The Brecon County Times Neath Gazette and General Advertiser for the Counties of Brecon Carmarthen Radnor Monmouth Glamorgan Cardigan Montgomery Hereford

"THINGS ARE LOOKING VERY GOOD" IN ALBERTA—"Things are looking very good iu the Province of Alberta jost now, and parlica- larly in Southern Alberta where last year they bad a very bard time," savs a correspondent. The country baa not noffered from drought, but was just reaching that stage when rain was badiy needed, when early in May the whole of Southern Alberts got a tboronah soaking. 1* rMued fur a day and soaked into tbe tuoand. Spring ihin year was folly three wetfns in advance. tb*< is better than it bilg ever beeu at tili-, time of the year, so that there is an exceedingly good promise for 1916. j

TALGARTH. Special show of Millinery incladins new models delivered this week at D. JONES A Co's, I the firm that value built. Is THIS A RECORD ?—We hear that a fifteen months' old bullock was sold to a butcher in Talgarth for £ 32 13s, representing Is per lb. VISIT OF MRS. T. E. WILLIAMS.-We were pleased to see an old inhabitant, in the person of Mrs T. E. Williams, widow of Dr Thomas Edward Williams, of Aberenig, Talgarth, who visited Talgarth last week. CINEMA EXIBITION. The Border Cinema Company paid a visit to Talgarth on Thursday evening and showed some good pictures at the Town Hall, to a fair house. They intend visiting Talgarth on Thursday evening. FARMERS' UNION.—A meeting of the Tal- garth branch of the Brecon aDd Radnor Farmers' Union was held 'on Thursday evening last at the Town Hall. Mr T. Gwillim Fostill presided, and there was a good number of members present. The Secretary (Mr vV. James) read a letter from the District Secretary, pointing out that the British farmers bad sub- scribed over Y,25,000 to the British Red Cross Society and asking that the proceeds of the Talgarth jumble sale should be given to the same object. Mr Wilson, Rhoss, proposed, aud Mr Lloyd Ricketts seconded, that the nett proceeds of the jumble sale, about 4J85, be banded over to the National Farmers' Union to BE given to the British Red Cross Society, as soon as all the money bad been received.— Agreed.

LLANGAMMARCH WELLS. THB SPA.—In a recent letter entitled "British Health Resorts," their aseB, civil and military, which was the last of a series of lectures on "Water Cores in Peace and War" by Dr Fortescoe Fox, special mention was made of Llangammarch as being well adaped for the treatment of affections of the heart and ciron- lation. Dealing with the subject of the treat- ment received in war, the lecturer said it bad been shown that reBnlts bad been -obtained from suitable bath treatment which oonld not have been obtained in any other way. „ VISITORS.-Quite a large Dumber of those who formerly sought health at the various Continental resorts are now "taking the cure" here.

SOUTH AFRICAN MAIZE.-During 1914 the Union exported 1,000,000 bags of rusiz-, vftio, d at £ 440,000. This year it is antici- pated that the prodaction will be ba!f an mncb "Cair), thus giving a sarplna of fibout 3,000.000 bags for rxport. The pricp of a bag of mealies last year was about 8-<. la iNTqrch of this year farmers were getting from 109 61 to 13S per bag. Present quotations are SOMEWHAT lower, bat if the average is taken at 103 a BAA, the snrplas crop should be worth & million and a half Stirling.

TOWN AND COUNTY. Business as usual was thought to be a very smart motto at the beginning of the War, but some ten months of experience have worn out its usefulness as a sweet advertisement," and for most of us hard facts have long since made it impossible to carry on our affairs as in pre-war times. Where business is better than usual, the shortage of labour comes in as a difficulty where it is worse—(even here labour shortage is sometimes d. difficulty) retrenchment and re-adjustment have been compul- sory. Brecon has had its" ups and downs" in this matter; and averaging things out, the downs have won in one way or another. It is not at all surprising, therefore, to find the princi- pal grocers of the town advertising in another column that, in order to cope with the shortage of labour caused by loss of employees gone to the Colours and to ensure for their remaining staffs a regular dinner hour, they intend to close their shops from 1-15 to 2-15 p.m. each day except Friday (the big market day) from and after Monday next. Indeed, it is an excellent move, and one that may be commended to other trades and other towns in the county. The consuming public, once they know of the new prac- tice, can easily accommodate themselves to the change and one feels absolutely certain that both their national and local patriotism will induce them to give their hearty approval to a plan which will help a much worried body of employers and employees who are at all times the cheerful and devoted servants of their customers. It may help to promote contentmen t with the new postal delivery arrange- ments at Brecon, or promote a discussion that should lead to a change to sum up the results of a fewincjuiriesTimongst the principal traders of the town. One has confined the inquiry to tradespeople advisedly, because they are the people who are most affected by the changed and restricted deliveries. The aftei- noon delivery has been stopped owing to war exigencies, and nobody is grumbliug, so far as one can tell. The evening delivery has been put forward, with the object of giving time to answer by post the same evening all letters coming in up to the time the postmen go out for their last round. But this putting forward of the evening delivery means that some I letters, &c., which would have been I received, say, on Friday under the old arrangement, are not now delivered until Saturday morning. The "Brecon County Times suffers under this plan, and the writer was inclined to set about an agitation. Second thoughts induced him to try and find out how other people were being affected. The result of his enquiries goes to show that the trades- people prefer to have, and be able to deal with the same evening, some letters arriving after the two morning deliveries, than to have them all and be able to answer none. If there are people iu Brecon who would prefer to have the evening delivery at its old time, now is their opportunity to make protest, before time converts a novelty into a usage. One has reason to believe that on this point the postal authorities are Open to conviction. At the last meeting of the Brecon Chamber of Trade it was decided to appeal to the Town Council to provide some form of sign-post near Lloyds Bank for the benefit of motorists wishing to take the Hay and Builth or the Merthyr and Llandovery road. It was casually remarked at the meeting that the matter had been before the Council once and dismissed as one of no im- portance. One writes in ignorance of the facts on this point, but it is difficult to believe that, on a proper representa- tion of the circumstances, a common- sense body of men dismissed as unimportant a suggestion which is un- doubtedly worth their attention. We want "more and more" motorists to come to Brecon, and to refuse to show them the way out is the last thing likely to persuade them to come in. In other towns, the kingdom over, notices to guide motorists and other road travellers are regarded as indispensable. Brecon cannot afford to be an exception to this excellent rule. Brecon seems to be filling the bill of this column this week. It is a pity, perhaps; but after all, the questions i which affect Brecon are affecting other towns in the county more or less and the thoughts and experiences of one place may help another. There is the question of improper bathing in the River Usk, for example. It cropped up last year and nothing was done. The long spell of hot weather brings it to the front again now. Bathing nobody can successfully object to. Flaunting im- propriety, such as one has witnessed at Brecon this year as last, is an offence against the law which can be smartly punished; and one or two examples would teach a salutary lesson. Brecon wants summer visitors and boasts of its beauties, but in one respect takes no steps to see that visitors—to say nothing of its resident womenkind—are not insulted when they come here. Just one word of criticism of the attitude of the Brecon Rural District Council to the proposal to include measles in the list of diseases compul- sorily notifiable. One knows it is hard to understand where the good can come in, when many cases of measles are never treated by a doctor, and children excluded from school play about together on the roads and in the fields. But the singular fact remains that measles is getting more deadly and scarlet fever- long since compulsorily notifiable-is getting less deadly. It is a point worth considering. Compulsory notification of measles can do no great harm it may do a great deal of good.

TALYBONT-ON-USK. PATBNT GRANTKD —A Patviit has now been granted 00 Messrs S Daview, Rhydyivine Cottage, and J C Morgan, Uek Hotel, for their railway | signal invention, olroady provisionallyproiecieii. The principle of this inveution is thst detona- tors are feJ one at a time frow a ujag8ziiif< iu soch a manner as to be exploded by a pa^sitig train, and tbemeohaniem is moved into and out of operative position as the semaphore signal is moved to danger and safety respectively.

TALGARTH ARSON CHARGE. Sequel to Tylecrwn Fire. As briefly reported in our last issue a serious fire occured at Upper Tylecrwn farm, Llanfillo, about 4^ miles from Bre- con, on Wednesday afternoon, the 16th 'inst. The alarm was given at Brecon at 1-10 p.m. and within ten minutes the! Borough Fire Brigade, under the charge of Capt. J. Edwards, were dashing along the Struet. They reached the scene just before two o'clock, and fortunately found a plentiful supply of water in a brook close by. The fire had broken out in a barn, close to' the farin-hohse, which contained some of last year's hay and straw, and some agricultural implements. The members of the Brigade and men from the locality worked hard to subdue the flames and it was not long before they had the fire well under. The dam- age is estimated at some £550 and is covered by insurance. A sequel to the fire was the arrest of a Brecon labourer on a charge of arson. Brecon Labourer Committed to As sizes. At Talgarth Police Court, on Thurs- day, Reginald Henry Pugh, labourer, of 21 a, Struet, Brecon, was charged with maliciously setting fire to a quantity of hay and straw stacked in a building at Upper Tylecrwn Farm. Llanfillo, the property of William Davies, farmer. The case was heard by Mr. E Butler (chairman), Dr. F. J. Jayne, and Mr. E. D. Weaver. Prosecutor stated that he lived at Lower Tylecrwn, in the parish of Llan- fillo, and also owned Upper Tylecrwn, the farms adjoining each other. The previous day he was at Upper Tylecrwn all the morning, and at 12-30 left every- thing safe. Whilst he was at dinner at Lower Tylecrwn, Arthur Evans, one of his men, informed him that the buildings at Upper Tylecrwn were on fire. The defendant, who had been working for witness, had just come in and was standing by the door. Witness asked him "Was it you put the building on fire ?" and defendant replied" No." Witness hastened over to the fire and defendant came up a quarter of an hour afterwards: When witness reached the upper farm flames were coming out of the roof. There were about 20 tons of oaten straw, 15 tons of last year's hay, and some implements in the building. Defendant helped to carry water to pre- vent the fire spreading. The value of the building (which was 80 feet long) and the contents was about ^550. On Monday morning defendant was a bit rough with the milking cows and had struck one with a brush, and witness told him he must not knock the cows about, as the girl would not be able to milk them. Pugh denied that he had knocked the cows about, but on witness insisting that he had, said I won't have that, I'll go somewhere else." He was not in a good humour. He went away that morning and witness did not see him again till dinner time the previous day. Arthur Evans, farm servant in the em- ploy of prosecutor, stated that he was with his master at Upper Tylecrwn all the previous morning, and went to Lower Tylecrwn at about 12-40 to churn. Whilst he was churning Pugh came in and asked for the boss and said he wanted his money. Witness inquired where he had been and he replied Home." Im- mediately afterwards witness saw smoke coming from the barn at Upper Tylecrwn and gave the alarm. Aiterwards, when they were all at the fire, he asked de- fendant which way he came and if he saw anything of the fire, and Pugh answered that he came along the road and did not see anything. The end of the barn ad- joined the road. Defendant did his best carrying water. P.S. Thomas Bendle, Talgarth, said he heard of the fire at 2 p.m., and on arrival saw that the roof of the building had fallen in. He afterwards saw defendant at Lower Tylecrwn and questioned him about his movements and Pugh told him that on Monday he went home to Brecon and came back on Tuesday about middle day. Asked what he came back for, he replied that he came for his money and clothes, and after seeing Mrs Davies went back to Brecon in the afternoon, and slept in an old quarry near the Prom- enade. On Wednesday morning he went to his home and hit father told him to go to Tylecrwn and get his money and clothes. He left Brecon about 11 o'clock, and rode in a grocer's cart part of the way. He passed Upper Tylecrwn, but did see anybody about the building. Witness then put this question: 11 Were you in the barn at all ?" Pugh admitted that he was, but made no reply to a furfher ques- tion. as to why he was there. Witness took a cigarette and a match from his pocket and then further asked Did you light a cigarette there ? Yes was the reply. "What did you do with the match ? witness queried. Pugh re- plied "I threw it down in the hay; the hay took on fire Asked if he tried to ex- tinguish the fire, he said No, it had burnt a good bit before I went out, it was very dry." In reply to a question as to why he did not give information at the house, he said I don't know." On the way to Talgarth, under arrest, defendant said he left Mr. Davies because he was so rough." Defendant asked no questions of the witnesses and made no reply to the formal charge. He was committed for trial at the next assizes, and was admitted to bail in his own bond of 650 and the surety of Mr. Thomas Preece, 21a, Struet, Brecon, in the sum of ^"25•

BEULAH. PERSONAL. Machine gunner Alf Lewis (R.S.F.), has been wounded in the right thigh, and is now in the Military Hospital, Chatham.

LLANBEDR. WAR WORKERS—Mrs Margaret Jones, of Llanbedr House, who, on going to London with her daughters, was compelled to relinquish the part she bad been taking in thd local ladiee' needlework clasp, is now busily engaged in making bandages, etc., having the workers ( of TbeSureicai Requisite* A* oerxtinn," who meet at 17. Mulberry Walk, Chelsea, a home kiudly plaeeil at their rfbposal by Major I Armstrong, R A.M.C. The object of the ladies of this guild, who work under somewhat strict rules during eight and a half hour* a day, ili to give awiftance to Queen Mary's Needlework Guild."

BRECON. ALL kinds of Insurances effected. Agent for several first-class Companies. Williams, Accountant, Insurance and General Agent, Sennybridge, and 6, Bulwark, Brecon. FOR Chaff Cutters, Turnip Cotters and all Agricultural Implements, Meredith and Sons, Implement Warehouse, the Cattle Market, Brecon. "UNEASY lies the bead that wears a crown," but not the bead of her that sends her crown to MORRIS, TUB Grocer, for the finest value in Groceries, Frnit, &c. CYCLES.—We are Sole Assets for the Raleigh, Junes and Sunbeam Cycles; prices from f4 17 6d to X15 15S. An inspection of New Models respectfully solicited.-Meredith and Sons, Brecon. MOTHERS Don't go in for New Fashions— Stick to the old by having your Girls' Hair Cut and Singed at Wnm's Hairdressiog Rooms, High Street, Brecon. HOSPITAL FOR FOUNTAIN PEs.-Any make Pen quickly and cheaply repaired.-A. Hughes and Son, Stationers. BBER AT 2D PER PINT.-The cost of Somerset light dinner Ale, in 9 gal. casks at 12/- each, works out at exactly 2d. per pint. Bright and Sparkling. -MEREDITH & SONS, BRHCON. BEDDING OUT PLANTS of all kinds now ready, well hardened off and good strong stuff. Early cauliflowers, strong plants, 6i. per score. — MEREDITH &; SONS, BRECON. Sweet Pea Plants, Carnations, Violas, Ac., now ready. QUARRBLL, BRECON. Eruptions of the skin, especially on the face and hands, are most unsightly. GWILLIM'S XYMOL OINTMENT is a simple and excellent means of removing Eczema, Pimples, Boils, etc. —In pots 1/ each, only from WALTER GWILLIM, M.P.S. (late Charles). Cbeinisl. Brecon. BOOK YOUR ORDERS Now for all kinds of Winter Plants. An inspection invited.— WILDING, Florist, Brecon. MEMJRIAL SERVICE FOR GORDON HOME BOYS. —The Archdeacon of Brecon will take part in a memorial service for the Gordon Home Boys wbo have already fallen in the War, numbering 34, ou Thursday next, July 1st, at the home at Woking, where be was the first chaplain. FUNERAL OF MR. JOHN PRICE, WATERGATE — The funeral took tJace on Thursday afternoon last, at the cemetery, of Mr John Price, baker, Watergate, whose deatb we announced in our last issue, at the age of 68 years. The Rsv. ID J. Church Jones officiated. The chief mourners were Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Price (son and daugh- ter-in-law), Miss Annie Price (daughter), Mr. and Mrs. Griffiths, Gilfachgoch (grand-daugh- ter-in-law), Mr James Bowen (brother-in-law), Mr. Edward Fullavd (nephew), Mr Stanley Williams, Tonypandy, Miss Williams (matron of iMerthyr Hospital), and some great grand. children. The bearers were Mr. Thomas Jones, Sergt Davies, Mr. Raes Morgan, Mr. T. T. Thomas, Mr William Rees, and Mr. Powell. Mr. Medcalfe provided the funeral equipage. PRIZE WINNER —The prize given by Messrs Miller, Powell & Co. (F.A I. auctioneers, for the best pair of lambs at their last sale at the cattle market, was won by Mr Jones, Penisha- pen tre. PROPERTY IN THE MARKET.—At the Castle Hotel, on Friday, Messrs Miller, Powell & Co. (F.A I.), Auctioneer?, offered for safe by public auction the freehold farm, known as Cefn- brynich, situate in the parish of Devynock, comprising 137 acres, 1 rood, 24 perches, in the occupation of Mr Lewis Lewis, at the annual rental of X70. Bidding went up to A:1,000 when the lot was withdrawn. DEPOT DAND.-There was a revival of pre- war-time habits for the first time at Brecon on Sunday, when a band from the Depot paraded the wounded and a few recruits to church. It is understood that a band is gradually being raised in the Depot of men from the 1st and 2nd Battalions who have returned home from active service, with the object of stimulating recruiting. I WEDDING.—A pretty wedding took place at ) Criokbowell on Tuesday last. The contracting parties were Mr Albert Keeling (formerly a compositor at the "Breoon County Times" Office) and Miss Annie Jones, Maescelyn Cot. tage, Criokhowell. The best man was the bride's brother, Mr C. Jones, and the bride was accompanied by two sisters as brides. maids. The Archdeacon of Brecon and the ¡ Vicar of Criekhowell officiated. In the even- I ing the couple motored to Brecon for the honeymoon. They received numerous pre- sents from relatives and friends.

LLYSWEN POSTMAN DROWNED. Mr David Jones, Llyswen, Breconshire, was found drowned in the River Wye on Tuesday morning. It appears that he went to bathe on the previous evening and about 11 o'clock at night he was missed. A search party was formed and about three o'clock on Tuesday morning his clothes were found on the bank and a little later his body was picked up from the river. The deceased was the village postman and smith and had lived at Llyswen for over 40 years. He was 60 years of age. j

CEFN COED. Fi.ow)tR DAY.-A most successful Flower Day," organised by Mrs Leighton Earle and Miss Margaret Morgan, was held at Cefn Coed on Saturday last. With the Library as headquarters and a staff of willing and energetic helpers, the two ladies were able to realise a good sum of money which was handed over to the Mayor of Merthyr towards his Ambulance Fund. THE LATE MA. DAVID GOULD.-The funeral of Mr David Gould. whose tragic death was reported last week, took place at Vaynor Parish Church on Thursday, the Rev John Davies, rector of Vaynor, officiating, assisted by the Rev D. Davies. Being a public funeral, it was one of the largest and most representative ever witnessed at Vaynor. Deceased was a member of one of the oldest established families of the village. The principal mourners were Mrs David Gould (widow), Mr and Mrs John Gould (parents), Mr John Gould (brother), Mr and Mrs' Stead (sister), Rev and Mrs W. Jones (sister), Nurse Gould (sister), Mr James Gould (uncle), Misses B. and M. Gould (cousins), and Miss Ann Davies. At the inquest, held on the 15th, before Dr W. R. Jones, the South Breconshire coroner, a verdict of «• accidental death was returned. At the close of the pro- ceedings the foreman of the jury (the Rector of Vaynor) expressed the deepest sympathy of his fellow jurymen and himself with the bereaved family. He stated that the departed parishioner was a member of a family highly respected in the district. He ventured to sav that by the death of Mr Gould, the district in general had sustained a great loss, for he was a well-conducted, industrious, straightforward, sober man.

FRIENDLY SOCIETY Secretaries will find A p, it pays to send their Printing Order- to the County Times Office, Brecon. The Charges are reasonable, and tbe benefit ef our experience iu the making up of Reports and Statements of Accotratrfe freely tbeirav I

GLASBUBY WOOL THEFT. Bloodhound's Night Trail. Our Glasbury correspondent writes:- Quite a sensation was caused 111 Glasbury on Saturday evening by the visit of a police sergeant and constable to arrest a man named Edward Thomas Castree, horse breaker, residing in village, and the employment of a blood- hound in pursuit. It is alleged that of the Monday previously Castree had stolen some wool belonging to Mr J Powell, Ffordfawr, and was seen trying to sell it in Hay. When the police arrived at Glasbury on Saturday evening they saw Castree and called him, but he promptly bolted and they could 110t catch him. Thereupon a telephone message was sent to Brecon, and at nine o'clock a motor car arrived with one of the police bloodhounds. The hound tracked the fugitive for a long distance over the mountains, but at three o'clock on Sunday morning the chase had to be given up for want of further trail. The worst part of the tracing work had been done, however, for going on froI11 this point the sergeant found his man during the day in a farmhouse on the Black Mountain near Abergavenny and took him to Hay. At Hay Police Court on Monday, Castree was charged with stealing a quantity of wool the property of Mr JoS- Richard Powell, Ffordfawr, Glasbury J between June 13th and 16th. Mr R T Griffiths appeared for the prosecution. P.S. D T Evans, of Hay, deposed that ou the 17th inst. he received information that prisoner had been offering wool for sale in the town, and on the 18th he went to Ffordfawr and with Mr Powell examined the wool there. Mr Powell missed a quantity. The following morning witness went with Mr Powell to Mr Greenway's warehouse at Hay, where Mr Powell identified the fleece now produced as his property. Going to Glasbury with a warrant for the arrest of the prisoner in the evening, witness saw him in a field at Tyruched Farm, some distance away. Directly prisoner saw him he ran away. He paid no heed to witness's shouts and was lost in a wood. Witness obtained the assist- ance of a police hound from Brecon, and j prisoner was traced to Ffordlaes, but after searching until three o'clock in the morning they failed to find him. Wit- ness continued his search on Sunday afternoon and found Castree at Lower Blaendegetti, Llanigon-, near the Blacfc Mountain about five o'clock in the after- noon. He arrested him, cautioned him and charged him with stealing a quantity of wool. Prisoner replied "All right, I suppose I shall have to face it," Prosecutor stated that Castree helped him to pitch the sheep early in the month and must have seen the store of wool. On Sunday, the 13th inst* prisoner was at the farm a good part of the day. Witness went on to corroborate the evidence of P.S. Evans. » Chas. Jones, woolstapler, and John f Greenway, woolstapler, both of Hay,# gave corroborative evidence as did also Arthur I^ewis, indoor farm servant at Ffordfawr. Ffordfawr. Prisoner, who pleaded "not guilty," stated that he bought the wool from a vj man in a cart on the road and whom ke 1 did not know. He was sent to prison for 28 days with hard labour.

• i ¡ Llanwrtyd Wells Notes [BY "JUNGLE WALLAH."] I hear that Pte. Fred Davies, of the 2/ist Brecknocks, stationed at Angle, Z!1 has been promoted Lance-Corporal. Mr Wm. Powell, late of the King's Head Hotel, Builth Wells, was married to Mrs Jane Williams, of the White House, Builth Wells, at the Congre" gational chapel, Llanwrtyd, on Tuesday morning last. The Rev. L. Beynon, Builth Wells, officiated. Under the auspices of the Breconshire Bducation Authority, butter makiajj( I classes were opened at the Victoria f Hall, Llanwrtyd, on Tuesday last. TeU 1 local ladies attended and great interest ,1 I was taken in the work. Private Ted Morgan (Brecknocks) of Henbont Farm is home on leave in the pink of condition. Shearing has commenced in real earnist in our district. There is a big shear at Venybont (Mr Rees Hope) to' day, Thursday, and another on Tuesday next at Dinas (Mr Roderick Jones). It is not generally known that the song "Sospan Fach" was in 1895 designated the "Llanwrtyd National Anthem." The music was composed by a young ministerial student who was then at Banror and it was first sung at Llanwrtyd Wells. The death took place on the 21st inst. at Cwmirfon Cottage, near Llanwrtyd, of Mrs Sabina Howlett. Deceased was 65 years of age and for a period of nearly 24 years faithfully discharged the duties of housekeeper at Cwmirfon Cottage, the Welsh shooting box of the Master of Gray. Well known and highly respected. the late Mrs Howlett was a faithful member of the Church of St. JameS, being also a member of the altar flowef I guild, and strange to relate she contri- buted her last offering for the altar decoration the day previous to bef demise. The funeral takes place to-day (Thursday) at the old parish churchyard'

HEAVY WOOL SHIPMENTS FROM SOUTH AF&H:' -OWing to the war there have been isrige accumulations of wool at several ports of tlJe Union, and now that freight @paCf! is oHeri several heavy shipments have been made. A$ F,ot London a few weeks ago a shipment oi 5,000 bales was made to America, and a lilte quality was reoently shipped from Darban tp, the same destination. From the same por what was considered a record epni;iouaierl" consisting of 91000 bairn, wim n'lippf"' fa Great Britain, but this has been eclipsed by oargo loaded at East London for America oi over 17,000 bales, valued at £ 203 000, ttie freight on which was approximately Y,29,0100- The previous record shipment from this pors wa? 11,300- bales sotaer three years ago

CWMDU. HAY HARVEST —The hay crops in our district will be light. The farmers have been patiently watching the "glass" for rain for the past two or three weeks. Hay has been hauled at the Rectory and a start has been made at the Noyadd. The root crops are badly in need of stimulating rain. EXCHANGE OF PULPITS.—The Rector of Llangattock (Rev R. M. Cole- Hamilton) exchanged services with the Rector of this parish on Sunday evening last. An occasional change like this is refreshing to both clergy and congre- gations. IN THE TRENCHES -Several people in this district who attend the Aber- gavenny market have taken advantage of the opportunity of visiting the trenches, bomb-proof shelters, etc., con- structed by the Royal Engineers on the banks of the Usk at Abergavenny. Practical work of this kind gives one an excellent idea of what our brave men have to contend with in Flanders. MEDICAL INSPECTION. Dr. Rhys Davies (assistant school medical officer) examined several children at the National School on Tuesday morning last. Before leaving lie spoke on habits of cleanliness' He was very pleased with the general cleanliness of the school premises and the healthy appearance of, the scholars, remarking that no school he had visited looked better.

The address delivered during the week-end by Mr Bonar Law at Shrews- bury School was rightly described by one leading daily newspaper as "a noble speech." It was replete with great truths, the realisation of which is essential to the present and future welfare of the nation. In the words of the Colonial Secretary, the war is pit- ting its mark, and a deep mark, on every one of us, which will remain there as long as we live." What is happen- ing is the turning of the eye of our souls towards the light." We are 11 in the war as a nation. There is 110 turn- ing back; there is no standing still; there is one outlet only—victory or ruin." That is a true conception of what the present conflict means to this country and each one of its citizens. We are fighting for our national exist- ence, and until the safety of the realm is secured beyond question all lesser matters and considerations must be put on one side. It is our duty to devote the whole of our resources of men, machinery and money to the prosecution of the war, and in this connection Mr Bonar Law gave at Shrewsbury some wise words of explanation and advice on the subject of the organisation of the nation for the supreme purpose. The organisation which will succeed is the organisation which interferes as little as possible with the ordinary habits and customs of our lives, but interferes where interfer- ence is necessary." 4And even such organisation as this will not succeed unless it appears right and just, not merely to the majority of the nation as a whole, but to the majority of the parti- cular classes who are affected by it." But we must always remember that "at a time like this, in her hour of danger, our country has a right to call upon every one of us, to take all we have, what we can do, and what we can place at the disposal of the country in her need." The essential fact for all of us is that our only choice at the present time lies between victory and ruin." Those are the alternatives offered us by the war which Mr Bonar Law rightly described as "the Igreatest convulsion which has ever been brought upon the earth by the hand of man." If we do our duty, victory will assuredly be ours; if we neglect our duty, an awful price will have to be paid. There is inspiration for all of us in the example of the youth of our country who have gone with smiling faces and high hearts from the school- room to the battlefield. In his speech at Shrewsbury, Mr Bonar Law paid a notable tribute to the young lives which (have thus been laid down for Britain. "There is," he said, "nothing more heroic than the way in which these young fellows have everywhere played the part of men in our hour of need. They loved duty more than they feared death." We shall do well to endeavour to earn a similar eulogy by striving, in whatever direction our efforts may be used, with an eye solely to the common weal. So, in the end, weinay say with Nelson—our paragon of unselfish service -"Thank God I have done my duty."