The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

CRICKET FIXTURES. I (All matches played on the ground ojthe I first-named Club.) AUGUST. 1 j 8—Guilsfield v. R. W. W. 13-0s\Vctrv v. Guilsfield I 15—Guilsfield v. Newtown J 20—Gnilsfitfld v. Welshpool 21- Montgomery v. Guilsfield 22-Gubowen v. Llanymynech 28-Newtown v. Guiisfield 29—R. W. W. v. Guilsfield j 29—Montgomery v. Llanymynech SEPTEMBER. 5—Llanymynech v. Montgomery 12 —Llanymynech v. Welshpool 19—Oswestry A Team v. Llanymynech -+-

COUNTY CRICKET. At Kennington Oval on Saturday, Sufey com- pleted a decisive victory over Yorksh^e by an innings and 61 runs. The Warwickshire qd Hamp- shire m ltoh was drawn. Warwickshire declared their second innings closed at the luncton hour, when the total was 242 for five wickos, leaving their opponents 302 to get to win. Whn stumps were drawn Hampshire had made 172 f five. The Sussex and Notts match at Brighton was,]go drawn. When play concluded, the home county had seven wickers to fall and wanted 100 to win. ianjitsinhji was not out 100. The Canterbury week opened ,)Q Monday with a match between Lancashire andKent. The home county won the toss, and were aithe wickets all day. They had scored 384 and hal one wicket still in hand when play ceased for thi day. Two centuries were made, Mason scoriig 115 and Rashleigh 109. The Australians, pladng at Bir- mingham against Warwickshire, were also at the wickets all day. and scored 339, of hi('h Darling made 105. In the Surrey and Nottsmatch, which opened at the Oval, he play was vey oue-sided. Notts were all got out for 69, and Surrey then made 162 for three. Richardson tookseven wickets for 22. Somerset and Middlesex me at Taunton. The home eleven scored 248, and Mildlesex in the last few minutes made eleven for o wicket. At Leicester the match between Essex Ind the home county was somewhat interfered witi by rain. The visitors won the toss, and scored 1)4 for eight. Hampshire, playing against Derbyshre, soored 150, and the other side made 107 for fou\ Gloucester- shire and Sussex met at Bristol. Tie home team were at the wickets all day, and icored 341 for three. Grace is 193 not out. A hatch between the" Gentlemon" and "Players" of Yorkshire shire opened at York. The Playersmade 254 and the Gentlemen 147 for five. The Kent eleven concluded ther first innings at Canterbury on Tnesday for 385 tans, and Lanca- shire, after making 237, followod m. Ward and MacLaren had put 011 57 runs wh<a play ceased. The Gloucester and Sussex match a. Bristol will be memorable for the marvellous sc<ring of W. G. Grace who took his overnight score of 193 to 301 —the bi gest innings he has placed since 1876. He was at the wickets eight and a lalf hours, and gave no chance. The county's nnings reached 551, and then Sussex made 132 for three. At the Oval Surrey completed an innings (f 424. As Notts had only made 69 in their first effort, this put them in a hopeless position. Commeniing the second innings in a minority of 355, the Midlanders had made 123 for six at the drawing (f stum ps. The cricket at Taunton was very even. Oi Monday Somer- set made 248, and Middlesex repliedwith 289. At the drawing of stumps at Derby on Tuesday night Hampshire had six wickets to fall and were only 28 runs on, the home county's firs; innings having realised 304. The Warwickshire batting quite broke down before the bowling of Jones and Trumble. The county eleven were twice dismissed during the day, once for 127 and ',he second time for 152, and the Australians were bft with a victory by an innings and 60 rnns. At Lticester the Essex first innings closed for 216. Tie home county were got out for 181, and in th< second innings Essex had, at the drawing of stuiipe, made 120 for one. Tho match between Yorkshire Amateurs and Yorkshire Professionals ended in a, draw. Thanks to the fine batting display by MacLaren at' Canterbury on Wednesday, Lancashire were able to draw their match with Kent in the creditable position of being 245 runs to th) good with four wickets to fall. MacLaren, who was not out 34 on Tuesday night, was batting all diy on Wednesday, and when play ended he was still at the wicket with 226 to his credit, the score being 393 for six. Surrey won the match against Notts by an innings and 115 runs, and Gloucestershire defeated Sussex by an innings and 123 runs within a quarter of an hoar of time. Derbyshire won the match against Hamp- shire at Derby by eight wickets. The Leicestershire and Essex match ended in a draw, and the same fate overtook the Somerset and Middlesex meeting. There was almost a plethora of heavy scoring in the cricket field on Thursday. The Lancashire bowlers were practically powerless against the Leicestershire players, who scored 331 for four wickets. Mr C. de Trafford made 113 runs. Hampshire and Yorkshire met again at Harrogate, and the scoring was poor; the visitors making 176 and the Yorkshiremen 116 for four wickets. Sussex made 395 for five wickets in their match with Somerset at Taunton. Killick made 116 not out, and Ranjitsinhji passed the 2,000 run Ene-the first cricketer who has accomplished the feat this season. Kent entered upon a match with the Australian Eleven. The Colonials scored 310, and Kent lost one wicket for 18 runs. Gloucestershire met Middlesex at Clifton. The visitors played an innings of 279, and Glouces- tershire lost three good wickets for 48. '-+-

CYCLING. T B Y "PGMP HARDER.] When we come to consider what a beautifully fine summer we have been favoured with right np to our great festival of St. Lubbock, it is small wonder that the meetings of directors and others concerned in the welfare of the trade are so emin- ently satisfactory. Except that the roads have been dusty aud loose in places, and this more par- ticularly so where they have been badly constructed in the first place, cyclists have had absolutely nothing to mar their enjoyment. At this particular. period nothing is so essential to the wheelman's holiday as fine weather, for touring in the rain and mud can seldom be pleasant, however much the hardy enthusiast may affect to despise the butter- flies." Disastrous as the effects of the great fire at the Humber Works undoubtedly were, there was a buoyancy shown at the meeting held a few days ago in connection with the company which amounted almost to light-heartedness. In other directions, too, the same breezy confidence is dis- played, so that we may take it for granted that the English makers are in no wise dismayed by the pushful Americans who have recently been amongst us. With regard to the American trade some rather important facts have recently been brought to light which must be of very considerable interest to all who are interested in the future of the pastime. So desperately eager were several of the biggest American manufacturers to make the most of last season's boom on their side of the Atlantic that work was carried on at the highest pressure, with the result that before the end of the season came, the supply far exceeded the demand, the inevitable result being that when the slack time came round, makers and dealers alike found themselves bur- dened with immense surplus stocks. Ere this, our own firms have been confronted with a similar problem, but in the case of the English producers it should be said that the introduction of cushion and air tyros had much to do with the dilemma they found themselves in. Sacrifices which meant an immense loss of capital had, of course, to be made, but the lesson then taught is not likely to be thrown away. That the Americans will have to go through a similar experience is fairiy evident de- spite the somewhat frantic endeavours to find a s,tle for the surplus cycles in the European markets. It has been stated .upon what may be regarded as good authority that no fewer than 20,000- cycles have been despatched fiom the United SLates to Europe, and from the same source it is gleaned that some thousands have been already disposed of at S20. each. This, if true, is startling enough to cause some uneasiness in the miuds of our smaller firms, from the simple fact that there will always be thousands ready to purchase in the cheapest market. These surplus American cycles may possibly reach our shores in small quantities only, but it will be just as well for our makers to recog- nise that they are to be had in larger quantities if necessary. Our cousins mean to get rid of their stock if possible, and if hysterical advertising will help them at all they will be found quite ready to adopt this, or, in fact, any other legitimate method. What this over-production will mean for the mul- titude of small traders who forsook their own calling to take ur cycle agencies can only be conjectured. An English visitor well known in the Midlands, who returned from the States a short time ago, gave rather an amusing description of the agency craze. Tobacconists, grocers, and drapers all in- cluded cycles in their stock tinkers, tailors, and candlestick-makers vied with each other in offering desperate bargains." Treat it as lightly as we may, however, the Americans must be given credit for enterprise and keen observation. A letter from a noted firm out there (several members of which have been visiting this country to "view the land ") expressed the determination of the firm to adapt themselves to English ideas and requirements, and to build a machine equal to any produced in Eng- land. I am not disposed to treat this as idle boast, but rather as a warning that Brother Jonathan means to strive earnestly to secure a share of British patronage for his goods. cl The many kindly obituary notices which have appeared in English aud French journals upon the sad death of A. Linton should help to assuage the poignancy of his relatives' grief. Across the Cliannel the most feeling tributes have been paid to his straightforwardness and transparent honesty, the gentleman in whose employ he was, trusting him to such an extent that he was neverasked to sign an agreement. With so many temptations besetting the professional of to-day, and with so much readiness to make disparaging remarks upon the slightest pretext, it is as well that raets as these should be placed on record. If it is correct that the new bye-laws which are now being drawn up by our city fathers contain an instruction for cyclists to show a light after dark both at the front and back of their machines, we most sincerely hope that the strongest possible representations will be made without delay to show the harshness of such a regulation. Many of our best cycle lamps already show a light from the side, and, whilst we would be the lalt in the world to raise a miira-i ir against any reform demanded by public safety and convenience, we think such a law as this would be irksome and unreasonable." So far as we are aware, such an infliction has no- where been attempted, and we are constrained to believe that the rapidly-growing community of cyclists are deserving of consideration in a matter of such importance to them. Bicycle riders, wh.,n out after dark, are com- pelled to have lighted lanterns attached to their wheels. This is a perfectly proper regulation, and no objection is made to it; but wheelmen do com- plain, and with justic-3, that the ordinance is not made to apply to all other vehicles as well. There is a disposition still, on the part of many waggon drivers, to keep their teams in the middle of the road," and to otherwise prevent wheelmen from enjoying the right of way to which they are law- fully entitled. This is a matter that will regulate itself in time, but it may be expedited to some extent by a rule requiring all vehicles, waggons, carts, and carriages, as well as bicycles, to carry lights after night. Such a requirement would be no more of a hardship upon one than another, and is needful for all. Wheelmen are in danger of collision with unlighted carriages, and many accidants are said to have occurred from this It will not do to say that the sound made by horses and iron tyres is sufficient warning of approach. Other noises, like that of a passing street car, may drown this sound, or any chance happening may call attention from it. It is due to wheelmen, in all fairness, that they be given the same degree of protection that they are compelled to supply to others. The ordinance calling for bicycle lights should be amended to include all classes of vehicles." The Cyclists' Touring Club is certainty going ahead in a marvellous manner so far as increased membership is concerned. The list of candidates published in the club Gazette" runs to well -,ver 3,000 names, and these belong chiefly to people of good position. The nobility, literature, and art are all represented, the lists from Middlesex and Surrey alone being a wonder. We notice that there is apparently some idea of identifying the Cyclists' Touring Club with the motor-car movement, and of widening the conditions of membership so as to admit motor-carriage people. We do not quite see where the sonnection between cycling tourists and motor-cars comes in. As well might it be urged that patrons of go-carts and perambulators should be eligible for election. The only object we can see in the proposal is to increase the membership at all costs. This can be done in a legitimate way, and without risking the identity of the club, or the objects for which it was originally founded. The Touring Club de France has hit on a novel idea. It offers to personally conduct a schoolboys' tour during the coming holidays. Each party will be conducted by a professor attached to some recog- nised educational establishment, and if the parents of any boy taking part in the trip care to join it is open to them to do so. It is suggested that the scheme is useful, if only for the reason that it will give the English boys a chance of improving their French, and the French lads an opportunity of polishing up their English. Particulars can be had of M. Etevenon, llbb, Rue d'Auteuil, Paris. A Welshpool cyclist, who describes himself "The Mnfrmmmp," writes upon a recent, ride to Llaadr-n- dod Wells as follows:-—"It was abottt half-past five" in the morning when I awoke up to the fact that I had rashly promised the other fellow to ride with him to Llandrinqod Wells. I looked out of the window; it was cold and foggy looking, and was the reverse inside; I chose the reverse. The next thing I remember was a small brick hitting the window, and having been thrown by the other feHow I yielded to my fate; went down and said unpleasant things to him. He smiled in return and had the cheek to ask if I had plenty of tobacco. Having satisfied the inner man we started on our respective bikes, and as we passed the Town Hall the other fellow pulled out half a yard of paper, and said, we are up to time, we shall be at Berriew at 8 o'clock, Newtown at 8 45." I interrupted here with the remark How the dickens do you make that out ?" to which he replied, Because I've got it down on my programme here." That was enough, Look here, my worthy friend," I said, Please to under- stand that if you're going to make a piece work job of this ride, I'm going back to bed." That cured him for a bit, but when we got to Newtown out it came again, and he growled, We're half-an- hour behind." "Behind what," I asked. "Behind my programme," quoth he. Really," said I pleasantly, Well you and your blessed programme had better ride on and make it up, for I'm going to have a smoke on this gate." He was disheartened and I heard no more of the programme until we got into Radnorshire. At the top of Dolfor Hill we besieged a farm bouse and there considerably lessened their stock of feeding stuffs. About 11 o'clock it began to get nice and warm and the country looked so charming that I got off and lay on the side of the road to enjoy it the more, but it was quite lost on the other fellow; he wanted to bo eternally pedalling- After getting him awfully wild, I at last took pity on him and we rode on for about si miles, when we over- took another human being on a bike, who wanted to know the road to Kington, and we sent him on his way rejoicing. Nothing occurred of any im- portance until we reached Llandriudod, and then there was an interval for business, and very good business we found it, for we were hungry. We then proceeded to the Pump House and drank sulphur water at least the other fellow die,, as for myself I wasn't built that way, for it tasted too much like a decoction of rotten eggs. Llandrindod is a pretty place, full of pretty girls, pious parsons, and otherwise- mostly otherwise when they get to Llandrindod. I wanted to stay there for ever; the other felloyv- as soon as he had had his dinner wanted to start back. I am a man of peace, so I yielded, but T made a vow that the next time I came to Llandrindod it would he without the other fellow. I like Llandrindod. We had been riding about an hour and a half when J became aware of something, so did the other fellow, at last we were agreed on one thing, one thought pulsated through our two stomachs, we were hungry, and it was six miles to the nearest hotel. We struggled on, and asked every individual we met how far it was, the first man said it was about 0 miles, the next said it was eight, the next two, and the last one, a woman of course hlled the cup by saying it was ten we got off our machines and spoke bitter words,' and then we shook hands, and vo wed to reach' that hotel or perish in the attempt. At last it came iu sight, wo were saved. The landlady remarked when we asked for the plates to be refilled for the third time, that she thought, we could not have had anything to eat for a week. We had not the heart to deceive her, so paid our bill and rode Ouour way exceedingly glad in body and mind. After a stiffish climb of three or four miles from the hotel, or to be correct New Tim, which is situated in the pretty parish of Llanbadarn Fawr, we reached the top of Defer, 12CO feet above the sea. The sun was setting, and the view was so grand that we tumbled off our machines, smoked the pipe of perlco and felt that we had not lived in vain. From the top down to Newtown is one of the most glorious rides in Wales, a gradual descent of nearly seven miles, a good road, spleudid scenery, and you can imagine the rest. As my partner said, when we sailed into Newtown, that was good business." We reached home about half-past ten, before saying good night, the other fellow suggested riding on to Ardleeu to make the 100 miles up. I was too tired to kick him, so I went off to bed and dreamed a dream of killing him. ——— -— The Queen has caused a special medal, in silver, to be struck, for presentation to the humane French men and women of Ushant, llolene, and the neigh- bourhood, who rendered generous service to the few survivors of the wreck of the Drummond Castle and took reverent charge of the dead which the sea cast up on their shores. The French Am. bassador in London has gracefully acknowledged Her Majesty's gift on behalf of the French nation.

V H R S 8 All communications for this department should be addressed to tho Chess Editor, who will be glad to hear from Secretaries of Chess Clubs as to tournaments, matches, &3. All letters to reaei, thisoffice by Wednesday morning. Local intelligence will be given the preference to other news. # # # Solution to Problem No. 35 B—Bsq. Correctly solved b) l-i. Maxwell, T. Stanley, M. Whitting'.am, F. Lee, and S. Jon<'S. PROBLEM No. 36.—-Solutions invited. By H. H. Davies, Bristol. BLACK—8 Pieces. WHITE—10 Pieces. White to play and mate in two movos. Fosition White—K at KKt5, Q at QB3, R" at KR5 and QB6, B" at KKt 6 and KR8, Kt" at QR2 and KKt3, Ps at QKt7 aud KR6. Black-K at Q4, Rs at QR4 and Qct5, B at KKt sq., Kt at QS, Ps at Q3, KK.2, and QR6. 'It- THE IXTERXATIONAT, TOURNAMENT.— Although the Nuremberg competition is, if anythiug, stronger than the memorable tournament held at Hastings last year, it is, nevertheless, a fact that up to the time of writing, the play of the masters, judging from the games to hand, is not up to the standard attained at Hastings. In the first place, Pillsburv is not in the enjoyment of good health, and no player, however good, can play chess of the highest order if he be outof sorts. It is doubtful whether even under the best of conditions the young American could equal or surpass his Hastings triumphs. We have always had the impression that at Hastings Pillsbury was favoured by an extraordinary streak of sudden inspiration, by which he was able to acquire a great reputation for the time being, but which he would find it exceedingly difficult to sus- tain. The St Petersburg contest in a measure seemed to beur out this theory, and now, although it would be unfair to judge him altogether by his record so fai at Nuremberg, still, after making due allowances, he ought to be judged by the standard which he himself set up at Hastings, to have done better. During the first week he won only one game out of five, although he drew two, one of which he ought to have lost to Janowski. When this is compared with Steinitz's score, who at 60 years of age, and also not in the best state of health, was still able to win 4 games out of 6, the young champion suffers by comparison, dowever, he has started better on the second week, for he beat Marco on Monday, and Dr Tarrasch on Tuesday. Pillsbury, it will be remembered, defeated Terrasch also at Hastings, but the game won there was a brilliant masterpiece, which at once stamped the winner as a chess genius, while the game won last Tuesday was a long closa affair, lasting 60 moves, and lost by Tarrasch only be- cause he became pressed for time, and was obliged to play hastily towards the end. Lasker has pro- duced one or two good games, notably the games which he won from Steintiz and Scliiffers, though we suspect that the latter would not stand the test of analysis. But that is a minor consideration, for analysis at leasure, and play ever the board, stand very much in the same relation that criticism does to art, the first is easy, and the second is difficult. The champion has not, however, up to the present been seen at his very best, and he has played superior games in previous contests. The play of Tarrasch and Tschigorin has not yet called forth any special enthusiasm, and Tarrasch's chances for the first prize already seem remote. Steintiz played a spirited game against Schallopp, but the game won from Charousek. can oniv be described as a laborious effort. One of his best performances was hia victory over Marsray, whom he demolished in 26 moves; but his encounters with Lasker, Teichmann, Walbrodt, and Scbiffers cannot be said to be brilliant as far as Steinitz is concerned. He, how- ever, did better with Blackburne on Monday, winning a lively encounter in 38 moves. The veteran, at the time of writing, gives promise of taking a high place in the score at the finish. Blackburne raised the hopes of his many admirers last week, by beating Showalter, Pillsbury, and Tarrasch, but he lost rather feebly on Monday to Steinitz, and be courted defeat on Tuesday by playing the Centre Counter Gambit against Marco, the latter winning after 80 moves. One can scarcely understand why Blackburne so frequently plays openings, which he must know are not suited to his style. The Centre Counter Gambit will do well enough for a player who is content with a draw, but a defence of this kind is not suitable to a player who plays to win against experts of Marco s calibre, as Blackburne in- variably does. An important feature in this Tournament is the formidable stand made by .1 I- young vvaiorout. ine latter is even now only 22 years of age, altnoaghbe is playing for the {*urth time in an International Tournament. On Wed- nesday he was leading with 6} points, but Lasker, who had scored ciix games, had plaved one game less than Walbrodt. The latter has, however, already played both Lasker and Steinitz, aud if he continues as he has begun until the end of the ournameti e wiH win one of the principal prizes. U e lowever, remember that at Hastings Walbrodt, after the third week, had the fourth prize as good as in his pocket, when suddenly he ° ')',e "ar"e ftfter game mostly to inferior pa}us, and ended up by not being placed at all. eicnm-inn was ill when he entered the Tourna- men and he is still poorly, which accounts for the very poor show he is making. Showalter's play is ( lsappoiribing, and ie, perhaps, best accounted for that t u- t'arly hours of play, from nine a.m. to one p.m., don't, suit him. He is in any ease; probably a much better match player than tournament p a> or. The other competitors have done as well as was expected of them, although the new master, laroosek, has not kept up the reputation he acquired on the first day of the Tournament when he h'a; Showalter. Ho is very young and inex- perienced, and plays too fast for match play. ';1* YVi' extract the following from an article entitled Amu s.uents under covor" which appeared in a receur, number of trie Dudtu'ntov Maqnzinc. *-ï: But of all indoor games I suppose it is generally conceded that the greatest is chess. 1 may take it, I think, that no one will desire to break a lance with me when 1 assort that chess does uot readily lend itself to gambling. The most inveterate gamester would turn against the tedium of the thing. Having btid his money upon one of two masters his hair would become grey in his endeavour to decide from the moves whether he were likely to be richer or poorer at the end of the match. For a man may know the rules, and be able to handle a game moderately well, and yet be at a loss to determine whether Dr Lasker or Mr Pillsbury holds an advantage until one of them amazes him by resigning. Therein lies the great- ness of the game. The master mind has foreseen the certainty of catastrophe at some future stage and in some particular manner, of which not even the possibility had presented itself to the ordinary observer. Indubitably, chess is too firmly fixed on a basis of intrinsic worth to be in druger from the gambler. Yon may play for your cup of coffee or your shilling at Simpson's Divan, but you will never degrade it like some games to the level of pitch and toss. It would be as easy to imagine Euclid offering long odds to his wife against her crossing the asinorum, or even against her following the complicated process bv which lie aehieVtJd tllfÜ feat himself. St ill 1 would not be thought to advance the proposition that chess is entirely free from re- proach. The ordinary game fairiy played sufficient to ruffle the equanimity of the"modern pi ay or. When the tide has once strongly turned against yon, it is the hopelessness of trying to stem it, it is the long drawn out triumph of your adver- sary, the necessity to go on struggling against the 1 9 1 1 all but certainty of ultimate defeat-it is this that galls, '['here is something unspeakably irritating in the easy complacent manner an opponent—hav- ing left you in a, position admitting of no escape-- will drop comfortably back in his chair, look care- lessly round in a way ts invite spectators, light his pipe, and fall to observing flies on the ceiling. And then there is that sigh-that soft and low, but very deep sigh--by which he subtly strives to convey th-tt oagh he f'Ilrie¡.-o'. r t,) ,)0', and will. osevvorthy ati.i ren.i> ii.k.iiih- su-. ess --8 -T ¡",ere are limits wit 1, :? -e. If vow -an ob." r. hose feigns of -mu.' ii .|rif v. u ran ■ o tr -leart ove. !> ■>< ing 1Jvit.h t;rl.L¡ rl3r Ur- t r ;tr a iv -rs-iry, titen •••••}', you deservo to >m*e !.v-> { u.p.m a better fur: ii :I>,í: -{ ;¡'f. Th., sitiou is aggrava' i-< i I:. f -1 > Mint -aider no !•• ;:m.«tanees must you esperi. v Y\hen it is remeoib ;• -o -.nov :Jli.j,\ » e. is 10 tarn ta- cues- ..•; ,■■> iin eirrh- qi.Mk'- iiut if you w\-h :<> d I ,I iiud some a; 'n-r ostensible C '.te.-e. h-ivy known a man the worst of a gairi-- je u.> a political atgi.'T.e t iu order re turn:S'- a: •>>. if v i?n a ren-<o"i.b!c excuse for losing his a•'<5 up- set! in rile Board. Yen see, a m n m fil"cr; \'>1 \,ly, and even justi!aoly irt the e\e ■' 'ii -.joeorters, show si little effervescence on •> qr. ■- i-> <>f p.-l res; bet he is outside the play if h> :e- over chess. #- e lot. I reniemr. -r \It;r -ig ?"1;n', he- tween two young m-m in a I'" ro en. Ttiej seemed neither of fci,-m t!>eeti;.e.able c but they played d Vi.—oiv on iv it lout remark. Finally, one of -as m;eii. sfare.i at the position for some rim", as H will, then grunted, and rose to pur o<- ins -a;; ar.<« coat. Hi" opponent watched him appa.oti* witii some sni pri;o. Are you going ?" -i'sii -k--d. Yes« I t :ink so," said the other. BIN obs-e-ved the victor mildly, er-—won't you ,.<\v "<1 heis'i the game r" We have most of us be ■ rd of the worthy pugilist, who, having been reduce.' t i <:ts j> Ov his aut-agonist, required to know ,vh- ha-i won; bnt the hero-of the occasion who r -maias si-vdimely ignorant of the fact of li victory is, I h..»pe, a novelty.

G0RRESr() V uv:.VF'A. L-TTERS TO T H. K K hfju « \'0 (kiKRRSPONDKNT8. — Vammnmrtifums should be "■ '/»<> Miany mu*t he written upon <>■«<» tUl* >>/?{>>•• or¡.ly They x'nould in all cases he ••.■•'■nmpnnie'i by th* nam* and address of the render, not wresxa'- >'■'>t fniohration but as a gti'irantee of jr»id I'.iith. SLUMBERING WELSHPOOL. To the Editor of the COGNTY TIMKS AND POST. SIR,—Thanks to the supine conduct of our Town Connc.il, the Llaafair and Oswestry Li-j-ht Railway movement has made such le ad way that, I anl afraid, it is simply impossible now to stay it. aoo different things might havo been if our Corporation a few months ago had taken the matter up, ttrld tried to influence Llanfair opinion in favour of the Welshpool route. A month or so back public opinioB at Llanfair was by no means nuanimous in fjivoB1* of the (to us) silly and impracticable scheme of the Four Crosses route." The friends of the Welsh- pool route made a direct bid to our towu to do something," and yet nothing of any practic0, value was atttempted by our iocal senators. vvby were not the burgesses asked to express their opinion, and why was not something done to influence popular opinion at, Llanfair ? Well, tbln were allowed to drift, and the consequence ho been that judgment has gone against us by defant and the popular voico at Llanfair has at last beelJ unanimously declared in favour of the sc^'e?f which, if carried into effect, will mean the collapse of the town and trade of "Welshpool. me candidly ask cur town councillors whether the" will now dare to face public opinion at Lia,fair, and strive in face of the popular opposition. n° created, to further a scheme for a railway Welsbpool? Already the friends of 0,3westry have canvassed the conutry-side for support, aud t" response to their appeals have been most grqtily, ing; moreover, they has employed an expert railway engineering, and he has already survey4^ the country from Llanfair, through Mathraval aO Myfod, to Trefnanney and Four Crosses. W_he ?- is, may I ask, the result of onr Corporation's actJ°°' We have long been expecting an editorial from 7 I Mr. Editor, upon this burning question. W^« a doubt our town is confronted with two clueatl?!f of vital importance—the first is the Llanf Railway," the second is the Militia ShootJ Range." Perhaps some member of the oorporatJ ¿i/: will step forward and accept the challenge I thrown down P-Youris obediently, f TTT -i i °NE OF xni IHX>e§# Welshpool, Aujrast 4th, 1896.

IS WELSHPOOL TO HAVE A FJFL& KAXGE ? We have again been requested to bring to notice of our many readers the (I nest ion of a ri range for Welshpool, and our representative consequently interviewed a. few persons i" t neighbourhood who are interested in tho watt"; and in every instance has especial emphasis r laid on the fact that if a suitable range ig provided in the neighbourhood, and that rI^he early, that Welshpool will certainly not have erS presence of the 4th Batt. South Wales BordeTthC when in training year after year. This is not only consideration. They point ont that Yeomanry will also be affected, for it is weIl-kna that the. Reserve forces are next year to be supP 1 with the Lee-Metford Magazine rifie, in place .(>r the present Martine-Henri, which is a far sape. weapon to the latter, as is proved by ths fact • e there is not a range in the whole of Shrops leave alone Montgomeryshire adapted to e Therefore if Welshpool is supplied with a rang", before the next shooting season, we then not only be able to retain the tt11 in the town, but also afford opportunity8^jj] good rifie practise for the Yeomanry, and it also serve for the volunteers in Shropsh It also gives a chance of having a few Volu" the regiments to encamp here, besides of probability of securing other Battalion9 li- Militia to hold their annual training in the nCI {tf bourhood. The question is one of very ? ,e ri importance to the town, and the iDllRbl 0 itle especially the tradespeople, ought to take tIt earliest opportunity of considering the matter- has been pointed out to us, and truly too, that no longer have Cole nel Harrison with us to our claims at the War Office in favour of annual training of the Militia being held at W0 r pool, and that his place being filled by a s^ra?^ut there is no one now at the head to put himself of the way in order to advance the interests ox 0 town. Those who have profited in the past by presence of the Militia know too well that if other place is chosen as the rendezvous i°r annual training there is no other prospect for and this fact aione is one which commands sen attention. Wo are also told that those who Il°V^egs to Bisley will uot be able to go henceforth utl they have a range at which to practise. £ pointed out that the proposed Golfa range had abandoned through the War Office authoriti?3 e agreeing to sanction its use, our represent8^ was informed that an admirable ra could be provided at the Heldre, although it had been urged that it was too f1' a from the town (about four miles), still the dist^^e was no greater than the majority of piac-es, case of Brecon was cited, where the range is some fm miles or more from tlie centre 01 town. The Heidre was easy of access by trai^1'^ it, cither tojjButtington or Middletown, whilb walk at the most would not be more than fonf five miles along a good road. oet If Welshpool is to have a range in time for Ilt year, action, we were reminded, must be tak^L^ once, as the application must be in the Wary by the end of September or the be(,,i October at the latest. Some of those i7it the considered it, of such urgent importance Corporation should call a special meeting -id to consider it, and others suggested that there sn be no studying of private imiividuals"pockcts in tile matter, but that the Council should decIde t of quest-ion themselves without calling in a 10 b.eI1 busy bodies to advise them on the matter, those people would prefer the militia to be asse"0 elsewhere for their annual training. .4!t.- ¡ rf 0i CAMBUUN RAILWAYS.- Approximate GOD traffic receipts, for the week ending Au»'U> C0]S> 1896. Miles open, 250. Passengers. Pajuef* horses, carriages, dogs, and mails, £ 6,409; 0t I chandise, minerals, and live stock, eVoe- for the week, £ 8,537 aggregate from merit of half-year, £ 29,504. Acmal traffic t6 0pgji> for the corresponding week last year jjgPt 237. Passengers, parcels, &c., £ 6,082 gjg; minerals, &c., £ i,826; total for the week, a.gogregate from commencement of '"l'>arCe^' £ 26,613. Increase for the weeic,passongsrs» t' &c., &c., £ 327; increase, merchandise, llunera rglJ,tø X- 502 total increase for the week, £ 629; A&g!'e' increase, passengers, parcels, &c., -21,568; gate increase, merchandise, minerals, &<"<-> jjfll'' aggregate increase from the commencenien year, £ 2.891.