The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

All hope of comfort in my home had died until the MATCHLESS CLEANSER SOAP I tried. I

LION ROYAL JJOTEL, ABERYSTWYTH. SPORTING GENTLEMEN will find every I convenience at the above Hotel. Two Billiard Tables, Four-horse Coach, Tandems, Hu-nters and Ladies' Pads all these horses have been regularly hunted with Mr. Vaughan Davies's hounds, and are good Jumpers. Good Stabling, and Loos Boxes.

GREAT WOLLASTON. I ENTERTAINMENT.—A good Entertainment of the Negro Minstrel type was recently given in the Lectnre Room by the local troupe. The following was the programme: Overture March past," Band; song A raspberry tart," Mr. E. Evans; was the programme: Overture March past," Band; song "raspberry tart," Mr. E. Evans; Love is a very funny thing," Mr. W. Hughes; stump speech On strike," Mr. R. Preece song Banjo praises," Mr. W. B. Yates song Bunk-a- dGodle," Mr. W. Morris; nigger dialogue "Pompey's dream," Andrew Thomas and W. B. Yates; song "They all take after me," Mr. W. Millington; When these old clothes were new," Mr. H. Preece; part Sung Jolly good fellows," the Troupe; song Laugh, befoi-e you go," Barrett Baker; They always come home to roost," Mr. R. Preece overture Golden slippers," Band. All the songs were well sung and reflected great credit upon the performers. Mr. J. Baker who had trained the troupe ably acted as accompanist. The entertainment concluded with a sketch entitled The new Manager," the characters being as follows: Landlord, Mr. Baker; landlady, Mr. H. Preece; new manager, Mr. E. Evans servant girl, Mr. 14. Preece; policeman, Mr. W. Millington; customers, Messrs. W. Morris, Hughes, and Mill- ington; ghost, Mr. W. Morris; boys, W. Yates and A. Thomas. The sketch was very ably performed considering all the performers are only amateurs, the acting of the ladies' part being particularly good. Owing to the bad weather not so many were present as on previous occasions and it is proposed to give another entertainment shortly. The proceeds have been added to the organ fund.

CAERSWS. ENTERTAINMENT.—On Friday an entertainment of a highly interesting character was given in the British Schoolroom. Mr. Owens, of Llandinam Hall presided, and the proceeds were for the Caersws Reading Room. The first part of the en- tainment consisted of songs, recitations, readings, quartets, &c., and an excellent address by the Chairman. The second part consisted of a perfor- formance of Cinderella in dialogue. Theie were 15 performers, in addition to an invisible choir. The performance was most excellent. The per- formers and the costumes were very-good. The talent was all local. The entertainment was ably organised by Miss Pollie Owen. At the close a vate of thanks was given to the performers, includ- ing Mrs. Snow, the accompanist and the Chairman,

ABERDOYEY, NATIONAL SCHOOL.-—This school was recently examined in scripture knowledge by Rev. R. Du.vica, (iiGCc-iAu iuopuOivjr, and the m..ua.gtJ1"d havo received the following report — Infants — Old Testament fair, New Testiment fair, Church Catechism good. Group I.—Old Testament excel- lent, New Testament good, Catechism good. Group II.—Old Testament very good, New Testament very good, Church Catechism excellent. Group III.—Old Testament excellent, New Testa- ment very good, Church Catechism excellent. Church History good. Summary and observations: Since the last examination an opposition school has been opened here, but the National Sohool still maintains its efficiency, and has this year again passed a very good examination. The chanting and singing deserve praise." Appended is a list of the names of pupils who distinguished themselves, and which will appear in the annual official book of the Bangor Diocesan Board of Education Infants: David R. Jones, David Edward Jones, Annie Jones, Janetta Jones, Eliza Rowlands, Lizzie Davies, Hannah Lloyd, Walter Clayton. Group I. Robert Evans, Fanny Watson, John Levi Eynon, Charles Rowlands, Sarah Williams. Margaret Anne Lewis, Evan Richards. Group II. Griffith William Evans, Christiana Lewis, Margaret Davies, Annie M. Bevington, Sarah Jones, Kate E. Watson, Hannfih Eynon, Annir Davies, Catherine Joarf?; Bertie Jones, Lewis T. Eynon, Lo'isia A. Jones. Group III. Lottie Millington, Frank Morris, John Ed. Davies, Sarah A. Bell, William Gray Jones, Mary Owen, Janetta Jones, Hugh H. Lewis, John C. Watson. APPOIXTKKNT.—We are pleaved to announce that Miss Lizeie Ann Williams, ex-pupil teacher of the National School, has been appointed assistant mistress at St. Nicholas Girls' School, Gloucester. Her numerous friends wish her every success in her new sphere wf labour. GOLF.—The golf links at Aberdovey are now generally acknowledged amongst the best in the kingdom. At a recent meeting of the Welsh Golf Union, held in Shrewsbury when a great many delegates representing various Welsh clubs were present, it was unanimously decided that the first Welsh Championship Tournament should be held on the Aberdovey Links during Whit-Week. Major Ruck (Aberdovey Club) was appointed hoii. sec. of the union, and Mr. J. M. Howell, Craigydon, hon. treasurer. The term Bogey used in connection with g*lf matches is a mystery to many. In the Strand Magazine for January there ie an excellent imaginary representation of Bogey and his aides-de-camp which will greatly interest enthusiastic golfers. ARCHITECTURE.-After the remarks on architec- ture made in a speech by the county member, Mr. T. E. Ellis, M.P., Aberdovey may pride itself in the possession of a qualified architect in the person of Mr. Hipkiss, Cliff Side, who, in the various con- tracts and improvements he has lately superin- tended, has done much to harmonise the design of the constructions with the beauty of the eurionnd- ing scenery. OBITUARY.—We regret to announce the death of Mr. Sylvanus Jones, Abergroes Farm, who departed this life on Monday, the 21st of January, in the 66th year of his age. Deceased was boru at Tynyberth Farm, Corris, Talyllyn, but his parents removed to Abergroes about 60 years ago where he has since resided. He has two brothers, Mr. Evan Jones, Cwmllwyni Isaf, Darowen, and Mr. Jones, Rhiwbank, Caersws, who have survived him, and a sister, Miss Jones, who until recently was a stewardess on one of the liners plying to China. Deceased married Margaret, the daughter of the late Isaac and Catherine Jones, Velindre, Pennal, by whom he had seventeen children, ten of whom have survived him, the eldest being Mr. Isaac Jones, postmaster, Colwyn Bay. He was a strong Churchman and a thorough Conservative, and at all times ready to expound and defend his principles. His mortal remains were interred in Pennal Churchyard on Saturday, January 26th, and despite the piercing cold and great depth of snow, a good number of relatives and friends attended the funeral. Rev. J. Rowlands, M.A., vicar of Aberdovey, officiated at the house and the Rector of Pennal in the church and by the grave The arrangements were superintended by Mr. John Evans, Meirion House. At the evening ser- vice in St. Peter's Church on the following Sunday the Vicar referred in suitable terms to the departure of their deceased friend, with whose widow and family much sympathy is expressed. ROUGH SEA VOYAGE.—Early on Saturday a vessel was observed at some distance outside the bar, but owing to the snow blizzards prevailing it was impossible to identify her, and much specula- tion was indulged in on the landing stage and Llawr Gang as to her identity. On Sunday two boats went out, and in the evening one returned with the report that it was the schooner Mervinia." (Aberdovey) bound from Morocco (Africa) to Annan in Scotland with a cargo ef beans. She had experienced a terrible voyage of; 34 days and was overdue. Owing to the tsrrific gales and the piercing cold the captain (James Morgan, Aberdovey) and his crew had endured great hardships. Provisions, water, and fuel had run short, thereby causing much priva- tion and utterly disabling some of the hands. On Monday morning the s.s. Telephone towed her into the harbour, where the crew were attended to, and the ship cleared of barnacles and other parasites which had impeded her navigation. She will shortly proceed to her destination in command of Captain J. E. Jones (owner).

LLANIDLOES. THE FAIR.- At the fair on Saturday there was a small supply, and a very good demand. There was a decided improvement in prices. BALA THEOLOGICAL COLLEGE.—Mr. E. L. Hughes has passed the examination for the preparatory school connected with Bala. Theological College. Mr. Hughes is a pupil at the Llanidloes Inter- mediate School. CHARGE OF STEALING A DOG.—A man hailing from Runcorn was, on Tuesday, arrested by Inspector Lake, charged with stealing a dog from Rhayader on the previous day.-—Prisoner was handed over to the Rhayader police. VAGRANCY. At the Borough Police Court on Tuesday, Robert John Ellis, an old mining agent of Bow street, Aberystwyth, was brought up in custody of Inspector Lake, charged as a rogue and vagabond. Defendant waa going about the town with a begging book, by which he obtained several sums of money.-—Committed to prison for fourteen days. INQUEST. On Monday evening an inquest was held at the Royal Oak Inn, before R. Williams, ] Esq., coroner, and a jury of which Mr. T. Hum- phreys, grocer, was foreman, on the body of Ann Humphreys.—From the evidence it appeared that the deceased was seen alive by two neighbours at 1-30 p.m. on Saturday, when she complained of shortness of breath. At 2-30 p.m. she waa found dead in her house.—A verdict of Death from Syncope was returned.

MACHYNLLETH. URBN COUNCIL.—An adjourned meeting of the Urban Council was held at the Union Board-room, Machynlleth, on Thursday January 24th, to con- sider the drainage and waterworks schemes. Mr. E. R. Owen presided, and there were present Messrs. E. Gillart, J. Edmunds, G. W. Griffiths, W. It. Jones, E. Jones, J. Lewis, J. Pugh, R. Gillart, and F. Thomas. The Deputy Clerk (Mr. D. Mor- gan) read the report of the Parochial Committee which recommended the drainage scheme of Messrs. Kirby, Liverpool, and the water scheme of Mr. Morgan Davis, Swansea, but suggested that certain modifications should be made therein. The latter proposed to construct a reservoir in the Eegareira valley at Liauwrin, where two streams meet, the physical and geological character of the land at this point being exceptionally favourable for such a purpose. The reservoir would hold five* million gallons of water, sufficient to supply the necessities of the town for 125 days, which would tide over any period of drought which had ever yet been experienced. Its altitude being 300 feet above Ordnance datum wouJd ensure adequate pressure. The scheme further provides for the con- struction of a surface reservoir, having three filter beds, at a cost of £800. The total cost of the scheme would be £3,543. Some discussion took place on the necessity for a surface reservoir. Mr. Evan Jones considered that it should be dispensed with. Towyn and many other places had done without it. Mr. Thomas remarked that the water at Towyn was dirty. The further consideration of this matter was deferred, and two other schemes were read but not very favourably received. By this time the room was in semi-darkness, and after the reading of the third scheme had been completed by the aid of lighted matches, the meeting was adjourned.

ELLESMERE. BOARD OF GUARDIANS. TUESDAY. Present: Mr. S. K. Mainwaring (in the chair), Revs. H. Moody, S. T. Wilson Barker, and T. J. Rider, Messrs J. D. Owen, E. Peel, T. Emberton, T. Jones, J. Darlington, and J. Griffiths, with Mr. R. E. Lloyd, clerk. MASTER'S REPORT. GENEROSITY. The MASTER reported that Miss Roe had visited the sick ward and distributed tea and sugar. INMATES. The Master further reported that the number of inmates first week was 64 as against 65 last year; second week, 63 as against 54. Three have been admitted and two discharged during the week. The number of vagrants this year was 95 against 131. TENDERS. The Master announced that tenders had been re- ceived from Mr. Thomson and Mr. Williams for supplying the seeds, the amounts of the tenders being j61 3s. 7d. and J61 6s. 4d. respectively. It was decided to accept the former tender. VACCINATION. Contracts were sealed with Drs. Griffiths and Richmond for vacination. THE RESIGNATION OF MR. T. EMBERTON. With respect to the above matter, which came before the last meeting ef the Board, The CLERK read the following communication, in answer to an inquiry from the Board:— Local Government Board, Whitehall, S.W., January 21st, 1895.. Sir,—The Board are advised that a Guardian may legally resign his office without payment of a fine, but that as heretofore the Board's acceptance of the resignation is necessary. A form in which Mr. Emberton's resignation may be tendered to the Board is enclosed. I am, sir, Your obedient servant, W. E. KNOLLYS, Assistant Secretary. The above letter having been read to the Board, The CHAIRMAN thought that the best thing they could do was to give Mr. Emberton time to consider. Mr. EMBERTON thought that it was scarcely j worth while to go to the expense of another election. STANDING ORDERS. The CHAIRMAN said that they could not go on there for any length of time without Standing Orders and Rules. He was waiting in hopes of some rules, which were going to be framed ')y the County Councils Association, at the request of a large number of bodies—Urban and Rural District Councils and Boards of Guardians. They had been referred to a committee, and he believed that they would be submitted on Feb. 20. Mr. J. D. OWEN thought that they might as well wait and see what was the result of the Com- mittee which the chairman spoke of. The CHAIRMAN observed that the committee was a strong one. Let them have the matter raised that day month. THE MEAT. Mr. T. JONES (C) then made some observations respecting the meat forthe house. Addressing the Clerk, Mr. Jones asked if they had had the meat in that morning ? TheCEERK: No, sir. Mr. JONES: When do yon get it delivered here ? The CLERK Every Friday. Mr. JONES proposed that it should be delivered there on Tuesday ntornitigg) when it might be seen by some of the members of the House Com- mittee. Mr. J. GRIFFITHS did not see how it was J possible for a man to supply the House for 5d. per lb. Mr. J. D. OWEN believed that the House Com- mittee had examined the meat over and over again. They had always found it good. The CHAIRMAN thought that it would be a good thing if Mr. Jones brought the matter forward at the next contraet. Mr. T. EMBERTON agreed with Mr. Jones, but if they were going to make an alteration* let' them make it at the next meeting.. The CHAIRMAN '•afcr-rkc.i that that would be in a Tery short time. MARRIED COUPLES. Mr. J. DARLINGTON had seen in the papers that Whitchurch Board of Guardians had made arrangements by which married people could live together. What was the reason why they could not adopt that there ? Mr. T. EMBERTON It is in force hero. Mr. J. D. OWEN We have no married couples. When there are married couples then arrangements can be made. STATISTICS. Haamer district, per Mr. W. Williams, first week, £5 2s Od second week, £5 28 Od total £10 4s Od. Ellesmere district, per Mr. W. H. Rutter, first week, £7488d, second week, £728 6d, total £14713 2d.

RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. TUESDAY. Present: Mr. J. D. Owen (in the chair), Revs. H. Moody, and T. J. Rider, Messrs. F. R. Gregory, J. Davies, J. Darlington; J. Woodville, J. Griffiths, with Mr. R. E. Lloyd (clerk). SANITARY INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The SANITARY INSPECTOR reported that there had been an outbreak of scarlet fever at Wm. Edge's, the Rowe, where three children have been effected, also at Colemere, where a daughter of Thomas Davies, in service at the Wood, Lopoino-- ton, took the fever. They had all recovered and there were no fresh cases. There had been a fatal case of diphtheria at Baschurch, where a son of John Burkley. aged three years and ten months, was taken ill on the 11th inst and died on the 14th. There were no other cases. He had visited a cottage at Greenhill Bank, occupied by Charles Smith and found him at home, and obtained admittance into the cottage. On former visits he (the inspector) had failed to get into it. It was the most filthy and miserable cottago that hu hau and he would not be surprised to hear of him being found dead some day if this severe weather con- tinned. He (the inspector) did not examine the man very closely as the neighbours informed him that he was in a filthy state with dirt and vermin. He tried to persuade Smith to go to the union where he would be kept clean and well fed, but the man would not hear of it. He said (to use his own words) I would die on the clod first." The man had no means of getting a living, being nearly blind, and he appeared to trust to his neighbours for food, coal, etc. ADJUSTMENT OF ACCOUNTS. Prior to the passing of the new Act, there was one Rural Sanitary Authority for Ellesmere and Overton, but as now, each place has a separate Rural District Council, it is necessary that the accounts of the two places should be adjusted. Ou the motion of Rev. n. MOODY, set-orided by Rev. T. J. RIDER, the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to look into the accounts and afterwards confer with a committee of the Overton Rural District Council: Rev. H. Moody, Messrs. Brownlow R. C. Tower, J. Griffiths, and J. Darlington. SALARIES. The question of the salaries of the medical and saiiitary officers was referred to the above com- mittee. STANDING ORDERS. The CHAIRMAN remarked that there was 10 reason why the consideration of the above should nos be postponed. Mr. J. DARLINGTON thought that it would be quite as well if they waited until they got the rules for the Board of Guardians. It was agreed to adjourn the matter for a month. THE COMMON SEAL. At the first meeting of the Council the matter ¡ respecting a common seal, was left in the hands of the clerk, to get prices etc. The clerk had now obtained a book containing specimens of seals, and also prices which showed that a seal could be pro- duced from 21s., 40s., or JE5 5s. Mr. J. DAVIES thought that they had enough expense without adding to it. It was considered that the lettering Seal of the Ellesmere Rural District Council," would be sufficient. The matter was then left in the hands of the clerk. This concluded the business of the Council.

What I these spoiled hands are caused by Washing Day. I am surprised, get MATCHLESS CLEANSER SOAP at once, I pray, once, I pray,

r CORRESPONDIIINCE. LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. To OofiRLSfu^DENTA. CofnvtwtncuCMsru; for thro column thould be addressed to the Sid tor, anil- must be written upon one side of the paper only They should in all casei be accqmpnnied by the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for publication but as a guarantee of good faith. THE PROPHETIC ALMANACK. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES AND POST. SIR,—After reding Critic's letter in a recent issue of the COUNTY TIMES on the above subject, I was tempted to examine the Exprefs Rimauack for myself, as to one or two dates. The first was the month of February, more especially St. Valentine's day, as my parents about 40 years ago received a rather peculiar valentine, so they informed me afterwards, with which they were very much taken up, so much so that they entered the event in the family bible. Although present at the time, I was so young that I remember nothing of the occurrence, but I was not one of those valentines that we see in these days, which are made in Germany," but of real Welsh manufacture, in floot home made, Therefore I was very much interested in fit hut J01 rf}; :6-lC aj surprise upon looking at the above almanack to find that according to that it falls this year upon the 15th instead of the 14th of February. Ou looking further down this extraordinary almanack I discovered that Thursday the 28th of February was Shrove Tuesday, and that Lord Beaconsfield's birthday fell on the 21st instead of the 31st, of December. What would Mr. Gladstone say upon being told tnat his birthday fell upon the 30th of December, when eridry Liberal knows that the anniversary of his birth" is the 29th. These, with various others, made a total of no less than 29 mistakes; after that I gave it up, believing with Critic" that the almanack must have been edited by the office boy. ANOTHER CRITIC. Newtown. Janu-try 17th, 1895. [The above was received too late for insertion in our last issue.—Ei>. A TRIFLING MISTAKE. To the Editor of THE COUNTY, TIMES AND POST. SIE,—Ther" •U-1 W/H>V, tV few days a pamphlet of 20 pages entitled" The Church of England and the People of Waiea," to which I ask permission to direct immediate and special attention. On page 17 of the pamphlet is a section headed The Failure of the Church of Eugland in Wales." and the conclusion of the writer is that while four Nonconformist bodies have an aggregate number of adherents amounting to 832,357, the whole strength of the Church of England maybe assumed to be short of 250,000." I have read many wild statements about the proportions of Church and Dissent in Wales, but nothing half so wild and extravagant as this. Let me show how such an estimate is arrived at. It is based on the following table THE LEADING IIBLIGIOUS DENOMINATIOVS OF WALES, 1893. Communicants. Adherents. Church of England 114,885 —— Calvinistic Methodistg 126,509 26-3,415 Corigregationalists ••• 125,753 273,931 070 Baptists 98,122 213,353 T Wesleyans 31,406 69,033/ 496,680 It is explained that the adherent#' or hearers' (of the Nonconformists) include not only the communicants, but also children and those who, though not communicants, attend the usual minis- trations and services," and then comes the follow- ing statement:- The Church of England does not publish among its official statistics the number of its 'adherents" in Wales, but, judging from the proportion of com- municants to adherents in each of the four other religious denominations, the total number would fall short of 250,000." Upon which assumption the writer oases the deduction that the Church of England in Wales, with its State establishment, privileges, endowments, and vast wealth, has not as many communic*nts or adherents as either the Calvinistic Methodists or the Congregationalists." Now, Sii, it is pot for me to criticise or explain Nonconformist statistics. We are told, on authority that has satisfied the compiler of this pamphlet issued in the interest of Welsh Dissent, that the Cf.lvint^Ho Methodists of Walei have 258,415 ad- herents," the Congregationalists 278,981, and that these "adherents" include men, women, and children. We are also told that the one body has 126,509 communicants, the other 125,758. I make no comment on these remarkable proportions, save one—which is, that evidently the conditions of communion or the age of communicants in these bodies differ very considerably from the conditions and age required in the Church of England. But when the deduction is drawn that, these things being so in Nonconformist bodies, therefore the Chutch, which has 114,885 communicants, has less than 250,000 adherents, I am in a position to say, with the utmost confidence, that the deduction is ridiculous, and that any argument founded upon' it is worthless. A very little more care, a little less impatience to make out a case against the Church, might indeed have saved the compiler of this pamphlet from so astonishing a blunder. In the Official Year Book of the Church, from which, I presume, he obtained the correct number of the Church com- municants, in fact in the very same table, he might have read that the Sunday School scholars in the four Welsh dioceees-af whom only a:i insignificant proportion could have been of age for communion—numbered 129,445, and it might have occurrod t:, him that when the communicants and school children of the Church aggregated 244,000 there must be something terribly wrong in his conjecture of 250,000 for the whole body of Churchmen and Churchwomen in Wales. A Churchman himself, too, he might have reflected that to assess the communicants of the Church at 45 per cent. of the whole was, to put it mildly, not in accordance with common experience. What, then, is the truth with resoect to that of which this pamphlet supplies the travesty ? It is impossible to say with perfect accuracy, but we can at least form an approximate idea, and I have taken some pains to arrive at this. Canon Burnside, the indefatigable painstaking e,L()r)j; /i -.ti I _:u B,»ok, e.isiiuiaces the pro- portion of communicants to members of the Church ef England at 8 per cent.; but if the estimate of JFhita);e,"¡,¡ Almanack that the Church population of England and Wales is 13,750,000 be correct, the communicants, 1,607,000, would number 12 per sent. I certainly think this latter estimate high, while T regard the estimate of Church population as placed too low, but accepting it and remembering that the proportiou of communicants in Wales is confessedly higher than in Ecigland"' we might, perhaps, go so far as to name 16 per cent. as the Welsh proportion. What then will he the result ? The adherents of the Church in Wales would number 114,885x6 2 3=765,900. Now I think that every one who hs any intimate knowledge of Church life will agree with me in regarding this as a very modest figure, and that the adherents of the Church in Wales cannot by any stretch of imagina- tion b > .•o.' 7o5,000. Yeu this pamphlet gives them as 250,000, and asserts that they are less numerous than either the Calvinistic Methodists or the Congregationalists, the truth being that they are more numerous than the Calvinistic Methodists or the Congregationalists combined, with 215,863 Baptists thrown in Now, sir, I am not going to .imitate the violent language of the compiler of this pamphlet; I am not even proposing to accuse him, as he accuses the Bishop of St. Asaph, of falsehood," audacity," and brazen effrontery." Our case is too strong, nee tal auxilio eget. I will content myself with saying that lie has made a very great mistake, apd so has propounded a very foolish argument. But I feel entitled to ask if the Liberal Publica- tion Department, at 42, Parliament Street, S.W., moans'to continue to circulate this mistake," and thereby to foster the many false deductions which will be founded upon iL, or whether they mean to withdraw tne pamphlet. I am sure at any rate they will readily recognize that the lofty criticisms of the metiods of others are a little out of place in so inaccurate a person as its compiler. Your obedient servant, H. GRANVILLE DICKSON. 9, Bridge Street, Westminster, S.W. P.S.-I find that I have omitted to mention that the author of the pamphlet is Sir George Osborne Morgan, M.P., the titular leader of the Welsh party.

BE WISE IN TUIE.—Sufferers from Gravel, Lum- I, bago, Piles, Pains in the back, Dropsy, Wind and Watei Complaints, Diseases of the Kidney, Bladder, Urinary Or- gans, Stone, Glee, Stricture, Sciatica, Rheumatism, and Gout, will find a positive cure in HOIDBOXD'S GBATBL PILLS. Try a small box and if not satisfied your money will be re- turned. Price Is ljd. of all Chemists, or post free 12 stamps from Holdroyd's, Medical Hall, Cleckheaton, Yorks. Don't be put off. If you cannot get them write at once to the Proprietor, and a box will be sent post free.

.J THE DINAS MAWDDWY RAILWAY. IMPORTANT MEETING. A meeting of the contributors to the agreement providing for payment of the extra rate to meet' the Board of Trade requirements to adopt the in i terlocking system on the railway, and also of. the general public, interested in the maintenance-and keeping open of the railway, was held at the Buckley Arms Hot-el, Dinu Mawddwy, on Friday,. Jan. 25th, when Sir Edmund Buckley, the chairman, of the Company, presided. The CHAIRMAN, commencing proceedings,, said that an extra rate had been made in order to pro- vide for the payment of the costs which will be incurred in the adoption of the inter-locking system. All had agreed to pay this extra rate, with the exception of a certain party who refused to pay, Baying the rate was illegal. They had been up to London before the Board of Trade, and there were also representatives of the objecting party present. As a result an agreement was drawn up, bnt this party would not, after promising the Board of Trade secretary, agree to withdraw the charge they made that the rate was illegal and excessive, neither would they pay the rate. There- fore if they could not obtain the necessary sum, the Board of Trade could stop the line any day. It would be best to. read: all the correspondence with the Hoard ot ir&cje aud matters could be seen how they stood. Mr. CHARLES E. WILLIAMS, manager of the railway, then read the following correspon- dence :— Board of Trade Railway Department, 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W. 9th January, 1894. Sir,-I,arn directed by the Board of Trade to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd iiist., having farther reference to the circular- letter from the Department (R 6425) with regard to the order made npon the company under the provisions of the Regulation of Railways Act 1889. In reply I am to inform you that, under the circumstances, the Board of Trade are prepared to allow the compa-nj until the olst of December npxt for completing th" fitting- of the whole of their rolling- stock- with continuous bi-akes; but it must be distinctly understood that, if the work is not then finished, the Hoard will have to take steps to enforce compliance with order.-I am, sir, you, obedient servant, FRANCIS J. S. HOPWO'OD. The Secretary. Mawddwy Railway Company. Dinas Mawddwy, Merionethshire, February 13th, 1894. Re Mawddwy Railway. Dear Sir,-We beg to apply under section 31 and ask that the Mawddwy Railway Company be made to comply with the Act of Parliament of 1888, and give us a reasonable through-rate for ths carriage of our goods. In consequence of their refusing to do so and charging a compulsory, excessive, and illegal, rate our, business is suffering. For example, the distance from Dinas Mawddwy to Cemtnes Road is 6"70 for which we are charged as 7 miles and compelled to pay 3s. per ton, whereas our neigh- bours at Machynlleth, which is 5 miles further, pay the same rate 12s. 6d. per ton to London as from Cemmes Road, and they have a through rate, but we have not, and the Mawddwy Railway Company say iu their letter of Nov. 24th, 1893, ••■here through rates are qnoted they should require carriage prepaid before they attempt to remove the goods. This will show the unjust treatment we are subject to by the Mawddwy Railway Company, and we apply and ask that you will see this matter speedily put in order.—We are &c., Minllyn Slate Company. (Signed) J. H. BULLOCK. To the Assistant Secretary, Railway Department, Board of Trade. Board of Trade, Railway Department, 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, S. W.. 16th February, 1894. Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888. Sir,—I am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit to you herewith a copy of a complaint, dated the 13th instant, whieh has been leceived from the Minllyn Slate Company as to certain rates charged for the conveyance of their traffic and to request that you will be good enough to furnish this Department with any observations which the Mawddwy Railway Company may desire to offer thereon.—I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, FRANCIS J. S. HOPWOOD. The Manager, Mawddwy Railway. Salop House, Oswestry, 21st February, 1894. Railway and Canal Tratiao Act. 1888. Sir,-In repiy to yours of 16th inst., enciosing copy of a letter from the Minllyn Slate Co., I beg to explain. (1) The line is not in the Railway Clearing House, and can only grant through rates by arrangement with the Cambrian Company, whose system we join at Cemmes Road. (2) The Minllyn Company made application to this company for through rates from Dinas Mawddwy to 4 stations on other company's lines (a number being stations to which they have never sent any traffic). These through rates were furnished them on the 30th November last, and we are informed by the Cam- brian Company that they are much below the maximum. The Minllyn Company should have explained to you that in consequence of a large expenditure being necessary to enable the railway company to comply with the Board of Trade requirements, and in order to keep the line open for traffic, an agree- ment was entered into, dated 8th July, 1892, to which the Minllyn Company are parties, and by which all the signatories agreed to pay an extra rate of Is. 3d. a ton, for the purposes mentioned, in addition to the ordinary rate. In the case of the Minllyn Company the ordinary rate over our line is Is. 9d. per ton. Adding the extra rate of Is. 3d. gives the total of 3s. mentioned. We have no power over the Cambrian Company as to rates. We submit that we are entitled to demand pre- payment of freight if we choose, and in dealing with this company we shall be compelled to do so, as at present they are giving us an enormous lot of trouble in reference to freights. The Minllyn Company are treated in all respects in the same manner as the other traders on this company's line.—I am, your obedient servant, CHAILLES E. WILLIAMS, Secretarv. The Assistant Secretary, Railway Department Board of Trade, London. Dinas Mawddwy, Merionethshire, February 26th, 1894. Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888. Sir,—We thank you for your letter of the 24th inst., enclosing copy of a letter from the Mawddwy Railway Company and in reply we beg to say. 1. The Mawddwy Railway Company not being in the Railway Clearing House (is no fault of ours) does not prevent them complying with the Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888. 2. The through rates given by the Mawddwy Railway Company's through rates which are fair and reasonable to and.from Cemmes Road. To these rates the Mawddwy Railway Company added 3s per ton for six miles, 70 chains we are informed for this distance their ^maximum rato is Ild per ton. 3. The Mawddwy Railway Company should have stated they closed their line for all traffic to enforce us and other traders to sign the agreement (which was before the Aci; 1888 came into operation) to pay the Is 3d extra rate which we signed under protest. 4. The only trouble we are aware we are causing the Mawddwy Railway Company is our asking for what we are entitled to; we have no desire to cause any trouble and shall be glad to meet them and try to arrange fair and reasonable through rates, but up to now they have refused even to reply to our letters. We are, &c., Minllyn Slate Company, ( J. H. BULLOCK. A. D. Berrington, Esq. Board of Trade, RailwayjDepartment, 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W., 2nd March, 1894. Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888. Sir,—I am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit to you herewith a copy of a furthur letter dated the 26th ult., which has been received from the Minllyn Slate Company, as to the certain rates charged for the conveyance of their traffic, and to request that you will be good enough to furnish this department with any observations which the Mawddwy Railway Company. may desire to offer thereon.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, FRANCIS J. S. HOPWOOD. The Secretary, Mawddwy Railway Company. Board of Trade Railway Department, 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, 22nd March, 1894. Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888. Sir,—I am directed by the Board of Trade to # transmit to you herewith a copy of a further letter dated the 26tÍ1 ultimo, which has been received from the Minllyn Slate Company as to the certttin rates charged for the conveyance of thfir traffic, and to request that you win be good enough to furnish this department with any observations whioh the Mawddwy Railway Company may desire to offer thereon.— I am, air, your obedient øerYBJllt, FKAITCIS J. S. HOPWOOD. The Secretary, Mawddwy Railway Company. Mawddwy Railway Company Salop House. Oswestfv. 5th April, 1894.. Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1894. Sir,—-In reply to your. of 2nd nit enolosing a copy of the Minllyn Sl*to Company's letter dated 26th February last, we boa: to say 1st. The through rates are made up, as the Ifmllyn Company, say by the addition of the rate from Cemmes Road to the point of destination to our rate, and the gross rato thus arrived at from Dinas Mawddwy is a fair and reasonable one tak- ing- the whole distance from end to end. We have alreadv pointed out that tho 3s rate is made up of a voluntary rate of Is 3d and the ordinary rate of Is 9d. 2nd. The statement made by the Minllyn Company that the lino closed in ord«.r force traders to sign the agreement is an absolute false- hood. Neither was the agreemont signed before the Act of 1888 camo into operation, inasmuch as the voluntary rate agreement is dated Sth July, 1892. The line was closod in consequence of the unsafe condition of a bridge over tho river Dovtjy, and the railway company having no funds where- with to repair the same. It was pointed out to the puhlio that if they did not come to tho rescue and assist the railway company by paying an extru. rate or a lump sum contribution, the line would have to stop altogether, and it was at this time in order to facilitate the repairs being put in hand that some five or six peopie advanced various sums of money which amounted altogether to £120 on the understanding that thoy were to recoup themselves out of the extra rate on the traffic thoy would afterwards be sending along the line, &nd amongst the peepio who contri- buted were tho Minllyn Company who advanced £10. so that it does not look very much like thoir having signed the agreement under pro- test as they say they did. 3rd. We have only again to repeat that wn have had, and are continually having, con a bant trouble with Minllyn Slate Compa.ny with regard to the payment of their accounts. We- are not aware that any letters of theirs have remained unanswered.—Your obedient servant, CHAS. E. WILLIAMS, Secretary. The Assistant Secretary, Railway Department, Board of Trade, London. Board of Trade, Railway Department, 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W. 22nd May, 1894. Railway and Canal Traflio Act, 1838. Sir,—Referring to tha complaint which has been made to this department by tho Minllyn Slate Company with regard to the rates charged for the conveyance of their traffic I am directed by the Board of Trade to state that they will be glad if a representative of the Mawddwy Railway Company will be good enough to attend at this office on Tuesday, the 22th inst at 3-30 p.m. for discussing the complaint. I am to add that a representative of the Minllyn Sla.te Company has been iuvited to attend at the same time.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, FRANCIS J. S. Hopwoop. The Secretary, Mawddwy Railway Company, Oswestry. Dinas Mawddwy, Merionethshire, September 22, 1894. The Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888. Sir,-In reply to your favour of the 18th inst., we beg to say that we see no necessity for us to sign any paper promising to pay the 'Mawddwy Railway Company their illegal demands We have already paid their bill for everything out. We can do no more.—We are, Ac., Minllyn Slate Company, (Signed) J. H. BULLOCK, The Assistant Secretary, Railway Department. Board of Trade (Railway Department), 7, Wht-f!}t Railway and Canal Traffic Act, 1888. Gentlemen,—I am directed by the Board of Trado to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo, replying to the letter from this Department of tho 11th ultimo with reference to the proceedings at the meeting whioh took place at this office on 29th last between representatives of your firm and of the Mawddwy Railway Com- pany respecting your complaint under Section 31 of the above-mentioned Act. In reply, I am to point out that at the meeting in question, the representatives of your Company, agreed to address to this Department a letter formally accepting on behalf of the Company the termø of the settlement arrived at, a copy of whioh was handed to them. Under these circumstances, I am to state that it is with surprise and regret that the Board of Trade have received your letter, from which they under- stand that the Minllyn Slate Company refuse to give effect to the agreement entered into by their representatives at the meeting above referred to.-—I Mn, Ac., „ (Signed) INGRAM B. WALKBR. Ihe Minllyn Slate Company, Dinas Mawddwy, Merionethshire. Board of Trade (Railway Department), 7, Whitehall Gardens, London, S.W., 4th October, 1894. Railway ond Canal Traffic Act, 1888. Sir,—With reference to your letter of the 13th ultimo on the subject of the proceedings at the meeting which was held at this office on the 29th May last, between representatives of your Company and of the Minllyn Slate Company under tho pro. visions of Section 31 of the above-motioned Act, I am directed by the Board of Trade to transmit to you the enclosed copy of a letter whioh they have received from the Minllyn Slate Company. I am at the same time to enclose for your information a copy of a letter addressed by this department to the Minllyn Slate Company on the matter.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, IJTGRAX B. WALKER. The Secretary, Mawddwy Railway, Oswestry. The above correspondence having been read, it was proposed that a deputation should wait there and then, upon the representatives of the Minllyn Slate Co. with the view of obtaining their assent to the arrangements necessary to meet the require- ments of the Board of Trade; a::1d the following gentlemen were appointed on the deputation: Messrs. Edward H. Davies, Maesygamdda quarry; E. H. Smith, Hendreddu quarry; Henry Owen, Gartheiniog quarry; Morris Evans, chairman of the Parish Council; John Davies, Mallwyd; Griffith Griffiths, coal merchant, and John Jones, County Councillor. The meeting was adjourned pending the return of tho deputation. Later in the day the de- putatiou, accompanied by t-Uo iiiessrs. iiullook re- turned to the Buckley Arms Hotel, aud were closeted for some time with the chairman and secretary of the company. After deliberating some time in private, the door was opened and it was announced that Mr. J. H. Bullock had pro- mised to sign, and it was understood tha.t another member of the Minllyn Slate Co. would also sign. Sir Edmund Buckley signified his willingness to accept one signature provided it was authorized by the company. 1

LLAPTSANTPFRAID. GWERHYPANT CHAPNL.— An entertainment was given here on Friday week. The paster, Rev. G. O. Evans, presided, and prizes were given' for sing- ing, reading, and spelling. The following were amongst the prize-winners -.—Miss Annie Thomas, David R. Jones, and Misa E. A. Parry. The prizes in books were very kindly given by Mrs. Jones, The Shop, Llansantffraid. Solos were also given by Miss Jones, Gwernypant, Mr. Edward E. Jonos and Mr. Edward Owen, Llanfechain. Dialogues were admirably gone through by Miss Jane Parry, Miss Martha W. Morris, Miss Sarah C. Morris, Miss M. A. Hughes Miss M. J. Hughes, Miss S. Hughes, and Miss Lizzie Morris. Mr. W. Thomas, Trewy- lan, and Mr. John Jones were among those who took. part in the programme. Miss Hanmer ably presided at the harmonium, and the JJduties of adjudication, in the unavoidable absence of Mr. Williams, Tair Garreg', were efficiently discharged by Mr. E. Owen, Llanfechain. A hearty vote of thanks to the performers was moved by Mr. Hugh Thomas, Trewylan, and carried with acclamation. The entertainment was held under the auspices of the Gwernypant Band of Hope.