The Abergavenny Mail

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IEDBUBY BOARD OF GUARDIANS. I The fortnightly meeting of the Ledbury Beard of Guardians was held at the Board-room of the Union Workhouse on Tuesday morn- ing. There were present-Mr W L Pritchett (Chairman), who presided, Revs A G Jones, A E Green-Price, Father Lynch, and A H Knapp, Miss Holland, Alderman J Riley, Messrs H Bray, TSS Gardner, L J C Riley, H Cowell, M J rowell, J J S Powell, A G Bunn, W Drew, T W Holds, J Parry, W S Lane, E T Lane, F J V Hamilton, T A Pedlingham, with the Clerk (Mr R Homes), the Master (Mr J Johnson), and the Relieving Officers (Mr A G Smith and Mr T Thompson). THE WORKHOUSE. I The Master reported that the inmates in the House the last week numbered 106, against 94 for the corresponding week of last year, an increase of 12. The vagrants relieved during the fortnight numbered 138 against 1I4 last year, an increase of 24. He reported that Miss Barnett commenced her duties as children's caretaker and needlewoman on Thursday, February 12bh. Miss Jones, Lady Local Govern- ment Board inspector, had visited the house. Mr Weston Does she submit a report ? The Master: To Mr Wethered, the Local Government Board Inspector, I expect. Mr Weston: In the opinion of this Board is that appointment necessary ? The Master: She is a Local Government Board Inspector. Wo have nothing to do with it. There are six inspectors now covering the ground. THE CHILDREN. I Mr Parry: Do the children receive any education rthile the schools are closed ? The Master: No. Father Lynch said a complaint was made at the Urban Council meetings that the measles in the town came from the Workhouse. It was reported at the Urban Council that that was so. The Master said the first case they had was a girl from Mathon, and as soon as they knew of it thcv isolated the case. Mr Parry Would not the children's caretaker be able to give them a little elementary education ? In reply to the Chairman, Mr Bickham said the schools were closed for this week and next. FINANCE. I The Clerk reported that the balance in the bank amounted to £1,632 2s 8d, and cheques irawn that day amounted to -270 58 4d. The question of the fire insurance now came forward, add he would suggest that the matter be left over for a fortnight. It was decided that the matter be left in the hands of Mr Bickham to report that day fort- night. TRAMP LABOUR. I Mr W S Lane asked if the list of men in the Workhouse which he asked for some time ago, and which the Master submitted, included the names of men in the tramp ward, who stayed there for weeks at a time. The Master said it did not. Mr W S Lane then asked for what reason these men were allowed to remain in the tramp ward for so long '( The Master said that in regard to one man he kept him to dig the garden. The fact was that he had such a poor lot of men in the house that he had nobody to dig the garden in the autumn and winter unless he took advantage of the tramp labour. After further remarks by Mr W S Lane, the Chairman asked if there were more men than the one mentioned. The Master said there was a painter, a brick- layer and slater, and a tailor who came in last week. He put the tailor in the tailor's shop to do repairs, otherwise repairs would have to go to Mr Talbot as they had been doing. The Chairman suggested the House Committee should enquire into the whole matter. The Rev A H Knapp said the man he saw digging the garden was a splendid digger and he considered the Master did the right thing in utilising the man for that purpose. Mr Weston said he did not think there was any more harm in keeping an expert digger than an expert tradesman. The Master's state- ment had quite altered the aspect of the case. The Master It is all the same to me. The men can go out if they like. Mr W S Lane said these men ought to go out. If the man who had been digging the garden was such an expert man he could get work outside. The fact of these men being in the tramp ward led members to think things existed that did not exist. Did they mean to suggest that this man who had been digging the garden, as Mr Knapp said, did it for his food and lodging ? The Master That was all he had. Mr W S Lane Then he is a very generous man Mr E T Lane said the digging of the garden was thoroughly done at the present time, and next autumn when it wanted digging again the best thing would be to advertise it and let it at so much per yard. The Rev Knapp: Will the Guardians be gainers or losers in getting rid of this class of man ? Mr E T Lane That is not the point. The Rev Knapp It is the point. Mr W S Lane said he had asked for an ex- planation and was quite satisfied with it. Mr Westen Are these men housed in the tramp ward ? The Master: Yes. Mr Weston said in that case they were making a false report by issuing a report of so many tramps being in the tramp ward every week or fortnight, when some of the men were not really tramps. The tramp wards were for men passing through the country. They were making reports as to men passing through, and they had a certain number of men staying for weeks and months in a tramp ward. They were making a false report and that should not be encouraged. He questioned whether they were entitled to do it. Mr Bickham: All these things would be better discussed quietly over a small committee than to be reported. Father Lynch said there was no doubt the Master had done his best -to utilise the tramp labour. Alderman Riley proposed that the matter be referred to the House Committee, with the addition of other members. Mr Weston seconded. Another proposal was made that the matter be referred to a special committee. In further discussion the Rev Knapp said I don't know where we are. The Chairman "Son will discover in time. (Laughter). When the proposals were voted, Oft there were ten for each resolution, and the- Chairman gave his casting vote for the proposal to lefer the matter to the House Committee. VACCINATION RETURNS The vaccination returns for the six,, months January to June, 1913y were read as follows :— Ledbury Sub-district-Births 106, success- fully vaccinated 44, conscientious objections 53, dead unvaccinated 6. Conscientious objjBctions during the year 1913, 95. Yarkhill Sub-district-Births 50, successfully vaccinated 31, conscientious objections, 12, dead unvaccinated 4. Conscientious objeetions- during 1913, 25.

LEDBURY RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Ledbury. Bora] District Council was held subsequent to the Guardians meeting, when the Rural Councillors present at the Guardians meeting attended, and the officials present were the Clerk (Mr R (Homes), the Highways Committee's Clerk (Mr H W Orme), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr Jones), and the Sanitary Inspector (Mir T J Cawsey). Mr W L Pritchett presided. HIGHWAYS COMMITTEE. The minutes of the Highways Committee were read and confirmed, the following being included:— A meeting ef the Highways Committee was held on February 3. Present: Alderman J5 Riley (in the chair), Messrs W L Pritchett, M J Pbwell, H Cowell, R Hodges, T A Pedlingham, and the Revs A E Green-Price, and A G Jones. Finance.—The Committee recommend the Council to pay the Clerk the sum of 2250 on account of roads. The following sums have been paid by the Clerk out of the roads aecount during the past month Manual lahonr-Main roads £ 42 10»3d, dis- trict roads £ 61 9s 3d. Team labour-Main roads f23 9s Od, district roads £ 8 139 4d. Mater:als-Main roads £33 109 Od, district roaqs X43 14s Id. Tradesmen's Bills and improvements—Main roads 4s. Steam Roller— £ 21 5s 5d. National Insurance-Main roads 18s district roads Xl 2s 2d. Monthly Aceoiints.-The Committee recom- mend the Council to pay the following accounts Team labour-G Hill £41 8* 4d R G Hill £31 7a 3d John Meates and Sons, Ltd, X55 4s lOd E Goodwin and Son, £31 12s 6d materials George Gardiner X18 16s Clee Hill Granite Co. 947 18s 4d Clee Hill Dhn Stone Co. S.208 14s Field and Mackay f87 10a Id; roller, etc— Bomford and Evershed J621. The sum of 12s lOd has been received from the Herefordshire County Council for cost of erecting motor sign by Ashperton School, and 913,1 from Miss Holland for hire of roller. Mathon Parish Council—A letter from the Clerk to the Mathon Parish Council was read, complaining of the condition of the ford on the south end of Watery Lane. The lane and ford are not repairable by the -Council and the Com- mittee are not prepared to recommend the Council to bridge the ford. If substantial private sub- scriptions are forthcoming the Committee will consider the advisability of assisting. Main Road Estimate-The Surveyor reported that he had submitted his annual estimate for the maintenance of the main roads during the year 1914-15 to the County Surveyor and that the same amounted to £ 4,263. The above minutes were adopted. COLWALL HOUSING COMMITTEE. The Clerk read the minutes of the meeting of the Colwall Housing Committee, which was held on February 11, at the Workman's Hall, Colwall, as follows Present:—Mr F Ballard (chairman), Miss Holland, Messrs T A Pedlingham, H W Jones, 0 N Holt-Needham, DAG Birohley, G Johns, M J Powell, and S Pugh. This being the first meeting of the Com- mittee as appointed by the Ledbury Rural District Council, it was resolved, on the motion of Mr T A Pedlingham, seconded by Mr S Pugh, that Mr Ballard be elected Chair- man of this Committee. A letter dated January 15, was read from the Local Government Board, as follows Sirt—x am directed by the Local Government Board to state that they have had under consideration the report made by their Inspector, Mr Leonard, after the Inquiry held by him with reference to the application of the Ledbury Rural District Council for sanction to a loan for the purchase of land and the erection of working-class dwellings in the Parish of Colwall under Part III of the Hous- ing of the Working Classes Act, 1890. The Board approve generally of the proposals of the Council and they will be prepared to sanction the loan necessary for the scheme (including the erection of 8 houses) subject to the satisfactory determination of the following matters. The Board do not consider that the proposed drainage arrangements are satisfac- tory. The treatment of slop water on land in the vicinity of a well is open to considerable objection, and the Board think that the Council should consider the desirability of draining the proposed houses to the disposal works near the site or if this would be too expensive, of providing a small open filter which should be not less than 2 ft 6in deep. The capacity of the filter should be based on a rate of 40 gallons per square yard for a filter of this depth or at a proportionately greater rate for a deeper filter. Hard, clean material should be used and the liquid should be evenly distributed over the surface. The alternative of draining to the outfall works would in many respects be preferable and it is to be borne in mind that any separate and special works for these cottages will need attention which must involve annual expenditure. I am to request that this matter may receive the consideration of the Council and that the Board may be informed of the result. I am also to request that the Board may be assured by the Council that an efficient water supply, both in quantity and quality, will be obtain- able from the well proposed to be sunk on the site. These points were fully discussed by the Committee and it was resolved to recommend the Ledbury Rural District Council to reply to the letter and point out :—(1) That the Council find it impracticable to drain the proposed houses to the disposal works near the site (2) That a filter, as suggested by the Local Government Board, has already been provided for in the specification laid before them (3) That the Local Government Board may be assured that an efficient water supply both in quality and quantity will be provided by the well proposed to be sunk on the site. Resolved that advertisements inviting tenders for the erection of the cottages, be inserted in the LedJmry Reporter, as soon as these minutes were confirmed by the Ledbury Rural District Council. It was also resolved on the motion of Mr S Pugh, seconded by Mr M J Powell, that a clause be inserted in the contract stating that the Malvern rate of wages should be paid. The above minutes were adopted.

II TEACHERS' STRIKE OYER. I Herefordshire Authority Grant Scale. I Y,4,000 More to be Paid In Salaries. An agreement arrived at between the Hereford- shire Bducation Committee and the National Union of Teachers brings the strike of head teachers to an immediate close. Our Hereford correspondent, says the Birmingham Daily Post," states that the special sub-committee of the local education authority appointed to deal with teachero' salaries have resolved by a major- ity of the members present to adopt a scale of salaries, and it is understood this scale has been accepted by the National Union of Teachers. Of course, there ars one or two minor matters to be settled, such as the reinstatement of the displaced teachers by new appointments, but for all practical purposes it may bu said that the strike is now at an end. It is understood that the new scale is higfter than the figures paid during the present dispute to the new teachers and much lower than the scale put forward a month ago by the National Union. The scale now adopted contains a provision for annual increments of £ 5, and' when the maxima are reached ail addition of a bout £ 4,<320 per annum to the teachers' salaries will have been made. This is in addition to the £1,300 already granted. It is understood that the above settlement was arrived at after pressure had beeD'1 brought to bear from the Board oif Education. Colonel Decie (chairman of the County Couacit) was at the Board of Education Offices last week, and subsequently had an interview with Mr A A Thomas (standing counsel of the N.U.T.) It is stated that Alderman Janes Corner, a prominent member of the committee, strongly, protested against giving way, 'and on the committee adopting the course they did he at onee sent in his resignation. The adoption of the scale was favoured by seven members to three. The resignations of five more head teachers took effect on Wednesday -S bob,lon, Broekhampton, Avenbury, Eardisley, and Holme- L..cy-and two more on Saturday-Sutton and Orcop. Longtown and Kington reopened this week. I HISTORY OF THE DISPUTE. I The strike of over 200 Herefordshire teachers came at the end of an agitation for better remuneration spread over many years. The individual salaries of teachers have been Almost uniformly low, and for a long time the agitation of the teachers was mainly to secure advances in individual cases. More recently, however. the demand crystalised into one for a system of payment by scale, annual increments to be given automatically within certain minima and maxima, unless misconduct or inaripacity were proved. This principle the Education Authority have resolutely resisted until the present week. Herefordshire is a county of many small schools, the great majority of them having less than eighty scholars in average attendance. The Education Committee declared a scale unwork- able because of the great differences between the schools, and further objected to the principle as subversive of enthusiasm and initiative among the head teachers. After the notices had been, tendered the committee met and sought to. placate the teachers by the oflfer of immediate increases equal to £ 1,300; They also promised- an annual revision of salaries. The teacheM declined the offer as a settlement of the dispute* and to meet the objections of the committee as to the variety of schools submitted "asa basis of negotiation" a scale graduated according-to the size of the schools. In the smallest schools the head master was to have a minimma of j3120 and a maximum of £160, head mistresses, £100 to 2140. The largest schools carried salaries of 2160 to S220 for hed masters, and j3140 to Rt80 for head mistres- 's. The eounty authority, through the Special Salaries Com- mittee, to which it had delegated its powers, persisted in regarding the scale as an ultimatum, and refused to negotiate. The strike started about a fortnight ago, some eighty schools being directly affected. Many of them were closed altogether; and the most enterprising efforts of the Education Committee during the past three and a half months to obtain teachers to take the strikers' places were of small avail. The National Union of Teachers of course placed its ban on the committee's service, and though some of the few Council Schools were restaffed with more. or less success the committee were quite unable to get teachers to re-open the Church schools. Few of the strikers have obtained or even sought for positions outside the county, and under any settlement to which the National Union are party those who remain will have to retain their service under the Herefordshire authority. One of the points still to be adjusted is that of reinstatement. The head teachers all retain their tenancies of the schoolhouses, though recently the committee instructed a solicitor to take steps to evict them. These proceedings will not now be necessary. In the absence of a detailed statement as to the scale granted some idea of the terms can be inferred from the fact that whereas the approved scale will yield the teachers of the county an additional £ 4,000 a year when it has come to maturity (which it may be assumed will be in eight years), the National Union scale was estimated by Mr Wiltshire, the county education secretary, to effect increases totalling £8.000 in the same period. Iistobe presumed the Education Committee will have to ratify the Special Salaries Committee's recom- mendations as to payment by pcale before it can have legal effect.

t BROMESBERROW. BAND OF HOPE.-In connection with the Band of Hope (C.E. T. S) a. very successful entertainment was given in the Schoolroom on Thursday evening in last week. In spite of the inclement weather, a good audience assembled, every available seat being occupied, many only finding standing room. It is much to be regretted that this room cannot be enlarged on these occasions. Major Webb (The Brownsend) kindly undertook the reading of Buy your own Cherries," interspersed with illustrative songs by the schoolchildren, who deserve complimenting on their smart appearance, in which cherry coloured ribbon played a prominent part. The recitation "The Willow-pattern Plate," given by Miss Queenie Vessey, a little girl of eight—caused much amusement. Part II of the programme consisted mainly of character songs, and Messrs Huish and Morris (Ledbury) fairly brought down the house with their clever impersonations and were vociferously encored. Mr S Snell and Mr Craddock (The Elms) appeared for the first time on a Bromes- berrow platform, and the former gave a very fine rendering of his two Bongs, and Mr Oraddock's Back to the Land and humorous recitation caused great merriment. Mr Frank Kendrick, an old favourite, received his usual encores. Mrs Webb kindly played all the accompaniments, and also lent her fine grama- phone, and contributed in many ways to the success of the evening. Mrs G S Albright, Bromesberrow Place, while regretting her inability to attend, very kindly arranged for the erection and removal of the platform, which was tastefully decorated for the occasion. Hearty thanks were tendered to all who in anyway assisted.

I NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE. I Debate at Ledbury. I Close Voting. On Wednesday night the old Town Hall, Ledbury, was well-filled with an interested audience on the occasion of a debate on the proposals of the National Service League, between Mr E P Baily, organising secretary of the League for Herefordshire, and the Rev H A Barnes. The debate proved most instructive and entertaining, and at the close, when a vote was taken, it was found that the audience was pretty evenly divided en the question, the figures being 71 against the National Service League proposals, and 65 for them. Mr A Roger Rowden was the Chairman, and he made a most impartial Speaker." The Chairman at the outset explained that Mr Baily would move the resolution and speak for 30 minutes. Mr Barnes would then speak for 30 minutes, and each speaker would be allowed 20 minutes to reply. The resolution was "That this meeting deplores the excessive growth of armaments in other countries and i considers that a short period of compulsory training in the Territorial Force is necessary for the absolute insurance of this island against invasion." Personally, he thought the resolu- tion a little narrow, and he had asked the two speakers if it should not be broadened, but they were satisfied with it. He must ask both. speakers to adhere strictly to the resolution, and not t. introduce matters not pertaining to the resolution. (Applause.) Mr Ba-ily, in proposing the resolution, referred to a poster which had been issued by the oppo- nents of the National Service League, and said he could' see that it was the work of some sincere lover of peace, and he hoped supporters of the League on their part would receive the same consideration. The National Service League was at one with the Peace Society in favour of peace, but the difference between them was as to the methods by which it was to be effected. The poster he had referred to spoke of the wickedness of war, which was quite true, and then went on to refer to the religious liberties that were ours. He would point out that those religious liberties were won by war, an extraordinarily wicked thing to do. The poster spoke also of the wickedness of training young men to brain their fellow men. To begin with he would like them very much to understand1 that the National Service League proposaht dealt eatirely with the Territorial Force and not the regular army. They could only reject the proposals of the League by one of two alternatives, either that the millenium had arri ve d, or that the Navy was invincible. The Territorials were never to go outside Eng- land to war, unless of course they volunteered, and they were absolutely and solely- for protect- ing themselves and their women and children and the invader. They were being trained to. shoot down any fellow men who might be foolish enough to come here to shoot them down. (Applause.) They should take the authority »f the men who were experts on these matters. The League was not hostile to the Territorials, but on the contrary wherever National- Service League meetings were held there was-an increase in recruits,, and their aim was to increase the Territorials. If they were to havea- defensive force at all they must have a properly, trained Territorial force" He instanced Norway, Switzerland, Australia and New Zea- land as democratic countries .where compulsory training,, for home defence was in, force, and the League held that to go round; and entreat and cajole one man in ten to train to tight for the other nine was quite undemocratic, and the result? was to create a military, caste. The only purely democratic army was one in which high and low, rich and poor, whatever their class, were compelled to train fas the defence of their country. He outlined the proposals of the League, which were th&t boys from 12 to 14,1. should be taught physical drill; at 18 youths could do four months training, and a fortnight each year after until they were 21. At that age his military career would) be over except in' the contingency of the country being invadedL (Applause.) The Rev H A Barnes, who- was received with applause, said with, reference to Mr Baily's statement that the National Service League desired peace, that those of them who earnestly and consistently desired peace failed to under- stand why the League should, by enforcing com- pulsory military training, add to the growth of armaments, and tarn, the young manhood of the nation into an araay and add an expenditure of 20 million pounds a year. He wished to say at once that there were certain National Service League patrons, who were vastly interested in the growth of armaments, who were directors and large shareholders in the big companies that make Dreadnoughts and big guns and small arms and ammunitMfin. These people oould not consistently say they desired peace. When they realised what military training was they would not consider it the best training for their young men. He firmly believed in the training and discipline of young men and women, and he thought all the neeessary discipline could be given with the military part left out. In a town like Ledbury there was no reason why gymnasia should not be promoted, nor why the young men should not have a swimming bath in which to swim. (Laughter and applause.) Proceeding, the rev. gentleman went on to quote from "The Soldier's Pocket Book'" (Lord Wolsey). and quoted the sentence 44 The soldier should despise men in civil life. The Chairman ruled that any reference to The Soldier's Pocket Book was out of order. Mr A Warren here interjected a remark, which brought the Chairman to his feet, with the retort, Excuse me, Mr Warren, I don't think anyone can accuse me of being unfair (Applause.) If 4 The Soldier's Pocket Book' refers to the Regular Army it is out of order. (Applause.) We are dealing with the Territorial training." Mr Barnes .accepted the ruling and proceed- ing, said that the Territorial Force was of no use whatever for defence against invasion. We were the invincible maritime power. Napoleon found that out, and the case was the same to-day. He held that while our Navy was supreme and held the seas the transport of a sufficient number of men to successfully make an invasion of this country was an absolute impossibility. (Applause.) He wished to submit that if the Navy of this country was away and an army was landed and marched upon London even then while our Navy held the sea these men would be locked up in the country and with their ships destroyed it would be impossible for them to leave the country. If our Navy failed to hold the sea it would be unnecessary for an invading power to land a single battalion on our coast, as it would be a reckless waste of life, and all that would be necessary would be for them to blockade the coast and starve us out. With our Navy defeated we should be at the mercy of the world. No man could be a consistent Christian and take up arms, and he would be going in direct opposition to his Master if he took up a rifle and assaulted any person. (Applause.) He submitted that in time of war the Territorials could be ordered abroad. (" No, no.") Under proper conditions of life and service Englishmen would respond to an appeal to defend their country. (Applause.) He pointed out that 90 per cent. of the Army was composed of men in such poor social conditions that they went into the Army as the only resort from those conditions. What they needed to do was to spend more millions on social reform, and by productive labour and better housing of the working classes those reforms could be brought about and thus improve the morale of the young people better than any military training. He did not see that the nation would have been any worse off if the Kaiser Government had stepped in- There were cries of dissent at this, and Mr Barnes resumed his seat, his time being up, without completing the sentence. Mr Baily then replied to Mr Barnes and said the expenditure under the National Service League proposals would be four millions a year and not twenty. Only thirteen members associated with the League were connected with armament firms, and only one, Lord Glenconner, was on the Executive Committee, and he only had shares in a sulphur firm. It was a specious argument that if their Navy wa3 invincible the Territorial a were of no use whatever. During the last three naval manoeuvres the attacking fleet had got through the defending fleet. No member of the British Government dared to say now that invasion of these islands was impossible, and the whole of their legislation on military and naval matters includes that possibility. Mr Barnes said that decent English- men would respond to an appeal to defend their conntry, but was that a reason for leaving them so totally untrained that all they could do would be to die for their country ? (Applause.) Mr Barnes, in reply, said he wished to com- plete the sentence untinished in his opening. He desired to point out so far as the workers were eoneerned that they had not the wealth and those great interests which the few had, and as a matter of fact the condition of the workers did not after much after a war, and instanced Alsace-Lorraine. In regard to conscription he submitted that the proposals of the League meant compulsory enrolment and enlistment, and it was against that they were fighting. The dinerenee was the difference between Tweedle- dum and Tweedledee. The argument that every young man should bear his share in the defence of the country was entirely unsound, as they maintained by taxation a regular standing army. Did Mr Baily suggest that he should not walk along the road1 because he had not broken stones or helped to make the road, or that he. should not send a telegram beeause he did not help to lay the wirea V The time had arrived when there should be a round table conference in order to unite Europe in a lasting peace. (Applause.) He pleaded strongly for arbitration, by which he said war had already been -nted, and there had already been 500 cas t arbitration carried out. A conscript army w4..dd only be a vast expense and- would render no real service to the nation. (Apptause.) Questions were then invited. Dr. Hsrrison asked Mr Barnes what authority he had for saying that a Territorial would be compelled to go abroad in case of war ? Mr trnes said his authority was Sir John French >efore the Norfolk Commission in 1B05. Under the law of this country Territorials may be ordered abroad in time of war and if that was so and they conscripted the nation into that Army it could be sent abroad. The Chairman Are you satisfied ? Dr. Harrison No. (Applause.) As a member of the Territorial Force I know that each member of the Force is given a paper when he goes in camp on which he can say yes or no as to whether he will go abroad for service if required, and if he says no the Government of this country has no intention of pressing him to do so. The Rector (Rev F W Carnegy): Is there any intention under the National Service League scheme to send Territorials abroad for service ? Mr Baily: No. it is not their intentian, unless the men volunteer. In answer to Mr Preece, who asked a question with reference to maintaining the supremacy of the British-Navy and the two-standard power (which the Chairman ruled out of order), Mr Barnes said he did not feel justified in support- ing an Army or Navy, except under compulsion. If every Christian man in the country would do the same thing the whole state of affairs would; be altered. If the country was martyred in the service of Jesus Christ it would be smeh a lesson to the rest of the world that there would be no more war. Mr Warren asked how the National Service League was going to insure-when the time came for these yousg men of 18 years of age to go for service for four monthg-that their places would be kept open ? Take the big business honqes ? Mr Baily said; the result of their enquiries was that only three young men out of 1G01 I,arrived at the age of 18 at once, and a law would be passed that their places imist be kept open (for them. In. Australia they fined employers jSlOO and disfranchised them, for breaking the law. The Chairman then called upon the audience to vote, and asked them to, vote solely on the resolution before them. la no sense was the meeting political, sectarian or religious. Mr Baily appointed Mr C A F Stewart as teller and Mr Barnes appointed Mr Andrew Warren as. his teller. The vote was taken by show of haads and 65 voted for the resolution and 71 against, the motion being tharefore negatived. There were probably 50-persons who did not vote. A vole-af thanks to the Chairman conaluded a most interesting evening.

I INQUEST AT LEDBURY. Agedi Woman's Fall on Christmas Day. On, Friday last an inquest was held ilk the Board-room of the Ledbury Workhouse* concerning the cteath of Lawa Phillips, widow, aged 71 years, of Oakland cottages, Wellington Heath, who died im the Wosk- house Infirmary on Thursday in last week. Mii, T Hutchiusoo (Coroner fo* the Division) conducted the inquiry, and the jury were empanelled as follows :—Messrs A C Lewis (foreman), F Bolwell, F Barbourne, T J Warren. T W Gurney, T Lane, senr., 0 E Marks, E W Palmer, W Morris, A Walters, E J Allen, and J Davis. Emma Hurdman, of Stone Cottage, Wel- lington Heath, wife of John Hurdman, said on Christmas Day last about 7 p.m., she was on her way to visit a friend, and when pass- ing the Oakland cottages she beard groans coming from the house occupied by the deceased. Witness went to the gate and there found the deceased lying on the ground outside her cottage door. Witness asked what was the matter, and deceased replied that she bad fallen down and could not get up. Assistance was obtained and deceased was lifted into the house. When witness went to the gate deceased was on her knees trying to regain her feet, but was unable to do so. The parish nurse was sent for, and Nurse Laxton, of Ledbury, came and attended deceased, who was the widow of Samuel Phillips, a farm labourer. Wit- ness had known deceased, who was in her 72nd year, for over five years. Nurse Laxton stated that she was the parish nurse for the Wellington Heath neighbourhood and lived at Ledbury. About 8 p.m. on December 25 she was called to Wellington Heath to attend the deceased. Witness examined her and found that she had sustained an injurv to her left leg, just above the ankle. Witness dressed the injured limb, and stayed with deceased for an hour and a half. Dr McKean. of Led- bury, was sent for, and deceased was sub- sequently removed to the Cottage Hospital. Dr McKean, registered practitioner, Lad- bury, and he saw the decased on December 26. and found she was suffering from a broken leg. There was also an abrasion on her back. Witness ad vised her removal to the Cottage Hospital, where the deceased remained for about three weeks, when she was removed to the Union. Witness attended deceased until she was brought to the Union. There was no improvement in her general condition right from the first. Deceased suffered from bed sores, and at length septic poisoning set in, with the result that she gradually sank and died. She received every attention, and death took place as the result of the inj ury received. The jury returned a verdict of Acci- dental death."

-n-w -J LI NAMES OF A FEW TOTALISATOR WINNERS. WOI" BY H. Hann, Esq., 77a, Larden Road, Acton, London, £ 1421 —E. W Eades, Esq., 1. Peppercroft Street, Gravesend. K £ 1026—A. Bridgman, Esq., 59, High Street, Highgate, London. -ell32-A. Troughton, Esq., 12, Central Markets, London. | £ 1012—Mrs. Burgess, 43, Ridgmount Gardens, Bedford Square, London, £ 1042—Mrs. Miller, Littlewick Green, Maidenhead. R,1500-Miss W. M. Everitt, 7, Admiralty Road, Portsmouth. S5000 Guaranteedon the Lincolnshfre .Tolm Bull sa.ys The Totalisator's guarantee is gilt-edged." Daily Express :— The thing will be straight." Sporting Life: I The Totalisatoo* has retarned some wonderful prizes." Terms free on application by penny postcard mentioning this paper to- The TOTALISATOR, IUCERNEG. Managing Director-H. CULl.E'tXE BOWN.

HUNTING. WITH THE LEDBURY. Some good sport has- been enipyed by the followers of these hounds during the past week. Friday last was devoted to the Hartpury side of the country. After meeting at the Canning Arms hounds were taken to Ashleworth, which was tenantless, but? on going towards Maisemore a fox jumped upon the hill-side, and scent being good they raced him away to and through the School House Coppice for Maisemore. Being headed on the Glouoester-road he doubled back through Ashleworth Brakes to SSartpury Village, leaving the Canning Arms on the left. A beautiful line of country was traversed for Foscombe. Soon the Firs- and Roughs were left behind and on reaching the Gloucester and Tewkesbury-road he turned right-handed over the hill, setting his mask for the Haw Bridge. Bearing right-handed he reached the Grove, but hounds hung on his-trail and foraed him him away for Hasfield. Once again he was headed, and turning sharp back through the Grove, set out on the opposite side for Tirley, but hounds soon overhauled him,and, brought a capital run of 1 hour and 40minu&t(}.a.n end. Going on to Limbury several foxes were soon moving, the selected one going away as though for Colin Park. He was headed, and doubling back through Limbury, crossed Mount Oliver, going through Catsbury for Haitpury House, and on for the School Hbuse Covert. Here he turned left banded, and going back to, Limbury was lost after a good 40 minutes. Another nice little spin of45 minutes from-the School House Covert by way of Maisemore, back by the Pheasantry, through the gardens at Hartpury House to the osier bed, was spoiled by a shower of rain coming on, and this brought a good day's I sport to a close. Saturday's trysting place was the RoMy Bush. Finding in Dog Kennel Wood a pilot steered away over the hills for Newers Wood, where hounds were quickly divided, but on. being got together hunted their fox. through Tippins Rough and over the Camp to Berrington Grove. Going away by the hotel he ran the hill-side to the Golf Links, where he was headed, and turn- ing over Ockeridge farm crossed the Ridgeway to Newers Wood, where he was lost. Casting hounds forward they hit off his line, and bustled him along- to the Holly. BlIsh Quarry. Turning right-handed over Midsummer Hall for Castle Coppice hounds ran into him, and; got their reward. A very fast 35; minutes then followed from a find near the Duckpond. Reynard slipped. away over Netherton Farm, bearing right for Newers Wood: Skirting this he went at a pace through the Birchend and across the park to, the Sitch. Unaccompanied hounds raced himvon over the upper end of Massington, pointing for the railway. Evidently the pace was too hot for our pilot, who turned sharp back to the Rifle butts, and popped into a rabbit-bole, from which he was speedily evicted. On Monday Bromesberrow Heath was the fixture. Ladywell Wood, supplied our first fox that ran the Rigood, Stone and White Leafed Oak several times- before going away over White House Farm to ground. A substitute was found in High Wood that led us over Howlers Heath to Hilleml, and on through Hacklers to Cleachers Mill. After running several rings round he was killed by the brook side, and hoands were taken to Halhold, which proved to be blank. From Bromesberrow Heath a good hyiit of 40 minutes resulted with a fox that went away for the Court, on to Clenchers Mill, through May Hill to the Castle pleasure grounds, back over the hill for the Woolpits, and awayt for the Pye's Nest. Here he bore left-handed, ) across the Noad and Smallend farms, going to. ground close to Haffied House. r FOR'ARD OK

I' RECORD DAY WITH LEDBURY BEAGLE- HARRIERS. Friday, February 13.-This clinking little pack met at Town Farm Cross Roads, Castle Froome, where we have several good, old sporting farmers and sympathetic landlords, with the result that when meets are in that district hares are numerous and sport good, but Friday eclipsed all our pleasant experiences. A young hare was quickly found in Mr Ockey's large field near the Town. Hounds need: her away to the wood a bove the Town Farm, running her round, and she was soon forced out down by Moorend and pulled down in Mrs Harrington's hopyard, after a short run of about 25. minutes. Drawing the same field a fine Jack hare was found, and her principal points were the wood above the Town, by the Moorend across the valley over the top end of Mepp Hill, across Mr Walter Pitt's orchard, crossing the road as making for Ansnett, but bearing right-handed ran over Wassington Farm round above Mr Harris's, Upleadon Court, nearly to Mr Bert Homes's, turning left-handed through Ansnett across Mr Pitt's field to top of the witch above White House, and ran the road by White House to a meadow near Suffield where she crossed over to top of Mepp Hill. Down the valley again on to Mr Taylor's hopyard, where, turning across to a small coppice near Mr Harrington's, of Moorend, hounds pulled her down after a fast run of just over the hour. We then spent a very pleasant half-hour enjoying Mrs Harring- ton's kind hospitality, while hounds rested. On drawing again we found in Mr Pudge's (Frogend) hopyard I) hare which gave us the run of the day. Her first point was the wood above the Town Farm. Pushed out of there she made back to Millend, turned back to Mr Pudge's hopyard, then away across meadows to Five Bridges, where she crossed the Froome within about twelve yards of bridge. The river was three-quarters full and it was a pretty sight to see the little hounds as carried down stream, fighting their way across. They their way across. They were soon over, and running as for Leighton, but turning left-handed ran up meadows in direction of Millend, recrossed brook, ran to top of meadows above Moorend, sharp right-handed down in front of Moorend, across Birchend hop- yard, left-handed up into Birchend Bank Wood, the valley ringing with music as hounds pushed her round the wood, forcing her away at the extreme end across road which leads to Stanley Hill. She went away down orchard across above Gold Hill, over Cold Green hopyards and over road, as if making for Staplow, but turning right-handed recrossed road where it branches for Swinmore, ran up over the hill through Ans- nett, across Mr Pitt's meadow on to field below Redcastle. Here a storm came on and pace was slower, but still the gallant little pack pushed on across Mr Pitt's field and Mr Taylor's hop- yard to a heavily manured hopyard near to Moorend, where for first time for two hours hounds chocked, and we were content to call them off after a record run of full three hours. We think we must have changed in the early part of run, as the hare could hardly have stood up the time, the double distance between extreme points of this run would be eight miles, but as hounds ran I think they must have travelled close on ten miles. OLD SPORT.

1/8 sent to the Reporter Office, Ledbury, will ensure a copy of thi" piper being sent post free every Friday eveningjfor a quarter (13 weeks).

I LEDBIJRY AND DISTRICT AIR-RIFLE LEAGUE. LEAGUE TABLE TO DATE. Shot Won Lest Tied Aeprgt Pts Fox 21 21: 0 0 row, 42 White Hart. 20 Hi 3 l 4677 33 New Inti 20 13 6" 1 4668 27 Nondescripts 20 12 7 1 4616 2S Yew Tree. 19 12 T 0 4301 24 Putley 20 11 8 1 4455 23 Biddulph 20 11 U 0 4528 22 Talbot 20 10 9 1 4495, 21 Wellington 19 8 10. 1 4275 17 Prince of Wales W 7 13 0 4462 14 Bell 20 7 13 0 4417 14 j Wellington Hth 20 6 14 0 4390 12 Plotigh 19 2 17 0 3908 4 Ledbury W.M.C. 20 0 20 0 4014 0 NONDESCRIPTS v TALBOT. Shot on the former's range and won by the homesters by 9 points. Scare :— Nondeseri pts-E W Reed 28, R A Paul fJ8, D 0 Evans 30, H Cox 28, S Bowen 31, C E Baker 27, T G Drew 28, W S Bowes 30—total 230.' Talbot-C HLti,4h 26, G Hankins 28f H Barnea 29, F Elliott 28, S Allen 31., W Huish 25,.J James 1 28, T Smith 26—total 221. YEW TREE v. WHITE HART. Shot on the former's range and won by the visitors by 24 points. Score:- Yew Tree-W Garrett 28, H Hill 25, H Whartoa 28. A Baldwin 24, H Hitchings 25, W Clarke 30, A Cotterell 30, G Moore 28-total 218. White Hart, W Connop 33, H Smith 31, J Smith 30, T Phillips 29. E Howard 29. P Adams 27, C Fardon 31, C Curnoek 32—total LEDBURY W.M.C. v. BELL. Shot on the former's range and won by the visitors by 19 points. Score :— W. iNI. (. -W F West 26, W Hodges 27, C Hill 31, W J Smith 25, J Smith 26, L Christopher 21, J Harris 26, B Harris 24-<-total 2Q6ii Bell—J Vicarage 31, J Hodges 29. F W Davies 26, B Morns 28, K Walker 29, F Lu-simorp 24, G H Lloyd :2D, H Griffith# 29 —total 225. BIDDULPH ARMS v. PRINCE OF WALES. Shot on the formei's range and won by the visitors hy I I)oilit, Seore:- Bidcl'ilph -C Smart, junr 31, W Preece 28, T Porter 28, G Chadd 26. W E Hyde 30,> J Potter 28, W Brookes 31, C Smart, senr, 29—total 231. Prince of Wales—W Turner 31, H Bapaham 28. E Gibbons 27. 0 E Watts 30. J Webb 30. W Chadd 27,. J Jones 29, T Davies 30—total 232. WELLINGTON HEATH v. PLOUGH. Shot on the former's range and won by the homesters by 95 points, the visitors only shooting five nwn. S"orf :— Wellington H- atli—II Payn, 26. D Smith 25,, C Pedlingham 29. G Jones 26. T Stephens .30,, F Drew 30, M Hankins 30, J Harti(lian 30— total 226. Plougb-D Weal 22. J 'Holder 28. J Seal 28. L A Ingram 26. E Mark Zï total 131. PUTLEY v. FOX. Shot, on the former's range and won by the,. visitors by 21 points. Score :— Putley—C Tavlor 28r R Preece 24, C Baggotti, 27, H Hyde 30, G Baggott 24. E Williams 24, A; H.Wilson 29. J Smith 34-total 220. Fox—J Huish 31j.G»2ayli&28> G Huns 30, Hampton 29, J Krown 30, J Rollings 32, Q. Walters 30, E G Morris 31tot.al 241.

I WELLINGTON HEATH. 0'. L. B. CoNOERa1:—A concert in aid of the- fuiads of the Wellington Heath Company of tit& Church Lads' Brigade will be ifceld at the H&pe Eled Schoolroom on Tuesday uoxt, commencing at 7.30. p.m. An excellent programme has been arranged1,including vocai and instrumental music, gymnasium, carbirw exercises, cjab- swinging and dumb-hell extweises, recitations, boxing bout, and a sketch.

No moie limping i N,- 13010 pa-in. Never cut your eerns again. Us* Cornex —7 £ d.—MINCHIN, Chemist, 15, Westgate* Gloucester. Local Al(ent MR. Mh^hah, Chemist,, liodbury, KYNOCH'S CARTRIDGES 8/6 per 100. 9/6 per 100. 10/6 per 100. ELEY'S CARTRIDGES Smokeless 8/6 100 (Pink Case). Diamond Grain 10/6 (Blue Case). 'Smokeless Diamond' Cartridges (Curtiss & Harvey's Loading), 9/6 per 100. ??2S?IJ?i?SS!5 <a 5./ A ?CK?LED?UK? Printed and Published for and on behalf of the .Executrix of the late Tiiosjas Vaugtian, by WILLIAM S. BOWES. Manager, at the Printing Works, New Street), Ledb.-try, tm the Couaty of Hereford1