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-"TOO MUCH FARMERS' UNION"
"TOO MUCH FARMERS' UNION" Councillor Jones Regrets Personalities. To the Editor of the County Times. Sir,—I am grateful to your correspondent, Mr W. J. Price, for his answer to my last letter. Before replying, I must acknowledge a keen feeling of regret at allowing myself to give way to the too strong temptation of writing in a personal spirit in some portions of my last letter. I should have remembered that indul- gence in personalities does not assist the dis. cussion of any subject. I hope to avoid that practice for the future in our controversy. If Mr Price bad not referred to my protest at the last County Council meeting as an impertinent one, but had criticised my statement on its merits, these undesirable personalities would not have arisen. I trust, too, that Mr Price will believe me when I state that I only knew of him (previous to the 12th instant) as the chairman of the local Farmers' Union and his colleague as a member of that Union. The latter, however, has allowed his correspondence to degenerate to such a degree in your last issue that I am forced to disregard his letters for the future. To return to Mr Price-his letter demands an answer, and I propose to answer it with the .respect it deserves. I agree that we have deviated from the original cause of trouble, the mileage question; but I was forced to it in endeavouring to explain how pertinent (not im pertinent) was my protest at the Council meet- ing. But I gladly take this opportunity of dealing more fully with the mileage question. There is an error in Mr Price's letter in his statement that I joined the 3d and the 9d mile- age. I only referred to the 9d mileage in order to say that no protest by the Farmers' Union bad been uttered against that amount, whilst a great protest was being aroused against the 3d mileage. As to the 3d mileage, however, the Main Roads Committee, on the motion of the writer, adjourned a long discussion of it at one meeting in order that the Finance Clerk could cheque the figures by which the Road Surveyor had arrived at the mileage and report apon it at the next meeting. The report, based upon the actual expense on the motor cycle for the past year, was to the efiect that the cost of run. ling it, allowing for petroi, depreciation and the other usual incidental expenses, was some- where between 2td and 3d. The Committee had, consequently, no alternative but to vote for the 3d mileage, especially as the Road Sur- veyor had stated that he would gladly, if requested, refund at the end of the financial year any monies allowed on the scale, which bad Dot been actually expended. If that committee had been directors of any company (public or private) could they have possibly done more in the interests of the company than the committee did on t ehalf of the ratepayers m th.- llla: ter? I subnii tbey r-ould not, The i'iuaibi"' Union representative, at the Council meeting, made an excellent speech in his plea for a reduced mileage, and I wou'd, on no account, have interrupted Ie, had not Ald. Davies stated that the Surveyor should not be allowed to make a profit ou the miieH!:e I then raised the point of order that Aid. Davies should not make such a statement unless he could prove it. The Roads Committee had sub- mitted their recommendaiion for the 3d mileage on the strength of the Finance Clerk's report. The Chairman upheld my point of order. These are the facts of the case. Immediately following the decision of the mileage, the Council considered a further re- commendation of the Roads Committee to the effect that the whole of the main roads of the county should he, for greater efficiency and iess expense, placed litider the supervision and con- tbO of the Road Surveyor. The adoption of i^ls recommendation would have meant a saving mtudare8 of at least 8 year The recom- Was uit°D Was n0^ aPProved of. Not a word by ejtL ered in favour of the recommendation by an er Farmers' Union representative or pre those to whom I have referred in my Uni 10U8 .Otters as "those of the Farmers' Was^h ^0'nt view." Indeed, one of the latter tio Wrongest opponent of the recommenda- Any unbiassed ratepayer will regard the to H.0 °f the Farmers' Union in thus objecting o the 3d mileage and in not supporting the ^ort to save £ 47 a year in salaries as absolutely IOCousisten t. to the replies to my 8 questions, Mr Price ^grees with me in bis answers to questions 1 and ? when he says that the majority of farmers in the county are small farmers in the true sense o. the term." That is just the trouble, but you J?1'! remember, Mr Editor, that my criticism in I's connection has been confined to the minority ? (2) The argument of scanty capital is applic- able ODly to the really small farmer. For the rest, it is scarcely fair to use it these days when agriculture is, we are glad to know, exceptionally prosperous. This prosperity is largely due (so we glean from statistics and reports) to the more general adoption of intensive methods in areas where 1 co operation and co partnership (as generally defined), credit banks, and the exten- sion of small holdings are existent. (4) Labour, thanks to the general awakening democracy, is now only attracted to fair Conditions of wages and of livelihood. The *P<*t of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, | £ blighed last Friday, will amply bear this out. cask does not tell us what is the average Weekly wages paid to farm labourers in Ie, When he does supply the answer, the k.e ali'e discuss this matter. So far, all Of "VII" bi wage statistics as given in reports the f. Departments have been supplied bv gj«'j| luers and not by the labourers, but I will ojv y accept Mr Price's figures if they are rji as the average throughout the county. fa° Sa^ ^at 90 per cent, of the Breconshire labourers are living in is to supply all st are interested in the subject with the ir°0gest indictmerjt cf their condition in our j as well as with the strongest reason why In °Ur. anc* should be, scarce in the county. agricultural districts which adjoin or border lah1 atrial centres, the wages of farm „ °urers are higher than in strictly agricultural ea8, and yet the farmers in the former districts as successful (authorities tell us they are en more successful) than in the latter dis- o1(;ts. Labour is consequently-not so scarce in heformer districts. to ldr Price agrees with me, again, in his answers j Questions 5 and 6 and we can now look tjl^rd to securing the support of the Farmers' jj» l0n in Bieconshire in reconstructing village j e< insisting upon better housing conditions e,r the farm labourer, and in granting better ticational facilities in our rural areas. The Union's assistance in these matters ^i»l be most welcome. When Mr Price states the farmers "contribute handsomely" to e education system, the answer is inevitable— do all the other classes of the community, Ven the farm labourers indirectly!" This no explaining J It is the need of a scheme to which I ^reW Mr Price's attention. One w„culd have .l&ected the Farmers'Union to support every °rt to create small holdings, if only on the it oUod of the. security of tennre tvfforded to it3 tenants. Insecurity of tenure is one of the difficulties the farmer has to contend e fact that Yol. 1. (Rural) of the Land ^uiry does not refer to Breconshire doe^ not be milck« This absence of reference may I ?Ue io several causes. It may be due to the c ct that no answers could be bf lined by the far ittee to the enquiries sent to Breconsbiie jj .^ers. Jn the absence of information, the lQt cannot be discussed. |>.kave r.r.t criticised the Farmers' Union as a sVji0n- The exact reverse is the truth, as Xln *n mv letters. The stronger the the better. Indeed, I sincerely hope all farmers of Breconshire will join their Union. Let us have unions by all means—the more the better. I even wish we bad a thriving Farm Labourers' Union in Breconshire which could assist the county in every legitimate way, to attain, if possible, to an envhble position among the agricultural counties of Great Britain. To conclude, I am still hoping "the day of deliverance is at hand to small farmers and farm labourers throughout the land. There are, we gladly note, many indications and portents of that desirable arrival in the near future. For many years, Liberal and Conservative Govern- ments have vied with each other in their efforts to assist the farmer as much as possible, even under the present conditions of land tenure. At best, those efforts have been proved to be mere palliatives. Farmers, as a class, have commanded considerable and beneficial attention from the Legislature in the last twenty years- much more so than many other classes of employers in the State. I may only refer to the various Budgets of late years, the Agri- cultural Holdings Acts and the Agricultural Rates (Relief) Act of 1896 Nevertheless, the farmers, like other classes in the State, have immense difficulties to contend with. We realise their difficulties in rent and rates," (but not in taxes and wages,") bad harvests, sickness I and death of cattle, but other classes have their serious difficulties also. No industry or trade is immune. Are not the rates and rents relatively far heavier in urban than in rural areas ? The incomes of other trades, occupations or indus- tries are taxed under Schedule D farmers are taxed under Schedule B. Under Schedule B, if the rent paid by a farmer does not exceed j £480, he is not assessable to Income Tax The Income Tax received by the State under Schedule B for the year ended April 5th last I only amounted to 1229,960 Nevertheless, as a class-through its Union, at any rate—the farmers grumble more than any other class in the community against auy progressive adminis- trative functions which of necessity entail extra I expenditure. Expert students of the rural problem tell us that that spirit among farmers accounts to some extent for the fact that agri- culture is not more advanced and profitable in culture is not more advanced and profitable in England and Wales than it is to day. And yet the value of imports of agricultural products in 1911 amounted to £219,267,012 I Yours, &c., ERNEST JONES. Cefn Coed, 22nd Dec., 1913.
SOLUTIONS TO THE PUZZLES.
SOLUTIONS TO THE PUZZLES. THE VICTORIA CROSS. It is necessary tha.t the two I's should change places. Th-e following M a solution in eighteen moves. The first and second I are distinguished bv the numbers (1) and (2). I (1), V. A, I (2), R, 0, T, I (1), I (2), A, V, I, (2), I (1), C, I (2), V, A, I (1). SHOOTING BLACKBIRDS. "Twice four" added to ''twenty" is twenty-eight, ene-sevemh of which is four. These four dead birds remained; the others flew away. THE CARD FRAME. I The illustration explains itself. CENSUS PUZZLE. Miss Ada Wilkins must have be-en twenty- four and Johnnie three years of asje. There is a trap in 6even times older than little Johnnie." Of course, "seven times older" is equal to eight times as old. If you wrongly assume it means "seven times as old" you I get the wrong ages--twenty-four and a-half and three and a-half. THE FIVE DOMINOES. There are three arrangements, ae follows, addition to the one given, if the end domi- noes sum to 5: (1—0) (0—0) (0—2) (2—1) (1-5) (4—0) (0—0) (0—2) (2—1) (1—0) (2-0) (0—0) (0-1) (1-3) (3—0) If the end dominoes sum to six, there are ten different arrangements, one of which is: (2-4) (0—0) (0-1) (1-4) (4-0) The reader may like to find the others for himself. THE TWENTY PENNIES. Arrange sixteen pennies in the form of & square, fo-ur by fo*ir. Then place .a penny on top of the first one in the first row, one on the third in the second row, one on the fourth in the third row, and one on the second in the fourth row. THE BAG OF NUTS. It will be found that when Herbert takes 12, Robert and Charles will take 9 and 14 respectively, and that they will, together, have taken 35 nuts. As 36 is contained, in 770 twenty-two times, we have merely to multiply 12, 9, and 14 by 22 to find that Herbert's efeare is 264, Robert's 198, and Charles's 308. Then, as the total of their ages is 17! years, or half the sum of 12, 9, and 14, their respective ages must be 6, 4i, and 7 years. THE CHEQUERED BROCADE. The illu stration shows how the two pieces should be cut and stitched together to form square cushion-cover. THE EARTH'S GIRDLE. It will surprise majiy readers to learn that those extra six yards would make the dis- tance from the earth all round the girdle nearly a yard The increase is independent of the original length of the girdle, which m y be round the .earth or round an orange; in any cixse, the additional six yards will give a distance of nearly a yard all round. WHAT WAS THE TIME? The time must have been 9.36 p.m. A quar- ter of the time sincenOOtD is 2hr. 24min., and a half of the time till noon next. day 18 7hr. 12min. These added together make 9hr. 36aun, j
"1913. -
"1913. THE YEAR'S EVENTS. BY A WELL-KNOWN PUBLICIST. It is impossible for one to look back upon the trail of 1913 without • sense 01 wonder at all that has been crowded into this little iiile in the long journey through time. War and disaster spread a lurid light over much of the picture which the memories of the year recall, the "muttering thunder" of labour unrest accompanies the traveller nearly all the way, and one can remember a political crisis, or what we were led to be- lieve was a political crisis, nearly every day. It has, indeed, been a year of crowded events. There has been little lagging in the drama. The map of the world has changed con- siderably. The year opened with hopes of peace in the Balkans, but revolt in Turkey and the lust for complete victory in Bulgaria brought them crashing to the ground. The conflict spread once more, and there came, after days of conflicting rumour, the fall of Adrianople at the close of a historic siege, and a little later the capture of stubbornly- defended Scutari by little Montenegro. One Can only mention the amazing defiance of the combined Powers of the world by King Nicholas, and the signing of the Treaty of London which was accomplished at St. James's Palace on May 30th. The significance of both events was blotted out by yet another conflagration. A war which began with the sympathy of many nations as a war of libera- tion ended in a tragic and sordid orgy of bloodshed among the Allies themselves over the spoils of victory. The Powers warned in vain, and what might have been a glorious and united triumph ended in Turkey regain- ing Adrianople, and a great deal more than she could ever have taken possession of in face of a united foe, in the humiliation of Bulgaria, and in the patching-up of a settle- ment the chief merit of which was that it ended the slaughter and avoided any inter- national complications. ROUND THE GLOBE. Although the Balkan struggle provides the most dramatic chapters of the story of the year abroad, the eyes of the world have been turned in many other directions from time to time. In France there was little of sensa- tional moment, despite the tremendous in- terest aroused by the struggle over the Three Years' Service Bill, until close on the end of the year, when the Barthou Government was overthrown by a hostile vote on the proposal that the new stock of the fifty-two million loan should be immune from taxation. The Ministerial crisis was not easily solved, and the new Government under M. Doumergue came into being ,1ií¡d prophecies that it in turn would very collapse. In Germany, too. the event of the year was & militarist or. rather, an ajiti-militarist erisis. After four weeks' uproar in the little town of Zaborn. in Alsace, over the conduct of a ycun-g iitenant named Forstner the question came before the Reichstag. The Chancellor's dealing with the matter led to cx- cdtiiw^ soenes, and in the end a crushing vote censure upon him was carried by 298 votes to 54. The Kaiser speedily intervened, and a dternty word-ed message disapproving the military excesses and the removal of the offending garrison from the town smoothod matters over. For the rest, there has been a gradual restoration of peace in troubled Chbra, civil war i<n unruly Mexrico, and a sue- cession, of grave labour revolts in Souih Africa, involving first the whole of the Rand miners and later the entire Indian commu- nity in Natal. Peace, fortunately, has eeagaed supreme among the great Powers, aJiIAi the year closed with the bonds of friendship between ourselves and, the other nations of the world as strong and close as they have I ever been. THE POLITICAL DRAMA. The political drama at home has been one of particular interest and importance. The great developments have taken place outside rather than inside Parliament, although it j was a busy and fatiguing session at West- minster. The Home Rule and Welsh Dis- establishment BiHs were both passed success- fully through the House of Commons for the second time, in accordance with the provi- sions of the Parliament Act, the former securing its third reading by 352 to 243, and the latter by 347 to 244. After a strenuous de- bate, too, the Plural Voting Bill went through by 293 to. 222, all three measures being sub- j sequently thrown out by majorities in the House of Lords. The other features of the session were the defeat once again of the Women's Suffrage Bill, the passing of the j Scottish Temperanoe Bill by consent on lines of compromise, the reversal of the Osborne Judgment, !the amendment of the Insurance Act, and the trenchant debate on the report of the Marconi Committee. I The proceedings of the Marconi Committee j itself, during the sidings of which scarcely a day passed without some incident, were fol- I lowed with remarkable interest, and it i. many years since any report of a- Committee | of the House of Commons was awaited with j such interest as that which found that all the Ministers concerned had acted throughout in j the sincere belief that there was nothing in i their .action which conflicted with their duty | as Ministers of the Crown. The minority re- I port drawn up by Lord Robert Cecil censured the Attorney-General. the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and Lord Murray for "grave im- propriety," and in the two- days' deibate in the House of Commons this phrase and many more- censorious still took their part. The scene in the crowded and' tensely-excited Rouse while the two arraigned Minis- ters made their statements, and then walked from the C,i,,i!nbcr to await the verdict of their fellow Members, was full of the ele-j ments of drama. In the end it was de- j cided by 346 votes to 268 that the House 1, should accept the expressions of regret made S by the two Ministers that they had purchased j share- in the American Marconi Company, acquit them of acting otherwise than in good j faith, and reprobate the charges of corrup- j tion brought against them, which had proved j to be wholly fah'e. j THE DOMINANT ISSUES. [ Parliament adjourned in the middle of t August, but the spell of politieal inactivity | was short. Ulster remained a topic of heated j debate wherever politicians gathered, and a few weeks after the Parliamentary' session ended Lord Loreburn caused a sensation by f his letter to the Times, appealing for a cdn- [ ference of all parties to try and devise w ays ? and means of settling the Irish question. ? Events moved slowly, but the utterances of j the' Prime Minister and Mr. Boaar Law both j indicated a desire for settlement if it could devised without the sacrifice of vital prin- ciples. Then came the no compromise orations of Sir Edward Carson and the I famous "full speed ahead ".speech of Mr. j Redmond, and, for a time, growing hopes of a peaceful solution were overcast. It became j plain that the idea of a fcrmal conference was not practicable, but hope was revived by the Prime Minister's expression of his will- '< ingness to take part in a free and frank exchange of views, and the year closes amid the discussion of a number cf interesting sug- j gestions as to the best basis for a settlement, and with the d^or still open to a peaceful i?sue. The other ov.islanding feature of the poli- tical year has, of course, been the opening of The other o- feature of the poli- tical year has, of course, been the opening of the Government's Land campaign. The ¡ nouncement of the Government's intentions j was awaited with extraordinary interest, and > the full policy outlined by Lloyd George in his series of speeches in the country, and endorsed by the Prime Minister at a great j gathering in London attended by nearly the whole of the Cabinet, has taken the place of Home Rule as the topic of the hour. It was only the other day .it the proposals were set out, and there is no need to catalogue j them here in detail. The broad lines of the < policy are the setting up of a new Ministry of i Lands to supervise all questions dealing with tie land in town and country; the appoint-j meat of Commissioners with extensive powers in the fixing of rente, the securing ol f fixity of tenure, the granting of eompensa- tion for disturbance, the vetoing of unrea- sonable evictions, and the acquiring of dere. lict and uncultivated land; a minimum wage and reasonable hours for the rural labourer; the State provision of cottages reform of the Game Laws; and a great afforestation scheme. Such is the rural policy, and the Government's proposals for the towns are on quite as drastic lines, including as they do redress of the town tenant's grievances, re- form of the leasehold system, the scheduling of the slum areas, and the compulsory ac- quisition of land at a fair price where con- siderations of health or town development demand it. Mention may be made here of the sensa- tion caused late in the year by the purchase of the Duke of Bedford's great Covent Gar- den estate by Mr. Mallaby-Deeley, a Conser- vative M.P. It was the biggest land deal on record, the amount of money involved being several millions. j NAVY AND ARMY. The year has been one of great activity and development in naval, military, and aerial affairs. It closes with the certainty of yet further increase of expenditure on the Navy in the year which lies ahead, and the call for I a reduction in the burden of armaments grows steadily louder and more insistent. Fortu- nately no serious disaster has marred the work of the great Service this year. The Army story is less happy, containing as it does the record of the cutting up of the British Camel Corps in Somaliland by the followers of the Mad Mullah. At home, there is a welcome improvement in recruit- ing for the Territorial Army, and the sympa- thetic reply of the Prime Minister to an II influential deputation which waited upon him to urge the need for further encouragement for the Force suggests that the Secretary of State for War may have important announce- ments to make when he introduces his next Estimates. I Both in the Navy and the Army aviation has been developed with great zeal and cour- age throughout the year, and the airmen of the two Services have many of the best flying feats of recent times to their credit. The sen- sation of the yea.r in avialtion has, of course, been the "upside-down" and "looping the loop" feats of M. Pegoud1 and Mr. Hucks, and it is believed by the experts that their achievements may lead in the future to the prevention of many disasters in cases where a machine side-slips or overturns in the air. In cross country or rather cross-sea flying Mr. Hawker's magnificent attempt to win the £ 10,000 prize offered for a. flight round Britain and M. Brindejonc des Moulinais's great flight across Europe were the events of a year of fine accomplishments. LABOUR UNREST. Unrest has once again been the dominating note in the world of labour. Although no great upheaval comparable with the national coal strike of 1912 occurred to paralyse the trade of the country, strikes on a smaller scale affectted almost every industry. The most important of them all was the revolt of the Dublin transport workers, which, begin- ning in a small way, led to scenes and deve- lopments which excited the country from end to end. The rugged and, dominating person- ality of James Larkin was over all, and it is long since the incidents of a strike confined to one city aroused such intense interest and feeling. The riots in the streets of Dublin, the allegations of brutality against the police, the dramatic arrest and imprisonment of the fiery strike leader and his still more dr-a- ma-tic release, the carrying of the fiery cross to England, and the repudiation of its Syn- dicalist creed by the responsible leaders of labour here, were all big moments in a drama which must 1 recognised' as one of the most ama-zing and disturbing in the history of in- dustrial warfare in Britain. In the social sphere one brilliant event fol- lowed another. The King and Queen took a leading part in many of the great society functions, and the season" was one of un- tiring activity. The wedding of Prince Arthur of Connaught and the Duchess of Fife was, of course, the event of the year at home, and the brilliant scenes which marked the happy day will not soon be forgotten by those who witnessed them. The King and Queen went to Berlin to attend another I Royal wedding which aroused the greatest in- terest in this countrv-that of Princess Vic- toria Luise, the Kaiser's only daughter, and Prince Ernst of Cumberland; and yet another event which made the year a notable one in Royal circles was the wedding of ex-King Manuel of Portugal and Princess August* Victoria of Hohenzollern. The scenes which marked the visit of the President of France to London in the spring were proof of the steady strengthening of the bonds of friendship between ourselves and our neigh- bour across the Channel. Sensations have been many in the sphere of sport. The crushing defeat of Bombardier Wells in the great boxing match with Car- pentier, the French champion, caused acute disappointment to the admirers of the art of the Ring in this country. The Derby, which was won by Aboyeur, a rank outsider, pro- vided the most sensational race of recent years, and will be memorable for the stop- ping of the King's horse by a. suffragette, who received fatal injuries. Sir Thomas Lipton delighted the whole sporting world by once more challenging for the America Cup. Oxford again won the Boat. Race. MANY DISASTERS. The darker side of the story is told in the record of an appalling list of tragedies in the air, on la,nd and sea, and in the bowels of the earth. Supreme among the tragic dramas is that of the British Antarctic Expe- dition. Few tales of adventure and tragedy have stirred the imagination of the world more than that which was unfolded when the Terra Nova came into touch with civilisation again in the beginning of the year. The terrible fate of Captain Scott and his gallant comrades on their return journey from the Pole fired the imagination of everyone, and I, plunged the whole British ni,tiolivinto sorrow. The story of endurance and heroism is one which will live in the history of exploration through ages to come, and the sublime sacri- fice of Captain Oate's, and the immortal mes- sage of Captain Scott, written with dying fingers in the blizzard bound tent far away in the frozen solitudes, take their place among the most precious relics of a year of wonderful memories. The burning of the Volturno in mid-ocean wa.s the outstanding drama among many thrilling stories of the eea; and the mine disaster at Senghenydd, with its terrible death-roll of over 400. will be remembered as the crowning catastrophe of a week of disasters almost unique in modern history. On the railways, also, one tragedy followed another in startling manner. No fewer than seven serious disasters occurred during the year, the worst of all of them being the collision at Aisgill, which re- suited in, the loss of sixteen lives and the maiming of many more passengers. Of memorable crimes, fortunately, there were few. The assassination of King George of Greece, the attempt on the life of King Alfonso, and the murder of ex-President Madero of Mexico were big sensations. In the criminal courts of this country the great "pearl mystery" provided the most remark- able story of the year; and the murder of Miss Braclfield, whose body was found in the canal at Liverpool, provided the closing sen- sation of 1913. In the civil courts the cases of outstanding interest were few and far be- tween. Mention may be made, however, of the Sackviil-e will case, which was followed with a remarkable amount of interest; and the breach of promise case brought by Miss Daisy Markham, the popular actress, against the Marquess of Northampton, which ended in his Lordship paying a sum of £ 50,000. j Death his taken heavy toll among distin- guished men in all spheres of life during the year, among those whose loss has to be tnourned being: Viscount Wolseley, Viscount Tredegar, Lord Avebury, Dr. Alfred Russel Wallace, Professor Milne, Dr. Forbes Ross, Sir Robert Enll, Sir William White, August Bebel, Mr. George Wyndham, Mr. Alfred Lyttelton, Lord Gorell, Mr. J. Pierpont Morgan, Van Biene, Stephen Adams," Madame Marchesi, Sir Alfred East, Alfred Austin, Canon Barnett, Mr. J. S. Fry, the Duke of Sutherland, the Earl of Crawford, Lord Ilkeston, Lord Macnaghten, Sir Wil- liam Arrol, Lord Ashbourne, Lord Rendel, Henri Rochefort, Sir Albert de Rutzen, S. F. Cody, Mr. Stanley Houghton, and Car. imal Bampolla. (
At the Churches.
At the Churches. Both on Christmas Day and Boxing Day the weather was wet and stormy, and outdoor enjoyment was only for the strong or the daring Breconian. Services were held at. b ohnrches as usual on Christmas Day. At St. John's there was a first celebration of the Holy Communion at 7 o'clock, the celebrant being Archdeacon Bevan, assisted by the Rev. T. A Davies. At 8 o'clock there was a choral celebration to Craickshank's setting 10 E Flat, the celebrant being the Rev. T. A. Davies, assisted by Archdeacon Bevan. At Matins the sermon was preaohed by Archdeacon Bevgn, and the service was intoned by the Rev. E. E. Davies. The anthem "0 Sion that brir),etb good tidings (Stainer) was beautifully rendered by the choir, under the charge of Mr R. T. Heins. The organist was Mr Leslie Heins. The church had been tastefully decorated by the following :-PUlpit, Miss Bevan and Mrs Wallace lectern, Misses Jones, Tynewydd window, tbe Misses Williams, Priory Cottage font, Mies Large and Miss Thompson altar, Miss Butcher east window, Mrs Piunket and Mrs Bishop; and the other windows, Mrs Bishop. At St. Mary's there was the usual early celebration at 6, when the Rev. E. E. Davies was the celebrant, assisted by the Rev. H. J. Church Jones. At 8 there was a ci)oral cele- bratiou, taken by the Rev. Church Jones, assisted by the Rev. E. E. Davies. At the 11 o'clock service the Revs. R. H. Chambers and T. A, Davies officiated, while at evening the Rev. E. E. Davies preached and Archdeacon Bevan conducted the service. The choir gave an effective rendering of the anthem "Lo", Divine, all love excelling," under the conductor- ship of the organist and choirmaster (Mr W. H. Webb). The church had been seasonably decorated by the following :-Altar, Miss J. Downes pulpit, Miss Kathleen Williams font, the Misses Lewis Price reading desk, Mrs Hills Orton and the windows by Mrs Cattell and other ladies. At St. David's, Llanfaes, there was a cele- bration of the Holy Communion at 7 o'clock, when the Rev. M Griffiths was the celebrant, and at 8 o'clock ohorai celebration, the Rev. M Griffiths being assisted by the Rev. R. H. Chambers, Christ College. At the 11 o'clock service the Rev. M Griffiths again officiated, and there was a large congregation. The anthem Unto as a child is born was beautifully buug by the choir, under the oonductorship of Mr George Jones, organist and choirmaster. The ohurch was nicely decorated by a number of ladies. Under tbe auspices of the Brecon Free Church Council a united service was held on Christmas morning at the Watergate Baptist Chapel, when the Rev. R. J. Williams, pastor of the Plough Congregational Chapel, preached an appropriate sermon. There was a good attecdaDce.
!At the Depot S. V.B.
At the Depot S. V.B. Over 60 of the men at the Depot of the South Wales Borderers having availed them- selves of the Christmas furloughs, only about 30 men remained in barracks on Christmas Day, but despite this fact the great festival of Yule was duly observed in true military style. The dining hall was gaily decorated by Pte. J. Grounds and Pt. Peter Crowe, with ever. greens, the ceiling being festooned with tinted papers, while banging on the walls were pictures recalling some of tbe heroic fights of the Gallant 24tb. Across the mantelpiece were the words Chiilianwallah, Jan. 13th, '49 in green letters on a white ground. One o'clock was tbe dinner hour, and the feast was presided over by Sergt. W. J. Giles, through whose excellent arrangements a splen- did meal, consisting of roast poultry, geese, beef, pork, etc.,bad been prepared. As usual, the men were visited by Major W. E. B. Smith (officer commanding Depot S.W.B.), and other officers, and seasonable greetings were exchanged.
Boxing Night Entertainment.
Boxing Night Entertainment. On Boxing Night an entertainment was given at the Guild Hall in aid of the funds of the Church Lads' Brigade. There was a large audience and they greatly appreciated the excellent performance of the 11 Two Robes (James Albery) by Mr T. J. Parry and party. The characters were represented as follows :— Digby Grant, Esq Mr T. J. Parry Caleb Deecie, Mr F. Robicson; Jack Wyatt, Mr Mozart Jones Oar Mr Jenkins, Mr W. E. Jones Mr Farnival, Mr E. R. Davies Our Mrs Jenkins, Mrs T. J. Parry Lotty, Mrs W. E. Jones Ida, Mies Elsie Tyler Mra Caps, Mrs T. J. Parry.
.At the Workhouse.
At the Workhouse. Christmh- brought its good cheer to the inmates of the Workhouse, .where tbe wards bad been tastefully decorated under tbe euper- iutendenci of Miss Down, the industrial trainer. In the early morning the children went round tbe wards singing carols and Christmas hymns, and at 10 a.m. divine service wa" conducted by tbe chaplain, the Rev. M. G. Price. Dinner was served at noon, and con- sisted of roast beef, potatoes, vegetables, plum pudding, etc., and oranges and apples. Presents were kindly sent by 'be following :—Mr and Mrs J. D. D. Evans, Ffrwdgrech, toys Miss Sylvia Hando, toys; Miss Philip Morgan, oracgeB and sweets and a Guardian, mince pies.
Llandrindod Wells Eisteddfod.
Llandrindod Wells Eisteddfod. The 22nd annual eisteddfod was held at Llandrindod Wells on Boxing Day. Sir Marchant Williams was to have presided, but his place was taken by Mr William Lewis, Loudon, and Mr Richard Morgan, Rhayader. The Rev. Rees Evans, Llanwrtyd Wells, was conductor. Awards :—Solo for children under 14—1, Sarah Jane Watkins, Newbridge-on- j Wye 2, Morgan Williams, Llanwrtyd Wells. J Recitation, children under 16—1, Maldwyn j Roberts, Llandrindod Wells 2, Colin Richards, Knighton. Hand.knitted stockings Miss Edwards, Newbridge-on- Wye., Drawing or sketch, young people—1, Trevor Davies, Builth Wells. Children—Mary Elsie Morgan, L!an gunilo. Children's choirs-Llan wrtyd Music Lovers (conducted by Miss Williams}. Brecon, Llandrindod Wells and Knighton Children's Choirs also competed. Open female solo, i-nder 19-Miss Bronwen Richards, Llanwrtyd Wells. Action songs by children's cboirs-I. Knighton Girlies (trained by Miss Gweu Davies); 2, Llandrindod Wells Friends' Sunday School (trained by Miss E Beniley). Bass or baritone solo—Mr George Bennett, Rhayader. Con. tralto solo-Miss Gwendoline Davies, Knighton. Children's pianoforte solo-Niiister Tom Brain, Howey. Quartette—Mr T L James and party, I Llandrindod Wells. Male voice party, "The I Fishermen"—Llanwrtyd Party (conducted by Mr William Thomas). i ¡
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-------THE NEW MEDICAL OFFICER.
THE NEW MEDICAL OFFICER. Dr. E. C. Williams's Career. Dr. Edward Colston Williams, of 46, Torring- ton Square, London, W.C., who has just been appointed medical officer of health and school medical officer for the county of Brecknock, owns to being 36 years of age, and is married. Tall, and of good physique, he suggests the athlete, and one would not be surprised to find him doing service on the sports field of Breconshire. He has had a distinguished and useful career. He was educated at the City of London School and St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and at the latter was several times the winner of scholarships and prizes. His degrees include M.B., B.S., M.D. (Lond.), F.R.C.S. (Edin.), D.P.H. (Camb.), M.R.C.S. (Eng.), L.R.C P. (Lond.) After leaving St. Bartholomew's he travelled for a year—pro- bably not the least valuable part of his education. Next he held a succession of resident appoint- ments as house surgeon at the Royal Southern Hospital, Liverpool, the Hospital for Women, and the Maternity Hospital, and was obstetric assist- ant to the Professor of Midwifery in the University of Liverpool. He spent three years in this way, and during this time was clinical assistant in departments for eye and ear work, X-Rays, and bacteriological investigation and also did special work in mental and nervous diseases, diseases of children, &c. Afterwards he practised in Lanca- shire for six years, and was made a J.P. for the borough of Wigan, sitting on the Bench there for two years. For the last two years he has special- ised in the public health service, has worked in the boroughs of Barking and East Ham, and for fifteen months has been a medical assistant in the Public Health Department of the London County Council. At present he holds a responsible position in charge of a district containing 16,000 children. He is familiar with the duties of a school medical officer, has dealt with such trouble- some diseases as diphtheria and scarlet fever at epidemic times, and has special experience of mentally defeotive children and of schools for the physiciaily defective and in open air c-lacation. He has always taken a great interest in education, and has studied the problem of rural housing at first hand in Essex and Sussex. His testimonials from high authorities are of the most flattering character. Incidentally he has a conversational acquaintance with Welsh.
YSTRADGYNLAIS.
YSTRADGYNLAIS. MYSTERIOUS MATCH IN A MINE.—At Ystrad. gynlais, on Tuesday last week, John Jones, colliery repairer, was summoned for having a match and piece of cigarette in his pocket whilst at work in the mine. Evidence was given by a fireman named William Lewis that he officially searched the defendant before he went down the mine, and distinctly remembered having searched the particular pocket in which the match and cigarette were found.-William Hughes, another fireman, stated that his atten- tion was called to the coat pocket by a man named Kilner, but witness could not find the match until his informant showed him where it wa.Edward Kilner, collier, said he bad occasion to search for some road nails, and whilst doing so felt in the defendant's coat pocket, and found the match and cigarette.— The Clerk: Do you usually go into other people's pockets for nails and things ?-No.- Defendant gave evidence and stoutly denied having taken the match into the mine.—The Beach dismissed the case, stating that there was no evidence to prove that defendant had taken the match into the mine.—Mr E. G. Home said the company were compelled to prosecute, although they were aware that there was a very grave doubt in the case.
BRYNMAWR.
BRYNMAWR. STRANGE DEATH.—The death took place at Brynmawr Police Station on Christmas morning of William James Ford, of Humphrey Hughes' Houses, Nantyglo. Deceased was found beneath a retaining wall the previous night iu an insensible condition, and two officers took him to the police station. Dr. W. J. Pritchard was called, but Ford died soon after. There was a mark on the head from which it is thought be must have fallen over the wall whilst proceeding home. Deceased leaves a widow and several children. COMPETITIVE MEETING.—A competitive meeting was held at the Ebenezer Chapel, Brynmawr, on Christmas night, and was well attended. The Rev. loan Meredyth was chair- man. Awards :—Soprano solo, Miss Savigar contralto solo, Miss Madge Williams; tenor solo, Mr F Ballinger bass solo, Mr H Giles girl's solo, Miss D Rogers boy's solo, Master W Rogers quartette, Mr B Hughes' party recitation (under 13), divided between Misses A Jackson and G James recitation (open), Mr B Jones; pianoforte solo, Master J Morgan; mixed party, Ebenezer.
BEAUFORT.
BEAUFORT. EISTEDDFOD.-The 58th annual eisteddfod in connection with Zoar Baptist Church, Beaufort, was held on Christmas Day. The conductor was the Rev. T Llewellyn Jones (pastor) and the president Mr Joseph Davies (Victoria). Awards :—Solo (boys under 14), Fred Morgan, Brynmawr solo (girls under 12), Miss Ethel James, Ebbw Vale recitation (boy or girl), Evan Young, Ne wport essay, Mr Bert Taylor, Beaufort; bass solo (novices), Mr Porter, Ebbw Vale pianoforte solo (under 14), Miss Maisy Herbert, Beaufort tenor solo (novice), Mr Richard James, Beaufort; juvenile choir, Excelsior Choir, Beaufort (conductor, Mr C Williams) piano solo (open), Miss M Han. cock, Beaufort soprano solo. Misses Lily Davies, Beaufort, and Gladys Thomas, Crumlin tenor solo, divided between Messrs R Griffiths, Newbridge, and C James, Ebbw Vale; solo (girls under 16), Miss Myfanwy Lewis, Beaufort contralto solo, Miss Gladys Smith, Brynmawr; recitation, Miss Maggie Watkins, Beaufort; bass solo (open), Messrs Jack Morgan and Richard Davies, Beaufort; male voice party, "Comrades in Arms," Gwalia Party, Nantyglo.
LLYSWEN.
LLYSWEN. BILLIARDS CONTEST AT THE PARISH HALL.— A most enjoyable billiards contest, in which the central figure was a goose (not playing), kindly given by the Hon. Mrs F G Morgan, Bougbrood Castle, Llyswen, was played at the Parish Hall on Monday, December 22ad. The list of entries was large and included the (Tames of I players of some note. After exciting and interesting games the result was declared as follows :—1, W R Price, Llanfaes, Brecon 2, L MacMale, Llyswen 3, Stephen Davies, I Llyswen (last year's cup holder). The prizes were distributed by Mr Honeyfield, the Cottage, Llyswen, by whom the secoad prize was kindly given, while the third trophy was girea by the Rev. W T Crichton, ;hø Vicarage. Such valu- able and useful prizes wiil, no doubt, iucrease the interest in this pleasant pastime locally, especially when we say that there is a cup contest coming on shortly, from which, how- ever, certain "cracks" are debarred. Now, get into training everybody.
LLANELLY.
LLANELLY. KILLED ON THE LINE.—John Welsh, of Daren Felin, Llanelly Hill, Breconshire, was knocked down by a passenger train on the main line on Thursday as he was proceeding home. Intimation of the accident was tjiven to the stationrnaster at Brynmawr, who .rranged for a special train to convey Welsh to Ebbw Vale. Here he was taken to the Cottage Hospital, where be succumbed to his injuries.
[No title]
HEREFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE AGRI- CULTURAL SHOW.—Tt>.? dates of tb; 1914 --bo* of the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Agri- cultural Society, to at Malvern, have been altered to June 9:b, 10b1 aod lltb. BRIGHT PROSPECTS FOR Bay LABOUR IN NEW ZEALAND.—Dairying is booroinsr iu tos T-trntiki and Wanganai districts ot New Zeaisad, wbc"e, in cac part alooe, a huodr^ l boya could be guaranteed good jobs as milkers ou farms. In South Island tusre is th J S vme the demand far exceeds the supply of yoaug workers.
-.- --.----"--------.--Brecon…
Brecon Driver's Story. The fatal accident to a Hereford porter named j Thomas Powell on Deo. 22ni. was inqaired into on Christmas Eve, when a fellow-portir told the coroner's jary that the deceased ran across the metals to attend to some luggage. The train was signalled in, and Powall ran back over the level crossing at the end of the plat. form to attend to it. Ha was just about to step cisar of the tails when the engine caught his shoul r. Powell hang on to the bnffer and was carried another 50 yards, bat he was drawn under through his foot getting mixed up in the points. The driver of the train, a Breaon mar: mcned Hopkins, stated that he saw someone dart o^c the line when he was entering the station. He palled up as soon a she could, a distaoce of 60 yards. That day, the witness explained, be had to ran the train into the down platform on the inside whereas he usually ran into the "island" platform on the outer side. Bat for this change Powell would have escaped. As it was, he tan right into the traiu. Thar a was the usual Christmas traffic aboat at the time, and the view was obsonred. The verdict was "Accidental death."
LLANAFANFAWR.
LLANAFANFAWR. LANTERN LECTURE.-An interesting illastra- ted lectnre on "Churches, Qaaint and Carious" was given by the vicar (Rev J C Oweu) on Wednesday evening, at the Cburco Hall. The lecture was illastrate i by over 50 slides bearing on curious towers, Churches associated witn Nelson aud Dickens, fonts, pews, the smallest and largest churches, &c. The proceeds were in aid of Sunday School Fund. SUNDAY SCHOOL TRBAT.-The combined S IU- day School of Ll&nafan, sud Llaufihanjci w^re entertained to a Christmas treai. on Taeaday, December 23rd. at the Church Hall, by the Vicar and Mrs Owen. After tea b..j been par- taken of, games were enjoyed till 7 o'clock. One of the most exciting was a game of table football, the respective sides being captained by Mr J Lewis and Mr F Richards, and Mr F Richards' team proving victorious. An improm- ptu entertainment was held at the close. Appended is the programme :-Song, Misses Berrey aud Alys Owen; recitation, Mr F Richards; dialogue, two friends; song, Mr Worthing song, MeArl-bor Evans song, Mrs Worthing; song, Mr Arthur Evans. At the olose, Mr Morris, Brynwern, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the Vioar and Mrs Owen, which was carried with acclamation. Miss Thomas, and Mrs Vaaghan kindly provided crackers and oranges. TBOBDRHIWDALAR.—The annnal concert was bald at the above place ca Christmas night. The proceedings began with a tea, given Mr Jones, Doiuerwydd, and the following ladies presided over the tea tables --Miss Davies (Pencrug), Miss Davies (Brynzoye), and Miss Evans (Glandulas), a sisted bv the Misses Catherine Wiiliams, Sirah Williams, Kate Williams, M A Jones, aud M Price. The con- cert which was presided over by the Rev D A Griffiths, pastor, was well attended, the con- ductor of the various cboira was Mr D Profhero, Tyncoed, aud the accompanists w-re Misses G Griffiths, A Davies, A Jones and E M Lewis. At the close a vote of thanks was moved by the Chairman to all who bad taken part. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, and accom- panists was moved by Mr Isaac Davies, Olik- field. Tbe proceeds were in aid of the organ fund. Appended is thfl pro,-ram ime :Soldiers of Jesus," children's choir reoitation, John J Jones song, Rhys Prothero song, Gladys Lewis recitatation, Frank Davies; song, Gertie Williams; recitation, Mina Joseph; Bell March, children'schoir; recitation,Ophelia Jones; song, Polly Jones; "Vfbat do they say, these Bells to me ?," Children's choir; recitatiou, Florrie Williams song, Annie Jones dialogue, Miss Griffith and children "Awn i Ganaan," choir; duet, "Excelsior," Mrs Trow^rand E M Lewis; recitation, Cissie Blythe song, J R i Prothero quartette, Cyril Jone* aud friends; dialogue, Misses Griffiths and Evaus; Roman Soldiers, male voics party duel, Misses Blod- wen Williams and Nellie Davies: recitation, Cyril Jones song, Wm. Davies; "Soag of the Gipsies," children's choir s*ug, Divid Price trio, Messrs E M Price, Win. Daviofl and 0 Davies r^soDg, Blodwen Williams; "Hiraetb," male voice party pong, Mrs Trow-r (encored); recitation, Ethel Joseph; song, E M Lewis; recitation, Blodwen Williams; song, Nellie Davies "On the Ramparts," malr voice party song, Annie Jones; recitatior,, Cyril Jcues song, WHO Thomas anthe as, "Praise ye the Lord," choir; Hen Wlad fy Nbadau, Mra Trower. m
,CEFN COED
CEFN COED TERRITORIAL PRIZE DISTRIBUTION.—Iu the account of this fnuction giveu in our laat issue, the names of Mr W B Edwards, Taff B-ae, and Mr Ernest Jones, C.C., were inadvertently omitted from amoogst the list of visitors as the officers table. "PLYGAIN" SERvICIIL-On Christmas morn- ing, at 6 o'clock, tbe "Piyeaia" Welsh service was held at St. John's Church. The R-v W R Joneg, preached, and the Re-tor (the Rav J Davies) conducted tbe servioe. Further ser- vices were held at 8 o'clock (communion) and 11 a.m. CHRISTMAS DAY WEDDINGS-Two weddings took plaoe ou Christmas day at St John's Chorcb and excited m^cb interest. Mr Albert S D Squires, an employee of Mr Nots, Con- traotor at the Llwynou Reservoir, and Miss Annie Lacham, both of South Terrace, were the first couple united. The ceremony was performed by the rector, asgigtod by the Rev. W R Jones. There was a musical eervica, and afterwards at the home of the brides parents, a large number cf guests partook ot lo^-rhson. The othr couple were Mr Robert Brown, Ponders End, Middlesex, and Miss Florence Harris, of Llwynou, Cwmtaff, the eclo tying the knot. They were accompanied to the Church by a large party of friends. At the Pariah Church at Vsynor, on she jdaie day. Miss Rtchel A. Taylo?, daughter of Mr and Mrs Taylor, Rock Cottage, vveii Street, was married to Mr George Emery Jou "0: Ponty. pridd (late Dowlais), the Rev W R Jones officiating.
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