The Abergavenny Mail

    E R" I/ T I The INDIA & CHINA TEA Co. I E Grocers and Provision Dealers, and Wine and Spirit Merchants. | N LOCAL BRA3TOH :-MARKET PLACE, LEDBURY. g .15:- -_J-)."¡' THE WHITE HOUSE, PAUNTLEY. MAJOR THACKWELL wishes it to be known that he is suffering with a severe attack of Neuritis, and is not allowed to attend to any kind of business for the present. T. F, DAVIS, ORGANIST, TEACHER of the PIANOFORTE and HARMONY, "CLAREMGNT," COLWALL, MALYER5 Pupils Prepared for Examination. Pianofortes Tuned & Repaired. Pianofortes by all the Best Makers to order. DETACHED PIANOLAS suitable for playing on any Piano. W. F. WEST, Gieengiocer & Fruiterer, 38, Homend Street, Ledbury. All kinds of English and Foreign Fruits in season. ORANGES, 30 and 40 a Shilling. DATES. PRUNES. FIGS. LEMONS, Monkey and Tiger Nuts. fresh Vegetables of all Kinds Daily. Good Assortment of Brushes & Baskets Good Selection of Artificial Wreaths and Crosses at reasonable prices. WREATHS and CROSSES Made to Order at the Shortest Notice. Jeent for CARTER'S Tested FLOWER and GARDEN SEEDS. REASONS WHY RILEY'S should have your patronage in all matters appertaining to Pianos and Organs are numerous and convincing, A few will suffice. RILEY'S have been the most Central and Principal Providers in the Kingdom for over sixty years. RILEY'S are also the Exclusive Agents for other maloes which have obtained world-wide reputation. RILEY'S Business has been personally controlled through three genera- tions of the family, and the unfailing cour- tesy which has been extended to every patron in the past is cordially offered to you now. HENRY RILEY & SONS, CONSTITUTION HILL, BIRMINGHAM. Return Railway Fares, refunded to Purchasers. RILEY'S, WITH ALL PIANO HOUSES, CLOSE SATURDAYS AT ONE. HOIIgbush QuarrU, SEOOND BROKEN STONE, suitable for private, farm and bye roads, concrete and othei building purposes:— Small Quantities .„ 3/- per ton. 56 Tons and over 2/9 „ 100 Tons and over 2/6 M SECOND ROUGH STONE, suitable for bottoms of roads, filling in fold yards, etc Up to 100 Tons 1/4 pe-r ton. 100 Tons and over 1/2 GRAVEL or Clippings (Unscreened), suitable for facing roads aud paths: Small Quantities 2/3 per ton. 50 Tons and over 1/9 „ 100 TOES and over 1/6 TRAVEL or Chippmgs (Screened), excellent material for concrete :— Small Quantities 3/- per ton 50 Tons and over 2/6 100 ions and over 2^3 WASTEs suitable for filling in, etc- 6d. per ton. EASTNOR CASTLE ESTATE OFFICE, NEAR LEDBURY. A Popular & Effective i Remedies. ■' IT Carboy Hair Tonic. I I Carboy Nursery Hair Wash. Household Embrocation. Backache and Kidney Mixture. Jr Blood Purifier. F Chest, Threat and Lung Syrup. I k. t Indigestion Mixture. ? F Kheumatie Mixture. Qninine and Phosphorus Tonic. NS2L/ Tic and Neuralgia Mixture. Cfoildron's Nutritive Tonic. Sygpp of Figs. 71d per Bottle. Double 7¡d. size, 1.. Sold only by— ARTHUR STEVENS, M.P.S. (Late FREEMAN), Pharmacist, §, HIGH STREET, LEDBURY.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. I THE NATIONAL SERVICE LEAGUE. I To the Editor. Sir,—Ignorance may explain, but it does not excuse the reckless figures as to expense, numbers, etc., with which our opponents try to frighten their presumably ignorant audiences. It will be found that no assertions of this nature which depend upon figures for their effect will ever stand the test of arithmetic. With regard to the alleged 220 million increase in the expense of our proposed Territorial Force-sufficient in numbers and training to make even the attempt to invade this country an absolute impossibility-over the expense of the present Force, declared by every soldier to be insufficient in both respects, here are the official figures A. On the basis of the cost of the Regular Army— £ 3,777,484. B. On Lord Haldane's figures as to the cost of the Special Reserve— £ 3,724,657. On the 11th April, 1913, in the House of Commons, the War Minister accepted the rough estimate of about £ 4,000,000, given by the late Mr George Wyndham. Yours faithfully, Hereford, E. P. BAILY. I Hereford, February 25, 1914.

WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE MEETINGS AT j LEDBURY. Veteran Suffragist as Chairman. Excellent Speeches by Miss Helen Fraser and Mr E 0 Morel. Yesterday (Thursday) afternoon and even- ing, two well-attended meetings, convened by the Colwall and Ledbury Branch of the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, were held at the Town Hall, Ledbury. The speakers were Miss Helen Fraser, of the N.U.W.S.S., and Mr E D Morel, who is probably best known for his work in bring- ing to light the rubber atrocities of the Congo. Both speakers had something to say worth saying and hearing, and at the afternoon meeting also those present heard a capital address from that venerable clergy- man and man of letters, the Rev Canon Bulkeley, of Coddington, who presided. Canon Bulkeley was supported on the plat- form by Miss Helen Fraser and Mr Morel, Miss Holland, Miss Bickham and Miss Richardson, who are the joint secretaries of the combined Colwall and Ledbury branch. Amongst the numerous audience were :—Mr and Mrs J W Richardson, Mrs H S H Bickham, Mrs Maddison Green. Mrs B C Hallowes, the Rev F S, Mrs and Miss Stooke- Vaughan, Miss Niblett, Mrs A C Ford, Misses Riley, Mrs W L Pritchett, Mrs J Johnson, Mrs FN Wheaton, Mrs R Masefiel-d. Miss Boyd (Colwall), Miss Philpott, Mrs 0 N Holt-Needham, Miss Bulkeley, Miss Baird, Mrs Hollins, Miss Chorley, Mrs David Smith. Miss Maddison, Miss Thatcher and Miss Brown (Colwall). Miss Ballard, Mr Lewis Jones, Mr E W Reed, Mr A G Maddox, etc, -etc. The Chairman, in opening the meeting, said at the outset that it -was as well to emphasise the fact that that was a non-militant meeting. (Applause.) They were in sympathy with the militants so far as they were out for the same thing as they (the non-militants) were, but they were not in sympathy with the militant methods. He believed that was the first meet- ing organised in Ledbury by the N. U. W.S. S. It was possible there were some persons present who were inclined to militant methods, and it was still more possible that there were some persons present who did not approve of their main contention, but he trusted representatives of either party would listen to what were intended to be sober arguments, and not fanatical arguments. He did not suppose any person present was older than himself, and he was certain there was not an older suffragist in the meeting. (Hear, hear.) He was an ardent supporter of the movement long ago. When he was at Oxford he came to the conclusion that it would indeed be a right and fair thing that women should have the vote for Members of Parliament. Very soon after that John Stuart Mill-and if ever women had votes for Members of Parliament the first thing they should do would be to erect a statue to John Stuart Mill- (applauise)-by his speeches in Parliament in 1867 and by his book on the subjection of women in 1869 was one of the great, and, he believed, the greatest promotor of the cause for which they were assembled that day. He believed now that Mill and he at that time were wrong. He did not now think the suffrage ought to have been given to women in 1867 and 1869. Not that there were not very able women then. Some of them might have been reading, as he had been lately, the life of Florence Nightin- gale. It had been said of her that she was almost the only woman who put public measures before private ones, but he did not think that that was quite fair even at that time, as he thought there were other women who would have been in favour of their (the suffragists) contention to- day, who even in those times put public before private interests. To-day he would not attempt to make a list of women who had proved that they should have the vote by placing public before private interests. In all depart- ments of life the list was too long. In all departments of life, except those which by law they are excluded from, they had, and he said it without fear of contradiction, eminently proved that they were fitted to exercise the franchise for Members of Parliament. Looking back, he felt that John Stuart Mill, and he, his follower, were rather too much beforehand in 1867 and 1869, but now there was no doubt of it, and it was for their opponents to prove the contrary. He had to propose the following resolution That this meeting believes that as women have rights and duties as citizens, they should be given power to exercise their responsibilities, and demands, therefore, a Government measure extending the franchise to women." With regard to the last words, they did not apply specially to the Government that was now in power, but to all governments. Personally, he thought it would be rather difficult for the Government now in power, with so many in favour of it and so many against it, to pass the measure into law. (Applause). Miss Helen Fraser then delivered a lucid, argumentative address, in seconding the resolu- tion. She pointed out as evidence of the necessity of the question being made a Govern- ment measure that since 1870 seven measures had passed the Second Reading in the House of Commons, and the House had had the question before them either in the shape of bills or resolutions over 30 times. The recent history of the question had made the demand for a Government measure clear and imperative. Three measures had passed the Second Reading since this Government came into power in 1906, and then they had the Reform Bill, to which they got an amendment moved that women should be included, and the Speaker ruled that that would so alter the Bill that a new Bill altogether must be brought in, and the Bill was dropped. That meant that in this Parliament there was practically no possibility of a measure for women's suffrage going through, and they wanted to accumulate a vast amount of public opinion on their side in making this demand. They realised it was essential that the Govern- ment must take upon itself the responsibility of putting through this great measure of reform in the interests of the educational, social and economic forces in this country. The position of woman to-day as a person who knew and understood conditions generally was very different from what it was 40 or 50 years ago. She asked if the Chancellor of the Exchequer in raising the necessary revenue for the maintenance of the State distinguished between men and women ? But when it came to Parliamentary voting a great gulf opened as soon as it was suggested that women should vote and it closed with extraordinary rapity when it came to paying taxes. (Laughter.) When a women committed a crime she was arrested, tried and punished the same as a man. If women were to be accounted responsible before the law and punished as law breakers, then qualified women in this country were entitled to speak with qualified men in choosing the makers of the laws that women as well as men must obey. It would be found that the women kept the law better than men did, as there was only one woman criminal to six criminal men, and if they gave the vote on merit then women had a stronger right to the franchise than men had. The men who were barred from voting were criminals, paupers, lunatics, and aliens. That was the company women kept, and they did not like their com- pany. (Laughter, and applause.) The woman who did her duty in her home was bound to be interested in the questions of the State—(ap- plause)—and if a woman was going to do her duty in the home she must be a full citizen in this country. As suffragists they were told by their opponents to go home, but if every woman was given an ideal home sphere they might listen to that appeal. Then they were told to go and 44 mind the baby," but no one who knew of all the things that were being done to fight the infantile mortality of this country would: deny that it was women who were doing the majority of that work. She appealed to her hearers to join them and help forwatd the day when they would see a Government measure carried into law in this country, and women set free to do as they wished to do-to work side by side with men for every just reform which they desired to see carried. (Applause.) The Chairman, in calling upon Mr E D Morel to support the resolution, said they had not forgotten how when there was a chance of England not, doing bar duty fully with regard to the atrocities on the Congo, Mr Morel went on working in spite of all, until he had obtained his noble object. (Applause). He thought it was a very good omen that Mr Morel had joined another struggling cause. (Applause). He was likely to be one of those who would champion the cause to the end. ,(Applause). Mr Morel, who received a hearty reception, in supporting the resolution, said he believed the national well-being was suffering because the cause of woman's suffrage was not triumph- ant. His plea for believing in the suffrage for women was for justice and expediency. Owing to her unrepresented political situation in the State, the position of woman was far worse than was the position of men in 1867 before the Reform Bill, and outside a privileged and care- fully-restricted class, he opined that there were few who would be content to return to the conditions existing before 1867. The present position of women in the State was equivalent to a degree of moral and mental inferiority of women, which was as insulting to women as it was stultifying and degrading to men. It classed their wives and mothers, sisters and daughters with lunatics and criminals. It would be injudicious on his part to express his opinion on women who were content to be rated so low, but the husband, father or brother who was content that his women folk should be classed in such company was not to be envied. (Applause.) If some of the extraordinary anomalies of the laws as they affect women could only be understood by the majority they would soon be swept away. Mr Morel proceeded to instance some of these anomalies, and went on to say that if women had political power some of these anomalies would be swept away in a short time, and it would be better for men as well as women, as no State could be healthy which was suffering from r-nch injustice. Few people realised the profound change that had come over the whole social condition of the country during the last fifty years owing to modern industrial development and the tide of overseas emigration of the male population, and the enormous part of the work of the nation which women were now performing. To-day there were five millions of working women in England. One woman in every three was earning her own bread. That meant that not far from one-half of the national work of the country was to-day performed by women, and yet men claimed the sole right of legislating for this mass of female labour. (Applause.) The result of that state of affairs was obvious. The first was that women were shockingly underpaid, which was a national scandal and an abomination, and productive of a vast amount of want, misery, vice and degradation. Justice demanded the political enfranchisement of women expediency demanded it no less. The elitnintti i,,n of woman as a factor in the State was a supreme wastage. They wanted woman's help in the solution of these immense problems which affect the welfare of the race, and if men were honest they would admit that there was a grim failure said to the man government of this nation of ours. Dealing with the objection to woman having the vote because she did not fight, he said it was ridiculous. How many noting men had ever fought or were ever likely to fight ? Lord Roberts said the other day that one half the male population would be unfit for the requisite standard of the Army and could not be in- corporated in the Army. Then again why was the professional class which was brought up, educated and trained for war precisely the class the majority of whose members were not allowed to vote because they were not resident householders ? (Applause.) The resolution was then put by the Chairman and carried nern con. Miss Holland proposed a vote of thanks to the Chairman and speakers, and Miss Fraser having replied the gathering closed. In the evening Mr Lionel Curtis presided over a good attendance. f >

,LEDBURY LODGE OF THE N.C.L. I I Ladies' Night. I It wat a happy inspiration on the part of one of the members of the Ledbury and District Lodge of the National Conservative League -Mr W G Witham to be precise-to suggest the holding of a ladies' night in connection with the lodge, for the gathering, jjwhich was duly held last (Thursday) night, at the New Inn Hotel Assembly Room, must be accounted one of the most popular of the many excellent gatherings held under the auspices of the Lodge. When the idea was first mooted, it was warmly taken up by the members of the Committee, and so successfully was it organised that the room was crowded when the proceedings com- meneed. The Worthy Master of the Lodge (Bro W L Pritchett), presided, and was accom- panied by Mrs Pritchett, Misses Pritchett, Mr E N Pritchett, the Deputy-Master (Mr J E Craddock), Mrs and Miss Craddook, Mr and Mrs E G Shew. The officers of the Lodge and members of the Executive Committee were in attendance and waited on the ladies, when light refreshments were served at the interval. The Chairman opened the proceedings with a few remarks in which he said that he did not desire to refer to the political atmosphere that night, as it was so exceedingly unsatisfactory and unhappy that he was afraid if he was to refer to any particular question it would only mar the pleasure of what he hoped they were going to enjoy that evening, a happy and social time. What he wanted to do was to extend to every lady there on behalf of the lodge a very hearty welcome. They were exceedingly pleased to see the ladies present, and he only hoped that evening would be the forerunner of many similar social gatherings. (Applause.) The idea originated from Mr W G Witham, who was one who had contributed to the harmony of the social gatherings they had enjoyed in that room since the initiation of the lodge. The members of the Executive Committee warmly took the matter up, and the members of the lodge also, with the result that they had a splendid gather- ing of people who were imbued with the idea that Conservatism with regard to politics was the best view to hold. He would ask them to make a strong determination when the time came that they would each and every one do their very utmost, at any rate in this con- stituency, to return a Member to the House of Commons who would do his utmost to upset the very worst Government this country had ever known. (Applause.) The concert programme was then commenced. and was of a high order throughout, encores being very numerous. Songs were contributed by Miss Mdna Gurney, Bros W G Witham, H B Whyld, E W Reed and W Williams, violin solo by Miss Ruth Pritchett, recitations by Bro E N Pritchett, flute solos by Bro D 0 Evans, pianoforte solos by Bro G F Palmer, sifHeur solos by Mr C Baggett, and songs by the well- known local female impersonator, "Victoria." Bro. E W Reed accompanied throughout. During the interval Bro H Cotton (Chairman of Executive) proposed a vote of thanks to the artistes and the several ladies who had provided refreshments. He also paid a tribute to the excellence of the arrangements made by Bro. and Mrs E W Palmer, who had been to an enormous amount of trouble in preparing the room and decorations, and the serving of the light Tefreshments. Towards the close the Deputy-Master proposed a vote of thanks to the Worthy Master for presiding, and Bro. Pritchett briefly returned thanks. r

No printer in Ledbury does Lithography but we can get any kind of Lithography executed for you if you win send to our office for your requirements, and perhaps at a cheaper rate than yon can if you send your order away. Perhaps it is not genetally understood that we undertake all descriptions of Coloured and Plain Stamping. We get dies cat and turn out the order complete. Send on a trial order to the Reporter Office.

HUNTING. WITH THE LEDBURY. Quite a large fipld met at Longdon on Friday last, and the disappointment was great when hounds continued to draw covert after covert without a find. By the time Sarnhill was reael^d, the afternoon had become so boisten-us that hounds could scarcely speak to a fox that dodged back- wards and forwards without making an attempt to quit, and an early order for home followed. From the meet at the Kennels on Satur- day quite a good day's sport was enjoyed. A fox found at the far end of the Frith ran the whole length of the wood nearly to Dog Hill, then doubled back by the Kennels, crossing by the Knoll to Bradlow Coppice. Scent was evidently good, for hounds raced him away over Kilbury Camp and Lower Mitchell to the Cross Hands. Without a check the Hill Farm was crossed to Winter- combe, as our fox set his mask for the Holts and Clencher's Mill. Before reaching the latter wood, he turned over the Eastnor sports ground, ran by the church, crossing the road near the Somers Arms. Straight awaw for the Sitch he went, with hounds straining every muscle to overhaul him; but some big earths at Massington protected him for another day. Finding again at Old Colwall a fox ran the Hope End banks backward and forward several times before being pulled down near the ruins of the Mansion. Another fox found in the farm coppice, took us away for Raycombe Lane, then turned over the bank for Old Colwall, and running on by Petty France, went to ground in a rabbit hole, from which he was soon got out and killed. One of the best, days this season followed the meet at the Beauchamp Arms on Monday last. Hounds were taken to Barnett's Aries," and reynard soon set the large field going for Hen Park. Passing out at the upper end, over the New Grange farm for Dymock Wood, a half-hour woodland hunt resulted in a victory for reynard. Returning to Hen Park a fox, after several twists round Allums Grove, popped into a tree at the Old Grange. Whilst trying to evict him a fox was viewed in the same field, and a stern chase began. First he pointed for Hall Wood, then turned rigbt-handedcrossing the Dymock-road near Wyndcross, going on over the railway and river for Hill Ash. Wilton Place. Ockington, The Hill and Callow farms were traversed, as hounds raced him on for Ryton and Ketford. Turning left-handed over Mr Lane's farm, he poiated for Redmar- ley. Leaving the church on the left, he bore away to Murrell's End, and working round by Ketford Bridge found safety in Robinson's Wood. A long jog back to Hall Wood rewarded those who remained with another very fast gallop over a good country. Our pilot left the covert near the green and took a bee line for Preston Mill. At the cross roads be turned right-handed over the big fields to Ludstock. Scent was breast high and hounds could be seen racing away, all efforts to get near them proving futile. Turning up the stream side at the bridge they drove their fox by Lilly Hall, and on over the Lower House Farm to Wallbills, where one of the best days this season came to an end. An unfortunate accident occurred to Batcbelor during a run on Wednesday. Hounds were going great guns over the Westburv-on-Severn grasses, when some wire in a hedge caught the huntsman's horse. Batcbelor was pitched head foremost, alighting on the point of the shoulder. He was conveyed home by motor and attended by Dr Harrison, who found no bones broken, but several cuts and bruises. On enquiry this (Thursday) morning I bear the patient has bad a fairly good night and hopes to be on his legs during the day. FOR'ARD ON. I

« HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. I LEDBUKY. Saturday, Feb 28-Eastnor Village, at 11 Monday, March 2-Highleadon Green, at 11 Wednesday, March 4-Linton Wood Gate at 11 Friday, March 6—Long Green, at 11 Saturday, March 7-Pyatley School, at 11 NORTH LEDBURY. Tuesday, March 3—Froomes Hill Village, at 11 Friday, March 6-North Malvern Stocks, at 11 NORTH HEREFORDSHIRE. Saturday, Feb 28—Ford Bridge, at 11 Monday, March 2-Coombe"s Wood, at 11-30 Tharsday, March 5-Moreton Station, at 11-30 Saturday, March 7-Rosedale, at 11-30 SOUTH HEREFORDSHIRE. Saturday, Feb 28—St. Weonard's, at 11 Tuesday, March 3—Pontrilas, at 11 Saturday, March 7—Winslow Mill, at 11 LEDBURY BEAGLE-HARRIERS. (Weather permitting). Thursday, March 5-Court-y-Park, at 11. M.R. (To finish the season). ROSS HARRIERS. (Weather permitting). Monday, March 2-Gillow (to finish the season)

THE PICTURE PALACE. I There were good houses the first three nights of the week at the Picture Palace, the Royal Hall, Ledbury, when one of the best programmes we have seen lately was screened. Although not the star film yet we feel inclined to give pride of place to The Uphill Climb a well- produced Selig picture, which combined humour, tragedy and a moral in such a manner that applause and laughter were spontaneous as the various scenes were screened. "The Taming of the Shrew was a very good reproduction of Shakespeare's comedy, by the Ambrosio firm, and h Searching for Diamonds in Brazil" was a Gaumont intesest film. Backed up by two comedy films the programme was exceed- ingly good. The Devil's Vale showing at the Palace this week-end is undoubtedly a fine film, and should occasion large houses. The programme is a very well balanced one all through. Two extra strong programmes will be screened next week, both of which will include 3 extra films of "interest" nature, etc. The popular Nordisk play At the Wheel, will be shown on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, also the Eclair plot, "Fatality and Mystery." The "interest" subjects include "Progress in Aviation," and 44 Maori Aquatic Sports," which with two comics should please picture goers. The latter half of the week's list contains Lubin's 44 The Accusing Hand," which is a successful plot and Ashes of Three," which is also full of interest. Five other films complete the programme, all of which are of the best. Prices will be stalls Is, pit stalls 8d, and pit 4d to cover added expenses of film hire, although books can be obtained at the pay box whereby 12 passes to stalls for 8s for 12 passes to pit stalls for 5s 6d admit to any picture performance. -0

The U Ledbury Reporter" is the acknowledged leading newspaper in the Ledbury district. It is taken by all the best families and the farming fraternity. It is the Constitutional organ for Ledbury and district; is the only paper patroaised by the local auctioneers; has a genuine circulation among all classes, and therefore an exceptionally good advertis- ing medium. The Reporter is not an q?L !Mtof any paper prinúå <w?M? L-Z&wy and is therefore the only local newspaper that can claim to have a circulation far ahead of any so-called local paper imported into Ledbury.

COLWALL NEffS. I Mr Horace Harford Foster, Solicitor and I Notary Public, has been appointed by the Lord Chancellor a Commissioner for Oaths. SCHOOL CHILDREN'S STRIKE. r The girls' of Col wall Valley School on Thurs- day afternoon in last week came out on strike in emulation of those at Ledbury. It appears that through the absence of Miss Smith, headmistress, who was indisposed, and whose resignation is pending, the new mistress appointed in place of Miss Stokes, who is out on strike, was drafted from the infant school to take charge. The girls, however, refused to have anything to do with her, and marched in a body out of school. They went towards the boys' school, and the master, thinking the girls' were straying in their play, came out and ordered them off. He was soon given unmistakable proof of their attitude, and the excitement continued till the schools closed for the day. "All quiet," how- ever, was the report on Friday. WHIST DRIVE AND DANCE. On Thursday evening in last week a very successful whist drive and dance were held in the Hill Institute. Over 100 persons were present and cards started with a party of 25 tables 24 rounds were played, at the conclusion of which scores were called for with the follow- ing result: Ladies—1, Mrs Johns (184 points), case of button-hooks, shoe-horns, etc. 2. Miss F Wickham (183), clock 3, Mrs Wallace Winter (181), pair mounted flower vases consolation, Miss Leary, bangle. Gentlemen—1, Mr E Box (175 points), silk muffler 2, three called for second place (174 points), Messrs McKenna, G Hill, and E Rogers, and after cutting for places the second place came to Mr G Hill, half-dozen handkerchiefs 3, Mr E Rogers, walking stick consolation, Mr Bert Spilsbury, gollywog. The prizes were distributed by Miss Boyd, to whom a vote of thanks was accorded on the motion of Ma Rudgard. The proceeds were devoted to the funds of the Hill Institute and Colwall Cricket Club. Dancing was kept up till one a.m. The masic was provided by Miss Bishop, Miss Allen, and Miss E Armstrong. DANCE. I On Monday night the last of a series of dancing classes, which have proved so successful during the winter months at the Hill Institute, terminated with a "long night," when a company of upwards of 100 were present and a most enjoyable time was spent. The classes have proved exceedingly popular, and have far exceeded the committee's anticipation, the attendance at each class averaging about 60, which shows that the keenest enthusiasm prevails for this popular form of amusement. The committee, together with Mr A J Manton as hon. secretary, have carried out the arrange- ments in an admirable manner, and they have been fortunate in securing the services of Mr F H Rawlings and Mr E Rogers as M.C.'s, and the success which has attended the undertaking will doubtless result in a recurrence of the classes when the time arrives. On Monday dancing commenced at 7.30 and with a short interval was continued with spirit until two o'clock. Miss L Bishop was the pianist, and Messrs F H Rawlings and E Rogers the M.C.'s. Mas Houldridge carried out the catering arrangements in a most satisfactory manner. During the evening Mr A E Penfold addressed the company and said that he did not wish to detain them from their dancing, but as they were all aware this would be the last dance before Easter, and he had been asked on this occasion to make a few remarks as a prelude to a pleasant function which was to follow. It gave him great pleasure to see so many present, and it showed that the classes were appreciated. It was now five months since the Committee commenced the classes, and they had been most successful throughout, and the progress made in the art of dancing was most marked, as he knew several at the opening of the classes could not dance at all, but thanks to their efficient M.C.'s they were now quite experts, and he sincerely hoped they would be continued. He wished to thank the committee who took particular interest in these proceedings, and also Mr Rawlings and Mr Rogers for the efficient way in which they had discharged their duties as M.C.'s, and as an appreciation of those services the members of the class had responded liberally to an in- vitation to make a presentation to these gentle- men, and he felt sure they would accept it with the thought that their services had been valued very highly. He would now ask Mrs Penfold to present to Messrs. Rawlings and Rogers a silver-mounted cigarette case to each, suitably inscribed, on behalf of the class, as a token of appreciation for their services. Mrs Penfold said that it gave her great pleasure to make the presentation, and he would ask Mr Rawlings and Mr Rogers to accept the presents with their best wishes. Both recipients suitably responded. Mr Penfold on behalf of the com- mittee thanked the company for their kind patronage, and announced that it was their intention to hold another dance on Easter Monday night.

DYMOCK. I CHURCH FINANCE.—The very general move in the country to put the finances of the church in a better position has at last been felt in the parish, and at a recent meeting of the church- wardens and sidesmen, what is known as The free-will offering scheme" was adopted. A finance committee was appointed, together with a secretary, and the result of the response to the first appeal was considered fairly satis- factory. It was felt that this scheme, which is largely mooted and controlled by laymen, will be very generally supported in the parish as its objects become more widely known. Briefly the scheme consists of a number of parishioners pledging themselves to contribute a certain fixed sum, ranging from a halfpenny to 5s per week, either weekly or quarterly, to the funds of the church, the said funds to be applied to church expenses, curate fund, church aid fund, and other purposes as the funds will allow, and as the Finance Committee may apportion them. Papers for signature -may be obtained from the Secretary, Mr Griffiths. MR. W. HERBERT DRUMMOND'S CAMPAIGN.— IMPORTANT UNIONIST MEETING.—Despite the inclemency of the weather, a fair company assembled at the Rifle Hall, Dymock, on Thurs- day evening last, when an important Unionist meeting was held under the auspices of the Forest of Dean Conservative and Liberal Unionist Association, and the Dymock Branch of the Women's Tariff Reform League. Mr Acworth presided, and introduced Mr W Herbert Drummond, prospective Unionist for the Forest of Dean Division.—Mr Drummond, who was greeted with loud applause, expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present that evening. He proposed to deal with the leading political questions before the country to-day. Undoubtedly the most burning of these was that of Home Rule, and the position had now become so serious that there appeared to be little alternative but civil war. The Govern- ment had had a golden opportunity of coming to a reasonable compromise since last August, but had imposed conditions which the Unionist leaders, however anxious they might be to come to terms, could not for one moment agree to. It was the plain duty of Mr Asquith and his colleagues to appeal to the country on this great question, as they had no mandate to pass Home Rule at the last election. Having dealt with Home Rule in many of its aspects, Mr Drummond went on to deplore the recent scandals in connection with some of the fore- most public men of the day, and maintained that it was high time some code of honour should be laid down for those who aspired to public life. Mr Drummond also dealt fully with the question of national defences, and briefly touched on the subject of Welsh Dis- establishment. His very comprehensive and well-reasoned speech was highly appreciated by his audience, and at its conclusion the Rev G H Barrett proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman and Mr Drummond. This was seconded by Mr Baxter and unanimously carried. Mr Drummond and the Chairman having suitably acknowledged the vote, the meeting terminated. 1/8 sent to the Reporter Office, Ledbury, will ensure a copy of this paper being sent post free etrery Friday evening for a quarter (13 weeks).

r LEDBURY AND DISTRICT AIR-RIFLE LEAGUE. LEAGUE TABLE TO DATE. Shot Wan Lo Tied AI!t. Pts Fox 21 21 0 0 5010 42 W hite Hart 21 17 3 1 4914 35 New Inn 22 15 (j 1 5143 31 Nondescripts 21 13 7 1 480S 27 Yew Tree. 21 13 8 0 4768 26 Putley. 21 11 s 2 4686 24 Biddulph 21 11 10 0 4753 22 Talbot 20 10 9 1 4495 21 Wellington 21 9 11 1 4740 19 Bell 21 7 13 1 4648 15 Prince of Wales 21 7 14 0 4693 14 Wellington Hth 21 6 15 0 4610 12 Plough 19 2 17 0 3908 4 Ledbury W.M.C. 21 0 21 0 4157 0 NEW INN v. LEDBURY W.M.C. Shot on the former's range and won by the homesters by 91 points, the visitors being two men short. Score:- New Inn—J C Smith 32, F Smith 26, W Dowding 28. H Farley 28, IV ) lien 30, F Drink- water 30, E W Palmer 30, A T Jones 30—total 234. W.M.C.—J Smith 21, B Harris 27, W Hodges 23, C Hill 21, W F West 31, L Christopher 21- -total 143. YEW TREE v. NONDESCRIPTS. Shot on the former's rawrc and won by the visitors by 6 points. Score :— Yew Tree-II Wharton 33, P Lewis 32, F Crabbe 26, H Hill 27, W Garrett. 29. W Clarke 26, G Moore 27, A Cotterell 31—total 231. Nondescripts—E W Reed 30 R A Paul 32, F W Cotton 25, H Cox 26, D 0 Evans 29, S Bowen 32, T G Drew 30, W S Bowes 33—total 237. PRINCE OF WALES v. WHITE HART. Shot on the former's range and won by the visitors by 6 points. Score Prince of W ales- W Turner 28, H Baynham 29, E Gibbons 27, O E Watts 29, J Webb 28, W Chadd 31, J Jones 29, T Davies 30-total 231. White Hart—W Connop 30, H Smith 28, J Smith 28, T Phillips 30, E Howard 31, C Curnock 30, P Adams 30, C Fardon 30—total 237. WELLINGTON HEATH v. WELLINGTON. Shot on the formei's range and won by the visitors by 13 point. Score :— Wellington Heath—H Payne 30, G Jones 20. T Stephens 29, M Hankins 28, C Pedlingham 26, F Drew 30, D Smith 28, G Curnock 28-total 220. Wellington-P Brake 27. C Moss 31, G Wadley 27, H Burford 30, C Webley 28, J Hunt 30, C Thomas 28, W Lane 32-total 233. BIDDULPH ARMS v. NEW INN. Shot on the former's range and won by the visitors by 16 points. Score — Biddulph-T Porter 30, W Price 30, W E Hyde 28, G Chadd 28, C Smart, junr 29, J Potter 27, W Brookes 24, C Smart, senr, 29—total 225. New Inn-J C Smith 28, W Dowding 32, E W Palmer 31, W Allen 31, H Farley 26, F Drink- water 33, W Pitt 30, A T Jones 30—total 241. WELLINGTON v YEW TREE. Shot on the former's range and won by the visitors by 4 points. Seore:- Yew Tree-H Wharton 31, P Lewis 31, H Hill 31, W Bourton 30. W Harford 25, W Clarke 27, G Meore 29, A Cotterell 32-total 236. Wellington-C Webley 27,C Moss 29, P George 27, W Jones 29, C Thomas 28, J Hunt 29, F J Brake 30, W Lane 33-total 232. BELL v. PUTLEY. Shot on the range of the former and ended in a tie. Seores BeU-J Vicarage 28, J Hodges 30, B Morris 25, W Davies 27, W Hodges 32, G Mills 29, F Walker 27, H Griffiths 33-total 231. Putley-A H Wilson 29, C Taylor 30, H Hyde 29, R Preece 25, E Williams 29, C Baggott 31, L. Preece 26, J Smith 32—total 231.

The twenty-seventh annual ordinary general meeting of the Ledbury Markets and Fairs Company, Ltd., was held at Mr Henry Garrood's Office, the Southend, Ledbury, on Tuesday, 24th February, 1914, at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, for the consideration of the accounts, balance- sheet, and the ordinary report of the Directors, the election of directors, and other officers is the place of those retiring and for sanctioning a dividend. The report of the directors stated that at the request of the Farmers' Union a portable unloading stage has been purchase at a cost of k6 10s, and the balance-sheet showed a balance of j3154 Is 5d available for dividend. The directors recommended the payment of a dividend of 25 per cent, leaving a substantial balance to be carried to next year's account. The directors retiring were Messrs William Hartland and William Lilly Pritchett, who were re-elected.

BOUQUETS. WREATHS. CROSSES. Harps, Anchors, Sprays, or any other design made up by expert hands with the choicest Flowers in season, at reasonable prices. Carefully packed and sent to any part of the British Isles at short notice. VIOLETS A SPECIALITY. I have 4,000 plants of Double and Single to pick from, from now till April. Also a splendid lot of Chrysanthemums and other Flowers. Boxes of Cut Flowers Sent post free for Is 6d, 2s 6d, and upwards. Fruit Trees, Roses, Shrubs, Herbaceous Plants, Alpine Plants, and Spring Bedding Pleats, at reasonable prices. Silver Sand, Peat, Loam, Charcoal, Mats, and all requisites for the garden supplied at cut prices. New Gardens laid out, old ones renovwted. Tennis Courts, Croquet Lawns, Bowling Greens, and Cricket Grounds. A trial order solicited. Satisfaction Guaranteed. W. BUNN, Nurseryman,. OOLWALL. I DAVID SMITH" SON Monumental Sculptors, LEDBURY. MONUMENTS, TOMBS, HEAD- STONES and CROSSES of every description, in Marble, Granite and Stone, fixed in any part of the kingdom. OLD MONUMENTS RENOVATED. Designs and Estimates sent free application.

^7- Bfrtbs, dDarrtases, an5 Breaths. DEATHS. REYNOLDS-February 21, at Wellington Heath, Jane Ellen Reynolds, aged 78 years. ROBINSON.—February 25, at The Redlands, Much Marcle, Florence May Robinson, aged 19 years. BACOCK February 24, at Ledbury Uaion, Harriet Eacock, late of Wellington Heath, aged 79 years. IN MEMORIAM. BROWN.—In loving memory of Katherine Brown, the beloved wife of the late Henry Brown, of Wellington Heath, who died March 3rd, 1914, aged 84 years.-u Peace, perfect peace." From Maggie and Jim.

ARTHUR J. VIRGO. MONUMENTAL WORKS, Cathedral Close, Hereford Memorials in Marble, Granite or Stone. Designs Furnished. Brick Vaults & Stem Gnvo Country Work a Speciality. The Oldest Butiom in Hereford,