The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

Carmarthen Board of Guardians. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Carmar- then Board of Guardians was held at the Board- room at the Workhouse on Saturday, Mr D. L. Jones, Derlwyn, presiding. There were also present Miss Gwyn, St Ishmaels Rev W. H. Jones, Trelech Rev Thomas Jones, Llan- ddowror Messrs J. G. Davies arid John Griffiths, Abergwili T. Pugh, Abernant T. Phillips and William Edwards, Cnnwil; W. J. Thomas, Lianarthney Joseph Jones, Llan. gunnock David Thomas, Llanfihangel-Aber- cowin William Williams, LJangain Herbert Howells, Llangendeirne J. T. Williams, Llan- ginning W. LI. Thomas. Llanllawddog G. Barrett Evans, Llanstephan John Phillips, Llanwinio David Evans, Merthyr Joseph Morris, St Clears William Thomas, Trelech J. P. Lewis, Jonathan Phillips, and Thornus Thomas, Carmarthen. THE MASTER'S RBPOLTT. The Maoter reported as follows:—"I beg to report the following Mrs Morris, Bryn- myrddin, kindly sent a large quantity of rhubarb for the inmates which was very acceptable to the old people and children. Lord George Sanger kindly admitted free of charge a large number of our inmates to his modem circus. The inmates thoroughly enjoyed the treat." There were eighty inmates in the House as compared with 87 on the corresponding day last year. Fifty-five tramps had been accommodated during the fortnight. "There are about twelve old men and women in the ward who wish to read the Bible. Will the Guardians kindly allow them a few spectacles and Welsh Bibles, and also twelve hymn books for the Sunday services." OUT-DOOR PAUPERISM. The reports of the Relieving Officers showed the state of out-door relief for the fortnight ending on the previous Board day to have been as follows :-let week 978 paupers, being a decrease of 29 as compared with the corresponding day last year expenditure JE131 9s 2d, being a decrease of 22 3s 4d 2nd week 972 paupers, being a decrease of 32, expenditure £125 4s 6d, being a decrease of 21 18s. BALANCE IN HAND. The report of the Treasurer showed the balance in hand at the previous Board day to have been £ 3,539 13s lid. VOTES OF THANKS. Votes of thanks were given to Mrs Morris, Brynmyrddin, and to Lord George Sanger for their kindness to the inmates. BIBLES AND SPECTACLES. It was decided, on the motion of the Rev T. Jones, seconded by Mr David Thomas, to apply to the British and Foreign Bible Society for the Bibles required by the old inmates. It was also decided to provide the required number of spec- tacles. Miss Gwyn said that she would procure the Bibles required. THE OFFICE DESK. It was decided to offer Mr Arthur Price C7 10s for the desk in the Master's office, the property of his late father. THE WATER SUPPLY. The Town Clerk wrote stating that the Cor- poration of Carmarthen could not guarantee a constant supply of water to the Workhouse, but they could give a half-inch main on condition that the Corporation could tarn it off when deemed necessary. Mr W. J. Thomas asked how the House was now supplied. The Deputy Clerk said they were supplied from two wells at the back. Mr W. J. Thomas said it would be better if they had a third well sunk on their own pre- mises. Mr John Phillips moved that they accept the Town Clerk's offer on condition that they have an inch pipe. This was eventually agreed to. The Clerk said be believed that there would be plenty of water when the reservoir was finished at the Rock and Fountain. THE NURSE. The Local Government Board wrote approving of the appointment of Miss Margaret Jenkins as nurse at the Workhouse. AN APPLICATION. Miss Gwyn, in the absence of Mrs R. M. Thomas, moved that they apply to the Local Government Board to add ten years to the calcu- lation of the services of Miss Burnhill, late nurse, for superannuation purposes. This was carried unanimously.

Science Grants. CENTRAL WELSH BOARD CIRCULAR. The following circular has been addressed by th eboard to County Governing Bodies I.-Appended to this memorandum is an extract from the memorandum lately issued by the Board of Education on the subject of courses in science and day schools. The Central Welsh Board de- sire to call the attention of County Governing Bodies to the advantages cf the scheme, especially as it will secure the bayment of substantial grants to the Welsh county schools with little (if any ) disturbances of curriculum and orginisation. 2.-The Central Welsh Board consider that it is of the utmost educational importance that the sys- tem of inspection on the results of which these grants will be payable should be one which duly considers the various sides of secondary education, whether literary or scientific, as parts &f one organised whole, framed in accordance with the distinctive conditions of Wales, an object which will be best attained by the grants being made "aolely" on the results of the inspection of the Central Welsh Board. They further consider that the actual distribution of the grant should be made by the County Governing Bodies, who alone are in a position to consider the varying needs and circumstances of the schools within their re- spective areas. 3 —By the existing county schemes the proce- dure whereby the Treasury Grant is paid to the County Governing Bodies cannot m this case be followed. The Central Welsh Board suggest, therefore, that the several County Governing Bodies should move immediately for such arrange. ments in their schemes as will make it possible for the new science grants in respect of the schools in their counties to be received and dealt with by the County Governing Bodies. Pending such amendments of the present schemes the grant in respect of each school must be paid to the local governors of the schools, and. uuless the necessary inspection can be undertaken by the Central Welsh Board, the grant must be paid on the re. port of the officials of the Science and art Depart- ment, now merged in the Secondary Branch of the °. Board of Education. J I. S 4.—The beard have ascertained that amend- ments of the above character can be carried through by the Board of Education in the txer. cise of their ordinary jurisdiction without the elaborate and dilatory procedure involved in the original establishment of the schemes. Where no objection is i-eiseii three months suffice for such amendment. 5.—It is unnecessary to dilate upon the educa- tional and practical disadvantages Vilh,eli wmiM arise from impo:o!ill on the >ch<u>ls a duplicate in- spection by a Government Department in addi- tion to that of the Central Welsh Board. on which the Treasury yrant is given. To avoid these, the Central Welsh Board are, with the aanctiou of the Board of Education, prepared to provide the necessary further inspection, but to meet the ex- penses that will thus arise the board intend to levy the 2s 6d per pupil provided by Clause 39 (a) of the Central Welsh scheme, If, by amending the schemes as above proposed, the new grants are administrated by County Governing Bodies, the deduction of 5 por cent. for the Centra! Board will apply to them and the levy of 23 6d per pupil may, in part if not altogether, be a^am dispensed with.

Imperial Parliament. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 19TH.—In the House of Commons, the third reading of the Education (Young Children School Attendance) (Scotland) Bill was moved by Mr Pirie. The measure, which prohibits absolutely the employment of children under the age of 12 and the casual em- ployment at u^ht of children between 12 and 14 years of age wh:) have not been exempted from school attendances was opposed by Mr Galloway and other members on the ground that the material changes effected in the Bill in Grand Committee had completely transformed it. The Lord Advocate reminded the critics of the Bill that the alterations which had been made in its provisions were all adumbrated in the speech which he delivered at the stage of second reading. —The Bill, which was discussed for nearly three hours, was finally read a third time without a division.—The second order of the day was the Outdoor Relief (Friendly Societies) Bill, which provides that in granting outdoor relief to mem- bers of friendly societies boards of guardians shall not take into consideration any sum up to 53 a week received from such societies as sick pay.- There being no serious opposition to the Bill. it was read a third time without a division.—The House proceeded next to consider the Cremation Bill as amended in Grand Committee, and a new clause bringing Scotland within its operation was agreed to by 199 votes against 87. Nearly three pages of amendments remained to be dis- posed of when the debate stood adjourned.—The Mines (Eight Hours) Bill, which occupied the fifth place on the order paper, was not reached.— The House adjourned at 25 minutes to 6 o'clock. THURSDAY, JUNE 20TH. — In the House of Lords on the order for the third reading of the Drunkards Bill, Lord Spencer asked whether His Majesty's Government really intended to press this measure forward in "another ulace." Lord Salisbury said it would appear as a Ministerial Bill in the House of Commons, and the Govern- ment earnestly desired to see it placed on the Statute-book though whether it would be actu- ally passed this Session he was, of course, unable to prophesy.—The Bill was then read a third time and passed.—The Licensing Bill was alwo read a third time and passed and the County Councils (By-laws) Bill was, on the motion of Lord Northbrook read a second time.—The Lord Chancellor moved the second reading of the Su- preme Court of Judicature (Appeals) Bill, the main object of which was to provide that where a Divisional Court of the High Court was consti- tuted of not less than three Judges, no appeal should lie from any decision of that Court except by leave of that Court, and where any such leave was given the appeal would lie to the House of Lords. It was also provided that certain appeals mentioned in the schedule should lie to the High Court instead of to the Court of Appeal, and that in the case of appeals under the Workmen's Com- pensation Acts th, decision of the High Court should be final and leave should not be given to [appeal to any other Court.—Lord Alverstone said the Judges of the King's Bench Division were in favour of the establishment of a strong Divisional Court sitting for a considerable period-say, six months The members of that Court ought only to be changed at intervals of six months, and then only one at a time, so that there would be a prac- tical continuity in the personnel of the Court. If such a system were adopted there would be much greater rapidity in the dispatch of business and more uniformity in the decision?.—The Bill was read a second time.—The Civil List Bill was brought up from the Commons, and on the motion of Lord Salisbury it was read a first time. —The House rose at a quarter-past 5 o'clock. In the House of Commons Lord Cranborne in- formed Mr Dillon that the representatives of the atiied Powers at Peking had agreed to fix the in- demnity payable by China at 450,000,009 taels.- Mr Ritchie, who introduced a Bill to amend the law relating to youthful offenders, explained its contents briefly. One clause provided that young persons on remand should be committed to the charge of some responsible person, and not be sent, as heretofore, to a workhouse or prison. This would save them from contaminating influ- ences. By other clauses the responsibility of parents was increased-, and it was also proposed to enact that children in Ireland could be sent to reformatories without having first been to prison. The provision with regard to whipping, which was in the Bill which was withdrawn last year, had not been reintroduced.—The consideration of the Finance Bill in Committee was resumed on Clause 2, which sanctions the imposition of the new sugar duties, and Mr Flower, who desired that preferential treatment should be accorded to sugar coming from the Colonies, moved an amend- ment with the object of relieving such sugar from 33! per cent. of the duty, and urged the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer to consider seriously the advisability of establishing a system of preferen- tial tariffs within ihe Empire.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer, dealing in the first place with the claims of the West Indies, to which his attention had been called by the bon. member, referred to the grants which had been made to those Colonies in the last five years, and which showed that the Government were not unmindful of the interests. The sugar duty, he then reminded the Committee, would be paid by the consumer, and not by the producer. The amendment frould deprive the Exchequer of one-third of its revenue in respect of sugar imported from British possessions, and the consumer would not be benefited, for be would certainly have to pay just as much for colonial sugar paying only two-thirds ot:the duty as for foreign sugar paying the whole duty. He would, therefore, suffer for the benefit of the colonial producer. Another objection to the proposal was that if preferential duties were established great precautions would have to be taken against fraud, and as a result trade would be hampered. .Vf"'4:1 He maintained that if preferential treatment were extended to colonial sugar all other colonial products which were liable to duty would in the end have to be treated in the same way. That. in fact, was the result which the supporters of the amendment wished to bring about. Then foreign countries would make similar demands, and :f they were conceded the preference in fa.vour nf the colonies would, of course, disappear. If, on the other hand, we refused to foreign countries the same treastment that we accorded to our colonies, we should jeopardize oiir export trade, and we should certainly rnn a serious risk of losing most-favoured-nation treatment for our commerce with Germany. For these reasons he could not consent to reverse the fiscal policy which had been pursued by this country for 40 years.—The amendment was negatived by 366 I votes against 16.—Mr Kearley, who moved to reduce the duty 01: high-class sugars from 4a 2d the cwt. to 2s, complained that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had piled tax upon tax upon the working classes, and appealed to him in their interests to agree to this modification of his Budjet.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in his reply, ridiculed the idea, which Mr Kearley appeared to entertain, that the working classes were being taxed to death. The hon. member, he said, had alleged that the working classes would actually pay E2,000,000 more than the duty would yield to the Exchequer. If he was right the dealers and grocers would be to blame. The result of reducing the duty to 2s would be to put more money into the pockets of these gentle- men and less into the Exchequer, for the price of sugar would certainly be raised by a halfpenny in the pound even if the duty were lowered.—The amendment was negatived after further discussion by 177 v"tes against 109.—The Committee then proceeded to consider the Chancellor of the Exchequer's amended scale of duties for molasses and sugar extracts, according to the amount of sweetening matter which they contain, and a highly technical discussion arose as to the precise meaning to be attached to the expression ''sweetening matter."—The new scale was agreed to, and some other amendments were disposed of before progress was reported. FRIDAY, JUNE 21BT.—In the House of Lords, the County Councils (Bye-Laws) Bill passed through Committee.-The Civil List Bill was, on the motion of Lord Salisbury, read a second time, and the House rose at 20 minutes to 5 o'clock. In the House of Commons, Sir J. Stirling- Maxwell having asked a question as to the employ- ment of police on the occasion of the meeting in favour of the Boer cause at the Queen's Hall, Mr Labouchere, who presided at the meet- ing, protested that it was wrongly described as having been held in favour of the Boer cause, and declared that it was held in opposition to the Government. Mr Ritchie stated that 357 con- stables, who were withdrawn from their ordinary duties, were employed in the vicinity of the ball. Amid the cheers of Nationalist and other mem- bers, Mr E. Robertson asked whether the pre- sence of the police was not necessitated because disorder was expected in consequence of incite- ments to disturbance which had appeared in the London Press, and in handbills and placards. Mr Ritchie contented himself with replying that the police were present because it was known that there would probably be a great amount of oppo- sition to :he meeting.—Other business was tran- sacted. and the House adjourned at 2 o'clock. MONDAY, JUNB 24th.-In the House of Com- mous, the sitting was devoted to the further con- sideration of the Finance Bill in Committee. On the question that Clause 2, which relates to the sugir duties, stand part of the Bill, Mr James Lowther expressed great disappointment at the refusal of the Chancellor of the Exchequer to entertain the amendment moved by Sir H. Vincent last Thursday in favour of preferential treatment for sugar imported from our colonies. The Chancellor of the Exchequer deprecated the re-opening of the subject, and it was not pursued; but there was a general discussion on the policy of the clause, in the course of which Mr Lough, Mr Buxton, Mr J. A. Ptase, and other members of the Opposition declaimed against the proposal to tax sugar, alleging that the principles of taxation laid down by Adam Smith were being violated, and that the duty was unjust in many ways. Mr Sinclair and Mr Bastley spoke on the other side.-Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman ques- tioned whether the consumers realised how con- siderable was the burden which was being imposed on them. He objected to the tax because it was cruel, judged from the point of view of the poor because it would disturb trade greatly because, as a consequence of its imposition, sugar of inferior quality was likely to displace the higher class and more wholesome sugar now largely consumed, and because in some of its aspects it might be regarded as opening the door to protection. Much more money, he main- tained, would be extracted from the pockets of the people under cover of this duty than would find its way to the Exchequer, and, repeating an argument on which he had laid stress on a former occasion, he contended that the effects of the tax would be felt with especial severity by the women and children of the couutry.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer, after assuring the Committee that he would have preferred not to impose the tax, had that been in his power, commented on the fact that the right hon. gentleman opposite, who after all occupied a responsible position, had not suggested any alternative for the tax which he condemned.—Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman, observing that he would supply the omission, recommended Sir M. Hicks-Beach to turn his attention to the increased value of liquor licences and also to withdraw some of the Exchequer contributions in aid of special interests.-The Chancellor of the Exchequer pointed out, in reply, that if the duties on public-house licences were largely increased the vested interests of the owners would also be increased. He did not believe that this question could be dealt with except as part of a general licensing reform, and in any case it would not be possible to raise the amount which the sugar duty was estimated to yield—namely, £ 5,000,000 —out of licences. He combated the argument that the new duty would be injurious to trade, stating that great care had been taken, by arranging for drawbacks and in other ways, not to harass the industry. If any serious ibjury was feared, much stronger protests would have reached him than any which he had heard. But, of course, he ad- mitted that the duty was not popular among grocers. Of the readiness of the poorer classes to bear this additional taxation, which the growing expenditure of the country rendered necessary, he felt convinced. A long list of articles had been read out of which sugar was an ingredient, but only one of those articles could be regarded as a necessary of life—namely, condensed milk-and its price had not yet been increased to any con- siderable extent. With regard to the allowance proposed to be made to British refiners in order to put them on a footing of equality with refiners abroad, he said he had received no remonstrances bill any foreign country, and he claimed that this was prima fade evidence that he had dealt fairly by the interests concerned.—The clause was carried on a division by 240 votes against 159.-Mr D. A. Thomas moved to postpone clause 3, providing for the imposition of an ex- port duty on coal of Is per ton, his reason for taking this course being that before the clause was considered information ought to be given to the Committee on a number of points which had not yet been elucidated.—The amendment was re- siated by the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the ground that it was unreasonable and dilatory, and he reminded the Committee that the principle of the clause had been fully discussed on former occasions, aud agreed to by large majorities, and that he would have ample oppor- tunities hereafter of giving all the informa- tit.n that was required. — The amendment was negatived by 167 votes against 126. — Mr S. Evano, who wished to defer the opera- tion of the clause until the midule of October, having moved an amendment for that purpose, I the Chancellor of the Exchequer declined to accept this proposal to postpone the operation of the duty without drawing any distinction between contracts existing at the date of the Budget and those entered into since. With regard to these letter contracts there was no reason for a post- ponement, which would cause serious loss to the revenue, as the export of coal would be accelera- ted in order to escape the duty. Stating generally his intentions respecting existing con- tracts, he announced that with some exceptions they would be exempted from duty up to the end of September. He undertook to supply detailed information on the subject to day.—Mr Lewis, Mr Brynmor Jones. Mr J. Wilson (Durham), and Mr Allan urged the right hon. gentleman to withdraw his opposition to the amendment, but < this he refused to do. He promised, however, to consider the feasibility of making some concession in respect of the cheapest kind of coal. The discussion was continued by Mr Fenwick, Mr J Robson, Sir J. Joicey and Sir J. Pease, who all supported the amendment, which was negatived on a division by 223 votes against 164. To another amendment, moved by Mr Chanhing, who desired that the duty should be imposed for one year only, so that Parliament might have an opportunity of reconsidering it as a matter of course in 12 months' time, the Chancellor of the Exchequer raised the objection that any nncer- tairty as to the continuance of the duty was uu- desirable in the interests of the trade itself, many of the contracts entered into every year being, as was well known, for forward delivery. It would be impossible for the trade to continue to conduct its business in the manner in which it was accus- tomed if this element of uncertainty were intro- duced. Upon this point he was understood to intimate that he could not consent to any inquiry but there would be an investigation iuto other parts of the subject. Of course, it would be com- petent for Parliament to repeal the tax at any time if it should think fit to do so. The amend- ment was negatived, after considerable discussion, by 211 votes against 142, and progress was then reported.— Some votes passed in Committee of Supply were considered on report, and the Youthful Offenders Bill was read a second time and referred to the Grand Committee on Law. The House adjourned at 25 minutes to 2 o'clock I TUESDAY, JUNE 25th.-rln the House of Lords, the Duke of Bedford called attention to the proposals for the re-organization of the military forces, and moved a resolution affirming that, in the opinion of this House, the terms now offered to recruits were not sufficient to fulfil the re- quirements involved in those proposals. He feared that we should never h-ive a Regular Army sufficient for the defence of the Empire unless we were prepared to incur the expense of paying the private soldier a shilling a day, all found and well found," and of considerably increasing the pay of the non-commissioned officers. There ought also to be a system of pensions for non- commissioned officers and men. He did not think it was creditable to the country that the support of the families of Reservists should depend, as at present, upon private charity, which might soon be exhausted and he insisted that this duty should be liberally discharged by the State out of taxatior. Referring to the Auxiliary forces, he protested against the proposal of the Government to reduce the permanent establishment of the Militia by 50,000 men.—A debate ensued, and was adjourned till Friday. In the House of Commons, Mr Brodrick, replying to Mr Lambert, stated that the average weekly cost of the war was now about a million and a quarter. Answering Mr Lloyd-George he said that, according to the latest estimate, there were between 1,000 and 2,000 persons in arms against us in Cape Colony.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer informed Mr S. Evans that his pro- posal with regard to contracts for the export of coal entered into before the date of the Budget was that exports under such contracts should be exempted from the new duty up to December 31. He claimed that this period of exemption was liberal. As to contracts extending for a longer period than a year, they were more or less specu- lative, and therefore had less claim to exemption. In answer to another question, he said that if it was really desired he should assent to an inquiry into the whole subject of our coal supply.— The discussion of the Finance Bill in Committee was resumed on Clause 3, which imposes a duty of Is a ton on exported coal. Mr S. Evans having moved an amendment with the object of exempt- ing small coal from the operation «of the duty, The Chancellor of the Exchequer explained that it was exceedingly difficult to define small coal comprehensively for, while there was a great deal of small coal of low value, there was also small coal which had as high a value as large- bituminous coal, for example. To exempt all small coal, would be manifestly utifai. for some of it had actually a greater value than the large coal to which the duty would apply. The way in which he proposed to deal with the difficulty was, not by exempting small coal, but by allowing a rebate of the whole of the duty on coal under a certain price. He also intended, in the interests of our manufacturers, to treat patent fuel in the same way as small coal.—The amendment was negatived without a division after discussion, in which Mr Brynmor Jones, Mr Abel Thomas, Sir J. Pease and other members took part. An amendment, moved by Mr Law, who advocated the imposition of an ad valorem, duty, was als) negatived, the chief reason assigned by Sir M. Hicks Beach for declining to entertain Mr Law's proposal being that a graduated system would cause great trouble to the trade. —The Chancellor of the Exchequer then submitted the amendment which he had agreed to introduce as a concession to the exporters of the poorer kinds of coal. His proposal was that a rebate of the duty should be allowed on coal of which the value f.o.b. was proved not to exceed 63 per ton and on fuel manu- factured from coal ingredients which was proved not to be of a higher value. This plan, he stated, put manufactured fuel on precisely the same foot- ing as coal.—Sir E. Grey thanked the right hon. gentleman for his concession, which showed that he was genuinely anxious to mitigate the hard- ships which the duty entailed. His general objections to the tax were, however, not removed. —Mr Asquith also admitted that by this con- cession the Chancellor of the Exchequer had greatly improved his Bill, and his approval of the amendment was endorsed by several representatives of the mining interest on the Opposition side of the House. The amendment having been agreed to, Mr M'Kenna moved that one-fourth of the duty should be paid by the royalty owner, and upon this there was a debate which lasted for some con- siderable time.—The Chancellor of the Exchequer thought that this modification of the clause would be most unjust, for a royalty owner leased his property on fixed terms, and derived no benefit from auy increase in the price of coal, however large it might be.—The amendment was nega- 1 tived by 172 votes against 144, and the announce- ment of the numbers was received with loud Opposition cheers, the majority being only 28.— Several other amenomeuts were disposed of, and Progress was reported.

To MOTHERS.—Mrs Winslow's Soothing Syrup has been used over fifty years by millions of mothers for their children while teething with perfect 8110- cess It will lelieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is pleasant to taste it produces natural quiet sleep by relieving the child from pain, and the little cherub'awakes "as bright as a button." Of all ahemiats, 19. lid per bottle. 78FQ E. MORRIS & Co. 0 The Cash Clothiers, OLD LONDON HOUSE, Lammas St.. Carmarthen, Are now showing the Largest Stock of '=' MEN'S, YOUTHS' & BOYS' CLOTHING that bas ever been shown in any single shdp in South Wales. MEN'S FELT & STRAW HATS. PRINT AXD WHITE SHIRTS. TIES, CAPS, SWEATERS, CYCLE HOSE ,¡ CRICKETINC SHIRTS, &c., IN ALL THE LATEST STYLES, Terms. Strictly Gash. No credit L

Farmers and the Market. INTERESTING REMARKS BY EART, CAWDOR. We reproduce below some remarks from the pen of Earl Cawdor contributed to the Western Mail, which will undoubtedly be read with great interest by agriculturists in this district. In a few preliminary remarks the Western Mail says :—" The British farmer and the market gardener are ousted from their market at home by the foreigner, who is able to sell farm and garden produce at lower prices than the British producer. It is difficult to believe this, but it is only too true. How is it done ? Producers on the Continent-in France, Holland, Denmark and other countries—combine to send their goods to the same market. They have understood the advantage of co-operation. In a given district the farm produce of a number of farmers is collected and sent by rail to its destination at the cheapest rate. The greater the quantity the cheaper the rates. Each farmer is paid the full value for his goods, minus, of course, the proportion of expenses. The system works well everywhere on the Continent, and attempts are being made to introduce it on a large scale into this country. It can only be introduced, of course, in con- nection with the several railways. Railway companies are willing to do what they can to further the interests of the farmers, and among them the Great Western Railway Company show a praiseworthy willingness to do what they can throughout the extensive area covered by their system. Below is published a com- munication from Earl Cawdor, president for the year of the Royal Agricultural Show and chairman of the Great Western Railway Company. While, however, his lordship refers approvingly to co-operation, he does -0 not deal with that of collection. And it is in this respect Welsh farmers especially are backward. They want something to lead them and show how the thing can be done. If the Great Western Railway Company could extend their services so as to send their carts and wagons round the farms just as they do in towns, it would go far to solve the problem." i Earl Cawdor's article proceeds thus:—"The question of the conveyance of agricultural and farm produce by passenger and goods train in districts served by the Great Western Railway has from time to time received the careful consideration of the directors and officers of the Great Western Company, with the view of assisting the British farmer and enabling him to reach the various markets in the Metropolis and other large centres of population, and I have pleasure in enclosing herewith a pamphlet showing, in a concise form, the concessions which the company have given for such traffic. From a perusal of the pamphlet it will be gathered that specially low rates for specified quantities of agricultural and farm produce have been adopted, with a view to encouraging and developing the system of co-operation so largely adopted by farmers on the Continent and in the Colonies, and the scale of rates made applicable to quantities of lOcwt., one, two, and three ton lots respectively, have been further made to cover mixed consignments of any or all of the articles named, thereby enabling farmers to combine to send away varying small quantities (exceeding 3cwt.), amounting in the aggregate to three tons, and have the benefit of the three-ton rate applicable to the different classes of traffic, the only stipulation being that the traffic must be sent at one time from one station to another station, and that the carriage must be paid by one sender or one consignee. It may be of interest to remark that the issue of the pamphlet has resulted in numerous expressions of appreciation from members of Parliament, landed pro- prietors, and influential agriculturists in various parts of the country, who have recognised that the directors and officers of the company have evinced a sincere desire to do all in their power to assist the British agriculturist. I The reduced rates set out in the pamphlet have been used to a very considerable extent, and it is hoped that year by year farmers and others will more and more combine to take advantage of them. Any- thing that you may be able to do to increase this ten- dency will be in accordance with the wishes of the Great Western Company and to the interests of the public generally. In the pamphlet to which Lord Cawdor refers the reduced rates for the conveyance of agricultural, farm, and dairy produce by passenger and goods trains are set forth. The company announce that, in lieu of the varying charges formerly in operation for the convey- ance of milk traffic by passenger train, or by the trains that are run specially for the convenience of the senders of milk, they have adopted a uniform reduced scale between all stations on the Great Western Rail- way, subject to the usual conditions for the carriage of huch traffic. These revised rates will include the ) service of conveying the returned empty cans without I additional charge, and it is hoped that they will not only be a further assistance to many of the farmers and others who have hitherto found a market for milk in the Metropolis and in other large centres of popu- lation, but that they will substantially widen the area from which agriculturists may be able to supply such markets. For butter, cream, eggs, honey, fruit, vegetables, mushrooms, game, dead rabbits, and dead poultry, requiring a rapid service and desired to be conveyed by passenger trains, the reduced scales have been brought into force with a view of ennabling small consignments to be economically carried from the producer and delivered direct to the consumer with- out intermediate charges of any kind. These scales are not restricted to any porticular make or description of boxes, but are applicable to ordinary packages, provided that they are covered at the top, so as to be conveniently loaded and carried, with other packages upon them. In addition to the advantages offered in respect of farm and dairy produce forwarded by passenger train, the company, having regard to the importance at- tached by representatives of the agricultural interest to the provision of scales of rates upon a mileage basis for fresh meat, dead poultry, dead rabbits, butter, eggs, fruit, and vegetables by goods tram, have adopted amended scales with a view to meet the requirements of the principal markets and of any places A to which the traffic can be sent in considerable quantities. These scales apply between all local stations the Great Western system, and in the case of stations at which other railway companies are interested the rates are forming the subject of special arrangement. Not only reductions given for consignments of lOcwt. but further reductions are offered for lots of on? ton, two tons, and three tons respectively, and it is trusted, es- pecially in view of the opinions expressed by promin- ent friends of the agriculturist, that the result will be of substantial benefit to farmers, and that by means of combination such an improvement in the loads of the railway trucks, and such a development of traffic will be brougnt about as to save the company loss of revenue. It has also been arranged that when a mixed con- signment of fresh meat, dead poultry, dead rabbits, butter, eggs, fruit, or vegetables is forwarded by goods train from one station to another station by one consignor or to one consignee, who pays the car- riage, each portion of the consignment (provided such portion exceeds 3c wt.) will be charged at the actual ve weight at the rate applicable to the gross weight of the consignment, so that the public will obtain the benefit of the lower rates, if the minimum quantity is made up by a combination of the various articles. For instance, a consignment of three tons, consisting of one ton of fresh meat, one ton of butter, and one ton of apples, if carried 100 miles, would be charged as under s. d. Fresh meat 24 2 Butter 18 9 Apples 15 0 I and not at the higher rates for one ton lots. From Great Western stations generally to London rates have been specially fixed and brought into operation for fresh meat, dead poultry, dead rabbits, butter, eggs, fruit, and vegetables when forwarded by goods train. Rates for consignments of less than lOcwt. have also been adopted by good train, in order to supplement the facilities offered by passenger train for small quantities going to the London market. Substantial reductions have also been made in the rates by goods train for cider and perry from the producing districts of Devonshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Somersetshire, &c., and low rates have been provided for grain, feeding-stuffs, manures, and other articles of agricultural traffic. For the purpose of assisting agriculturist in districts within reasonable reach of London and other large Cenlre*s population, substantial reductions have been made in the rates for stable or town manure, and immediate consideration will be given to applications for rates between stations where this description of traffic is likely to pass. Following this introduction come a number of tables applicable to various descriptions of farm produce, and a brief summary will show what the rates now are. CONVEYANCE BY PASSENGER TRAIN. Taking first of all the scale of rates for milk (including the carriage for the return ef empty cans), we find that up to twenty miles the charge is 4d per gallon. By a graduated scale the charge goes up to lid to 150 miles, and lid over that distance. Cream, eggs, honey, dead poultry, dead rabbits, fruit, vegetables, and mushrooms may be sent for 6d per 171b or under up to 30 miles, and then by a graduated scale reaching Is Id above 200 miles. There is another scale for 191b to 241b with a very small increase, and above 24lb the rate is l-8d per lb for 30 miles, id per lb up to 200 miles, and 5-8d above 200. Butter may be sent at rates varying from I-Sd to id per lb from 30 to 100 miles, but for smaller quantities the charges are slightly higher. CONVEYANCE BY GOODS TRAIN. For conveyance by goods train the quantities speci- fied are heavier. Take, for example, fresh meat, dead poultry and rabbits. The weights range from lOcwt. to three tons, and the distances from 30 to 300 miles. The following short table, giving the shortest and longest distances and the lowest and highest quanti- ties, leaving out the intermediate figures, will explain what is meant lOcwt., 30 miles 15s lOd per ton. lOcwt., 300 miles 54s 2d „ 3 tons, 30 miles 13s 4d 11 3 tons, 300 miles 40s lOd 11 These rates include delivery within the company's ordinary free cartage boundary. On the same principle eggs in boxes, butter in cask, &c., and fruit and vegetables can be sent—half-ton lots from 10s lOd per ton for 30 miles to 40s for 300 miles, and three tons, with the intermediate gradations from 9s 2d for 30 miles to 358 for 300 miles. Apples and pears can be sent at even lower rates, which apply also to cabbages, carrots, onions, parsnips turnips, and potatoes in bulk or in sacks, where lower rates are not specially provided. The whole of the scales show how advantageous it would be for agri- culturists to combine to send their produce in large quantities to the same markets.

I A magnificent, up-to-date Stock of £ 28,000 worth of thoroughly reliable I YOU Drapery & Fnrnishing Goods I IS THUS CAN Brought to yonr very Door. I Patterns of all materials sent AII All Post Free on application to any part ufl U r of the kinsdom- All Parcels of the value of 20/- and over, f|«f Carriafe Free. |j | Every article we sell we guarantee to give satisfaction in wear. pnOT REYNOLDS & Co. I_td. Drapers and House Furnishers, NEWPORT, MON. BlflilalU Models. Perfect Fit. Guaranteed Wear. THE DIAGON" THE Y I N ONAL CORSETS Will not split in the seams Nor tear in the Fabric. Modem White, Black, and all the fashionable colors &shades. 4 11,511, 611, 7/11 per pair and upwards. THREE GOLD MEDALS. Tne best make of Corsets is the & N."—Gentlewoman. CAUTION. See that Registered Trade Mark V & N Diagonal Seam" is imprinted on every corset & box No others art genuine. Sold by the principal Drapers throughout the United Kingdom and Colonies. B et BORWICKs n A Best BAKING m'e' can -PUY- POWDM a WATCH &0HAIN FOR ONE DAY'S WORK. J Boys and Girls can set & NICKEL- PLATED WATCH, also a CHAIN and SPTTWT** seulns *$dozen packages of t r^li V? BLUITfK at Fivppenw each. Send your fuU address including name of County, Dyretum mail, and we will forward the Blulne, NB^ post paid, and a largo premium list. Ho money i (Department Fll, __8*j^Glpsy Road. Wast Norwood, London, B.K. THE GREAT REMEDY. BLAIJR'S GrOTJT FILLS For GOUT, RHEUMATISM, SCIATICA, LUM- BAGO. NEURALGIA, claim a superiority over all other Gout and Rheumatic Medicines. They give relief from pain in a few hours, and a speedy cure without the slightest inconvenience. All Chemists and Stores, Is. lid. and 2s. 9d. per box. ACCIDENTS OF ALL KINDS, RAILWAY ACCIDENTS, EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY. Insured against THEFT INSURANCE and FIDELITY BONDS granted by the RAILWAY PASSENGERS' ASSURANCE COMPANY, Established 1849. Claims paid £ 4,300,000. 64, CORNHILL, LONDON. A VIAN, Secretary. *v