Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

I. nr ? > i T T V7 JL Jk.^ A A. ji-J • oiiibination. Resultsr.. t; u. < !av, September 23 :—• Goals F)!-n. Fur Agst Pts. ■Wrexham. 0 0 20 4 8 Chirk. 3 1 0 9 3 6 Druids 2 1 1 11 7 5 Oswestry 1 2 1 8 9 3 Birkenb. 1 0 0 3 2 2 Newtowi. l 1 0 2 2 2 Aberystwy n .2.0. 3 .11 0 Baiigor I 0 0 2 0 Llandudno n 2 0 3 9 0 Rhyl U 2 0 2 10 0 Wl JIAM v. ABERYSTWYTH. The abov maicii was played last Saturday before a goo r ,t" The visitors won the toss, and elected to i • > wn h the wind, which was blowing towards tit ¡,1ali i iarn road goal. The home team more i.K in 1 heir own against the wind, and were lea-ii• half time by 1—0. In the second hali ■ ■ ■ change took place. Wrex- ham out pia,. ,¡ lie home side and ultimately ran out winners d goals to 2. The following were the teams: wx'ham: Goal, Jardine; backs, Povah ard r half-back*, Granger, Robinson, and Hogtors ;rr!.v, Kelly, Griffiths, Poutney, Chaloner, .id ( i ',)n. Aberystwyth: goal, J. H. Yearsley; hacs, C. Parry and G. Evans; half- backs, Jones, Edw.rds, and E. Parry; forwards, Bennett, Green, J. Evans, Parson, and Morgan. NOTES BY EDGE-HILL. Many years ago, when quite a young man, I had an ar(leiit to go on the stage; and, being full of esroism Ile many vou'ie men are, I fancied I could sing and dance a hit. So I accepted an engagement a' a small concert hall. But my I z, youthful aspirations were nipped in the bud by my parents in •"■w ;iing, whether for good or ill I know not. T$,e na/ch last Saturday reminded me of that little in t•ivnt in my life, for I remember I had used to sing a song entitled They are playing at the same old L" me." The words of the song did not refer t but they are applicable to the town team, vertheless. They are playing at the same old gat. i.f losing matches. Played 3, won 0, losi 3. 4 goals for and 15 against, and all on their own ground, reads t.-hi.-k in all conscience. On wending my way from the field after the match I was amused at the vapid outpourings of some of of the more chagrined spectators, who ex- pressed th«m>elves something after this fashion "They can't plav for nuts," "Nor for toffee," "White Star will heat them down here," North End eould wall op.theiii," an (i so on. Some of them were expressing themselves in Welsh, and not being conversant with the native tongue I could not understand what they were saying, but by their gesticulations and facial expression I should imagine tli-,v w. r. piling on the agony just a wee bit. New we in i.igers dare not give vent to our feelings in that way We have to be more circum- spect,, and think calmly and deliberately before we put our pen naper and when some of you gentle readers were probably enjoying yourselves on the evening of h" match, I was sitting in my sanctum cogitating over the "auses for this severe defeat. and these a e the '•onclasions I came to Want of condition and inexperience in goalkeeping. I don't think I ever saw such a reversal of form in a match. Our men played a fine game against the wind in the first half, the two brcks in particular. But great ,It? What a change in the second half. Ei:tht goals in half an hour. Three in five minutes. The fact of the matter was the Town team had shot their bolt early in the second half, and when the third goal was scored demoralization took place, and a complete rot set in and what the score would have been had it not been for Charlie Parry I know not, for he played for all he was worth. The Wrexham men had a lot of reserved vitality tip their sleeves and they did not forget to use it; for they played with our men like cats do with mice. This only goes to show what condition will do. I am afraid there is not a man at present in our team who could run at a fairly good pace four times round the field with- out blowing hard. If that is truth then there is something radically wrong. Referring to the goalkeeping I cannot help but think that it was a big thing to ask a man to gb-e his first exhibition against what I consider the best team in Wales. Yearsley will think none the less of me if I say that a good goalkeeper would have stopped five of those shots that scored. It may be some consola- tion to him if I tell him I have seen nearly as many goals scored against Sutcliffe iu a match. There- fore he must not be downhearted over this his first exhibition. Experience is a splendid teacher, it teaches a goalkeeper the following qualifications among others:—That subtle art of eluding and tricking opponents when they are on the top of you, endeavouring to rush you and the ball into the net. How to discriminate whether to kick at a fast straight grounder or whether to get down with your hands. To partly tell what effect the wind has on the ball in its flights towards goal. To tell to a nicety where the ball is likely to drop, either in front of goal or behind the bar, from those long drop shots. To be able to tell what direction the ball is likely to take from a kick with the left or right foot. How to try and stop those terrific low cross shots which just enter the inside of the posts by throwing oneself at full length and curl- ing the ball outside. How to negotiate those terrific shots just coming underneath the bar by jumping up in the nick of time and tipping them over This Yearsley will acquire with experience Jlnd perseverance. I refrain from a criticism of one or two of J/]«y?rs lest I should wound their susceptibilities. But there is one matter I v-ish to refer to. At the commencement of the second half a slight contreternpt occr.rrei between the captain of the town team ond one of his men. The Captain ordered him to fall half back so as to strengthen the defence and the player point blank refused. It is not for me to express an opinion whether this was a wise policy to adopt with one goal in front and three quarters of an hour to play. That is beside the question. But this much I will say, that such insarbordination should not be tolerated for a moment and the sooner the player in question understands this the better it will be for the Club's welfare. Last week I promised Jimmy Ross, of Man- chester Ciiy, a paragraph in thes« Notes. Speaking from memory, it must be thirteen or fourteen years since I first saw him play in Major Sudell's Preston North End cream of Scotch importations, which I unhesitatingly say was the finest team that ever stepped on a field. Ross played inside right with a player named Gordon on the outside, and what a wing they were, and what a lively time the opposing half backs used to have. You could venture to say that Gordon could centre the balLfromthe goal line with unerring aim rio-ht across the goal mouth nine times on* p.:<«•;>< the trickest inside right I have ever seen play. With the retirement of John Goodall he is the only player left of that famous team, and even to-day we find him one of a wing that is one of the most dangerous in the League. It eem, that the undiscovered science of perpetual motion has been found in Jimmy Ross. Verily he is a marvel. What surprises we hear of in football now-a-days It is a good thing for the game that its results I cannot be foretold. You can give a forecast only and no more. It is the glorious uncertainty that fetches the crowd. The season has only run a month when we read of West Bromwich beating Villa twice within the month at Villa Pa k. At the time of writing they have not met again. I am never surprised at results between these teams. I have probably seen them pitted against each other forty or fifty times, and I have never seen them play what you might term a good scientific game. You see it is in this way. They are near neigh- bours. Not more than four miles seperates their grounds. There is always a large contingent of supporters of each club present. The noise is almost deafening. The excitement is intense. The players are urged on by their respective supporters, and they, the players, catch the contagion. Hence those rushing, unscientific games which end in surprises. I know Notts Norest are not a one man team, for on paper they have a splendid side, and should make things hum. But is it not singular that when Morris is out of the team they can scarcely win a match? It will be remembered that before Morris joined the Forest last season, they were going from bad to worse, and looked like occupying a \.w rung on the league ladder. With the inclusion Morris they had a string of unbroken successes. -a first match played this season they beat n 3- 1, and drew with Wolverhampton rers, who are a hard nut to crack on their ound; and then, with Morris injured, beat them by 3-0, and last Saturday with i and Forman away they could only beat by 1—0. Morris must, evidently, be a tre- .JUS source of strength to the team.

The most nutritious. TPS'S COCOA Grateful and comforting EPPS'S COCOA For L- fast and supper. EPPS'S COCOA it'. fiavotir oiily.

ABERYSTWYTH. Board of tiu rdians. At the fortnightly meeting of the above Board on Monday there were present :—Mr, B. Ellis Morgan (presiding), Rev. T. A. Penry, Messrs G. Fossett Roberts, Hugh Hughes, J. J. James, Ed. Jones, (Ceulanyma-oou.av.r), Lewis Richards (Cwmrheidol), J. B. Morgan (Cynullmawr), Richard Jenkins (Llancynfoiin), Thomas Powell, (Llanfi- hangel Upper), Evan Richards (Llanfihangel Lower), Rd Davies (Treteirig), Win. Hughes (Vaenor Upper); with the Clerk (Mr. Hugh Hughes), ai: \«; Clerk (Mr. David Davies). STATISTICS. Aberystwyth (Mr. Thomas Vaughan): number of paupers in receipt of i, 152. as compared with 169 during the corresponding period of last year, amount of relief paid £46 16s Od, as against £44 17s Od during the corresponding period of last year Geneurglyn district (Mr. J. J. Hughes) number of paupers 178 against 187, amount expended £49 9s Od against £50 lis Od; Rheidol district (Mr. J. Morgan) number of paupers 132 as against 136, amount expended £46 16s Od s against £43 18s Od number in the House 40 against 59; vagrants relieved 15 against 19. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD GETTING LIBERAL. The Clerk read an order from the Local Govern- ment Board to the effect that henceforth the appointment of collector to the Guardians, col- lector of poor rates, school attendance officer, enquiry officer, porter, assistant teacher and superin- tendent out-door labour would be placed absolutely in the hands of the Board.—i.e. they will not require confirmation by the Local Govern- ment Board. The order also stated that hence- forth Boards of Guardians might without the con- sent of the Local Government Board dispense with the condition that a person holding the office of relieving officer should devote the whole of his time to the duties of his office, and allow such officer to perform the duties of school attendance officer, registrar of births, inquiry officer &c, The Clerk added that the order would come into force im- mediately. Mr. J. B. Morgan remarked that the order was very liberal. CLERGY RELIEF BILL. A letter was read from the St. Asaph Union requesting the Board to join them in a protest against the Tithe Rent Charge Bill, as being unjust in principle. The Chairman, having read the resolution passed by the St. Asaph Board, asked What does it all mean ?" (laughter). Rev. T. A. Penry I take it it's a protest against the Tithe Act. The Chairman said if any Guardian wished to take the matter up, he must give notice. BOARDING OUT. At the last meeting the Clerk intimated that the Local Government Board auditor had insisted that all children boarded out should be placed directly under the control of the Boarding-out Committee. Mr. E. J. Evans then gave notice of a resolution on the matter, but he was not present to-day owing to a domestic bereavement. The Chairman said he supposed that they must follow the dictation of the auditor. The Clerk: Oh! yes. Mr. J. B. Morgan moved that a vote of condolence be passed with Mr. E. J. Evans, who had lost a son uineteen years old. Mr. Edward Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to. ABERYSTWYTH PAUPERS. Mr. G. Fossett Roberts presented the report of the Committee composed of the Town Guardians appointed to go through the Aberystwyth list of paupers, each case being in- dividually dealt with. One man was called into the room and questioned as to how far he was able to support his father. He stated that he had given him a pair of boots and a vest in the summer that he would try somehow to get him a coat and vest for the winter," and that he wonld give him a sixpence or a shilling now and again if he had to go without it himself." In dealing with another case, in which a collier was involved, Mr. J. B. Morgan remarked that they were having a pros- perous time in South Wales just now—"better far than the farmers in the country." Mr. Hugh Knghes: Oh I Yes, it's a wonder you live (laughter). The list having been concluded, Mr. Fossett Roberts remarked that they had made a sweep" in regard to some cases, but if any felt that they bad been hardly dealt with it would be open for them to come before the Board. The net results was that four cases were stopped, and six reduced whilst in eight cases children had been called upon to contribute to the support of their parents. As a result of the alterations there would be a reduction of a week in the amount of relief paid. Upon the county lists being gone through Mr. Fossett Roberts protested because no reductions were being made, and urged that paupers all round should be treated on the same scale. Mr. Hugh Hughes joined in the protest, saying that the Aberystwyth Guardians had visited each pauper, and made several reductions, and they would hear of it before they went to bed that night (laughter.) Mr. J. B. Morgan said they must remember that people living in the country had less chance of getting work than those living in Aberystwyth. Mr. Hugh Hughes: We are too fair in Aberyst- wyth. Mr. J. B. Morgan: You are far higher than the country now. BURIAL OF PAUPERS. Rev. T. A. Penry said that at the last meeting of the Board the Clerk pointed out that the Relieving Officers were not authorised to furnish coffins to paupers buried at the expense of the Union, and that they could not do that without direct authority of the Board, and the Clerk suggested that they should pass a general resolution authorising the Relieving officers to defray the cost of providing coffins for paupers in such cases. He moved a resolution accordingly. Mr. Powell seconded.—Carried. MR. JOSEPH MORGAN'S SALARY. The report of the Committee appointed by the Board to consider the application of Mr. Joseph Morgan, relieving officer for the Rheidol district, for an increase in salary on account of the re- arrangement of the districts of the relieving officers was presented. The report stated that on the proposition of Mr. Richard Edwards, seconded by Mr. John Morgan, it was unanimously resolved to recommend to the Guardians that the salary of Mr. Morgan be increased by £5; and that Mr. J. J. Hughes, the Relieving Officer for the Geneu'r- glyn District, be asked to consent to a reduction of £3 in his sa1".ry in consideration of the diminution of his district and of the fact that he had been ap- pointed Vaccination Officer for bis district. Mr. J. B. Morgan pointed out that many of the members interested in the matter could not attend that day owing to Ffair Rhos and several of them had requested him to suggest that it should be adjourned for a fortnight. The matter was adjourned accordingly. UNCONSCIOUS SELF-PRAISE. Rev. T. A. Penry moved that a committee (whom he named) should be formed to superintend the construction of a hedge at the workhouse. Mr. J. B. Morgan I second that. We can't have a better lot. The Chairman: You are one of them (loud laughter). Mr. J. B. Morgan (looking quite astounded): Oh, indeed, I didn't know that. I didn't hear my name (more laughter). Mr. T. A. Penry: You are included. The Chairman: There's nothing like blowing your own trumpet (laughter). Rev. T. A. Penry: I'll use the same words—I don't think we could have a better lot (laughter).

RHYDLEWIS. FIRE.—A fire broke out in the premises of Mr. Samuel Owens, Brithdir. near this place last week. The family had retired to bed early and about ten o'clock Mr. Owens, who happened to be awake saw to his astonishment that the outhouses were on fire. He got up and went out hurriedly and tried to save the hofses from the fire; he succeeded with difficulty in saving three horses which were in the burning stable. Very soon the place was full of sturdy young men who gave a helping hand in ex- tinguishing the fire and after about two hours hard work it was put out but not before great damage had been done. The cause of the fire is not yet known. Luckily the wind which wasiblow- ing high at the time, was blowing from the direc- tion of the hayyard which was very close to the houses. About a week ago another fire broke out in a small farm called Cwmllwydrew, when all the stocks of corn and hay were burnt to the ground, the cause of this fire was that a little boy was playing with matches In the hayyard.

LLANBRYNMAIR. ANNIVERSARY MEETINGS. — On Wednesday evening and Thursday last the annual preaching meetings of the Independents were held at the old chapel. The Rev. W. J. Nicholson, Portmadoc, and the Rev. J. Miles, Aberystwyth, were the selected preachers, and powerful sermons were delivered by them at all the meetings to good congregations.

MR. o. r. EDWARDS, M.P., AND HIS CONSTITUENTS, SPEECH AT BLAENAU FESTINIOG. On Thurseov. Mr. Owen M. Erlwnrds, M.A., M.P., (ielivei-ed his first speech in bis constituency since his election as Member for Merionethshire in succession to the late Mr. T. E. Ellis, M.P. The occasion was the holding of the annual meeting of the Merioneth Liberal Association at Blaenaa Festiniog, a report of which will be found in another column. Dr. Edward Jones, J.P., (Dolgelley) piesided. Mr. Edwards, on rising, was received with loud ;;nti!nuse. Speaking in Welsh, he said that he hoped they would forgive him if, in the course of the few observations he was going to make, lie said things which they I did not expect him to say and left unsaid things which they expected him to say. The fact was, lie had very little notion of what lie ought to say at a meeting of that kind. As they knew, he was new to the work; he had had very little experience, and, of course, had never addressed them at such a gathering before but if he exceeded his bounds he hoped the chairman would pull him up either by constitutional or by un- constitutional means (laughter). THE LATE MR. ELLIS. He would at the outset refer to a purely personal matter. On the occasion of his first appearance in the House of Commons, he received the same welcome from all— from old and young, Conservative and Liberal members, and from all the officials of the House. There was one feeling among them, and that was the deepest sorrow at the death of the member whose place he took, and while mentioning this matter he wished to explain to them why lie had previously made such little i-efei-eitee to their late dearly beloved representative, Mr. Ellis. He never dreamt then that he would succeed him. They knew one another from childhood, and there was no one there on more friendly terms with Mr. Ellis, so that at the time of his death the reason of his (Mr. Edwards') silence was this-he was afraid that they would appoint him to repre- sent that County in the House of Commons, merely because he was a friend of Mr. Ellis. He could assure them that no one respected their late member more than he did, and no one had felt his loss, so much as he had felt it. IN THE HOUSE. Proceeding, the hon. member said that when he first entered the House of Commons as their member, he was told by Sir Wilfred Lawson, that lie arrived there two days too late, as the Scotch Sunday Closing Bill, which he certainly would have voted for, had he been there, had just been rejected. Since he had been in the House of Commons, two bills affecting the Ci'.rr.i of England had been re lit with. One of them was withdrawn. This was the Clergy Discipline Bill. He could scarcely give it a Welsh translation, unless he called it the Bill for looking after the Clergy (laughter). He did not feel at all interested in that bill, because personally he was convinced that there was only one remedy for all the defects that existed in the Church of England, and that was dis- establishment (applause). He did not feel called upon to vote, either for or against the bill. He did not vote against it because he thought parsons should keep the law, and he did not vote for it because he felt there was in it the persecuting element. Consequently he abstained from voting. The other bill I was the Tithes Bill, by which half the rates paid by the Clergy were taken off them and placed on the shoulders of the ratepayers of the country, who, he imagined, would let their voice be heard in no uncertain fashion in regard to the matter when the time came (hear, hear). With regard to social legisla- tion, not much had been done during the past session to remedy social grievances. They all knew what had been done with regard to Old Age Pensions, and he need not go into that question. THE TRANSVAAL. Passing on, the hon. member referred to the Transvaal crisis. He would, he said, state conscientiously and as clearly as possible his opinion on this subject. In dis- cussing this question they ought not to forget that it was the forefathers of this little nation in South Africa, the Boers, that made such a heroic stand for the cause of liberty when it was threatened by Spain and Italy. There was nothing in the history of the world to excel that. Again there was in the Transvaal two parties, one led by Kruger and the other by Joubert, the latter being in a minority, and he personally had no doubt that the cause of Liberalism in the Transvaal would have won had it not been for the appearance of a person named Major Jamieson in the country. He believed that raid was one of the most disgraceful and immoral episodes inthehistory of this country and if they in this country at that time had with one voice declared their abhorrence of that deed the great difficulty with which they were now face to face in the Trausvaal would not have arisen. He for one could never believe that England would go to war with the Transvaal. He could not conceive the idea of a strong country like England entering into a struggle with a small country like the Transvaal for the reasons that were given. He dared not think of the consequences, they would be something terrible. One result would certainly be the creating of racial hatred throughout South Africa which would last for centuries. He repeated that he could not believe that a free country like England could be so unrighteous as to go to war with the Transvaal. He was sure that a roteeful solution was still possible. He was afraid there was a des- potic spirit evident in the dealings of the present Government. He knew that spirit. He had read about it before. It was the spirit that drove the States of America to declare their independence. He ventured to say that Mr. Chamberlain would not dare interfere in the internal affairs of their great colonie:-such as Canada and Cape 5 Colony — in the same way that he dealt with the Transvaal. He thought they should protest strongly against the way this little Republic of the Transvaal was being tn-Mted -1. little nation that had traditions, and that had sacrificed much to preserve its liberties—and he beUived there were other means than war by which the demands of the Uitlanders could be satisfied. He felt grateful to Mr. Bryn Roberts for raising his voice so emphatically in this matter (ap- plause). LIBERAL LEADERS—WELSH PARTY. Proceeding, Mr. Edwards said, he would like to mention one or two things that had struck him since he had been in the House of Commons. He used to hear that the Liberal party was without good leaders, but one need not be in the House half an hour before that notion was dissipated. Ther e was Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman—it would be impossible to get a wiser man Mr. Bryce, than whom no one could express himself in a more lucid and logical manner; and Sir Henry Fowler, one of the most eloquent speakers he had ever heard, (applause.) There was another thing that struck him. Before he entered Parliament he had heard and read a great deal about the want of unity among the Welsh party, in the House of Commons. Of course when general questions arose, they merged them- selves in the Liberal party, but he was sure that whenever a question arose that affected the interests of Wales, the Welsh members would be as unanimous as any party ever was. LIBERAL PRINCIPLES IN DANGER. Continuing the hon. member remarked that some people were fond of telling them that the system of Party Government in this Country had seen its day. It was said that there was not so much difference now between the two parties as there used to be, but no one could be in the House of Commons long without seeing that the fundamental prin- ciples of Liberalism were in danger. There were two things that were especially in danger—religious freedom and free trade. He believed the present Government, if they dared, would at the present day interfere with free worship and free trade. In India British soldiers who happened to be Pres- byterians and Wesleyans were prevented from worshipping in their own chapels and were compelled to attend the services of the Church of England and as they were aware quite recently protection had been introduced in India. He feared, therefore, the time would come when it would be necessary to recall to the mind of the young men of to-day the great battles fought by their fore-fathers in defence of religious freedom, and the great struggles against protection z,9 b (applause). They were strong Liberals in Merioneth, but let them not think that their work was finished. VISITING HIS CONSTITUENCY. In conclusion, the hon. member said he had much pleasure in being among them that day. He had not had the opportunity of meeting them hitheito, but he was very anxious to visit every part of the con- stituency. They must remember he was Only -a young one" as a politician and he had been much pressed with work. He had been entrusted with a good deal of Com- mittee work. It was not very easy for him to go the round of the County at present; he would ask them to exercise a little patience. He promised them that he would visit every part of the County as soon as possible. If he did not come as soon as they wished, it would not be from want of willing- ness but ¡'eause of inability to come owing to his dul at College and in Parliament (loud applause).

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THE ABERYSTWYTH LEASE QUESTION. SIR. The lease question at Aberystwyth threatens to become as complex as the Outlander problem in the Transvaal. It seems to me that the Terrace Road Lease has become hopelessly in- volved in wordy disputations, and that the best solution of that difficulty, at any rate, would be to let the lease in question revert to the Corporation as trustees for the ratepayers in general; for neither of the other parties can have an equal claim and right to the Corporation to the benefit of the doubt. RATEPAYER.

»■ EVENING CONTINUATION SCHOOLS. Sm,-As one who has derived much benefit from the Evening Continuation Schools held at the Board School during the winter months and takes great interest in the efforts made through the medium of these classes to disseminate knowledge amongst those who have not been favoured with the advantages of secondary education, I should be much obliged if you would draw the attention of both old and young to the advantages that are within their reach. When the amount of money spent upon ele- mentary education in this country is considered it is deplorable to think that at the end of their short school life the majority of children forget almost all of what they have learnt I The period that elapses from the time children leave school until they attain a matured age lays the foundation of their whole life, it is the time when their career is either made or marred and in these days of keen competition, it is those who, by taking advantages of opportunities to improve themselves intellectu- ally that succeed best in all branches of life. The continuation school is also a power for good, inasmuch as it substitutes a desire for self im- provement for some of the habits which arc so destructive of good character. It is a splendid in- stitution, is in fact the poor man's secondary school and well worthy of our support, but here in Aberystwyth it is to be regretted that hitherto it has not been patronized as it ought to. Last year, out of a population of nearly 7,000 we were not 50 members in the class, this including both sexes This will suffice to show that there is ample room for vast improvement, and in the immediate sur- rounding districts the evening schools are numerically stronger than in our so-called educa- tional town. The School Board deserve great credit for the way in which they have continued to provide every facility in spite of the scant encouragement they have received. This year I understand it is their intention to extend the curriculum to provide room for more attractive subjects. They will con- tinue as usual their prize scheme to encourage regular attendance by means of which, at the end of the session a pupil may receive the value of which is actually more than the fee charged. Their endeavour to promote the welfare of the town is worthy of the support of all, and should especially commend itself to ratepayers who arc parents by bringing their influence to bear upon children. I hope you will give the matter prominence in your next issue. AN OLD NIGHT SCHOOL PUPIL.

Wales in London. At the close of the service the other Sunday evening. Dr. Owen Evans, the venerable minister of the Welsh Congregational Church at King's Cross, told the members that it was his intention to retire from the ministry early in 1901, when he will have completed a term of fifty years in the work. # The Quarterly Meetings of the Castle Street Baptist Church Sunday School were held on Sunday last under the presidency of Mr. Edward Humphreys. Papers were read by Mr. 1. W. Thomas (Bodval), and Mr. W. J. Griffiths (Upper Srreet) and songs were given by Miss May Wil- liams, Miss Annie Jenkins, Mr. M. Dewi Williams, and Mr. Brenig Jones; and a recitation by Miss Alice Pryce Jones. The Anniversary Services of the Tabernacl Welsh Congregational Church, King's Cross, were held on Saturday night, Sunday, and Monday night, and were very largely attended. The preachers were the Revs. T. Thomas, Merthyr; 1:;) noli Davies, Beckenham and J. Penar Griffiths.

BLAENPLWYF. OBITUARY.—On Saturday last the death took place at Trefedlin of Mr. David Jones, in his 69th year. The deceased was a well known and much respected farmer in this neighbourhood where he had lived for over eighteen years. He was of a quiet and unobtrusive disposition, but had, never- theless, taken his share from time to time in the public life of his locality. Mr. Jones was a native of Tregaron, having been born at Esgermaen. While living in that part he at the same time held Brynhownant farm. He removed from Tregaron to Trefedlin about 18 years ago. He had been a member of the Board of Guardians at Tregaron and at Aberystwyth. He was also for some time a member of the local School Board.. He was a faith- ful member of the Calvinistic Methodist Church, where his son is a deacon. He is survived bv six sons. The funeral took place on Wednesday, the mtermeni being made at Llanychaini Churchyard where his wife and daughter are buried. The Rev. Llewellyn Davies, deceased's pastor, officiated at the hou-e, and the vicar at the grave.

MID-AERON. PAXTON SOCIETY.—A well-attended meeting of people interested in the improvement of cottage gardening in the villages of Talsarn, Feliiifac and Cribin was held in the Felinfach Board School on Wednesday evening last, for the purpose of forming a branch of the recently formed Aber ystwyth and District Paxton Society. Mr. Pickard, U, C. W.. speaking in support of the movement said that to-day there was a marked tendency to draw people from country districts into populous and crowded centres, and he was afraid that there was a danger of those useful and elevating occupa- tions which the soil provided being forgotten. Anything that could be done to maintain the interest of the people in the soil was, in his opinion, a distinct gain to the nation, because no one could cultivate the products of the earth with- out becoming a better man and a better citizen. To his mind it made no difference whether a man followed gardening for art or for utility, the occupation had an ennobling tendency; they did not indulge in gardening merely for the money they could make, but for the amount of pleasure they could derive, a pleasure no money could buy. Hence he said that all movements which tend in this direction are for the common weal. The Paxton Society is one of these movements in that it tends to foster a spirit of emulation amongst its members, and at the same time gives them an opportunity of self help in improving methods of gardening which present day horticultural shows fail to give. At the same time he would warn them not to expect too much from the Paxton Society. Its usefulness he said would depend almost entirely upon the members themselves, When they invited a gardener, or any other person, to read them a paper upon any special vegetables or fruits or flowers, they ought not to be content merely to listen to the paper, but he urged them to freely question the essayist upon all the little difficulties and disappointments they met with in their own gardens in connection with the particular crop under discussion, then the society would become what it was intended to be a mutual improvement Society, improving not only their knowledge of it, but their love of it too. After Mr. D. Watkin had addressed the meeting in Welsh, it was unani- mously decided to form a branch of the Society, with a member's annual subscription of one shilling Mr. Griffiths was elected president for the first term, Mr. D. Wat kins vice-president, Mr. Davies, Felinfach, Board Schoolmaster, secretary, and a working committee of six members were appointed to take the initatory steps. Most of those present joined the new society, to which we wish every success. A vote of thanks to the chairman and to Mr. Pickard concluded the meeting. COUNTY COUNCIL TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION IN HORTICULTURE.—Mr. J. L. Pickard will shortly give a course of ten lectures on the Principles of Horticulture in Mid-Aeron. The lectures will be given in the various Board Schools of the Vale in the evenings, and during the forenoons and after- noons demonstrations will be given in window and cottage gardening, bee manipulations, pruning* root pruning, and other practical work.