The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter

Suicide at Carmarthen. GIRLS DRINKS SALTS OF LEMON. An inquest was held at the Assembly Rooms on Friday by Mr T. Walters, Borough or oner, at the Literary and Scientific In- stitute, Carmarthen, concerning the death of Lucy Rees. The circumstances attend- ing the death we:e recorded in the issue of the ''Carmarthen Weekly Reporter" of last a p week. Mr J. Patagonia Lewis was the io;e man of the Jury. William Rees, Cambrian Pifrce, a fish hawker, said: Deceased was my daughter. She was 20 years of age last April." She lived with me at home since Easter time. Before that she was in Swansea. She had been in domestic service in Swansea for two or three years. She in-a-i about to get mar- ried last Easter, and her lover died suddenly. I knew that she was engaged to be married; I had seen her young man. She was not a very strong girl. She was not up to much a.fter his death. She took it to heart very much. She intended to go to service again. I heard her saying that she intended to go again. The Coroner Didn't you advise her to go instead of staying at home doing nothing? fitness: No. I left her alone. She never said anything which would read me to believe e t,hat she thought of doing such a thing. She was with me and her mother at the sale at Bolahaul the previous day and was then all right as far as I could see. She was not up when I left on Thursday morning. When I came in to dinner, I did not see her. I thought she was low-spirited at times. There Was no disagreement or anything of that kind to trouble her at home. Mrs Rees, the mother, said that when she went out in the morning, the deceased had not got up. When she came in at 11.30 a.m., the deceased was eating a good plateful of dinner. They had dinner earlv. because often they did not have time to have their breakfast in the morning going out. She had been at the sale at Bolahaul the dav before, and had been very well then. Wit- ness intended that she should stav at home, because she was quite broken hearted Annie Davies, daughter of John Davies, 6, Cambrian place, a labourer, said: I knew Lucy Rees. I lived dose by her. J saw her at a, quarter past one yesterday. She asked me if I would go a message for her. I said I would. She asked me to go for three penn'orth of salts of lemon. She went as far as Red Lion Yard with me. She told me to go to Davies the chemist. I knew what it was. I had bought it for my sister to clean hats. Mr Davies said that I was too young t/O have it. Then she went in with me. Mr Davies said that he had not any. I was outside. Then she sent me to Mi- Phillips, in Hall street. He had only powder, and she wanted liquid. Then I went to Mr W. Lloyd. -.ie said that the liquid was poison and would not supply it. Then I went back to Mr Phillips and got a penny packet of the powder. It was labelled. I gave it to her and .she took it home. Slip told me that she wanted it to clean a dress which had been stained. She went into the house and shut the door after her. Sometime about 2 p.m., I heard that she had drunk it. The Foreman: What reason did she give you that she would not go into the shop herself. Witness: She said that she was too dirtv to go. Mrs Annie Evans, wife of Mr Walter Evans, labourer, 27, Cambrian place, said: I knew the deceased. I had a talk with her last week. Our doors are close together. She told me that she w:a8 quite broken- hearted over the death of her young man, and that she would never get over it. She told me that she could never live and that she would take poison. She said "I would have taken it this morning if my brother Ben would give me two pence."She was usually quite happy; but at times was very low spirited. Her brother Ben is about 141 years of age. The Coroner: Did you tell her parents about this. Witness: o, I did not tell them this. I told them that she was quite broken-hearted and that I was afraid she would do some- thing. I told the mother that she ought to be very careful, because she was threatening to do away with herself. Mrs Rees told me that she did not know what to do; she said that her daughter was getting everything at home. She was in poor health—very pale and delicate. iMr Geo. Phillips. chemist, Hall st., said: The witness Annie Davies came to me with a bottle and asked for three penn'orth of salts of lemon. She said that she wanted it for Mrs Rees. I asked her what it was for. I told her that I did not keep the liquid, that I only hid it in powder. I did not ask her what Mrs Rees she meant. She said "Mrs Rees, the fish." I knew them by sight. I told her to go back, that she must have made a mistake. Then she went back. When she came back the second time, it was after 1 o'clock, and the shop was closed. She came back and said that she wanted three penn'orth. I said "You can have a penn-' onth." She said "Better give her a penn' orth." She then asked me how it was used. I said that she should dissolve it in. water and only dip in it the part of the article which w-,ts stained. The Coroner asked what was the chemical name of Salts of Lemon. Mr Phillips said that he supposed it would be Binoxalide of Potash. There is potash and oxalic acid in it. The Coroner: Oxalic acid is a scheduled poison. Witness: There is a very small percentage of oxalic acid in it. Salts of lemon is the trade name. What is it used for?—It is used greatly in this town for cleaning white hats. Formerly it was only used for taking iron mould out of linen. Do you sell it to people as young as this?- I should say she is over 16. She is not. She is only 14?—She looks sixteen. It is a very usual thing to sell it. She looks very young?—I would not sell it to a mere child. She looks 16. The Coroner recalled Annie Davies, and said "You hear what Mr Phillips says that you said the salts of lemon was for Mrs Rees. Why did you say that?" Witness: Because it was for her daughter. Yes; but Mrs Rees is not Miss Rees?—I said Mrs Rees. Why didn't you tell the truth?—Miss Rees is her daughter. It was the daughter wanted it?—I said Mrs Rees. The Coroner: It was not right for you to say Mrs Rees when it wtas Miss Rees who wanted it. The sjibility is that if you had said Miss Rees, Mr Philips would not have given it to you. The Foreman: Did she tell you not to mention her name? Witness: No. You said that you had had that before? — Yes. Where?—In Mr Davies, the chemist. She sent you for liquid in a bottlle?-Yes. Did you ever have it in a bottle?—No. The Coroner recalled Mr Phillips, and 'asked him how much salts of lemon was in the packet. Mr Phillips said that there was a drachm in the packet. It was sold at 6d an ounce, and he usually gave two drachms for lid, •and one draohm for a penny. Did you weigh it or guess it?—I weighed it. Have you ever sold as much as an ounce at a time?—No. I have never sold more than a penn'orth or two penn'orth at a time. How much water do they use —I decom- mend them to put it in a saucer with as much water as will cover it. The Coroner asked if anybody had had any conversation with the deceased after she had swallowed the poison. P.S. Davies said that Mrs Evans had spoken to her after she took the posion. Mrs Anne Evans recalled said that her little gjfii told her that Annie Davies had been fetching poison for Lucy. How old is your little girl —About nine. I nan in for my life. I asked her "Where is the poison?" She told me that she had not had any. "Yes," I said "you have had it. She asked me for a drop of water. She drank it and went out to the bake. I asked "Have you taken it?" "Yes, Mrs Evans," she said "I have taken it." She came beak tlmn. She was quite scarlet in the face. I t some salt and water for her and went for Sergt. Davies. She told me that her stomach was very bad, and she gave two or three terrible screams. I ran to the police station. Sergt. Davies came down. The Foreman: Vv hy did you think that I she tad taken poison. Witness: My lit. 1 told me that Annie Davies fetched poison for her. Annie Davies again re-called, said that she had not told anybody that she had fetched poison for Lucy Rees. Mrs Evans: My little girl told me. Annie must have told her. Someibody must have told her. The Coroner: Who told the little girl? Mrs Evans: My little girl said Annie Davies told her. The Coroner (to Annie Davies): Did you see Mrs Evans' little girl? Witness Yes I saw her by the door but I did not tell her anything. The Coroner: She did not tell you that -he was going to do this? Witness No, she said that she wanted it to take a stain out of her dress. The Foreman: -i-en she left you and went into the house, was there anybody else in the house? Witness: I don't know. She went in by herself and shut the doer after her. .Mrs Evains said that when she saw the deceased she was tryi.ng as lian-d as she could to vomit. Dr C. P. Parry said that he was called. He got to the house about 2 p.m. The deceased had evidently just died. She was quite warm. The Coroner asked if her death was caused bv taking this poison. Dr Pamv: It must have been; but it was an exceptionally small dose. There is one other case recordqfl of a drachm causing death. Tlnat was the case of a much younger person. Still we get these exceptions. The Coroner: But under the circumstances. Dr Parry: Under the circumstances, and there being no other cause and the history of it all leading up to that, and it being possible that a drachm might dause death, I am of opinion that it did cause death. The pro- bability is that if every member of the juiry took a draohm of salts of lemon, it would not kill one of them. A good deal depends on the state of health of the person. The Foreman: Do you think, doctor, that if you were there sooner you could have done anything. Dr Parry If one had information that she took it a ttlie moment, very likely something could have been done. I saw mustard and salt and in-ateii- there that they had been try- ing to give her. The first messenger who came merely said "Would I come to Cam- brian Place?" There was no suggestion of poison. Fortunately, a second messenger came at once and told me what it was. What was the first messenger?—Annie Davies I believe. It is so utterly stupid merely to say that you are wanted in such a case. The Coroner It is a vetry stupid thing. Doctors are often blamed. A doctor is told "You are wanted in Cambrian Place, will you come?" If he were toJd that somebody has taken poison he would come at once, but when he is only asked to come to a person he naturally thinks he can come at a time convenient to himself.—The Coronep- then went on to say that there was no doubt that the deceased had committed suicide. The only thing which they had to consider was her state of mind at the time. The jury might think that a young person 20 years of age just starting life must have somethiaig the matter with them to do a thing of that kind. The Jury returned a verdict of "Suicide during temporary insanity."

LLANDOVERY. F AIR.-Llandovery fair was held on Saturday. Very few animals were for sale and the prices ruled very low cows with calves, £10 to £ 17; bulls (not many present), £ 10; barreners, X8 to £ 9 109 heifers, XG to XS 10s two year old, XS to je9 10s yearlings, £6 to 99 young fat cattle, 7d per lb. In the horse section several classes were not repre- sented, and the prices were lower than at Myddfai the previous day-Colliers, C30 to £ 4C cobs, Y,10 to X20 mountain ponies, yearlings, £ 2 10s to X5 108. FOR THE BLOOD IS THK .LIFE. -Clarke's world famed Blood Mixture is warranted to cleanses the blood from all impur;+.ies, from whatever cause arising for scrofula, scurvy,eczema, skin and blood difeases. Pimples, and sores of all kinds, its effects are mar- vellous Thousands of testimonials. In bottles, 29 9d [lad lls each, of all chtmists. Proprietors, Lincoln and Midland Counties Drug Company,Lincoln. Ask for Clarke's Blood Mixture and do not be persuaded to take any imitation.

A TIMBER TRANSACTION. Mr T. Thomas, of Parcyseiri, near Fraiicis Well, had a claim for £2 16s Od against Dd. Davies, of Brynhyftryd, Bronwydd Arms. Plaintiff had employed the defendant to out some timber, and his contention was that he had overpaid the defendant. The rate of pay was 2s a. ton for pitwood and firewood, and 2s 3d for dogwood. He produced the book showing the state of the accounts be- tween them. The last amount lie paid the defendant was tl, and before he paid that the defendant wa>s £ 1 16s ahead. He re- minded the defendant of that at the time, and the latter promised faithfully to work it out. Mr T. Walters was for the plaintiff, and Mr Waillis Jones for the defendant. Plaintiff said that the defendant had pro- mised afterwards to repay the money in three instalments. Mr Wallis Jones asked the plaintiff why aoiother man had left whom he had employed. Plaintiff said that the other man left because the defe-ndant was fishing and ferretting all the time and drinking beer (laughter). Mr Wallis Jones: It was not because he could not get any money from you. Plaintiff: Nothing of the kind. Mr Wallis Jones: Some other people had trouble im getting money from you. I know something aibout you before. After hearing a good deal of evidence, the Judge found for the plaintiff for the amount claimed.

NO APPEARANCE. Wm. Davies, of Pontyeates, Kidwelly, had a claim against Thomas Jones and William Jones, of I)ola,iimeinic)n, Lltangain, for alleged breach of warranty in regard to a house £ 28 14s Od was claimed as damages. Mr W. W. T. Prosser appeared for the defen- dant, and- a large number of witnesses were in attendance. There was no appearance, and the case was struck out.

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TRELECH. DEATH OF MR JOHN THOMAS, PANTYCOED.— With profound regret we have to record the death of the above-named well-known farmer which occurred early on Saturday morning, the 19th inst., after about seven months' ill- ness, at the age of 68 years. Mr Thomas was born at Pantycoed (which he purchased last year) and had lived there all his life. By his removal1 from our midst one of the most respected and highly esteemed persons in the district is lost to us. The deceased gentle- man was not endowed with a strong constitu tion, but had always enjoyed fairly good health until the fatal illness overcame him, and although he had the best of nursing and constant medical attendance, there was but a faint hope of recovery from the commence- nient. He was noted for his kindness of dis- position and sterling Christi.an character, and was every ready to assist in any deserv- ing cause. He had never figured very pro- minently in public affairs, preferring to assist his neighbours in a quiet and un- observed manner. He was a fathful deacon at Rock Congregational Chapel, Trelech, for many years, where he will be greatly missed. Mr Thomas was a very successful and prac- tical man in his profession, and was a good judge of horses and cattle, and often bred fine hunters, which realised him good prices. The greatest sympathy is felt for his bereaved widow and family of five sons and two daughters, in. their great loss. The in- terment took place yesterday (Thursday) at Llwynyrhwrdd CongregationaJ Chapel. We hope to give an account of the funeral in our next issue.

Carmarthen County Police Court. This court ",Ias held at the Assembly-rooms Carmarthen, on Saturday, before Mr D. W. Drummond, Hafodneddyn (chairman); Mr D. L. Jones, Derlwyn Mr A. 0. Davies, Up lands; Mr W. J. Hughes, Middleton Hall; Mr L. A. L. Evans, Pantycendy.

A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. Joseph Ward, a. labourer at Cwmburry Farm, Ferryside, was changed with trespass- ing on the G.W. Railway, on the 31st May. iMr T. R. Ludford, Llanelly, who appeared for the prosecution, said that the defendant was very lucky that he was there to answer the cliarge. At 12 o'clock at night he wias found helplessly drunk and fast asleep on the railway, his head being only' one foot from the rail. An excursion train from Swansea must have passed him about 20 minutes before. P.C. Richards said that from information received lie went down, the line from Ferry- side in the direction of Carmarthen. This wias at 11.45 p.m. on the 31st May. Near -ronun Bridge, he found the defendant asleep, with his head towards the rail and his feet towards th egutter. Defendant was an army pensioner who had lived some twelve months in the neighbourhood. The Bench fined the defendant 5s and 7s 6d costs.

HOUSE-BRIEAKING AT LLANPUMP- SAINT. James Pearce and Griffith William Lloyd, two tramps, were charged with house-break- ing. Rachel Evans, a grand-daughter of Daniel Jones, Pencairireg Farm, Llanpumpsaint, said that orn the 16th June, all the family went to :attend anniversary services at Peniel Independent Chiapel. They came back between 9.30 p.m. and 10 p.m. Her brother called her attention to the state of the front door. The dairy door was open, a.nd the window broken. There was a box on the table. She found two suits of clothes, a gold chain, a bangle, and a watch. Her own purse with 2s 6d and a ring in it were gone. Her brother's money was gone. Thomas Evans, who is a grandson of Daniel Jones, gave similar evidence. There was 4s of his own money gone. Mr Daniel Jones, the grandfather of the two previous witnesses, gave similar evidence. The things stolen—apart from the clothes— wate worth £ 15. P.C. David Evans said that in consequence of information received, he went in search of the two defendants whom he had seen in the neighbourhood. He traced them to Car marthen. At 11.30 p.m. he found them in the lodging house in Mill street. He told them lie was making enquiries about a case of house-breaking. He took them to the lock up. Lloyd said "It is as well to speak the truth. We dicl break it." He locked them <uip. Next day, in company with P.S. Williams, he showed the defendants a cord aind a fishing hook (produced). Pierce took it in hisi hand and said "It is Lloyd's." Wit- ness told him it hlad been found with the clothing. Lloyd took it in his hand, threw it on the ground, and said to Pierce, "The game is up. 'Do you know where it was found? It was along with the clothing?" Pierce commenced to speak. I stopped him, a.nd changed them jointly with breaking and entering the dwelling house of Pencarreg farm and stealing therefrom two suits of clothes, a, go-Id chain, a bracelet, a watch, a purse containing a gold ring, £ 1, and 6s 6d "One wias in while the other was watching. In the end we were in together." Lloyd said "Yes." They afterwards told me where the property could be found. Some of it is missing now. The conversation was in Welsh; I have given a proper interpretation. Pierce said: Tommy Lloyd and me were out fishing all day. We bought some bread and bacon at a farm. Then I said, let us make for Carnarvon, North Wales. I tried to get three eels cooked that we had caught. We got the loan of a knife and skinned them. We tried to get a tin to boil them, but as we could not get one,, we threw them away. We went to four different houses for bread and cheese. The first was a, bllacksmith's house. There was nobody there. He asked me to break in. I refused. Then we went to two other house? on the left—one a gentleman's house. He asked me to break in. I refused. We went to another house on the right. He asked me to break in. I refused again. Then we met a man and asked him where all the people were. He told us that the people were all gone to the meetings at the chapel. He asked me the fifth time to break into this house. I went and done it. The Chairman: Tommy Lloyd is your com- panion. Pierce: He is my friend. Lloyd: You have told a lie Pierce. I never said anything of the kind. When the Chairman asked Lloyd if he had any tiling to say, he said "This is not my trial, is it The Chairman said that it was not. The defendtants were committed to the Quarter Sessions.

H- Will of the late Mr. Arthur Lewis. ESTATE OF £ 107,342. The will was proved on Wednesday, at the Llandaff Probate Office, of the Jate Mr Arthur Griffith Poyer Lewis, of Trenewydd, Llandaff, and of Henllan. Deceased, who died on May 5th, was chairman of the Carmarthen and Pembrokeshire Quarter Sessions, stipendiary magistrate for Ponty- pridd, and chancellor for the dioceses of St. David's and Llandaff. He left estate of the gross value of X107,342 14s 5d, net personalty being returned at £ 15,098 0i 6d. The whole of the estate, eicepting snme from;C20 to £100 left to servants, is bequeathed to the widow and children. Mrs Lewis is left an immediate legacy of zC200 a year and the use of Henllan mansion during her lifetime, and further provision is made for the widow out of the estates, which are bequeathed to the eldest son. subject to certain fixed charges and legacies The Llandaff mansion is left to deceased's daughter, Margaret, in perpetuity, in addition to a legacy of X5,000, and the younger children have legacies varying from £ 10,000 to £ 5,000. The will contains special j conditions that the plate, etc., should be retained in the family in perpetuity. The executors to the will are Mr Wilfred Hubert Poyer Lewis, eldest son of the deceased, of Palace- road, Llandaff (barrister-at-law), and M eat-rs Frederick John Smith, 200, Cathedral-road, Cardiff, registrar for the diocese of Llandaff, and Thomas Rodvay Hunt, solicitor, of 98, St. Mary-street, Cardiff. Testator bequeathed to the two last- named executors £200 each. The estate of the late Mr Arthur Griffith Poyer Lewis, of Trenewydd, Llandaff, consists of a lar«?e amount, of freehold property in Pembrokeshire, &e. The X15,000 mentioned in the will merely refers to the personal estate, which is exclusive of the freehold property. The are no public or chajitable bequests. The will is a 'ier y long document of a peculiarly technical character, revokes all former wills, but confirms the marriage settlement. It provides that a Coverdale Bible of the 16th century should be retained in the family, descending from hia eldest eon, while the plate, &c is to be divided between the two sons. The mansion at Henllan goes to the widow, and that at Llandaff to the daughter Margaret Poyer Lewis, the furniture, See., at tne Trenewydd Mansion being divided between the widow and the daughter. The library, which contains many valuable law books, he leaves to his friend Mr Frederick John Smith. The will contains a number of private legacies to servants and others who where associated with him.

WHITLAND. SALE. -On Friday Messrs Lloyd and Thomas, Carmarthen, offered for sale at the Yelverton Arms Hotel, the family rfsidence, Lampeter House, Whitland, with 14 acres of land, -,and another holding of about 11 acres, which were withdrawn at 11,900. The meadow was then offered and sold for;9600 to Mr Levi Rees, Lan Mills. The Mansion was put up, bnt withdrawn, and may be disposed of privately. Messrs Morgan and Richardson, Cardigan, were the solicitors.

A Good Thing for Carmarthen. It is a good thing for Carmarthen that well-known residents do not hesitate to speak out frankly and unreservedly in the hope that their experiences may be a valu- able guide to others. Mr D. Davies, of 29a, Water street, Car- marthen, says :Some time ago I was snfferingfrom siicii torturing pains in mv back that I could hardly move. After sitt- ing a while it was as much as I could do to get up a,gain; and as I have a great deal of sitting at work it will easily be realised what I suffered. In addition to the paiins in my back I felt constantly tired and weary, and was nervous and depressed. "I tried all I could to get well, but it was not until I used Doon's backache kidney pills that I found relief. The pain in my back grew easier; I could sleep better, and awoke moire refreshed. I continued taking the medicine for some time, gradually growing better, until now I am feeling very well indeed. I cannot recommend Doan's back- ache kidney pills too highly." Doan's backache kidney pills are 2s 9d per box, or six boxes for 13s 9d. Of all chemists and stores, or pest free direct, from the Foster-McCllellan Co., 8, Wells st., Oxford street, London, W. Be sure you get. the same kind of pills as Mr Davies had. -+-

LLANGATHEN. THE Llangathen and District Temperance and Band of Hope Union held a temperance fete on Tuesday the 15th inst. (through the kind permission of the Misses Saunders, Court Henry) at the Court Henry Reading itoom. The members of the various sections, viz., Llangathen, Penybank, Capel Isaac, and Cross Inn, assembled at 2 p.m. at Caeau- newydd. The procession consisting of 400 members, headed by the vice-presidents off the Society—Rev J. Alex. Williams, Vicar of Llangathen, the Rev T. S. Jones, Court Henry, the Rev Stephen Thomas, Penybank, Rev U. Hafod Harries, Penrheol, and Rev G. A. Edwards, Carmarthen—and displaying banners and temperance mottoes, was quite an imposing spectacle, and decisively proved that the temperance cause in the locality is not dead. but is rather a powerful contingent contributing to the welfare of the neighbour- hood. On arriving in the field adjoining the Reading-room, the members indulged in various games until the call "Fall into line" for rtea was given. A strong working com- mittee undertook the pleasant task of regaling the robust young members of the Society with tea, cake, and bread and butter, and well was their task accomplished, as silence, peace, and good will soon prevailed amongst the youtblut band. lea over, some off the members visited the Court Henry grounds, which were kindly thrown open by the Misses Saunders, and were delighted with the choice plants and their exquisite arrangement; while Mr James Thomas, Cefnrhiwl'as, entertained other members with gramophone selections. At 6.30 p.m., the Reading-room was crowded with an appre- ciative audience. The Chairman, Rev J. Alex Williams was supported by the following members of the committee—Rev T. S. Jones, Messrs G. Gwynne, W. Evans (Pantan), T. Griffiths, Dd. Harries, Solomon Evans, J. Davies (Pantarfon), W. T. Morgan, J. Harris, D. Davies (Grongar), W. Rees, D. Stephen Davies, T. Edwards, D. Griffiths (Cudfan), D. Evans (Penybank), J. Knoyle (general' secretary). After the singing of a I hmn, and making a few appropriate re- marks, the Chairman called upon the Rev T. S. Jones, Court Henry, to address the meet- ing. The speaker, in an excellent address, discoursed upon "Reading and advantages accruing from a liberal use of the Library during leisure hours." The Rev G. A. Edwards, B.A., Carmarthen, then delivered a very stirring and powerful Welsh address. His fairy tale "The Felin F,ach," was a very apt illustration of how the "country's great- est enemy"—the Drink—crushes and grinds everything which comes within, its grasp, into poverty, lunacy, suicide, and misery. Votes of thanks to the speakers, proposed by Mr Dd. Davies, Grongar, seconded by Mr T. Edwards, Ciiiberllan, and supported by Messrs D. Harris and W. T. Morgan, were carried with acclamation. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, and the singing of a hymn ter- minated a most enjoyable day.

MR. THOMAS OWEN DAVIES. Interesting Presentation at Car- marthen Post Office. A VETERAN POSTMAN HONOURED. On Friday evening the lltli inst., a very in- teresting gathering took place in the Sorting Office of Carmarthen Post Office, the occasion being the presentation of the Imperial Ser- vice Medal to Mr T. O. Davies, late Head Postman at Carmarthen, who after 30 years seivice retired on a pension in 1907. The -I,Odal is given by His Majesty the King in recognition of long and meritorious service There was a large muster of officers male and female, which testified in a marked manner the esteem in which Mr Davies was held by all members of the indoor and outdoor staffs. The chair was occupied by the esteemed Post- master, Mr J. D. Jones, who was ably sup- ported by Mr Pullen, the chief Post Office Surveyor of the South Wales District, who at great inconvenience to himself made it his pleasure to be present, and this sacrifice of his valuable time was highly appreciated by the -whole of the Staff aind his presence added much to the success of the gathering. The Chairman, who upon rising to open the pro- ceedings was greeted with loud cheers briefly stated the object of the meeting, and referred in a kindly manner to the services of Mr Daivies, and to, the honour that had been conferred upon the staff by the pre- sence of Mr Pullen, who had sacrificed both comfort and time in order to be present at that gathering, which they all appreciated. The Gharman then called upon Mr Pullen to make the presentation, who when he arose, was received with loud and prolonged cheers, and which demonstrated the Staff's apprecia- of his presence, this being the first occasion on which the Chief Surveyor had been pre- sent at any function in Carmarthen.. When the cheering subsided, Mr Pullen read the foIrowing letter, which had accompanied the Medal:— Home Office, Whitehall, 26th May,1909. SIR,—I am comwandecl by the King to transmit to you herewith an Imperial Service medal in recognition of your meritorious ser- vice as an officer of the postal service, and I am to request that you wili acknowledge the receipt of the decoration and will sign the acknowledgement with your Christian name in full. I am sir, yours faithfully, R. F. REYNARD, Secretary, etc., of the Imperial1 Service, Order. He then explained the conditions for which the Imperial Service Medal is gramted, the chief condition being an uniblemished record of long service. He went on to say that it gave him much pleasure to be present at their gathering, and to be alble to present Mr T, O. Davies with the medal. Mr Davies he was informed, had an unblemished record of ser- vice of over 30 years, and lie was also pleased to see the signs of good fellowship which ex- isted between Mr Davies and his colleagues, especially so as Mr Davies had now retired for moire than two years, because two years was a long period in the Pest Office service, where all is rush and hurry, and those not actually in harness are apt. to be forgotten in the stress of work. Mr Pullen's speech was punctuated with many bursts of cheering and clapping of hands, and at its close affixed the medal to Mr Davies' coat, which brought fortli loud cheering. Mr T. O. Davies said "Mr Head Surveyor, Postmaster, and all pre sent, 1 don't know liow to thank you, Sir, as words fail me, for sacrificing your time and responsible duties to present me personally with this precious Medal. I consider it an honour done to an old and humble servant of the Post Office. I am more proud of this presentation because I am the first in Car- marthen to receive this interesting gift from L His Majesty the King for long sea- vice. I shall be delighted to wear this Medal and every time I look at it, it will bring back happy recollections of my old friends at the Post Office, with whom I worked in perfect harmony during the many years I was in the service. I don't believe I had a single enemy among them. I always considered the bright, and not the serious side of things I should like to tell' you many a little inci- dent that happend during my hours off duty, but I am not going to trouble you with them as your time is valuable. I thank you most heartily for being present at the presenta- tion, and will end my few words by saying, "God tbe with you ail." The Chairman now called upon Mr Wilkins (Superintendent) to propose a vote of thanks to Mr Pullen. Mr Wilkins said that lie now had a pleasant duty to perform and in proposing a vote of thanks to Mr Pullen referred to the kind words which Mr Pullen had said concerning Mr Davies, and when they considered how great Mr Pull en's high responsibilties were, how vast his district extended, it was surprising that lie could have sacrificed both time and comfort to be present at their gathering. He appreciated such kindness, and stated that it was an honour bestowed upon the Staff; in fact it was a red letter day in their official history. Mr T. Jenkins, Head Post- man, in a few choice words seconded the pro- posal, and when the Chairman put it to the meeting, it was received with acclamation, the audience rising singing as Welshmen only can sing "For he's a jolly good fellow." Upon Mr Pullen rising to respond he was re- ceived wth loud and prolonged cheering. When the cheering had subsided Mr Pullen thanked them for their vote of thanks, and stated that he should 100 pleased again to visit them and assist in a similar function. A vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding was enthusiastically passed and the proceedings terminated by singing the Natonal Anthem. Thus ended the most enthusiastic meeting ever held in the history of the Carmarthen Postal Officials. The medal is a bea-utiful work of art from the well known jewellery house of Messrs. Elkington, of Regent Street London, and is in the shape of a, bronze star. The centre is a circular silver em- bossed shield bearing the royal initials in blue enamel, encircled by a garter bearing the words "For faithful service." The name of the happy recipient is engraved on the re- verse side. The ribbon is a biioad band of watered si.l'k in red and blue with a gold safety clasp.

Carmarthen County Court. The Carmarthen County Court was held at the Ivy Bush Royal Hotel on Thursday the 17th inst., before His Honour Judge Bishop.

THE PERSIAN BARLEY CASK. Reference was made to the case of Letham v. Hicks. This arose out of a dispute be- tv/een a Yorkshire firm of corn importers and a Bankyfelin merchant regarding a consign- rneait of Persian baii-loy. At the last court, His Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff, but left it to the Registrar to assess the amount of damages. The Registrar (Mr Parkinson) now gave an award for tS 17s 8d and costs. Mr W. W. T. Prosser (of Messrs Morgan, Son, and Prosser) was for the plaintiff, and Mr Wallis Jones for the defendant.

LLANDILO. PICJNIC TO TALLEY LAKES.-On Saturday last the members of the Debating Society and friends visited Talley with its quiet ruined Abbey and enchanting lakes. A start was made from Rhosmaen street, and "Citizens, who take the air. Close seated, in a chaise and pair" might well have been remarked of the party —at il'east one chaise was a pair horse vehicle the other a "one horse shay." Although drizzling rain fell at intervals, the journey to Talley was much enjoyed. Not to belie the title of the Society, immediately on arrival a discussion ensued as to whether tea was to be served at once or after visiting the lakes. The prevailing sentiment being that of Dickens's fat boy, viz., "I am so hungry," very little time was lost before a hearty tea Was partaken of at the EdwinSlford Arms. Tea being over, and the rain being such as to prohibit wandering near the lakes, an im- promptu concert pleasantly occupied the time until the absence of the rain a,ain made it possible to admire the beauties or Talley The more venturesome of the party essayed a trip ae-ross the lower lake, which brought forth a magnificent exhibition off skill on Thft palrt of the oarsmen. Notwithstanding the fears of those who remained on shore, the trip was entirely successful and incidentally showed that the Society possessed an excel- lent "coxswain." Of course, it was only natural the ladies on board should express a desire for some of the water lilies which are at present in rich profusion on the lakes, a wish wliich was gratified after some little manoeuvring on the part of the oarsmen to say nothing of the commands of the cCoxsn.' The journey home was a delightful one, and showed that some of the members are possessed of fine robust voices, though whether they are musical' and capable of numbers" is a fit subject for debate at some J j future meeting of the Society.

SENT IN. John Jones, Water street, Ferryside, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Ferryside.P.C. Richards proved the case. There had been a fight bettwen the defen- clanit ajid another m,an,. ,ils face was covered with blood, and he was very excited. iSupt. Jones said that the defendant had been previously bound over to be of good behaviour for six months. Defendant said that he had a wife and four children. The Chairman said that he should have thought of that before. The case was adjourned until the end of the Court, when The Chairman said that. the defendant had a very bad, record. He had several previous convictions against him, and in March last he had been bound over to be of good behaviour for six months. He had not been of good behaviour. He would be imprisoned for one calendar month with hard labour, without the option of a fine.

DINNERS AND TEAS GIVEN GRATIS. D. Jones was charged with being drunk on licensed premises, and E. C. Jones with per- mitting drunkenness.—Mr J. R. Williams defended.—P.C. I)Iorgan said: At 2 p.m. on the 29th of last month he saw the defendant sitting in the kitchen of the Old Gin Shop, Llandilo. He was very drunk; shortly after- wards he wtnt out and staggered up Car- marthen street. Before seeing him in the kitchen he had seen him in the passage lean- ing on some boxes. He was unmistakably drunk.—By Mr J. R. Williams: Witness asked his name and address. He stood up when witness asked him. He believed lie was drunk by his general appearance. He had a pint measure in front oif him, half full' of beer. His hand was almost touching the pint. There was no one in the room but the defendant. Witness noticed nothing what- ever on the table. He hesitated in giving his name and address. He looked very different to what he looked in court. Witness could not say whether he had had dinner or not. Witness saw Mrs Jones. She came in from the 'bar when he asked her. She told him he was drunk, denied serving him and took the pint away. The man had gone out when witness went to the bar. Mrs Jones asked him to put him out. It was not his duty. He told her he would assist her if he refused to go out.—By Deputy Chief Evans: When he charged the man with being drunk he said nothing. Witness asked her to come to the door to see the man to know if he was drunk. She said she was satisfied. He gave a false name and address. Mr J. R. Williams said the witness could not prove it', as another policeman served it.—Mr Williams began a speech for the defence by referring to the policeman as a young policeman.- Mr J. L. Thomas: A policeman who has seen five years sea-vice. The bench thought Mr Williams had a strong case to answer.—Mr Williams contended the man was sober, asid put him into the box for evidence. He said his name was David Jones. He lived at Caetbryn terrace. It was the first house. He was at Llandilo on Saturday the 29th May. He went in between 12 and 1 o'clock. The boss and his wife were in the bactk kitchen eating dinner. He asked for and had dinner. He did not have a drop of drink. He reckoned that early in the morning he had had two pints of beer. Later on in the New Inn he had two 'bottles of soda water. He was in four or five houses after being in the Gin Shop and they did not ask him a word if he was drunk—Mr J. L. Thomas: Let us have the names of the house.—Defendant gave the Angel Inn, King's Head, Rose and Crown, Victoria, and Torbay, Ffairfach. He conidd not say whether there was a pint or not, and he had never yet drunk out of another man's pint, The dinner ha-d been cleared off the table. He went out of his own accord. He was not a quarter of an hour in.-By Deputy Chief Evans: He paid sixpence for the dinner to the servant girl. It was scraps. He went in to have a ^lass of beer but seeing the dinner a-ked for some. He had only a cup of tea that morn- ing but nothing to eat. He had slept in the White Lion the night before. There were tour of them. They had two quarts at eight 0 clock between them.-He told the- Clerk that he knew the rounds going (laughter). the Deputy Chief: He had had 4jo beer the present morning, but he had had three lemonades. No liquor or heer.-By Mr J. L. Thomas: If they had been drinking heavy the night before it was natural to want a drink in the morning—Mr Thomas: Tea. would be better. -Defend-a nt Perhaps in the liongrun.-By Deputy Chief Evans: At the New Inn they had a glass of beer and two sodas. They were at the New Inn three quarters of an hour. They left the New Inn at quarter past eleven. He did not tell the P.C. he lived at Cottage Haill. It was not a part of Caebryn terrace, where he said lie lived. Edward C. Jones, landlord, said he saw the defendant in the smoke room. Witness and his wife were having dinner. He had been the previous night asking for lod°-in«-s P S Jones came in and told them not to 'serve him. On the Saturday witness's wife said he could have a dinner. The defendant did not ask for a drink, but he was sober enough to be served. Witness was not in when he I was served with dinner.-By Deputy Chief Evans: It was 1.30 to 2.15 when defendant came in. Ihe smoke room was different f om the kitchen—Deputy Chief Evans said a Wl i f defendant called the smoke room a back kitchen he must have been very drunk—Mr J. R. Williams said that was + ii oy Pe"i>uty Cllief Evans: Witness had told 1 .b. Jones on Whit Monday that the man was not drunk. He (witness) had been fined once and did not want to be fined again. Margaret Price said she was a servant maid at the Gin Shop. She saw the defen- dant there. She corroborated. There was a pint of beer on the table and glasses. It had been left behind bv someone. He was not more than five minutes in the house. Then she said 10 minutes. The policeman told Mrs Jones that the man was all right. •C. Morgan asked for the man's name and address—By Deputy Chief Evans: It was her business what service she had been in before she came to Llandilo. She had been in service at a pubHc house inLlanellv. She could not Tememiber the name. They had served three or four dinners that day. They supplied hot dinners if asked for She had seen a dozen served. Defendant was given the dinner for nothing, but he gave her six- pence as waitress. Mrs Jones very often gave dinners and tea away. Jennie Jones, wife of Ed. C. Jones, (rave corroborative evidence. The man neither asked for drink nor was supplied with any. If lie was drunk then she was drunk in the court, and she did not Know the taste of drink. They had better close the house if they could not serve a man in the state the defendant was. She could prove he went into another public house. She sent to see. If defendant was not somber she was never niai,iied.-By Deputy Chief Evans: They served an immense number of meals. Those that, were served before had paid a shilling each for their dinner. What defendant had were the scraps. He was not drunk. He was a sleepy sort of man. She did not take the pint measure away. The policeman did not say the man was drunk.-By the Clenk: When told by the Clerk that the maid had said she had taken a, pint away, she said 6he could not remember and that the girl was only a country girt-Ðefendant was fined 2s 6d and costs. Ed. C. Jones was then charged with per- mitting drunkenness. The evidence was largely a, repetition of the foregoing. Mrs Jones said tlie police were watchino- their ^rnrair-Byt'\l,,eyj00,1B "tfft Tl"V vKitol other public ],«,«*, tat MeTio 19 i« S ii o Jones said that about 12.48 p.m. on the 31st of May, lie visited the Gin Shop. He saw Mr and Mrs Jones in the passage. Witness said to Jones that it had been reported there had been a drunken man there on Saturday. He replied "The same chap as the night before." He told Mrs Jones she might if she liked make any explanation. She had said the man was not supplied with any drink. Evidence was then corroborative. Mr Jones got very excited and said he would swear before God the man was not drunk," and told his wife to say nothing. Mrs Jones said the pint was in lont of the man and was going on when her husband told her to shut up and say nothing — Bv AT n?t ien7 the edition of the man. rvolieA f ?• Wllliams He lla<1 bee" in the police force eleven years. It was for the magistrates to put a construction on his evi- deiiee. It was out of kindness and to carry out his duty that lie went to ask them if they could explain whose pint it -,as.-After a long hearing, Mr J. L. Thomas, said they con- sidered the police had given their evidence exceWently, and without any exaggeration, but they would give the defendant the bene- fit of the doubt, as to the state of the man, and so the case would he dismissed Th« police were quite right in bringing the £ £ on.

-'I- JUSTICES AND ARREST WARRANTS. -The Kincrs Bench on Thursday decided that a justice had So power to issue a warrant for the personal appear- ance before them of a defendant when the latter is represented by counsel. The decision was given l^da8e m Wl?i0h ,he Surre7 iU8tices, hating°(jon- f naaQ' 183ued a warrant for his arrest in oraer to prove previous contiefcions. Rules nisi were granted to prohibit justices from arresting a man and to quash justices' order, and on Thursday these were made absolute with costs.