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ABERDOVEY.
ABERDOVEY. Music.—The recent attempt to obtain a choral festival at Aberdovey in connection with the Calrinistic Methodist churches has failed. SHIPPING.—e.s. Dora arrived on Sunday with goods for the district, s.s. Pontaferry arrived on Sunday from Dublin with manure. ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN.—Last Sunday at the above chapel Mrs Ray, of Wrexham, officiated both morning and evening. There was a large atten- dance each meeting. WOMEN'S TEMPERANCE.—The above meeting was held on Friday evening last at the Assembly Rooms under the auspice of the British Women's Temperance, when a very interesting address was given by Mrs Ray of Wrexham. There was a large number present. TEMPERANCE.-The usual weekly temperance meeting was held last Sunday evening at the Assembly Rooms, the chair being occupied by Mr J. Owen, Celtic House, who shortly addressed the meeting. A song was given by Miss Laura Davies, when the meeting was left in the hands of Mrs Ray, who delivered an interesting and appropriate address, and gave a broad view of the drink question. The hall was crowded and a resolution was passed against the proposed Bill. for Compensation to publicans on the proposition by Mr Lumley and seconded by Mr Festin Williams and carried unanimously. SUPPER.-The Aberdovey branch of thelndepen- dent Order of Rechabitea held their annual supper on Thursday evening last at the Board School. A large number of the members assembled at the Literary Institute, whence they warched to the Schoolroom in their regalia. There were uearlv 100 who sat down to the supper, which was served in an excellent manner by Miss Roberts, Victoria Temperance Hotel. The tables were presided over by the following Mrs J. Youag, Miss Jones, Miss L. Jones, Mrs Jones Foulkes, Mrs J. Lumley, and Mrs Hugk Edwards. Subsequently an interesting programme was gone through, Mr E. L. Rowlands, district superintendent of the juvenile tents, pre- sided, at the request of the Ckief Raler, Mr Evan Roberts. He stated that the Angor Dyfi. Tent was now in a prosperous state. Between adults and "juveniles the branch consisted of 100 members. The balance sheet, which would be read in the meeting, would also ghow that financially the branch made most gratifying progress. During the Tear all the debt on the managemeit fund had been wiped off, which amounted to about CIO; also the eick fund was about 928 more at the close of 1903, which would bring the amount in that fund to over JE150. And before the full assets of the branch could be shown we sheuld consider the amount per member in the district funeral fund. The Aber. dovey branch was only instituted about 8 years ago so this proved that considerable progress had been made. It should be borne in mind that the strength of the branch could not be altogether gauged by numbers. Great care had been exercised in ad- mitting only persons who would advance the in- terests of the Order. The Independent Order of Rechabites is the oldest and strongest friendly society worked on temperance lines. The work of the Order had been of the greatest support to the cause of total abstinence throughout the world. Parents highly appreciated the efforts made in teaching the children not only in good conduct but also in leading a thrifty life. The meetings held in connection with the juveniles were not only to re- ceive their contributions, but under the manage- ment of Mr W. Jones, R.O., the energetic treasurer, the work of a Band of Hope of a high order was carried on. All friendly societies did splendid work, but it must be admitted that the Rechabite Order had a special claim on every person who had the advancement of temper- ance principles at heart. — The Secretary read the balance sheet, which showed that X68 153 had been paid in during the year, and £ 42 had been paid out on sick account. The total fuad at present in hand was £ 142 12s 1 Jd. -Mr W. Jones, R.O., also addressed the meeting. The programme was gone through as follows :-Seng, Mr Spencer recitation, The silver lining," Miss Mabel Berry penillion singing by Messrs H. Lewis, H. Davies and H. Griffiths; song, Mr Ffestin Williauip, the words being composed by Mr E. L. Rowlands (Dyfi). The meeting concluded with a rote of thanks to Mr R L. Rowlands for providing a sapper for all the children, on the proposition of Mr W. Jones, R.O., And seconded by Mr Jones Hughes. Hen wlad fy nhadau was sung. The officers for the ensuing year have been elected as follows Chief Raler, Mr Hugh Lewis; P.C.R., Mr Evan Roberts; D.P.R Mr Robert Griffith; secretary, Mp Geo. Jones; treasurer, Mr W. Jones, R.O.
DIN AS MAWDDWY.
DIN AS MAWDDWY. APPOINTMENTS. — The Dolgelley Elementary Ed-acation Managers have appointed Miss Kate Jones, Rhostryfan, Carnarvon, and Miss S. Jones, Dinas Mawddwy, assistant mistresses (Art, 60), at Minllyn and Aberangell schools respectively. PETITION.—The Fiee Churches are organising a petition praying for the discontinuance of the 11 o'clock publie house closing rule, and favouring the adoption of closure an hour earlier. PATENT.—Mr John Roberts, Cwmcewydd, has recently provisionally patented improvements on pullers for transmission of power by means of wire repes. LITERARY.—Mr Thomas Davies (Tegwyn), con- tributes a biogiaphical sketch of" Hugh Jones, Maesglasau," in the January G^nru, In an inter- estir"' article, read as a paper before the Society of Cymreigyddion at Machynlletb, the writer traces the advancement of his subject amid squalid sur- roundings and under extreme educational disad- nantases to find fame as a bard, author, and com- poser. A li t of bin works published from 1774 till his death in 1825-tho chief "Translation of the complete works of Josephus" (18L9)—are piven. Mr Davies possesses a facile pen and is a frequent contributor to the Welsh Press.
.NEWTOWN.
NEWTOWN. FISHERY BFPRKSKNTATIVE.—At a meeting of the Severn Board of Conservators held at Birmingham la-t week, Mr W. E. Prvco-Jones, Dolerw, was appointed on the Boa:d for Montgomeryshire. ROMMAGE SÀLE.- A very successful Rummage Sala was held at the Congregational School room on Saturday latt, when a sum of L10 was xealised in aid of the Ctapel funds.
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.
OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. The Parliamentary Session was opened on Tuesday by the King, who attended in State, accompanied by the Queen. There was a large and brilliant assembly of Peers and Peeresses and gentlemen of the House of Commons led by Mr Speaker Gully, when his Majesty read the Speech from the Throne. THE KING'S SPEECH. The following is the text of the King's Speech, which was read in both Houses — My Lords and Gentlemen,- My relations with foreign Powers continue to be of a satisfactory character. My Government has concluded with that of the French Republic an agreement which will, I trust, do much to promote the recourse to arbi- tration in cases of international dispute. Apart from its intrinsic value the agreement affords a happy illustration of the friendly feelings pre- vailing between the two countries, of which striking proofs were given during my visit to France and that of the President of the French Republic to Great Britain, and of which further evidence has been furnished by a recent exchange of international courtesies. Similar agreements are in progress of negotia- tion with the Governments of Italy and the Netherlands. An agreement has been concluded between my Government and that of Portugal for the settlement by arbitration of the frontier line between the possessions of Portugal in South- West Africa and the territory of the Barotse kingdom. His Majesty the King of Italy has been pleaed to accept the office of arbitrator. The tribunal appointed under the Convention concluded on the 3rd March last between my Government and that of the United States has given a decision on the points referred to it. On some of these the verdict has been favourable to British claims; on others it has been adverse. Much as this last circumstance is to be deplored, it must nevertheless be a matter of congratula- tion that the misunderstandings in which ancient boundary treaties, made in ignorance of geo- graphical facts, are so fertile, have in this case been finally removed from the field of contro- versy. The military operations in Somaliland are being pushed forward as rapidly as difficulties of climate and transport will permit. The suc- cesses recently obtained by my troops under General Egerton will materially contribute to the destruction of the Mullah's power and the consequent pacification of the country. I have received cordial co-operation from the Italian Government and from the Emperor Menelek of Abyssinia, who has organised a. force which, by advancing from the west, will, it is hoped, materially assist the movement now in progress. I have watched with concern he course of th3 negotiations between the Governments of Japan and Russia with regard to their respective inter- ests in China and Corea. A disturbance of the peace in those regions could not but ha..e de- plorable consequences. Any assistance which my Government can usefully render towards the promotion of a pacific solution will be gladly afforded. The scheme of Macedonian reforms proposed in February last by the Russian and Austro- Hungarian Governments, with the concurrence of the other Powers, signatories of the Treaty of Berlin, has been improved and strengthened in several important particulars. The revised scheme has been concurred in by-other Powers and accepted, after a regrettable delay, by the Porte. The winter has brought a cessation in the disturbances which prevailed throughout Macedonia during the greater part of last year, and it is to be earnestly hoped that advantage will be taken of this respite in order to carry out those practical measures of amelioration which are so sorely needed in these unhappy regions. Amongst these measures the reorgani- sation of the Macedonian gendarmerie deserves a prominent place. I note with satisfaction that his Majesty the Sultan has appointed a dis- tinguished general officer of the Italian army to take charge of this reform. He is to be assisted in the discharge of his task by other officers appointed by the Powers, and I have authorised the employment of a Staff officer of my army, aided by other British officers, for this purpose. I am gratified to observe that the legislatures of the ""Commonwealth of Australia and the colony of New Zealand have passed laws giving effect to the naval agreements entered into at the Colonial conference of 1902, under which th.jY assume a larger share than heretofore in he gen- eral scheme of Imperial defence. The New Zea- land Legislature has also saic-Honed a tariff, which gives a preference in its markets to the produce of this country. The insufficiency of the supply of the raw material upon which the great cotton industry of this country depends has inspired me with deep concern. I trust that the efforts which are be- ing made in various parts of my e,apire to in- crease the area under cultivation may t'f attended with a large measure of success. With the concurrence of the Chinese Govern- ment a political mission has entered Thibetan territory in order to secure the due observance of the Convention of 1890 relating to Sikkim and Thibet. A Chinese official has been despatched from Pekin to meet it, and I trust that an arrangement may be arrived at with the Chinese and Thibetan authorities which will peacefully remove a constant source of difficulty and fric- tion on the northern frontier of my Indian Empire. Papers on the subject will be laid before you. Gentlemen of the House of Commons,— The Estimates for the year will be laid before you. Although they have been framed with the utmost desire for economy, the burden imposed on the resources of the country by the necessi- ties of naval and military defence is undoubtedly serious. The possibility of diminishing thi3 burden is being carefully considered in connec- tion with the general problem of army and War Office reform. My Lords and Gentlemen,— A measure for the purpose of dealing with the evils consequent on the immigration of criminals and destitute aliens into the United Kingdom will be laid before you. A bill amending the law with respect to licences for the sale of intoxicating liquors in England will be submitted to you. A measure" for the amendment of the law with respect to valuation authorities and the prepara- tion of valuation lists will be introduced. A bill to amend the laws relating to education in Scotland has been prepared for your consider- ation. A measure will be introduced to amend the Labourers Acts and the Housing of the Working Classes Act in Ireland. Proposals will be laid before you for amend- ing the Workmen's Compensation Acts, for amending the law relating to public health, for dealing with the hours of employment in shops, for consolidating the enactments relating to naval prizes of war, for removing after the ter- mination of the present Parliament the neces- sity for re-election in the case of acceptance of office by members of the House of Commons, for supplementing the powers of the Congested Districts Board in Scotland, and for amending the law relating to sea fisheries. I commend your deliberations to the care and guidance of Almighty God. In the House of Lords the Address was agreed to wihout a division after speeches by Earl Spencer, the Marquis of Lansdowne, and the Lord Chancellor. In the House of Commons Mr L. Hardy moved and Mr Plummer seconded the Address thank- ing the King for his Speech. Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman entered into a detailed criticism of the conduct of the Government, especially in reference to the fiscal question. In the absence of the Prime Minister, through ill- ness, Mr Austin Chamberlain replied as leader of the House. The Attorney-General defended himself in regard to the Whitaker Wright. case. Incidentally he stated that the Treasury would bear the costs of the prosecution. The question whether Mr A. Gibbs and Mr V. Gibbs have technically vacated their seats was raised upon a letter which the Speaker had received from them.
. CHANGES IN PARLIAMENT.
CHANGES IN PARLIAMENT. The changes that have taken place in the com- position of the House of Commons since Parliament adjourned on August 14 last have been both numerous and important, and quite a number of new members ar.d of old members re-elected since the adjournment had to present themselves at the Table to be sworn in after the opening of the Session. There have been 18 Bye-elections during the Recess, and in most cases there hare been contests. The net result of these contests is the transfer of four seats, three Scotob and one English —Argyllshire, the St. Andrews Burghs, the Ayr Burghs, and Norwich—from the Ministerialists to the Opposition, thus increasing their voting strength by eight. One of theee vacancies were created by the acceptance of a Directorship of the Suez Canal by Mr H. T. Ansti-uthsr, who repre- sented the St. Andrews Burghs, and the others for Argyllshire, Norwich, and the Ayr Burghs by the death respectively of Mr Donald Nicol, Sir Harry Bullard, and Mr C. L. Orr-Ewing. In the St. Andrews Burghs, Captain E. C. Ellice takes tho place of Mr Anatruther; in Argyllshire, Mr J. S. Ainsworth has succeeded Mr Nicol; at Norwich, kir J. L. Tillott Sir Harry Bullard; and in the Ayr Burghs Mr J. Dobbie Mr Orr-Ewing. The seats where contests have taken place, and where new members have been returned, but where the political complexion of the constituency- re- mains unaltered, have been seven, about equally divided between borough and county—Rochester, Dulwich Division of Camberwell, Lewisham, and Gateshead in one category, and the Ludlow Divi- sion of Shropshire, the Ashburton Division of Devonshire, and South Meath in the other. In the former class, at Rochester, Lord Cranborne, who has been called to the Upper House as Marquess of Salisbury in succeesion to his father has been eucceeded by Mr Charles Tuft; at Dulwicb, Dr Rutherfoord Harris has been returned as the late Sir J. Blundell Maple's successor; at Lewisham. Major Coates takes the place of Mr John Penn; and at Gateshead, Mr John Johnson succeeds Sir Will, Allan. In the counties, Mr Rowland Hunt, a Con- servative, replaces Mr Jasper More, Liberal Unionist, for the Ludlow Division of Shropshire; Mr Eve, K.C., takes the place of Mr Seale-Hayne for the Ashburton Division of Devonshire; and Mr David Sheehy, of the United Irish League, that of Mr J. L. Carew, an Independent Nationalist, for South Meath. Mr Lyttleton, Colonial Secretary, Mr Arnold Foster, Secretary of State for War, and Lord Balcarres, a Junior Lord of the Treasury, have each been opposed on presenting themselves for re-election after their acceptance of office; but all have been successful in obtaining re-election. This will necessitate their again presenting them. selves at the table to be re-sworn. The Marquess of Hamilton, Lord Stanley, and Mr A. Lee, re-elected without opposition upon appointment to office, must also be again sworn. The remaining new member is, indeed, like those immediately preceding, an old one, and his presentation to take the oath may give rise to some constitutional question. Mr Patric Aloysius M'Hugb, who had represented North Leitrim since 1892, having bee. made a bankrupt, his seat was vacated, and a new election to fill the vacancy so created took place in October. It was intended to return the late member's father as his successor, but at the last moment other couu. sels prevailed, and Mr P. A. 1\l'Hugh was nomin- ated and returned without opposition. One other existing vacancy still remains to be filled-that for Cork-while three further elections are pending—for the City of London, the St. Albans Division of Heits, and the Blackpool Division of Lancashire. Mr William O'Brien has retired from the representation of Cork, while Mr Alban Gibbs, one of the members for the City, and Mr Vicarev Gibbs, tha representative for the St. Albans Division of Herts, will offer themselves for re-election, the action of their firm in negotiating for the Government the purchase of the two Chilian cruisers having rendered it doubtful whether they could continue to safely hold their seats. Mr Worsiey-Taylor, K.C., has announced that ill-health compels him to relinquish bis seat for Blackpool.
[No title]
Colonel Francis Lloyd, who was recalled'from half-pay to take command of the 1st Battalion of the Grenadier Guards, after tb3 troubles; amongst some of the junior officers twelve months ago, will revert to haif-psy on tho 14Lh inst., just a after his appointment to succeed Lieut. Colonel D. A. Kinloch. Colonel Lloyd served with the 1st Grenadiers in the Khartoum compaign, and com- manded the 2nd Battalion in feouth Africa.
ARMY REFOltM.
ARMY REFOltM. REPORT OF THE SPECIAL COM- MITTEE. WAR OFFICE TO BE RECONSTRUCTED. The report of the War Office Reconstitution Committee, composed of Lord Esher, Sir J. A. Fisher, and Sir George Clarke, appointed a short time ago to examine and report upon the creation of a board for the administrative busi- ness of the War Office, has just been issued. It has been approved by the King, and consists of a letter by Lord Esher, Sir J. A. Fisher, and Sir George Clarke to the Prime Minister, fol- lowed by their report in three sections. The first section deals with the creation of a Department of the Defence Committee—already in existence-by way of strengthening the same. The second section .deals with the creation of an Almv Council on the 86me line* a the Ad- miralty Board, on which the Secretary of State will preside. The object of this Council mAy be summued up in the word "decentralisation." The office of Commander-in-Chief is abolished, and his place is to be taken by an Inspector- General, whose sole function it will be to report upon actual facts, without expressing opinion on policy, and who should, therefore, be located out- side the War Office. Section three deals with the working out of the decentralisation idea. The main object of the creation of an Inspec- tor-General, who will be assisted by a staff, is to provide the Secretary of State and Council with eyes and ears other than those of the administrative heads of the War Office, who cannot have time or opportunity for inspection. The report contains the followingimportant pas- sage New measures demand new men," and we, therefore, attach special importance to the immediate appointment of military members who have not hitherto been closely connected with existing methods, and are, therefore, not likely to be embarrassed by the traditions of a system which is to be radically changed. THE NEW DEPARTMENT. Lord Esher and his two colleagues in their covering letter to the Premier suggest the crea- tion of a Department for the Defence Commit- tee containing elements of a permanent character following the well-tried and established precedents of British administration located in close proximity to the residence of the Prime Minister and under his exclusive control. This department will be an adjunct to that of the per- manent secretary, and will be an office for the co-ordination of all naval and military intelli- gence bearing upon the question of naval de- fence. TO ADVISE THE PREMIER. The committee were therefore convinced that the addition of a permanent nucleus to the De- fence Committee is essential, as the only valid guarantee- (1) That vitally important work with which no one is now charged shall be continuously and consistently carried on, and (2) That the Prime Minister shall have at his disposal all the information needed for the due fulfilment of his weighty responsibilities. Further, they can conceive no other means of focussing questions of national defence under existing conditions without involving constitu- tional changes which would be undesirable, if not impracticable. The permanent neucleus of the Defence Committee should consist of a per- manent secretary—appointed for five years and renewable at pleasure — under this official two naval officers chosen by the War Office, and two Indian Officers nominated by the Viceroy, with, if possible, one or more representatives of the colonies. These officers should not be of high rank, and the duration of their appointment should be limited to two years. FREELY-EXPRESSED OPINIONS. As to the Army Council, the committee say that they decided to take counsel with all the high officials, military and civil, whose views and experience could throw light upon their in- vestigations but not to record their evidence. They have thus obtained expressions of opinion given with complete freedom which have been of great value. The Army Council should con- sist of seven members-four military and three civil-with the Permanent Under-Secretary as secretary. "We reserve for further investi- gation and consideration," the committee pro- ceed, the distribution in precise detail of the duties of the members of the Council." PRESS COMMENTS. The Daily News" thinks that so far the action of the Government in regard to the new- scheme of army reform will be received with satisfaction. It finds it difficult, however, to defend the proposal that the president of the Defence Committee should be the Prime Minis- ter, the duties of Prime Minister being far too exacting to allow the proper attention. The Standard finds the new scheme so extensive and complex that it is not easy to pronounce an opinion upon it until the full import of all its provisions have been very naturally weighed and considered. It hopes, at any rate, that it will embody the elements of finality. The "Daily Telegraph" feels assured the reforms will command the approbation of all classes in the community, and is especially pleased with the committee for adopting Mr Balfour's Com- mittee of Defence. The only objectors to the whole scheme, it thinks, will be those politicians who scent militarism in all proposals for army reform. The Morning Post" criticises the scheme at length. It seems to think it will give too much power to the Prime Minister, and does not like the idea that the first military member of the Council will have nothing to do with the troops in peace. He will be a mere theorist whose duties could be as well filled by a professor who had never seen a battle. It does not view with favour the new substitute for the Commander-in-Chief, and thinks the suggestion that all the four military members should be new men as startling and unnecessary. The Daily Chronicle" supposes that nearly every- one will agree as to the excellence of the main principles of the scheme.
LLWYNGIVRIL.
LLWYNGIVRIL. URAVAGES OF THE SEA.—The timber which was left from the recent sale of wreckage on Monday week, which was left on the beach near Llwyn. gwril, was at the beginning of this week washed away by the high tide. The sea. on Tuesday being in a very rough state.