The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

THE Agricultural Land Rating Bill has at last emerged from the House of Commons, and in a few weeks will be placed on the Statute Book. The measure was selected from the outset as one out of which the Opposition might be able to make political capital. That is the sole explanation of the vast amount of time and ingenuity wasted upon the discussions which took place on every stage of the Bill. Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT., it must be admitted, was the only member of the Front Opposi- tion who took a really active and pro- nounced part in the obstructive tactics employed in delaying the passing of the Bill. But all this was calculated on the part of the leader of the Opposition, Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT, in fact, killed two birds with one stone in the Rating Bill. He called public attention to his own tran- scendent qualities as a Liberal leader, and he dealt a backhand blow to Lord ROSEBERY, by allying himself with the men who have from the first the first objected to a Liberal Peer-Premier." Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT doubtless believes that his action, in the question of the rating of agricultural land, will be justified by events in the future. We very much doubt this. The proceed- ings of the House of Commons are not taken half as seriously in the country as professional politicians like Sir WILLIAM imagine. The object of the Radical party was to discredit a certain Bill, but it is far more likely that the tactics employed for this purpose have discredited the par-v which put them in force. In the first place, agriculturists have been told over and over again by the opponents of the Bill that as a measure of agricultural relief the Bill is ridiculously ineffective. What, after all, is the use of a shilling an acre ? is the scornful query put to the British agriculturist by the patriotic Radical. The answer is that if so small a boon to agricul- ture requires fifteen days and two all-night sittings, before it can be got past the enemies of agriculture, the longer those enemies are kept out of office the better. This is a point which may well be urged in all rural constituencies. Mr. GLADSTONE and Lord ROSKHERY were in office for three years, but they really did nothing worth talking about for the agricultural com- munity. They appointed a Royal Com- mission to inquire into the facts about agricultural depression, but when that Commission recommended legislation on one subject of pressing importance, viz., that of local taxation, and a Bill was drafted to carry out those recommendations, the only answer given by Sir W. HARCOURT was to head a holy war against the measure. That there was not even unanimity in the ranks bf the Opposition is obvious in the division lists. Some nine Liberals voted in favour of the principle of the Bill on the second reading, and even, after all the efforts of the whips, several Liberals voted for the third reading. The explanation of this action on the part of some members of the Opposition is clear. These gentlemen sit for rural constituencies which have felt the agricultural depression very severely. They knew quite well that the Opposition to the Bill has been factious and dishonest, and that if they had voted against it they would have paid the penalty with their seats. Sir W. HARCOURT has evidently the idea that he and his friends can raise a great agitation against the Government for the introduction and passing of the Rating Bill. In the towns, perhaps, some political capital may be made at first by dint of misrepresentation and loose state- ments. But, in the long run, full dis- cussion of the whole rating question will do nothing but good. The general injustice of the present system of rating is notorious. The Government have determined to in- quire into the whole matter, and, in the meanwhile, they have only done bare iustioe to the admitted inequalities under • • 1 Whv are the clergy not loved ? cries the Westminster (lazette, and its readers have lashed themselves into a positive fury in the effort to answer the question from various points of view. It seems to us, however, that the question should have been put—supposing it was worth putting at all- in another form, and we should have recom- mended the omission of the first word. It is assuming- too much to ask why the clergy are not loved before you have taken the trouble to find out whether they are loved or not. For our own part, we believe that the great majority of the clergy are loved, at any rate, in those vast districts of countryside and pastoral lands which lie outside the big towns. And in the big towns themselves we believe the clergy are loved, intensely loved, by those with whom they come in contact. We are perfectly aware that there are many unpopular clergymen. It would be a very wonderful thing if there were not. The Church of England (pace the Ü Anglicans") is a very young institution. It is all very well for learned men and enthusiasts to quote Augustine, and to make out that the Church of England is older than the Church of Rome, but the ordinary non-historical man in the street thinks of her as having been instituted by HENRY VIII. Moreover, he knows that during the last century she slept a profound, and, if we may say so. a brutalising sleep..tie has read enough to know there were pluralists, hunting parsons, debauched parsons, evil livers who brought the very word '"parson" into such contempt that it has not been able to lift its head out of its bad repute even yet, so that it is almost rude, it is certainly imperh'nently familiar, to call a clergyman 'u to his face. The great Church revival dates only from yesterday. Practi- cally it was inaugurated when the QUEEX came to the Throne, and the long years of neglect into which all Church work had fallen are still bearing their fruit. There are survivals of the wicked old days amongst us yet. We are unable to prevent a clergyman whose living is in his own gift from passing it on to his son, and if his son happens to be a fool or a knave, there is at once a festering wound which does incalcul- able damage to the whole body of the Church, and gives scoffers just the oppor- tunity they want. And then we have amongst us also many haughty parsons— by which we mean men who have an altogether wrong and distorted view of their office; men who claim too much who look upon themselves not as descendants of the humble fishermen of Galileebut as heirs to some miraculous supernatural power of an autocratic kind. These men work havoc amongst just that class who would be most valuable soldiers of the Church militant. They are not more intelligent, not better read, not broader minded than the rest of us, but .they give themselves the airs of Gamaliels, and would be insulted if we called them minor prophets. And then there are the snob parsons, men to whom a garden party is of vastly greater import- ance than a death-bed, and a dinner than any office of the Church. Of these we would rather not speak. But when all's said the types we have enumerated are a very insignificant minority of the clergy. It is no marvel if these and such as these are not loved, nor is their being disliked a symptom of human depravity. Very much the contrary. But, apart from these, how many thousands of good men are there serving the Church in every capacity to the full extent of their powers, true servants of Christ, true servants of their fellow-men, giving of their little to help those who have less giving their lives, their health, their comfort in the service of their poor brothers and sisters. And these are loved. Loved as no other man, except [[perhaps doctors, can hope to be. Nay, they are loved more warmly than doctors, for at the back of our affection for a good doctor there is always just a little spice of fear but our affection for a self-sacrificing priest is pure of all dross. It is quite possible that the parson himself may go to his grave without ever knowing how his people have loved him, for we are not a demonstrative race. But one thing is quite certain. If any individual j clergyman is not loved it is his own individual fault. We are all ready to love anybody who shows himself to be love- worthy.

IT is wonderful how silent the Opposition remains upon the subject of trade. The Government have been in office for a year, and during that year we have the interest- ing fact, patent to all, that trade has been getting better and better. How to distract the British working-man from the contem- plation of this result of a Unionist Govern- ment, is naturally one of the great problems of the Liberal leaders. A conspiracy of silence, therefore, as to the state of trade, is one expedient, and some desperate assaults upon the good name and fame of the landed interests is another. All these dodges may be thought clever and useful by party leaders, but they cannot divert the minds of men who live by employment from the reflection that work is to be had now for good wages, which was not to be had at all in the lean years of the late Liberal Government. Take the recent returns of the revenue for the last three months, and we shall find that they reflect very faithfully the increased spending power of the people. People do not spend unless they are earning, and a net increase of one million six hundred and twenty-eight thousand and fifty pounds during the last quarter, as compared with the correspond- ing period of 1895, is the best possible proof that the country is enjoying the most solid and substantial benefits of a settled Government. The Customs and the Excise have both yielded a large increase, and the productiveness of these departments is universally admitted to be the best evidence of diffused prosperity. More tea, more wine, more tobacco have been cleared for home consumption during the past five months, and if some of this must be put down to ihe action of the licensed victuallers last year in view of the Budget, still the general characteristic of the present year is still that of increasing yields of Revenue. The Post Office and Telegraph returns all tell the same tale. If the succeeding quarters of the year keep up to the yield of the first quarter, the Chancellor of the Exchequer may hope to handle a surplus next year which will equal that which he had the good fortune to announce on the introduction of the Budget. +

NOTES BY THE WAY. We are asked to remind intending exhibitors that the entries for the Welshpool Flower Show should be sent in to the Secretary on or before Monday, July 20th. We understand that Mr Pierce, photographer, Machynlleth, intends issuing a souvenir of the recent Royal visit, which will be illustrated with views and photographs of the most interesting ceremonies and the principal actors in the f'"nriin!fI. Among the many enterprising steps which the Cambrian Railways Cnmpnny are taking with the view of popularising rhe district through which the line passes, is the is-ue of weekly season tickets enabling tourists to travel by all trains and between an coast station, including Machynlleth and Dol- gelley. The ticket covers a distance of 1,000 miles, and is available for seven days. The price for first- class passengers is 25s. and for third class 15s. This is one of the most important concessions ever granted to Welsh tourists, and it is hoped that it will result in making the many delightful spots on Cardigan Bay better known. # # The perfect tact which comes from kindliness of heart is the prerogative of princes. That the heir to the throne possesses it in liberal measure all the world knows, but he has seldom shown it more gracefully than in the letter he sent to Major Pryce- Jones, M.P., which we have been asked to publish, anent the passage of the Royal train through the gaily decorated and crowded station at Xewtown. The townspeople will doubtless be as much pleased at this evidence of Royal consideration for their feelings as they would have beenhal the Prince's train steamed through the station ft the slowest pace possible. The boys of the Liverpool raining ship Indefatigable will go into camp in Brogyntyn Park, Oswestry, on Tuesday next. The last time the boys visited Oswestry was in Jity, 1893, when they made themselves exceedingly ppular with the townspsople, their camp being a ce tre of interest during their short stay. Favourd with good weather the boys should have a plevant time of it. At a meeting of the Welsh FootaH League at Oswestry on Saturday, Wrexham all Whitchurch gave notice of withdrawal from tP League and Welshpool United was admitted to t League. The other teams in the League are theDruids, Chirk, Oswestry, Rhos, Westminster Roves! Flint, Rhos- tyllen, Aberystwyth, and Newtown. Our Oswestry readers will hear ¡'ith regret of the intended departure from OswefTy of Mr N. E. Tidy. Mr Tidy has been connecte with Lloyd's Bank for about six years, during to of which he has acted as manager. Througho; that time he has made himself extremely popiar) taking an active interest in local affairs. H promotion to Shrewsbury proves he is a tborou,A business man, and we are sure that his many frilds in Oswestry wish him every success in his lar/r and more im- portant sphere of work. By the kind permission of t3 Dean, a Welsh Choral Evensong will be give in Canterbury Cathedral on Saturday next at.b p. m. by the Welsh choir and congregation ofCerkeIey Chapel, Mayfair, assisted by a few friend Arrangements have been made with the Soutastern Railway Co. whereby adults will be coi2vdd to Canterbury and back for 4s., children half ice, by the train leaving Charing Cross at 1.15 p. i All friends are invited to join the excursion, argood voices for the choir will be heartily w(orQe. Railway tickets may be had on applictoll to Chas. T. Saer, Esq., 4, St. Mark's cscent, Regent's Park, N. W. An organ recitalVill be given in Berkeley Chapel, Mayfair, by r- Arthur Bly, Mus. Bac., F. R. C. 0.. on Sundaevening July 19, at 6 30 p. m. Vocalists Sopra" Madame Edith Wynne and Miss Katie Thomas,. A. M.; contralto, Miss Lily Heale, R, A, M.; barit, Mr. Dan Price, Vicar Choral of Westminster APY; violinist, The Sister Isabel. A collection" be made at the close of the recital in aid of the elsh Choir Fund. The Paris correspondent of t Daily News in a recent article gives a description the commercial condition of France under Protean, as though such condition is to be attributed tot aintenance of that fiscal system. Whilst the poS|>n of affairs is cer- tainly deplorable, we feel that unfortunate error has been made in selecting agtn instance of the evils of Protection," a courty whose national motto seems to be let us eat:'rink) and be merry, for to-morrow we die." It absurd to give one instance-and that a very fge one-of a country where Protection has failed, villst we have the United States and Germany; Iggessing the same fiscal system, yet whose corncial prosperity is almost without parallel in TIlO times. Franc e, notably, is distinguished not for,,e the perseverance and industry, but for,tlielassitle and gaiety, of its people. # At a general meeting of thechynlleth Recep- tion Committee held on Mond-at the Town Hall a resolution conveying to theTarchioness (D) of Londonderry the thanks of thnhabitants for the honour she had conferred npO\e town by enter- taining the Royal party, and sconouring Machyn- lleth by their presence, was "nimously (passed; and it was also decided that cok of the resolution should be circulated amongl the inhabitants. Lady Londonderry is much relcted for her kind acts, and we join heartily in t ^a(- s^e may long be spared to live amongsthe people whom she loves. *#* Machynlleth Radical Council] t are in a predica- ment. Deserted alike by frientind foeg they are unable to form a quorum, anconsequently no work can be done. There is n°sgity t0 remind the Radical Councillors of amoun^ 0f work that lies awaiting their attentii They have not made any advance during ta t and are in the same place as t, decided to get rid of Mr. David Evans r clerkship They have a majority over thtonservatives, and a quorum might easily be fo ed if their own members stuck to their gnn^ .g & remarbable coincidence that whenever a m* CoQncil is called, there are certain me«l Radical party unable to be present home or other causes, home present at the meeting on lue de8ignated the conduct of the Conservatives at.. Jing childish, and that they were doing that « h, at some future time, they would regret.. „ j-H'iiat about their own party r Are thevregrettu .(.he part they took in ousting from office a gentien 6 ,B ..of Mr. Evans's integrity, that they fail to puc An appearance at the ordinary meetings of the r e yncil. These are questions which the Radical i „„iincillor does not care to touch, because thev cul mi i n- "e Jithe quick in his own case. The holding or u n ^'nation meetings was suggested in order that I. A cfu r< -ii childish" atti- tude of the Councillors migHt 3 exposed to the public, who, we are persuaaea, with the position ot f Radicals can recall their wandt an u° 1 „ s to the fold they have no special grievance to i», as to the treatment they are ore 1 e Pu 10 of their foes. nng at the hands At their meeting on Tnesd Town Council passed resolutioi^^e Aberystwy borough surveyor (Mr. Rees jpmplimenting the constable (Mr. Howell Evan/3) and the chief manner in which they carrion the excellent fell to their lot on the occasi^ the work that of the royal party to the towi* *he recent visit that the conduct of the people All were agreed was excellent, but there was tthe 26th of June opinion as to the cause of febt difference o Councillor Thomas thought it)1 good behaviour. ing given in Sunday and Da1 <^ue to the train homes of the people, whilst bhools and in the sought a solution of the po^rman Dough ton was due in a great measure toy stating that it were no drinking booths en »e fact that there ever opinions might be held t streets. What to the influences that acted -dlese gentlemen as is every reason for being t ^lie crowd there ended so satisfactorily. ikful thafc matfcers J A discussion took place at the ordinary meeting of thoCuersws Board of Guardians upon the ques- tion of out-relief, in the course of which one member stated that he saw one of their paupers at Aberystwyth on the occasion of the recent Royal visit, whilst another member surprised the Board with the information that the same pauper shortly after being granted out-relief was able to purchase for her son a zE12 bicycle. It is almost unnecessary to add that the meeting immediately ordered the out-relief to be stopped. The extent to which extreme Radicals will some- times display their antipathy to Churchmen is astounding. At the last meeting of the Board of Guardians a case again came before the Board which has for some time past been a source of conflict between the more tolerant members and those who are diametrically opposed in their views to a reason able policy. Unfortunately there happens to be an inmate of the Workhouse, an old sea captain named Evans. This man, the story goes, deserted his children at a tender age, leaving them to battle with life as best they could. The son became a student and by dint of hard work and the assistai. ce of borrowed money to pay for his education, rose to the position of a Curate in the Church of England. When it was discovered that the father had a son holding a post in Holy Orders, every effort was made by certain members of the Board to compel him to pay something towards the mainten- ance of his parent. The more humane members of the Board refused to support such a proposal, deeming it unjust, and totally at variance with the principle that is generally followed in the levying of maintenance charges, and on Monday the pro- posal was negatived by a large majority. Mr. John Jenkins was, however, not satisfied with this, but asked that the Local Government Board should be called upon to state a ca-e. Mr. Jenkins is appar- ently one of those persons who would have justice at any price and he would force this young man, who has to support his wife and family, as well as his mother, and who has not yet finished paying for his education, to contribute some sum towards the maintenance of a man who it is alleged, has been to his children father only in name.

-+- WELSHPOOL. D. JONES & SON'S Indian and Ceylon Tea, at 2s. per lb. is absolutely pure, therefore best.-Noted Home Cured Ham and Bacon Stores, High Street. -[A dvt.-I, FREAK OF NATURE.—We have been shown a chicken, hatched this week by Mr Nevin, of Fir Tree Cottage, Pwllvglo, possessing one head, four wings, and also four legs. LOCAL SUCCESS.—At Llangollen show on Thurs- day Mr. W. Forrester Addie was successful in securing first prize in the competition for saddle horses from amongst 21 competitors, and third in the class for harness horses, in which there were nine entrants. PRIMROSE LEAGUE FETE.—The annual fete in connection with the Powis Habitation of the Prim- rose League has been fixed for the 30th inst. and will take place by the kind permission of Mrs Naylor at Leighton Hall. The committee in charge of the arrangements are actively engaged in preparing a very attractive programme. Fuller particulars will appear in our next issue. PRIMITIVE METHODIST CTIAPEL.-Rev. T. 11. Maland, the esteemed superintendent of Welsbpool Circuit, who, by his business ability, pastoral over- sight and warm-hearted generosity, has earned many friends during his residence in the town, took his departure on Thursday, in order to enter upon his work as superintendent of the Maccles- field Circuit. ST. MARY'S SUNDAY SCHOOL FESTIVAL. — As will be seen by our advertising columns, the Church Sunday Schools intend holding their annual Festival to-morrow, when special services will be held and sermons preached in the Parish Church. In the afternoon the usual Children's Flower Service will be held, when contributions of flowers, fruit, eggs, and cards will be received and sent to various hospitals. On Thursday next the annual treat will take place which this year, as last, assumes the form of a trip to A berystwyth and it is hoped it will be as successful as its predecessors. CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.-On Thursday, the younger scholars of the Sunday School, who, by reason of their youth, were unable to go to Aberys- twyth with the recent Nonconformist trip, were entertained to tea, in lieu thereof, and enjoyed themselves immensely. THE DISPENSARY.—The following is the sixty- ninth annual report of the Welshpool Dispensary for the year ending June 30th, to be presented at the next meeting:—" The Committee desire to return their thanks to the Misses Luxmoore for their handsome donation of £ 40; also to the Welshpool Christy Minstrels for £14 4s 9d., which includes donations shown on receipt column of £ 8 6s; and to the Ball Committee for £ 10 19s Id, which includes donations shown on receipt column of £ 7 6s; and also those parishes which have made collections in aid of the dispensary, as well as again to express a hope that those parishes which have not had collections may be induced in future to do so, and so support this institution. The Committee regret to report that in spite of the special con- tributions above alluded to, they have been obliged to withdraw as much as £ 20 from the Savings Bank during the year. The number of subscribers has diminished, and, through the above circum- stances, tend to cripple the funds of the institution. The Committee desire to thank the Medical Officers for the valuable services they have so generously given during the past year. The number of sub- scribers this year is 49, as compared with 51 last year. The number admitted during the year has been 815, to which must be added 99 from the previous year, making a total of 914. who made 5,563 attendances, yielding an average of 107 per week, against 101 last year. There were 811 patients discharged during the year, and 103 remain under treatment. The number of pre- scriptions was 7,683, an average of 147 per week as compared with 120 the previous year. The number of patients admitted in 1896 was 815, and the income zE72 6s; whereas the number of patients admitted in the year 1880 was 422, when the income was S139 17s. The following members of the Committee retire by rotation :-Rev J. S. Lewis, Messrs R. J. Edmunds, Chas. E. Howell, and David Jones, but eligible for re-election. The Committee deeply deplore the loss of the late Mr C. W. W. Wynn, COl. Huddleston, and Col. Harrison. Owing to the death of the latter there is a vacancy on the Committee.— D. H. MYTTON, Chairman. FELONY.—J^hn Goodwin, army pensioner, who was only discharged from the army in January last with a good character, was brought up in custody yesterday, charged with stealing on the 8th inst. a quantity of jewellery to the value of £ 1 13s., the property of James Jones, hawker, Welshpool. It appeared that the' two men, along with a man named O'Brien, were drinking together on the morning in question at the Green Dragon Inn, when Jones left them in order to fetch a parcel from the Post Office. On his return he asked Mr. Owen, the landlord, to be allowed to leave it in his custody for a while. Permission being granted, the men left together. In the afternoon prisoner and said he had been asked by Jones to take him the parcel left there in the morning; it was there- upon given up, and it was only half-an-hour after the prisoner's departure that the theft was dis- covered. A warrant was thereupon issued for the prisoner's apprehension. P.C. Price (Montgomery) found that a man had left a parcel at the Booking Office, Montgomery, and thereupon gave instruc- tions to detain the man on his returning for the things. The constable afterwards went to Abermule in search of the prisoner, and on return- ing to Montgomery he found that the railway officials had had the prisoner locked up in the mean- tjme Prisoner pleaded guilty, and said he wished to be dealt with summarily.—Messrs. W. Rogers and Maurice Jehu sentenced him to three weeks' imprisonment with hard labour. COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS, Monday.—Before Messrs S. Powell, E. R. James, and E. Green.—The first case down for hearing was that of P.C. G. Owen v. Samuel Diggory and Thomas Williams, in which 19 Mr. E. Maurice Jones appeared for the defendants. —Seeing that at the opening of the Court there were only two Magistrates on the Bench Mr. Maurice Jones protested against the case being proceeded with, saying that he would like another magistrate present who could hear. To proceed with the case would be very unsatisfactory to the public, seeing that there were magistrates present in the Town Hall who could hear it.- Walter Evans was then charged by P.C. G. Owen with being drunk and disorderly at Forden on the 13th ult. Defendant, who pleaded guilty, was fined 5s., including costs.-Mr. E. Green having taken his seat on the Bench in the meantime P.C. Owen now laid his charge against Diggory and Williams, that they, on the 5th ult., were wandering about at Forden with no visible means of subsist- ence, with lodging in an out-house, and not giving a good account of themselves. The officer stated that on the morning in question, about 12.45, he searched the outbuilding at, the Cock Inn, Forden, and found defendants in a hay-loft over the stable, both being very drunk. Williams was undressed. Diggory being partly so. On searching their clothes lie found a pipe au Diggory.-Cros.examined by Mr. Maurice Jones, witness stated that he knew defendants well. His reason for searching them was to see if they had any visible means of sub- sistence. He was not aware that Diggorv was a servaut at the Cock Inn two days before. Williams lived on the other side of tlus road from the Cock Inn. The Bench having announced that the case was disaiissed, Mr. Maurice Jones was about to further address the Court, when D.C.C. Crowden. interrupting, appealed to the Bench.—Mr. Maurice Jones; Please sit down, Mr. Crowdec; you have no need to put your bill in.—D.C.C. Crowdeu If 1 am irregular you are. The case has concluded.— Mr. Maurice Jones submitted that cases of that kind were frequently brought up by the police, out of wanton annoyance. -D.C.C. Crowden They brought it on themselves.—The Court then rose. DEATH OF MR. HARRY RUDGE.—We regret to have to announce that the accident to Ir. Harry Eudge, of the Mermaid Inn. which it was our melancholy duty to chronicle in our last issue, terminated fatally on Monday afternoon, the in- juries which Mr. Rudge received being of such a serious nature that the medical gentlemen in at- tendance had to give up the case as a hopeless one early in the day. Mr. Rudge, who was only thirty- four, leaves a widow and four children to mourn his premature death, and universal sympathy is felt with them in their bereavement. The deceased was very widely known and greatly respected. having- by his kind and genial disposition won a large circle of frisnds. In the racing world he was an adept, and a thorough sportsman, and his familiar figure at local gatherings will be much missed. The funeral took place on Thursday after- noon at Christ Church burial ground amidst everv manifestation of esteem and respect and was largely attended. On the coffin were placed a goodly number of floral tributes from sympathising friends. The funeral service was impressively conducted by Rev D. Stephens. The blinds were drawn on the windows of private houses cn route to Christ Church, and business establishments were partially closed. The cortege started from the residence at 4-30 p.m. in the following order:— Members of the Prince Llewelyn" Lodge of Druids (of which the deceased was a member), attired in their full regalia; a deputation from the Conservative Working Men's Club; several borough magistrates, and many of the rrincipal tradesmen of the town and others the coffin, borne on a bier, and covered with beautiful wreaths mourners, in- eluding a brother and two sons of the deceased. Among those present we noticed Messrs D. P. Owen, J.P., David Jones, J.P., G. E. Evans, C. H. Morris (Medical Hall), T. Griffiths, G. Stafford, W. Wynne. John Eddowes, John Roberts, Pattick, C. Galloway, James Fortune, James Davies, John Hickman, C. and Edgar Hickman, Aaron Watkin, E. Langford Jones, Herbert Mills, John Jones, M. H. Thomas (Red Lion), T. J. Bratton (Eagles), David Richards (Royal Oak), J. L. Lloyd (Newtown), Walter Williams, Jones (joiner), G. Rogers (coachbuilder), 09 G. M. Parry, B. Brick (Foxes), Roberts (Lletty- gynfach, Forden). George Davies, Geo. Richards, Jones (Railway Tavern), Hugh Williams (Cross Keys), Smith, Greenfield, T. Evans (Buck), T. Ellis (Talbot), Dd Evans, John Francis (Pheasant), J. Owen (butcher), F. Oliver (Grapes), Smith (High-street), C. Stockton (Gullet), James, William, and Hugh Baker, T. Rowley Morris, Robert Jones (tailor), C. Jerman, Gough, Richard James (Chelsea Lane), Phillips, Richard Pryce, T. Davies (Boot), Charles Beddoes, Job Turner, Raynor (trainer), Vaughan (timber merchant), John Higgins (But- tington), Leach (Cwm), etc. The streets were lined with sympathetic spectators, and an immense number congregated in the churchyard. Upwards of 50 beautiful wreaths were sent as tokens of respect and sympathy by sorrowing friends. The arrangements were carried out in an excellent manner by the undertaker, Mr Aaron Watkin, who supplied the coffin, which was of polished oak with massive brass furniture. DEATH OF A WELL-KNOW^- TRAINER.-It is with deep regret that we have to record the death of Mr Anthony Cowley the much-respected trainer, which took place at Hendrehen, Guilsfield, on Sunday morning last, who up to the time of his death trained for Col. Heyward. For this gentleman he prepared Ordovix winner of the Crawford Plate in 1885, and the Egremont Plate at Epsom in the following year, Sabrina winner of the Epsom Plate and Royal Stakes in 1891, and the Leicester Handicap Maraovia who as a two-year- old caused quite a sensation when she won the great Sapling stakes at Sandown Park, beating for the first time the great Welphois who had won upwards of Cll,000 that year, and the following day secured the Hook Plate and as a three-year- old won the great Surrey Handicap at Epsom, as well- as Kentigun and other hores, which carried the white and black cross and yellow cap" of Col. Heyward successfully. Born at Exeter on July 2nd 1836, his father being a great hunting man, Mr Cowley was as it were reared with the racers of those days, and when about ten years old he, with the well-known Mr. John Porter of Kingsclere, was apprenticed to Mr John Day, the famous trainer, and at the age of 12 rode his first winner. He soon rose to fame, and was afterwards Hockey to Sir Joseph Hawley's stable. About 30 years ago he was living at Beckhampton but left there to go to Wroughton with Mr Stinton who then trained for Mr E. Brayley, for whom he rode many winners. Upon the death of Mr Stinton, deceased took over the entire training of Mr Bray ley's horses at Heddington, near Calne, Wiltshire, where he pre- pared Endsleigh (winner of the Great Metropolitan in 1867), Casse Fete (winner of the Liverpool Grand National of 1872), Mornington (who won the City and Suburban, Lewes Handicap, and Great Metropolitan of 1873), and so great was the success of the red and yellow cap that the owner once professed to be tired of winning. Mr Cowley also trained for Mr Henry Davenport, of Maen Hall, Staffordshire. He then went to Germany to train for Baron Jude Brockendorf, for whom he won seven out of nine principal races in six months. Two of the horses he trained were the celebrated Cassar and Tollings. Having left Germany, he returned to his native country and after spending some time in Epsom came to train for Colonel Hey- ward. He leaves a widow, one son, and a daughter to mourn his loss, for whom much sympathy is felt. The funeral of the veteran jockey and trainer took place on Thursday last when his remains were laid to rest in the little churchyard at Guilsfield and was largely attended.

THE LATE MR. J. VAUGHAN JONES, THE FIRS, SHREWSBURY. We regret to announce the death of Mr John Yaughan Jones, of the Firs, Shrewsbury, formerly of Bryntirion, Llanfair, which took place on Wed- nesday week, at the age of sixty-five. He was held in great respect at Llaufair, having occupied the position of class-leader in the Wesleyan Church for many years. Although Mr Jones had been ailing for years, the end came very suddenly as he was able to go about, and was in town half-an-hour before he died on Wednesday. The funeral took place on Saturday, when the remains were interred in the family vault in the Llanfair churchyard. The body was brought by road from Shrewsbury. The mourners came in carriages from Welshpool, and joined the funeral procession there. They were:— Messrs William Jones, Sutton Lodge (brother-in- law), R. E. Jones, Radnor House (nephew), Ewd. Whitfield Jones, Shrewsbury (nephew), E. Hughes. Morriston (brother-in-law), Edward Hughes, Aber- ffrydlan, Llanwrin (brother-in-law), Ellis O. Jones, Welshpool (brother-in-law), and R. H. and Alfred Jones, Welshpool (nephews). The officiating ministers were Rev Edward Jones (W), Llanfair and Thomas Hughes, Bethesda, Carnarvonshire. Wreaths were sent by the relatives at Sutton Lodge and Radnor House, Shrewsbury, Miss Thomas Welshpool, Mr and Mrs E. O. Jones, and family, Miss Hopwood, The Firs, Lady Williams, Brook St, Grosvenor Square, London, Mr and Mrs S. Evans, Berlin House, Misses Worthy and Gladys Jones, Radnor House, &c.,&c. The bearers were the ten- ants and others, and the nndertakers Messrs Sauinal Evans and Co., Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury.

SHOCKING ACCIDENT AT A LEVEL CROSSING. A shocking fatality is reported to have oc- curred on the railway near Graz, in Styria. A party of seven workmen and women from the cigarette factory at Gosting had (says the Daily Aeu's correspondent) spent the night in Graz, danc- ing and drinking, At four o'clock on Wednesday morning they took a fiacre to return home. Five crowded inside, and two seated themselves with the coachman on the box. They attempted to cross the line just as the express from Trieste came along. Before the engine could be stopped the carriage had been struck, and had been pushed forward on the line for a long distance. When the train was brought to a standstill it was seen that a heap of bleeding humanity lay on the rails, with one horse torn to pieces and the other pluugiug wildly. All those who were in the carriage had been killed. The coachman was only slightly hurt but the two men who were with him are seriously injured. The line it appears was not shut off from the road, the watchman having fallen asleep.

LORD SALISBURY ON PHILAN- THROPIC EFFORT. At a meeting of 1he East London Church Fundon Tnursd.-ty. Lord Salisbury said: Jt was a strange thing thai Christian n'ppeals to high and spi itual cons.defaiio:is or even cmisideiations of pure philanthropy failed to extract from the supporters of good works in that town sufficient means for the work to be carried on. They had to follow some- thing m"re mundane before they could procure sufficient means for the work. It was a strange sort of compromise that before a man would support a great ho-pifal he required to eat a bad dinner and listen to very indiffeient speeches (laughter and cheeis.) Before men would support some great work of beneficeuce dealing with the sorest maladies which afflict humanity, they must have a ball or a garden party. There must always be some secondarv machinery. The largest efforts a Christian makes he makes in response to an organisation, by which he is invited to purchase worthless articles at ridiculous prices. He could not help feeling that there is something wrong in the state of Christian feeling among the laity which made those strange devices necessary (hear, hear). He even felt his own presence tLere, though in a modified degree, on that platform to be, perhaps, a reflection upon the power which their bishop and those who supported him ought to exercise without any such assistance. Suppose he asked him to come down with him in an hour's time and discuss the Agricultural Rating Bill. He would respond to him that his life bad not been cast in those pleasant places where they dealt with assessments and ratings, and that he knewjnothing about it. It was a stringe contrast to what took place in the earlier days of Christianity, when they read in St Paul's ex- 0 hortation to the Corinthians to send relief to their suffering fellow Christians in Jerusalem. They know that he was not addressing to them a strin- gent exhortation, or holding before them a higher ideal, or requiring from them a more necessary work than was required from them everyday by the clergy who were over them in this metropolis. Yet they did not read that he found it necessary to hold a bazaar or to have a charity dinner or even a public meeting. with a Roman magistrate to make a speech (laughter). Now there was no doubt that the money wanted was the great want to which the laity was to look. He did not think that the best way or the most effective way after all was by means of those various circuitous and illegiti- mate means to which he had alluded. He believed that the laity of the Church ought to organise themselves sufficiently to take a large part of the collecting business out of the hands of the clerev and off the shoulders of those who had higher and more spiritual work to do. They might say trulv. as men said of old times, that it was not their business to serve at table (hear, hear). The organisation, of course, must be one of mutual influence. In the Middle Ages there were great societies who were called Mendicant Friars. He was afraid they were only begging for them-. selves; but if they could have Mendicant Friars and Mendicant Sisters in these days, whose business was not to beg for themselves but to collect money for the great works of the Church-works of beneficence and humanity—they would relieve those who were already borne to the earth by the work they had to do. and they would give an impulse to every high and holy undertaking which now it did not receive from the curious and circuitous contrivances to which he had referred (cheers.) A bazaar, or a dinner, or a ball might furnish a portion of the money that was required, but it satisfied no self-discipline, it left no feeling of devotion, or of gratitude, or of beneficence be- hind. It did the largest amount of material good with the smallest amount of moral improvement (cheers.) He need not dwell upon the need which was presented by that work. The Bishop had already pointed out to them in what that need con- sisted. It consisted in the strange dislocation which the working of natural causes had produced in that vast community. It was natural in the first in- stance for men of all conditions to live together, but when they began to crowd then, naturally, men of like condition fell into the neighbourhood of each other until they had the gigantic separation of which the Metropolis was a melancholy example. Un- fortunately, that was not the only evil, The prob- lem was not only difficult, but it was constantly increasing in severity. He thought some in- genious statesman had calculated that a very fair- sized congregation was added to the Metropolis every month, and for that means had to be found. It was in their hands-in the hands of the laity-to find those means, not only by opening their own purses, but by doing what they could to induce others to open their purses also. He believed that the politicians had a great stake in the success of these efforts, and that they had every ground, even for the lowest reasons, to desire that sach a fund as this should be a success (cheers). They were surrounded, crowded in, and embarrassed by the number of social questions that beset them. Many remedies that were sug- gested might be wild, many efforts might represent much emotion and little thought, but they all pointed to this—that there was a great need, that there was a tdrrible and increasing amount, he would not say of physical suffering, he did not know at this moment whether that was increasing or diminishing, but he was afraid that he was perfectly safe in saying that there was an increas- ing amount of moral and spiritual destitution in their midst. The sole hope that they really had of solving these graat social problems was in the action of religion. Parliamentary devices might do much to remove obstacles, or encourage men in the right path, but after all if the welfare and happi- ness of the masses of men were to be increased, if the rising tide of misery was to be kept down, it could only be by self help, and self help was one one of the most certain and the most remarkable fruits of the growing power of the Christian religion. The Temperance which avoided evil and excess, the thrift which provided for the perfor- mance of all civic duties, their Bishop had already told them that these were the two great civic virtues which the machinery sustained by the East London Fund, taught to all men. It was in these virtues that the solution of their great moral pro- blems lay, it was by these virtues, nurtured, produced, and sustained by Christians, that they might hope gradually, as generations go on, that misery would be repressed and ignorance bamished from among them.

A FEROCIOUS DOG. R150 DAMAGES AGAINST THE OWNER. The case of Slade v. Hawkins came before Mr Justice Lawrence and a common jury in the Queen's Bench Division on Thursday, it being an action brought by the plaintiff to recover damages for personal injuries sustained by him through a St. Bernard dog belonging to the defendant. The plaintiff, Henry Slade, in August last year, was working for a contractor named Simmonds in laying 13' down drains. On the 22nd the plaintiff was at work in the garden adjoining that of the defendant, and his foreman, seeing the defendant's servant in the garden, told her that they would be at work in that house on the following morning, and asked her to have the dog secured. On the following morn- ing, at six o'clock, the plaintiff and a fellow work- man asked the same woman if the dog was secured, and she replied in the affirmative. On returnino- to work there after breakfast the plaintiff got on to a low shed which was erected iu the garden adjoining the defendant's, when the defendant's dog rushed at him with open jaws, and to save him- self the plaintiff hurriedly jumped over the fence the result being that he fractured his leg in two places, and his knee wasserionsly injured. In con- sequence of his injuries, the plaintiff was an inmate of a hospital from August 23rd until October 18th, when he underwent three operations. Evidence was called to prove that the defendant mast have known ot the ferocious nature of the dog, as his wife told a workman who was formerly at work at the house not to open the yard door as the dog would tear him to pieces. The jury awarded the plaintiff R150 damages. Judgment accordingly. I

REGISTRATION OF VOTERS. In our article on this subject in our last issue a line was inadvertently omitted. The whole should read, If a person has occupied qualifying premises in one part of a constituency for a portion of this twelvemonths, and other premises in the same constituency for the other portion of the twelve months, he is eligible to be placed on the new list as a successive occupier in the parish in whieh u is residing on July 15th." mch he ——♦ —

The annual meeting of the North W-.l** u of the British Medical Association wa* i? Thuisday at Llandudno. The annnoi on was read by Dr Jones Morris, stated rE"' Whieh bers of the branch now numbered 1 mem- there was a balance in hand of £ 60 n-t' thafc (Dr R. Williams, of Liverpool) deait in from the chair with the question Jr address He complained of the extent to wf m.edlcaJ charity- who had to earn thei/L^VL^S™1 me"n were imposed upon, and offered J Profession, for the present condition of thin fmedieS however, the essential need greater loyalty and co-operati™ V I f medical men themselves °a part °

CONTENTS OF INNER PAGES. PAGE 2. Aberystwyth, Machynlleth, Caersws, Newtown, Llanmerewig, and Churchstoke news. PAGE 3. Berriew, Selattyn, Whittington, Oswestry, Welsh- pool, and Llantair news; Parliamentary Jubilee Nurses at Windsor. PAGE 6. Cricket, Chess, Cycling Notes, The Royal Visit, Correspondence, Ac. PAGH 7. Agricultural Notes, Markets, Items for Ladies.