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THE CHURCH FINANCIAL. I
THE CHURCH FINANCIAL. I More Eye-Openers for Welshpool 1 Parishioners. Sidesmen's Duties: Fast and Present. SPECIAL TO THE EXPRESS," BY T. A. BENNETT. I have received the iollowing letter from one of the churchwardens of Christ Church, and append my reply:— The Grammar School, Welshpool, May 21st, 1909. "Dear Sir,-My attention has been drawn to a paragraph of yours in the Montgom- eryshire Express,' which reads: 'I notice that the Christ Church poor contribute El to its choir, which does not appear in the subscription list.' This reads to me very nastily, and I trust you will, in like manner, and in justice to Christ Church wardens, state that all collections for the poor are at '+Jn.ce given to the Vicar to dispose of as he thinks fit.—Yours truly, T. HILES." T. A. Bennett, Esq." The Cottage, I Welshpool, 23rd May, 1909. Dear Sir,—The object of my articles is to try and make our church officers realize their responsibilities more thoroughly. "Your name is appended to the printed statements of accounts at Easter, 1906, Eas- ter, 1907, and Easter, 1908, and in all of theni there is the same item under Christ Church alms expenditure, Choir fund, £ 1.' ■Naturally the public must imagine that you 0,0 not allow your name to appear year by year at the foot of accounts of which you do not approve. However, as you seem to think your let- ter to me is a satisfactory explanation, I forwarding it to the Montgomeryshire f^xpress' for publication, together with *his, my reply.—Believe me to be, yours obedient servant, THOMAS A. BENNETT." The more I think about this poor account the more amazed I am. I wonder whether it is pure accident that collections are asked for THE POOR, that the magazine publishes the amounts COLLECTED FOR THE POOR, but when the statement is printed at Easter the account suddenly changes its name, and becomes "St. Mary's Alms" or "Christ Church alms." There can be no question about their being the same accounts, be- cause month by month the magazine gives the amount for "Poor Fund," and the Printed paper shows the same amount for each month under the title "Alms." Mr Hiles, in his letter, you will see, calls these Monies Collections for THE POOR," and (lod knows that the really poor are not difficult to find in Welshpool. Every penny collected under this head should be spent on the poor. The usual formula here seems to be, "Mrs Pope? Oh, she doesn't deserve anything, she's a bad lot." "Why?" drinks." If Mrs Pope does drink, it 18 probably because Mrs Pope and her children are dying for .want of food, and takes drink as vinegar and gall to yea.den her anguish at the thought of it. it is wrong, it is sinful, and it makes mat- ters worse in the end, but it is human. jou remember our Lord was offered such a urmk to deaden His pain. The poor are the church's special charge, and always have been, and in ages past Mrs Pope would have been given a little sympathy, a little timely help, possibly temporary shelter in some abbey, and in the end Mrs Pope would be a reformed character, and if SUCH LUXURIES AS RINGERS and choir funds had to be helped, it wouldn't be from funds set apart for God's Poor. Oh, the good old times of England! ere in her evil » ay' «rom their Holy Faith and their ancient rites her People fell away; When her gentlemen had lands to give, and her Yeomen hearts to feel; And they raised full many a bead-honse, but never a bastille; And the poor they honoured, for they knew that He, Who for us bled, Elad seldom when He came on earth, whereon to lay His head. But times and things are altered now; and English- men begin To class the beggar with the knave, and poverty with am. So wrote Dr J. M. Neale in 1843. Now let me suggest that this account be divided into two, and one be called the "Out-of- pocket expenses account" (for that is what the alms account seems to be). Let it be given out in church as such, bcfrdly put in the magazine with this designation, and finally printed under this heading. People tnight be inclined to give more liberally to the poor, especially in times of distress, than to the expenses of any special preachers, however poor the preachers hught be individually. There is another matter worth considera- tion. I see no statement anywhere of the alms contributed at private sick commun- ions. I imagine in this parish they may amount to perhaps E25 or £ 30 per year, and the churchwardens, as the custodians of all ALMS, should let us know what be- comes of them. Perhaps some of our quest- men may like to look into this. I was asked to suspend my articles, by one whose right to ask I fully admitted—a Priest of the parish. He suggested that I should try and arrange for a meeting of church officers, and lay my criticism before it, instead of giving them to the general Public. This I agreed to do, if I could have a meeting at once, and the whole of the sidesmen summoned to it. WHAT WE WANT IN WELSHPOOL is a parish council of churchmen, which could take up such matters as those I am oing into. I made an attempt to obtain such a meeting, and the following copy of a letter which I wrote to the Vicar's warden Will explain why I am again taking up my Pen The Cottage, Welshpool, 23rd May, 1909. Dear Captain Westby,—I am afraid you 0 hot grasp the fact that it is not I who ain asking a favour, but I who am con- Celng one. I am certainly not going to wait until the matter can 'be put beforel the Vicar and wardens at their next meeting -early in June.' I therefore withdraw my suggestion for such a meeting between us, and consider myself free again to continue thy articles in the public press.—Yours sin- cerely, THOMAS A. BENNETT." Had it not been for the amusing account III this paper of MY DISMISSAL from the ranks of sidesmen, I should have I nown nothing about it. What an excellent „ curtain" could be made-out of this episode ^r Act I. of a blood-curdling melodrama— age dark, slow music in the distance, trong lime on the blanched cheek of the v^agnate with the fountain pen, groans eard off, peal of thunder at the words "tis done," etc sal Suits my PurP°se to accept my dismis- I am no longer a sidesmen. It frees hand, and eventually, I trust, will j*?gthen the position of those I leave hiarilnC*' fancy can my own *n Sat l c*lurch discussions, even though rele- ^tor P°siti°n a mere parishioner. church reforms are never brought °f tYt by those in authority, but in spite ~tinn^eP3' aiic* we owe most of our purifica- Wt-to the rank and file. ti^p t is the origin of a sidesman? At one when a bishop visited a parish in his I diocese, he used to examine on oath certain inhabitants concerning the condition of the church and other affairs relating to it. Later these inhabitants became standing officers called synodsmen, and when the cus- tom arose, as it did about the 15th century, for the parishioners to repair the body of the church, these juratores synodi (or sworn synodsmen), as they were called, were expected to KEEP AN EYE ON THE VICAR AND WARDENS, to see that no vandalism was being per- petrated. You may be quite sure that in those days the wardens were constantly looking out for squalls, and would consult the sworn synodsmen (especially if they had 27 of them) before they would dare to remove every possible stone out of a por- tion of the tower previous to calling in a plasterer to cover up all defects. I fancy in those days the power would lie with the spies, for such they were. They were often called questmen, men seeking for irregu- larities. Compare this position with that of a synodsman or sidesman at Welshpool to-day. Here he is simply used for window dressing, or, shall I say, door dressing pur- poses. He is consulted about nothing; if he attempts to quest his questions are con- sidered impertinencies, if he speaks out, a pen is produced and his name is crossed out "on one side," or "in error," or "only slightly erased" (accounts seem to differ). My duties as printed on the historic card were as follows: To stand during June at the main entrance,. and in October at the south-east door. For what purpose is not stated. I don't imagine it was to regulate the vast crowds seeking admission, neither do I think I was intended to obstruct the traffic. I rather fancy it was to make me imagine I was a great man (which I didn't, because I knew I was not), or to intimidate me into KEEPING MY MOUTH SHUT (which seems equally to have proved a dis- mal .failure). Gentlemen, I want you to rise above this sham position, and insist upon being 'con- sulted'; if you are not, you must quest, in any case you must break down any one man rule amongst the wardens. The St. Asaph Diocesan Calendar says: "It is a mis- take to think that the churchwarden nomina- ted by the parishioners is alone responsible for the accounts. One cannot act without the consent of his colleague." The calendar also has the following note under "charities," ecclesiastical:—"The trustees must, on or before March 25th in each year, send to the Charity Commissioners an account of endowments belonging to the charity, also a full account of all receipts and payments during the year ending December 31 of all monies owing to and from the charity. A copy of these accounts MUST BE PRESENTED at the Vestry meeting, and a copy be in- serted in the minute book of the Vestry. Any person may demand a copy of these accounts on payment of two pence for every 72 words or figures (18 and 19 Vic., c. 124, s. 44)." We are, therefore, acting within our rights as parishioners of Welshpool in demanding from the trustees to see "a full account of all receipts and payments" of the ecclesi- astical charities. The trustees in most cases are are the vicar and churchwardens. Amongst payments we should be told who were the recipients of charity, and the amount, whether in kind or money, given to each. Received F,4, spent C-4, is not, surely, a full account of all receipts and payments. I asked at the Commission office if they required the accounts audited, and was told no, but that some required vouch- ing for. I asked to see one; the voucher was "Ivor Davis," I don't complain, of course, Mr Davis is of age, and an honour- able gentleman, and he, no doubt, went through all the details; but what I do object to is that the detail was not shown on the account. I was told at the Commis. sion office that all these accounts should be submitted to the Easter Vestry. Then I consider that periodically (say once a year) the churchwardens should inspect the securities held for invested charity monies, for, as I have previously noted, two were missing at the Government inquiry in 1837. Sentiment should have nothing to do with it, it is simply a matter of business. Had the sidesmen been consulted about THAT CURIOUS TRANSACTION in 1899, I don't think a majority of them would have agreed to it. I have before me a Return to an order of the Honourable the House of Commons, dated 14th Febru- ary, 1900." I bought at the King's printers for 2td. I find that an inquiry was held into the parish charities on 30th June, 1837. The charity moneys were then invested in securities bringing in 4, 4J, and 5 per cent., and certain of them grouped together brought in £37 Us per annum. The next inquiry was held on 8th February, 1900, when it was found that this group of chari- ties had been re-invested at 3 per cent., and was then only bringing in E26 8s, a reduction of £ 11 3s per annum, although "The Lady Harriet Herbert," the Town Clerk said, was still at interest at 4 per cent. Now I cannot think why the church- wardens of the day consented to such re- investment at so much lower rate of inter- est. The wardens were trustees of all the charities in the group. I will now quote verbatim from the return which the House of Commons ordered to be printed 23rd January, 1902, to show in what the tSSO representing the capital of this group of charities had been invested ( £ 20 "from church offertories" was added to make the sum up to £900), and there I will leave the matter for this week: ENDOWED CHARITIES (COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY). PARISH OF WELSHPOOL (OR TRALLWM), (Page 9). "By indenture of mortgage made the 27th March, 1899 (not enrolled in chancery), be- tween the Rev David Grimaldi Davis, vicar of Welshpool, and Sarah Jane Davis, his wife, of the one part, and the said David Grimaldi Davis and Edward Jones, town clerk of Welshpool, of the other part, it was witnessed that in consideration of the sum of E900 paid to the said David Grimaldi Davis and Sarah Jane Davis by the said David Grimaldi Davis and Edward Jones out of moneys belonging to them on a joint account, the said David Grimaldi Davis and Sarah Jane Davis did thereby covenant with the said David Grimaldi Davis and Edward Jones to pay to them on the 25th September, 1899, the sum of E900 with in- terest thereon in the meantime at the rate of 3 per cent. per annum computed from the date of the deed now abstracting, and also so long after that date as any prin- cipal money I:> remained due under the deed now abstracting to pay to them interest thereon after the same rate by equal half- yearly payments on the 27th day of Sep- tember and the 27th day of March in each year; and it was also witnessed that for the consideration aforesaid the said David Grimaldi Davis and Sarah Jane Davis as beneficial owners did thereby convey unto the said David Grimaldi Davis and Edward Jones all that messuage or dwelling-house with the garden, orchard, and several pieces or parcels of land thereunto adjoin- ing called the Henfaes, situate in the parish of Welshpool, in the countv of Montgomery, containing by admeasurement 25a. lr. 24p. or thereabouts, to hold the same unto and to the use of the said David Grimaldi Davis and Edward Jones in fee simple, provided always that if the said F-900 with interest thereon should be paid on the 27th Sep- tember, 1899, according to the covenant in that behalf, the said premises should at the request and cost of the said David Grimaldi Davis and Sarah Jane Davis be reconveyed to him or them." Affixed to this deed is a sheet of paper containing the following statement: "We, the undersigned, the Rev David Grimaldi Davis, vicar of WTelshpool, and Edward Jones, ol the same place, town clerk of Welshpool, do hereby acknowledge and declare that the principal sum of E900 secured by the indenture bearing date the 27th March, 1899, and hereunto annexed, is not our money, but belongs to us as trustees for certain charities for the benefit of the poor inhabitants of the parish of Welshpool, and we will hold the same in trust for the said charities and the interest thereof as it becomes due from time to time. Witness our hands this 6th day of April, 1899. David Grimaldi Davis, Edward Jones. "Witness, Edward L. R. Jones, solicitor, Welshpool."
THE "OHARLES HOWELL" MEMORIAL.
THE "OHARLES HOWELL" MEMORIAL. Drinking Fountain Unveiled at Welshpool. Tributes to a Townsman. 1909. THIS FOUNTAIN WAS ERECTED By Public Subscription, To the Memory of CHARLES EDWARD HOWELL, Solicitor, Justice of the Peace, Mayor of this Borough, 1894-5, Alderman 1895—1906, In Recognition of His Public Services and His Benevolence And Never Failing Sympathy, DIED AUGUST 19TH, 1906. He deserved a better memorial In these words one citizen of Welshpool uttered the feelings of many last Wednesday afternoon, as they gazed upon the fountain which had just beeti unveiled to commemo- rate a Montgomeryshire worthy. The memo- rial stands a few feet off Severn-road, within the entrance to the County School drive, and is flanked by high-hedged Powysland gar- dens, which help to separate suburban Welshpool from the railway station. The fountain is fixed upon a circular base of three steps, hewn of "red wilderness" stone from the Forest of Dean. The upper part consists of red Woolton stone. Four substantial basins are overlooked by the cen- tral die, which is adorned at each of its four corners by a small ram's head in bronze. Surmounting the pedestal is a round cor- nice, and to this cap are attached four miniature lions' heads, through which the water flows. The fountain is designed not on the press-a-button principle, but to act continuously, the basin being fitted with a waste-pipe. On that side of the pedestal which faces Severn-road a small bronze tablet bears the inscription which is given above. At its base the fountain measures thirteen feet across, whilst the height is only seven feet,, so that it produces a general im- pression of being more solid than graceful. There is a proposal to add another basal step, thus widening the diameter of the memorial to sixteen feet. The sculpture work, done entirely by Welshpool crafts- men, upholds the high standard of work- manship which is characteristic of all that comes from the yard of Mr Willam Roberts, Holly Bush. Townspeople and a number of outsiders had SUBSCRIBED Y-200 towards a memorial, and all designs received by the Memorial Committee (which was established during the mayoralty of Alder- man Edward Wyke) had to be submitted to the Earl of Powis, who ultimately gave permission to erect the memorial across the public pathway off Severn-road, and granted a strip of land off the gardens on either side so as to enable a carriage to pass. The Lord of the Manor also selected the design of his own architect, Mr Cecil F. Hare, who was in partnership with the late Mr G. F. Bodley. The subscribers received invitations to at- tend the inaugural ceremony at 3-30 p.m. on Wednesday, but a large number of the general public also swelled the gathering. Colonel Pryce-Jones, from Newtown, Mr J. E. Poundley, from Kerry, Mr Frank Lang- ford, of Montgomery, and the Rev W. L. Martin, rector of Berriew, were amongst the outsiders who had been drawn to Welshpool by a ceremony held in memory of a departed friend. All classes of the local community were represented in the crowd which foregathered on the road and around the covered memorial. Of the Howell family, to whom the ceremony pos- sessed a pathetic personal interest, there were present Mr Llewelyn Howell (of the Board of Trade), Miss Frances E. Howell and Miss Florence Howell,' Rhiewport, to- gether with Mr Llewelyn Twentyman, of Wolverhampton, a nephew of the deceased alderman, and Mrs Twentyman. Letters expressing regret for absence had been re- ceived from the Earl and Countess of Powis, Professor Boyd Dawkins (a native of the borough), Mrs Huddleston, Alderman George Harrison, Principal T. F. Roberts, Aberystwyth College, Colonel Robert Wynn, Mr C. S. Denniss (general manager of the Cambrian Railways), and Miss Mytton (Mansion House). Alderman Wyke, as chairman of the Memorial Committee, said they were as- sembled to inaugurate a small tribute to the memory of Mr.Charles Edward Howell, whose deeply regretted death nearly three years ago at the height of his powers and activities was a great blow to all and a great loss to the town and neighbourhood. Welshpool has the honour of regarding him as one of her very best and most loyal citizens. HE LOVED WELSHPOOL with all his heart. For many years he was a most active and loyal member of the Cor- j poration, and his year of office as mayor was one of conspicuous ability and success. We commemorate his memory not only as a member of the Council, but also on ac- count of his great interest in everything that concerned the welfare of the town and its inhabitants. He was a true philanthro- pist; he was a large and regular subscriber to all local institutions, and with his name and that of the Howell family will the Welshpool Nursing Institute always be as- sociated. His private generosity was un- bounded. During my year of office as mayor I con- vened a town's meeting to consider a scheme and to set on foot a memorial that would remind us that so active-and gener- ous a citizen had once existed among us to whom we owed so much. I am pleased to say I was very well supported, and the movement was warmly taken up. A com- mittee, which was formed to decide upon the particular form of memorial, after due consideration eventually decided that the memorial to his memory should consist of a drinking fountain to be fixed in some con- spicuous and suitable position. On behalf of the committee I wish to tender very best thanks to the Earl of Powis for so gener- ously offering the present site upon which the memorial is placed, also to the sub- scribers for their ready and generous re- sponse. Personally, I wish to thank the members of the committee, who so loyally supported me to bring this to a successful issue. Last, but not least, I should like to thank the Town Clerk, who acted as honor- ary secretary, for the great interest and willing assistance he rendered me, lor which I feel greatly indebted. I have much pleasure in calling upon the Mayor to in- augurate the memorial." Dr Thomas: It is with mixed feeling of regret and pleasure that we meet here this afternoon to pay our last tribute in a practical manner to the memory of one whom I may well describe as THE BEST SON OF WELSHPOOL, Mr Charles Edward Howell, and, though he has now been dead nearly three years, we are still deeply, yes, very deeply, la- 'menting his death. We all remember his frank, genial, and sympathetic manner, and we well know how actively he was associa- ted with every movement which had for its object the good of the town where he was born. He was heart and soul in every movement, in fact he had the interest of the town of Welshpool close to his heart, and it is only a fitting thing that we should commemorate his memory permanently in a place so near to where he was born. We know that his public benefactions have been great, very great. Mr Wyke has men- tioned many of them. We also know that his private philanthropy was equal to his public one, and there is reason to know that his right hand did not know what his left hand was doing. I feel sure that no one in this town was turned away in vain who was a fit subject or worthy of assist- ance. He did give amply out of his own ample means, and I am sure that the loss to the poor of this town will be felt in every possible way." At the close of his address the Mayor removed the white cloth that covered the fountain, and Alderman Wyke called upon the Mayoress to turn the water on. Mr J. W. Smith, who had superintended the plumber s part of the work, then placed a brass turnkey into the underground valve between the fountain and the roadway. The Mayoress turned the handle around, and in another second-at twenty minutes to four o clock-water flowed from the Charles Howell Memorial Fountain. T7.Amid, £ ound of falling waters the Vicar of Welshpool next spoke with charac- teristic eloquence of "our late respected and much beloved friend Mr Charles Howell. "The name of Howell," he said, "has been associated with the PUBLIC LIFE OF THIS TOWN and borough for many, many years, for more years probably than anyone here can remember. The father of the late Mr Alderman Howell was himself a mayor of this town, he took great interest in its affairs, and also a leading part in those things which promoted its welfare, and at one time, as some of you will know, ren- one time, as some of you wiU know dered yeoman service to the town when he took part in improving the sanitary condS he was M^'Ses who was a Mti„; Vthi.0^ very near here, and who has now some three years ago passed away. Though we deeply regret his death, on the other hand I think even that gives us some advantages to ap- preciate his value. In iife it is impossible for us to estimate justly and fully the vir- tues of good and honourable men. Many shadows CQme between us in this life in the hurry and bustle of present-day life, which sS £ imS:Topoif ieri^ -ted- r and fully their excelncy and good points. It is said that a vision is fairest at it* passing away, and so we are better able to- day to appreciate the many good qualities -d virtues of our g00d friend. He filled the highest office of mayor which his fellow citizens could bestow upon him, and I knew him well enough to- say that it was always his most earnest desire and pndeavonr tn discharge the high duties of that office apart from all personal and party considerations, and with a view of preserving the rights and liberties of ii& fellow-townsmen He upheld the dignity and HONOUR OF THIS ANCIENT TOWN. Not only that, but he took a leading part in many improvements in this town, and some of them he carried out solely at his own expense. J here are in' St. Paul's Cathedral many tablets recording the good deeds and virtues of great and good men, 1 and among them there is one bearing these lines: Qui vixit, non sibi sed pro bono publico. Si monumentum quaens, circumspice. Which are quite applicable to our late friend, and which you will allow me to translate for the benefit of the ladies present: He lived not for himself, but for the public. If you seek his monument, look around." You have only to go here Paid there in this town to see that there are several monu- ments of his kindness and generosity. He was remarkable for his kindness and sym- pathy above all to the poor of this town. No one ever dreaded going to Mr Charles Howell to ask a favour- He was a favourite amongst us all, and to-day and for many, many years has held a warm place in our hearts, and, if it is possible, more than all in the hearts of the poor people. So I say he richly deserved this monument which has been unveiled to-day—and I think he deserved a far better monument than this —and I hope it will help us to remember and those that come after us, his many good qualities and virtues, and will inspire many and many of the SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF WELSHPOOL tcTfollow in his foosteps. And, lastly, if I may say, it is a deep satisfaction to his sis- ters and brother, who are with us to-day, and whom we are glad to see, that this tribute is paid to his memory, and that his public services are not forgotten. Mr Charles Shuker also spoke to the occasion, "as one who was connected with him for many years in his public capacity in Welshpool." "We all know," said Mr Shuker, "what a charming friend and com- panion he was, his sympathy was un- bounded, and his generosity was lavish and never-failing. Instances have already been mentioned. I may refer to the school, which is within view of this monument, in which he assisted with special facilities the young in their instruction there. We know that he gave generously to the colleges at Aberystwyth and Bangor, to which many of our boys and girls have proceeded. We know also that he assisted the ratepayers of this town and county in providing or as- sisting to provide necessary and expensive bridges and oher improvements. One of his acts is also within view of this mem- orial. Of the poor never anyone went to him without being satisfied, and the half that he gave to the poor will never be sa- tisfied, except by the recipients themselves. May we hone that his memory will ever be held in REMEMBRANCE BY THE INHABITANTS wvT.STTPnrvT He loved to refer to the old records of this i borough, and to discourse of the eminent men that this borough has produced in the past and of the events that have taken place t in connection with it, and throughout his whole life lie assisted to benefit and to im- prove and to add to the happiness of the people of this borough. May we hope that 1 so long as Welshpool remains a borough, j and so long as the water from its reservoir passes through this fountain, that the mem- ory of Charles Howell will be held in hon- our with the citizens of Welshpool, and that his good and useful life will be a stimulus to generations to come to follow in his footsteps, to the poor that they will be industrious and sympathetic and helpful to each other, and to the rich that they will give as he did some of their surplus riches in helping the young to prepare themselves the better for the battle of life, and the aged to chase away want and sorrow from many a wretched home." Briefly and full of feeling, Mr Llewelyn Howell then addressed the gathering of townspeople: Speaking for my sisters and myself, I can assure you that we should have been very well content, as far as our generation was concerned, that our brother's memorial should remain in the hearts of those who knew him and amongst whom he worked. But life is short, and our genera- tion must pass away, and we cannot but feel deeply appreciative that HIS OWN TOWNSFOLK have been moved to erect this beautiful memorial, so appropriately placed close to the house in which he was born, and on the way to the school in which he took so deep an interest. We trust and believe that the affectionate remembrance of him by his townspeople will make this memorial what it should be, a pleasant thing to look upon for them, and that its kindly and humane purpose will remind them of one. who, though he had, like all of us, his short- comings, I can safely say he loved his fellow-men. Mr Forrester Addie, in moving a vote of thanks to the Mayor and Mayoress, apolo- gized for Colonel Pryce-Jones, who was to have undertaken that duty, but had been obliged to leave and catch a train. Mr Addie remarked that they appreciated the way in which his Worship and the Mayoress had gracefully inaugurated the memorial to one who was so deeply loved by every- body in the town. His Worship the Mayor had during his term of office undertaken many public acts but he (Mr Addie) doubted if he had undertaken a more honourable duty than he had done that afternoon in unveiling that memorial to one who was so dear and cherished by everybody. Captain Mytton stepped forward to second the vote of thanks. "The monument," said he, "will be standing here when we have passed away, and will bring to the minds of future generations how a man can live in the hearts of the people by doing good to all those around him. This monument will remain a tribute to the character of Mr Charles Howell, with whom I was associated for the last 40 years. I always found him a most agreeable companion, cheery, and good-humoured in every way." Acknowledging the compliment on behalf of himself and his wife, the Mayor ob- served that whatever had been done on behalf of the memorial had been a pleasure; Mr Charles Howell was so worthy of it.
"A FARCE!"
"A FARCE!" STOCKTAKING AT FORDEN WORK- HOUSE. WITHOUT WEIGHING OR MEASURING. Three Weshpool guardians—Messrs J. Pryce Jones, A. E. Bond, and E. Morgan- recently visited Forden Workhouse, and presented a stock-taking report to the Board meeting last Monday. They stated that everything was correct with the exception of the flour,312 sacks of which had been warehoused at the house by the contractor. Potatoes, Indian meal, and sharps were not taken into stock, and they recommended that all goods brought into the house and paid for by the guardians should be taken into stock. They also recommended that the next stock-taking be on Monday, and that all goods be weighed in the presence of the committee, and that a guage be pur- chased for measuring beer and cider. Mr Pryce Jones said they did not have a guage when taking stock of the beer and cider this time. Mr William Humphreys suggested that they would not require a guage after the recommendation not to allow beer with future appointments. Mr John Humphreys: Did you sample it? (laughter). The Chairman: Did you actually weigh everything or guess at it ? Mr Pryce Jones: That's the dlfficulty- we have no means! Mr Bond: I think the way in which stock-taking is done here is nothing more or less than a farce! We were simply told there was so much of this and so much of that! Mr W. Humphreys: Aren't there scales here ? The Clerk (Mr C. S. Pryce): Yes. The Chairman: But it ought to be weighed in the presence of the committee. Mr W. Humphreys: Did they ask for it to be weighed? Mr Bond: We were told it was weight, and that it was the correct weight. WE DID NOT INSIST upon it being weighed, but I think it should be weighed. Mr Pryce Jones: You come to a barrel and tap it. They tell you there so many hundred gallons in it. How do we know ? With a guage you can tell to a pint or half- pint; (turning to Mr Stafford Price Davies), is it not so, sir ? You have' had some lit- tle experience with canteens ? Mr Price Davies: Yes, it folds like a two foot rule. You put it down into the barrel, and it shows how many gallons are in it. I have seen them in use in the can- teens in the Army. Mr Edward Daves: I should like to ask what the committee mean by finding the stock correct," when they haven't weighed or measured anything! What does that mean ? (loud laughter). Mr Bond: Correct, according to the re- ports given by the Master. Invited by the Chairman to speak, Mr Pryce Jones observed: We three members of this Committee are ever faithful if we are not ever sure (laughter). At any rate, I and Mr Bond and Mr Morgan Jones were at the last meeting of the Visiting Committee, and nobody else came. I am not satisfied with the way we have taken stock. I think it is better to have everything weighed, and to take stock on the Monday. We used to take stock on the Wednesday previously. There are down certain things, but they are so much less because you have been EATING THEM OR DRINKING THEM from the Monday until Wednesday. Mr John Humphreys: How do you expect a person to come ten miles here at five o'clock in the evening ? Mr Bond: In the future we are to see everything weighed and everything measured. That's the only correct way to take stock. If this is the case, it will need more of the Visiting Committee to turn up than three to assist in the doing of it. For instance, you will find hanging from various ceilings in this building large quantities of bacon and ham, and cheeks of bacon, etc. We are told there is so much bacon, only we don't know, and we shall have to get it down, weigh it, and return it to its position. There is a large quantity of lard, large quantities of butter, and all that kind of thing, and it will mean it will have to be carried from the cellars to the larder next door. The Chairman: I think if it is done at all it should be done properly. Mr Bond: I quite agree with you, Mr Chairman. I have said so before. Mr W. Humphreys: This bacon could be taken down by the porters. When I was in business, we always prepared for stocktaking —it was not a very arduous task. The Committe's report was adopted, except that the question of a beer and cider gauge was deferred.
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DOLFOR RAINFALL FOR MAY, 1909. t 24th 0.99 25th 0.03 26th 0.36 27th 0.18 28th 0.15 31st 0.02 1.73 Ly, 1908—1.79.
The Siege of a House.
The Siege of a House. The remarkable story of the siege and capitulation of a Kent farm has been told to a special jury in Mr Justice Grantham's court. The action was one for damages for alleged assault and trespass and for unlaw- ful. ejection brought by the late occupier against the landlord, his agent, and two others. Acting on behalf of the landlord, the other defendants endeavoured to evict the plaintiff, and in the course of their proceedings were alleged to have barricaded his windows, prevented all access to the house, stopped up the chimneys, and finally pumped a villainous and suffocating mix- ture into the dwelling by way of the drains. At the close of the second day's hearing the jury found for the defendants, and his lord- ship gave judgment accordingly.
Advertising
IfONTGOMERYSHIRE WORTHIES By VI the late Mr Richard Williams, F.R.Hist.S., Offered at Subscriber's Pricc, 8/6; Postage, 4d —" Express Office, Newtown
GOLF GOSSIP.
GOLF GOSSIP. (By COLOXEL, FOOZLER). The penalties of greatness extend even to the links, and pour Mr Asquith's game of golf was spoiled on Monday by a suffra- gette invasion. The Prime Minister duffed every shot, and was glad to make his escape from his fair (?) besiegers. Another statesman, too—Mr Lloyd George-hAs been spending Whit on the course. On Tuesday the Chancellor was made a free life mem- ber of the Pwllheli Club, and in the course of a subsequent speech he treated his hear- ers to a characteristic eulogium of the game. ■No game, J he declared, "tests a man like golf. It tests his skill, his temper, and, abo\e all, it tests his language." T "ow to come to matter a bit more local, the grass is with us again. The sea- siders don't get it so badly, but at Mont- gomery, Welshpool, and Newtown it is tT"in^ltS,PreSenCe ielt" At Llanidloes they are showing a fine crop of thistles and as no donkeys are allowed on the course (except on rare occasions), the this- tles are likely to have all their own way. As some officers of the Royal Engineers from Chatham are coming soon to stay in Llanidloes and whack the gutta about, per- haps they may turn their engineering facul- ties upon the demolition of the thistles. I am glad to learn that my friends in Welshpool have at last done the inevitable and have engaged a professional. He hails from Cheltenham, where there is a first- class links, and his name is Hobley. He is expected to commence his duties on the 19th of this month. The committee have been a long time in taking this step, and they will regret that they did not take it before. There is so much to be done on the links that the "pro" will have to take his jacket off and go at it with a will. though, thanks to the joint action of the Corpora- tion and the club, players are not wallowing in the sloughs as once they were. The position of the second tee-I think it is the second—should be one of the first things to engage his attention; but I won't add any more, or this column will only con- tain fads. The Pool players have adopted the wise course of lowering their bogey to 40, though the nearest approach to the invisi- ble colonel has been a 46 by the vice-cap- tain, Mr Harper. I shall have more to say about bogeys in another article. In the meantime, players are earnestly requested not to stray upon the Coed-trelled meadows or the pastures of the Blue Bell. The horse mower is in demand, but there is an un- fortunate hitch somewhere, on which I am not going to dwell. The only thing that surprises me is why all the requirements of the club are not supplied by members of the club who are in the trade and in a position to supply them at a reasonable price. After Newtown's disastrous defeat on the Llanymynech links, I am wondering how Oswestry will fare on the Red Bank. Over at Machynlleth things are going from good to better; never has there been such a healthy outlook for the club. Lord Herbert Vane-Tempest—who is president- is no mere figure head, but takes an active and vigorous interest in the club—he is its god-father as well as its president. He gives it personal and financial support, and only last Wednesday he was playing there in company with Lord Wolverton and Lord Algernon Gordon Lennox. I under- stand his Lordship's visitors expressed themselves as delighted with the course, which has so much to commend it. Grass never troubles at Machynlleth; along the whole length you find that soft, spongy turf which affords such ideal lies. The course as now mapped out is slightly longer than the 2,530 yards at which it originally stood. The bogey also remains at 40, and this is good value for the strokes. Let anyone try to take the colonel down and he will find how stiff it is. The mem- bers of the club were keen on Branch going to Rhyl to compete for the Welsh cham- pionship, and they presented him with a. purse on his departure. Branch has earned his holiday, and left a good impression upon the course. When the workmen have finished, the Bwlchysgellyn green will be second to none, and the fairway is at pres- ent in perfect order. The Dovey Fishery Club have also given a handsome donation, and are doing all that in them lies to assist the golfing fraternity. This aid from what might be erroneously regarded as a. rival source has proved most encouraging to that band of enthusiasts who carried the affairs of the club on their backs, and who can now sleep peacefully without fear of dis- turbance from the "Debtor Balance" Bogey. There will be a great welcome awaiting the genial hon. sec. of the Newtown academy of golfers, and no one will be more glad to see him safe home from the papal states than the acting hon. secretary—Mr D. H. Lewis—who has proved an excellent sub- stitute, though on his own confession rather a prodigal secretary. What Mr George Thomas has to say about the suitability of the Campo Martins for an 18 hole course everyone will be glad to hear; and I hope he will not be too overwhelmed when he sees the magnificent growth of buttercups which emblazon nearly the whole surface of the course, and furnishing a striking reminder of the Field of the Cloth of Gold. The beauty of the St. Idloes golf links and surroundings has just. reached its zenith. The view from the duffer's green, when the evening light is a flood of golden glory, cannot be surpassed in its scheme of bold and varied colouring. The mountain ranges are tinged with a delicate cobalt, and an ultra-violet gloom lingers in the deep valleys. The turf is spangled with golden stars of potentilla and gorse, and in a few days the vermilion and orange of birds-foot trefoil will mingle with the blaze of the thyme. From the intense greenery of the pine woods comes the warb- ling of birds, the plaintive cries of plovers harmonise with the wierd fluting of the curlew, and the sky is alive with the cadence of unseen larks. Surely, under such con- ditions the players who "tops" the drive, or "duffs" the other strokes, cannot fail to find a sedative in the calm surroundings, and refrain from misusing the King's English The popularity of golf at Llanidloes is well maintained, For the May competi- tions 61 cards were returned, and the prize goes to Alfred Evans—a new member—who returned a score of 102-18, 84. The Vicar returned a card of 89, and W. E. Dakin 86; both these players are scratch men (local). The committee has arranged a new handi- cap to meet the requirements of the monthly competitions. The first hole has oeen lengthened by about 40 yards, and now a ball from a pulled drive will probably join the "legion of the lost ones." This alteration has necessitated a change in the bogey. It is a long drive that will "carry" a ball over the hedge at No. 4. At present the St. Idloes club can boast of six men who have accomplished this feat. During the last month or so several players have acquired the art of driving a long ball-a phase of play for which it is difficult, to account G. F. Kerr now drives a phenomenally long ball, and with a little more care in the u4 of the irons he will in time make a strong player. &
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I Fisticuffs as an Argument. The Senate House at Washington is not devoid of its exciting moments. Mr Joseph t Bailey from Texas, one of the orators of the Democratic party, resented jsome printed comments on his political conduct, and gave Congress his opinion of the offending news- i paper in good round terms. After the de- t bate he proceeded to emphasise his remarks t by trying to pound the correspondent of tl,e I journal, whom he met accidentally in the lobby, although another man had written ] the article. The pair were separated with- out having seriously damaged each other.
Homeless Workingman.
Homeless Workingman. VAIN WISH TO LODGE WIFE AND CHILDREN IN WORKHOUSE. An unusual application was made to the rorden Board of Guardians last Wednesday irom a working man with 16s a week and ■^ven children. He a.-ked the Board to wi*e anc* lami]y to the workhouse, ana he would pay for their maintenance as h^,could' until he got a house. The Chairman (Mr William Pritchard) said the wife and children had gone into a MreTWp Vs overcr°wded already. Mr J-Pryce Jones. There axe lots of empty houses in Welshpool (smiles). Mr Williams: He w-ould not be likely to H t pa?d rent for 32 years! Mr J. AnwjI. He won t pay us. Mr Pryce Jones: I move that we have nothing to do with him. Mr John Humphreys: Couldn't he get one of these airships? (laughter). Mr Edward Davies: He gets 16s a week? Isn't a man with children bound to main- tain his family? The Chairman: The relieving officer says he is nut destitute; he is homeless. Mr Richard Edwards: Leave him alone! He'll get a home somewhere! The Rev E H. Beattie (vica.r of Leighton): I shouldn't say that. The Clerk (Mr C. S. Pryce): It is rather an awkward situation. I don't think it is legal to provide people with homes— Mr Pryce Jones: Once you begin that— The Clerk: If a man is destitute the Guar- dians can relieve with out-relief or in the House. The Relieving Officer: The man said if he came in he would lose his work. He said he House wife and children in the Mr EdiN-ard Davie,, (Felindre): I have no doubt about that (laughter). n It s not a case of refusing to t:ln;t ei U 1S fliling to find a home. I don t think we ought to take the matter in hand. Let him fight a bit more The Board decided to take no action.
Finders, Keepers.
Finders, Keepers. A MACHYNLLETH WOMANS DE- LINQUENCY. STORY OF A MISSING WATCHCHAIN. Mary Jones, Ruse Cottage, Uwchygarreg, Machynlleth, was charged by P.C. Williams with stealing a silver watch-chain. Lewis Williams, Penrhos Bach, Penegoes, said that on the 24th February, 1908, his watch-chain was missing, and from that time until recently he had not, been able to find it. Witness gave instructions to the police on the 19th of May. He was certain he had left it on the chest in his own room, and wnen he went for it he missed it. The chain was wurth about 15s. He used it on a Sunday, and put it back on Sunday night. i X uliarris was dipping sheep* at his fami on May 19th, and he informed him of it. Witness showed him a photo of himself wearing the chain which was lost. The chain produced was his. He had no reason for suspecting defendant. Mary Jones, the defendant, who gave evi- dence in Welsh, said she was washing the bedroom, and found the chain on the floor, near the chest, and put it in her pocket. David Morgan Jones, aged 17, son of de- fendant. said the chain produced by P.C. Williams was given him by his mother. He had the chain six or seven months be- fore from his mother. Witness was in ser- vice at Penrhos Bach, and Lewis Williams had a chain similar to the one produced. He had left Penrhos Bach about two years ago. His mother said he should "have the loan of it." P.C. Williams said that on the 19th of May, when he was at Penrhos Bach Farm sheep dipping, Lewis Williams reported the matter to him, and produced a photo of himself wearing the chain. He made in- quiries. Witness saw the previous witness in the house. He questioned him and asked to see the chain he wa.s wearing. It was similar to the one on the photo. Witness said the boy did not give the same tale that day as he did to him then. The de- fendant was in the house at the time and interrupted the last witness making a statement. The Clerk (to defendant): Would you prefer to be dealt with summarily or have your case heard at the Quarter Sessions? Defendant: Summarily, sir. The Clerk: Are you guilty or not guilty? Defendant: Not guilty. Miss Jenkins said she had known the defendant for the last 20 years, and she always trusted her to do anything in the house. Witness had never missed an arti- cle, and she could trust, defendant again. Defendant was bound over in the sum of £ 5 to be of good behaviour for twelve months.
Polities" and High Rates.
Polities" and High Rates. A SHROPSHIRE SQUIRE'S ADVICE. While it is the amount of weekly or quarterly rent drawn by the landlord' that worries the average man in the street, it was the "county rate" that aroused a growl amongst the Forden Board of Guar- dians last Wednesday. From the Machynlleth Union came a let- ter calling attention to the "heavy expendi- ture in respect oi education and school buildings." They suggested taking "a. united step to bring pressure upon the County Council to curtail their expendi- ture." The Machynlleth Union Clerk (Mr David Evans) added that he should be glad to be informed what course (if any) the Forden Guardians suggested should be adopted. Mr Stafford Price Davies (Marrington Hall), chairman of the Finance Committee): I am not surprised at other unions also making remarks upon this subject. I dare- say the Board may remember that at the last Board, when our estimates were under consideration, I drew attention to the large expenditure over which we had no control I didn't go into the matter further. There is no doubt about it that there must be, as far as I can make out, very large ex- penditure on education and school build- ings, but the trouble is I don't see what we can uo in the matter. Of course, if the members of the County Council would leave politics alone and stick to business, they would be able to considerablv curtail ex- penditure. But when most of the expendi- ture is* done from a political point of view, naturally what else can you expect? (laughter1). I can't see that we can do any- thing, and the only thing I suggest is that; the ratepayers of the county should elect some who are going to leave politics alone and do the business. 1% The Chairman (Mr William Pritchard) invited Countv Councillors William Hum- phreys and John Pryce to speak, but they did not rise. Mr Humphreys, who is a Conservative, however, remarked that the minority on the Countv Council had protested long enough, but it was no use—it was all one-sided. The Board passed no resolution.
High Praise for the Yeomanry.
High Praise for the Yeomanry. Relinquishing the Southern Command to become Adjutant-General, Sir Ian Hamilton -salute? his fellow ■workers" and wishes them the typical soldier's wish of "stirring times and rapid advancement." His gen- eral aim during his lour years of office, he says, has been to impart to the troops the pith of the experiece he acquired in Man- churian battlefields, and in particular "to influence cavalry against the peace prac- tice of unreal tactics and encourage artillery to penect themselves in the use of concealed portions. From what he has seen of the yeomanry during the past ten days he is more than ever convined that they con- stitute a military force of actual as well as potential value,"