The Tenby Observer Weekly List of Visitors and Directory

SCENES AT FISHGUARD. THE LEVIATHAN'S ARRIVAL. Most elaborate preparations had been made at Fishguard for the arrival of the Cunard liner Mauretania on what was expected to be her record round trip to New York and back in 12 days. The Mauretania's dash across the Atlantic and back has stirred the whole of the shipping world and aroused widespread interest amongst the general public. The Great Wes- tern Railway Company had laid themselves out to worthily back up the efforts of the Cunard Company. They demonstrated even more than on previous occasions that Fishguard, as a port of call from New York, holds a great advantage over Liverpool. j The wonderful development of Fishguard since the Great Western made such great im- provements in the harbour, and expended so vast a sum of money on extending the station, the quayage, and the means of transhipment, have placed the little Pembrokeshire port in a unique position, particularly for passengers from New York to London and even Continental cities. Naturally, the Cunard Company have come to see the great advantages which the railway company are able to offer in the way of despatch and the splendid facilities they have provided for rapid transit and comfortable tra- velling. To co-operate with the attempt of the liner Mauretania to do the out and home trip in 12 days for the first time in history, the railway company not only made special arrangements for dealing with the landing of passengers, mails, and baggage at Fishguard, but also placed a special saloon coach at the disposal of a Press party attached to the morning train from Paddington. In this a large number of Pressmen made the journey down. The weather was beautifully fine and mild, and on arrival at Fishguard news was received that a message had arrived stating the Maure- tania was about 400 miles off Fastnet at 11 o'clock the previous night, and was expected to reach Fishguard at 10 o'clock on Thursday night. Mr Vaughan Williams (assistant to the chief superintendent of the Great Western Railway Company at Paddington) had previously arrived to superintend the arrangements, and Mr John Rees (Swansea divisional superintendent) joined the train at Landore to assist in general super- vision. The Cunard Company was also repre- sented by Mr Booth (chairman of the line), Mr Lister (chief passenger superintendent), Mr Derry (chief publicity department), Mr Nicholls (Queenstown agent), and Mr Bewley (chief baggage department). The Mauretania brought 1800 passengers, of whom 600 were to land at Fishguard, and 3922 •bags of mails, of which 3807 were to be brought ashore here. As an indication of the facilities offered by Fishguard for the American service, it may be stated that passengers disembarking at the Welsh port arrived in London early in the morning whereas if they went on to Liverpool by boat they would not arrive there until 8 o'clock in the morning, and could not reach London until after noon. Again, Continental passengers landing at Fishguard can be in Paris the next afternoon. Moreover, mails landed at Fishguard will be delivered in London at early delivory in the morning—quite a 12 hours' saving compared with the Liverpool route. To make all these facilities possible the Great Western Railway Company had prepared for the Mauretania's record trip three tenders to meet the Cunarder outside the breakwater- one for baggage, one for mails, and one for passengers. With six splendidly appointed ocean special trains the arrangment was to get Continental passengers away by the first train. Then the London baggage train followed. Next, the first passenger for London left followed by a second and a third train at intervals of a quarter-of- an-hour. Just about 6 o'clock the Cunard Company s representatives received a message stating that the Mauretania passed the Fastnet at five minutes to three in the afternoon, which would be 180 miles from Fishguard. The weather was then fine and the vessel was steaming well.

A WONDERFUL RECORD. THE MAURETANIA'S TIME-TABLE. Theftfauretania left Liverpool on Saturday evening, December 10th. The fact that she was to steam to and from New York within 12 days, allowing for only 46 hours in which to "turn round," excited great public interest. Large crowds of people assembled on the Liver- pool quay and gave the liner an enthusiastic send-off. She carried 1180 passengers—400 saloon, 220 second class, and 560 third class. On the following Friday morning, December 16th, the Cunarder reached Sandy Hook (off New York), her time being 4 days, 15 hours, 50 minutes. In the final stages of the passage she encountered a gale blowing at 60 miles an hour. Saturday, December 10th, left Liverpool for New York. Friday, December 16th, 1 a.m., arrived at New York. She had steamed 2780 miles, her daily runs and average speed being as follow — Sunday to Monday noon, 587 miles, knots 23.37. Monday to Tuesday noon, 516, knots 20.72. Tuesday to Wednesday noon, 639, knots 25.50. Wednesday to Thursday noon, 635, knots 25.50. Thursday to time of arrival, 340, knots 24.84. The figures, especially for Monday to Tuesday, indicate the terrific weather encountered by the Mauretania, and on her arrival at New York the ice sheathing had to be cut away in order that the coal pockets might be found. Saturday, December 17th, left New York at 6 p.m. on her return journey to England. In the short time she was at New York the Mauretania discharged her mails, shipped fresh cargo and mails, coaled, was scrubbed and cleaned and ready for sea six hours before she was due to start. She left New York with tons of floral tributes from admirers, and thousands of people in the harbour cheered as she steamed away with 780 saloon passengers, and with 3500 sacks of mails.

GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY. APPOINTMENT OF NEW SUPERIN- TENDENT. The directors of the Great Western Railway Company, at their meeting on December 16th, appointed Mr Charles Aldington to the position of superintendent of the line, in succession to Mr Joseph Morris, who is retiring from the service at the end of the present year. Mr Aldington was born at Tanworth, Warwickshire, in 1862, and commenced his career with the Great Western Railway Company in the neighbourhood of Bir- mingham in 1876. He was shortly afterwards transferred to the divisional superintendent's staff at Birmingham. In 1881 Mr Aldington took up a position in the service of the company at Chester where he enjoyed an unique experience in railway working and management under the late Mr James Kelley, and "Mr Joseph Morris, the retiring superintendent of the line. In 1894 he was appointed chief clerk to the London divi- sional superintendent's office under the late Mr W. A. Hart. From 1889 to 1902 he was traffic superintendent of the Central London Railway. The following year he returned to the Great Western service, and was for some time attached to the general manager's personal staff under the late Sir Joseph Wilkinson, and Mr James C. Inglis, the present general manager. Since 1904 Mr Aldington has held the position of assistant superintendent of the line. It will be noted that Mr Aldington has had the benefit of exceptional training and experience under some of the most able railway men of the past three decades. He has also visited the United States and Canada several times in connection with railway business; in 1900 upon an electric traction quest preparatory to the introduction into London of electric railway working on the new tube principle and in 1905 as one of the delegates of the International Railway Congress at W ashington. He has also familiarised himself with continental railway practice in Ger- many, France, and Italy.

SENSATIONAL BURGLARY NEAR TENBY. — a — PRISONER BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES An exciting story of a burglary committed in the dark hours of the night at Great Wedlock Farm, in the parish of Guuifreeton, between Narberth and Tenby, and the extra smart cap- ture of the burglar was related at the ordinary sitting of the Petty Sessional Bench on Thurs- day, December 15th, when George Price, of no fixed abode, was charged with burglariously entering Great Wedlock Farm on the 12th December, between 12 midnight and 4.30 a. m. on the 13th December, and stealing therefrom one silver lever watch, a purse containing 5s., a cheque-book, and a cash-box containing £4 6s. Id., three threepenny pieces, and three farthings, the property of Richard Williams. The magistrates on the Bench were Mr R. H. Buckby (in the chair), Dr. Lawrence, and Mr H. Seymour Allen. Prisoner was brought from Tenby Police Station by Superintendent Thomas (of Pem- broke-Dock) and Sergeant James (of Saunders- foot). Superintendent W. G. Thomas, in asking for a remand, said he had not had sufficient time to thoroughly complete his case, but he would submit ample evidence to prove that prisoner was connected with the burglary, after which he would ask for the prisoner to be remanded to Carmarthen prison till Thursday, December 22nd, when the case could be heard at that Court. In consequence of information received on Tuesday, the 13th inst., respecting a bur- glary having been committed at Great Wedlock Farm, he visited the place in company with other police officers, and on examination found that an entrance had been effected through a kitchen window. A silver watch and a purse containing 5s. had been stolen from the dressing table in the bedroom of Mr Williams, and a cheque-book had been extracted from the jacket which was hanging over the bed-post. A cash- box containing £4 6s. Id in gold and silver, also three threepenny bits and three farthings had been taken from the chiffonier in the dining- room. He made other inquiries, and eventually went to Tenby. Shortly after two o'clock on the afternoon of the same day he saw accused standing in Sergeant's Lane, Tenby, at the entrance to the Flats. He told Sergeants James and Thomas to seize the accused by either arm. Witness asked accused his name, and he replied "George Prince, of Scarborough, and I am a cattle dealer." Witnessed ques- tioned prisoner as to where he lodged on the night of the 12th of December, and he replied "King's Hotel, Narberth." Immediately pri- soner contradicted this address, and witness at once charged him on suspicion with Slaving bur- glariously entered Great Wedlock Farm and stolen the goods mentioned. Prisoner made no reply, and he was then conveyed to Tenby Police Station, where witness searched him, and found a complete set of burglar's tools (pro- duced). There was a revolver (with thirteen live cartridges), an electrie lamp, one file, one pair of gloves, one pair of scissors, one bunch of skeleton keys, four loose keys, two pieces of candle, and two crape masks. Witness also found on prisoner a silver lever watch (which had been identified as the missing one by Mr Williams), jSl 10s. in gold, £2 in silver, and 7jd. in coppers The purse which contained the 5s. was also found in prisoner's possession. Sergeant James proved the charging of pri- soner at Tenby Police Station. He made no reply. Prisoner was remanded for one week. The prisoner was brought up again last Thurs- day, and in addition to the above charge had preferred against him a second one, of a bur- glary near Pembroke. After evidence he was committed to take his trial at the next Assizes. Owing to the late arrival of a report of the proceedings the same is held over till our next issue.

HAVERFORDWEST GRAMMAR SGHOOL. 1'1 SPEECH DAY. AN £800 BEQUEST. Speech day was observed at the Haverford- west Grammar School last Thursday afternoon, when the prizes were distributed by the Bishop of St. David's. Mr R. P. Williams, for 25 years Chairman of the Governors, presided, and he was supported by Sir Charles Philipps, Dr. Henry Owen, Archdeacon Hilbers, Messrs. T. R. Dawkins, Hugh Saunders, and John Evans, with the headmaster (Rev. J. Henson). The Headmaster, in the course of his report, said a great deal was heard these days about the work of the Central Welsh Board. It was the fashion to decry the Central Welsh Board and to compare it unfavourably with the Oxford and Cambridge local examinations. He was not going to say anything in support of that cry. He was no believer in it. He believed it was far more difficult to obtain a Central Welsh Board certificate than to obtain the certi- ficate of the Oxford and Cambridge local ex- aminations, and yet the latter certificate was accepted as equivalent to the London matricula- tion. Many pupils who had failed to win a Central Welsh Board certificate immediately sat for the Oxford and Cambridge examinations and were successful. That was an injustice that ought to be remedied. Bishop Owen said there were surely means of remedying the injustice to which the head- master had called attention. Pembrokeshire, an historic county, he continued, was to be congratulated on possessing an ancient Gram- mar School, with the prestige of honourable tradition. Ho was pleased to hear that the number of pupils had more than doubled during the last few years. In conclusion, the J3ishop spoke of the value of concentration. The Chairman made the interesting an- nouncement that the late Mr Joseph Thomas had left a bequest of £800 to the school free of legacy duty, to be applied in the foundation (¡f a scholarship to enable a boy to proceed to a place of higher education for a period of three years. That was a very valuable addi- tion to the endowments of the school.

"MAURETANIA" ARREST. ALLEGED "DOUBLE-BACK." DETAINED AT FISHGUARD. A sensational incident in connection with the record trip of the Mauretania came to light last Friday. Among those who went aboard the liner at Fishguard on Thursday night was P.S. Lewis, of Goodwick, who quietly arrested a man, said to be a Spaniard, and alleged to be wanted on a charge of stealing jewels in London. It is stated that the London police had traced the supposed culprit to New York, and, being in communication with the police there, learned that the suspect was doubling back to England on the Mauretania. Wireless messages put the captain on the alert, and the suspect was kept uuder observa- tion A message was also sent to Fishguard, with the result that Sergeant Lewis made the arrest as stated. The suspect was brought ashore and kept in a railway waiting-room for an hour or more, being subsequently taken to Fishguard Police Station, where he was locked up. The arrest and subsequent proceedings were conducted with the greatest secrecy, and no particulars as to the exact nature of the charge are forthcoming. Rumour states that an eloping couple were on board, and that they were travelling under assumed names. Much romance was woven around the rumour, it being freely asserted that the lady was the daughter of a rich American, and the young man of humble position. Another story reversed this order of things, but confirmation of either was lacking. In- deed, if there was any truth in the story at all the couple had carefully covered up their tracks. A pretty story is told concerning a gentleman passenger. He received news by wireless that his wife had given birth to a daughter and in his delight and in honour of the record breaking trip he decided to call her Mauretania. The Cunard Company in celebration of the vessel's success gave the crew two days' extra pay. The Right Hon. Alexandra. M. Carlisle, under whose personal supervision while managing director of Queen's Island shipyard the White Star liner Olympic was built, and who was a passenger on the Mauretania's double run, telegraphed a Belfast friend from Fishguard. "It has been a most interesting and wonderful experience. Details of the gale encountered and the interesting personalities out and home would fill two newspaper pages. Everything went most satisfactorily, the be- haviour of the ship being magnificent." The six special trains—one to Dover carrying passengers to the Continent, via Reading, and five to London—ran the distance from Fish- guard (261 miles) at an average speed of from 40 to 45 miles an hour, without a hitch. The coal used on the Mauretania's outward voyage was the famous Ferndale smokeless steam coal. Although the passage to New York was not a record one, good time was done considering the fierce gale encountered. Fern- dale coal was used exclusively on the outward trip.

AMERICAN LADY AND FISHGUARD A London Press representative has had an interview with a lady who came over by the Mauretania. "It was just a delightful trip," she said. You would hardly know at times that you were at sea at all. She's a lovely boat. Just before we reached Fishguard I had a chat witn Madame Melba, the operatic singer, who was a passenger, and she was quite of the same opinion as myself. Madame Melba told me that one might be sitting in one's own drawing- room, for there was no rolling for hours together. It was just a real good run, and though I have come here several times during the last eleven years I never have had such a fine trip. If we go on like this we shall have week-end visits between the two countries. If it is any satisfaction to the Welsh people, you can say Fishguard is A 1 at Lloyd's. You know what I mean. There was none of the bustle that we expected, and we just came straight through to London. Before long you'll do things as well as we do in America."

PEMBROKE DOCK-YARD. "WESTERN MAIL'S" ANNUAL "CANARD." "A WICKED LIE." BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE YARD. The Western Mail the other day gave pub- licity to a statement to the effect that the only work in hand in Pembroke Dock-yard is "a little repairing work," and to another, and graver, statement that the Yard is about to be closed. The last named assertion is pretty nearly an annual lie, and is generally trotted out at a time of political excitement, and partisan feeling. Nothing could possibly be in more direct con- flict with the actual facts than the Western Mail s baseless story, nor a greater and more wicked lie. As a matter of fact, the Yard is very nearly at the zenith of its prosperity as regards the number of men employed, the amount of wages paid, and the work in hand. The Yard is in full work, and there is actually more work in hand than can be done. From our own personal knowledge (says the Pembroke-Dock Gazette in its last issue) we can vouch for all this, but "to make assurance doubly sure we have made it our business to see some of the prominent officials in the Yard. For obvious reasons we cannot men- tion names, but our readers may accept our assurance that the statements made are autho- ritative. H Yes, I saw the statement in the Western Mail," said one official, "and if I had any- thing to do with that paper I would put the correspondent who sent it under the pump. There is absolutely no truth whatever in it; it is a base and wicked lie. How do you ac- count," said he, "for such statements getting into a newspaper such as the Mail ? "Oh," said our representative, "some one must have evolved this from his inner con- sciousness, or rather, in this case, perhaps I should say his political consciousness." He has no conscience at all, I should say," remarked the official. "As you know a state- ment was made on the eve of the election by a prominent townsman 'that Sir Owen Philipps had left the place because he knew bad times were coming to the Yard.' I call that an un- gentlemanly thing to do, and a wicked lie, be- cause it is calculated to injure the Yard. We have tradesmen coming to us here in a panic, and asking is it safe for them to invest money, and so on. "I know no bad times," he continued, Has far as this Yard is concerned. Dr. Macnamara has given the story the lie. We have the Blonde completing, and the Active is being pushed on as hard as possible for launching, and we have another vessel to go on the slip as soon as the Active is launched. If you can call that having no work in hand it is curious as a matter of fact, we have more work in hand than we can do. "As regards discharges we have not dis- charged a man this year, nor are we likely to do so. On the contrary, we have from time to time put on additional men, and have kept them on, and to-day the Yard employs nearly as many men, and pays as much in wages, as in its palmiest days. There is, as far as we can see, a bright future before the Yard." Mr W. C. Ivemey, Liberal Agent, upon seeing the statement in the Western Mail, immediately wired to Major Guest as follows :— "A wicked and maliciouB statement appears in to-day's Western Mail stating < probable closing Pembroke Dock-yard expected large discharges of workmen likely to take place.' As such statement is likely to disorganise trade, and create unrest amongst workmen, especially at Christmas time, will you please wire Admiralty, and have official contradiction eent to Press."

I REE FAIR7 LOCAL f LOCAL T NOTES. .a.-

I am afraid the depressing weather of which we have had such a long spell, coupled with the upset of a General Election, will account in some measure for the very quiet Christmas trade which has been noticeable in Tenby, and I believe throughout the country generally. But there is one little mat- ter in connection with the Election results to which I am tempted to refer. After the declaration of the poll for the Pembroke Boroughs last January several local newspapers published a digest of the ballot papers giving a number of particulars which I feel sure the Ballot Act never intended should be made public. At the time I particularly called the attention of the Mayor of Pembroke to the matter, and I have carefully watched for any remarks made on the Election results given in the same constituency during the last week or two. I am pleased to say that the new Mayor of Pembroke has been most careful, and I have heard of only one gentleman who has publicly de- clared that he learnt how Tenby voted. From the columns of a contemporary of last week I quote the following para- graph :— A meeting of Mr Lort-Phillipa' sup- porters at the recent Election was held at the Conservative Club, Bellevue, on Wed- nesday evening last, Mr C. W. R. Stokes being in the chair. The Chairman ad- dressed the meeting on the result of the recent Election in the Boroughs, and men- tioned the need of improved organization, which had been felt during the contest. He stated that Tenby had done splendidly at the Election. He closely watched the ballot boxes at the counting of the votes, and his anticipations of what Tenby would do were fully realized. (Applause.) The italics are mine. I certainly think that the Returning Officer at Pembroke should call upon Mr C. W. R. Stokes for an explanation as to how he was able to so confidently state how Tenby had voted, and that care should be taken to prevent this gentleman again being in the room when ballot papers are counted. The secrecy of the Ballot is one of the greatest privileges that an English- man possesses, and it is strange indeed that any man, no matter what may be his position, should dare to state pub- licly that he not only attempted, but had actually succeeded, in wresting from the ballot-box one of the secrets that it was intended to preserve. That this gentleman is also the accredited agent of one of the candidates makes the incident one which calls for still more stringent enquiry. During the late terrible gales on our coasts and the frightful disaster at the Pretoria Colliery, Bolton, we have had numerous instances of genuine heroism on the part of a great number of men, but of all these I think the incident of the skipper of the Brixham fishing- smack Gratitude falling across another smack called the Friendship off Lundy in a very distressed condition, and at the risk of his life putting off in his small boat with his third hand and rescuing the Friendship's crew in spite of the terrible sea that was running and the hurricane that was blowing, stands out as more than usually meri- torious. Long ago I experienced three winters off these coasts in small fishing- smacks, so that perhaps the circum- stances appeal to me more than to a casual reader, knowing as I do the risk involved and skill demanded to launch a boat from the deck of a craft dancing like a cork over the enormous waves, then to bring her alongside the craft in distress, get the exhausted crew into the cockleshell, and once more reach the deck of the vessel from which you have started. *#* Skipper Compton realized to the full what he was about to attempt, and the account published in the Daily Tele- graph goes on to say that leaping into the boat he kissed his son who was on board, and said Good-bye, in case I don't see you again." Wasn't it splen- did of him ? Even though he believed the odds to be heavily against him ever getting back to his vessel he did not shirk the danger necessary to try and rescue his fellow fishermen. A gallant heart who could do this deserved to succeed in spite of all obstacles, and I was delighted to read that he returned uninjured from his plucky expedition, bringing with him to safety the crew of the Friendship), who were in such a deplorable condition that they had given up all hope, and had said their prayers through the terrible night they had just passed. Well done, Skipper Compton and the third hand of the Gratitude, of Brixham you have both nobly earned the highest medal or re- ward in the hands of man to bestow upon you. The Tenby Golf Club Committee pro- vided an excellent evening's entertain- ment at the Assembly Rooms on Tues- day night, and I was very pleased to see the house so well filled. The Hicks family of children gave a very pretty little number; Mr G. G. Bond played his banjo in his best style; Miss Nesta Allen sang and danced; Major Beding- feld gave us a violin solo; then Mrs Newton played divinely on the harp. Everybody was re-called, but I thought Mr A. R. T. Williams's recitation about the horse and the motor-car brought down the house. The latter half of the evening was occupied with the stirring play, The Drums of OHde, in which Mr Newton took the principal part splen- didly. Mr A. R. T. Williams was the dashing subaltern fresh from England, while Miss Ethel Tuck was charming as the young English wife. The parts of Indian servants, sergeant and sentry were well filled; and a lot of trouble taken with scanty materials to properly produce an effective scene, in the painting of which Mr W. F. Noble was again very successful. I don't know when I have had a more enjoyable evening's entertainment at the Tenby Assembly Rooms. F. B. M. THE TATLER."

SAUNDERSFOOT RAILWAY CROSSING. mm •• THE PARISH COUNCIL AND THE G.W.R. APPLICATION FOR A FOOTBRIDGE. IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE. The important question of the construction of a footbridge at Saundersfoot Railway Station, respecting which there has already been a good deal of discussion, was again debated at the last monthly meeting of the St. Issell's Parish Council, held in the Board Room, Saundersfoot. It appears that the Parish Council have written Mr John Rees, Superintendent of the South Wales district of the G.W.R., asking him to recommend to his company the advisa- bility of erecting a footbridge at Saundersfuot. As the Council did not obtain any satisfactory replies from the G.W.R., they determined to approach tho Board of Trade, and at their previous meeting they directed their Clerk (Mr J. Vaughan) to send the following letter to that body :— Secretary, Board of Trade, London. Nov. 21st, 1910. SIR,—I am directed by the St. Issell's Parish Council to draw the attention of your Board to the necessity of interference on their part in a matter which concerns the safety and convenience of the public who travel on the Great Western Railway at Saundersfoot Railway Station. I am also to inform you that the St. Issell's Parish Council have been in correspondence with J. Rees, Esq., Superintendent of the line for the South Wales district, for some time with a view of in- ducing the oompany to erect a footbride to connect the two platforms at the railway station, which would ensure safety to passengers who now have to cross the line and are thus exposed to danger. I am also to state that the danger complained of for,a long time, increases, especially during the summer months, when visiters from all parts of the country are visiting Saundersfoot and Tenby as seaside resorts. The trains during the season are often longer than the platforms, so that pas- sengers are compelled to walk round the end of the train in order that they may cross the line and get from one platform to the other. As most of the trains are timed to pass at this station the danger to which passengers are at all times ex- posed by approaching trains is great. The St. Issell's Parish Council therefore seriously submit this matter to your Board as a matter of great importance and urgency, not merely from com- plaints made generally, but from reports made by members of the Council, who, it appears, have been eye-witnesses of several narrow escapes, and as the Council are informed that the Board of Trade is the proper authority under all railway matters which concern the safety of the public, they petition your Board to investigate this matter at once, seeing that the Railway Company re- fused to erect a footbridge which the Council are of the opinion is the only means of averting the danger to which passengers are now exposed. The Board of Trade's reply to the above im- portant and interesting letter, affecting as it does the interests of hundreds of parishioners and general travellers, is as follows, and was read at the last meeting cf the Council :— To the Clerk, St. Issell's Parish Council Saundersfoot. Siii, -Respecting the want by your Council of the erection of a footbridge at Saundersfoot Rail- way Station (Great Western Railway), I am directed to state that the Board of Trade have no statutory power to require railway companies to improve passenger accommodation provided that station is already in use, but they have forwarded a copy of your letter to the Great Westorn Rail- way Company for their observation. There the matter ends at present, but the local Parish Council are determined to leave no stone unturned until their object has been attained. Why not call a public protest meeting and send a petition signed by every parishioner to the Railway Company ? We believe that would have more effect than all the correspondence in the world.

FISHGUARD'S NIEW HOTEL. The new hotel which has been built at Fish- guard by the Great Western Railway Company, appropriately known as the Fishguard Bay Hotel, is itself indicative of the rapid develop- ment of the port. There are 40 bedrooms, with accommodation for about 60 people, and complete suites of rooms can be provided. The dining-room has seating accommodation for about 75, and there are well furnished lounges, smoking and coffee rooms. The surrounding grounds have been magnificently laid out in rustic fashion by a well-known Cornish florist, and are set amongst the pine woods behind the hotel, overlooking the bay. There are also fruit and vegetable gardens to provide for the requirements of the hotel. Tennis courts, croquet lawns, and a billiard-room help to make the place a desirable one at which to stay. The possibilities of Fishguard as a holiday resort are now making themselves manifest, the advancement in this respect not being altogether due to the sheltered position of the harbour and equable climate, but also to the picturesque surrounding country.

PEMBROKE CHILD'S INJURIES. -A8 I." At Pembroke-Dock Petty Sessions on Satur- day Elizabeth Smith, a married woman, of Pembroke Ferry, was summoned at the instance of the N.S.P.C.C. for assaulting her illegitimate child, Elizabeth Epsworth, aged 14, on November 25th, and with ill-treating her on other dates. It appeared from the evidence that the mother took the child from Pembroke Work- house about a year ago, and had since then been in the habit of sending her to the bar- racks to beg. On the day in question she struck the child on the head with a heavy pint cup, and on another occasion she hit her across the back with a poker. Evidence was given by Superintendent Thomas and Dr. Williams, of Pembroke, as to the child's injuries, and it was stated that when examined she had a lump on her head the size of a pigeon's egg, and one of the 'bruises on her back measured four inches by two inches. The Mayor said that the magistrates had taken defendant's health in consideration, or they would have sent her to prison. She would be bound over, and the child taken from her custody and sent to a home.

CORRESPONDENCE. DISASTER TO BRIXHAM FISHING VESSELS. To the Editor of the Tenby Observer. SIR,-A terrible disaster occurred to the fishing fleet belonging to Brixham during the gale last Friday in the Bristol Channel, resulting in muoh loss of life and property. The extent of the loss is not yet fully known, as several of the smacks have not yet been heard of since leaving port, and consequently there is great anxiety. At the present moment, however, six men have been lost, leaving four widows and six- teen young children, one boat being totally lost and four wrecked. The event has cast a gloom over the whole town and district, for the hardy fishermen who so often risk their lives to save others (and several heroic deeds have been reported on this occasion) had just returned to their perilous work from exercis- ing their franchise at the election. The Urban District Council have opened a fund for the relief of the widows and orphans, and make this appeal to the public, confident that it will receive a quick and generous response from many who at this season of the year especially are ready to give to those in need. Contributions will be thankfully received and acknowledged at the Town Hall, Brixham, by JAMES W. HILL (Chairman of the Urban District Council). JOSEPH L. ARLIDGE (Clerk of the Urban District Council). The Town Hall, Brixham, December 22nd, 1910.

"THE DRUMS OF OUDE" ENTER- TAINMENT. To the Editor of the Tenby Observer. SIR,—I cannot help writing to congratulate Messrs. A. J. Newton and A. R. T. Williams for the most excellent entertainment they got up and put on the boards on Tuesday. These two gentlemen in their choice of the pro- gramme and in the manner they presented it to their audience have shown what can be done in Tenby at short notice. After a little experience in theatrical matters one could see what a vast amount of trouble and labour these two gentlemen must have had to place before a keen and critical audience such an excellent entertainment. From the moment the curtain rose in the first half of the show to the last wail of the bagpipes in The Drums of Oude the attention of the audience was fixed. Honour to whom honour is due. Messrs. Newton and Williams, I am told, and they alone, were not only responsible for the programme, but also for the promotion and organisation of the whole entertainment. They decided to give the proceeds, after paying expenses, to the Golf Club, for which, I think, they are entitled to a hearty vote of thanks for their trouble, which was a marked success. I am, etc., Tenby, December 28th, 1910. A PLATGOER.

BEGGING AT TENBY. To the Editor of the Tenby Observer. SIR,—As a much badgered householder, will you allow me to register a protest against the growing nuisance of what I may describe as polite begging in the town ? More than ever this Christmas it has been rampant; solicitations to subscribe to this fund and that fund to purchase tickets for this sale of work, this entertainment, and that entertain- ment then callers with books collecting sub- scriptions on behalf of "waits," "carollers," a wedding present, and heaven knows what else. Really there is no finality to it, and one would imagine that residents were made of gold, and were only waiting to be tapped." For its size I don't believe there is another town in the United Kingdom where people are pestered more for money than in Tenby. From January to December it is one never-ceasing cadge cadge cadge Rudvard Kipling's "Pay! Pay!! Pay! pales into utter insignifi- cance compared with it. The other night in less than two hours my ser- vant answered the door to four separate and distinct sets of beggars of the polite species. They all represented some fund, some movement, or some forthcoming entertainment, and they all were anxious to make a "draw." This sort of thing is really becoming an in- tolerable nuisance, and it is about time house- holders combined, formed as it were a sort of mutual protection league, and resolutely set their faces against it. I don't deny but that there are a few people whose means enable them to respond to every appeal—if they liked, which they very often do not—but the great majority of as are not in this enviable position. It is a debatable question whether this indis- criminate begging has not a demoralizing and pauperizing effect, whilst as to its inconvenience and nuisance there can be no two opinions. This Christmas it has been simply chronic, and enough to shorten the temper of an archangel. Why there should exist the need for all thia begging does not seem quite clear. Surely, as a town we pay more than our share of Poor Rate to provide for the needy. Then there is the Old Age Pensions—over fifty persons of both sexes in receipt of same. And yet on the top of it all comes this persistent and annoying begging. The slightest pretext is seized upon for a book," and having got it started off with a subscription from somebody in authority in the town, the collector goes merrily from door to door, ringing and knocking, with an assurance and a confidence which are enough to raise the gorge of the most mild-tempered householder. I would, however, make one exception, and that is the postmen's Christmas boxes. These public servants deserve some recognition at the end of the year; they are courteous, obliging, and care- ful and I trust my remarks will not prevent anyone who can from subscribing to their" book." If I remember rightly our late lamented Rector (the Rev. George Huntington) more than once expressed himself very strongly on thia begging nuisance, and sought in some degree to proteot his parishioners against the ceaseless demands made on them for money. Yours truly, A HARASSED HOUSEHOLDER. Tenby, December 23rd, 1910.

PEMBROKESHIRE MARKET TOLLS. DIVISIONAL COURT DECISION. At a recent sitting of the King's Bench Division, before the Lord Chief Justice and Justices Pick- ford and Avory, the case of Jenkins v. Thomas came before the Court on a case stated by the Pembrokeshire Justices. It appeared that at a Petty Sessions held on the 26th April at Haverfordwest, an information was laid by Gilbert John Thomas, the lessee of the market tolls at Haverfordwest, against Arthur Jenkins, charging him with unlawfully selling milk in Bridge Street, Haverfordwest, on the 10th April, 1910, not being a licensed hawker, Bridge Street being within the limits of the borough, but not in the market place. It was proved that Jenkins, the appellant, was a dairy farmer, who carried on a farm at Greenway Park, in the parish of Rudbaxton, Pembrokeshire, and that he drove into the borough of Haverfordwest on the morning in question, where he sold milk. Especially, it was said, the appellant served Mr L. H. Thomas and Mr Yincefct Davies, who were regular cus- tomers. It was also proved that the Borough Council had other articles in the market, which was opened from eight o'clock in the forenoon to seven in the afternoon; that the Council had made bye-laws under the powers vested in them by the Local Government Provisional Order Act and the Public Health Act relating to markets and slaughter-houses, and under those bye lawa markets were held every day in the week between the hours mentioned, and these bye-laws had been approved by the Local Government Board. On behalf of the appellant it was contended that the Council had not provided a suituble place for the sale of milk within the prescribed limits of the borough that there was no toll provided for in the bye-laws upon the sale of milk, but only a toll of 6d. upon every cart con- taining milk, for which toll alone the defendant was liable. The justices, however, found that the Council had provided a suitable place for the sale of milk, that the appellant had sold milk within the prescribed limits of the market, and that t. toll was due upon milk sold within those limits. Therefore they held that the information was good in law, and fined appellant Is. and ordered to pay the costs, jEl 12s. 6d., but con- sented to state a case for the opinion of the High Court. Mr Davenport, for the applicant, submitted that all he did was to bring milk into the town and deliver it to customers, who had a book and paid weekly. It was, he submitted, merely a delivery in the ordinary way of business. Secondly, he submitted that there was no toll upon the sale of milk at all, but only on the cart in which it was carried thirdly, that there was no reasonably sufficient accommodation for the sale of milk. In support of these contentions counsel cited a number of decided cases. The Lord Chief Justice, in giving judgment, said the case presented very great difficulties in- deed, and in any opinions he expressed he did so with very great doubt. Had he thought he would be able to find better reasons for his judgment by taking time to consider he would have done so, but he had certain points bearing on the case in mind, and having regard to the authorities cited there would be nothing gained by reserving his judgment. There was no summons here for bringing a cart with milk into the market. It was a different consideration altogether, being under Seotion 13 of the Act of 1847, merely one of selling milk in the market. It was clear the toll was a charge upon commodities, and then the question arose if it was a toll upon a simple sale. According to the toll, if a man brought things into the market for sale and sold nothing he was still liable for all the goods he brought in. It was a very narrow point, but it could not be said there was a sale when a man took all his goode back. In his opinion the case did not bring the appellant within the classes compelling people to pay a toll. There was no evidence for a sale, and the appeal would be allowed. Justices Pick- ford and Avory concurred.

MASON'S SIXPENNY GLIDE 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 Wyman and Son's bookstall.