The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

THE ABSENT-MINDED BEGGAR. Just as the darkast hour of the night heralds the approach of morn, so eren in the darkest trials of an empire incidents occur which go far to loften the sting of affliction. Civilisation is at one in the conviction that war is one of the most terrible scourges that can visit the earth, and yet it is the only cure which civilisa- tion knows for still greater afflictions, v hich civilisation has to-day to experience. We admit all that peace crusaders have to say in regard to the horrors of war the fare- wells to the dying and the moaning for the dead ring as clearly in our ears as in theirs; we know the stories of the widows and orphans, the bitterest episodes which the individual life can know, but by reason of conditions under which we lire to- day war remains a wolful necessity. We may not like the use of the knife, but the canker spot must be cut away lest the whole frame be diseased. While the war in South Africa has been forced upon us, while we must admit it ia only a bad remedy for still greater evils, there have been redeeming features which have glad- dened the hearts of all true Englishmen in this crisis and there have baen incidents which have added to the prestige of the British Empire before the nation* of the world. The magnificent way in which our men have responded to the call of their country, the spontaneous surrender of some who were reckoned deserters, anxious, eager to join their country's colours for the country's sake, the manner in which they have relinquished their homes, their ties, their all to join the ranks, the heroism with which they risk their lives for the bene- fit of those at home—all these things speak volumes for the healthy spirit which actuates the whole British nation and add honour to the noble name which Britain enjoys. Our Tommy Atkins, our Absent-minded Beggar, stands head and shoulders above the soldier of any other country. Our volunteer soldier is above comparison with the conscript of the continent, and to-day the eyes of the world are turned upon the exploits of England's sons in South Africa. We know the horrors of war, we mourn the death of our STMOKS, of our EGERTOH, and of every brave son of England, and if the report of JOUBBUT'S death be true, we mourn the death also of a good man, a great general and a brave soldier. In this sad and melancholy war we have learned more of the grand and noble qualities of our men than we knew before. The glorious traditions of our army are not dead, the bravery, the love of country which inspired the men of olden days to great deeds live in our soldiers to-day. At Mafeking our noble six hundred have held their own, and re- pelled the attacks of four times their num- ber of daring; soldiers and excellent marks- men. Kimberiey holds out though practi- cally cut off from the rest of the world, and surrounded by forces which vastly out- number those of our own men. The com- bined great armies of KBITGER and JOUBERT now surround Ladysmitli. and, aided by skilled artillerists from France and Germany, daily pour shot and shell, cordite and melinite upon the brave defenders. Our men have tramped miles over heavy ground in the darkness of the night, and without further rest have fought the enemy on their own ground, have taken by assault positions which even Col ScHrat, the Ger- man military adviser to the Boer forces, deemed impregnable and, having mounted the heights in the face of showers of bullets from the deadly Manser rifles, drove the superior numbers of Boers from their trenches at the point of the bayonet. The victories at Elands Laagte and Dundee, the valiant sorties from Kimberley and Make- king, will live as the incidents of a campaign in which our men have risked everything for their country, and in which they have, by their indomitable pluck, physical endurance and discipline when under tire, shown that Tommy Atkins to- day is of the same grit as Tommy Atkins who won Waterloo and drove the Russians from the heights of Sebastopol. There is a duty which devolves upon those who remain at home. The Absent- Minded Beggar is fighting our battles rather than his own, and the least we can do is to look after his wife and little ones while he is away, and if he should be killed in our service then we must see that they shall not want. It is a duty rather than a charity, the means of sustenance is the riwht rather than a pauper's dole to the women and children. The whole Empire has responded and is still responding to the call of duty at home, while the Absent- Minded Beggar responds to the call of the bugle in South Africa. For our own part, looking at the matter from an entirely national standpoint, we are bound to confess that England does not make adequate provision foi those who are stricken with poverty through the loss of their protectors on the battle field. We regret that the lot of the wives and families of many of our heroes is but the lot of the paupers who have brought upon themselves their own disgrace, but there is pleasure from the thought that if the head of the nation is a little5 bit wrong the heart of the nation is not cod. In all these crises the response to the call of duty and charity comes with a full heart. We remember the generous response of this nation in the crises which have fallen upon our Indian Empire, m the famines of Ireland, the Lancashire cotton famine, and in many other crises, and this opeii-kearted generosity speaks better fer the nation's good feeling than grants of ten times ike amount from the Imporia Treasury The Lord Mayor s fund is a noble proof of tire solidaritj of the Bnhsh corroborated by «,e smite tlmig i jr portionately equal, funds of the smal e towns and villages. We note wxth mfin pleasure that Wales is not behind m t■ matter. At Newtown the ladies, fo „ the initiative of Lady PBYCK- ONLS. brought credit upon themselves °yJ:Iie11" excel ent start, while the Hoyal Welsh Warehouse, aided by the generous girts of the PRYCE-JONES family, has contributed a large sum. Welshpool is not behind, and the MAYOR'S meeting resulted in a star being made of over £100, several piomment aentlemen making handsome donations. This is not the first time Welshpool has acted nobly in the cause of charity, for while the American War played havoc with the Lancashire cotton trade, and hundreds of families were on the verge of starvatiou, Welshpool by means of a concert raised I JE150 for those poor people. A concert is now to be given for the wives and families I of the reservists, and we can only hope it will be as successful as that held about the year 1861. In the lesser towns and villages equally commendable efforts are being made, and WH are sure Britishers everywhere will be gladdened at the generous impulse which has seized upon Englishmen all the world over. 0

NOTES BY THiC WAY. A, vacancy occurs in the representation of Welsh- pool on the Forden Board of Guardians owing to Mr T S Pryce having left Welshpool for Aber- ystwyth. It is with extreme pleasure we learn that the Imperial South African Association will shortly send a delegate to LIanidtof-s, Machynlleth, Mont- gomery, Llanfyllin, "od Newtown to enlighten the inhabitants of the Montgomeryshire boroughs in regard to South African affairs. The boroughs "1" indeed privileged in having such an opportunity especially ax this LsLociatiou is a non-political Association and is formed for the purpose of main- taining Imperial supremacy in South Africa. xhe delegate and lecturer is Mr Michael Ray, one of the best informed men on South African affairs. If we remember rightly Mr Ray, by profession, is a journalist who was at one time connected with the Warrington Gu,,srdian. From there he went to London and subsequently to South Africa and his lecture will give the impressions of an observant mind, formed during twelve years' residence in South Africa. As Mr Ray has come into personal contact with President Krugrer it will be interesting to learn what he thinks of the head of the Boer Republic. We bad the pleasure of hearing Mr Ray about a year ago, when there was no South African crisis, and the unanimous verdict of men of all l shades of opinion at that very large meeting was that Mr Ray had given a lucid and unbiassed ex- position of Soath African affairs in a mosi accept- able manner. The lantern slides with which his lectures are illustrated are excellent, and we have certainly never seen a more picturesque lantern display. The clear atmosphere of South Africa makes it possible to produce brighter and clearer lantern pictures than we can obtain ia England. Mr Ray has no shares in the gold mines. There was a meeting of the directors of the Llanfair Railway, on Tuesday, when terms with the Cambrian Railways Co., and the Engineer were considered. There has been a further communication from the War Office with regard to the rifle range asking the extent of the ground available for drill and manoeuvres, particulars of which have beeu fur- nished them by the committee. It is satisfactory to find that the committee are pushing on with this matter as its importance to the town caunot be over estimated. We have had sotie difficulty in understanding why there should be any re-arrangement of the Montgomeryshire school districts. To alter the arrangements of a system which is already working j fairly weli, for a new arrangement which nobody j seems to want, is very much like changing for the I sake of changing. There has been no outcry for a change, and yesterday at the meeting of the Welshpool Governors a clear case was made out against the change by Mr Forrester Addie and Mr T R Morris, in fact after the onslaught of these two gentlemen we shall be surprised if the proposal does not receive a quiet and peaceful burial. Newtown school alone would benefit by the change, while both Welshpool and Llanfylliu would lose considerably, and such a rearrangement would necessarily for a time entail an inconvenience which is not warranted. The statistics given by Mr T R Morris on this matter are worthy of the closest consideration, and we shall look forward to some sort of reply from the Joint Education Com- mittee. Now that Llanfyllin and Welshpool have declared against the proposed change as unjust to both schools, we must hope that the County Govern- ing Body will see that it will be anything but' wisdom to press the matter further. V ;f; The next social evening promoted by the Hafre. Habitation of the Primrose League has been abandoned in favour of a conceit, the proceeds of which will be given to augment the fund for the relief of soldiers' widows and orphans. s Up to last evening the amount of the Newtown fuud (which includes the Royal Welsh Warehouse fund) for the relief of the families of reservists amounted to £ 210. The Ladies' fund has reached X72. The Welshpool fund stands at E116 12s. v. By the way, the Mylliu Literary Society oaght to avail themselves of Mr Ray's visit to Llanfyllin. When there are 21 for the Government and 19 against it is evident that there is a haziness in their conception of the subject, part or all of which might be dispelled. Never perhaps has there been such keen interest taken in astronomy as during the past week and in order to get a view of the great flight of meteors scores of persons have remained up star gazing throughout the long night with the exception indeed of those who fell asleep during their vigil. Some persons profess to have seen moving balls of fire, but confirmation is lacking so that one is not inclined to credit the story. At any rate the great and magnificent flight has not so far been visible although the students at Harvard declare that a showel passed over that place. V Mr Joseph Bennett, writing in the Daily Telegraph, remarks that the Westmoreland Musical Festival, formerly known as Miss Wakefield's Festival, is to be extended, but not, he hopes, on the lines of the Welsh Eisteddfodau. And then follow these re- markable sentences: The advance of music in the Principality is much more impeded than helped by a system which has turned Welsh singers into pot hunters, and raised greed of gain above the interests of art. Let us hope that consequences of so sordid a kind will remain unknown in West- moreland." We have ourselves frequeatly pro- tested that. as the Eisteddfodau are conducted they do not fulfil the objects for which they were instituted, and, therefore, do not justify their existence. To make greed and gain the first object is to kill the good which the Eisteddfod might perform. The natioaal spirit, the literary, the musical, the artistic sense is drowned in the desire for gain. Art is always noblest when cultivated for the sake of art, music always more lovely when the lioul is untramelled by lower considerations and can freely breathe in the atmosphere of harmonious sound. It is only right that our musicians and our artists should live but the value of music, of sculpture, of painting cannot be gauged by the standard of gold. We look for evidence of the value of thejEistedd- fod in promoting all that is highest and best in art. If we take music as a standard how far can Wales claim to be in advance of England ? In the depart- ment of male voice part singing and in the playing of the harp Wales certainly stands head and shoulders above England. Bat this is not the be- all and end-all of music. Music has no limitations and the mind of the true musician from its very nature abhors limitations. Solo and chorus singing are Cultivated in a fair degree, but instrumental music is in an almost neglected state. With the very minor attractions of Welsh, as compared with English, towns, nearly every town should have its orchestral in addition to its choral societies. In Erigiand instrumental music in some form is becoming more and more regarded as an indispen- sable part of the educatioll of the young. It is regarded as a personal accomplishment, whereas it Wales the fear is that it is judged by its value in coin. We notice that the Cardiff Eisteddfod has reiulfead iu a of £ 700 iú addition to th6 large sum WL-icil vva. gubijciibcd btid that » oiil of 10s its in the £ is beine" made upon the guarantors. If the National Ei*teddfod continues tm be such an expen- sive institution it i¡; certain to bring about its own destruction fur aie few t whieU will b6 able to bear the oeoauiary iitraiii whicii it imposes. 11 If only half the energies of our Urban aud Rural Councils were pro, e Iy expended there would be better and more tangible results than at present. People who follow the reports of the Council meet- ings as they are reported month by month tnudt be struck by the way in which the Councils allow their authority to be set at defiance. The reports of medical officers and inspectors of nuisances con- tain the same stories meeting after meeting, the Councils pass resolutions that the nuisances be ebated and nothing further is done. In Merioneth- shire in particular notices to abate nuisances are ignored, and all because the Councils themselves will not take the trouble to enforce them. Indi- viduals may for months jeopardise the health and eTeo the lives of hundreds of people, may expose whole villages to an epidemic and their action is eoudoned in the loose manner in which the Unban Councilii discharge their duties. It is not because the Councils lack authority to take proceedings. The balk of nuisances come under the Public Health Act, 1875 (38 and 39 Vict. c. 55), under which all that is necessary is to serve a formal notice. If the nuisance is not abated within 28 days the authority can, and should, take the case before the justices who have power to order the abatement of the nuisance, to order such works as may be necessary for the abatement to be done at the expense of the owner and impose a penalty up to £ 5. The whole procedure is simple enough, and the man who gets off by paying e5 for wantonly exposing numbers of people to disease, gets off much more cheaply than be deserves. fc t Similarly in regard to the pollution of water supply. The person who, knowimgly, pollutes a domestic water supply is a publio enemy, and ought to be treated as such. It is well known that sheep are dipped without let or hindrance in streams from which villagers take water for domestic purposes. The law provides for sueh cases, and for throwing rubbish or filth, or other noissme things," into any stream, reservoir or other waterworks by a penalty of C5 and the addition of zEl per day during the period of its con- tinuance. There ought to be no hesitation in bringing the offenders iu these cases te justice and those councils which fail to do so are aeglect- iug their duty. It is an equally simple matter to deal with insanitary property. Another way on which the Councils are set at defiance .is in the erection of buildings either in con- travention of the by-laws or without submit- ting plans for the approval of the councils. These delinquents can be satisfactoryly and expeditiously dealt with and if proceedings were regularly taken against the offenders there would be less jerry building and fewer insanitary dwellings while the public would begin to believe that these local authorities mean what they say. *#* In another column we publish a letter from the Secretary to the National Canine Defence League, which is partly a reply to certain strictures which appeared in these columns and partly also a gratui- tous advertisement for the insertion of which the said League must feel indebted to as. The Secre- tary states that one of the objects of the League is to have those who are bitten by rabid dogs taken to an institute for the treatment of hydrophobia without expense to themselves. We should think this is the least the League could do, just as the least a country can do when it sends its soldiers to the wars, is to provide the surgeons to amputate their limbs. And just as we prefer peace to war, and perfect soldiers to crippled soldiers, so we also prefer that the people of this coantry shall not incur as part of the price of the maintenance of a hydrophobia institution the exposure to attacks from rabid dogs. It is very nioe to have one's life saved by judicious treatment, but people will hardly be so foolish as to run the risk of being bitten in order to test how beneficial the treatment is. The situation rather reminds us of the man who, having obtained a favourable verdict in a lawsuit, com- plained to his solicitor that the expense of the trial had ruined him. The solicitor rubbing his hands replied most gleefully Cheer up my man, you have done splendidly. Your opponent is in prison. What more do you want P"

WELSH POOL. IF you waat the best cakes and pastry, call at Wat- son's, 5, Hall street, where you will lad all kinds of Swiss, continental, and fancy pastries. Weddinz, birthday, and christening cakes, olaboratoly orna- mented, to order. [Advt. IF YOU WANT a good reliable Bicycle at the cheap- est rate go to Than as J. Ivans, ironmonger, aad ask for quotations. Old anackiaes taken as part pay- ment. Lad iea' and Gent's Bicycles for hire. [Advt. FOE fancy goods, toys, and all kinidooftoipacoo, cigarettes, Ac., try M 1 Jones's, 6, Hall street. f Advt A IriLtism AEEIVAV—Mr Humphrey Jones, Hal] street, has just received nearly 3000 fireproof lamp chinsneys direct from the manufactarers. [Advt. Important. A good silver Baglish lover, war- raated to last a life time, £ 2 2«. Ivaa Jones, late Powell and Jones, ghroweburv. [Advt. Old gold and silver watcher, jewellery bought or taken in exchange. Zrau Jones, late Powell and Jones, Shrewsbury. [Advt. A large stock of jewellery, watches, elocks, sil- ver and electro goods sent o. approval. lvaa Jones, late Powell and Jones, Shrewsbury. TAdrfc. ALMSBODSBS.—The annual entertainment in aid of the Welshpool Almshouses will take place on Thursday, the 30th inst., when no doubt this deserving charity will receive the usu-cl hearty support. BIBLE CLASS.—The monthly meeting of the Church of England Men's Bible Class was held on Sunday afternoon. The Rev J Jenkins presided and gave an instructive address on Christian duty." Miss Davies, Laburnum Hoase, sang two solos," In the Cathedral," and Light in darkness and Mr J G James, sang City of light" and 0, restless sea." FOR TIE SasaaviflTS. The Loyal Prince Llewelyn Lodge of Draids decided at a meeting on Satarday night to make a grant of £1 Is towards the fund for assisting the families of Reservists at present with the colours in'South Afrioa. WHAT IS WOKLDLIKESS ?-At the weekly meet- ing of the Primitive Methodist Christian Endea- vour Society held in the Chapel on Monday even- ing, Mr J Hart presiding, an interesting paper on What is Worldliness" was read by Mr D J Jones. Miss Jones, Golfa, also contributed a recitation. PLEASANT EVENING.—On Tuesday evening the members of the United Lodge were entertained by a very pnjoyable selection of competitions arranged by Mis-i Watkin, V.T., and Mr A Jones, L. D., Church 3treet. Selections on the piano were con- tributed by Mr A Jones. Hall street. THE WELSH Cup.-To-day Towyn visit Welsh- pool in the second round of the Welsh Senior Cup, when a grand game is anticipated. The following will represent Welshpool:—Goal, Dick F-van, backs, Heath and Hamer; half-backs, Hutchi; Tom Jones and W Davies forwards, Ivens, G a Mvtton, Hugh F Mytton, Rev Merlin Davies, and Frank Davies. Referee, Mr R T Gough, Oswest I.O.G.T.-At the "Home of Welcome" Lc< on Wednesday evening, Mr R D Joseph, C.T. pre;, ing, the officers' reports for the past quarter w, o presented, showing the lodge to be in a very flourishing condition. The programme included some very interesting competitions, the winning competitors being Miss A Parry and Miss C Howell. Refreshments were provided, and altogether a very pleasant evening was spent. The arrangements reflected great credit upon the committee, Miss 8 Haghes, Miss A Davies, Miss H Jarman, and Miss MJ arman. WESLET GUILD.-A large assembly foregathered at the weekly meeting of the above Guild, in the Wesleyau Chapel on Wednesday evening, to listen to the Rev J Tesseynan's views on the life, work, and influence of Lord Macaulay. Part in the dis- cussion that followed was taken by Messrs E C Bishop, Rowland Green, T A Basnett, and T James. I THE UNITED CHOIR AND THE WAR. THE FHWT. I I rehear* of the wintur was held In the Town flail I <>u Tuesday evening la accordance with a vri.iL; expressed at the Mayor's meeting on Tuesday úft8r£\OoIl, 1[1' l\{;fdw., n Price, the riiiK.uctor, sug- gested that a concert be given by the member? of the ohoir in aid of the Reservist Fund. 'I'tie s ig ges'ion met with unanimous appr -vul and >he ^ffor wan i-oa(iilv accepted bv the Ma\'or. TMH s=p«wi. canons and patriotic decision will. it i IlOlwd, be the means of securing a lari;c-r and more regular attendance by the choir, with a view to making the concert both arti,, tical ly arid duaiicinHv a complete success. TRAVELLING WITHOUT TierFT,On Friday week, at the Town Clerk's Office, before the Mayor and Mr John Reese, Thomas Henry Cork, painter, Llanfair, and Evan Morris, mason, Llanfair, were cliarve,d with having th-vt (lay travelled from Newtown to Welshpool wi, bout tickets Defend Iii3tA, who said tiley were drunk when the offence oocerred, were fined 15s each including costs, or in def(lit 14 days PRESENTATION TO THB YICAR OF BeTTISGTO! On Tuesday evening Rev J Stephens, late curate of Welabpoui, and now Vicar of Buttington, was presented by Mrs Davis, The Vicarage, on behalf of the menibert4 of the Meu's Biole class, with a reauing lamp and coal vase. Afterwards, tea wiii provided, to which about ninety sat down, amongst those present being Mrs Price, Brymirioo; Mrs T Pughe Joues, Mrs Wyke, Mrs and Miss Roper, Miss G Jones, Gnngrog Hall; the Revs D G Davies, J Jenkins, aud D E James. and the secretaiy Mr G W Jones. THE NATIONAL SCHOOLS PENNT BANE.—We have received from the auditors of the afeove bank, Messrs F Roper and John Evans, tt statement of the trunsactioris for the year euded the 20th of Nov. 1899. It shows that the number of transactions, vis, receipts, payments and transfers, have been as I follows in the several Ichonl :-Boys' School, Berriew street, 442; Girls' School, Berriew street, 1,663; Christ Church School, 1.275; Gungroe School, 666, making a total of 4 046, as against 2,609 in the previous year. The total number of depositors in the four schools was 343, and the sum to their credit L102 7s Id. In addition to the above, sums amounting to zC53 12s lid have been transferred during the year to the separate ac- coants of scholars as depositors in the Welshpool Savings Bank, in which bank the whole of the funds are invested. THE WESLETANS.—On Sunday, foreign mission. ary services were held at the Wesleyan Chapel, when the special preacher was the Rev W E Lancaster, Didsbury College, Manchester. In the evening the choir, conducted by Mr Twist, gave a beautiful rendering of thel'arithem Rest in the Lord." Collections were made in aid of the funds of the missionary society. The annual meeting WM held on Tuesday evening, Mr Grindley presid- ing. The deputation was the Rev. C. H. Hockou, late of Mysore, India, who appeared in native Hindoo costume, and spoke at great lergth of the good work done by the missionary society in Icdia The Rev. J. Tesseymaa read the annual report, which stated that the total income of the Wesleyan body for the past yeai was CI30,533 16s. 8d.. whilst the expenditure was S130,466 6s. 6d., leaving a balance in hand of X67 10s. 2d. The namber of chapels under the Wesleyan Conference at present in the mission field abroad was 2370, and the total number of missionaries and other paid servants 3399. There were 57,831 church members and 90,117 Sunday school scholars. The Wesleyan Church had contributed last year JE9 4s. 5d., and the circuit X34 15s. lid., towards the funds of the society. A solo was also rendered by 1 Mr. Greg THE MONTGOMERYSHIRE YEOMANRY CWALUY A FALSE REPoRT.-During the past week it has been reported that the members of the Montgomery shire Yeomanry Cavalry have received instructions to hold themselves in readiness for garrison duty in London "r at Aidershot. In local weekly journals and some of the dailies paragraphs have been in- serted verifying the rumour. We have it on the authority of Sergt-Major Jesiico, however, that the report has not the slightest foundation, no such instruction having been received by the gallant yeomen. Further, Mr Jestico points out, it is highly improbable, in the event of the Yeomanry being ordered out, that they would be sent to London or Aldershot as the troops living nearer those centres would first be called upon. LIFE IN WATER-In the County School yester- day afternoon, Mr A W Brown, B.A., F.L.S., delivered the third of his series of six Universitv Extension Lectures. The subject was Life in Water," and upon this practically inexhaustable theme the lecturer engaged the attention of a large audience for a considerable time. Mr Brown has a very lucid and clear style of expression, and his views on the most abstruse topics are readily grasped. An additional charm was added to the lecture by the representation on a large screen of some of the forms of life described. Some of the minute organisms seemed inexpressibly quaint when magnified. Taken as a whole the forms of life found in salt water were much more interesting than those found in fresh water, and also much more numerous. One fact which doubt- less accounted for the peculiar structure and uncauny appearance of many of the creatures to be found in the sea was its great depth in places. The deepest sounding ever taken was somewhere to the north of New Zealand where the rod registered 5,000 fathoms. Of course no light could possibly penetrate through such an awful weight of water, and at the bottom there was complete darkness, silence, and bitter cold. Towards the close of his lectare Mr Brown dispelled the belief so widely credited that the insects which build up the coral reefs are most industrious little creatures. A coial insect could no more help building coral than a man could help growing old it was their nature and life. He thought his hearers would agree with him that the forms of life found in the ocean were simpler in construction than those living on land where the most intricately devised organs abounded. —Mr Brown's next lecture will be on Life in the deep sea." BRITANNIA, QUTUK OF THE OCEN.- On Thurs- day evening, in the Town Hall, the inhabitants of Welshpool were treated to a most enjoyable render- ing by the girls of the National School of a cantata entitled Britannia, Queen of the Ocean," a patriotic piece in which the Mother Country and her various colonies and dependencies were repre- sented by girls dressed in quaint and pretty cos- tumes of a symbolic charaoter. The hall was crowded, and the audieace lost no opportunity of evincing their delight at the clever manner in which the performers went through their respec- tive parts. Everything went off without the slightest hitch, and Mrs Farr, the headmistress of the school, and her assistants, who have since Feb- ruary been hard at work preparing the children, are to be heartily congratulated upon the success which has attended their labours. Britannia" was repre- sented by Edith Jarman who filled the part to per- fection. The programme opened with a gipsy song and dance, by twelve girls, whose names were: Jenny Gardner, Rose Ordish, Annie Meredith, Edith Davies, May Francis, Emily Bebb, Minnie Jones, Annie Foulkes, Emily Higgins, Lizzie Evans, Mary Williams, Sarah Jane Lewis, Nellie Blair The other items were as follows: -Dumb-bell drill by 20 girls Maggie Meredith, Agnes Ingram, Anniw Williams, Sarah Morris, Nelly Francis, Nelly Joseph, Gladys Harris, Florry Price, Florry Parcell, Florry Gooding, Jenny Taylor, Edith Gittens, Evelyn Thomas, Annie Davies, Gertrude Jestico, Eva Pryce, Florry Ogborne, Rose Ht>dge. Alice Pugh, May Mills. Cantata, Britannia. Queen of the Ocean" Britannia. Edith Jarman Scotia, Jeannie Jones; Erin, Alice Watson Wales, Alice Thomas India and Attendants, Gertrude Oliver, Jenny Watson, and Louie Humphreys Australians, Gold Diggers Emily Ogborne, and Mav Humphreys Stock Riders Ethel Lewis, Dora Bowen, and Mary Grice; Cape Colonists Zulu, Minnie Faulkner Kaffir, Patty Griffithm Welshwoman, Emily Higgins Xnglish Farmer, Agnes Bowen Scotchwoman, Amy Joseph Irish- woman, Rose Bowen; Chinese, Gertrude Gitteus Cauadians: Drivers, Edith Oliver and Mary Pollock; Sleighers: Evelyn Pilot, Edith Blair, Flora Macdonald, Elsie Macdouald, Florry Blair, Jenny Rowlands, Cissie Corbett, Florry Poston, Lizzie Evans, Bessie Parry. Lncy Williams, Fanny Higgins. lsies of the Sea Jenny Gardner, Rose Ordish, Annie Meredith, Edith Davies, Mar Francis, Emily Bebb. Minnie Jones, Annie Fonikes, Eusily Higgins, Lizzie Evans, Mary Williams, Nellie Blair, Sarah Jane Lewis. Escort of Blue Jackets, 9 girls: Boatswain, Gladys Jones; Sailors, Rose Corbett, Annie Pugh, Slade Jones, Liztie Humphreys, Polly Jones, Alice Reese, Gertrude Wiiliaais, Beatrice Evans. The British Lion. A. chorus of 50 girls. The accompanists were Miss Ethel Jones (piano), and Master Sidney Jones (violin). A sum of zEl5 was realised, and what remains after paying expenses will be divided between the Victoria Nursing Institute and the Priae Fund. A performance held iu the afternoon for children was also highly successful. DEATH OF MRS B MAURICE JONES. We bare to record with regret the death which occurred on Monday after a brief illness, of Mrr Anne Maria Jones, wife of Mr Edward Maurice Jones, Westwood, Welshpool. Mrs Joues, who was born in 1833, was the eldest daughter of the late Mr William Bickerton, Buttingtoa Hall, and she leases a family of five sons aud one daughter. The funeral tcok place on Thursday afternoon at tl- C"I)" tile servico b"il,g duc.ed bv the R* D Stephens, Yinr of Pntti-g ton, assisted by the R"v 1) Grimaldi Davis, Yicar of Those present iticinded the Rjv Fa.'her W 11 Bickerton J.»:«« Dr G F Jou- s mud Messrs Stanley and Clement Jones (sous), Mr John Bick.'vr t. (!>rr.tVr) Baxter a!\ Henry El(tved (brothers-in law), Mr George Bicker- t"Y? (nephew), and Dr Hawksworth, who attended Mrs Jones in her last illness. A number .f bpautiful flowers were Disced on the coffin, amongst them ueiuga cross "From Maurice and t he children, as a tokeu of love and gratitude to the bltst "t wives and mothers." Wreaths and crosses were also sent In loving memorv of our dear silllter Itia from Nellie and Kitty," from Mr John Biokerton, "With loving sympathy from all at 6, Edwards square, Kensinerton, W With deepest svmpathy from Miss Reese," from Mr Charles E Howell and the M isses Howell With much sympathv," "With deep sympathy from Dr and Mrs Hawksworth," With deep sympathy from Mr and Mrs Edward Jones, Clive Place," In kindest remembrance from Mr and Mis Roper and familv," "From Miss Emelie Pryce," With much svmpathv from the servants at Westwood," "Deep sympathy from M A Cull," anti from Mrs Margaret Edwards, Mrs Evans and Mr Lambert. The whole of theatranve- ments for the fuueral were io the hands of Mr John Whirtall. THE COUNTY SCHOOL. A meeting of the Managers was held at the school yestet-d iy afternoon, there being present Mr W Forrester Addie (chairman) presiding, Mrs Humphreys-Owen, Messrlii Richaid Jones, T R Morris, Foulkes, W A Rogers, C E Howell, and J Morris. FINANCE COMMITTEE. This Committee recommended payments amount- ing to C33 2? 7d, and reported that a letter was received from the Clerk to the Counrv Body with reference to the proposed loan of P,400 to he. raillled on mortgage, and the Chairman stated that the matter was under consideration by that Bady. The Chairman now stated that the County Governing Body had agreed to the matter that afteruoon.— rhe Committee further reported the consideration of Pin application for an increase in salarv from Mr Highfield and they recommended that an in- crease be granted at the end of the present financial year, and that Mr Highfield be informed to that effect. The Committee recommended that an application by Mrs. Oliver for an allowance towards the rent of a cottage be not entertained. They also recommended that the Master and Mistress be asked to report as to the necessity of the services rendered by the vocal music master, and what time was devoted to the subject.— A discussion was commenced by Mr. Howc-ll as to the advisability of having a cottage built on the school grounds for the caretaker.—The Chairman "aid it was a question whether the Governors would make themselves responsible for the expense when a cottage uear the school could be rented.— Mrs. Humphreys Owen pointed out that the Governors had nj funds available to meet the cost of building a cottage.—The subject then dropped, and the committee's report was approved. THE PROPOSKP ALTERATION IN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. I The Governors had under discussion the follow- J ieg proposals of the Joint Education Committee f (1) that the parishes of Liansaintffraid-Deythenr, Llandisilio, and Llandrinio, and the parishes of Berriew, Brithdir and Caereinion should ziow be added to the School district of Welshpool.—(2) That to counter-balance the addition thus made to | the district of Welshpool, the parishes of Church- stoke and Montgomery should be transferred from the Weishpoot to the Newtown district and (3) That the township of Carreghofa should be added to th3 district of Llaufyllin.—The Chairman said I the matter came before the County Governors that day and he asked them to defer their decision until the Local Governors had sent their reply and they did so.—Mr T R Morris said he had gone into the matter, and taking the population he found that Sewtown had a population of 14,922-to draw from, but if Montgomery were added to the district as proposed Xewtown school would have a population of 17,682 to draw from. Welshpool at present haa 14373, but if Montgomery were taken away, it would have 11,613, or if Berriew were added 13,369. Thna Newtown district would have about 4,00) more to draw from than Welshpool, whilst if Deytheur, Carregbofa, and Llansantffraid were added to Welshpool Newtown would still have 3,000 in its favour. If Montgomery and Church- j stoke parishes were transferred to the Newtown district oue-ninth of the scholars would be taken from the Welshpool School.—Mrs Humphreys- Owen said if the parishes were transferred it did not follow that the scholars would go.—Mr Morris thought it would be very unfair to take those two parishes from the Welsbpool dis- trict.—In reply to Mr Howell, the Chairman said the alteration would affect the school as regarded the income derived from the papils.—Mrs Humphreys-Owen said that was just the point. They knew from experience that pupils came to the school which suited their convenience best, or they should not have had so many from the Llanfyllin district already. It would make a difference to the Governors in graating bursaries.—Mr Richard Jones disagreed with the proposal as affecting Welsbpool, and the Governors ought to protest strongly against it.—Mr Fonikes, in reply to Mr Howell, said the pupils from Llansaintffraid Deythenr would go to Llanfyllin, but he did not know of a single instance where children from Carreghofa went to Llanfyllin school.—The Chair- man said they had gone into the expense of build- ing a school, the size of which they had based on I the population of the district, and they now had the proposal by which another school would be I benefited bv from 3,000 to 4,000 population, and no doubt the income of the school would be affected. He considered it an unfair proposal as fa! as Welshpool was concerned. It was an important matter. No doubt, as Mrs Humphreys-Owen said, the schwiars would go to the school which suited their own convenience, but he was afraid the pro- posal would affect the school. There was also the fact that the districts it was proposed to take away supplied one-ninth of the scholars to the Welshpool school.—Mrs Humphreys-Owen agreed that Churchstoke and Montgomery should nor, be detached from Welshpool district because Welsh pool was their market towu. She was equally agreed that they should have the Deytheur district as far as Four Crosses, because she knew pupils did attend the Welshpool school from that district.— The following resolution was then unanimously agreed to The school managers for the district of Welshpool have had under their careful con- sideration the proposals of the Joint Education Committee, and it was resolved that the proposal would be unjust to the managers of the school at Welshpool, and they beg respectfully to oppose the proposed alterations in the scheme as suggested, and that copies of this resolution should be sent, to I the Chairman of the Joint Education Committee and the County Governing Body.

ABERMULE. CENTRAL MONTGOMERYSHIRE AORIRCLTI-RAL ASSOCIATION.—There were presentat the meeting on Thursday MessrsJones (Cwmdockin), Jones (Brvn- llwarch), George (Cottage), Venables (Penyeeili), Davies (Bolbro), J Lewis (Green lane), C Lewis (Bryntalch), C Miller, G 0 Miller, E Parrv (Waterloo Atms), Davies (Cefngwestvd). C Stephens, J H Stephens (Abermule), Woosnam (Brithdir), Jones (Gilfach), Yaughan ("Sew Inn. Kerry). Mr Jones ( Bry nllwarch) was voted to the chair. The secretary was re-elected. After some discussion as to where the next competition was to be hold- Abermule and Kerry having been men- tioned— it was left to the committee to decide. The secretary was ordered to call a committed meeLiug at an early date.

ABERYSTWYTH. THE LItAD MARKET -One result of the increased output of ammunition for Sonth Africa is that the price of lead has gone up C7 per ton in the course of a week. PL-BLic LIBRARY. During the week ending Yedneaday evening the number of books issued from the Public Library amounted to 445. At tl e meeting of the Committee held on Tuesiav evening Alderman Dougrhton was relected chairman, nnd the Rev T A Penry. honorary secretary. The Selection Committee will at once proceed to select new books to the amount of £25 now in hand. THK NOTEMBF* HIRING FAIR.—The town was full on Monday, when the first of the November Hiring Fairs was held. The amusements in tLe Smithfield were not so numerons as in previous years, although the gondoliers were largely patronised. CARMAKTHRK ASSIZES.—At these Assiaes held last week before Mr Justice Bucknill, Charles Forsyth, a respectable-looking man, who was captured by P.S. Phillips at Aberystwyth and charged with stealing a bicycle was sent to prison for three months with itard labour. MISSION SKRTiCts. On Sunday, at the Wesleyan Church, mission services were held, and the Rev A Burgess preached. The annual meeting in support of the mission took place at the same place on Wednesday evening when an interesting address wag delivered by the Rev C Hockeii, Indian missionary. ISA* i j-ATI ox. — At the meeting of Public Works Committee btsid •••• er, i t w aq ,i.idh(. t., ':n," dl -P te' ctioti the construction of a new drain a' Victoria erraoe at X40, tc) )av n, v wat-r main# ;• Buarth Boaro at a e >st of £ 56 4«, a>. 1 to su • ing the j Inspector of nuisances with a unifonr Those n-rso-.s >.av to en*" ><y *v, .1 tne In- spec tor's notioi'S are to i-e '••nrnmoned. PETTY SF-SIOVS.—T'•«*<*• Scions were held at Tow-i ITab. WftH. ■ *«!•;• bii'or- the- Mayor (Councillor C M Williams), M< ysrs Tbos Griffiths, D C H• i, K J and J 11 Lewis.— Evan Dsuiiel, buatman, was convicted of urnnkeuness and au assault on tue police. Fined 2* fx! for the first | uff nc and 10s t*n<i costs for i pe econd offetjC-e, it dtfault fourteen days. — For having been drurk and lefuiing to quit the Coop-iV Arms. James Lewis, Cefn hendre, ftum serr;* ■ t, fined & I'l."¡ j cos t^ — T'ie Bench maOe JIU orn.-> Is per I' eek a!ai[ISL %Vni Evans,e-,nd Benjamin Evans, TalvOont, for tho maintenance of their patioer mothei. POULTRY SH-'W.—AI the g«;:er«. of mg subscriber* of the poultry show 0 in the Corn Mrl tiall, on Frioay ermiiiu, Mr S Pcake as vwted to t e chair, nd thert w re aieo as Messrs .Iotin Riclta,"11 !r,&,ur,! A R Gyde. K K Jenkins, auctioneer. T W Powi-1., nd Rlliu Wil- liams. hon. see* D M L)svi- Treasurer; .JO.1. Morgan, J P Th* Larches; K I ■> ard J Pa- rish, K E'Jwards, R Norther, A discussior ,k plioC" as UJ the placij for ho.oinu the show, d it was decided to hold il m tiim Corn Market Ha 6* Friday. Dec»mt>. r 22nd. The chairman (Dr Harries) anrt tb^ officials were re-elected all" Mr Cook of Orpington nouse, St. Mary Cray, Kent, -as cho8- D as judge. THfr. PERILS or THE DKIP — News was ret ed here last week of the death at sea of Mr Gr rii he, Port land street. He WaIIl "I.. t¡.. HL'booner }(a-I!le" which was bound from Cardiff to Gampellto" ".nd was engaged in t',e early morning about two o o?k on Tuesday week and is suppow-d during the rm to have been bIO" D from tile bowsprit into r sea and was not missed in the dark till sou>' "1. afterwards. Mr Gr fiiths Wllo aoout liixtv-fiv. eare of age and formerly sailed on he Carad,),, tie was a brother-in-law of Mrs John Hus of Portland street and leavw* two sons and we daughters, one uf whom ic married to Mr J A 'De.I' fcrohitect. ASSESSMENT COMMITTRY,. A meeting the Assessmeut Committee for tne union was i, i on Monday morning. Thert. were present Mr W A Miller (chairman), Messrs Charles Davi- .1 J James. J E James, Richard Edwards, Wrn P well, Janies Jones, and Kvan Lewis; with Mr D J I, 11:J8, acting cleik. The overse- .¡ of the pari', of Aberystvrj tti, LlatiNchalai-L, Llapeynfel,i,, i.irn- rhystyd .dt>fe!Jyda, Llal1íLleinol, Cyfoet h* t.rdJill. and Henlivs, presented new supplemental vairation lists, *»hich were approved .>f. JUNIOR CUP COMPETITION. — A meeting o' the Junior Cup Competition Committee was held .t, the j Lion Hotel on Saturday U'.gnt, Mr E K T:.on.,son presiding, thfre beina also present Mesxrs K Edwards, H Bearne, W Heritage, and Wa: e! ) no-LR, hon. sec. The draw for i i-e second rourni ,.t the competition rook place, ti e result being as follows: North End v C(,:I,,ge Reserre, N-L,, i-nal United.. St Geortre's United, Boers v Swif s. and Padarn United v Ystwyrh Raiagers. E K Thompson. Jack I homas, R A James, "d T H: Edwards were appointed rt-ferees. The S, George's United and the National United will :day (Saturday) CHRTSANTHKMUM SHOW.— The seco d annual show of the Chrvsanthemum Societv w s he1 1 in the Royal Pier Pavilion on Wednesday afternoon. The show was opened lJ ir Vaughan D ivh s. M.P., preLRideiit of the societv, mnd during tbe afternoon large number* of subscribers and otbers drove in from the count-y for the purpose of visiting the show. The displaj of blooms was very fine, and the exhibition of vegetables called for mud: ¡)ril!9., The exhibit par excellence was that of Mr L r rngh of Aberrnaide, who showed a surprisin<?iy fine jot of vegetables growu from seeds 8opidl..q o» .Lir well-known townsman Mr Wilkinson. North parade. The ciedit of the exhibit, however iies with Mr A ustin the garrtener, who is noted am gat professional men for his success in this irie. U8 show made by Mr Weller, the Corporation g";rdpuer, of blooms WH S said by professional men to b" u -our- passed for quality and colour. Ofcourp rf. pr-vate exhibitors showed m;ich the best stuff. "wi parti- oularU fine was Messrs Clibran'estall ot a.»ple^ ¡'he competition war- throughout a close one, and p..iut. to the fact tti t considerable interest is taken by amateur gardeners in the cultivation "I toe lorely chrysanthemum. Mr Askew and MrWebsdell also showed specimens of the content*, ot nt-ir houses, and the groups of plants from the Queen'* Gardens, from Fronfraith, Goginan, Hafod, Frony- geg, Penwern came in for close inspection and much admiration. The effect of the electric lights which were so arranged as to hana1 with drol ping bfllba of light amid the foliage was. Vl ry pretty. The show was a sucoess arid to the commi'te-' and Mwssrs Sheraton and Purton (the secretaries) this most be most gratifying. The silver e),-ctr,J)lated cup, given bv Mr Purton to the gardenei taking the most primes, was easily secured by Mr Aostim Mr Veary, guraener ro Sir. Pryse-Pryse, coming second. Mr Websdell won the sil er medal, aleo given by Mr Purton, for the best grouping of plants, an(i the solid silver cup and 95 HI money was taken by Colonel Llovd, Aston Hall. Oswestry. This cap must be won twice before it beoomes the property of the exhibitor. The silver mecal for 12 cut blooms, nice varieties, given by Mr Sheraton, was won by Mr John Evans, gardener, Froaygog. The committee had arranged with Mr Gilbert Rogers to give fln entertainment during the day and he was well received by the large audiences, COLLKGK SoiREL.- A soiree in connection with the College Literary and Debating Society was held at the College ou Friday evening. There was a large and representative a'tendanceof students aud professors. TI, programme was as fo.lows :—6-15 to 7, reception 7 to 7-45, in the ExaminaMon Hall; glee, How sweet the moonlight sleeps," Mixed Choir, conducted by Mr H T Evans; scenes from Cranford," dramatis |>er*ouae, Miss Matty, Miss Dallev Miss Marv (her niece) Miss Morphy Miss Betti, Parker, Miss Bu'h r; Miss Pole. Miss Bur- lington; Mrs Jamiesou, Miss Mary Parry; Mrs Forester, Miss Caswell; Martha, Miss Ltnnell; 7-45 to 8-45, i uterval, refreshments, chest,, draughts. eke, in Professor Angws's room 8-55 to 9-15. in the Examination Had, C'dgan y Philic-tiaid," Male Voice Party, conducted by Mr Raw Morgan song, Arm, arm, ye brave," Mr D T Davies; violin solo, Henry Till Dances," Miss Witiaall; recitation, Mary, Quesn of Sous," Miss Maud Oweu. In the Liorary, mandoline solo, Miø Hancock recitation If-, -tri As Yon Like It," Miss I Jane Davies; sonw, Around the old camp fire." Mr W 0 Edwards: Cydgan y Philisf iaid," Male Voice Partv. 9 15 to 10-15, interval 10 15 to 11, in the Examination Hail, The man of fortv," ir John I Stone, Professor Edwards; James Stone, M P. (hifl son), Mr L1 A O ven Mr Bachelor (the man of forty), Dr Bronurh Julia (his ward), Miss Graham; Netty (a housemaid), Miss Biagg. Finale, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau." The arrangements, which gave every satisfaction, were in the hards of a committee consisting of Mr D ft., Harries (president), Mr F Knoyle (vice-president). Miss Gwyther (treasurer), Messrs -Sen Morgan and G P Williams (secretaries), Mis-; Ashweil, Miss Hill, Miss Balding. Messrs G A Parry, J S Davies, B Scott Williams, H T Evans, and C Eladen I

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