive of the Tenby Gas-works, prepared by Mr Brookman, was also presented to the meeting, in which the writer, after tracing the history of the local undertaking, said—"Year by year the con- sumption of gas steadily increased, and good dividends were paid until the expiration of the first lease in June, 1896, when the output stood at 15,000,000, with a capital of £11,250 and a reserve fund of £1150. The corporation then approached the company with a view to pur- chase, and the company made them an offer to sell their undertaking for £15,000, but the cor- poration, after a great deal of correspondence, and many meetings, decided to lease the works for a further term of 32 years, the company paying an increased rent and a fine of £1200. The price of gas was to be regulated by a sliding scale, dependent upon the price of coal delivered at the works. Shortly after the reo newal of the lease the company erected a new purifying plant, using oxide of iron exclusively for purification. Regenerator furnaces have been adopted, which have greatly improved the working and increased the make of gas and coke per ton of coal carbonized, while the public lamps have been converted to the incan- descent system. These improvements add very materially to the economical working of the con- cern. Nearly thirteen years of the new lease have elapsed, and during this time the com- pany's business has steadily increased. The capital employed is £14,450, with a reserve fund of £1052, the profit for the past year being £1432, after putting aside S125 for depre- ciation. At present the annual output of gas is 27 million cubic feet, and the company's in- come last year from all sources were about £8000. The population of Tenby is about 4500. At the present time there are 850 ordinary and slot meter consumers, supplied by the company the number of public lamps is 175, and the length of mains is about seven miles." Mr Robert Browning, of Neath, was elected as the representative on the Council of the Institution of Gas Engineers. At the conclusion of the business the members repaired te& the De Valence Gardens where they were photographed by Mr H. Mortimer Allen, afterwards ad- journing to the Royal Gate House Hotel to be entertained at luncheon by the directors of the Tenby Gas Consumers' Company Limited.

THE LUNCHEON. Alderman John Leach occupied the chair at the luncheon, whilst the vice-chair was filled by Mr C. W. R. Stokes. In addition to the members of the Institution and the gas directors there were present the Mayor of Tenby (Councillor C. Farley) Mr Richard Davies (manager of the Tenby Branch of the London and Provincial Bank) and representatives of the London and local Press. An excellent and well-served re- past was provided by Mr Max Krempl, the popular manager of the Gate House Hotel, to whom at the close the guests expressed their appreciation by a hearty vote of thanks. The duty having been declared off tobacco, the toast list was dealt with, the nrst "The King," being submitted by the Chairman, who referred in eulogistic terms to the peace-making qualities of his Majesty. The toast having been enthusiastically honoured, The Chairman gave the" Wales and Mon- mouthshire District Institution of Gas En- gineers and Managers," coupled with the name of the President, Mr Alfred H. Brookman-. The President, after toast had been cordially received, suitably responded. Mr Acland, the retiring President, gave the toast of the Tenby Gas Consumers' Company, Limited, Mr William Lewis, (director) responding on behalf of the Gas Company, said it gave them great pleasure to entertain the members of that Institution, as they (the directors) believed that it was the means of helping to advance the interests of the gas industry. Thoy could truly say that since the formation of the Tenby Gas Company in 1876 the main object of the directors had been to supply the public with a good article at a reasonable cost. (Hear, hear). To do this they had spared no effort to im- prove the works and to obtain the very best plant procurable. It was only fair to say that a great deal of the success of the company's operations was due to their excellent manager, whom he was pleased to see had been elected President of the Institution. (Applause). Mr Brookman submitted the Mayor and Cor- poration of Tenby, and in doing so referred to the cordial relations which existed between them and the Gas Company. The Mayor (Councillor C. Farley) in acknow- ledging the toast, said he had been on the Tenby Corporation for quite twenty years, and during that period the relations between the Gas Company and the Corporation had, he thought, always been very pleasant, although some years ago they were rather strained, the occasion being when the lease expired. Matters wore settled amicably, however. With regard to Mr Brookman, the speaker thought he had plenty of grit in him, which, perhaps was accounted for by the fact that like himself he was a Somersetshire boy. (Applause). Mr T. Tucker, who gave The Press coupled with the representatives of the London and local papers, said he felt sure that the toast would be received by them in a friendly spirit, although it seemed an incongruity for a gas director to submit suoh a toast as "The Press," when he had been slated and hated by them on every oocasion. But as a gas director he was like the meter, impervious to it all. Mr Harries (Ga$World) Mr Edmonds (Llanelly) Mr E. H. Leach (Tmbvand County News) and Mr R. L. C. Morrision (Tenby Observer) responded to the toast. The Chairman gave the toast of Mr C. W. R. Stokes, the Secretary of the Gas Company, which was duly acknowledged by Mr Stokes. The thanks of the company having been ac- corded Mr Max Krempl for the excellent luncheon provided, the proceedings terminated.

TRADESMEN'S COMPLAINTS. .A BAD SEASON. Now that the season, as far as Tenby is con- cerned, has closed, we have endeavoured to as- certain the views of those best qualified to express them on the important subject of its success or otherwise. The concensus of opinion is decidedly pessimistic as to the character of the past season it has not been a satisfactory or profitable time for many tradesmen, though the tenants of the smaller houses in the town seem to have had no cause for complaint. As a matter of fact, to this class of people the season just closed has been a good one, which is ac- counted for by the large number of artisan and working-man families who have spent their holidays in the town this year. Whilst some of the large houses have remained unlet throughout the whole summer the small houses have been constantly full. In num- bers," said a well-known local business man to us, when discussing the subject, visitors have almost established a record at Tenby this season, but the quality has not been what we have been accustomed to in former years. Taken on the whole it has not been a good season." In almost every instance there has been a tendency to blame the railway com- pany for the poorness of the season as far as the absence of better class visitors is concerned. Now-a-days," said another tradesman, "fast and comfortable trains are essential to every holiday resort, and it is this advantage which Tenby has sadly lacked during the past summer season." There is also a pretty general com- plaint that the number of day excursionists has not been up to the past records, whilst in many cases we are told people who came by them were of no material benefit to the town by reason of the fact that they brought their own provisions with them. "The poorest and the closest lot of trippers I have ever known was the comment of a tradesman whose business to a great extent relies during the summer upon day excursionists. That the railway company might have done very much more for the good of Teuby is a statement which will be every- where endorsed by those who have reason to depend upon a good season to tide them over the quiet months. The town has not been treated as it ought to have been in this impor- tant respect, and the general opinion is that a united and determined effort ought to be made to induce the Great Western to devote more at. tention to Tenby next season. In the con- nection of health resorts and railways a local correspondent has been good enough to draw our attention to what the London and North Western are doing for North Wales, and at the same time has kindly favoured us with a copy of the Welsh Coast Pioneer, which contains a long and interesting account of a conference at Colwyn Bay between the superintendent of the North Western line and representatives of local bodies as to the general advertising of North Wales as a health and holiday resort. In the same paper there is a leading article dealing with the subject and it seems that the people of the Northern part of the Principality do not intend to allow the grass to grow under their feet in the matter of bringing pressure to bear upon the railway companies to do everything possible to advance the claims of the various picturesque holiday resorts. In North Walea the past season has been a good one the rail, way companies have done a good deal in the way of advertising and booming and next year still more is likely to be attempted in the same direction. Cannot Tenby awake to the fact that to a very great extent the future of the town lies with the Great Western Railway Company and endeavour to move them to enterprising action ?

MR. WHITELAW REID A PASSENGER. One of the 84 passengers arriving at Fish- guard by the Cunarder Caronia on Saturday last was Mr Whitelaw Reid, American Ambas- sador, who told a Press correspondent that he had been having a little vacation, the first for the past 18 months. Mr Reid came off the liner along with the rest of the passengers (84), attended by his valet. He travelled by the Fishguard route to reach London in order to keep an important appointment on Sunday. Wonderful expedition characterised the dis- embarkation. The Caronia was seen rounding Strumble Head at 4.40 on Saturday. At 4.47 she was off Penanglas, she anchored at 4.58, and was away again for Liverpool at 5.19. The whole disembarkation from anchoring of liner to departure of express (5.50) occupied 52 minutes. There were 26 bags of mails and a heavy collection of baggage. 0 The officials present were Messrs. J. V, Williams and J. Rees, Swansea. THE NEW OCEAN PORT. The Great Western Mailway Magazine for October contains some interesting matter and pictures relating to "Fishguard, the new port of call for oceau liners," together with a description of an interesting journey, "The run of the Cunard ocean special.

_18'a. PROTEST MEETING AT HAVER- FORDWEST. MR. MARLAY SAMSON AND THE GENERAL ELECTION. A Budget protest meeting, in which Mr Frank Gaskell, Conservative candidate for East Glamorgan, was the principal speaker, was held in the Masonic Hall, Haverfordwest, last Friday evening. Mr Marlay Samson, who is mentioned as the Conservative candidate for Pembrokeshire, presided, and said that wher- ever they went they heard there was going to be a General Election, and the large audience that night made him feel that when this Government had the courage to go to the country the town and county of Haverfordwest would know what answer to give to the Govern- ment. He welcomed that opportunity of examining the details of the Budget. He sup- posed no Bill in the history of the country had been 80 absolutely chameleonlike in its character. Mr Gaskell said they were told that this was a poor man's Budget, and that the burden of taxation imposed would fall on millionaires and ukes. That was an insult to the poor, who were quite as ready to pay their portion of taxa- tion as the rich. He submitted that the pro- posals would directly hit working men. The taxation was oppressive to many classes. He mentioned the case of an hotel at Barry which paid jS60 for its licence, but next year, under the Budget, would have to pay JS750. That would be disastrous to free houses. Agricul- tural land was to be relieved of taxation under the Budget, and this land was principally owned by big landowners and dukes. He ad- vocated a scientific tariff like that of Germany and America. A resolution of protest, on the motion of Sir Owen Scourtield, seconded by Mr R. T. P. Williams, was declared carried.

MEETING AT PEMBROKE-DOCK. A large and enthusiastic meeting was held on Tuesday night in the Market Hall, Pembroke- Dock, and was practically unanimous in sup- port of the Budget. Dr. Griffith, chairman of the County Council, presided, and supporting him were Mr Owen Philipps, M.P., Mr J. G. Hemmerde, M.P., Mr Henry Seymour Allen, Mr Egerton Allen, Mr Charles Young, (the Mayor), the Rev. D. G. Jones, Aldermen W. Phillips, W. Smith, W. Jones, and Messrs. J. McKeon, J. Swan, J. H. Hancock, T. Rees, J. Grieve, and others. The Chairman said it was due to Mr Owen Philipps's exertions that Pembroke Dock-yard was not merely a repairing yard. The late Government had intended making it that before they went out of office, but Mr Philipps had secured for the yard a fair share of work. No Government yard had a better name than Pem- broke for efficiency and economy in building, and he hoped to see the day when the only Welsh dock-yard would be given a Dreadnought to build. Mr Henry Seymour Allen said Liberalism never stood so strong in that district as to-day. He did not think the best man the Conservatives could find would have a chance either in the boroughs or the county. (Cheers.) The Budget proposals fell on the shoulders of the very rich, and a.s the burden had to be borne by someone, who were so fitted to bear it as the rich ? The fact was, there was no such thing as a popular tax, and the man who could patent such a tax would exceed the wonders of the telephone, wireless telegraphy, and flying machines. (Laughter.) Such a measure as the Budget must be judged by its effects on the multitude rather than on individuals. Mr J. G. Hemmerde, M.P., speaking on the Budget, said they had stood a great deal during the last three years. Measure after measuse had been thrown out. A moderate measure, such as the Education Bill, was thrown out ruthlessly, while the Licensing Bill was thrown out as sub- versive of the rights of property, while the real reason was that it struck a blow at the best elec- tioneering agent the Tory party ever had. He did not know whether the Lords would throw out the Budget or not, but he did hope the fight would not be long delayed. We were on the eve of a big fight for all our liberties, the consequences of which would he momentous to this country. He looked to Wales to show, both by precept and example, support to the Budget and all the causes centred in the Budget, and send a ringing message throughout the length and breadth of the land. Mr Owen Philipps, M.P., said nearly four years ago he was elected for those boroughs, and he had tried to carry out the pledges he then gave. Tariff Reform they were told meant work for all. He had tried to find work for Pembroke Dock- yard. (Cheers.) Mr McKenna had admitted that two slips at Pembroke could be made at small ex- pense to build Dreadnoughts. As they had proved that at the Welsh dock-yard they could produce ships not only as cheap but cheaper than else- where, and not only as good but better, he thought by pegging away they might be able to get back to Pembroke-Dock the building of the largest type of vessel. (Cheers.)

< IN AID OF COTTAOE HOSPITAL FUNDS. A competition to raise funds for the Teuby Cottage Hospital was promoted by Mr Thomas Jones (Great Western Railway), and took place on the Royal Victoria Pier on Wednesday after- noon of last week The prizes were a sugar and craam stand, given by Mr David Harrison a clock a pair of silver-mounted match holders, given by Mr J. Hodges, aenior while the sup- plementary prizes were a pair of photo frames, given by Mr T. Jones, to the competitor catch- ing the greatest number of ash; a silver- mounted scent bottle to the lady catching the smallest nah and a pipe to the gentleman for a similar catch. These were secured by Miss Angel, with a fine plaice 5ilbs. weight; Mr H. F. Jackson, a gurnet 14;toJlIS.; Miss Mynors, 34ozs. The supplementary prizes were taken by Mrs Samuels, Mrs Jackson, and Mr Angel. Mr Angel, being a non-smoker, passed his prize on to the runner-up, Mr T. H. Rees (postman). Mr Montagu Leeds presented the prizes, and remarked that Mr Tommy Jones was deserving of the greatest praise for what he had done thanks, too, were due to Mr Jonah Jones, who had sold bait to the amount of nearly 98., and had given it to the cause for which they had been working that afternoon to Mr Powell, for printing the bills free of cost; and to the Tenby Corporation, for the takings on the pier. Mr J. H. Thomas proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Montagu Leeds; and Mr Mainland, in seconding, said that Mr Jones had been instru- mental dnring the last few years ia raising over jMO for the Cottage Hospital.

DE VALENCE GARDENS, GARDENS. After a run of several months, from May to October roughly speaking, the De Valence Gar- dens, Tenby, closed their entertainment season last Saturday night, when a large and appre- ciative audience enjoyed an excellent programme provided by the "March Hares," a talented and novel troupe. During the season more than a dozen different troupes have appeared at these Gardens, the most popular of all per- haps being "The Gems," whose reception was of the most cordial description, the "March Hares" following a close second. Taken on the whole the season at the De Valence has been a satisfactory one, though during August the audiences were not quite so large as one would have anticipated from the number of people in the town. The majority of the companies engaged by Mr George Chiles during the season have been in all respects excellent. In this brief resume of the season's engagements at the De Valence Gardens, we must not omit to mention Mr Sydney James's "Royal Strolling Players," though they have now become such a feature of the Tenby season that it seems almost superfluous to do so. During August they were the chief attraction of the town, and that Mr Sydney James still retains his popularity as an entertainer was eloquently proved by the success of his "bene- nt," which, outside the Assembly Rooms, estab- lished a financial record. For next season we understand that Mr Chiles has already secured several first-class troupes, including some of the past season's favourites.

Will there be a contest at the Tenby Municipal Election this year ? I am quite unable to answer the question definitely, but from indications, I should say that the clique who rule Tenby Town Council, and who insist upon paying the Borough Treasurer 6C200 per annum for some mysterious duties, have decided to nominate one tradesman, who is likely to prove a congenial spirit, in the room of Coun- cillor Angel, who retires and unless the ratepayers bestir themselves and nomi- nate candidates of their own selecting there will be no contest. 1f. 1f. This means that the town's affairs will go on in the same old way. The directors of the Tenby Gas Consumers' Company, Limited, will retain .their present power which in my humble opinion is not in the best interests of Tenby. The Borough Treasurer who has left the town, and cannot by any pretence be considered as capable of carrying out his duties, will continue to receive £200 per annum of public money for services which are so myste- rious that some members including my- self have been refused an explanation of them. Will the ratepayers of Tenby con- tinue to allow themselves to be ruled by this clique, or will they nominate some independent candidates and vote for them at the election ? If they are nominated I should be only too pleased to do my little best to help secure their return; but if the ratepayers do not consider it worth their while to take this step in their own interest, they cannot expect me to go on beating my head against the wall of obstruction with which I am now faced. 1f. For nearly twelve months I have done my level best to forward what appears to me to be the true inte- rests of the burgesses of Tenby and what was likely to increase the general prosperity of the town. On the whole I must acknowledge that the Town Council have given me and my various schemes or suggestions a patient hearing. To the Mayor in particular my thanks are due for his strictly im- partial ruling and frequent support of resolutions I may have proposed, but I have still serious grievances. I have been again and again pre- vented from discussing the duties and appointment of the Borough Treasurer. Suggested economies in the expendi- ture of gas have not received fair treat- ment. The defiling of the South Beach continues at a rapid rate, and not a single voice joins me in my pro- tests and appeals to the Council to consider the consequences of their actions in this direction. Am I asking too much of the ratepayers of the town to show by their action at the forthcoming election whether I still possess their sympathy and support, or whether the same old clique is to continue to rule the affairs of Teuby in the same old way ? It is quite six months ago that I got a resolution passed which had for its object the purchase of the coal-yard near the South Parade, and the pre- paration of plans for the demolition of the present old cottages and the erec- tion of a suitable block of buildings in the South Parade. I have stated that if work was to be provided for Tenby men during the coming winter it was necessary that preliminaries should be settled promptly. Yet on Monday last it is admitted no agreement for the purchase of the coal-yard has been come to; no plans for the utilization of the valuable site have been passed, and even arrangements for the widening of the road at this dangerously narrow part of Tenby cannot be commenced. On most days I am stopped by hard working-men anxious for employment and I^suppose when these poor people are nearly destitute I shall be asked to sanction some other mad scheme like the Jubilee sewer of last winter, or the spending of a thousand pounds on a station road in order to make work. Wake up, ratepayers! Let us have common-sense as well as fairplay in the management of Tenby's affairs. fl. There have been so many local sen- sations to fill the columns of this paper, that for two weeks past no space could be spared for my remarks; and al- though I cordially agree with the local magistrates that the regulations for the preservation of the public health must be strictly enforced in a pleasure resort like Tenby, at the same time I cannot help feeling sympathy with the lady who infringed the bye-laws in order to give her sick child some fresh air. Ten pounds and costs b'George and b'Jove is a tremendous penalty to pay; and I think under the circum- stances less than half would have been sufficient to deter others whose mater- nal instincts might tempt them to risk the spread of contagion. I also think that the officials respon- sible for the carrying out of the law should endeavour to be particularly courteous and tender towards parents of sick children, making every possible allowance for any little temper or im- patience displayed by them under the trying circumstances. A good deal of tact is necessary in dealing with such cases, and if officials are lacking in this all-important quality they should be promptly replaced by more suitable persons. The London Daily Mail of last Satur- day publishes a nice portrait of the present Bishop of St. David's, (who, by the way is presiding at this year's Church Congress being held at Swan- sea) together with a short account of his life; and as an old Llandovery boy I was very interested to read the fol- lowing, his lordship having at one time occupied the position of headmaster at Llandovery College, sometimes known as the Welsh Harrow :—" A droll story is told of Dr. Owen's Llandovery days. On one occasion a boy was reported to him for smoking. The bishop peered keenly through his gold-rimmed spec- tacles at the culprit when that unfor- tunate was ushered into his presence. 'And so you have been smoking, eh?' he said. Yes, sir,' said the crestfallen youth. 'So I learn,' was the reply. And a boy like you What tobacco were you smoking ? Shag, sir,' whis- pered the boy meekly. Then the master fired up. Shag, indeed,' he ex- claimed. Why don't yon smoke So- and-So's mixture ?' In amazement the boy, with characteristic juvenile sharp- ness, replied, 'Very well, sir, I will." It was not till afterwards that the future Bishop of St. David's realised that his favourite brand of tobacco had caused him to appear to condone a school offence." 'I\< if. One of my brothers was expelled from this college simply because he was seen smoking a pipe in the street; but in my day smoking was one of the minor offences prevalent in this popular educational establishment, most of the boys being given to frequenting public houses where they took more to drink than was good for them, a weakness accompanied by an unusual affection for railway engines in preference to books, that also lead to my leaving the institution. But this is long, long ago,and Llandovery College to-day, is, I believe, everything that it should be. # The Small Social Soft Soaping Society have enjoyed a public luncheon pro- vided by the Tenby Gas Company, to which I was invited, but, perhaps, for- tunately, was prevented from attending. As statements occurred in some of the speeches which I consider a reflection upon myself I propose dealing with the matter next week, Mutual admiration is very nice, but why introduce inaccu- racies disparaging to one's neighbours ? F. B. M. THE TATLER."

ADDRESS AT THE CHURCH CONGRESS. Speaking on the subject of Welsh Disestab- lishment at the Church Congress at Swansea, on Tuesday, the Lord Bishop of St. David's said :— It was one thing for Parliament, without the consent of Churchmen, to sever the existing rela- tions between the State and the Church as a whole. It was quite a different thing in point of principle, it was as unrighteous as it was without precedent for Parliament, without the consent of Churchmen, to cut off four dioceses and part of three others from their historic unity with the rest of the Church of England. As they looked back upon the last thirty years of more or less continuous controversy about Welsh Disestab- lishment, two broad facts emerged. The first fact was that the Church had made remarkable progress throughout Wales during that period. Inferences from statistics had to be drawn with care. When, however, several independent columns of statistics all converged to the same conclusion the cumulative evidence of such figures broadly confirmed the personal knowledge of those who, like himself, had worked in Wales for the last thirty years, that there was solid reason to be thankful for the progress which the Church had made. The second fact was that the respect of the Wrelsh people generally for the Church as a spiritual society was very much greater now than it was thirty years ago. A glance at the Welsh Press thirty years ago, fifteen years ago, and now showed a most striking and creditable change of tone towards the Church. It was difficult to express adequately the magni- tude-of the changes in Welsh life and thought which had taken place during the last thirty years, and which were likely to go on, probably at an accelerated pace, for many years to come. They had to look not only at the past thirty years, but even more at the next thirty years, and the real issue from a religious point of view was whether the maintenance of the unity between the Welsh and English dioceses of the Church would or would not help the Church in Wales in its spiritual work at this period of profound change. This change was due to three causes— the shifting of population, the advance of the English language, and the advance of education. In this period of profound change a heavy respon- sibility lay on the Church in Wales for the culti- vation of a right spirit both of steadfastness and of sympathy in the fulfilment of its mission, so as to give to Wales, as a whole, the fullest benefit possible from the definite doctrinal stability of the Creeds. His argument was this the main problems of the Church in Whales to-day were prob- lems common to both England and Wales alike, but the difficulty of some of those common prob- lems was intensified for them in Wales by the com- parative suddenness with which they had come upon them, His Lordship then proceeded to con- trast the Church ideal of unity with that of Non- conformist principles of religious organisation. The corporate unity of the Church was a first prin- ciple with Churchmen, and the expression of this principle in Church organisations was precious to them. Nonconformists did not take the same view either of corporate unity or of its expression in organisation. From a Nonconformist point of view the severance of the Welsh from the English dioceses by Act of Parliament was regarded as no more than a merely political measure which would not impair the spiritual efficiency of the Church. When through full discussion it became realised that the distinctive principle of the Welsh Disestablishment Bill was deeply resented by Churchmen on religious grounds, he doubted whether those who had no desire to impair the spiritual efficiency of tho Church would continue to attach this peculiarly obnoxious proposal to their policy of general Disestablishment.

DISBANDMENT OF FOUR UNITS. The Army Order for October announcing that the King has approved of the disbandment of certain units of Royal Field Reserve Artillery affects the Glamorgan, Carmarthen, Pembroke, and Cardigan Reserve Artillery. The Hon. Colonel of the Glamorgans is the Earl of Dun- raven, and Lieutenant-Colonel Wright is in command. The Carmarthens are commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir William Drummond, the Pembrokes by Lieutenant-Colonel W. C. Cope, and the Cardigans by Lieutenant-Colonel G. S. Jones. All these corps were formerly Militia, but were transferred to the Reserve in 1908. Mr Acland, in reply to a question by Major Anstru- ther-Gray, explained in the House of Commons on Monday evening that no date for the final disbandment of these units has yet been fixed. The reduction in the number of units of the Royal Field Reserve Artillery will be followed by the enlistment of three-year men for the Regular Royal Artillery, who will replace the men of these units.

The annual big court was held in the Town Hall, Laugharne, on Monday, under the presidency of the retiring portreeve—Rev. J. Thomas. The foreman of the jury is Mr William E. Edwards, whilst the two common attorneys are Messrs. J. F. Williams and W. Alma Rowlands. The following constables were elected :—Messrs. T. Roberts, W. Lewis, W. Rees, and J. Wilkins. Mr WT. H. Dempster was unanimously elected portreeve amidst cheers. In a neat little speech he impressed upon the jury and officers the necessity of fully appreciating -their duty and the dignity of the office they held, and trusted a useful year's work would follow. The bailift, Mr M. Davies, was re-appointed. Shares" were presented to four burgesses, and six names were submitted as fit and proper persons tc become burgesses of Laugharne. According tc ancient custom the newly-eiected portreeve was carried shoulder higlx around the Town Hal buildings.

PEMBROKESHIRE. MR. HOWELL E. JAMES, LIBERAL, NARBERTH. I believe that Mr Walter Roch will do even better than at the bye-election in 1908. The Budget is popular with Liberals all over the county, and everywhere the Radicals look for- i ward exultingly to an election. If the county is put to the trouble of an election it will only be another sign of the mental weakness of the Tories. Why should they fight when they have absolutely no chance of victory ? "I believe many people think from the re- ports in the newspapers that the Conservatives gained heavily at the Revision Courts. In some cases the reports have been studiously misleading. There have been very few Tory votes added to the list. Many new names have been added to the ownership list, but most of these were already on the occupiers' list. These the Conservatives count as gains, but they really make no difference. In some parishes as many as 20 or 25 names were added to the ownership list, but nine-tenths of these were already on the list as occupiers." CONSERVATIVE AGENT. Mr Kendall, Conservative agent for Pem- broke Boroughs and County, said :— In this county the forthcoming election will be fought on Tariff Reform versus Socialism. Our prospects will be better if the contest is fought after the new register comes into opera- tion. The registration work is better now than it has been for ten years. I believe that Mr Marlay Samson, if adopted for the county, will make a strong candidate." THE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE. There appears to be no longer any doubt that Mr Marlay Samson, barrister, will be selected to fight in the Conservative interest at the next General Election. Mr Samson has inti- mated his willingness for his name to be placed before the Executive Committee, and it is practically certain that he will be adopted.

PEMBROKE AND HAVERFORD- WEST. LIBERALS PREPARED. On inquiries made in official quarters our Haverfordwest correspondent was informed that the Liberals in the Pembroke and Haver- fordwest Boroughs are prepared for a contest at any moment. AH the canvass books are made out, and the Liberals are assured of victory. At the recent Revision Courts the Liberals had many gains. Fishguard is more Radical than ever.

NEYLAND DOUBLE FATALITY. EXPLOSION MYSTERY. NARRATIVES AT THE INQUEST. The cause of the terrible explosion which occurred at the Neyland Gas Works on the 17th ult., and resulted in Mrs Mathias and her three-year-old child being burned to death, was investigated on Monday by Mr Herbert J. E. Price, coroner for South Pembrokeshire. Mrs Mathias, it will be recalled, took her child to the gas works in the hope that by inhaling gas it would be relieved of the whooping cough from which it was suffering. Mr Ralph Oliver, assistant loco, superintendent, Neath, repre- sented the Great Western Railway, and Mr Edgar White, Inspector of Factories, was also present. George Mathias, uncle of the deceased woman, said he accompanied his niece and her child down to the G.W.R. Gasworks, and there met Mr Garrett, a workman at the oil gas section, who seemed reluctant to admit them to the works. Eventually they were shown into the pump-room, in the coal gas department, until Mr Fry, who was in charge of the works generally, arrived. Mr Fry took them to the condensing house, and explained what happened when the hydro-carbon was turned off from the tanks. He afterwards saw Mr Garrett, about three minutes before the explosion occurred, open the valve and turn the lid round. Shortly afterwards he noticed the woman in flames, and he ran to Charles Street for help, bnt bow he got there he had no recollection. He himself was severely burnt about the arms. A man named Fry said he pointed out to the deceased woman when she called at the gas works the danger she was running. He thereupon left her and the child. About 20 minutes later a man named Garrett, employed at the gas works, came rushing up, exclaiming that the woman was on fire. In reply to the Coroner the witness stated that the hydro-carbon box was open, and that might have been responsible for the escape of the hydro-carbon. close by to the gas works at the time?—Wit- The Coroner—Was there an engine shunting ness—Yes. Is it possible for a friction to have occurred between the wheels of the engine and the rails ? —It is possible. And it might have fired the mixture ?—I cannot say. Factory Inspector (Mr White)—Supposing the hydro-carbon box is left open continually, there would be a possibility of an explosion every day ?—It is quite possible. A pathetic story of the occurrence was given by George Frederick Garrett, of Lawrenny Street, Neyland, who appeared with his arm in a sling, as a result of the accident. The deceased, he said, came up to him and said that her child was suffering from whooping cough. She had heard that the inhaling of gas would effect a relief. The witness thereupon conducted them into the coal gas works, and asked them to wait until Mr Fry returned from his dinner. The witness then went round the works, and upon his return found the mother and child sitting in the exhaust bouse. Later he saw them in the retort house, and he went and turned the carbon into the tank. The Coroner—You did not open the cover ?— I am positive that the cover was on. Did you touch the lid ?—No, sir. So there was no vapour escaping ?—There was a certain amount of leakage. How long had you turned the valve before you hteard anything ?—I cannot say. I stood back, and directly afterwards there was a flash. I looked round," continued the witness, and saw Mrs Mathias staggering back against the con- densing box. I went to her assistancce and got her up to her feet, but I was obliged to leave her because the heat was so great. I immediately closed the valves throughout the building and informed Mr Fry that the woman was on fire." The Coroner—Have you formed any theory as to the cause of the ignition?—No, sir, I can state on oath that I never saw a match struck; nor did I see anyone smoke. Can you form any idea as to how the flash occurred ?—The flash came into the condensing house, and I should say it was driven in by the wind. Evidence was also given by William Llewellyn, who was in charge of a locomotive in the vicinity of the scene of the accident. He testified he did not see a flash, but heard a report. He could not say whether it would have been possible for a spark from the engine to have caused ignition. Dr. Talputt described the deceased's tnjuries. In summing up the Coroner stated that there seemed to be some mystery as to the cause of tbe accident, but there was no evidence before them that pointed to any clear indication of the cause of the affair. The jury returned a verdict of accidental death," and expressed sympathy with the family and relatives of the deceased.

—————— Prince Fushimi of^ Japan, Accompanied by Commander KroyaHva, of the Japaue.se Navy, vis-ited Pembroke Dock-yard on Tuesday after- noon. and were shown through the Dock-yard I by Captain-Superintendent G. H. B. Mwndy. > The visitors displayed a keen interest m the unarmoured cruiser BrU'm-t, which is in a st^ro I bordering on completion. Mr H. Pledge, chief constructor, also accompanied the visitors.