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News
COUNTY EDUCATION COMMITTEE. The first meeting of the newly re-constructed County Education Authority was held at Newtown on Tuesday. In another part of the 'Express' will be found the appoint- ment of chairman and vice-chairman, and other important subjects of deliberation. The attendance included Messrs Richard Jones, Richard Lloyd, Hugh Lewis, Col. E. Pryce-Jones, Mrs Willans, Mrs Hum- phreys-Owen, Mrs Hugh Lewis, Mrs Davies (Machynlleth), Messrs Scott Owen, Wm. Humphreys, John Pugh, Francis Langford, E. S. Perrott, Charles Shuker, J. Marshall Dugdale, A. W. Williams-ynn, Kichard Phillips, David Pryce. J. Wilkes Poundley, W. Peter Jones, William George, John Davies, Stephen Breeze, Edward Hamer, David Rees, Edward Jones, T. E. Williams, D. H. Hughes, F. G. Howorth, E. R. Owen, G. Owen, John Rees, David Hamer, Evan Lewis, William Ashton, C. J. Newell. God- frey Bowen, Richard Rees. Hamer Jones, David Jones, Evan Roberts, J. Ll. Peate, Llew. D. Humphreys. John Edwards, Wm. Jones, E. M. Jones, E. H. Roberts, and David Jones, with the Clerk (Mr Llewelyn Phillips) and assistant Clerk (Mr Milsom). TEMPERANCE. In regard to a letter received from the British Women's Temperance Association, the Chairman said it was common know- ledge that temperance was now claiming attention in the schools. They had allo- cated a grant to send a certain number of teachers to Rhyl last year. As the result of that school they found that some of the teachers were taking up the subject of tem- perance. He moved that the Clerk send a letter setting forth what was being done in the county.—Agreed. SUMMER SCHOOL FOR TEACHERS. Referring to a tetter from Aberystwyth College re summer course in August, the Chairman said that last year they allocated a grant of F-25 to enable teachers to attend the summer school at Aberystwyth, and E15 to attend a similar institution at Rhyl, and he suggested that they should allocate the same grant this year-t40-to be ap- portioned by the Executive Committee be- tween the schools, according as they thought best. No doubt there was a great cry for having a more elastic curriculum in their schools in practical subjects, but they felt that teachers were in many cases not quali- fied to take them. In the summer schools they could obtain the necessary knowledge, so that they deserved to be assisted to at- tend them. There was a keen demand to attend those schools, and he moved that it be recommended to the Higher Education Committee to make the grant of F-40. Mr Lloyd seconded. Mr Richard Phillips: What guarantee have we that these pupils will attend ? Their inducement, I believe, is a nice holi- day (laughter). The Chairman: We have a report 'from the executive. Mr Hamer Jones How many availed themselves of the classes last year ? The Chairman 23 went to Aberystwyth and 13 to Rhyl. Mr Humphreys-Owen asked whether it would be considered better to give the grant to fresh students or continue it to the former •ones. The Chairman Perhaps it will be better to refer that to the Executive to recommend. It will come up for consideration, and you will see the list. The Chairman's motion was adopted. APPOINTMENTS. The retiring members of the Higher Edu- cation Committee were re-elected en bloc, with the following exceptions—Miss F. E. Howell will serve in place of the late Capt. Mytton, and the place of Mr Lomax will be taken by Mr J. Marshall Dugdale. The next Committee for appointment was the Executive, which numbers 15. Mr R. E. Jones, Cefnbryntalch, having left, Mr W. Scott Owen was appointed in his stead, Mr F. G. Howorth will act for Mr Lomax, while Captain Mytton will be succeeded by Mr John Pugh. On the District Committees some slight alterations were made. T:O:> Newtown Dis- trict Committee will be augm ented by the presence of Messrs LI. D. Humphreys, J. Wilkes Poundley, and the Rev D. H. Hughes, Messrs Daniel Howell and l. Rees dropping out. The corresponding committee for Welsh- pool district will lose the services of Mrs A. C. Humphreys-Owen, and Messrs Forrester Addie and Robert Griffiths, and in their places Messrs A. E. Humphreys-Owen, John Pugh, and David Jones were appointed. THE ATTENDANCE COMMITTEES. Whilst on the subject of the District At- tendance Committees, Mr Richard Lloyd rose and asked whether the Committee considered it advisable to continue the practice now in operation of holding only two Attendance Committees. The result of having only committees to sit in the two towns was that very little interest was taken in them, especially by the people in the upper and lower ends of the county. At the Newtown Committee they very rarely yaw representatives from Machynlleth or .Llanidloes attending. Thus there was a lack of interest in the proceedings. The object of those committees was to get the children into the schools. The change from the old District Committees, however, had not worked well. He was going to suggest that the C ?rk should attend in turn at each of the :.ix towns, with the exception of Montgomery,. As things were at present, they brought the attendance officers all the way from Llanidloes and Machynlleth for a whole day in every month, and none of the committee were persons who knew the cir- cumstances of each case. The same state of affairs obtained at Welshpool. But, on the other hand, if the Clerk went to each of the towns, and, held the committee there for a couple of hours once a month, they would then have people from the neighbourhood who would know the cases, and they would also have a better attendance than by this centralizing system. Mr W. Peter Jones Why not have a com- mittee in Montgomery ? W Mr Lloyd I think that Montgomery could ne well worked at Welshpool. Mr Peter Jones But there is Church- :&toke. AVERAGE GOING DOWN. Mr Lloyd I think you would stand to gain a great deal. You will be keeping the attendance officers at home, otherwise you will, for instance, be bringing them from Llanfair and Llanfyllin to Welshpool. The Clerk can go to each place, and the thing will be better worked in consequence. I don't find that the attendances have im- proved at all. Look at the list before you and you will find that the average is be- coming lower and not higher. Besides, it is really against reason to expect that a thing van be worked in this way when the very people who are interested in the question can have no voice in it. If you let the Clerk go round these places, then you will have the very people who are interested in the district attending the committee. I suggest that we should try and see how it works. Mr John Rees I beg to support Mr Lloyd. When we had a committee at Llan- fyllin, the members attended very well. We had the inspector there, too, and we went into the matter very thoroughly in every detail. It is the local men that you want how can you expect men from Llangynog and Hirnant, and those distant places, to attend at Welshpool ? Mr Lloyd I will move, then, that this course be adopted, and the Executive Com- mittee get out the details. If Mr Peter Jones presses the matter I have no objection to including Montgomery. MTs Humphreys-Owen: When I sat at the Welshpool District Committee I think the claims of the Montgomery children were very adequately considered there. Mr Jones was on the Committee with me, and I think he will agree that perhaps we looked a little too closely into some of the Montgomery cases. Mr Humphreys proposed that the com- mittees remain as at present constituted, which was seconded by Mr Phillips. This view was also supported by Colonel Pryce-Jones, although he was willing that the matter be considered by the Executive Committee. Mr Humphreys asked whether the attend- ances had increased or declined during the last three years. A GAIN OF £700. The Chairman I should like the Com- mittee to look on this matter in the light of facts. When the District Committees were disbanded the percentage of attendances for the county was 82 it is now 87 (hear, hear, and applause). That represents a sum of over S:700 in increased grant. You will have to bear that in mind. My opinion is that the further you take the Attendance Com- mittee away from the school the better (hear, hear). Take it away from all local influence. I am a very strong advocate for centralizing in the matter of these commit- tees. Mr E. R. Owen In regard to the Welsh- pool District, we have never had any diffi- culty, but we had difficulty in the Llanfair Mr Ashton favoured a compromise by sending the question to the Executive Com- mittee. Mr Lloyd I have no objection. Mr Phillips That would be throwing time away and burdening the Executive with work. Mr Lloyd I agree that the whole ques- tion be referred to the Executive to consider and report. Mr Phillips I oppose that very strongly (laughter). I don't see why we should bur- den the Executive with things they know nothing about (laughter). Mr Lloyd Peate said they could not corn- I pare Welshpool with Llanfair district, where some of the schools were among the hills. Mr Hugh Lewis defended the present sys- tem, which, he said, had worked well. On a division, Mr Lloyd's amendment was lost. It was noticeable that Mr Langford rose his hand for the amendment, but Mr Hum- phreys, who was sitting near, promptly pulled it down, and thus corrected, the member for Montgomery voted in a con- trary direction. A PERTINENT QUESTION The following item appeared in the report of the Executive Committee concerning Christ Church C.E. School:—"The manag- ers having applied that a new stove and pipe should be provided for this school, it was resolved that the question of liability be submitted to the Board of Education for decision." Mr Phillips said that the Committee had already decided a question of this kind why, therefore, the doubt ? A school with- out a fireplace was of no service whatever. The Chairman: There will be no harm in taking the decision of the Board. Mr Phillips: But there is a principle to sacrifice. The Chairman: No, no principle to sacri- fice. Mr Phillips: You have already decided this question. The Chairman: Then what do you want ? Mr Phillips: It is the managers' duty to provide stoves where there is no fire-place. The Chairman: Well, if that is so, the Board will say so. WANTED A HEAD MASTER. The Executive recommended advertising for a certificated mistress for Penegoes C.E. School, at a salary of F-70. Mr Edwards thought that the school should have a head master. The Chairman: We had no representation to that effect from the managers.
News
Death of Sir Edmund Buckley. The death took place on Monday, at Aber- hionant Hall, Bala, of Sir Edmund Buck- ley, Bart., father of Mr Edmund Buckley, who for a number of years occupied Milford Hall, Newtown. Death followed a sharp attack of pneumonia. Sir Edmund was the eldest son of the late Sir Edmund Peck, and a nephew of the late Mr E. Buckley, of Ardwick, Lancashire, and Saddleworth, Yorkshire, whose name and arms he assumed by royal license, dated April 4th, 1864. On the death of his uncle he succeeded to the estates of Gratton Hall, Yorkshire, and Ardwick, Lancashire, but during the lifetime of his uncle he came into the estate and lordship of Dinas Mawddwy, which Mr Buckley purchased in 1856 from the Mytton family, in whose pos- session it had been since the reign of King John. Sir Edmund was born on April 16th, 1834, and married in 1860, Sarah, eldest daughter of Mr William Rees, of Tonn, Car- marthenshire, by whom he had issue two sons and three daughters. Lady Buckley died in 1883, and 1885 Sir Edmund married Sara Mysie, widow of Mr A. Jackson Bur- ton, of Chicago. He represented Newcastle- under-Lyme in Parliament from 1865 to 1878, and in December, 1868, was created a baronet. He was the senior magistrate for Merionethshire, but for many years he had taken little part in public affairs. He is suceeded in the baronetcy by his eldest son, Mr Edmund Buckley, who was born on May 7th, 1861, and married in 1885, Harriett Olivia Louisa, only daughter of the late Rev Maurice Lloyd, rector of Montgomery. Mr Buckley, it will be remembered, founded the Buckley Otter Hounds, now known as the Border Counties Otter Hounds. Sir Edmund did much 'for the develop- ment of Dinas Mawddwy and the district. In 1865 he built the Mawddwy Railway, which connects the Cambrian Railways at Cemmes Road with Dinas Mawddwy, and he opened the Munllyn Slate Quarry, an enterprise which brought prosperity into the district. He built the fine country resi- dence known as the Plas, the Buckley Arms Hotel, and many houses in the district. Later, he opened the Hendreddu slate quarry at Aberangell. He was at one time owner of the Fenns Bank brick works. Many years ago he spent consumerable sums in boring for coal at Whittington, and though his efforts resulted in the finding of coal, the operations were, unfortunately, discontinued. He was the owner of the Eynant estate, near Llanwddyn, a part of which now forms the bed of Lake Vyrnwy, and at one time his estates extended from Mallwyd nearly to the town of Bala.
News
FORDEN RURAL COUNCIL. ANNUAL HEALTH REVIEW. INFANTILE MORTALITY LOW BUT TOO HIGH. MORE ABOUT BERRIEW SCHOOL. Forden Rural Council was too much pressed for time last Wednesday to have all the report of the Medical Officer (Dr R. D. Thomas) read to them. But they heard ex- tracts they had a brief talk about the shortage of midwives, and then accorded their best thanks to the doctor. The report stated that the' Forden rural district comprised 17 townships and par- ishes, with an area of 50,215 acres, and a population of 5,784, according to the last census. The number of inhabited houses is 1,270, giving an average of 4.5 PERSONS PER HOUSE. The district was purely an agricultural one, and mostly on the banks of the river Severn and its tributaries. During the year 127 births and 80 deaths were registered within the district, giving a natural increase to the population of 47, compared with 37 in 1908. The birth rate was .21-9 per 1,000, in comparison with 22.4 in 1908. The deaths from all causes cor- respond to a rate of 11,5 per 1,000, as com- pared with 14.1 in 1908. Of the total deaths registered, 14 occurred at Forden Work- house, 13 belonging to other districts, viz., Welshpool 11, Montgomery two. Forty were upwards of 60 years of age 27 over 70 14 over 80, and one over 90. This wap very significant, and spoke well for the con- tinued healthy condition of the district gen- erally. Four children died before attaining the age of one year, giving an infantile death rate of 47.3 per 1,000, compared with 53.8 for 1908. It would be observed that the infantile death rate was low, and there was every reason for congratulations on the general improvement that had taken place in that respect. Yet, the infantile mor- tality was too high. There was three deaths from zymotic di- seases. Twenty-one cases of diphtheria were notified, 19 of scarlet fever, and five of erysipelas. It had been throughout of a sporadic character, and was of a mild type. It was a welcome sign to know from a public health point of view of the DECREASING SEVERITY OF SCARLET FEVER, as the majority of the cases were of a mild type, so much so as to make diagnosis difficult. Phthsis accounts for eight deaths, the same number as in 1907, and as against five in 1908. The source of water generally throughout the district was chiefly spring and upland, except in the valleys, where it filtered through the gravelly soil of the river its quality varied according to the substrate through which it passed. On the whole it was sufficient, wholesome, and pure, free from organic matters, and holding but a moderate quantity of lime salts. It was fairly free from risks of pollution, though in some cases the manure heaps are in too close proximity to the pumps, and might be the means of contamination, with dis- astrous results. The Medical Officer called serious atten- tion to the Berriew School water supply and sanitation, which, .he noted, had for many years been under discussion with various bodies. There was no doubt in his mind but that the question of condemning the school would have to be considered, un- less some means were taken to rectify its serious defects. The average number at- tending the school was 130, and the only source of water supply was from an adja- cent condemned pump. This was of vital importance, considering the necessity of pure water for drinking and other purposes, There was no attempt of any sewage sys- tem, except a permanent offensive over- flowing cesspool. True, there were some kind of closets, which were cleaned out at an indefinite period ventilation was bad, there being no means of outlet for the ac- cumulating foul, which was also AGGRAVATED BY BAD LIGHT in the main room. He had suggested in his last report that the Council should take measures as provided in the Public Health Water Supply Act of 1872, to obtain water from some source outside the village by sinking a well in a safe condition, free from pollution and connection it with the school, or utilization of upland spring by gravita- tion. Arrangements might be made that the whole village might be thus supplied with Pure water, as the present village supply is not above suspicion. There was no special sewage system, except the system of ordin- ary privies and earth closets. The improve- ments made to cottages were mostly in re- Pairs, whilst new houses were conspicuous by their rari6ty. Two plans were regis- tered under the Dairies and Milk Shops Or- der, and there are only two factories and workshops. Medical inspection of school children had, on the whole, been very satisfactory, and to his knowledge it had been acted upon with beneficial results. The Midwives Act had now been in force for two years, and he had nine midwives under his supervis- ion. They endeavoured to carry out their work and carried out his instructions. When the Act comes fully in force next April, A SERIOUS SITUATION would be caused, as then no person could practise midwifery without being qualified or registered, and there were only nine qualified to practice in the district. Three out of the nine did very little work, and five were over 60 years of age. This would be especially hard in scattered places in the hilly districts. Some of the parishes were without a single midwife. Local associa- tions had been formed, and the County Council had promised a grant to enable young women to qualify. In concluding, the doctor remarked that it was pleasing to record the low death rate, especially in view of the unsatisfactory climatic condition of the year. The district was to be congratulated upon the sanitary and healthy condition generally, though he regretted that scarlet fever had been the cause of some trouble in one area at the same time, he thought that the crisis had now passed.
News
Forden Council's Budget. Legal expenses, nothing, unfortunately!" In bringing up the annual Budget of the Forden Rural Council last Wednesday, the Clerk (Mr C. S. Pryce, solicitor) enlivened the estimates with a legal joke. The rate for the ensuing year will be the same as before-ld in the Z. Details of the estimated expenditure show the following items Highways Maintenance of district roads, El,210 salaries, E118 establishment char- ges, EIO compensation allowance, P-15 contingencies, Z120 total, £ 1/173. The credits consist of E356 grant under the Agri- cultural Rates Act, and £4 from the Mont- gomery Corporation. Public Health Salaries, £117 establish- ment charges, £ 40 loan, E32 contingencies, JZ40 total, £229. Against this there are credits totalling Zlll-E45 grant under the Agricultural Rates Act County Council salaries' grant, 941 loan, 1:25. 1
News
ANOTHER EDCTCATION SUB-COMMITTEE. BUT NOT TO DEAL WITH CONTEN- TIOUS MATTERS. It is common knowledge now that the members of the Executive Committee of the County Education Authority have been over-worked in the public service, and it is generally agreed that something should be done to lighten their task. At Tues- day's meeting of the Education Committee, Mr Richard Lloyd had a splendid sugges- tion to make, which was carried, and will undoubtedly tond to alleviate the arduous work of the Executive. Mr Lloyd said he had been a member of the Executive Committee, and with perhaps one or two exceptions, had attended as well as anyone else. He had, however, found that the strain was very considerable in- deed, and the work took up a tremendous amount of time. The fact was that though there were fifteen members on the Execu- tive, it was impossible that they could at- tend the committees regularly unless they lived in the centre of the district. The con- sequence was that they could not keep up with the work. There were often very im- portant questions which required to be dis- cussed from time to time, and' very few present to decide them. He had been try- ing to devise some way of easing the matter and making their work more effectual. If it met with their favourable consideration, he would move that there should be a sub- committee appointed which should be called the Correspondence Committee, to con&ist of five members, and those five members should deal with all the correspondence, except such as should be of a contentious nature. At present the correspondence was very considerable, and the pile of letters took up a great part of the day before they could get through it, and it was necessary that it should be dealt with in a somewhat better way than in the past. As things now stood, it very often happened that the great bulk of the correspondence had to be dealt with by a ctouple of members, and some- times even by the Chairman himself. The Chairman himself had sometimes been the only one there, and had been compelled to come in search of him (Mr Lloyd), and they had to deal with this correspondence un- aided. If this work were put in the hands of a sub-committee, it could be dealt with more effectiually, and would not be such a strain on members of the committee, and possibly they might deal with more import- ant matters than some of the correspond- ence referred to. He would not move such a resolution at present, but he would put it as a suggestion before them. He believed their Chairman fell in with the suggestion entirely. The Colonel: If Mr Lloyd will move it, I will second it. I am perfectly satisfied that it will ease matters very much indeed. This will only give power to the committee to deal with non-contentious matters. If they don't keep to this, then we shall COME DOWN ON THEM (laughter). It will be a great help both to the Executive Committee and to the Chair- man. I have very great pleasure in second- ing the proposal of Mr Lloyd to form a committee of five, with a quorum of two. Mr W. Ashton: Do I understand that this committee is to be appointed here to- day, or will the Executive Committee ap- point it ? Mr Lloyd: Just as you like. Mr Shuker: I should like to draw the attention of the Committee to one thing which conduces to such a small attendance on the part of the Executive. He believed that at the commencement there had been an understanding that the Committee should meet alternately at Newtown and Welshpool. But such had been very far from the fact. He thought there had been twice as many meetings at Newtown as at Welshpool. He hoped the Chairman would allow him to speak on this. He was, not one of the defaulters at any rate, but he was one who attended regularly at great inconvenience to himself. It would be a good thing for the Executive to meet alter- nately at Newtown and Welshpool, and then they would be better attended. Then there was again the Requisitions Committee. That committee had never met anywhere else than at Newtown, and that was the reason why some of his colleagues had not been able to give the attention to the work which they would have liked to give. Mr Richard Phillips: Why hold the meet- ings at Welshpool when Newtown is the most central point in the county ? The Chairman: We are over the line now. Mr Lloyd: Yes, I am rising to a point of order. We are off the line now. I pro- pose that a sub-committee, to be called the Correspondence Committee, be appointed "from among the 15 members now constitut- ing the Executive Committee, to deal with all the correspondence except such as be of a contentious nature. I am sure it will work very satisfactorily. Mr Lloyd's motion, when put to the vote was carried unanimously. Mr Lloyd: I should like to say this for Mr Shuker's benefit, that the Correspond- ence Committee will always sit at Newtown. There is no reason why we should meet anywhere else. I have, however, no objec- tion to its sitting at Welshpool if the five members would attend. Mr Shuker: Who is to be judge as to whether it is contentious or not? The Chairman: We shall very soon find out that (laughter). The Correspondence Committee chosen consisted of the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, with Mr Lloyd, Mr Shuker, and the Colonel.
News
Stitch in Time. There is an old saying, "A stitch in time saves nine," and if upon the first symptoms of anything being wrong with our health we were to resort to some simple but proper means of correcting the mischief, nine-tenths of the suffering that invades our homes would be avoided. A dose of Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters taken when you feel the least bit out of sorts is just that stitch in time." You can get G'vilym Evans' Quinine Bitters at any Chemists or Stores in bottles 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each but remember that the only guarantee of genuineness is the name Gwilym Evans on the label, stamp, and bottle, without which none are genuine. Sole Proprietors:—Quinine Bitters Manu- facturing Company, Limited, Llanelly, South Wales.
News
"Two Real Good Men." At the County Education Authority, on Tuesday, Colonel Pryce-Jones said it occurred to him that the Committee might express their appreciation of the services of Mr R. E. Jones, who had now retired from the Autho-' rity, and was, he believed, confined through illness. He had done good work on the Education Committee (hear, hear). The Chairman, in moving that suggestion as a resolution, remarked that Mr Jones had been an exceedingly. valuable man on the Executive Committee, and as a school mana- ger he possessed a good deal of expert know- ledge, which he had placed at the service of the county. He should also like to in- clude the name of Mr Daniel Howell (hear, hear, and applause). Colonel Pryce-Jones seconded, remarking, Two real good men." The resolution was passed
News
THE UPPER HOUSE. FORDEN GUARDIAN'S "PROMOTION." TWO RESIGNATIONS. There was an unusually large amount of regret mingled last Wednesday with the compliments that always wind up the year's work of the Forden Rural Council. My membership will expire on the 15th April," wrote Mr John Davies. I am not seeking re-election. Therefore I beg to re- sign my appointment as the Council's repre- sentative for Bangor College." The Chairman (Mr W. Pritchard) said they would be exceedingly sorry to lose their friend, Mr John Davies (hear, hear). He asked could not Mr Davies represent them at Bangor although not a member of the Council. Mr Richard Jones agreed, for auld ac- quaintance's sake." Mr John Davies First of all I am very much obliged to you for the kind remarks you have just made. It is with a good deal of regret I sever my connection with the Forden Rural District Council. I have been on it since it was formed. I think I was the first chairman of the Council except Colonel Harrison, and it has always been a great pleasure to meet you gentlemen here time after time. I can only express my sincere regret at leaving you. But that regret is mingled with a good deal of feeling of confidence that the Council is left in very capable hands, and will always be conducted in the very best possible manner. I have always thought that this District Council and the Board of Guardians are composed of some of the MOST INTELLIGENT AND MOST BUSINESS-LIKE. men it has been my pleasure to meet. I should not be occupying a tenable position by being the representative of a public body of which I am not a member I should have no locus standi, and I should like to propose that the Rev E. H. Beattie take my place. But the Vicar of Leighton declined, saying that he had come to the same conclusion as Mr Davies-to resign. He testified that he had found it extremely interesting to come to Forden. He had formed a very great attachment to some of the old people in the House (hear, hear). It had been a great pleasure to him to know some of the poorer ones who were suffering upstairs. But for various reasons that he could not give he had decided to resign. The Chairman voiced the Council's regret at Mr Beattie's resignation, and then Mr Richard Jones moved a vote of thanks to Mr Pritchard, which was seconded by Mr Beattie. Acknowledging the compliment, the Chair- man remarked that there was something very interesting and fascinating in public work, when it was carried on-as it always was at Forden-in an efficient and very satisfactory manner. He proposed a vote of thanks to the Vice-Chairman (Mr Percival Hurlbutt)). In seconding, Mr Edward Davies availed himself of the opportunity to congratulate Alderman John Davies when he is leaving us upon his appointment to the Upper House."—(Mr J. Pryce Jones (laughingly) Question).—We have always admired his business abilities on this Council and at the Board of Guardians. We always LIKED HIS INDEPENDENT OPINION on all matters, and I hope he will be the same when he gets on the County Council (laughter). We have seen people before now being advanced to the higher Chamber- men who had been good men becoming nonentities (laughter). I hope that will not be true of Mr John Davies (more laughter). We shall be always watching his career, and we hope it will be as good as it has been here. Mr John Davies then proposed a vote of thanks to the officers, from whom, he said, he had received nothing but kindness. Any information they could give had always been readily and faithfully given. Of course," continued the speaker, the Clerk of the Council and I are old friends. It is many years ago now since we met in school together (laughter). We parted company for some short time, and we met again in the workhouse (loud laughter). We have been at the workhouse now for a number of years, and I am taking my discharge, and he is going to stay in (laughter). How long he intends to remain I don't know. But always he has been a very good Clerk to the body, and I am very sorry to part company with him in public work." Mr J. T .Ward having seconded the vote of thanks, the Clerk responded "I very much regret Mr Davies has gone," he re- marked, as Mr Edward Davies says to the Upper House.' They are talking about abolishing the House of Lords and the Boards of Guardians. I don't know whether he will be safer there than he is here (loud laughter.—Mr Beattie Good Good !) I am quite sure he won't have a better time, and he won't have more respect and more good feeling shown him there than. he has here.
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Small Holdings. A TIMELY REMINDER. At the annual meeting of the Llandysilio branch of the Oswestry and District Far- mers' Association, Mr T. Ward Green, ,The Wood, opened a discussion on small hold- ings, and in the course or his speech said it seemed to him that if the present Act did not work a more drastic one would be passed. The result would be that they would have more labour in the country, and the Farmers' Union would become stronger.— (A Voice "More votes. ")-Exactly that was what they wanted, because at present they were swamped by the votes of the industrial centres. Small holdings would also increase the rateable value of the coun- try, break up a monopoly, and open oppor- tunities which did not formerly exist (hear, hear). The Act might be a little Socialistic -(A voice "Quite true") but there was an element of Socialism in their Post Office, in their water works schemes, and munici- pal trade had succeeded where private en- terprise had failed. But if the Act was a little Socialistic, he claimed that it was administered in Shropshire by the least Socialistic body in the country (applause). Mr Carsley, Llandysilio, said if landowners had let alone the small holdings which existed years ago, they would not require a Small Holdings Act. He could remember twenty small holdings within two miles of his residence. Mr J. Richards, Llynclys, paid a tribute to the conscientious way in which Mr Green represented the interests of the public on public bodies, and referring to the- fact that the County Council was pushed along by Commissioners appointed under the Small Holdings Act, Mr Richards said he thought what the County Council wanted was a little more backbone. Farmers, he was sure, were not antagonistic to small holdings what they complained of was that tenant farmers should be kicked out of their farms in order to make room for someone else. Mr Green had alluded to the fag ends of farms being taken away to make small holdings. He did not think small holders wanted the fag ends of farms they generally picked pieces of land close to the road. Mr Green, replying to Mr Richards, said if the County Council did not move in the matter of making small holdings, the Com- missioners appointed under the Small Hold- ings Act could step in and do the work for them, and afterwards charge them with the expense.
Detailed Lists, Results and Guides
THE SALARIES OF TEACHERS. APPLICATIONS THAT WERE DECLINED OR GRANTED. AN ALLEGED INJUSTICE. At the County Education Authority, on Tuesday, the Executive Committee re- ported as follows upon their treatment of various applications by teachers for in- crease of salary. LLANFAIR DISTRICT. Castle Caereinion C.E.—Mr J. A. Smith, head master (C.P.), £95 to £100. Hafod Council.—Miss M. E. Jones (as- sistant S.), £ 30 to P-35, on the understand- ing that she takes the teaching of sewing. Llanfair C.E.—Mr J. Idris Davies (head master, T.C.), declined. Llanfair Council.—Mr W. Lloyd Pierce (head master, T.C.), declined. Pantycrai Council.—Mr W. J. Montgom- ery (head master), T.C.), £95 to £100. LLANFYLLIN DISTRICT. Bwlchycibau C.E.—Mrs J. Williams (as- sistant, S.), declined. Llanfyllin Council.—Miss M. M. Watkins (infants' mistress, C.), S75 to £ 80. Mr Rees T. Davies (assistant, U.), £ 35 tq £40, from 1st July next. 'I Llangynog Council.—Mr J. G. O. Reese (head master, T.C.), £ 115 to £ 120. Miss A. J. Williams (assistant, S.), declined. Llansaintffraid C.E.—Mr R. G. Oldfield (head master, T.C.), declined. Miss E. Tomkins (assistant, U.), declined. Miss Blodwen Williams (assistant, S.), E25 to E30 from 1st July next. LLANIDLOES DISTRICT. Llanidloes C.E. (Mixed).—Mr H. J. B. Niblett (assistant, U.), declined. Glandwr Council (Mixed).—Mr J. Lester Mills (head master, T.C.), declined. Llandinam Council.—Mr J. R. Jones (head master, T.C.), £ 100 to £105. Llangurig Council.—Mr J. H. Rowbotham (head master, C.), £100 to £ 105. Manledd Council.—Mr W. J. Hickin (head master, T.C.), declined. Trefeglwys Council.—Mr David Clement (head master, T.C.), E120 to £ 125. Mr J. R. Evans (assistant, U.), £ 35 to £ 40, from 1st July next. MACHYNLLETH DISTRICT. Commins Coch Council.—Mr E. Davies (head master, T.C.), f-96 to £ 100. Darowen C.E.—Mr John Roberts (head master, T.C.), declined. Machynlleth Council.—Miss Blodwen Humphreys (assistant, U.), £35 to £40, from 1st July next. Miss J. Lois Jones (assist- ant, U.), £35 to P.40, from 1st July next. Mr Ll. V. Evans (assistant, U.), declined. NEWTOWN DISTRICT. Caersws Council.—Mr John Rees (head master, T.C.), £ 145 to £ 150. Miss Breeze (head mistress, Cp.), £ 80 to £85. Miss Rosa Thomas (assistant, Cp.), £50 to £ 55. Miss Manuel (assistant, U.), declined. Miss Mill- wood (assistant, S.), V-25 to £ 30. Clatter Council.—Miss S. L. Evans (as- sistant, U.), £ 40 to P-45. Kerry Charity (Boys' department).—Miss M. B. Milnes (assistant, U.), declined. Miss M. A. Parry (assistant, S.), £25 to E30, from 1st July next. Llanwnog C.E.—Miss E. Bevan (assistant, U.), S:45 to E50. Mochdre C.E.—Mrs E. A. Inglis (assist- ant, S.), £ 9 to £ 15. Newtown Council (Boys).—Mr J. E. Rob- erts (head master, T.C.), declined. Mr Noel Watkin (assistant, T.C.), F-90 to £95. Mr Thomas Lloyd (assistant, U.), declined. Mr W. L. King .(assistant, U.), declined. Newtown Council (Girls).—Miss M. A. Rhodes (head mistress, Cp.), E120 to £125. Miss W. C. Griffiths (assistant, C.), £ 50 to £55. Newtown Council (Infants).—Miss A. B. Owen (head mistress, Cp.), £85 to tgO. Penygloddfa Council (Mixed).—Mr J. E. Lane Griffiths (head master, T.C.), de- clined. Mr W. E. Watkin (assistant, C.), £60 to £65. Sarn C.E.Mr C. H-itidding (head mas- ter), Elio to £115. Tregynon Council—Mrs A. M. Hall (as- sistant, T.C.), declined. WELSHPOOL DISTRICT. G.uilsfield C.E.—Mr E. T. Hughes (head master, T.C.), £ 115 to £120. Hyssington and Snead C.E.-Miss Laura Richards (assistant S.), Y-20 to £25. Llandysilio C.E.—Mrs Lucy E. Lloyd (assistant, Cp.), £60 to F-65. Miss E. A. Tilsley (assistant S.), declined. Penrhos C.E.—Miss M. Goodall (head mis- tress, Cp.), F-70 to £75. Miss Emily Smith (assistant S.), Z25 to JE30 from 1st July next. Welshpool C.E. (Boys).—Mr H. A. Tole (head master, T.C.), declined. Welshpool C.E. (Girls).—Miss M. Barker (head mistress, Cp.), £ 100 to £105.. LLANFYLLIN DISTRICT. Llanfechain C.E.-Mrs Bonner-Chambers (assistant S.), declined. Aberhosan Cl.-Miss C. Davies (head mis- tress, U.), declined. Mellington Cl.-Mrs M. J.Butler (head mistress, Cp.), £ 75 to 9,85. CARETAKERS. Llanidloes District .-GI andwr Cl Mrs M. i A. Brown, £23 2s to £ 27. Trefeglwys Cl Mrs Davies, £ 9 to £ 12. Newtown District.—Kerry Charity Mrs James, £ 10 to £ 12. Welshpool District.—Christ Church C.E.: Mrs Thomas, £ 9 to 4:11. Gungtog C.E.: Mrs Austin, £ 6 to E8. Welshpool C.E. (Boys): Mrs Fletcher, £8 to £ 10. Welshpool C.E. (Girls): Mrs Griffiths, £8 to £10. The increases to date from the 1st April, except where otherwise indicated, and in the cases of Uncertificated Teachers and Supplementary Teachers to be subject to the proviso that they take steps to improve their qualifications. v The Chairman (Mr Richard Jones) said that in dealing with those applications the Executive had to bear in mind one impor- tant matter. That was the state of the teach- ing market at the present time. Five or six years ago the market was very restricted in consequence of the passing of the Edcua- tion Act of 1902, which threw all the schools on the rates. There was then a tremendous demand for teachers, in consequence of which the salaries went up. Now there had been a reaction. The market was over- stocked, and there were at present a large number of teachers out of situations. He did not think it best in all cases to go in for cheap labour, but they had to bear the fact in mind that whereas it was difficult to get applications previously, they were now inundated with them whenever there was a vacancy. With respect to the applications from the higher paid teachers, the Com- mittee thought that on the whole they ought to be pretty well satisfied. With regard to the lower paid-the supplementary, the un- certificated, and the smaller paid certificated teachers—the Committee decided to take them as much as possible on their merits. He added that there was no excuse for teachers not qualifying themselves as the Higher Education Committee had reduced the fees and paid their railway fares to at- tend the classes at Newtown. If any mem- ber wished to make any observations on the list he had now an opportunity to do so. Mr Richard Phillips called attention to the refusal to entertain the application of Mr J. E. Roberts, the head master of Newtown Boys' Council School. That was not the first time Mr Roberts had applied for an increase, and it was not the first time he (Mr Phillips) had spoken in his favour. He did not wish to disparage any teacher by comparison with Mr Roberts, but the refusal of his application had led to some dissatis- faction. If the Committee said that Mr Roberts was paid enough, then he contended that others were paid too much. He hoped the application would be referred back to the Executive for further consideration. Mr Lloyd said that Mr Roberts was a very good master, but he was paid a higher salary than other masters who had more children in their schools, and if his appli- cation had been granted, others would have been equally well entitled to an increase. Mr Shuker also took this line of argu- ment, and instanced the case of the head master of the boys' school in Welshpool, who had a less salary than Mr Roberts, though he had 50 more children than Mr Roberts. Mr Lloyd moved the adoption of the Com- mittee's recommendation. Mr Phillips: I don't wish to say anything strong, although I have good reasons The motion was then agreed to.
News
Medical Review of Rural Llan- fyllin. The following is the annual report of Dr Felix Jones on the Llanfyllin rural dis- trict :— One hundred and ninety deaths had been registered in the district during the year, as against 186 in 1908. The death rate was ,14.8 per 1,000, against the average of 16-8 -for the past ten years. Eighteen deaths were due to consumption and tubercular diseases, against 28 in 1908. Cancer caused 15 deaths, a slight increase over 1908. Twenty-nine deaths were recorded as due to heart disease, eighteen of these were of persons over 65. There were 37 deaths from bronchitis, pneumonia, and pleurisy, 24 of whom were persons over 65. Five deaths were due to influenza, and three to acci- dents. Only two deaths were recorded as being due to the chief zymotic diseases. The births registered during the year were 270, giving a rate of 21.06 per 1,000. The average birth rate for the last ten years was 24.4. It was very difficult to explain the decline in the birth rate, which was general all over the country among the reasons given for the decline in rural dis- tricts was the scarcity of employment for young people and their consequent migration to the towns. The fact that 29 or nearly one-ninth of the total number of births were illegitimate, was not very creditable to the district, and were many more than in previous years.-in 1907 there were 18, and in 1908, 12 illegitimate births. There were 19 deaths of children under one year of age, five of these being illegitimate. This gave the small death rate of 70 per 1,000 on the births registered, against an average for the last ten years of 98.7 per 1,000. Infantile death rate was the lowest that had ever been recorded in the dis- trict. The handbills of instruction on the management and feeding of infants that were being distributed amongst the mothers of newly-born children had probably con- tributed a good deal to this gratifying re- sult. The epidemic death rate also was much below the average for the kingdom generally, while the general death rate was much the same, and the birth rate con- siderably lower. Dr Jones referred in detail to the various epidemics which had occurred in the dis- trict during the year, to the lack of proper sanitary occommodation at the Council School, Llanfair, and to a serious nuisance at Llanfihangel School. Speaking of the water supplies, the Medical Officer, referring to the Llanfair supply, said it was derived entirely from wells and pumps. These wells, he said, were certainly a source of danger to the community, owing to their being so easily contaminated by surface water frequently polluted with manure running into them. He suggested that each well should have a protective grating to pre- vent buckets being put in, and a metal bowl to fill the buckets, attached to the grating. This had been done, and was a great improvement, but there remained the risk of contamination from surface water and he strongly recommended that a scheme for supplying this important centre with pure drinking water on the same lines as had been carried out at Llangynog should be adopted. The only supply of drinking water for the portion of the village of Dolanog, which was within the parish of Llanfihangel, and which consisted of the school and five houses, was obtained from an open well on the Llanfihangel road. The well was uncovered and unprotected, from contamination from outside sources, and was about 400 yards away. He was told that the supply in this well was con- stant, even in the driest summer, and he would recommend that if, on analysis, it was found to be pure, a reservoir be put up there and a pipe laid down to carry the water to the school and the houses. There were twenty registered midwives in the district, and he had as yet no cause for .1 "L ..1. .1 cumpiami as CO tne way they carried out their duties. One midwife had to be sus-* pended from duty for eight weeks in conse- quence of a case of scarlet fever in her home. The report was gone through seriatum, and notices were ordered to be issued on the managers of the Llanfair and Llanfi- hangel Schools.
Detailed Lists, Results and Guides
Old-Age Pensions. NEWTOWN AND WELSHPOOL SUB- COMMITTEES. These sub-committees have each held fourteen monthly meetings since the amal- gamation of the sub-committes'areas on the 1st January, 1909. The number of claims and quest-ions received during that time has been as follows:-Newtown, 231 Welshpool, 275 total, 506. These have been decided by the respective committees as follows:— Newtown: Allowed-5s weekly, 124 48, if°Urj 11; 3 two ls' six- Disal- lowed—Means, 30 out-relief, six • under age, eight failure to work, one de- ceased, three. Increased on questions, 15 decreased on questions, two refused on questions, two discontinued on questions, five deferred, two. Total, 231. Welshpool: Allowed-5s weekly, 160 4s, six 3s, 11 2s, seven Is, five. Disal- lowed--Means, 24 out-relief, 10 under age, 12 deceased, one imprisonment, one. Increased on questions, 29 de- creased on questions, two refused on questions, three discontinued on Ques- tions, one deferred, three. Total, 275. The total number of claims and questions received in the county up to the present time is 1,765, which have been dealt with, as follows:— Allowed: 5s, 1,329 4s, 38 3s, 43 25:0- 18 Is, 15 total, 1,443. Disallowed: On account of means, 131 poor relief, 51 under age, 35 withdrawn, seven under Section 3 (1) (b), four non- resident, three duplicate, one deceased, nine imprisonment, two total, 243. Questions decided, 74 claims and ques- tions deferred, five. The yearly amount, of the pensions al- lowed in the county up to the present is 918,140 4s, or Z348 179 weekly. Out of these 1,760 decisions, there have been only 48 appeals to the Local Govern- ment Board, of which 15 have been al- lowed, 28 disallowed, and five are awaiting: decision.