The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

TOWN COUNCIL. THE WATER QUESTION AGAIN. MONDAY. Present: The Mayor (Mr. E. Bremner Smith), 41dermen George Owen, W. H. Weaver, E. Shaw, jfgJfK Bayley, Councillors Whitfield, Lacon, » ^"dy, Ellis, Porter, Daniel, Perks, W. T. Jones, °?"d, and Mason, with Messrs. J. Parry-Jones clerk), T. Wynne Roberts (surveyor), and J. ihotnas (finance clerk). O QUESTIONS TO BE PUT WITHOUT PROPER NOTICE. Or OUllcillor PORTER: When may I ask a question w°; Mr. Mayor P v„le MAYOR •. Have you given any notice of questions? allacillor PORTER No, I have not. Ahe MAYOR The Standing Orders say that no can be asked unless two days notice is Councillor PORTER: Thank you. 1> CORRESPONDENCE. articulars relating to the above were next l'e:: by the TOWN CLERK, who said he had of a letter concerning the District Counci s, ^ch, no doubt, they had heard a good deal. district of Oswestry it was arrange t)e the joint committees of the Salop an tgi lf?h County Councils, that an alteration shou P'ace in the number of guardians for t e parishes in the districts to be formed, an th 14 ()ngst other things, the town of Oswestry at be allowed five guardians instead of two as of It was necessary to have confirmation C0tI a recommendation on the part of the by t^y Councils concerned, and it was confirmed t)e Salop County Council and rejected by the tW County Council, the consequence being ^tit.f'k the first election the town will not be XUy-f. to more guardians than at present. The Qovep wa3 now considered by the Local ernrnent, Board, and it was impossible to say their decision would be given, as they were work under the new Act. _He Written to them enclosing the resolution, hoped they would interfere in the matter, teg o Council had now to wait to see what the fro t would be. He had received, also a letter to General Schreiber claiming damages caused his horses in Willow Street, and he (the the suggested that it should be referred to Collsideration of the General Purposes Com- ee- A letter had come to hand from Mr James Wid ai!ds> Bailey Head, with reference to the b6e eriing of Albion Hill, but as it had only recently {er 11 received he suggested that that, also, be re- ed to the same committee. Agreed to. FINANCE COMMITTEE. ^in*6 ^°^cnv'rig was the report of the above com- w.f,6e:—At two meetings of the Finance Com- «st" 6e' 6th and 13th September, 1894, the i^te for the general district rate for half year ■j £ lrig 1st May, 1895, was read and approved, and le ^aS recomuiended that a rate of 2s. in the £ be led. R.f»eommpnded that application be made to «le Local Government Board for sanction for a loan of £ 2,500 for the completion of Peny- gWely Waterworks. Recommended that the °rough treasurer and treasurer of markets be re- tired to keep a separate banking account and ?r°dnce same to auditors or Council, when required. ■^etter was read from borough treasurer asking Avarice of salary to £ 35,; and it was recommended ^at the salary be advanced to £ 25. The Town Clerk reported that North and South Wales Bank, as Local Board treasurers had agreed to accept 4 per eellt. interest on overdraft. Agreed that cheques be given for the following sums to be paid on ^count of Municipal BuildingsMr. W. H. i^omas £ 418 5s 7d Mr. Lockwood, £ 315 Messrs f- Jones and Son, JE23 18; and that a temporary loan of £ 500 be obtained from markets fund for that purpose. Alderman BAYLEY moved that the recom- mendation of the committee be confirmed. The tneInbers of the committee were exceedingly sorry V° have to ask the Council to sanction a rate of 2s Jn the £ which was something like 4d or 5d more than the ordinary rate. Of course the Council was ware that they had recourse to the Liverpool ^ater supply, and it was owing to their having apped that supply that they were involved in an expenditure of zCl,000, which, with other items, ^nade it imperative for the committee to ask for a rate of 2s. Councillor DANIEL having seconded, it was agreed to. C PENYGWELY WATERWORKS. Councillor LACON enquired whether the sum °f £ 2,500 would be the full amount required. The TOWN CLERK Yes. Councillor LACON Do you think there will be any difficulty ? The TOWN CLERK I cannot say. THE BOROUGH TREASURER. With regard to the application by the above for an increased salary, the TOWN CLERK read the following copy of a letter he had received from Mr. Ellis :— Oswestry, 10th September, 1894. Dear Sir,—I am in receipt of yours of the 8th inst. and note the suggestion of the Finance Com- mittee, which, as I have been treasurer thirty- five years, comes rather late in the day. I am, however, glad of the suggestion, as it gives me an opportunity, long waited for, of asking for an increase in my salary. As you are no doul, t aware, my duties are at least quadrupled, and the amounts passing through my hands ten times. as much as when I was appointed treasurer in 1859, but the salary has remained' the same, and shown no inclination of advancing with the times." I think, therefore, I cannot be accused of asking too much when I apply for an increase to my salary of C20 per annum, and shall be glad to know that it has been granted, when I shall be pleased to follow the sug- gestion of the Finance Committee.—Yours faith- fully, HENRY ELLIS. J. Parry-Jones, Esq. Councillor WHITFIELD observed that the Com- mittee felt that X15 was inadequate, and they were also very much surprised to find out from the Mayor's auditor, Councillor Charles Williams, that so large a sum of money, lie believed something like £1,000, was in the hands of the Borough Treasurer. As a Committee, they thought the Borough Treasurer should have the money re- ceived by him, deposited in the bank in the name of the Corporation, and not in his own name. Alderman BAYLEY observed that under the circumstances the matter had been well thought out. The MAYOR With regard to the amount in hand, there is no doubt it fluctuates very much, sometimes the amount is large and sometimes it is small. At the present time, as a matter of fact, the Borough Treasurer had nothing in hand. I quite agree with the steps taken by the Finance Committee. Councillor WHITFIELD When the Committee met, we were distinctly told that before the next payment would be made there would be an amount of £1,000 in hand. The MAYOR intimated that he had been furnished with an account prepared by Mr. Thomas, the finance clerk, who always gave him any account he wished for. There had been a large sum in hand, but X500 had been lent to the Market Hall fund out of it. Councillor Whitfield was right in regard to the amount in hand at the time of which he spoke. Councillor MACLARDY quite agreed with the recommendation of the Committee, which was unanimous in deciding what action to take. Alderman SHAW: Who are the Local Board Treasurers now P The MAYOR: The North and South Wales Bank. Councillor WHITFIELD remarked that there was a very large sum overdrawn, and the Sub- Finance Committee thought a charge of 5 per cent. interest was too much, and that taking the Corporation in its prosperity and adversity 4 per cent. was quite sufficient to charge, and this the bank had agreed to do (hear, hear). Councillor LACON: Will that be in force from to-day, or will it apply to the past as well ? (" Oh.") The MAYOR Well, what do you think yourself? (laughter). Councillor ELLIS It's a case of what do you take us for ?" (renewed laughter). Councillor MACLARDY Of course, it will not be retrospective. The MAYOR: It will be fiom the date of the acceptance of the offer. The report of the committee was ultimately agreed to. THE MARKETS. The Markets Committee held a meeting on the 21st ult., and now recommended that arrangements for new pens in garden adjoining Smithfield as shewn on plan be adopted, and that the work be carried out by two contracts, for which tenders were to be advertised. The MAYOR proposed, and Councillor W. T. JONES seconded, that the above report be re- ceived and adopted.—Carried. GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE. At meetings held 13th and 22nd September, 1894, it was recommended that the horse roller be advertised for sale. Report of sub-committee as to land at sewage tank was read and adopted as follows:-It was unanimously agreed to recommend that the ashes and refuse be removed from the land belonging to Mrs. Thomas and deposited on land belonging to Corporation, and also that it is not desirable to purchase land from Mrs. Thomas at present, and that if the ashes, &c., be removed from her land it will give time to consider the whole question of sewage disposal, and that the Town Clerk bejinstructed to write Mesers. Longue- ville and Co., to inform them that the committee did not consider it desirable at present to purchase the land, and also that it is intended at once to remove the refuse from their client's land, and to trespassing thereon in future, and to request them to be good enough to state what is the amount of i their client's claim for trespass to the freehold (the tenant having already been compensated). -Crumpwell. Town Clerk was instructed to write Mr. Pickstock s solicitors that the Council intended to take steps to prevent any nuisance (without prejudice to their rights in the matter), and the Surveyor was instructed to clean out the water- courses forthwith, and the sub-committee as to the disposal of refuse, with the addition of Councillor W. T. Jones, was instructed to consider the ques- tion of the disposal of the sewage, by irrigation or otherwise, and to report to the General Purposes Committee. The following plans were recom- mended for approval :-Alterations to Board Schools for Oswestry School Board Old Buildings (formerly cottages) re-converted into cottages for Mr. Cottam, on thorough ventilation being pro- vided and the drainage shown on plan stable in Swan Lane for Mr. Evan Owen shop and altera- tions in Leg Street for Mr. James Edwards. That notice be given to Mrs. Lloyd to quit the Reservoir Cottage, and that it be occupied by a workman employed by the Council. Alderman OWEN moved the adoption of the above report, and Councillor W. T. JONES having seconded, it was agreed to. THE MAYORALTY. The TOWN CLERK said it would be necessary to have a special meeting of the Council, which he would suggest should be held in a fortnight, to deal with the estimates. After they had done that, he would suggest, on his own responsibility, that the Council should resolve itself into committee, to consider the question of the election of the new Mayer. COUNCILLOR MASON IS RULED OUT OF ORDER. Councillor MASON remarked that he wished to ask a question with reference to the water. The MAYOR: Councillor Mason is out of order; he has not given notice of any question, and the water question is not now before us. Councillor MASON From the remarks made by me at the last meeting I should have thought there would have been a report here to-day. I have fifty letters here to prove what I said last time about the water. The MAYOR: Such remarks are quite uncalled for, since I have ruled Councillor Mason out of ^The matter afterwards dropped. "Y'"T -T ArroTTnxr A n 4 TXT THE WATER SUrrijx u.m').J..LuJ. .n..u.t\u.'(.. The report of the Borough Surveyor was read as follows Since the last Council meeting I have devoted a very large proportion of my time and attention to the question of water supply. The water main from near Rhydycroesau toll gate has been tested and examined, and the levels taken from that spot to Underhill Farm, on the town side of the Racecourse, the result of which I beg to submit to you on the accompanying section. The pressures indicated at the various places are as near correct as is necessary for practical purposes, and are shown on plan in red colour, and corresponds closely with the hydraulic mean gradient. On the summit of the Racecourse I found that there was an air cushion equal to ten feet pressure, which has been removed by means of air shafts, but there still remains a small air cushion nearer town. The present clear diameter of the water main is 61-iii. inches thick, and in some places 6§in. thick. The cor- rosion is in an average about three-sixteenth all round the internal surface of the pipe. On Thursday last I had the new 7in. waste meter fixed, and since then the quantity delivered through the meter has been registered, and I beg to submit for your inspection the diagrams which have been used Friday, Satur- day, and Sunday. On Friday the meter being new, it did not1 register the fluctuations correctly, but this stiffness was rectified, and the meter works properly now. You will notice that the night con- sumption is very heavy, for on Saturday night from midnight until five a.m. on Sunday, on an average, about 8,700 gallons were used or wasted. Last night the water inspector divided the town into sections, and found that 9,600 gallons per hour were used between 10-30 p.m. and 12.20 a.m., and this is accounted for as follows :—Brynhafod Lane 1,400 gallons. Pool Road 1,100 gallons, Beatrice Street and Cross Street 1,500, Bailey Street, Cross Street, Oswald Road, and Salop Road 1,700 gallons, Church Street, Victoria Road, and side streets, 900 gallons; Willow Street, Park Avenue, Welsh Walls, Upper Brook Street, and Castle Street 3,000 gallons, total 9,600 gallons. The total quantity delivered per 24 hours is about 243,590 gallons, equal to about 27 gallons per head. I have supplied Mr. Rofe with all the information which he has asked for. He visited the service reservoirs, and Race- course, &c., on September 20th and 21st, and will report on the whole matter in a short time." Councillor PORTER: Can you account for the large amount of waste ? The BOROUGH SURVEYOR said it had only been discovered the previous night. Councillor WHITFIELD pointed out that the proportion in Willow street and the upper portion of the town, 3,000 gallons, appeared to be a very heavy item. He presumed the water in Brynhafod lane was included in that figure ? The BOROUGH SURVEYOR intimated that he had kept it separate. Councillor WHITFIELD observed that it seemed to him to be a very heavy item compared with the other parts of the town, which shewed that where the greatest pressure was, was to be found the greatest waste. The MAYOR Undoubtedly. I think it is veiy satisfactory to find that the new meter detected the waste, and now that it has been detected it will not be so difficult to remedy the defect. I am of opinion that every member of the Council has long thought that there has been some considerable waste, but in the past we have been unable to de- tect it owing to the old meter not doing its work satisfactorily. Councillor WHITFIELD Does Beatrice Street include the Cambrian Railways works ? The BOROUGH SURVEYOR I cannot say off- hand. Councillor PORTER said that he met a gentle- man that morning who said, Your water is a dis- grace to any body of men my wife had to send to a public house pump before I could have my break- fast (laughter). The MAYOR: I have found that without doubt the discolouration of the water is almost absolutely due to the turning on and off of the water. Councillor PORTER: And the condition of the pipes. The MAYOR When the new meter arrived I urged the Borough Surveyor to get it into working order at once, so that the Council could have all the information this morning. When Mr. Roberts cut the main off the water in different portions of the town was quite clear. It remained off all night, and the next morning, when it was turned on. again, it became discoloured. This proves that the pipes in the town want flushing, and the water will be all right when this course is adopted. Councillor WHITFIELD interposed with the remark, And cleaning." The MAYOR, continuing: The water in the Penygwely reservoir is right, and so is the water at the Mount. Councillor W. T. JONES Pretty nearly right. The MAYOR The water in the town was dis- coloured simply because of the corrosion in the pipes. What is the remedy ? The only remedy is to flush out the mains. Mr. Rofe has informed me that the mains must be flushed out every other day at first, and every week afterwards, and when that is done we will have no trouble with the water. I told Mr. Rofe that we will do it as soon as we possess the water to enable us to do it. Now comes the question, how are we to get the water ? Why, by stopping the waste, and if the new meter will have the effect of cutting down the waste the water can be used in flushing the mains and clearing away the corrosion, which now causes all the trouble. If this is not done successfully then we are quite ready, and I believe everyone of you think with me, to take whatever steps are better afterwards (hear, hear). Alderman BAYLEY: Were not the pipes in Pool Road very much corroded, in fact, nearly stopped ? Mr. ROBERTS replied to the effect that they were in a very bad condition. Alderman BAYLEY: Really the smell from them was something abominable. The MAYOR: I should not foiget to mention the fact that Mr. Rofe is of opinion that we will have to relay the main pipes in the town altogether. Councillor PORTER referred to the figures given by the Mayor from the diagrams prepared by the Borough Surveyor, and in reply The MAYOR stated that the waste was measured in the total quantity taken through the meter, which included consumption and waste. Councillor PORTER: That is just what I could not understand. Councillor MASON next addressed the Council on the matter, and remarked how very pleased be was to hear what had been said by the previous speakers. It was evidence which went to support what he said at the last Council meeting, while the remarks of Alderman Bayley, especially, substan- tiated all he said a month ago. It was his earnest desire that the Council should not miss one moment at the present critical juncture, but select a com- mittee at once to go into the question thoroughly, so that a complete report might be made of the water supply. The mains could not be flushed until the present supply of water had been im- proved, and the waste was equal now to what it was six months ago. To wait for the flushing, as desired, until all the waste was prevented, would mean that they would have to wait until next sum- mer, and then they would probably be met with the same difficulty as the Leicester people were now experiencing. He had neither condemned the water at Penygwely nor at the Mount, but the water which was received in Castle Fields from the taps. Some permanent steps ought to be taken to enable them to get a pure supply as soon as possible. That was just what he wanted, and what the ratepayers wanted, too. He could produce fifty letters he had received since the last meeting from persons, not only in the town, but in different parts of the country, which backed up his assertions. If necessary, he could call as many witnesses as well. Councillor MACLARDY No one disputes it. Councillor MASON It was disputed at the last meeting. The MAYOR I am most anxious that the whole facts of the case should be placed before the public. We are doing our very best to grapple with this important matter, and we have in Mr. Rofe, who is inquiring into the matter, one of the best men of the day. The reason why he, hitheito, was unable to give the Council the information desired was simply because he had insufficient data to work upon. Evervbody seems to me to be appealing to the ratepayers just as November is coming ("Oh!") Councillor MASON: I have no cause to appeal (laughter). The MAYOR, continuing, remarked that Mr. Rofe was preparing a statement, which he would, before long, submit, and then would be the time for them to take such steps as they thought proper to grasp the nettle and squeeze it. They had a water inspector, it was quite true, and the state of things generally was getting better. They had been gradually doing better, slowly he admitted, but at any rate they had not been without any water all the summer, and Leicester could not say that. The inspector hitherto had had a bad tool to work with, and he (the Mayor) held in his hand a diagram of the old water meter, which showed the consump- tion of water to be 4,200 gallons per hour, whereas the new meter shewed it to be 8,000 gallons. Let the inspector have proper tools to work with, and they would have good results. He thought this should be said in fairness to the inspector. Councillor LLOYD observed that it was recom- mended at the last meeting of the Council that £ 12 be- paid for repairs at the Mount reservoir, and a further sum of £ 500 to be spent on putting stones at the bottom and side (cries of "No"). He thought there was zC500 recommended by the Water Committee (No). Councillor PORTER: Can you tell us where we are, Mr. Mayor ? (loud laughter) Alderman OWEN In the Town Council chamber (renewed laughter). Councillor LLOYD, continuing, said the waste of water was a very serious question, and he thought that they would find that nearly half the water that came into the town was wasted. The sooner they faced the question the better. He quite agreed that they had taken a step in the right direction in getting the new water meter, and there was no doubt about that; but they wanted to get water for domestic purposes instead of allowing it to run waste in the sewers. Councillor WHITFIELD It appears to me that the great question, after all, is not so much the waste, but the bad water. I do not quite agree with what the Mayor has said. There is a greater question to face, and that is the filthy and disgrace- ful state of the pipes in the town. The churning process, as you call it, will take place anywhere where there is an intermittent supply. I saw Mr. Rofe some time ago, and he told me that the life of each pipe such as we have in Oswestry was 25 years, but the pipes have been done untouched, and working for at least 30 years. How can you expect a pipe that is half-full of filth and decomposed matter to convey a clear, pure supply of water to the houses of the people ? Such a thing is im- possible. It has struck me very forcibly as being a funny thing that the very men who were selected last November to constitute the Water Committee are the men who, to-day, are the loudest in their denunciation of the condition of things which has been placed in their own hands. Councillor MASON You don't refer to me ? Councillor WHITFIELD I refer to every mem- ber of the Water Committee (bear, hear). Councillor PORTER As Chairman of the Water Committee, I wish to deny, most emphatic- ally, every word uttered by Councillor Whitfield. The MAYOR: Order, please; you have already spoken once. Councillor PORTER I have a right to reply to Councillor Whitfield. The MAY OR One minute, do you wish to make an explanationl? Councillor PORTER: I do. The MAYOR: Only in the way of explanation. Councillor PORTER Very well, Sir, I will ex- plain. It is a calumny on the Water Committee, and is most unfair. Some time ago the Water Committee drew your attention to the state of the pipes, and we were told that it was too big a question to hurl in the teeth of those who have to deal with the financial side of the question. You will doubtless recollect that I collected some water in bottles and laid them before you the other day, and I was then told that the time was not opportune to deal with the question. Another thing I wished to refer to was the conditions of work, and the duties of the Water Committee have never yet been defined (laughter). In the name of the members of the Water Committee, and in my own, I wish to say that we have never lost an opportunity of getting hold of the worst thing and putting the best in front of it (hear, hear). Councillor LACON observed that some time ago there were so many feet of water in the reservoir, and he noticed to-day that there appeared to be no increase. The MAYOR, interposing, said it was most un- fair to assume there was no increase of water. There had only been one or two nights in which to make a test, and it would be fairer to get the in- formation from the Surveyor. Councillor LACON: The report does not state whether the water has increased or decreased, but it has decreased. The MAYOR It is unofficial. Councillor LACON I say it has decreased, and no one can prove the negative. The MAYOR: You cannot prove a negative (laughter); that requires a collegiate education (renewed laughter). Councillor ELLIS, as a member of the Water Committee, also spoke, and intimated that when the question of the pipes came before that committee, the conclusion arrived at was that the pipes in the town were rotten and beastly, and that they would never have pure water until new pipes had been laid down. That was reported by the Committee to the Council, and in reply they were informed that that meant a lot of money. He quite agreed with Councillor Whitfield that they wanted pure water, which they would never get until they had new pipes.. He proposed that the Surveyor be in- structed to prepare^ an estimate as to the cost for laying down the pipes, and begged to give notice that at the next meeting he would propose that new pipes be laid in the town. Councillor W. T. JONES having seconded, The MAYOR remarked that he did not think it at all wise to apply such terms as filthy, beastly, and decomposed to the state of the pipes. They were neither beastly nor filthy. The corrosion in the pipes was peroxide of iron, and was not iiijurions in any way whatever. There were deposits washed into the pipes, and they would be liable to corrosion as long as they had waterworks. The water that was wasted was good useful water, and if that waste was prevented it could be used for flushing the pipes regularly. The next question on the agenda was in :the name of Councillor Porter, and dealt with the enginber and the water supply," but he confessed that he could not understand it. Councillor PORTER replied to the effect that i the information supplied him by the surveyor and the Mayor-that Mr. Rofe was investigating into the matter, and that he would shortly tell them what he thought of it, partly met what he intended. It had also been his intention to ask that Mr. Rofe should tell them what they could do to remedy the defect. The MAYOR said that a, motion of that character was out of order. The matter was here allowed to drop. FINANCIAL. The FINANCE CLERK reported that he had collected of the general district rate, z6582 17s.; of water rate, £ 182 17s.; on thfe Panyg-wely oooount, £10 18s. 2d.: and on the sale account, X76 18s. 9d. The arrears on the general district rate amounted to L232, and on the water rate, 962 2s. He asked for the necessary authority to take steps to recover from the defaulters after serving them with a final notice. Councillor DANIEL moved that power be given to Mr. Thomas to take the necessary steps. Councillor ELLIS seconded, and it was agreed to. This concluded the business, and the Council rose at 11-15.

ELLESMERE. THE FIELD CLUB.—The last excursion of the season took place on Saturday, when the district of Wood Mill was visited. The specimens taken in- cluded several coleoptera and land and fresh-water mollusca.

PETTY SESSIONS. MONDAY. Before S. K. Mainwaring, H. D. Chapman, and C. Morrall, Esqrs. THE FACTORIES ACT. James Griffiths, Brynore, was charged by Inspector Hoare, under section 78 of the Factories Act, with not having fixed up in his workshop a copy of the Factory and Workshops Act, as required by that section. Charles Francis Wright gave evidence in support of the charge. Defendant said the building was a temporary one, and lie had a portion of the abstract fixed in a shed near by. Fined 8s and 11s 6d costs. John Anderson, bootmaker, Ellesmere, was charged by the Inspector under section 13 of the Act of 1878, with employing after seven o'clock a youth named Arthur Allen, who was under the age of eighteen, the limit fixed by the statute. Charles Francis Wright said he visited defend- ant's shop at 8-15 p.m., and though he saw lights and heard work going on he was unable to gain admission. He visited the place next morning, and found Allen at work. He also found that he had been working until ten p.m. on the previous even- ing. There was no abstract of the Act on the premises, and he found on enquiries that the boy would not be eighteen until next March. Allen was called, and said he was working until ten p.m., but he was at liberty to leave when he pleased. Thomas Williams, late manager for Mr. Anderson, said he left the boy working on the premises at 8 p.m. The doorled to the place where part of the stock was kept, and he locked it, and so the boy was unable to leave until he returned. Mr. Anderson said 1100 knew nothing about the matter, as it was entirely in the hands of his fore- man. The boy had no occasion to stay unless he liked, and he was very near the prescribed age, and he considered the case a most paltry one. Mr. Hoare further questioned witnesses, and the Bench inflicted a fine of X2 and costs. DRUNK AND REFUSING TO QUIT. Walter Parry, labourer, Ellesmere, was charged by Supt. Langford with being drunk and refusing to quit the Cross Keys, Ellesmere, on September 1st. James Humphreys, .the landlord, said defendant came in about 6-30 the worse for drink. He re- quested him to leave, but defendant refusing the police were sent for. Owen Ralphs Newton corroborated, and defen- dant was fined 5s and 5s costs. DRUNKENNESS. Thomas Evans, labourer, of the Perthy, charged by P.C. Lloyd with being drunk on the highway n September 1st, was fined 5s and 5s costs, the Chair- man remarking that they had that time let defendant off very lightly.

FREDK. D. WARD, CIVIL ENGINEER, ARCHITECT, SURVEYOR, AND SANITARY SPECIALIST, 19, BROAD STREET, WELSHPOOL. Late Surveyor (three years) to the Powis Castle Estate. Eight years previous experience in Man- che ter and Liverpool. Water and Sewerage Schemes, Buildings, Estate Improvements Plans, &c. VACANCY FOR A PUPIL.

BUTTINGTON. THE LATK MR. THOMAS, GARBETT'S HALL.—The funeral of the late Mr. Thomas, Garbett's Hall, took place on Saturday, when the remains were in- terred in Buttington cemetery. In token of the respect in which Mr. Thomas was held by his neighbours a large number of influential farmers and others attended the funeral. The funeral march was played on the organ by Mr. Lewis as the party left the church, and the pall bearers were Messrs J. Bickerton, E. Roberts, W. Edwards, Morris-Evans, Morgan Davies, and G. Davies. Wreaths were sent by Dr. Hawksworth, Mrs. Oliver, Mrs. Thomas and family, Mr. and Mrs. Bickerton, Mr. and Mrs. W. Edwards, Mrs. Francis, Welshpool, Mr. and Mrs. E. Roberts, Mrs. C. Holmes Evans, Mr. and Mrs. G. Davies, Mr. and Mrs. J. Edwards, Mrs. Davies, and Mr. and Mrs. Issac Evans.

MEIFOD. HARVEST THANKSGIVING SERVICES were held in the Parish Church on the 27th aad 28th ult. On Thursday evening the 27th there was a Welsh Service with a sermon by Rev. D. Joues, Vicar of Llanrhaiadr. On Friday the 23th Holy Com- munion was celebrated at 8 a. ui.; at 10 30 a. m. there was an English Service with a sermon by Rev. D. Jones, Llanrhaiadr; at 2 30 p. m. Rev. T. D. James, LIanfair, preached in Wrlsh; at 6 30 there was an English Evensong with a sermon by Rev. D. C. Jones, Rector of Llangadfan. The evening services were fully choral. The church was prettily decorated for the occasion by Miss Williams Wynn, Miss Annora Williams Wynn, Mrs. Wilym-Jones, Miss Sturkey, Mrs. Luxmoore, Miss Maude Luxmoore, Miss May Luxmoore, Miss Alice Greene, Miss Ethel Green, Miss Maude Green, Master J. Watson, Mr. Tindal, &Tc. Collections were made after the services in aid of the Society for Propagating the Gospel in Foreign Parts and of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge.

TREGYNON. CONCERT.—A complimentary concert to Miss Jennie Higgs was given in the Schoolroom, on Friday evening last week under distinguished patronage. The duties of conductor devolved upon Mr. Win. Francis, who, as usual, proved himself the right man in the right place, and kept the audience in humour from beginning to end. The Bettws Choir sang two glees in good style, one being the prize piece at Newtowu Fete. Solos and duets were given by Miss Kate Pritchard, Mrs. Tanner-Francis, Miss Higgs, Mr. Wm. Francis, Mr. Hudson Phillips, Mr. Frank Jones, and Mr. Gilbert Trow. Mrs. Kershaw contributed a solo on the pianoforte. Where all sang in a manner which highly delighted the audience, it would be invidious to particularise but the finished style of Miss Higgs and the topical and humorous songs of Mr. Francis must not pass without special notice. The accompaniments were nicely played by Mrs. Kershaw and Mr. Hall. Mr. Hudson Phillips kindly performed the secretarial duties.

MONTGOMERY. REcExT ACCIDENT.—We are desired by Mr. G. J. Clipston, Dragon Hotel, to state that in'the recent accident which bcfel his conveyance at the Railway Station, on Friday, 28th ult., his carriage was Hot overturned as reported in a recent issue of a local contemporary. OBITUARY.—The remains of the late Miss Mar- garet Jane Jones, of Morrington Farm, Chirburv, were interred at the Montgomery Churchyard on Saturday. The deceased young lady, who was 24 years of age, and the second daughter of Mr. Ellis Jones, of Morrington, succumbed to an illness, from which she had long been ailing, on the previous Wednesday. Great sympathy is felt both at Mont- gomery and Chirbury with the Morrington family in their bereavement, as Miss Maggie Jones was much liked and universally respected by all who knew her. She was a member of the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel at Montgomery, and a faithful adherent to the cause. The funeral was attended by all the deacons and prominent members; the mourning cortege was very large, and a great number of beautiful wreaths were sent. A short service at the house was conducted by Rev. John Davies (C.M.), and at the Church and graveside Rev. E. W. Brown, rector of Montgomery, officiated. Mr. R. Jones, Compton House, was the undertaker, and the coffin was supplied by Mr. W. Davies, Alport.

NEWTOWN. POLICE COURT.—Monday, before Richard Lloyd, Esq., John Wilson was brought up in custody by P. C. D. Rowlands charged with begging and was sentenced to 10 days hard labour. IMPROVEMENTS AT THE RAILWAY STATION.—The alterations at the station are being carried out with all possible speed. The work of extending the up and down platforms has been satisfactorily com- pleted, and the contractor is busily engaged upon the erection of a new foot bridge, the old one hav- ing been found to be very inconvenient as well as likely to bring about an accident on account of the narrow space it afforded to allow passengers to pass at the stone pillars, especially when trolleys were passing. The new bridge will be of iron and will give the facilities required. TEMPERANCE MISSIONS. A series of meetings were held in the Victoria Hall on Friday, Satur- day, and Sunday, under the auspices of the Nil Desperandum Lodge of Good Templars. Mr. T. Barker, Newcastle, gave stirring addresses, and the presidents were Messrs. C. J. Newell, J. Humphreys, and J. Oliver. On Saturday a resolution was adopted declaring the Welsh Sunday Closing Act a decided success. On Sunday afternoon the Good Templars and Rechabites, to the number of 300, marched through the streets to the Hall, headed by the Newtown Band. At the evening meeting Miss Jennie Higgs, of Llanidloes, and Miss Minnie Thomas sang.

SCHOOL BOARD. lUOKDAY. Present: Mr. W. Cooke (chairman), Messrs John Humphreys, Alfred Ford, W. F. Thomas, B. Halli- well, and Thomas Rees, with Messrs E. Powell (clerk), and Williams (assistant clerk). FINANCIAL STATEMENT. The CLERK presented the following financial statement: To balance, September, 1893, X397 7s 7d; receipts, annual grant from Education Department, zE571 9s Science and Art Department, £14 12s 6d; Free Grant from Education Depart- ment, X293 10s; sales of books to children, 5s from the rating authorities, zC656 19s 9d; return of overcharge, 8s; rents received, C55 12s 6d total, receipts, zCl,592 16s lOd. Expenditure Salaries of officers of the Board, zC75 other expenses of administration P,37 ls; total, CI12 ls; salaries of teachers, X850 5s 6d books, etc., zC95 5s 8d; fuel cleaning, etc., 1181 Is 7d; rents and taxes, C53 4s 7d; total, SI,179 17s 3d. In respect of loans, X138 10s. Interest, £ 140 Os Id. Invested as sinking fund, X278 Os lid. Total expenditure, £1569 19s 2d. The position now was that they had zC420 5s 8d. in hand. a( Mr. FORD thought that it was very satisfactory to find that they had got through the year with 6d in the zCl. It was announced that the school would be visited during the week by the Inspectors, Messrs Roberts and Johnson. +

THE RADICAL CAUCUS IN MEETING ASSEMBLED. THE WAY THEY THANK THEIR DEFEATED CANDIDATE AT THE LAST ELECTION. Mr. Humphreys-Owen, M.P., on Tuesday, pre- sided over a fair meeting of delegates at the Victoria Hall, Newtown, the audience including the leading lights of the Radical party. The principal business was the selection of a candidate to represent the party at the next election in opposition to Sir Pryce Pryce-Jones, the present member for the Montgomery Boroughs. The report of the Selection Committee, re- commending the adoption of Mr. J. W. Willans, of Dolforgan Hall, Kerry, as the most suitable can- didate, having been read, in addition to a letter received by Mr. R. Lloyd from Mr. Willans, in which he set forth his views, Mr* LLOYD moved "That this Association records with great satisfaction the fact that Mr. J. W. Willans has seen his way to accept the invita- tion to contest the Montgomery Boroughs in the interests of the Liberal party; that it heartily adopts Mr. Willans as candidate, and pledges itself to do its utmost to secure his return." In moving the resolution, Mr. Lloyd observed that Mr. Willans was a gentleman who had bought a large estate, who had come to reside in the county, and a gentleman who would be one of themselves. In the past the Tory party had accused them of bringing strangers into the borough contests, but he could not imagine what they would have to say on this occasion. If Mr. Willans was elected, their excellent" county member would find in him an excellent colleague. He sincerely trusted that the time would soon come when the disgrace under which the borough constituents of Montgomery- shire now suffered would be wiped away, and that for the future they would be represented by one of their own colour. Mr. C. R. JONES, in seconding, observed that they were very proud of their county member, and ichcn they returned Mr. Willans to join him they would be setting a pattern to the whole of Wales. Mr. E. WATKIN supported, and said he was sorry Mr. Willans was not there that day. Mr. RICHARD MILLS regarded Mr.'Willans as a very proper person to represent them. He was a shrewd business man, and the Llanidloes people would, and must, do all they could to return him. They bad, no doubt, a hard battle to fight, for they had a strong member of the Tory party to meet. Mr. HUGH LEWIS did not forget to mention that he had enjoyed the friendship of Mr. Willans for more than a twelvemonth, and he should be only too pleased if those present appreciated him to the same extent as he did. He believed he had been largely responsible for bringing him to that district. Mr. Willans was one of the great men of Eugland, one of the men who, by their strong, sterling commerical characters had made England what it was to-day. He believed Mr. Willans i would go into the fight with a strong heart, and that he would fight it to the bitter end. It was not the first time he had fought in public contests, not as far as a candidate was concerned, but in the may of assisting his friends. Their organisation must be perfected, and he hoped, by diut of hard work, that a successful issue would be obtained, which would redound to their credit and interest. Mr. POWELL, Welshpool, followed, and in the course of his remarks, said that it was his honest opinion that the last election was thrown away through the laziness of their candida: but now they had a man who had a great deal of iiglit in him. The Liberal party in the Montgomery Boroughs could quite afford to put on their bauner the motto Truth, Freedom, and Reform." Other speakers followed, expressing their great surprise at the absence of Mr. Wilians. who, they thought, ought to have been present. The CHAIRMAN afterwards admitted: Lat Mr. Willans was not present because he had not been invited. Mr. D. OWEN also supported, and intimated that there was one old veteran Liberal in Newtown who told Mr. Willans that he never voted for Mr. Tracy, although he was a thorough Liberal and Radical also that he had no intention of voting for Mr. Willans. That was pretty plain and straight! He voted not for the man but for principle. Mi. Willans highly appreciated the remarks. This was the principle the weak-kneed Liberals in Newtown stood in need of. If they could persuade the people of Newtown to vote for principles, and not so much for men, there would be no doubt about the issue. Mr. D. JONES, Welshpool, believed that if the Liberals at the last election had voted for principles the borough would not now be represented by a Conservative. Rev. JENKIN JONES, in the course of a brief speech, said that they must endeavour to influence the electors of Newtown to soar above the considera- tions of persons, and the something which often came from them. The proposition was afterwards put to the meet- ing and declared carried. GRATUITOUS ADVICE. Mr. MARTIN WOOSNAM, solicitor, read a short paper on the Parish Councils Act, for which he was thanked. MISCELLANEOUS. On the motion of Mr. JOHN JONES, seconded by Mr. C. R. JONES, a vote of sympathy with Mr. Evans, of Cemmes, in his illness, was unanimously agreed to. The arrangements for the winter campaign, on the motion of Mr. RICHARD LLOYD, was referred to the Executive Committee. It was decided to hold a jubilee meeting at Machynlleth, to commemorate the termination of the half century of the foundation of the Society for Disestablishment and Disendowment for Wales. The meeting then terminated. —

NEWTOWN AND LLANIDLOES BOARD OF GUARDIANS. SERIOUS CHARGES BY MR. LLOYD AGAINST THE MEDICAL OFFICER. LETTER FROM DR. PURCHAS. WEDNESDAY. Present: Capt. W. H. Adams, chairman; Mr. R. Bennett, vice-chairman; Messrs. R. Jones, E. B. Proctor, R. Lloyd, Capt. E. Pryce-Jones, W. B. Pugh, ex-officios, J. R. Pryce, Llangurig, D. Higgs, R. Evans, C. Meddius, Llanidloes, M. H. Davies, Trefeglwys, W. Jones, Trefeglwys, E. George, Llan- wnog, Edward Edwards, Mochdre, D. Jones, W. Alderson, Kerry, R. Nutting, Aberhafesp, John Thomas, Llanwyddelan, W. Francis, C. Morgan, Newtown, R. Gittins, Tregynon, J. Lloyd, Pen- strowed, D. Davies, Dolhafren, John Lewis, Bettws, and Miss Annie M. Lloyd, Llanllwchaiarn. with Mr. Richard Williams, clerk, and Mr. C. T. M. Taylor, deputy clerk. A VOTE OF CONDOLENCE. The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed, Mr. LEWIS rose, and said that sad bereavements had befallen two members of the Board—Mr. Andrews, Manafon, and Mr. Morris, Llanllugan. The first-named had lost an intelli- gent and loving mother, whilst Mr. Morris had lost a most promising son, upon whom he had spent a considerable amount of trouble, as well as expense. lie was recently successful in securing a scholar- ship at Aberystwyth, and was about to take his B. A. (London) degree, when he was struck down by illness, and he felt sure that this was a great bereavement to Mr. Morris. He therefore moved a vote of condolence with the two members in their trouble. Mr. E. GEORGE having seconded, it was unani- mously agreed to. The CLERK was instructed to convey the Board's feelings to both the gentlemen named. OUT-RELIEF. The amounts disbursed in out-relief during the past fortnight was reported as follows ewtown district, per Mr. R. H. Lloyd, X66 2s. 6d., to 257 recipients; Llanwnog district, per Mr. James Hamer, £ 41 19s., 6d. to 170 persons and Llanid- loes district, per Mr. R. Owen, zC78 17s. 3d.. to 341 recipients. THE WORKHOUSE. The MASTER reported that the number of in- mates in the House during the fortnight was 57. During the same period the House was visited by 46 tramps in the first week, as against 74 for the corresponding period of last year, and 70 in the second week, as against 67. It was reported that Rev. M. Griffiths held ser- vice in the house on Friday, the 21st ult., there being 28 inmates present. Rev. J. Pritchard held service on the 28th September, the number present being 30. Mr. BREEZE reported that Mrs. Edward Powell, Plas-y-bryn, Newtown, visited the sick wards and children on Thursday, the 27th ult., and distributed a quantity of grapes, buns, and sweets, to the inmates. The best thanks of the Board were offered Mrs. Powell, on the motion of Mr. BENNETT. FINANCIAL. Tie CLERK presented particulars of estimated receipts and expenditure for the half-year ending Ladv-day, 1895. The balance in the treasurer's hands 29th September, 1894, was zC273, and the con- tributions in arrears X332, making a total of £605. The expenses would probably amount to X4,260, less £ 180, repayments by relatives, F,1,370 by County Council in respect of salaries, alsof,470 for lunatics and zC27 for registrars, by the same authority, mak- ing a total of £ 2,047; leaving X2213 to be cleared by means of rates. The difference arose partly from a decrease in the rateable value and partly from in- creased expenditure. There was an increase for example of R86 in the County rates with special charges of £ 9. There was a decrease in the balance in hand of E90, and in the receipts in respect of lunatic asylum of zE20, as well as a like sum for relatives of paupers. The building of a shed had cost X136. When all contributions were paid there would be a balance in hand of about X600, the arrears at present amounting to X330. The estimate had been audited by the Finance Committee, who (recommended a rate of 8fd. as against Bid. for the Ecorrespondin g half of last year. Mr. C. MORGAN moved that the estimate be received and adopted. As the Clerk had reported, it had been audited by the Finance Committee, and was, therefore, correct. He thought there would have been a reduction in- stead of an increase. Mr. D. DAVIES seconded, and it was carried. THE MEDICAL OFFICER QUESTION. The CLERK read the following copy of a letter received by him with that morning's post:— Newtown, North Wales, 2nd October, 1894. Dear Sir,—My attention has been called to the newspaper reports of the proceedings at your Board meeting last Wednesday week. From this it appears that your Board had under consideration a communication forwarded by Mr. Richard Lloyd to the Local Government Board, in which the writer alleges that there has been considerable in- convenience and complaint by the poor of the districts of Bettws and Llanllwchaiarn, as well as expense to the Board, caused by my non-residence in the district. As I have not been made acquainted with any complaint during the time I have acted as medical officer, or of auv extra ex- pense having been incurred by the Board in con- sequence. I felt it my duty to make enquiries from your clerk and relieving officer whether they were aware of any, and I have received negative answers from both. I consider it my duty to communicate this matter to your Board, as I feel sure that the Guardians will deprecate the making of such un- founded charges. Had any complaint at any time been made I fee] sure the Board would have adopted the usual course by informing me.—I am, yours truly, P. UTTFN PUECHAS. Richard Williams, Esq. Clerk to the Newtown and Llanidloes Board of Guardians. Mr. R. LLOYD It is rather a pleasing fact in connection with this case that, notwithstanding a memorial has been sent up to the Local Govern- ment Board, signed by seventeen Guardians, against the appointment of Dr. Purchas as medical officer of the Llanllwchaiarn district, and a letter, also, sent up by Mr. Richard Pryce, as well as a letter sent up by myself, sc., i iiill forth a number of reasons why Dr. Purchas s.l.im'd not have the appointment, Dr. Purchas complains of only one reason. AVe must, therefore, take it as conclusive that whatever is stated in the memorial and in Mr. Pryce's letter, and in the numerous other reasons I give, that Dr. Purchas has had no answer to make to them. I will ask Mr. Williams to give me the co;iy of my letter to U;e Local CJ-.veminent Board, '1 his request was c<wiplied with, after which Mr. Lloyd, continuing, said he (Dr. Purchas) complains of my having stated that complaints had been made. In paragraph three I have given full reasons why Dr. Purchas should not have the appointment. I have not the smallest objection to Dr. Purchas as a medical man in any way in the world. My state- ments were "based and founded" upon the fact that he was resident outside the district. I have stated to this Board before that if Dr. Purchas had resided in the district, and Dr. Roberts outside the district, I should certainly have voted for Dr. Purchas, or any other qualified man residing in the district, than for one outside the district. The CHAIRMAN here interposed, and remarked that he thought it better for Mr. Lloyd to confine himself to the subject matter of the letter, and not to depart from it until a reply had been received from the Local Government Board to the com- munication sent up. Mr. LLOYD: Dr. Purchas complains of the second paragraph in my letter—There has been, considerable inconvenience and complaints made by the poor of the district, as well as the present Board, caused by the non-residence of the medical officer in the district." If Dr. Purchas thinks that this is not the case, then, if he will pursue his inquiries in the district, among the poor, and con- sult some of his medical brethren who reside at present in Newtown parish, he will find that numbers of the poor of the district have had to go to medical officers in the Newtown district to attend to them, and who have refused and told them to go to their own medical officer. If Dr. Purchas will inquire in the parish of Llanllwchaiarn he will find that my statements are perfectly correct, and if he wishes to know the persons I will give him the names if he will come to me. These complaints are of a more serious nature than what the Board can expect, and come from young people as to the way they have been treated when they have gone to the surgery for medicine for paupers. I will carry that no further. There is no difficulty about having the cases proved. I stated my complaints on broad grounds, giving broad reasons, and if Dr. Purchas wishes to come to me I will give him several instances where the poor have gone to medical oflicers outside the district to be attended to, and who have been told to go to the medical officer in their own district. The other is a more serious complaint-from young people as to the way they have been treated. I will say no more about that. As to the expense to the union, it is well-known that some time ago there was a poor woman living in Bettws who broke her aim, and for the reason the medieal officer in the district could not be found she had to go outside to the town. Dr. Palmer treated the case, and he was paid for it by the Board. That was an extra. These cases of fracture are not included in the officer's salary. This was an extra, and was paid for by the Board to Dr. Palmer, who attended to it. It was my impression at the time that Dr. Purchas had been paid for it. In that I was wrong. I did not say so in that particular case to the Hoard, but made a broad statement. I think we can come to no other conclusion than that the further the medical man lives from the poor the worse it is, and extras will naturally arise. I will again say that I wrote my letter to the Local Government Board not in the interest of a man, personally, but in the interests of the poor. Mr. PROCTOR followed, and said that, of course, Mr. Lloyd had spoken from information he had received, but he thought he must correct him in his statement about Dr. Purchas living a mile from the district Mr. LLOYD I did not say that he did then. Mr. PROCTOR, continuing, said that after what had been said, he thought the best thing would be to adjourn the discussion on the letter until the Local Government Board had communicated their decision to them. It was time that all these acerbities should be got over. In reply to Mr. Morgan, the CLERK said Dr. Purchas called on him first, and afterwaids sent him the following copy of a letter: Kii-dlv let me know whether I have on any occasion caused the Board any expense other than the salary attached to the post of medical officer, including, of course, the extras attached to the post." He replied to the effect that there had about a year age been a case of fracture, which was treated by Dr. Palmer, and that the latter was paid instead of Dr. Purchas. He also stated that he was not aware that Dr. Purchas on any occasion caused the Guardians any expense other than his salary and the extra fees attached to the office of Medical Officer held by him Mr. J. LLOYD suggested that they should go round and interview the poor of the district. Mr. DAVID JONES said there had been no com- plaint against Dr. Purchas since he had been a member. Mr. DAVID DAVIES seconded the proposition, which was afterwards carried. Mr. MEDDINS said he thought the Board should know the deliberations of the committee appointed at the last meeting to consider the communications from the Local Government Board, and their reply thereto. The CHAIRMAN said that it was announced at the time when the meeting of the committee was to take place, viz., on Tuesday, the 25tli September, at the Clerk's office. The reply to the letters was sent by the committee direct to the Local Govern- ment Board. The matter then dropped. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT, 1894. A circular was announced to have been received from the Local Government Board in relation to the above Act, and which was similar to that re- ceived by other authorities in the district. CONTRACTS. The .following tenders were accepted Meat Mr. Mr. Maurice Powell, Newtown, coal --Niessrs. Rowlands and Evans, Caersws, flour, Mr. D. Bum- ford, New-town, butter, Mr. Richard Breeze, Church House, Tregynon. Uppingham School has been thrown into mourn-

ing by the sudden death of Mrs. Selwvn, the wife of the head master, which occurred on Sundav last. Hue deceased lady, who was thirty-six vears of a°~e was a grand-daughter of the late Dr. Arnold,"of Rugby, and a sister of Mrs. Humphrey Ward. RUPTURE TRUSSES.—Referring to the inquiry

made by a correspondent recently in our columns the following extract from the Lancet, August 4, 1894, will be interesting —" The Link Shell Truss Co., 171, Wardour Street, London, W., have a new truss. It is claimed that by this method of manufacture a truss is provided which will be more comfortable than the one in ordinary use, and better able to adapt itself to the various movements of the body, especially if these are of a sudden character. The truss is fitted with a hip-joint regulator, by means of which the pressure is increased or diminished as required, and with a soft shell pad, perforated for ventilation. The truss as thus completed is an efficient one. Full particulars are sent free by the Link Shell Truss Co.—Glasgow Evening Neu-z, August 7, 1894.