The Tenby Observer Weekly List of Visitors and Directory

LADS AND FIREWORKS. A Juvenile Court was held in the Council Chamber, Tenby, at half-past ten on Monday morning, when three lads, under the age of sixteen years, were summoned for setting off fireworks in the streets of the town. The magistrates who sat were Messrs. J. Leach (in the chair), C. Farley (ex-Mayor) and R. H. Tuck. The first case called was that of William Griffiths, errand buy, Trafalgar Road, Tenby, whose offence was committed in South Parade on Novomber 5th. In reply to the Justices' Clerk (Mr G. Lort Stokes) he pleaded guilty. The Chairman, addressing the defendant, said it was a very serious offence to be throwing fireworks about in the public streets, if they wanted to do that sort of thing why didn't they go down on to the sands or somewhere else It was very dangerous to do it in the streets. Mr Tuck (to defendant)—You know it is not allowed, don't you ? Defendant—Yes. The Chairman—You must not do it. Mr Tuck—Not in the street. The Chairman thought the Bench must mark their sense of disapproval of the offence by ordering the defendant to pay half the costs (2s. 9d.) Edward Jenkins, errand boy, 14, Edward Street, Tenby, was charged with a similar offence in Warren Street on November 6th, and pleaded guilty. Sergeant Alfred Thomas said the defendant was coming up Warren Street and discharged several loud reports, something like a canuon they were squibs which sort of hopped all over the street. It was at the time when people were coniiug up from the train. Mr Farley enquired whether any horses were frightened. Sergeant Thomas—No, but they may have been. There were a good many people about, but nothing happened. The Chairman, in ordering the defendant to pay half the costs, admonished him, advising him to take care that he did not come back to the court again. Richard Rees, schoolboy, Picton Road, Tenby, was charged with a like offence in Upper Frog Street on November 5th, and pleaded not guilty. Police Constable David Davies (40) said that on Friday night, November 5th, at about half- past eight, he saw defendant in Upper Frog Street, along with other boys—Ivor James and John John—also a younger brother of defen- dant's.. The defendant was setting off fireworks, of which he had several kinds, cannons, squibs, crackers, and was throwing them in all direc- tions. Immediately he saw witness he ran away. Witness was watching defendant for about ten minutes before he saw him. Defendant, in reply to the Clerk, said he had no questions to ask the policeman. Mr Tuck (to witness)—Are you certain this was the boy ? Witness—Yes, quite. The Clerk (to defendant)- Y ou have heard what the policeman has said, would you like to withdraw what you said and admit that you were throwing fireworks ? Defendant—No, sir. The Chairman—Where was this lad ? Witness—By the Prince of Wales. The Chairman—Where were you 1 Witness—Down by Mr T. P. Hughes's new building. The Chairman (to defendant)—Were you in Frog Street ? Defendant—Yes, I was. I was on a message, and didn't have any fireworks. The Chairman—Were you with other boys ? Defendant—I was there, but not with them. The Clerk (to witness)—How far were you from them 1 1 Witness—Not twenty yards. Sergeant Thomas—From the corner of Mr Hughes's premises to the Prince of Wales is not further than twenty yards ? Witness—No. Defendant-I was outside the Cobourg stables. Mr Tuck—Had you any fireworks on you at all ? Defendant—No, sir. The Clerk (to witness)—Did you speak to him ? < Witness—I had no chance. Sergeant Thomas—Did the boy avoid you in any way? Witness—Yes. When he looked through the Prince of Wales door and saw me, he imme- diately went back. Sergeant Thomas—Are you absolutely sure that this boy was with the others throwing fire- works ? Witness—Yes. The Clerk—Are they summoned ? Sergeant Thomas—Yes they will come into the other court.. The Clerk—Ivor James and John John were there ? Sergeant Thomas—Yes. The Clerk—Their Worships had better hear what they have to say. The Chairman—I think so. The Clerk (to defendant)—You understand what telliug the truth means, don't you 1 Defendant—Yes, sir. The Chairman—Would you like to say any- thing, Rees? You are charged with an offence, and you say that you did not commit that offence. Would you like to say anything £ Defendant—Only that I didn't have any fire- works. The Clerk—You were with the others ? Defendant—No, neither John John or I was with the others only on a message. The Chairman—You were not with James ? Defendant—No, sir. The Clerk—Were you wacthing the others 1 Defendant—Only one squib was let off when I was there. Mr Tuck—Why did you run away from the policeman ? Defendant—Because he had the stick. Sergeant Thomas—That is not true in any way. He had his staff but he would not use his truncheon on you, surely, boy Defendant—He had a big stick going round hitting the boys. Mr Tuck—Is that. correct ? Sergeant Thomas—It is absolutely wrong. The policeman had no stick at all that I am positive of. The Chairman at this stage intimated that the Bench would adjourn the case until they had heard those of James and John in the other Court. Later on when the Juvenile Court met again, the Chairman announced that the defendant would have to pay half the costs (3s. 3d.); but there would be no conviction against him.

The Hon. Lady Evelyn Caroline Louisa Camp- bell, of Higlifield, Upper Beulah Hill, Norwood, London, formerly of Cawdor Castle, Nairn, N.B., who died on the 16th October last, aged 58, daughter of the second Earl Cawdor, appointed as executor of her will, dated 6th August, 1881, with four codicils, Sir Edward Stafford Howard, K.C.B., of Thornbury Castle, Gloucester, and she bequeathed from funds over which she had power of appointment under her parents' mar- riage settlement £1000 each to her nephews, John Vaughan Campbell, Robert Campbell, Ralph Alexander Campbell £500 each to her nieces, Ruth Evelyn Howard and Aline Lamb- ton £10 each to her godchildren JE2000 to her nephew, Guy Ronald Campbell JE100 6ach to her nephews, William, Alexander, Cuthbert, George, Frederick, Ronald and Philip Lamb- ton JE150 to Maud Campbell and the residue of her estate to her nephews, John Vaughan, Robert, and Guy Ronald Campbell, and her sister-in-law, the Hon. Katharine Campbell, the eons and widow of her brother, Captain the Hon. Ronald George Elidor Campbell. Her unsettled estate is valued at £ 7116s.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS. THE CULVERT EXTENSION PLANS. ANOTHER EXPERT TO BE ENGAGED. At the usual weekly meeting of the Tenby Corporation Committees, held in the Council Chamber on Monday afternoon, the first business considered was the question of appointing an engineer to advise the Council as to which was the best of the three schemes sent in for the extension of the Culvert by firms of engineers selected by the Corporation several months ago. A scheme sent in under the nom de plume of Civitas pro- poses to extent the Culvert to low water mark at Spring tides partly by means of a tube of ferro- concrete, finishing with a double line of steel pipes, at an estimated cost of a little over JE3000, a price which the Council seem to think below the actual cost. Another scheme submitted by Ritec" proposes to build a stone and concrete Culvert from the present ventilating shaft to a distance of 700 feet only, whereas Civitas pro- vides for 1250 feet extension, and for this amount of work "Ritec" suggests that the cost will be equal to the more elaborate scheme submitted by Civitas." A third scheme sent in by Simplex with a set of very elaborate plans, is judged to be altogether beyond the resourses of the town, consequently the decision really lies between Civitas and Ritec." The Mayor, Aldermen Leach, Griffiths, and Chiles strongly support the idea that the engagement of an engineer of note, at a fee which will probably amount to some fifty guineas, is the best course to adopt. Councillor Mason advised the adoption of the scheme sub- mitted by "Ritec" if the Council were afraid of that sent in by "Civitas," and that "Ritec" should be invited to prepare detailed plans neces- sary for submission to the Local Government Board, as the scheme was one within the means of the town's finances, while the 700 feet advocated by him could always be extended at a future time should it be found necessary. Although "Ritec" was careful to point out that after careful observa- tion by means of floats at all states of the tide, he was satisfied that the extension recommended by him would prove satisfactory to all concerned. Councillor Stokes declared that he was astounded to find that sewage was deposited upon the South Beach, and it was imperative that they should carry out a scheme which would be a complete cure for the complaint. Councillor Mason re- torted that as he had been calling the attention of the Town Council for many years to the fact that sewage was deposited on the beach, and long ago had sent a letter from an important visitor to the then Mayor of Tenby, he was glad to hear that his complaint was at last admitted to be true; but he begged that they would not rush into a scheme which would land the town again into a heavy burden of debt. Ritec's scheme was a sound one, and could be carried out at a moderate cost. Alderman Leach proposed that a certain engineer be invited to quote his terms for advising the Corporation in the matter. Alderman Grif- fiths seconded, and the resolution was carried, Councillor Sandercock being the only member who supported Councillor Mason's proposal that the scheme of Ritec be accepted.—A letter was read from Mr T. P. Hughes, asking the Council to close St. Nicholas Lane for horse traffic. Alderman Griffiths declared that he had been a serious loser owing to the hoarding having been op so long, and he strongly objected to the sug- gestion being complied with. Several other mem- bers were of the same opinion, and Mr Hughes's request was refnsed.— Miss Mildred Truscott wrote thanking the Council for appointing her Meteorological Observer. She also set out the whole of the duties appertaining to the office, and asked to be allowed a supply of stationery owing to the numerous letters to which she had to reply in connection with the appointment; and her request was agreed to. It was also decided that for the future Miss Truscott's salary should be JE15 per annum.—The Borough Surveyor sub- mitted sketch plan showing position of telegraph poles to be erected in Trafalgar Road, and same was approved of.—The question of terms on which the Silent Battery site was leased to the Government was discussed, but adjourned for a further report from the Town Clerk.—Mr Ford- ham sent in an application for a 75 years' building lease of the site of his cottage on The Green, as he would like to rebuild same. The Surveyor was instructed to report on the matter.—The Surveyor suggested that the Town Council should lease a small piece of ground at the back of the present Fire Station, belonging to the Charity Trustees, which had come into their hands, and a small committee was appointed to examine the site and report.—Upon the meeting being declared at an end, Councillor Mason asked when the question of the appointment of the Borough Treasurer was to be discussed, but at the request of the ijiayor it was allowed to stand over until next week.

SMART CAPTURE BY POLICE. SIX MONTHS' HARD LABOUR. At a special court on Monday in Fishguard— before Messrs. W. George James (chairman), Dr. Williams, and Colonel Porter—George Webster, labourer, living at 11, Pen Cw Road, Goodwick, formerly of Neyland, was charged in custody with stealing four fowls the property of Mr Charles Bowen, station and quay superin- tendent, Fishguard Harbour, on Saturday night. A temporary caretaker of Penrhyn House said he left the hen coop safely locked and the 30 black and buff Orpington fowls inside. Police-sergeant Lewis said about 11 p.m. he heard a disturbance in the fowl honse, and in the shadow of the harbour lights he and P.C. Evans saw a man emerge with a sack on his back. P.C. Evans followed and overtook the man half-way up the 150 steps. The sergeant followed and picked up a sack, which prisoner had thrown over the railings, containing four hens. Webster, who is a married man with several children, pleaded guilty. Police-superintendent Rees, Brenin, said the man was convicted in August last of stealing a barrel of stout from the Goodwick Station. He had been employed by the Great Western Railway Company as a labourer. Fowl "stealing had been frequent of late. The magistrates complimented the officers on their smartness, and sentenced Webster to six months' imprisonment with hard labour.

TO BE STATIONED IN EGYPT. THE DATE OF THE DEPARTURE. It has now been decided (writes The Major") that the 1st Battalion Welsh Regiment, which for some time past has been stationed at Pembroke- Dock, shall proceed to Egypt on December 11th. They will in all probability leave Pembroke-Dock, in command of Colonel H. Schofield, on December 10th, for Southampton and will sail from there on the following day for Alexandria, where they will be stationed. Their place at Pembroke-Dock will be eventually taken by the 2nd Battalion Welsh Regiment, who are now in South Africa, having for some time been stationed at Bloomfon- tein. The 2nd Battalion are not likely to arrive in this country before the middle of March next year, and until that time about 150 men of the 1st Battalion Welsh, including a number of recruits, will remain at Pembroke-Dock.

MASON'S POPULAR GurpEs to Tenby and Neighbourhood contain all information of in- terest to Visitors, aud can be obtained from the Observer Office, or at the local booksellerp. Prices 6d., Is., and 2s. 6d.

CHARACTER SKETCH OF SIR OWEN PHILIPPS, M.P. [BY FRAXK T. BULLEN.] The following interesting character sketch of Sir Owen Philipps, K.C.M.G., M.P. for the Pembroke and Haverfordwest Boroughs, and Chairman of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Com- pany, is contributed to the Liverpool Journal of Commerce by Mr Frank T. Bullen, the well- known nautical writer :— Frequent and well-founded as the complaint is that in the distribution of honours on expected occasions, such as the King's Birthday and the New Year's opening, the great Mercantile Marine is conspicuously neglected, it is all the more pleasant to note among the names published yes- terday those of two men whose selection will certainly give much pleasure to the worthy mem- bers of that vast body. This may be sincerely said of Owen Cosby Philipps and Ernest Shackle- ton, without prejudice to our deep convictions that there are others not a few upon whom such re- cognition might most worthily be bestowed. Of thesfc two gentlemen, however, I have only here to deal with the first, for Sir Ernest Shackleton will be adequately written up, as the phrase goes, elsewhere. Of Owen Cosby Philipps it may be said without exaggeration that in every sense he is one of the most notable figures in the great shipping circles of London to-day. Physically he is, with his two brothers, Lord St. Davids and Colonel Ivor Philipps, of the Anakim. It was one of the sights of the House of Commons to see the three giant brethren walking together. Several inches over six feet in height, they are all marked by a stateliness of demeanour in perfect accord with their splendid proportions, and not less by an urbanity which they doubtless inherited from their courtly father, the Reverend Sir Erasmus Philipps, whom I have often gazed upon with awe as a small boy when he was Vicar of St. John's, Kensal Green. But it is principally in his relation to shipping that we have to con- sider the subject of this sketch, and notably in connection with the affairs of our senior mail steamship company, the Royal Mail, as it is called, tout court, because of its privileged title. It is no secret that prior to Sir Owen Philipps's connection with the Royal Mail its affairs were, to put it mildly, far from prosperous. It still struggled to maintain the large and stately atti- tude towards all with whom it had business rela- tions which belonged to the days of its undoubted greatness. Its directors and high officials were gentlemen of the old school, and with all due deference and deepest respect for them and all that they represented, seemed unable to realize that they had lived into more strenuous times, and that if the old Company was to maintain its position among its competitors it must adopt modern methods, must move with the period. Not only was this the case, but the dry-rot, if the term is admissible, which had set in upon our West Indian possessions affected the Company accutely—in more ways than that of declining trade, severe as that undoubtedly has been, with: out the immense and eager competition of growing German maritime activity. Successive Govern- ments shore away with ruthless hands the noble mail subsidies the Company had been receiving, until at last those subsidies, which had been well over a quarter of a million per annum, disap- peared altogether. But before this catastrophe overtook the Company Mr Owen Philipps had been called to the head of affairs as Chairman of the Board of Directors, and it is not too much to say that he made his presence immediately felt in the grand old concern, like a fresh breeze through the corridors of a long-closed mansion, or an infu- sion of new blood into an almost moribund body. He threw himself into the work of his new and gigantic task with as much ardour as if it were his sole interest in life, notwithstanding the fact that he had many other important matters in hand. No man in such a position could have worked harder than he, ably supported as he was by his subordinates—Mr Alfred Williams, the genial manager; Mr R. L. Forbes; the secretary, a Scotch giant of almost equal bulk with his chief; and Mr C. E. Davies, the indefatigable assistant secretary. Indeed, any eulogy of these gentlemen's energies is superfluous to those who know the dynamic force which underlies the calm and gentle exterior of their Chairman. For even at the risk of being misunderstood, I must say that upon a casual acquaintance Sir Owen Philipps is a most deceiving man. He seems so quiet, even lethargic, his voice is so gentle, even hesitating, that it is difficult to realize what power lies latent behind that peaceful demeanour. This is espe- cially noticeable when he is addressing a public meeting. His speech is halting, troubled, as if he were perpetually at a loss to express himself, and indeed was rather bored at having to talk at all. At the same time his handsome face wears a bright, kindly expression, as if he were so pleased to see so many friends before him, if only he were not so pathetically anxious to explain himself to them. Yet, if the cynical dictum be true that language was given us to conceal our thoughts, it is especially true that Sir Owen Philipps's manner was given him to conceal the manner of man that he really is. In brief, any man who upon a busi- ness interview with Sir Owen Philipps comes away with the notion that he has found somebody who is, to put it slangily, dead easy," will realize sooner than later that he has made the mistake common to so many who have allowed themselves to be misled by first and superficial impressions. The later history of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company is a triumphant vindica- tion of this gentleman's organizing ability and business acumen. The advent of their magnifi- cent fleet of A steamers, with its' immediate effect upon the Company's South American busi- ness, is too well known to- need any comment, but remembering in what a position the Company was when these vessels were undertaken the fact of their appearance at all can only be looked upon as a modern miracle of business. The end has in- deed justified the means, for in spite of the truly tremendous competition for South American busi- ness which exists, the old Company is prospering exceedingly, and still stands without an equal in the shipping affairs of the wonderful Argentine Republic. To sum up, Sir Owen is in the very prime of life, is full of health and vigour, and finds time, in spite of his Herculean business labours, to serve his country in Parliament and his city in that huge newly constituted under- taking, the London Port Authority. May he long be spared to enjoy the honour so deservedly con- ferred upon him.

"RECOLLECTIONS OF OLD TENBY" is an in- teresting collection of views of Tenby as it appeared in the latter part of the 18th century, with descriptive letterpress. Every visitor ought to obtain a copy. Price one shilling, from the local newsagents or the Observer Office.

NOTES. f LOCAL Early next month Lord and Lady St. Davids, of Lydstep Haven, hope to celebrate the coming-of-age of their elder son, the Hon. Colwyn Philipps, and have invited the whole of the countryside to meet them at their charming residence on December 11th and 14th. The family are so well known for their lavish hospitality that it only requires fine weather to ensure the success of the festivities. During the past week Tenby has been bathed in the most beautiful sunshine on the south side, and I can only hope that Lord and Lady St. Davids will be for- tunate enough to have an equally bril- liant week's weather. Some time ago I announced that Major Sellar had undertaken to relieve Colonel H. H. Goodeve of the responsi- bility of producing the amateur theat- ricals during the next Tenby Hunt Week, and when this information was given it stated the simple fact. How- ever, circumstances happened which resulted in different arrangements be- ing made, and the production of the Z, theatricals is now in the hands of Mr Richard Williams, L.R.A.M., who has got a strong company together, and is busy rehearsing the musical pieces which are to be staged. I am sure everybody will wish him the best of luck in the difficult undertaking, and hope that the Tenby Hunt Week of 1910 will, if possible, surpass in popu- larity and financial success the many similar Hunt Weeks which have pre- ceded it. Unfortunately, the battalion of the Welsh Regiment at present stationed at Pembroke-Dock will have departed for Egypt, and the battalion intended to succeed them will not arrive until March. Although I have been so fortunate as to receive a brace of pheasants from three different gentlemen, I confess to being a little disappointed that no wild duck have reached me during the last month. Last year, of course, I was beyond the pale but after having obtained an entrance into the fold, I quite expected to be one of the first to enjoy the toothsome birds. True, I have heard that they are by no means as plentiful this year as last; but scarcity hardly explains their total absence. I have received the following letter from a relative of the late Mr Peter Sing, which I publish as he requests. I am sorry to think that I gave offence to anyone by describing the incident which took place so many years ago, but the fact remains that through a wrongly tied knot a Tenby man is sup- posed to have lost his life. It is of the first importance that everyone should know the difference between a reef knot and a grannie :— 266, Oldham Road, Newton Heath, Manchester, Nov. 22nd, 1909. DEAR SIR,-I felt grieved to think as a nephew of the late Mr Peter Sing as I perused an article in your paper touching upon my uncle's death which is the incident that happened a period of twenty-four years ago, when, as you state, you were on the jury. Now, I ask you as a man, do you think you were justified in making the remarks you have ? If so, I am fully prepared to defend my uncle, the late Mr Peter Sing, against any such attack, seeing that he is not now able to defend him- self. I think you might have referred to his death in a very ditferent way. There are things which he did in Tenby that proved con- clusively his ability to fight the battle of this life like a man. I conclude to you now by asking you as the Democratic man you claimed to be, to insert this in your next edition for a brother Democrat that likes a fair hearing, and let justice be done. Yours faithfully, ARTHUR HENRY EVE. F. B. M. THE TATLER."

SPEECH AT MILFORD. NAVAL QUESTIONS AND THE BUDGET. Sir Owen Philipps, the member for the Pem- broke and Haverfordwest Boroughs, addressed a large and enthusiastic Liberal meeting at Milford last Thursday night, under the chair- manship of Dr George Griffith. Sir Owen, who had a very hearty reception, thanked the chairman for his kind references, and the audience for the very warm welcome they had accorded him. The honour conferred upon him by his Majesty the King was espe- cially appreciated by him from the fact that it was in connection with the work he had done in connection with the British Colonies. It is well to remember, he said, that we Liberals are just as proud and just as anxious to do all in our power to bind the Colonies to the Mother Country as any of our opponents. (Cheers.) Since I have had the honour of representing Milford and the Pembroke Boroughs in Parlia- ment I have made it my first duty to look after the interests of the Pembroke Boroughs. (Cheers.) When I asked for your suffrages four years ago I said then what I believed to be a fact, and what I still believe to be a fact, that the general tendency of the Progressive Party was to employ direct labour, while there is a tendency among the Tory Party, as much as possible, to let out work by contract.- I know this was disputed at the time, and some people now dispute it but we have had a Liberal Government in oftice for four years, and what do we find is the actual position in the dock- yards of the country ? In the last four years, if you take the number of men employed in Royal dock-yards on the day the Liberal Government went into office and compare it with the number of men employed on the last day of September last, which is the last day on which I have the figures, we find that at the present time there are 5770 more men employed in the Royal dock-yards to-day than there were four years ago. (Cheers.) I think that is an answer to many of the speeches we have heard.. (Cheers.) I am not going to discuss to-night the question of the desirability of a naval base, and the desirability of getting a large graving dock in Milford Haven. These are matters which I have constantly before me, and I am pressing both, in season and out of season, on the attention of the officials, both in Parliament and the permanent officials of the Admiralty and I can assure you that so long as I have the honour of representing you the interests of the Welsh dock-yard will be well looked after at Westminster. (Cheers.) Speaking of the Budget, Sir Owen said it was well to bear in mind that this year three mil- lions extra had to be raised to strengthen the British Navy, and next year, and in the years to come, a very much larger sum would have to be provided to strengthen the Navy, which was an absolute necessity to maintain British supre- macy. (Hear, hear.) They insisted upon a strong Navy in Pembrokeshire, not only be- cause of the Dock-yard, but to protect the fishing industry. They had not forgotten the Dogger Bank, nor did they forget the necessity of having a strong navy to protect our sailors in all parts of the world, and in all seas. They had devoted some time in Committee in con- sidering a small Bill which was interesting, at least, to the men of Milford. It was to pro- hibit trawling in prohibited areas. It was a Bill brought in and backed and supported by a large batch of Scotch members on both sides of the House. In Committee they were trying at first to kill the Bill, and he, personally, did not think the Bill was a good Bill. However, in Committee they struck out many of the provi- sions which, in his opinion, were absolutely un- fair to the trawling industry and in that way he hoped he would be able to do something to as- sist the trawling industry in Milford. He was sorry to say that some of the trawler owners, he did not mean that to apply to local trawler owners, objected to compensation being given to men who were employed on the trawlers but he (Sir Owen) said he thought it only fair that the owners should pay something towards those who suffered from the accidents to men employed on trawlers, which they all deplored, and he hoped they would hear nothing further of attempts being made to get these provisions in the Bill modified. As regarded the Budget, the questions before the county were chiefly those affecting land. On this question he said the War Office were on the point of selling laud in the neighbourhood of Pembroke-Dock, but instead of selling this land in one block the War Office had agreed to sell it by auction in small lots suitable for workmen's dwellings. It was, he said, rather interesting to see what was the record of the two great parties on the question of Small Holdings. Both parties had passed legislation dealing with Small Holdings. The Tories passed a Bill in 1892, and the pre- sent Government one in 1907. Under the Tory Act the local authorities secured 881 acres for 244 tenants in fifteen years. Under the Liberal Act they had secured in one year 21,480 acres for 15,000 tenants. (Cheers.) After examining, in detail, some of the provi- sions of the Land Taxes under the Budget, Sir Owen said he had come to the conclusion that if the Government had erred at all it was in the tenderness with which they had dealt with big interests. The worst of their sin, he believed, was not in the taxes the Budget imposed, but because they had included the valuation of land. He maintained, however, that it was absolutely essential iu the interests of good government that the value of the land should be ascertained and set down. The Finance Bill had left the House of Commons, and he believed that what- ever might happen in another place it would soou be placed on the statute book of the land. (Cheers.) For 300 years the people's repre- sentatives had controlled the finances of the country. The people's representatives had settled how much money they could spend and how it should be raised. There was an old saying that those who paid the piper should settle the tune. If Welshmen, Englishmen, Scotchmen, aye and Irishmen, were like their forefathers, as he believed they were, they would not stand interference by any hereditary body with their rights. (Cheers.) Our fore- fathers won the right of self-government, and the control of the national purse, in their long struggle, and he did not believe his country- men were going to part with that privilege at the bidding of any hereditary Chamfer. Their late great leader, Mr Gladstone, in his last address to the House of Commons, said the great question between the people and the House of Lords would have to be settled. He (Sir Owen) was convinced that if the other House did raise this question it would, in the words of the Premier, come to an issue, and he had no doubt as to the result. (Cheers.) They in Wales had a double interest in this matter. Not only had they the interest common to all the country, but they had the great question of Disestablishment. (Hear, hear.) They in Wales had returned over- whelming majorities time after time—he was going to say for generations, but for many years —and they would never settle this question of Disestablishment and Disendowment in Wales till they had dealt with the question of the veto of the House of Lords. (Cheers.)

A TENBYITE'S RECOLLECTIONS. To the Editor of the Tenby Observer. SIR,—Reading ill your valuable paper the elec- tion of Mayor, also a little of his life, I see he has married an old schoolmate of mine—Miss Myra Jane Jenkins. I also see some remarks about her brother, Mr John Andrew Jenkins, at the same time. Strange, "Tatler" should also meet Mr James Phelps. I remember him quite well, a little chubby chap, with dark curly hair like his father. Curious you mention the name of Mr Benjamin Harries, who, I think, served his time with Mr James Phelps's parents. Regarding Mr George Bowen, when he was quite a boy, he used to sit in the littie parlour of Captain Bowen's house for hours making all the accounts up; also night and day did he attend to the duties of Harbour Master when his uncle was unable to do so. I hope he is enjoying good health, and that he may live to a good old age hEfwiIl be going on for sixty years now. Relating to the Town Band, I remember two members of the old Volunteer Band of the sixties by the name of Thomas (shoemakers). I wonder whether the present conductor is any relation. One was bass drummer and the other horn player. I also see that Mr F. B. Mason, like his late father, is fighting with the Council for the rights of the ratepayers. I was reading in a London paper about him and the Council. The school that Mrs Tucker and I went to was kept by Mr William Birkin. It is about forty- three years since I left Tenby. I have never in all my travelling abroad seen any more beauti- ful cliffs and sands than are at Tenby. I hope you will forgive trespassing on your valuable paper, which I remember the late Mr Richard Mason starting. I often see a great deal of Tenby news in other papers. Yours faithfully, AN OLD TEXBYITE. London, November 19th, 1909. P.S.—I well remember Peter Sing and "Billy Tickle Me." I am very sorry to hear of their deaths.

A HOUSEHOLDER'S COMPLAINT. T'o the Editor of the Tenby Observer. SIR,—Whether or no the inhabitants of this locality are subjected to evil-disposed persons seeking opportunity to annoy them I am not in a position to affirm. This I know, however, that for several years past (I can scarcely describe it as anything less than persecution) from time to time some one lins clandestinely been inside my house and taken away various articles, while quite recently two printed receipts were extracted from their envelopes, between 27th August and 23rd September: the delinquent, whoever it may be, probably thinking to involve me in difficult}' or basely to apply to the individuals for payment of the money mentioned thereon and also a new shirt collar (" The Strand," 16) or two were taken from a drawer between 27th October and 7th November; thus far escaping detection. From the list of missing articles I will mention in par- ticular two books, namelv-The Life of Captain Hedley Vicars, in which my name was written, and Consult Me, with my name impressed therein, as memory serves me, with a rubber stamp, which I neither lent nor gave to any one. They are unlawfully possessed. Is the peace of one's domi- cile to be thus frequented and destroyed with impunity? In the interest of the public, there- fore, I think it is proper to be known that some mean, despicable person is in its midst; and I thank you, Mr Editor, for the insertion of this in your columns.—Yours truly, Tenby, 22nd November, 1909.

TENBY TOWN BAND. To the Editor of the Tenby Observer. SIB,—Referring to your account of Mayor's Sunday procession, where you state that same was headed by Tenby Town Band, I think it best in the interest of the town, as well as in fairness to the musicians who played, that the present position of the Town Band be made quite clear. Owing to removalof several members of the Town Band during the last few years, it has left the band unable (on account of numbers) to appear in public in its own strength; and it is contem- plated by the present few members to declare the band non-existent, and thus throw the question open with the hope that a new Town Band may be formed, under a good representative committee. On Mayor's Sunday the band was augmented by members of the Pembroke-Dock Temperance Band, who, in spite of the inclemency of the weather, came to assist us, without remuneration beyond out-of-pocket expenses. Now that all will understand the tcwn's posi- tion as regards a band, I can only hope that those who have the wish to see a good band here will be prepared to assist, if the matter is brought forward in the near feature. I remain yours faithfully, HARRY THOMAS. Frog Street; Tenby, November 22nd, 1909.

NARBERTH WORKHOUSE SCANDAL. The Narberth Workhouse scandals, which have created a good deal of feeling in the district, were further discussed at a meeting of the Narberth Board of Guardians last week. At a prior meeting of the Board, it will be remembered that Mr George J. Collins raised the question as to the behaviour of a porter named Thomas. Mr Collins, who was absent on the last occasion, now said he wished the -porter to be present, aud he was accordingly called in. The Chairman said it might be within the recollection of the Guardians, that Mr White, soli- citor, of Carmarthen, appeared there that day fort- night on behalf of the porter. Mr Collins, not being present, of course Mr White could not pro- ceed with questioning the porter in his absence. He left two questions which he wished the porter to be asked. The first was: Did he directly or indirectly assist Duckfield in the writing of the letter ? The Porter—Certainly not, sir. The Chairman—You "didn't? The Porter—I did not. The Chairman—I think the second question was: Did you canvass for the mastership of this House at St. Clears. The Porter—I absolutely deny it, sir, and I wish to put a challenge to either of the Guardians ii one of them can get up and say I canvassed either of them. I don't care who the man is. The Chairman—May I endeavour, if I possibly can, to throw oil upon these troubled waters. W ere you at that particular time a candidate for an appointment which was vacant at Carmarthen Union ? The Porter—I was not, sir. The Chairman-Or for any other Union ? The Porter—No, sir, not åt that time. If you mean the time as Mr Collins says I was at St. Clears canvassing for the post of this berth. The Chairman—You were not then ? The Porter—I was not. Mr Collins said that he was very sorry that this had taken up so much talk, but he thought he had got a grievance. With great respect to Mr Buckby, and the many years he had conducted the chair, he did not think he should have allowed a solicitor to have appeared there against a Guar- dian and open out his case in the Guardian's absence. The Chairman-Allow me to answer that at once. I think if you refer to the newspaper I said I think this is a personal matter, and it should not be entertained by the guardians." I made that statement, and that is mv view throughout the whole of it. Be kind enough to let me finish. I appealed to the Guardians and said, Mr White is here, do you wish to hear him ?" I tell you honestly if there was any Guardian in the room there and then who would have got up and challenged Mr White's right to appear here I should have used my discretion and ruled it out of order. Mr Collins—I think, at all events, being one of the most interested parties, I should have had some notice of some kind that the porter was going to bring a solicitor here. I had absolutely no notice at all, none whatever from anyone. If Mr White was brought here to spring upon me any remarks I might have made with the idea of fighting the matter, I think the porter and him have mistaken their man. I am not so easily frightened. When I read in the papers the re- marks I made here this day month there was no one more surprised than myself. I absolutely deny I said the porter was canvassing for the job. The Porter—You absolutely deny it? Mr Collins—I say this. I will as far as I re- member. There were no shorthand notes in any paper, I don't think. As far as I remember these were the words I said. There are members here now who were here on that day. If I am wron« I ask them to correct me. I said: The porter was very interested in the case of those two women who brought the complaint against the Master before. He was at St. Clears discussing the scandal with certain people there. He also discussed the scandal with me. He also discussed the scandal with Mr Thomas Williams, Whitland. I never said he canvassed for the job. I never said so, and I was surprised when I saw it in the paper that that was the case. I said about that time the porter thought of going in for the Mastership of the Pembroke Union. He asked me to use my influence with the Chairman. I promised him I would. He also spoke to you on the matter in my hearing. Those were the words I said. Why I spoke as I did about the porter was that I considered it a very unsatis- factory way in which he gave his evidence here. When the porter was asked whether the master was drunk he said he had seen him worse many times; he had seen him better many times, and he had seen him neither sober or drunk. That was what called for the remark from me. I have nothing whatever against the porter. I did think if we allow the officials of the Union to go about talking about one another outside the Union, all round the district-I say that is not conducive to the good government of the Workhouse. That is my point, and that I stick to. With regard to the letter written by Bennie Duckfield, I don't know who told Thomas I said he had got him to write it. I did not. I said Duckfield appeared to be just the man who could be influenced. I didn't say by Thomas. I ask the reporters if they have got shorthand notes of what I did say ? The Chairman—That is quite correct. Mr Collins—The whole idea of bringing this matter forward at all was that there was some- thing wrong with the Union together. On that very day there was a gentleman waiting outside for me to go to a sale with him. Those three little boys, you remember how they gave their evidence and looked at one another and answered Yes at once when asked if thev remembered the case. I asked them if anyone had told them, and they said It wa.s Bennie told us what to say." Outside afterwards with that gentleman waiting for me they were asked "What is the to-do boys ? "Oh," said they, Bennie beat, Flook was telling lies" (laughter). Now when you remember Flook was Master of the Work- house I say there is something wrong with the whole thing. If I didn't speak as I did I should not be doing my duty to the men who sent me here. As long as I am here I will do what I can to keep discipline in the House. The Vicar of Ludcliurch will tell you the children here are absolutely the worst that go to Church. I say this, if the children see their elders not doing as they ought to do who is to catch it quicker than a child? There is a boy in the Workhouse now— what is he, 18 or 20—1 believe the doctor certified be was not quite sound in his mind—the boy Williams, from Broadmoor, he thinks he is more knave than fool. You see that bov misbehaves himself here, and at Church the Rector had to get him out of the Church. You see him smoking the ratepayers' tobacco every dav. He ought to be at work. A good ash would do him a deal more good. What I did say of the porter was that he should not have been discussing scandal outside the Workhouse, and I say that now, gentlemen. The porter said what Mr Collins thought of him as regards interest in that affair would not have troubled him a bit, but it was that according to the Press he was canvassing at Whitland and St. Clears for this berth. That is what troubled him. Mr Collins denies it. Mr J. A. Davies—In that case may I say we should proceed with the next business. The Chairman—We have heard both sides of the question, and it is not for the benefit of the community at large. I think you are both agreed pretty well. Mr Collins—I didn't know Mr Brunei White was coming here. I heard nothing from anybody at all. Had I been able I should have been here myself at that Board to contradict what appeared in the "Press," without anyone speaking to me about it at all. I said you had no right to be there to discuss scandal. The Porter—Mr Collins had every opportunity of saying these accusations against me when I was present, but he didn't do it until I left the Board, as you are aware. I should like to ask Mr Collins a few questions. Mr Collins I am not going to answer questions. You bring your solicitor to any court of law. I am not going to be cross-examiued by the porter of the Union. The matter then ended.