The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

CIVIL SERVICE AND ENGINEERING. In our opinion, there are few better fields of employment than the civil service and en- gineering. Now that appointments in the civil service are made upon the results of competitive examinations, it has opened its portals to all young people who possess brains and knowledge sufficient to satisfy the examiners. To the lads of working class parents this service offers decided in- ducements. Each branch has a minimum salary (on which a lad can live, and thus at once relieve his parents), with a regular yearly increment. If successful in examina- tions for higher posts, he can calculate what his salary will be years in advance. The civil servant need not fear the effects of bad trade or dismissal owing to the fluctuations of business. He is secure for the rest of his working life from the evils of short time or unemployment. He is not penalised for becoming prematurely old, he is free from the worry incident to other employments, his working hours are not long, and thus he enjoys a considerable amount of leizure. Security of income, steady work, a gradually improving position, and eventually a sub- stantial pension are advantages which few other professions offer. The preparation for entrance to the civil service does not de- mand much time, and the examination fees are comparatively small. Moreover, there is no caste or class feeling in the service all are on an equal footing in each grade. As regards engineering, civilization is golflg to depend more and more upon the engineer. We live in an age of machinery, and on the men who make and control it. The horse cab is disappearing with the advent )f the taxi the trap is being supple- mented by the motor car steel and iron works are taking the place of timber, and railways are conquering more than are the world's armies. On our farms we have seen manual labour ousted by machinery yea, the engineer is endeavouring to harness the tides and to tap the hot springs in the centre of the earth. In the field of engin- eering there is unlimited scope, with little probability of over-crowding.

A DOUBTFUL PROPOSAL. A sub-committee of Welshpool County School Governors have been set the peculiar task of trying to get behind the Interme- diate Education Scheme. The discontinuance of a certain private seminary for infant girls has brought a suggestion from the Head Mistress of the County School to establish a preparatory class for these children at her school. Mr Addie, the Chairman of the Governors, hints that there are some parental objections to children attending the elemen- tary schools in Welshpool ? What are t,hese objections ? There are parents we know who prefer to place their children at a pri- vate school, and, of course, pay for the preference. Fees, we take it, would be charged for instruction at this proposed pre- paratory class in Welshpool, but if addi- tional buildings were required for its accommodation, the cost, we suppose, would become a public charge. Would that be a fair charge under the particular circum- stances ? The proposal, however, collides with the scheme which fixes the minimum age of entrance to the County Schools at eleven years. If there be a demand in Welshpool for this preparatory class, then there is a good opportunity for the establish- ment of a private school. Welshpool pos- sesses an excellent Grammar School for boys. Is there not room for a similar institution for girls ?

LLANIDLOES MUNICIPAL ELECTION. Quite an exceptional contest was witnessed at Llanidloes on Tuesday, when electors were required to appoint no fewer than six councillors from amongst a choice of eight candidates. Shorn of political and religious considerations, the election resolved itself into an estimate of personalities, though the result emphasises the efficacy of canvassing, and the necessity for the adoption of this time-honoured method even by men whose past public services should be sufficient to command appreciation and a renewal of confidence. No doubt Mr Jones Meredith depended for the most part upon a record of work for which his townsmen undoubtedly feel grateful, yet he occupied only fourth place upon the poll. The premier position was won by Mr Thomas Evans, a young man who gained his spurs as a leader of the Young Liberals League in the last General Election. He is followed by Mr John Morris, whose heavy poll furnishes one of the sur- prises. Mr Richard Jerman's hold on the electors seems to be as substantial as the stone he cuts. At the first time of asking Mr E. V. Davies has obtained a meritorious place. Whether he will handle municipal affairs with that successful dexterity which has given him celebrity in the canine world remains to be seen. Dr Davies, though taking the bottom position, has the satis- faction of knowing that his return was accomplished without any organised can- vassing. Invited to stand, he regarded acceptance as a duty of citizenship, and simply placed himself at the disposal of the community. The non-success of Mr W. V. George is alike surprising and regrettable, having regard to the traditional services of his esteemed family. By the rejection of Mr D. Owen, the Council has certainly lost a valued member. His defeat appears in- explicable. Last on the list came Mr D. T. Morgan, whose epistolary eloquence may have just scared the electors.

THE MUNICIPAL PROGRAMME AT LLANIDLOES. With the addition of three new members. all of whom are known Progressives, the Llanidloes Council may be expected to spurt in the direction of public improve- ments. Specially favoured by nature, the first town on the Severn might become a popular residential place and holiday re- sort, and towards this object the Council are planning. Better lighting, the provis- ion of more public conveniences, greater efficiency in the sanitary department, and the maintenance of a good water supply are, among other things, generally desired. Llanidloes has apparently not yet realised the very valuable asset it possesses in one of the finest inland golf courses to be seen in Wales. If these links, so charmingly situate, could be acquired by the munici- pality, and properly equipped and widely advertised, we venture to say the town's attractions would be immeasurably en- hanced.

CORONATION MAYORS. In 'view of the King's coronation next June, there will be no difficulty in filling the local mayoral chairs this November. The people of Llanidloes, without doubt, would approve the re-election of their estimable townsman, Alderman Edward Hamer, and there is nothing more likely than that his colleagues on the Council will translate public Seeling, and at the same time express their appreciation of this gen- tleman's successful conduct of affairs. At Welshpool, a similar honour will, we be- lieve, be conferred upon Mr T. J. Evans, but at Llanfyllin preference is divided upon Messrs J. Marshall Dugdale, John Lomax, and W. A. Pughe. The Coronation mayoralty falls fittingly and deservedly upon Mr Fairies-Humphreys, who will take the chair for the twelfth time. The mayoral elections take place on Wednesday, when we hope to record the statement of a municipal programme by each of the civic chiefs.

NEWTOWN URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. REFUSE DESTRUCTOR CONTRACT SEALED. STREET SCENES AT 11 P.M. The absentees from Newtown Urban Council at the meeting on Thursday night were Messrs A. S. Cooke, S. H. Jarvis, W. F. Pryce, and R. Barnes. The whole busi- ness was finished soon after an hour from the start. MUNICIPAL MONEY-BAG. The Finance Committee's report showed, payments of t547 12s 4d, and the receipts were £396 from free library, gas,.and rates. The balances at present at the bank were as follows:—Free library account (credit), £17 17s 6d; gas loan account (debit), V-50 13s 8d gas revenue account (debit), jE612 12s Id general district rate account (debit), F.232 10s 6d gas loan sinking ac- count (debit), £ 25. The Collector reported having collected the following amounts:—General district rate, Y.312 5s water rate, E239 3s 6d district fund, £ 54 17s 9d total, IV-606 6s 3d. GENERAL HEALTH GOOD. The Medical Officer (Dr Wilson) reported as follows:—The general health of the town and district is good, and no case of infec- tious disease had been reported to him. The yards and properties inspected during the month were found in a fair sanitary condition. Where nuisances existed, notices were served for the abatement of the same, and they have been complied with. The slaughter houses have been inspected dur- ing the past week, and found in a clean condition. THE SURVEYOR'S SURVEY. In the course of a long report, the Sur- veyor said:—I have inspected most of the roads in the rural districts, and found them, with few exceptions, in a sanitary condi- tion. The Fron Dolfor road leading to the Sewage Farm needs repairing, and I pur- pose having about 50 tons of stone raised in the Porthouse quarry, and laid down for metalling. The cost of raising the stone will be about Is 3d per load, and the consent of Mr Arbuthnot has already been obtained. I have received complaints regarding the condition of Tynygreen-lane, and on inspec- tion found that the upper portion of the road has been badly cut up and damaged by timber haulage from Mr R. E. Jones' land, a portion of which abutts on to the lane. The road crossing to Wernddu-lane adjoining Mr S. Powell's field is also in a bad state,. and requires about 30 tons of broken stone. As instructed at the special meeting of the Council, the information and plan have been furnished for the purpose of the recent road conference, and an estimate of cost amounting to E200 per annum, showing the details of the scheme for the mitigation of the dust nuisance within the Council's dis- trict. These have been submitted to the County Council, who have included the same for re-consideration to the Road Board, and there is every likelihood that a sub stantial amount, will be allotted. During the month I have had workmen employed at the Sewage Farm in slating the weather side of the house and other im- provements, also the opening up of the main carriers and the cleaning of distributing pipes. The workmen have been employed in the removal of surplus soil at the ceme- tery and the formation and digging up of the large circle in the main drive. SEVERN RIVER OBSTRUCTION. Owing to fallen trees having formed an obstruction in the river on the Severn Green side, I have thought it desirable to have the same removed, with the consent of the owners, and the boughs and trees have been converted into stanks for the purpose of piling defective portions of the river banks. As instructed, I have prepared a plan of the river's banks for the purpose of ob- taining legal opinion, showing the waste ground from the Short Bridge to Severn Green. Several defective portions of the tar pave- ments of the town have been repaired dur- ing the month. The usual sanitary duties connected with the town, such as scaveng- ing of yards and streets, and the disposal of sewage and refuse, have received all pos- sible attention. The drainage at the isola- tion hospital has been improved and a ven- tilating shaft provided. An application has been received from the owner of property on the New-road asking that the present ventilation shaft erected in connection with the town sewers should be removed on account of its proximity to the new houses recently erected. I recom- mend that the same be granted, and that a shaft should be erected at a more suitable position. The town's water supply and works con- tinues in good condition; but owing to a breakage in the main on the 24th ult. the supply had to be turned off for the neces- sary work of repairs. This was carried out. during the following night with as little delay as possible. The caretaker at the reservoir reports all in good working order, and that the lake is now at its usual win- ter's level. I have made the usual inspection of yards and properties, and found the same in a fairly satisfactory condition. I have inspected the slaughter houses and found them clean. The canal boats inspected dur- ing the month were found clean and not over-crowded. No Fire Brigade Committee meeting hav- ing bean held during the month, I have to report that I have been in communication with the firm who at the last meeting offered for sale a second hand fire engine, but not having heard further from them, I conclude the same has been sold. LESS GAS USED. The Gas Manager reported that there was a decrease of 39,800 cubic feet in the quan- tity of gas manufactured in the month of October as compared with October, 1909. The coals carbonized amounted to 161 tons. In October he had collected P-149 9s 4d from the slot meters he had taken £ 64 16s 4d. The Sanitary Committee reported that the contract for the erection of the refuse destructor had been sealed, and they trusted that the work of erection would pro- ceed at once. They were also of opinion that an additional urinal was needed at the top of Park-street and New-road. The Cambrian Railways Company had agreed to let them a plot of land for the purpose at the entrance of the coal wharf on a 21 years' lease, at a nominal rent of Is per year. The Streets" and Lighting Committee re- ported that the automatic gas controller and lantern had been fixed on Wesley-street corner, and the consumption for the week ending Wednesday last amounts to 170 cubic feet. Further tests will be made, and a comparison between the old system and the new one reported upon at the next meeting of the Council. A LIGHT EXPERIMENT. In moving the adoption -of the report, Mr Ellison said that he had had the experi- mental lamp at the corner of Wesley-street under his observation, and found it was a great success. He had not seen the light- ing process in operation, but the extin- guishing was very effective. The saving he thought would be very great, but they could not at present give a comparison with the method now in vogue. They would be able to do so at the next committee. As to the extinguishing process, if any councillors happened to be about the street at 11 o'clock—(cries of "Oh!" and laughter). He had seen some of them about later than that- Mr Ford: Then you must have seen them then (laughter). Mr Ellison, continuing, said that un- doubtedly the system would prove a great success, and at the next meeting he hoped to be able to report further. WATER AND RIVER BANKS. The report of the Water Committee was as follows:— Your committee beg to report that they have met and considered the various mat- ters connected with the water department of the Council. Regarding the question of carrying out of repairs at the Nyodd Mill, they have been in communication with the agent, Mr Bennett Rowlands, who since the last meeting has effected further repairs, and they now have a further assurance that the landlord is willing to complet the work upon the Council finding the necessary labour. Other matters are engaging their attention as to arrears outstanding and claims for reduction in meter charges, upon which they hoped to report fully at the next meeting. The text of the report of the Severn Banks Committee was as follows:— Your committee have been in consulta- tion with the Clerk upon the legal position of the Council relative to the banks of the river, and they have perused and approved of the draft scheme which the Clerk has forwarded for an opinion. The revenue de- rived from the letting of the river banks for the past month was V-9 10s, and the expense incurred £2 2s 9d. This was incurred by the obtaining and making of willow stanks to be used for further piling, and also for the levelling of about 50 loads of waste from the gasworks. The adoption of the report was moved by Mr Parry.

GRAVE CHARGE AGAINST A NEWTOWN YOUTH. On Tuesday, at the Newtown Police Court, before Messrs W. H. Burton Swift (presiding) and W. P. Phillips, John Stephens, a Newtown youth, was charged with having committed an offence under the Criminal Law Amendment Act against Sybil Emily Church, of the Bun- galow, Llandinam, a girl above the age of thirteen and under the age of sixteen. Sybil Emily Church said she was the daughter of Arthur George Church, of the Bungalow, Llandinam. She was sixteen years of age in June last. In October, 1907, she went into service with Mrs; E. H. Morgan, of Broad-street, Newtown, and re- mained there until May 9th, 1910. She be- gan to keep company with the defendant in August, 1909, and continued to do so until 20th June, 1910. She left Mr Morgan's ser- vice on May 9th, 1910. On the Wednesday preceding, the defendant committed the al- leged offence. She met the defendant that evening in Broad-street about seven o'clock, and was with him until nine. She strug- gled with him before he committed the offence. When she left Mr Morgan's she went home, and after staying there for a week, went to Welshpool, .wher she re- mained in service for nearly three months. On the second Sunday after she went to Welshpool (May 29th) she came to New- town by the mail train in the morning. She saw defendant in Park-street in the af- ternoon, and arranged to meet him at half- past six. At that hour she met him in Short Bridge-street, and went with him up the street and to the railway station. She was with him until 7-45. He repeated the offence on that date. She struggled, but she did not shout. In January last the de- fendant asked her how old she was, and she told him 15. He then asked her when she would be 16, and she told him she would be 16 on June 12th. On October 15th her mother took her to see Dr Davies at Llan- idloes. She did not know what was the matter with her then. She had not told her mother what had taken place between defendant and her. Cross-examined by Mr Richard George (who defended): She told no one what had taken place between defendant and her. She went for a walk with defendant on the 20th May because she was fond of him.! She loved him then and she loved him still. If she had her way she would not be there that day. She now thought it was wrong to go with him the second time. The place where the offence took place was over- looked. Her time for going back to Mr. Morgan's was nine o'clock, but her mistress was not very particular as to her being punctual. After the offence she did not run home by herself, but walked home with him. The offence must have been com- mitted on the Bryn Bank. They were in full view of persons on the bank or on the path. There were very few people there. The time must have been about 7-30. It was not usual for a servant to get a day off after being in a situation for a fortnight. On the 29th May her sister was going home, and she got the day off. She went to Newtown to see Mrs Morgan. Soon after getting to Newtown she went to see Maud Bumford. Before this she went to see Mrs Davies in Crown-street. She stayed with Maud Bumford, and then went to Mr Morgan's. After dinner she again went to see Maud Bumford, and after she went to tea. She was certain she met defendant after tea. She was with Maud IgiAmford at the Primitive Methodist Chapel in the after- noon. She was not with her at the Baptist Chapel that evening. She made no com- plaint to her mistress, though she ought to have told if she had been a good girl. She wrote two letters from Welshpool. She wrote the first letter before May 39th, and the second one after that date, but she could not remember their contents. She first told P.C. Hamer about defendant. She expected that her mother sent for him. Defendant was the father of her child. She did not know of her condition until she saw Dr Davies. She knew lots of boys, and liked a good many. She was not in the habit of going with a number of boys. She had been up Cefnaire-lane with M— R-. She had been with many boys. If she had not had a child, she would not have told anyone what took place between defendant and her. Re-examined by Supt. Williams Defend- ant was the only one who had misconducted himself with her. By the Bench Wednesday was the night she was allowed to go out, from seven to nine. She also had Sunday afternoons and evenings free. She was in the habit of meeting defendant on Wednesday evenings. Ellen Matilda Church, wife of Arthur George Church, and mother of the last wit- ness, said plaintiff was born on the 12th day of June, 1904, at Hockham, Norfolk. She went to service in October, 1907, to Mr E. H. Morgan. She left that service in the first or second week in May, 1910. She thought it was the 9th May. She came home, and then went to Welshpool on the 16th May to Mr Rogers. She was there nearly three months. She did not know why she left there. She made no complaint to her when she came home. She noticed after her being in the house a few days that she was not right. 'She thought she was anaemic. She took her to Dr Davies on October 15th, and he examined her. Until then she did not know what was the matter with her. Cross-examined by Mr George Her daughter complained to her when at Welsh- pool that someone had tried to act indecently towards her. She thought her daughter might not have known what was the matter with her. She had five daughters. Cross-examined' by Supt. Williams She took the girl to Dr Davies because she did not know what was the matter with her. Dr Walter Ernest Llewelyn Davies gave corroborative medical evidence. P.C. Evan Thomas said that on the morn- ing of the previous day he received a war- rant for the arrest of the defendant. He arrested him at three in the afternoon. He read the warrant to him and cautioned him. He said, Yes, but I am not the only one." Witness said, Did not you know she was under age ? He replied, Yes, but she told me she was 17." As coming down to the police station he made this voluntary statement, I have been with her a bit. Why did not they let me know something about her? I have not heard nothing till now. It will break my mother's heart." Cross-examined by Mr George: He went to the stores, where defendant worked, and asked him if he were John Stephens, and on his replying yes, lie tapped him on the shoulder and said, You are under arrest." He read the charge and he cautioned him. He did not say to him, "I suppose you have been with the girl," nor did he say to him, Do you admit the charge." John Stephens pleaded not guilty. He did not desire to give evidence nor to call witnesses. Defendant was committed to the assizes, bail being allowed and immediately forth- coming.

INTERESTING to WELSHPOOL. RIVER POLLUTION ACTION AGAINST A LOCAL AUTHORITY. LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD ACTIVITY. "It is startling at this time of day to find a local authority that would contend that it is right to discharge crude sewage into a river." The ratepayers and the Corporation of the borough of Welshpool will have a special interest in this statement that was made by counsel in the Chancery Division last Thursday before Mr Justice Parker. Llan- rwst Urban District Council were the de- fendants to an action wherein Isgoed Jones, the plaintiff, sought to restrain an alleged pollution of the river Conway. Mr Romer, K.C., and Mr E. P. Shewill appeared for the plaintiff, and Mr Mac- morran, K.C., and Mr Tomlin for the de- fendants. In opening the case, Mr Romer said that the plaintiff was the owner of a freehold house known at Plasjudra, formerly called Penesidre, which was within the urban dis- trict of Llanrwst. It was bounded on the west side by the river Conway, which there flowed from the south to the north. The defendants were the District Council of Llanrwst, and the object of the action was to restrain them from discharging into the river Conway at a point opposite the plain- tiff's property the sewage from the district without first freeing it from all foul and noxious matter, to the deterioration of the property and the quality of the water of the river. "TURNING A RIVER INTO A CESSPOOL." The local authority, continued counsel, contended that it was right to discharge crude sewage into a river, and they were turning the river Conway into a cesspool. This, he contended, they were absolutely prohibited from, both under the Public Health Act and the Rivers Pollution Act. The defendants set up that the river at this point was a tidal river, and they also denied the plaintiff's title. But, counsel submitted, whether the plaintiff was the owner of the bed of the river or not, he should prove from the evidence that sewage and other most objectionable matter came on to his land, and was also deposited all along the river banks in his ownership. The defendants, instead of doing anything to try and remedy the present state of things, intended, if not restrained by the injunction of the court, to go on with their disgusting habits and discharge crude sew- age into the river Conway. Sir Rubert Boyce, giving evidence for the plaintiff, expressed the opinion that the river Conway was polluted by these sewage outfalls. The pollution was dangerous to health. Everyone now was coming round to the opinion that there was a risk from milk obtained from cattle who drank con- taminated water. He formed a strong con- clusion that two sewer outlets were greatly out of proportion to the volume of the water of the river. He could not say how much sewage came down the pipes. It was a question of quality not quantity. He had formed a very strong conclusion that the amount of pollution was immense. The further hearing was adjourned. FORWARD MOVEMENT AT DOLGELLEY. The Local Government Board is on the track of the Dolgelley Urban Council with regard to sewage disposal. At last Tuesday night's meeting a letter was read from the Board inquiring what progress had been made by the Council with regard to the sewage scheme. The Board further en- closed copies of two letters received, one from the clerk to the public institution and the other from the landowner, alleging that the discharging of sewage into the river Wnion was a menace to health, and that the Council was shelving the question. The Chairman and other members, in com- menting on the letters, pointed out that the parties who complained, also discharged their sewers into the river. The Clerk was instructed to write to the Local Government Board stating that the Council had under consideration a detailed scheme of sewage.

HAVE YOU HAD A COPY of the 2d. Guide to Newtown ?—Write lor one to the Express Office.

SEEN AND HEARD. Nothing ex ten mate, nor let down anght in maliee. SHoXlSHAJMb I seldom behold the Severn in flood with- out wondering why, in a severely utilitarian age, this immense water power has not been harnessed for industrial purposes. Seen from the height of the Long Bridge at Newtown, an enormous, irresistible force of water prompts the imaginative mind to con- jure the picture of prosperous communities studded along its banks, owning their in- debtedness to this blessing of nature. Hut past our doors it sweeps untouched on its way to the bosom of the ocean. Not a tur- bine, not a dynamo hums responsive to this stupendous power. Were we but brainy, enterprising Yankees, every reach of that river would be cultivated to endless opera- tions. It's too flat-flowing," say some of our industrial captains. The Yank would make it just flow to suit his ends. We think for the most part along hereditary lines. Cousin Jonathan's thinking is un- bounded by the conception of impossibili- ties, hence his courage and his conquests. His practical application of energy, his utilization of nature's forces for material ends, his remarkable alertness of mind, faculty of invention and promptitude in applying mechanical means of production, all keep the Yank in the forefront of civilization. While interested the other afternoon to closely study the antics of a colony of crows in a roadside meadow, my quiet con- templations were disturbed by a recital of endearing terms which accompanied the rumble of. a cart. Presently the vehicle. hove round the corner nearby, and rested on the summit of the bank, while the farm lad patted the pretty-faced mare and spoke kindly words of well-won praise for her lugging of the heavy load up the toilsome steep. From my unseen position, I rejoiced to note the affectionate attachment existing between the pair., How plainly the creature responded to the good-hearted, considerate lad, as he proceeded to ease her harness and loosen her mane, and then lean his weight on the shaft to lighten her burden, the while talking as though she were a fellow-being. The bonnie mare's big, soft nose rubbed his cheek in pleasing recognition and confi- dence, and her playful ears showed appse- ciation of his sympathetic treatment. Her dumb language was easily understood. No photograph could adequately represent the impressions of that delightsome picture. Would, I wished, that all horsemen were as genuinely kind to their charge. The fine;, sleeky coat, the willing spirit, and the apparent interest in the work required of her, all told of the love, the kindness and the care which this faithful servant en- joyed. She was regarded by the lad as a live, sensitive creature of limited strength, not as a dead, dull, mechanical engine. I had a happy salutation for that youth, and watched him with admiration till he and his beloved Polly were far on their journey home. Lately there has been quite a procession of alleged poachers passing before the magisterial bench in Montgomeryshire, and I am told that between gamekeepers and suspects much barking bitterness is spoiling for a bite. The fact reminds me of the story of a keeper and an old poacher with whom he had had a long and fierce feud. The keeper was ultimately reduced to extremis, and the poacher had been brought by the minister to receive the dying man's for- giveness. Deeply touching was the recon- ciliation of these two ancient enemies, as they clasped hands and falteringly pro- fessed their mutual good-will. But when at length the worthy clergyman was lead- ing the sobbing poacher away, the keeper raised himself on his pillow and gasped, "Of course—you'll recollect, Joe—that if I should happen to—get better—then this is off." Never can true reconcilemeut grow Where wounds of deadly hate have pierced so deep." The Castle has whacked ye, haven't they ? was the concerted juvenile shout that assailed a company of Newtown bowlers when, a few years ago, they started home- ward from Bishop's Castle, where the tricky intricacies of a crowned green proved too much for even their well known skill in getting to the "Jack." At the declaration of the municipal poll at Welshpool on Tues- day evening the same jubilant feeling, no doubt, gripped a portion of the crowd, though expediency stifled its articulation. Cer- tainly the Castle party had whacked the Progressives, who, however, glory in the knowledge so demonstrably displayed, that the spirit of independence in this old feudal borough, like John Brown's body, gees marching along. I listened with no small degree of pleasure to a lecture the other evening which had for its purpose the direction of school boys into suitable trades and profession's. I should like tm hear another on the equally vital subject- of what are known as "blind alley occupations for boys. Some of my readers may recollect that nothing came out more. strongly in the experience of the Distrtess Committees than the extent to which the evil of unemployment was associated with comparatively young men, who, as boys, had been sent to various occupations which ceased for them when they ceased to be boys. With proper training they would have taken their place naturally and successfully in the skilled trades. Poverty is, of course, the root explanation of the whole trouble. A hoy gets more money at a boy's job than he would receive as an apprentice, and so he is pushed into the first that offers for the sake of his earnings. Nearing manhood, he is past a hoy's job, and also past learning a man's job, and so becomes a casual. Ex- penence Has taught that we have to pay ior this shiftless programme, and that while it continues, a whole train of evils will flow from it. It may require an amount of social courage to propose a remedy, but even at the cost of outraging some favourite doc- trines, our boys must be headed off from occupations which lead nowhere. The eagerness to get children transferred to the wage-earning class is, alas, too com- mon. Nationally we shall achieve no pro- gress, no matter how enlightened our means of education, until a wiser direction is given to the general mind. Would that parents could be brought to see that this premature snatching of the children from school for a monetary advantage is illusory. The short way to keep labour's remuneration low is to bring child labour early into the market. Sacrifices for the educational equipment of the young are certain to be rewarded in the. long run, L SHARPE.

THE PECULIAR CASE OF POOL. THE result of the Welshpool municipal election is undoubtedly a surprise yet the explanation is simple enough. While the town electors cast a substantial majority for the progressive candidates, the country voters opposed the Henfaes scheme, from which they stood to receive no direct benefit. Here we have set up an unjust anomaly, under which the wish of a community is thwarted by its rural neighbours, notwith- standing the latter were not financially in- volved. That is to say, they should not have been required to subscribe a fraction of the eighteen pence additional rate which Councillor Rogers contended would be re- sultant of this sanitary reform. It was made clear to them by the press, which based its authority upon Corporation docu- ments--and the statement has never been disputed by the reactionaries, at least, in Council—that whatever financial burdens might follow the acquisition of the Hen- faes, these would be made an exclusive charge upon the inner district-the towns- people proper. Then why, it may be asked, did the rural electors pronounce against the project ? Simply because they preferred to believe the reactionary canvassers, whose statements, according to many accounts, were none too scrupulous. People were alarmed by a sort of semi-official warning that the adoption of the Henfaes scheme would mean the exaction of a heavy rate, while in the Castle ward a certain influen- tial party worked strenuously to defeat the project. And it has been defeated by a deluded, if not subservient, rural electorate. Against all this misrepresentation and com- manding influence, the Progressives have, however, made promising headway. As we have repeatedly pointed out, Welshpool is not a very happy place for the man whose courage of independence is strong enough to combat the party of old-time privilege and power. The old feudal atmosphere has not yet entirely lifted in this ancient bor- ough, but a clarifying process is at work. In the ward of Powis Castle itself, where territorial influence was dead set against the Henfaesites, no fewer than a hundred free and independent" voters asserted themselves. That is an illuminating fact. Again, in the Guilsfield ward, Councillor Rogers retained his seat by only 41 votes. The grand old financier" returns to the Council with the knowledge that more than a third of his constituents have marked their sense of his indifference towards urgently needed sanitary improvement and industrial development. In the Llaner- chydol ward, Mr Morgan Jones experienced the peculiar opposition of several interests, notably the Standard Quarry Company, whose workmen came suggestively to the poll in processional order, accompanied on their way by a director and their foreman. It would be interesting to learn from the heads of these works the real reason for this organised opposition to the interests of Welshpool. Could the development of the town and district possibly affect adversely this quarry or any other productive works ? The real reason lies hidden away, thougn we daresay many persons in Welshpool may be prone to guess at it. Another re- markable feature of the opposition which Mr Morgan Owen came up against was the active hostility of Mr J. Pryce Jones, in whose mayoral programme, it will be re- membered, the Henfaes scheme loomed largest of all prospected improvements. This extraordinary volteface we will not stop to scan, but the spectacle of a veteran progressive assiduously striving for the suc- cess of a reactionary was, indeed, a pitiful exhibition of political degeneracy. Inci- dentally, we notice that Mr Pryce Jones was also one of the assentors to the nomina- tion of the reactionary candidate for the Castle ward. Whether this gentleman can be credited with having engineered Dr Marston's victory, opinion may differ, but such astounding inconsistency will cer- tainly not enhance his reputation as a public man in Montgomeryshire. The re- sult of the contest is disappointing to the party of progress. It was hardly expected that all the three Henfaesite candidates would be returned, but the defeat of the trio, it must be confessed, is an astonishing sequel to some historical demonstrations of public feeling in favour of the Henfaes pro- posal. Those demonstrations were, of course, confined to the townspeople, whose wishes the majority on the Council will not respect. But this policy of sanitary reform is only deferred. The force of circum- stances will keep it alive and drive it for- ward, and upon a future occasion the rural burgesses may be sufficiently enlightened to realise the injustice which they have now done to the inhabitants of the town. Much credit is due to the three progressive candidates, who personally risked not a little for the sake of principle and com- munal well-being. And hardly less credit belongs to many of their supporters, whose exhibition of sturdy independence fore- shadows a healthier state in the town life of Pool.

CAREERS FOR BOYS. There is conceivably no subject of greater interest and importance to parents than that which concerns the future of their children. In Montgomeryshire, where professional and industrial callings are limited, the choice of suitable careers for well educated lads has always been a parental difficulty. This re- stricted choice not only necessitates the lads' subsequent migration upon the completion of apprenticeship it also accounts for number- less misfits. Many lads are attracted or forced into spheres of work for which they are quite unfitted. What shall we make of 3ur boy ? rather than What is our boy fitted to be ? is the question common to iiost parents. Instead of being sent to a workshop, a lad is committed to a profes- sional career, in which he may be destined o a life of genteel poverty. Force a man to )e a preacher without any natural gifts that vay, and he will inflict misery upon him- elf and others. Compel a boy to learn Greek whilst nature has intended him to be a mechanic, and you repress and destroy his lowers. Along this line of thought we again each the conclusion that the function of clucation is to draw out the special talents, as much as to impart knowledge. It is not the duty of the schoolmaster to teach any particular business or profession, but, given the facilities, it is his duty to equip the youth consigned to his charge with whatever knowledge may be most serviceable to him in the battle of life. There is, we admit, much to be said against mere utilitarian education, just as there is against squander- ing of effort on intellectual accomplishments alien to the requirements of particular pupils. Happily the trend of the times is distinctly in the direction of securing a greater degree of efficiency in elementary and utility in secondary education. It might not be well to rely too much upon the acquirement of practical knowledge at school, but we do think the scalping knife could be more freely used on the educa- tional programme, with a due regard to the children's associations in life.

A PRACTICAL SUGGESTION. Mr Devine, who lectured upon the subject of "Careers for boys" at the Newtown County School on Thursday evening, made himself interesting enough, but he did not contribute much towards a solution of the parental difficulty referred to. He mapped out various avenues open to educated youth in the Government and municipal service, and in the various professions and branches of industry, and also delivered an apprecia- ble homily on the qualities essential to suc- cess in life. In all this there was nothing new. The lecture stopped short at the point to which parents had followed it. Mr Devine's description of the world of occu- pation interested them as as enumeration of desirable careers, but what, we imagine, they particularly desired was some sort of idea which would enable them to determine with a greater degree of certainty the careers most suited to their children. Mr Devine bade them consider a lad's capacity and his limitations, as well as his circum- stances. Helpful advice that, so far as it goes, but it goes not far enough. It occurs to us that whatever Future Career Associa- tions and like agencies may be capable of doing, the wisest method of fixing vocations for boys lies in a consultation between parent and teacher. No intelligent parent would be so absurd as to expect the school- master to definitely say whether a particular boy should be a teacher or a preacher, an engineer of a bricklayer. But the school- master, having had unequalled opportuni- ties of measuring a boy's capacity, his mental and physical fitness, his natural autitude, and his particular bent, induced to show themselves by a varied curriculum, he may be expected to say whether that lad is best fitted to win success with his head or his hands. If this co-operative plan were more generally adopted, we should witness fewer youthful misfits, and by and by the world of occupations" would undergo a beneficial adjustment.

FIELDS FOR YOUTHFUL SCOPE. We were pleased to hear Mr Devine specially particularise the civil service and engineering as desirable fields for the em- ployment of secondary school boys. Some years ago a head master of one of our county schools endeavoured to focuss the attention of his governors upon a similar suggestion, but at that time our various governing bodies were engaged in a rivalry of school advertisement, which took the form of annually drafting batches of pupils to the, university colleges. The school which produced the biggest batch was con- sidered-at any rate by its governors—enti- tled to be recognised as the best, and this accomplishment was loudly trumpeted. A more sensible conception of our inter- mediate schools has since prevailed, and quite recently a conference of Welsh edu- cationalists was held for the very purpose of bringing the secondary schools into closer touch with the civil service, which con- stantly calls for recruits from among well- educated youth.

NEWTOWN MARKET AND FAIRS. At last we have got a message from that long lip-locked committee which were charged to devise ways and means of better regulating and developing Newtown's mar- kets and fairs. They submit for approval a draft conveyance of the market rights from the Earl of Powis to the local authority. Have not many moons waxed and waned since the Council agreed to accept his Lord- ship's terms and pay him B50 for these rights ? Failure to carry out that agreement may have been due to the refusal by the Local Government Board to approve bye- laws which did not include the provision of a market place or a smithfield, or both, If that was the case, what a fatuous policy it is to attempt to get behind the Board, as would appear from the discussion at Thurs- day's meeting of the Council. Mr John Humphreys very properly protests against a venture, the issue of which is admittedly doubtful. It is not a business-like proceed- ing to launch a policy with but a specula- tive opinion as to the attitude of the Local Government Board, and we would direct the attention of the Ratepayers' Associa- tion to that fact. What seems to bulk most in the minds of some councillors is the desire to tax the itinerant hucksters and regulate their stances for the public convenience. We, of course, appreciate that desire. The princi- ple of free trade does not concern the ques- tion of demanding a contribution towards the cost of scavenging work created by these vendors of miscellaneous goods, and order, safety, and convenience require a systematic arrangement of the stalls. But these are trifling questions comparatively. The markets and fairs, upon which New- town so much depends, are declining. We take no credit for predicting this decline years ago, when we unsuccessfully en- deavoured to bring about the establishment of a smithfield. Whether, indeed, it is not now too late to reclaim the fairs, even by means of a smithfield, we must leave the ratepayers themselves to determine. Messrs Morris, Marshall, and Poole have offered their valuable assistance, but so far as is publicly known, that offer has evoked no purposeful response from the Council. Few important questions vitally affecting the interests of Newtown have been so badly handled as that of its markets and fairs. And the end is not yet.