The Montgomeryshire Express and Radnor Times

BOARDS OF GUARDIANS. NEWTOWN & LLANIDLOES,— WEDNESDAY. Present: Captain W. H. Adams, J.P., chairman, Mr Rfibard Bennett, vice-chairman, Messrs C. Morgalti, John Lewis, William Franois, Edward Edwards, David Jones, R Nutting, Evan Powell, D. Higgs, R. Andrews, David Davies, Evan Jones, Win. Gittins, Wm. Thomas, Daniel Jerman, W. Alderson, M. H. Davies, John Thomas, Edward George, Rd. Pryce, William Jones, John Thomas, Carno, aod Miss Aianie M. Lloyd with Mr R. Williams, clerk. bTÅTIICS. The following amounts were distributed ia out- 'relief: Newtown, per Mr R. R, Lloyd, 470 168 9d to 372 recip ents Llanidloes, pet Mr Rrohard Owen, jt>35 13s 3d to 389 people Lkinwnog, per Mr James Hamer, £ 43 5s 7d to 116 recipients. The Master Ie. ported that the number of inmates in the bouse was 53. Thosd entering the casual ward numbered first week 41 against 51, corresponding week last year, 55 second week against 60 last, year. ALLEGED .&EÃ.i;G OF CONTRACT. { Mr Morgan reported that he w<th other guardians( had visited the house, and found everything in good! order He thought be should draw the attention of the Board to the delivery of bedf and mutton, which in his opinion wrs notllp to cotfiract. He had plainly asked the Master if he were -going to buy meat fur himself, whether be would, pueahase that sent in, and the Master hed immediately replied in the negative. The Chairman sauf the Clark had better write to the contractor, informing him that the Board did not consider the meat delivered>up to contract. The Clerk, <sn rtply to MrrLewis, said all contracts expired by B«%t -Board day, and it was therefore de. cided that noaction should be taken. On the re-assembling of the memo era after dinner, Mr D. Davies said there bad been one remark made earlier in the mefiting of vvhich he did not approve, that the meat was nobqv to contract. H-e thought they would-all admit they had had a very nice-dinner. The mutton and beet we excellent, and he was sure every giuurdian would sty the same. It was unfair to make such .a.Imark in the face of the expiration of the contract. fr -L Mr Edward George agreed with what had been said. Hoe thoaght it-onfair to the Uanwneg butchery who was the-contractor, to make such remarks. The Chairman: I-em sorry I cannot Agree with, what has been said, for a piece of worae-mutton thaq I had to-dey I never ate. It was utterly impossible for me tot«at it. I have seen the-quarfcer ot mutton in the larder Mr Morgan has rtiecred,-to, and it its miserably poor. ILtCKJiva Mr Mosgan It is the firsttHoe I -have spoken about this,, but I-aoa astonished at Al r X»aviee,wi4,h his vait experience, at a gentieauui (itiLia-positiou, to rake up a thing of this kind. Mr Davies :> I am equally surprised at a guardian of 3U years standing to make saeh a remark. Mr Powell: Well, really, I (thought ii very stale myself. The <a&6ter then dropped. » THE NEWTOWN Mr £ >avies then moved that the -motion, passed whereby it was decided to give XZ as-a contribution towards the support of a trained nnree to the New- town District Association be rescinded. He said he very much regretted havmg to stand up to move a re- solution of that kind as it was not .pleasant work. They were aware that at a p*e*ious*me<»tii»g a-resolu- tion qmwT4earried in a sli,p-shod mauner, without notice having been put Oft the agenda, grauting.5 to the auppoit ot a professional nuree at Newtown, borne six or eight mouths ago the question was mooted to some ut the assessment committee by two Newtown Guardians, who asked whet-her it was thoughtthe Board would support a profeesionaiimrse tor Newtown. Two or three guardians expressed the opinion that they thought it woald be. bringing in the thidedgeofthe wedge of a very large question. If the id" was admitted thepeople of Llanidloes would want a professional nurse, and other rural parishes, and hetdid not know why they .-should -cot hmeooe! It would open up a wide question, and the guardians at the assessment committee expressed themselves in that direction, but after six months had elapsed, n a busy harvest day when there were only two or three countty guardians present, thayfound the question had been brought forward and carried. He was sur- prised f that an important question should have been brought up on such a day, and without notice having been put on the agenda. There was a standing order whereby no sum of moaqy of -RAeGuld, bov.,oted with- out notice being given. Mr Davies wasmaderijtood to say something concerning Mr-Ft-ajicia, who kimiled. MrtFrancis It ia ail right.. Lknow you smile at me (laughter.) Mr Davies: £ 5 mast not be .went without notice. The Chairman: Not exceeding j £ 5. The Clerk: And that applies oojf to contracts. Mr Davies again said it opened up a wide-field, 80Dli if they looked at the favoured towsof Newbown, they woula see they gave £ 10 to the Infirmary, and now they had given X5 towards a nurse. He was under the impression that the auditor wosld not allow it to pass, aud he did not think they werojtLatifieZ in mak- ing these honourable donations out of the faisds of the worn-out ratepayers. He.had not the slightest doubt but that the guardians wocld hear same-very earnest appeals from the representatives of Newtown, but he had every coi fidence in the good sense of the guar-1 dians that they would not be carriedaway with their eloquence, which they were all aware would be brought to bear upon them. Mr .Morgan said he did net think Mr Davies was justified in stating that the.Newtown,gaardiaw had been active in canvassing, He deniee- it. in toto. Re thought Mr Davies had gone beyond tie limits. Mr Evao Powell seconded, and chanced whether it wouldibe carried. The Chairman I cannot agree with the resolution, and I rise to propose an amendment, that the original resolution be adhered to. -Ldo so for many reasons, I consider that the letter which the Board received proved that the nurse did good to the paupers resid- ing ac Newtown, and aJso to the ratepayers of the U aon. Mrs Edward Powell said that in the three or four months the nqrse had been in Newtown-she,had made no less than over 400 viats to sick people, and a great ntany of those were paupers. She saved a num- ber of these poor people a grtit amount of suffering, and I oonteud she is saving the rates; .because in some cases a nurse would have had to be.called in, and the Board would have hadto pay her. Mr Davies apoke rashly when he gave notioe of this matiotW the Chairman was unaer pressure. I beg .most .dis- tinctly to contradict that. There was no pressure brought to bear, and if there were I should xesent it, No man would kick sooner thacjJ should ifpressure were brought to bear. I considered that it was right, that we should help the philanthropic ladies of Naw-' town in their work by giving the email donation of £5, seeing the good they do for us. Mr Davies II&id the resolution was carried in a slip-shod manner. J again distmctly tlay it was not. Although notice was Dot put on the agenda it could not be helped, .and.I would ask/him if he can regulate the time wheal,cor- respondence shall come in. We have been is the habit of dealing with letters as they Jiave come in. I do not say that it was actually right, but we mote only following a precedent. Mr Davies.: Not without notice. The Chairman There never has been notice befoae. Since I have .been on the Beard when letters hatre come in applying for anything, we have dealt with the application on its receipt. Mr Davies referred flip the Intirmary for Newtown. I beg to inform him that it is not the Infirmary for Newtown, butthe Infirmary for the whole of the county—(hear, hear)—and there is much praise due to Newtown that they had courage to start such aninsititntion (hewr, hear apd applause.) It is an institntisn which it behoves us to support. It is most useful and it saves us—although we give a small contribution, a considerable araount in the long sun. People could get the beat medical advice from ,each an institution I think I am speaking the feel- ing of a large number of gnardians-althoqgh I know there are some opposed-that this professional nurse has done an immense amount of good. When we find a number of ladies taking up this matter, as in New- town, we should as a public body support them. I was sorry to hear Mr Davies say he was sorry you are getting this X5 out of the worn-out ratepayers." J hope he is not one of them. Mr Davies You get worn-out these date. Mr Win. Jones: What salary does the nurse get? The Clerk: t70 by voluntary contributions. Mr Wm. Jones; She is having plenty then (laughter.) Mr Morgan said there was a lady present who was an active member of the committee, and who could speak of the benefit the nurse was to Newtown. Miss Lloyd said she thought everybody who was acquainted with the district was of opinion that the nurse was invaluable to the suffering poor. The nurse during four months made over 500 visits. She could not say whether they were all pauper patients, but she knew they were made to all people who could not afford to pay for a nurse. The Association pro- vided bed linen.and linen for the patient if required. while the ladies took it in turns alternate months to supply any nourishment that was required. She knew also that the nurse had performed in more than one instance the last offices of the dead, thus savfng the Board's money, and she did not think X.5 could be voted to a more deserving object than to the nurse fund. Miss Lloyd then went on to give statis- tics affording ample proof of the exceedingly useful services rendered by the nurse, and from the nature of the infirmities of the afflicted poor, it was evident they were too ill to be removed to the House, and would have required a nurse to attend them in their own homes. Mr David Jones said in his village the neighbours did the wo k gratis. Mr NIl tis; An l th '7 are clow: togather in New- tow I Mr Lewis said they were agreed that the guardians were there to look after the destitute. No doubt they were all aware that it was a fault belonging to the Union that they certainly did grant too much out door relief. If the poor people had not proper rela- tives to look after them, they had a large House and a nurse paid to attend them, and where they would be well treated, It was a question which to him from that standpoint seemed grossly unjust that they should vote any of the ratepayers' money to a certain portion of the Union towards the maintenance of a professional nurse. If tier services were rendered all over the Union, he thcught there would not be much complaint, but when they were coafined to Newtown, and Llanidloes and the rural parishes were to derive no benefit but to pay towards her keep, it became a very vexed question indeed, aed they, as a public Board, should not entertain it for a moment (ap. pl-evae ) Mr Morgan said he arose with greater reluctance than ever before—that this body of gentlemen repre- senting the wealth of the county should object to the paltry gum of <85 being given in relief of the distress and nrrow of the poor. Mr David Navies: It is 4he principle. Mr Francis Shame. Mr Morgan A sorry principle, air, to deny poor starving people (hear, hear, and apphuse). A Voice Theie is a house here tor them. Mr Morgan, continuing, said objection was taken on three grounds, that advantage was taken of a busy harveot day, that there was a small number of guardians present, and, thirdly, on the score of econ-> omy. With respect to the advantage ot' a busy har- vest d*y, he denied the charge iu toto. The Board al- ways ■dealt with things as they came forward. He cnallenged Mi Davies to now prove that it was re- quired to give notice to vote that .£5. He ike Davies) could not ttud it in that book (pointing to the Poor Law), and the but-iness of the Board was carried out in accordance with the law. Referring to the statement as to the small number being present, he referred to the constitution of the House of Commons, and said one-seventeenth of 67<0 one tu- bers formed a quorum. There were eleven Guardians present out of z7, and 10 voted for the motion. Mr Meddins, of Lianicilues, was not against the move- ment, but he would not support it. He was tail of sympathy and the milk of human kindness. With respect to economy be distinctly said, taking Miss Lloyd's vertiion of the work of the nurse, and sue was an active lady &nd devoted a considerable amount of time to the relief the poor, was a saving to the rates, and at the same time was a comfort to the sick. Against all these objections which had been raised he entered his unqualified protest. Mr Davies: Disprove them. Mr Morgan replied that he had done se,<and also had challenged Mr Davies with respect to the notice upon the agenda. Continuing, he said thatiie haa seen Drs. Palmer and Purchas, of Newtown, upon tne matter. Dr. Palmer said there was not an insti- tntiun in the county to«equal it, and Dr. Purchas re- marked that there was not a better institution in Newtown. These wese the opinions of the highest authorities, and they talked about the thin end of the wedge.? The valuation of the Union wa.ø..£.113 ,000, aud they simply asked for X5, which was not equal I to one shilling per thousand. He knew one-gentle- man who opposed it, And the contribution from his parish was tiomething.like two shillings. tLAimu-i Mr David Davies: It is not the money but the field you may open. Mr Morgan appealed to the members met to give their good chairman <a smack in the twoo, by stating he was a man led by pressure. It was not-so, and ii he were not to be ttrusted with voting the glorious sum of £ &, he was not fit for the chair (hear, hear). He knew that 99 per went. of the people of Newtown —which was one-thijrd of the Union- would endorse what he had said. He-appealed to tlwuD,a.s.GQardia.ns of the poor, upon whese a liouiders rested theneriiing, the oare,and the feeding of the poor people, not to. re- scind the motion. The Chairman asked the Clerk whether it was necessary that notiae should have beenplaeed on the agenda. The Clerk replied that he did not think -it was requisite. He found certain matters were enumerated which required notice, and those which were not mentioned he assumed would not require notioe. Mr David Davies You are not sure of it? The CJj"kz Not beyond what I have said. Mr Francis said that the nurse had visited one old lady 170 times, twice daily, and also mentioned another case whioh the nurse had eonUsually visited. He said it was a great advantage <to the Union that the people had a nurse to look after them and give them souncLand practical advice on matters of nursing. If she-had not done so the Board, would have had to employ nurses in both cases, because the patients were tooilbio be removed to the Jnfirmary, aud it would coat the Board from 911 to 198 per week for a nurse. The relieving officer would corroberate him in what he was -saying, Fourteen week a. at 98 per week amounted to .£6 6a, and the Board would see that by a nurse living at Newtown what a-saving that was to the ratepayers, even in so short* time. Mr Lewis.: Nonsense, nonsense 2 (laughing). Mr Francis? I can prove it. Mr Andrews We shall have to keep our ayes on ijou (renewed laughter\ After a few more words Mr Andrews said he was glad Mr Francis had introduced a better tone into the debate. He was sorry to go against his friends at Newtown, but if tbey paid towards a nurse there Ahey would have the ,hrt people from Llanidloes on their hands. He thought they had a Btaff-of officers at the House, and it was only right under ordinary circumstances, to remove the sick there. He admired the work, but he must eppose it as the benefit,.was gqing all one way. He thought perhaps Mr Davies had been a bit too hasty in what he said, and Mr Morgan had been equally hasty in drawing him,up, but still Mr Davies had hit at the truth ^laqgh- tee). Mr Francis: lean prove my two cages. Mr Davies: Admirably, up to the hilt (laughter). Mr Andrew^ = If _you had put it at 10s per weak, you could have calculated the amount easier (lend lauashter). Mc Bennett supparted.the amendment, and pointed out hew much depended upon the nature of the nnre- ing of the patient. Very few people knew Jiow to nurse properly, and it was very important that^a ■ skilled nurse should be in the town ready to impact her knowledge to those whoatood in some need of it. Mr Powell Have they got no friends ? We have got friends. got friends. Mr JJavies said he know the ladies of Newtown were doing a great and good work, but they were strong enough to pay for it. Why should they sup- port a nurse to assist the ladies of Newtown? I opened up a large question, a gaestion too large to be' ODIWidarqd by them. Hie asserted that notiee was necessary, because it was one of the largest questions that ever, came before the JBeard. Their worthy Chairman made a remark About pressure being! brought to.,bear. He (the speaker) was not present, bat in reading the report fromthe papers he eould see that a great deal of pressure was brought on the ,cizair, and agreat deal of canning in raaking- Mr Morgan: I rise to a point of order. Is it right ,for a m-embe Mr Davies, I am speaking just Jcnow. Yon wait until I have done. -mmB«nny||| Mr Morgaq: I am rising to a point of order. Is it right for a member to say that the Chairman has beenl under pressure and used cnBNtngf I think he should be called upon to withdraw. The Chair max;; I most distinctly say you have gone too far already. ,= Mr Morgan: la Mr Davies justified in using the word running in referring to any,member of this Board? Cuunieg," that is the word. The,Chairman.- I think it ought to be withdrawn, and there was no lIlecessity for its beingTBed. I have said there was no pressure. Mr Davies: Then I'll withdraw it, Mr Chairman (hear, hear). as uajurman: men De oaretni aa to what yen say in future. Mr Lewis referred to the county infirmary at New. town, which, it had been said, was a public institu- tion, and towards which they gave RLO per year. He said it was,not a public institution, and if a pauper patient asked for admittance did he get it ? No. Mr Bennett; I say Yes." Mr Lewis;: I øay" NQ:" Further remarks passed, and on the motion .being put it was carried by a majority of three. Mr Motgan (sarcastically). I move that in fqitare we do no basiness unless there are twelve members

present. PEOPLE WHO WEAR COSTLY WATCRES.-u Eng. lishmen do not buy many of the very costly watches i that are manufactured in this country," said a lead-, ing watchmaker to the writer. As a rule, they are bought by Americans, Russians, or Indian nobles, with whom expense is a matter of little importance. A little while ago, a watch was made in London for an Indian prince which probably cost about.RIAOO in all. It was a marvel of mechanical skill. and on the back of the case the Star of India was emblazoned in precious stones. Yes, it often takes several years to complete a complicated watch. There are thou- sands of delicate pieces of machinery to be made, and the watch, while in course of construction, has to pass through many hands. I have known a period of five years to elapse between the time that a watch was planned and the date of its completion. Here is a watch on which there is an enormous amount of labour. On your touching a spring it will chime the exact time to a minute. It also shows the day of the week and month, as well as the phases of the moon. A watch of that particular description costs 4&S50 to produce,Frcm Carsell's Saturday Journal for Sep. tember,

WELSHPOOL TOWN COUNCIL- ( —TUESDAY. Present—The Mayor (Councillor Ellis O. Jone»,) Alderman T. R. Morris, Councillors D. Richards, T. S, Pryce, David JTones, T. Parry, J. H. Anderson, J. Pryce Jones, E, Lanoford Jones with Messrs E. Jones, town clerk, G. Scook, surveyor, Dr Hawks- worth, medical tfficer, J. A. Basnett, collector, and W. Wyatt, engineer. SCHOOL AWOMMODATION. Tne Mayor said the first business was the consid- eration oIf larger school accommodation, adjourned from last meeting, on account of the closing of the British School on the lst January next. The Educa. tion Department had sect the Council two or three letters asking forateply to their first communication, but they were wasting for the result of the negocia- tions between the British School'Committee and the owners of some property there. If they made ar- rangements togettiar, of course further accotnmoda- tio i would notlbe required, and the school would be carried on as usual. He thought it was very likely in a snort time the Council would have a report sent in. In the meantime they bad sent te the Education Department explaining the state of the case, and the cause of delity being that e Council was waiting to give them a tangible report. Alderman Morris agked'a question, which was not I caught by -the reporters. The Miaor: If 1 he British School continues there will be ne need for further enquiry. Suppose it does not, we shall have to deal with the whole question, and it will be open for further discussion and further'! enquiry. If I said there was plenty of accommoda- tiou wif'iout any further provision, that would raised a quesMuu of debate, and there must be a difference of opicion. f Alderman Morris: (If I understand aright there isf1 ample accommodation for the children in the town,, and tfcare can be fig-ures presented to prove it. ? Th4e Mayor: I have heard 30, but figures are open to dispute. 1 here are always two aides to a ques- tion. We had better not meet trouble. Councillor Pryoe Better not meet it halfway. Tie subject then dropped. I SANITARYXVILS AT THE TOWN HALL- Councillor Pryce Jones said the sub-committesep- pouitoa to make an examination of the basement of the town hail lrum whence a stench arose, went through the room accompanied by the Medical Oifictr. They discovered a lot of refuse whioh had been left there binee the holdiqg of a dinner, -and a .quantity of old cabbage, and other decomposed veget- able matter. The stench arising therefrom was abominable Councillor Anderson: Under the stalls we ioand a lot of old cheese. Alderman Morris: The place ought to be-swept en. legularly. Toe Town Clerk reported the receipt of a farther lettsr complaining of the abominable naissuce. which still continued to exist. Cou joillo,- Jones remarked that the inhabitants of j Hall Street were complaining about the >3inells j emanating t'rom the Town Hall, and the Medical Offioer oomplained very much of the ventilation of the entire building. Alderman Morris moved that the Surveyor report on the best means of ventilating the cellars, wnich should be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected every month, and that notice be given to the tenants to leave. Councillor Jones seconded, and the resolution was carried. ALARM ALLAYED. The Tuwn Clerk said there had been a letter re- ceived from the Privy Council with respect to the holding of the Assize alternately at New-town and Welshpool. The Mayer: I am very glad the thing is dlettled. The proposal to remove the Assize altogether from Welshpool-caua'*d a great deal of alarm,, boh BOW that it has been explained that the matter was a mistake the alarm thas disappeared, and things are to be left as they were. Alderman Morris said he thought a great deal of praise was due to their respected Town'Clerk for taking active measures, and writing to the Lord Chancellor at once, aa he did. He moved that a vote of thanka be accorded him for his prompt-action, and that it be entered on the minutes. The Mayor seconded and the motion was carried unsuimoml-v. INFECTIOUS HOSPLT". A letter was read from the Town Clerk of Mont- gomery calling attention to the number -of. gentle- men the Town Council had appointed to sit on the committee tor the selection of a site for an infections bospital. The agreement was that only ene repre- sentative from each body should be appointed. The Mayor of Montgomery would represent his town, Col. Harrison, Forden Board of Guardians, and he asked to be made acquainted with the aame of the Weishpoul representative. Councillor Anderson proposed, and toonnoillor D. Jones secended, and it was oaxried that the Mayor represent Welshpool. A STINKING BBOOX. TheBer Joseph Wright, on bohatfoffthe.traateea of the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Brook-street, wrote complaining of the sanitary state of the brook in that street, and asking the Council to-take imme. diate steps-to remedy the nuisanoe. Councillor J. P. Jones said his remedy would be to arch the brook over all the way down. The Mayor suggested the use of disinfectants. The Surveyor: We cannot do that as it would poison all the fish in the river. Councillor T. S. Pryce said the best .means of flushing the brook would be to dam it with boards at the top end, and if that were done in 24 hours there would be five or six feet of water. When that was loosed it would be sufficient to flush the brook. Councillor Jones thought the Surveyor migbtmake a plan and give the Council the estimate-of the cost of arching the brook over. Alderman Morris: You would make it a greater nuisance than it is at present. The Chairman We cannot afford to waste a drop of the town's water supply. What is wanted is to take immediate stsps to abate the nuisance, and Councillor Pryce has suggested a plaa. I peeler the brook open. Councillor Jones: The people who live in the cottages prefer it shut. The subject then dropped. THE WATER DISPUTE. WHAT -THE ENGINEER SATS. Mr Wyatt (engineer) then addressed the Board. He said the committee appointed to go up to the reservoir had visited the place and measured the -height of the water. The first he heard of the matter was that he was putting the new water level S feet 9 inches above the old one next in this room that he was putting it 4 feet, and then 4 feet 1 inch; and last it was saii on the ground it was 4 feet 3 inches; but it turned out to be 4 feet 4 inches. That was the actual measurement. It was evident that the lowering of stone, which was done at the end of the weir, would have been better not done, and it should be raised again. The question of the height of tke stonework did not effect the height of the earthwork, The earthwork and stone wer-o raised to the intended height, and when the earthwork was finished the dam and Mad and everything would be alright. Tnen came the question of the mode of! raising the overflow. He was told the other day that the Council's men had had to rush up there and! knock cut the planks which were used for backing up: the water to raise the levei. The same thing might oseur again, and for that reason he suggested that' the raising of the overflow should be done by a move- able plank, which could be knocked out at any time when it was necessary to do so. The laying of the pipes had gone on as far as it could go at present, and could be taken no farther without wasting the water, and that, it was plain could not be allowed When they got sufficient water to keep them going then wouldibe the time to complete the pipes, but the completion of the road might go on at any time, except the lower end. Councillor Anderson asked the Surveyor what was the difference between the height of tha old and the present overflow. The Surveyor ^jaid the question of a plank made it either 4 feet 3 inches or 4 feet 4 inches. Virtually it was 4 feet 3 inches. The Mayor said the Council had to deal with the condition of the present overflow, whether it should bA raised to the proper limits of the specification or adopt the plank system. There was a question that if they raised the overflow to 4 feet 11 inches or 5 feet, if there was a rush of water whether it could pass through .the little culvert or bridge. Should that be the case it appeared to him that planks would be the most useful to regulate the floods as the case might req uire. Councillor Alderson said that seemed to be an aftar-tnoaght. If the dam was to ba 5ft. it was a most serious thing. They were all liable to mis- ta.ke9, and it was a very easy matter to raisa it to 5ft., at an expense of about X2. The Mayor: Mr Wyatt at a previous meeting said he would raise it at his own expense. Councillor Alderson; It is not a matter of hib own cost, but of being right in his measurements. Mr Wyatt said that as far as expense went it mattered but little either way. He did not think it would make five shillings difference in raising the stone or putting in the planks, but under the circum- stances He thought it would be far better and wiser to put in planks, which they could remove in case of floods. If it were found necessary to remove the old planks it would be equally neoessary to do so in the present case. The Mayor: It is entirely a question which of these systems you will adopt. It is a small thing and insignificant altogether, but when we hare plaal and specifications presented to us and adopted, we expect them to be carried out (hear, hear). No doubt there has been a mistake made. Alderman Morris 1'he engineer was out of his calculation at the last meeting. Mr Wyatt: I must admit I was. Aldermen Morris: Does the engineer doubt the stability of the dam if it is put up to the requirod height ? Mr Wyatt: The way I look at it is this. If the original dam was in danger, the present one would be in danger. If planks were necessary in the case j • would be equally neoessary 01 advisable to have them for the new dam. The former was 16 feet, but the new one was 18 feet, but it does not now come up to the requirements of the Local Government Board. For these reasons I think it 1 advisable to do the raising by means of planks. Might you not accept it that it was my intention to do this at first. I Councillor Richards: What does the plan show? That will tell. Alderman Morris moved, and Councillor Alderson seconded, that the original contract be carried out. Councillor D. Jones thought it was most unfortu- natothat the engineer did not come before them and tell them what he intended to do. He was sorry he cdsld not congratulate the engineer nor the surveyor upon the way in which the job had been carried out. If-they had employed inexperienced men to do the work they might have been some excuse, but un- fortunately they had employed the best talent, and then it came out a month ago that the dam was not correct. He could assure the Council that he was prepared to accept Mr Wyatt's figures as being cor- rect when he said it was 4ft. lOin. There had been "remarks about the town that the depth was 3ft. 9m., 4ft., and 4ft. 3in. If-a novice had made the error he could have understood it, but he could not under- stand a gentlemaliltdf Mr Wyatt's experience making an error in such a simple measurement. He was u ha £ l admitted making an error, but he thought for a man of his experience to make an error of seven inches looked very bad. He was sorry he had made the error, as it had caused a great deal of talk and laughter about the town, when he thought the work war. being carried out according to the ori- ginal proposition of the Board. Alderman Morris pointed out it was only fair to say that Mr Wyatt had not taken the measurements himself. but they were taken by his clerks. The Mayorz There is no question but that a mistake has been made in this case. Alderman Morris: And you have been misled by them ? Mr Wyatt: In this case-yes. Councillor D. Jones: Well, he should have ex- plained that. Councillor Pryce shared the same opinion that the contracts should be carried out to u. u er' but lookin» at the faots before them, he telt that it was somewhat better it was not so. If ttie stone sill was raised to 4ft. llin. there would be no possibility of letting off any water after flood tme. It would be better to deviate from the plan and carry, out the engineer's saggestion. He moved, as an amendment, that they adopt the planking. Councillor Pryce Jones: Who is to bear the cost if the woi k is carried out on the lines of the original plan? h ° The Mayor Mr Wyatt has stated that it will only cost X2, and that he will bear the expense. Councillor Pryce Jones was very much annoyed at the development of the matter. They had (been telling the public that they were raising the embank- ment to a certain height to give them an increase of water, and now they found it six or seven or nine inches below what they expected. Mr Wyatt had told them the men would be there for another fortnight, but it seemed to him as if they would be there until next Christmas. The Mayor: It is perfectly well known that the scheme would have been completed long ago but tor this exceptional weather. They oould not afford to risk the loss of a single ounce of water. Councillor J. P. Jones: I beg to differ from you. The Chairman You may differ as you like, but you cannot do impossibilities nor risk the people's supply of water, it is impossible for us to touch the water under any circumstances, and it is remaEkable that the town has been supplied as it is. The resolution was then put and carried. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor reported that the stone-breaking and cartage upon the district roads was nearly completed. T*rD?»or'a* been received from the inhabitants of Wallop and the neighbourhood asking the Board to repair a road over Henby's hill and lying between Hope-road and the Welsh Harp. The farmers iu the district would do the haulage, and the outlay for labour would not amount to a very large sum. An alleged encroachment by William Davies, black- smith, of Trewern, had been reported, by building a workshop for shoeing horses, and whieh appeared to project at one end of the building abont-3 feet. He was willing to alter this, but beyond this there was some doubt as to any further encroachment. One block of pig pens had been painted in a mixtura of gas tar, etc., and he believed it would answer the requirements very well. Any further work of this kind should be done forthwith during fine weather. fke piping connections would be completed by Wednesday. With regard to the other portion of the work, they could not proceed very much further until they had a sufficient supply of water that would enable them to run the middle reservoir low enough to construct the forebay and finish laying the pipes. 1 he cost of laying the surface drain at the Angel-line! and one leading to Norfolk-row he estimated at 65s. Councillor D. Jones moved, and Councillor D. Richards seconded, that the instructions be given to the survpyor to carry out the necessary work on the road between Hope-road and the Welsh Harp at once. With reference to the alleged encroachment at Trewern it was resolved that the Highway Committee inspect the place and report. This concluded the business.

NEWTOWN & LLANLLWCHAIARN SCHOOL BOARD. The ordinary monthly meeting of the above Board was held in the New Church-street Board Schools, on Monday evening. Present Messrs William Cooke (chairman). A..Ford, W. F. Thomas and J. Humphreys with Mr itichard Williams (depu■ y-clerk) .—The first business under discussion was the letter sent by Mr Saer, head master, Now Cburch-street School, proposing to establish jointly evening classes, the consideration of which was adjourned from the last meeting.—The Chairman said several members had coincided in the opinion that the better plan of remunerating tne masters would be for them to pay themselves by means of the fees charged the pupils, rather than the Board should pay tbem a fixed salary. It must not be forgotten that the project was an experiment, and it was not known whether it would succeed, and on those conditions Messrs Saer and Wall were willing to accept the school. The Chair- man referring to the provision of school books, said the persons who attended would be expected to find them, and all that the Board would be asked to- provide were room and fire and light for two evenings- every week.—Mr Ford: A hich room do they intend using r-The Chairman replied that if only a small number attended, the class-room would be used. Mr Ford then proposed that the room be orantirl and expressed the opinion that the use of the large room, if possible, should be avoided.—Mr John Humphreys seconded, and the resolution was unanimously passed.—Mr Ford: About what is the age of scholars who are likely to attend?—The Chairman: Twelve years and upwards.—Mr John Humphreys remarked that the classes were intended mainly tor those who had ief t school.—The Chairman It the younger children are attending the school during the day time, they will not desire to attend in the eveniug.-The Clerk reported that the drawing examination would take place on the 15th instam, when it was requisite oue member of the Board should be in attendance.—Mr John Humphreys and I air uooKe, ac the request of the Board, agreed to be present.—The Clerk reported the receipt of lett rs trom the Misses MacBurnie, tendering their resigna- tion as assistant teachers under the Board. They assigned as the reason for leaving that they wished to improve their positions, and asked for a testi- monial.—The Chairman said he believed the Misses MacBurnie were somewhat anxious to get appoint- ments nearer their relatives.—Mr Ford remarked tnat he had been a member of the Board since both teaohers had been appointed, and he had great pleasure in moving that the Clerk be instructed to write testimonials, giving expression to the warm feelmgs of approbation with which the Board regarded the ptrlormance of the duties of the two la nes. He considered they had been a credit to the fChool, and he was really sorry they were going to leave the service of the Board, but they could not ?■[, J ?i r0muneration which their qualifications entitled them to receive. He moved that the Clerk write a testimonial in the most glowing terms possible. Mr W. F. Thomas seconded.-The,e uulogiums were cordially endorsed by Mr John Humphreys and the Chairman, and the motion was carried unanimously.-Mr Cooke said that it would be well if the members of the Board were to make enquiries as to the constitution of the staff of tue school, which would necessarily have to be reo arranged after the examination. They would find that the staffs of the various schools were very unequal.-Mr Thomas and Mr Humphreys briefly spoke to the same effect, and the euoiect was adjourned.

LL4NFYLLIN DISTRICT HIGHWaY BOARD. THURSDAY.—Present = Messrs Thomas Gill (chair- man), C. R. Jones (ex-officio), H. Ellis, Tbomas Watkins, W. Theodore, Pryce Astley, David Jones, Evan Evans, E. Yaughan, J. T. Williams, and H«n. v Roberts. J PONTYCRAI FOOTPATH. Mr Ingram, of Poutycrai, Llanertyl, wrote calling attention to this footpath, which he had himseif opened, and asking the Board to maintain the s»ms. -The Clerk said the matter had been brought up many times, and the Board had refused to repair it. —Tne Surveyor said it was used by Mr Ingram, and no one else, and had been closed for many yettra.- 011 the motion of the Chairman it was resolved to de- cline to repair it. MELINYGRUG BRIDGE. A letter was read from Mr E. M. Jones, solicitor, Welshpool, on behalf of the trustees of the Meliny- grug Estate, denying their liability to repair ti,1,3 bridge, and stating that there was no reason what- ever why the Llanfyllin Highway Board snould loX- pect landowners to saddle themselves with public burdens. Mr P. Astley said the bridge was in a very dangerous state. Threshing m:ichine proprietors had refused to take thoir machines across it, and theie was no other way of going. The bridge was in a very important spot, and should be attended to at once by somebody.-After some discussion it was decided to spend a sum not exceeding t 10 in repaiis. UI8TRICT SUKVEYOR'S REPORT. Mr J. Storer presented his report, which was as follows Ll&uwddyn, -According to your instruc- tions I went to Llanwddyn to see the water engineer with a view to pointing out to him the work required to be done at different parts around the lake, but he was to busy to attend to me."—Mr David Jones said he would like to ask, with reference to this mat- ter, who was liable for the repair of the road arcmuci the lake in case the water should wash parts of i.t away.—The Clerk said that point wets raised before the magistrates when they applied for their certifi- cate that the road was completed. The Justices gave their certificate that the road had been completed to their satisfaction, and the liability to repair, there- fore, led upon the Highway Board.-Air J. Thomp- son Williams said the greatest damage likely to be done would fall upon the County Council, and not on the Highway Board.—" Llanrhaiadr,—Respecting Aberrhaiadr footbridge, I beg to state that it will be quite impossible to repair the present one, owing to its rotten state."—It was decided to erect a new footbridge, and that Sir Watkin be asked to give the necessary larch timber.—" Llangadfan,—I should like to receive your instructions respecting the large culvert made of timber near the Calvinietic Viethodist Chapet, Cann Office, which is out of re- pair. This culvert is on a watercourse which carries water to Cann Office Mill, which belongs to Lord Po wig. "-Resolved to ask Mr Forrester Addie to re- pair the culvert.—"Tynycol Cnlvert.-The stones for the new culvert have been carted by the neighbour- ing farmers, and the work of building will be com- menced at once."—" Harvest Men.-I should be glad to have your permi lsion to take these men on the road again, as I have several jobs that should be done now during the fine weather. "-Granted. The following was the expenditure during the past month on the district roacis :-Manual labour, t47 lIs; team tabour. t5 7s 3 J materials, .£17 16a 8d total' .£70 14) lid." GODOR FORD. Mr David Jones said ne had been requested to bring this matter before the Board again. There were stepping stones across this ford, but they had been removed some time back by somebody. He thought they ought to be replaced, as they were a great convenience.—Several of the members having expressed the opinion that a small footbridge would be safer and more efficient than stepping-btones, &t. Jones and Mr Thomas Watkins were requested to seek the views of the people in that neighoourhood.

THE FATAL BALLOON ACCIDENT AT SHREWSBURY. On Monday morning an inquest was held at Shrewe- bury on the body of James A. Whelan, asronaut of Huddersfield, who sustained injuries, which eventu- ally caused his death, while descending in his ballon Victoria" near Wellington, on the first day of the Shrewsbury fete. The first witness called was W. Naunton, one of the hon. sees, of the Shropshire Horticultural Society, who identified the body. He said deceased had been engaged for about 13 years by the Committee of the Society to make balloon ascents from the Quarry on the days of the annual fete. Charles Richard Clarke, tent oontraotor, said on the evening of the 22ad August be made arrange- ments with Mr Whelan, in Shrewsbury, to ascend with him on the following day. The ascent took place about a quarter to five. It was rather awk- wjard at the time of starting, but all right after they cleared the trees. Mr Whelan was not alarmed but seemed somewhat nervous. After they had been up a quarter of hour or so deceased began to let the grappling iron out qaietly, and they were floating very nicely, and looking out for a place to alight. Did not ask deceased how high they went, but not very high. They had some difficulty in consequence of the telegraph wires in finding a place to alight They chose a grass field, and intended to catch the grapnel in a wood which adjoined the field. They had not come low enough down, however, and they missed the wood, and the iron dropped in a field beyond, and went along and then caught in a hedge in buts lar Sloe, iney were going at a good rate, and when the iron caught in the hedge there was a jerk- rather a severe one, and Mr Whelan said" Look out." They had taken the seat out of the car, and were sitting on sandbags. Witness raised himself on his feet a little and caught hold of the ropes. When the car came upon the ground Mr Whelan was knocked over into the corner, but remained in the car, which went partly over. The balloon swerved and they went up a little and then down. The balloon then went into a tree. There was no iron in the car, nothing but s&ndbags. Deceased was not thrown out of the car. Witness got out first. There were two bumps very quickly one after the other. There was no time, hardly, between them. Deceased called out, 0 dear, I'm hurt," and he put his hand upon his loins. Witness got out of the car and assisted deceased out. Deceased was afterwards taken to Shrewsbury infirmary. William Wallace Jraig, house surgeon at the Salop Infirmary, said the deceased was received at the Infirmary and was treated for a fracture of the pelvis. Deceased improved slightly till the Thurs- day, and then gradually got worse until he died on the morning of the 211d inst. The violent bumping of the balloon would be sufficient to fracture the pelvis. The deceased was not in sound health; had be been he would probably have got over the injuries he received.—A verdict of Accidental death was at once returned.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN NORTE WALES. We have received a copy of the prospectus of thg Agricultural Department of the University College of North Wales for the Session 1893-4. The follow- ing are extracts from the preface A special fund has beeen raised in connection with the college for the promotion of agricultural education in North Wales. Fur the past season, 1892-3, this fund amounted to.21,957. and was derived from the follow. ing sources: Grant by the Board of Agriculture £ 800; private subscriptions amounting to £ 672 • grants by the following County Councils-Angleisey: £ 150; Carnarvonshire, £ 250; Montgomeryehire, .£85. This fund is kept entirely distinct from the ordinary College fund. In addition to the above sums a considerable amount was contributed locally to meet the expenses of field experiments, dairy demonstrations, and extension lectures. The administration of the special agricultural fund hai been entrusted by the Council to a committee of itl own members, and of representatives of those who contribute to the fund. As at present constituted, the committee is composed chiefly of gent emen directly interested in agricultuie, and nearly every agricultural district of importance in North Wales is represented on it. The committee has full control of the special fund, and directs in what manner it shall be expended. By resolution of the Senate, the direction of agricultural education has been entrusted to a committee composed of members of the Senate and of the special lecturer appointed in connection with the Agricultural Department. Two things are aimed at in connection with the college scheme of agricultural education :-(a) To provide at thn college as complete a training in agriculture and the sciences related to agriculture as can be obtained at any of the recognised agricultural colleges, and especially to provide such a training as womld be suitable for land agents, farmers, bailiffs, and young men who intend emigrating with a view to farming in one of the colonies. (6) To make the college a centre of agricultural education for North Wales and to organise in the northern counties of the Principality, in connection with the college, a system of instruction to meet the special wants of each agricultural district, and supply a graduated system whereby pupils may pass from the school to the college. Through the kindness of several local land- owners and farmers, arrangements have been made by which farms in the neighbourhood of the college can be used by the lecturer in agriculture and the members of his olasses for the purpose of praotical instruction."

THE COAL WAR. SERIOUS RIOTS. importation of Scotch miners to tbe Great Mountain Colliery, Llantilly, where the colliers have Oeen on strike, has created considerable iil-feeiing among the Welshmen, and free fights havo repeatedly occurred between representatives of these two nations.. The managing partner met the men on Monday evezw ing for the purpose of arranging a settlement. A mob assembled outside the office during the conference. subsequently one of the number threatened to strike a police-constable with an iron bar, and both Ser- geant and the constable, who tried to take tne bar from the man were attacked. Another constable also received serious injuries. The mob then left in the direction of the medal lodging-house, which they attacked. Scores of other hou es owned by the collicry company, and a whole street were completely wrecked. Window glass, furniture, and the build. iugs were smashed to atoms; the occupants, whu had- no time to escape, barricaded the doors, and con. cealed themselves in the cellars and garrets to avoid molestation, and a large number of the inhabitant* spent the night concealed in and adjoining wood. The police were unable to control the excited crowd,, aud additional constables arrived at nine at night; but the rioters had left, and it was thought no more damage would be done. Shortly betoie eleven- o clock, however, a messenger arrived with the iutel- hgence that they had attacked the residence of Mr Beith, the colliery manager, and again the destruc- tion to property was terrific. The cashier, who re- monstrated with the men, sustained an ugly cnt over the eye with a stoue. Mrs Beith was knocked in the hall and struck with a stair-rod on the head, sustain- ing a scalp wound. She was picked up, and shortly atterwards regained consciousness. The police forth- J *j;r0°eec* 10 ^ri'n&wili House, but the crowd had left in an opposite direction. At Oakentnorpe Colliery, about 1,000 colliers armed with bludgeons garthered on Tuesday, and insisted upon the men who were working being brought out. The manager promised that coal getting should cease till the diø- pute was settled. About 1,000 of the strikers got into we colliery yard, where they were met by the manager, who sought to pacify them. Three of the number were sent down to investigate the workings, and the mob yelled for the police, who were under cover, to come out. The majority of tht:m were armed with pieces of steel. Mr Markhaoi, a magis- trate, of Chesterfield, arrived with the Riot Act. The crowd surrounded the Fusiliers, and it was with threat difficulty that they forced their way through the mass of men, the mob becoming infuriated. The local magistrate read the Riot Act, and the crowd were warned that after twenty minutes they would- be fired upon. Bitches soon began to clear away. Orchardli were visited by the strikers, but at one place they met with a warm reception, ttie owner, armed with a gun, sending a charge of shot amoDgst ot"- 1 18 J?PP?r0nt that it w<is an arranged attack oa ohirland Colliery, as a b*nd of tneu concentrated there from all the neighbouring places. Major God- irey, the Chief Constable of Derbyshire, bad arrived in Chesterfield early in the day to superintend matters, and fifty of the Pusiliers alighted at Doe Hill and marched to Shirland, but before starting they were received with jeers, and it was alleged that one of the colliers was assaulted. This incensed the crowd, and a conflict seemed imminent, but toe men were induced to leave upon the manager promising that no more coal should be loaded pending an inter.- view between the proprietors and the strikers.

THE YORKSHIRE COLLIERS; An exciting affair occurred at the Rockingham- collieries, Birdwell, about five miles from Barneley, belonging to Messrs Chambers and Co Sinoa the federation collieries ceased work the pit has bees set down, but an accumulation of coal on the pit bank has been tilled up, which seems to have annoyed the men looked out. Work was going on as- usual, when suddenly the colliery was beseiged by a large body or men, who came from the directiou of Hoylana many of them armed. They paid little regard tO' either roads or footpaths, and arrived on the scene with scarcely any warning. The men at work were stoned off the premises and flew in all directions. It was soon evident that those in charge were not at all With T a bad*' who P™ceeded to commit all sorts of acts ot violence. The windows of the buildings were broken, and by some means the rioters set fire to several coal waggons and to the- coal stack. The depredators turned their attention to a number of waggons loaded with coal and coke which were in the colliery sliding. With a view of emptying the waggons they let down the doors of t., t ruck, a number of which they also liberated and allowed to run down the sliding. Later on in the, afternoon the riot assumed more serious proportions, i'he rioters entered the premises in a bodv "-n" "1. possession of the offices and other buildings These were thoroughly wrecked, the windows were broken and the furniture was pulled out of place and broken! A determined attempt was also made to open the safe, but though the door was struck repeatedly by a fifty. six pound weight the safe withstood all the effort* of the intruders. They also carried off artiolee of clothing hanging in offices belonging to clerks, and helped themselves to anything within reach.- They secured the books used for business purposes., and deliberately tore them to pieces, scattering the paper about the roads. Sevtral wooden cabins aud- other erections were fired, and large st. cks of eoal were ignited in three places with grease and wood. On Wednesday there was again a considerable amount of rioting at the colliery centres of South Yorkshire and North Staffordst,ire. At one or two Pil\thw^ai £ ing stàcks of coal were set on fire, and at the Wath Main Colliery, near Barnsley, damage to the extent of several thousand pounds was done. At several collieries the police came into conflict with the miners, but the presence of the military in the principal areas of disturbance had the effect of reducing the violence of the rioters. As a result of meetings the strike in South Wales is reported to be practically at an end. At Llanelly the presence of the military and an extra force of police restored order. L Owing to the treatment they have received at the hands of the Welsh miners, many of the Scotch and Durham blacklegs left the district.

THE SOLDIERS FIRE. One of the most, if not the most, desperate aim& destructive riots that Yorkshire has ever witnessed took place on Thursday night at Ackton Hall Collieries, near Pontefract, resulting in damage to property amounting to several thousand pounds The first symptoms of disturbance showed themselves before noon, when a large crowd of men and women entered the colliery yard and proceeded to empty a number of railway trucks which had been filled with smudge. The attitude of the crowd became of so threatening a character that the manager secured the assistance of all the available police. A detach. ment of 26 non-commissioned officers and men of the South Staffordshire Regiment was also summoned from Bradford, and arrived about four o'clock. The news of their arrival quickly spread to the adjacent colliery districts, with the result that at dusk a mob °f, 10,000 persons gathered in the pit-yard. j iu t?em were already armed with bludgeons, and those not possessed of such ugly weapons quickly armed themselves from the stacks of timber in the pit yard. The presence of the military exasperated the crowd, who at once surrounded the collierr premises and demanded that the military should lie witnarawn, at tne same time commencing a siege of the colliery premises. In the absence of a magistrate 0 to read the Riot Act the military were powerless.. From seven o'clock until nearly midnight the scene was one baffling description. Three tremendous. fires were lighted in the timber yard adjoining the new and extensive premises which Lord Mashanr has just completed at great outlay. Tons of timber were piled on the fires, and barrels of oil fed the flames, which illuminated the district for miles round. The whole of the premises were wrecked. The attitude of the rioters towards the military was of a friendly nature for sometime, and about eight o'clock the soldiers were withdrawn, and as they moved out of the colliery yard they were vociferously cheered. At length a magistrate arrived, and the Riot Act was read. When the military returned to clear the yard the mob pelted them with bricks and every oonceiv- able missile. They were ordered to charge the mob' with the bayonet. When they had driven them back j approached again with volleys of stones,, and the military fired several rounds of ball cartridge- into the crowd. More soldiers were summoned from Pontefraot Barracks, and a posse of police, under Inspector Prosser, arrived armed with catlasses, and. the mob dispersed. Wales it has been decided to take » ballot ot the men on the questions of whether they will agree to a reduction of 25 per cent. in their wages or any part thereof, whether they will accept the employers' offer of arbitration, and whether all men should resume work who can do so at the old rate of wages. The ballot, it appears, is to be taken, not so much because there has been any sign of wavering on the part of the men as to show the Pobhc that the strike is being continued by the wish of the miners themselves, and not merely at the bid-, ding of the leaders, as is sometimes said.

Another revolution has broken out in the Argentine Republic. The crews of three ships of the Brazilian navy are reported to have revolted against the Govern. ment. The garrison of the fortress of Santa Cruz is prepared, if necessary, to open fire on the three vessels and sink them.