The Abergavenny Mail

KING & SONS, DRAPERS, MILLINERS, COSTUMIERS, |I SPECIAL SPRING SHOW I OF Costumes and Dresses. NEW FEATURE: Black and White and Coloured Checks. These Departments are also showing NEW WHITE GOODS for Confirmation Wear. DRESSMAKING A SPECIALITY. 2W Ladies are cordially invited to walk through the Premises and see the NOVELTIES in all Departments. POST ORDERS RECEIVE PROMPT PERSONAL ATTENTION. LONDON HOUSE, HEREFORD -.Ii. \ë

LEDBURY SWIMMING BATH I SCHEME. Something Definite at Last. I Proposal For Recreation Ground. I At the Ledbury Urban Council meeting on Monday, Mr E H Hopkins presiding, something definite was beard at last with reference to the public swimming bath scheme, which it was decided in 1911 should be provided as a coronation memorial, but hung fire owing to the lack of funds, and in the end was adopted by the Urban Council, chiefly through the efforts of Mr Hopkins. The Chairman submitted a short report of a meeting of the Swimming Bath Committee, which met last week. This stated that a meeting of the Committee was held at Mr Gurney's office, when the various interviews the Chairman bad had with Mr Martin and his agent, Mr Masefield, with reference to the site, were reported OC, and Mr Masefield, in consequence of the arrangement with Mr Martin, submitted a draft of the proposed lease. The terms of the lease were for a period of 20 years renewable for a further 20 years, at an annual rent of £ 3 a year, payable half-yearly, and the usual provisions as between landlord and tenant. The Com- mittee carefully inspected the draft and recommended its acceptance and that the seal of the Council be affixed thereto. He proposed the adoption of the report. Father Lynch seconded, and said it was very good news to all of them that the bath scheme was going to go through. Mr Lewis Where is this ground. The Chairman The site has been before the Council. Is it really necessary for me to reply to that question ? Mr Preece: I think the plan has been before the public and been objected to. Is that JMO in the estimate for the new rate for the swimming bath to be an annual or a half-yearlv charge until you get enough money to build the bath ? I shall certainly move an amendment that the scheme be not accepted. Mr Warren said the new Councillors had tried to get information about the scheme, and had never been able to do so. They wanted to know where this site was. The Chairman explained that the ground was 1.159 acres, and was in the Hereford- road. In 1913 the Council invited the Coronation Swimming Bath Committee to hand over to them the amount they had succeeded in collecting publicly from various sources, and the Council would proceed to carry the scheme into effect. Mr Preece On this particular site ? The Chairman, continuing, said a com- mittee was appointed, proposed by Mr Lawrence, seconded by Mr Carleas, and the Committee were empowered to go thoroughly into the whole question, and to bring the matter up on report to this Council. The question of various sites naturally had the consideration of the Committee from time to time, and the Committee were of opinion that the best possible scheme so far as supply of water- was concerned, without interfering with their present waterworks arrangement, was the particular site on the Hereford-road. The site was in a meadow rented by Mr Martin to Mr Bill, and was adjoining The Express. The plans and specification were prepared and were ready for advertising when a deadlock occurred as between Mr Martin and the Committee. He had seen Mr Martin several times on the point, and at the end of their interviews Mr Martin decided to reduce his previous suggested rent of £ 5 a year to one of JE3. Personally, he was satisfied that it was the best possible arrangement that could be made and if it were otherwise he would not ask the Council to accept the draft lease and affix the seal of the Council to the agree- ment. Mr Preece: Surely we have a right to that agreement and see its conditions ? The Chairman passed the agreement on to Mr Preece. Mr Preece proposed that this matter be adjoarned for at least one month or two months until the next election of members takes place. He was sure that the site proposed was not agreeable to the majority of the ratepayers of Ledbury, otherwise they would have had no difficulty in getting more than L70 for a public swimucing bath in Ledbury. He was sure it was not a site for the Council to adopt or take into considera- tion at all. They wanted something that would be beneficial to the people of Ledbury. The site proposed was altogether out of the way. He suggested they should adjourn the matter until after the next election and then see if there was a majority in favour of the proposed site of the public swimming bath. Mr Davis said he was in favour of the scheme, but unless they could get a place somewhere nearer the centre of the town he was afraid people would not use it. He seconded the amendment of Mr Preece, not because of his own personal feeling, but because he had been approached by so many people about, it. Mr Wnrren The site by the old ash-heap is one of the most undesirable places in the town. Mr Baetow was strongly in favour of the scheme. There were a good many things, in his mind, which were favourable to the scheme. The ash-heap referred to by Mr Warren was not always going to be there and that would be no detriment to the site. There was one great thing in its favour and that was there was an ample supply of pure water running down there to supply the bath. He was quite willing to grant that there was a certain amount of opposition to it, but they did not hear of the support for it. Mr Preece It would have been forthcom- ing in the shape of subscriptions. Mr Bastow: You go romnd twelve months after the coronation and try to get sub. iptions for anything. As far as the distance from tke town is concerned, how far is it ? It is not more than five minutes from the station. If we begin to think about baths in the centre of the town you have to think of water supply. With the present consump- tion of water we should have none too much, especially if we bad a dry summer. A good many people in summer walk up to Stores Brook or else they go to Eastnor. Proceed- ing, Mr Bastow said the distance should not be taken into account at all. On the spot there is a supply of water which Mr Gurney assured them he took notice of all last summer and there was always a full supply of water going through to supply a swim- ming bath. They would always have the water absolutely clean. If they had a site near the centre of the town they would have to take a supply from the main, and they could not afford to keep pumping water to supply the bath. As regards delaying it if they did that it would mean there would be another summer gone before they could have a swimming bath for Ledbury. He thought they should proceed with the scheme and get it through before the warm weather comes. Mr Lewis: Can the Chairman or Mr Gurney tell us anywhere near the estimated outlay ? The Surveyor: Approximately L250. Mr Lewis And we have got 170. Mr Bastow Nearly £ 90. Mr Warren Did the Committee take into consideration the nearness of the line embankment? Won't the trains overlook this place ? The Chairman Naturally the construc- tion and protection will be such as to hide it to a great extent. Mr Jones thought the objections now raised were a bit ridiculous. The plans were exhibited in the late Mr Stephens' window for two or three months. It seemed a little bit off for members to come now and say they had not seen the plans and didn't know where the site was. The site was suit- able and the water supply was good. Mr Lawrence said he must support the original scheme, when there was no other place in Ledbury where they would. get a free supply of water for the bath. Mr Preece: Is there no water from the Conigree ? The voting was then taken, and seven voted for the adoption of the report and three for the amendment, the former being therefore carried. THE NEED FOR A RECREATION I GROUND. Mr Lawrence at the last meeting gave notice of motion that at this meeting he would move a resolution calling attention to the need of a recreation ground, and in now submitting his resolution he said the last report with regard to the public swimming bath had knocked the ground from under his feet. It was his intention to ask a town's meeting to be called to see if the money collected for the swimming bath could be appropriated for a recreation ground for Ledbury. His resolution was That the attention of the Council be called to the need of a recreation ground for Ledbury." When this matter was before the public at the time of the Coronation, he, in connection with a large number of people, was interested in a recreation ground. It was suggested then that a recrea- tion ground should be made the Coronation scheme, but that was defeated, and he threw his might into the scheme for a swimming bath. Still, they required a recreation ground. Some years ago a child was knocked down in Ledbury and he heard a remark that the children had no right to play in the streets. He asked where they were to play. If they commandeered a field they soon brought trouble on their little heads. One hundred years ago there were Acts parosed which took 140 acres of land from the people of Ledbury, and at Eastnor they took 220 acres. If those people who took the land would be kind enough to look back through their papers and hand over 40 acres the people of Ledbury would be only too pleased to receive it. He hoped the Council would take into consideration the resolution he had moved and do their beat, to provide a recreation ground for Ledbury. Mr Lewis Without increasing the rate. Mr Thacker seconded. Mr Preece supported. As Mr Stephens used to say, it would be like a chip in porridge-do no harm. The resolution was carried unanimously, but when it came to nominating a Committee, every Councillor who was nominated with- drew with the exception of Mr Lawrence and Mr Warren.

HEREFORDSHIRE FRUIT-GROWERS' ASSOCIA- TION.—At the Herefordshire Fruit-growers' Association annual meeting at Hereford, on Wednesday, Dr H E Durham was elected pre- sident and, Mr George Marshall, the retiring president, was elected vice-president. The accounts showed a deficit of j34, but outstanding subscriptions amounted to 229. It was decided to increase the subscription by Is. in order to re-issue the year-book, and a committee was appointed to enquire into arrears of subscriptions and other matters.

LEDBURY URBAN'S BUDGET. Charge for Water Reduced. I New Rate at a Shilling In the jB. I A Reduction of 4d In the A. I Good News for the Ratepayers. I At the monthly meeting of the Ledbury Urban Council, held on Monday last, Mr E H Hopkins presiding, oneofthe most satisfactory budgets our local Chancellor of the Excheqaer has had the pleasure of submitting was dealt with, in which it was foreshadowed that for the six months April to September next inclusive, the urban district rate will be at Is in the £ a reduction of 4d-which will thus counteract the rise of 4d during the last six months in the poor rate-and that the charge for water is to be reduced from 2a 6d per thousand gallons to 2s. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. r The Chairman submitted the report of the Finance Committee, which showed that the receipts for the month amounted to JE603 Is 4d, including Y.211 12a 5d on account of general district rate, L77 17s 6d water charges, .£280 13s 5d from the County Council for repairs to main roads, and £ 30 for half-year's rent of Jubilee Meadows. The bills for payment amounted to 1154 lis, and were of the usual character, the labour bills amounting to Y-40 17s Id. The work of the collector was of a very satisfactory character and left a very small amount to be collected by the end of the month. The cheque from the County Council was the repayment of bills paid by the Urban Council for the main- tenance of the main roads, and that payment had aever been made to them at this time of the year. The work on the footpaths in Newtown accounted for the increase in the labeur bills. The Committee recommended that the charity houses in Bye-street be treated as void. The Committee went through the rate book and wrote off the sum of £ 18 10s lid for voids and Z2 14s for allowances on the water charges. This amount was seriously in excess of their experience during tbe last few years. On the account supplied by the County Council there were no particulars given of any re- payment to the Council for the services of the Surveyor, and in the opinion of the Com- mittee the County Council should be aSked why this was and they had instructed the Clerk to make that enquiry. I REDUCTION OF CHARGE FOR WATER. The Committee had also under considera- tion the question of reducing the price of water from 28 6d to 2s per thousand gallons. The Committee felt they were in a position to do this. It was promised the last titne he submitted the estimate for the rate and he was pleased indeed to ask the Council to accept that recommendation, the reduction applying to the urban district. In reducing the price to 2s the minimum charge would be reduced from 53 to 4s, and 2s for the rent of meter. THE NEW RATE. Proceeding, Mr Hopkins said the Com- mittee also considered the estimate for a general district rate in respect of expenditure between the 31st March and the 30th Sep- tember, 1914, and it was gone through in detail and settled as follows :—Expenditure —Sewerage zC120, water supply .£120. main roads and scavenging 150, watering £48, district roads L150, footpaths L75, scaveng- ing 130, stable Y,80, street works and improvements L50, lighting V,150, fire brigade X40, salaiies .£100. establishment £20, loans L300, swimming bath £ 60, con- tingencies L200 total £ 1,593. Less balance at bank Y,607, uncollected of rate and water charges £ 188— £ 793, water receipts X150. other receipts Y,50, making total receipts of £993, leaving a total required to be raised from the rates of X600. A rate of Is in the £ was estimated to produce L600, and the Committee recommend that a general district rate of Is in the L be ordered and that notices be g iven for the same with a view to the rate being sealed at the monthly meeting of the Council in April. He thought the Council were to be congratulated on the fact that they were in a position to recommend the red uction of the rate by 4d in the £ and thus relieve the ratepayers of what during the past six months had certainly been a hardship. In submitting the estimate for the rate last time the Finance Committee had no idea that they were going to be sprung by the County Council with a special rate for main road purposes. They rather anticipated that although they had ceased to contract with the County Council it was necessary for them to include a sufficient sum of money to pay all the bills and be paid by the County Council as in the past, but the Roads and Bridges Committee were of opinion they would requite money at once, and the Finance Committee of the County Council issued a special call for 3d in the £ for that purpose. Having made the rate and sealed it the Finance Committee of the Urban Council could not go back on it, but the Ledbury Union in issuing their precept increased their call on the Ledbury Urban overselrs to such an extent that it necessitated an increase on the Ledbury Urban poor rate of 4d in the JE, making it Is lOd instead of Is 6d. He was somewhat of opinion that if the auditor would have agreed, they could have relieved the ratepayers at once by pay- ing a sufficient sum from the Urban Council rate to meet the increase in the poor rate, in view of the fact that the Urban Council had included £ 250 in their estimate and were then asked by the Union for another IC200. The auditor quite saw the drift of the argu- ment and regretted that he could only pass cheques and payment made by the Council for specific work done or materials supplied. He was unable to give any guarantee if they adopted the procedure he (the speaker) suggested. In the end the urban ratepayers had to pay this amount twice. He was indeed pleased that they had now the oppor- tunity of putting that right and placing it back to the ratepayers and he trusted they would accept that explanation with regard to it. In the future they would not be receiving anything from the County Council under contract, but they would be receiving exactly what they paid. The fact remained, of course, that over and above the amount that they expended on the County Council's behalf and received back a certain amount of street watering and scavenging of the main roads had to be done, which naturally would be a slight cost to the district, but they would be RELIEVED OF THE LOSS I that he bad pointed out to the Council they had been sustaining under their contract with the County Council. In the past they had estimated for £350, and it had cost Z200 more than that, which they had bad to pay for the privilege of doing the County Council's work. Now they were relieved of that loss, it relieved the rates. Although the Committee had been generous in their estimates for work to be done they were quite satisfied that they would be able to do the work of the Council with a shilling rate. It might be said that L607 was a somewhat large amount for the Council to have as a credit balance at the bank. That was accounted for as between £ 200 and £ 250 not spent on main roads, also by the fact that they bad received from the County Council £ 280 earlier than they would have received it under ordinary circumstances, and also during the past six months they had been unable to obtain the necessary materials they hoped to get for the district footpaths. He never thought the balance would have been anythisg like so large an amount. Still they were in a flourishing conditiou at the present moment, and it was only right and just to the ratepayers that they should reduce the rate by such a large amount as 4d in the E. He moved the adoption of the report, that cheques as read be granted, that voids and irrecoverables of rate and allowance on water charges be allowed, that the charge for water be reduced to 28 per thousand gallons instead of 2s 6d, and that a rate of Is in the £ be ordered to be made to eover the expenditure for the ensuing six months with a view to the rate being sealed at the next meeting. Mr Clarke seconded. WILL THE RATE GO DOWN? I Mr Preece: Can the ratepayers assume that the poor rate will be less than Is lOd in the £ for the next half-year ? The Chairman Undoubtedly it will. Mr Preece Have we any right to assume with the increase of rate for other parposes that it will be less than Is lOd ? The Chairman: There is nothing at all on my mind with regard to the poor rate that would warrant so much increase. Mr Preece: Is there anything on your mind that will warrant a decrease ? I want to know whether that Is lOd will be decreased. The Chairman I see no reason why the poor rate should not go back to its original amount of Is 6d in the £ It will most decidedly be less. Mr Preece It will not. The question of increase of teachers' salaries was raised, and the Chairman said the salaries for the teachers were paid out of the common fund, and their moiety was paid through the poor rate. So far as the Local Education Committee went at the present moment the difference in the salaries amounted to one-sixth of a penny in the iL Mr Preece: Therefore we may have a decrease in the county rate. The Chairman I take it for granted that the Roads aud Bridges Committee will not ask for a special rate to be raised as they did last half-year. Mr Warren said in his mind it was a very serious question whetherthe taking overoftbe main roaits by the County Council was a mistake when the rate collector came round with an increase of 4d in the Y,, which was due to this matter. Although the Council had been able to take 4d off the urban rate it was simply taking it out of one pocket and cutting it in another. Then they had partly lost control of the roads, and it was no very great difference to the Urban Council the County Council taking over the roads, and if there was no prospect of that 4d being taken off the poor rate then they would be as they were before. He was very glad that they were able to manage with a shilling rate and hoped they would be able to continue to do so. I ROBBING PETER TO PAY PAUL. I Mr Thacker candidly admitted be was disappointed. All the little boys in the street would tell them that 4d would be taken off the Urban rate as it was put on the poor rate. He coa-ld not understand how it was called a reduction. They had already paid the 4d. The Chairman: I refer entirely to Led- bury Urban. Mr Thacker I should like to see another 2d off. It's a sort of robbing Peter to pay Paul. It has got to come out of our pockets anyhow. Mr Bastow: Has this Council anything to do with the decision of the County Council taking over the main roads? The County Council bad a perfect right to take over the repair of the roads if they so decided. I said at the time we should have to pay for our own roads at the finish. It has got to come out of our pockets at the finish. Proceeding, Mr Bastow said he did not see how anybody could expect that the rate would decrease because the County Council took over the roads-it had got to be paid for. If the Urban Conncil had not consented to cease contracting they would have been compelled to sooner or later. They were the County Council's roads, not the Urban Council's. He was very pleased himself that they could reduce their rate down to Is, and if they could keep it at that they should consider themselves very lucky, when they looked at the rate in other towns. Mr Thacker: They get'something for it. Mr Bastow I don't they get much more than we do. Mr Preece: I think the reduction of 4d is a matter for congratulation. Is it probable we shall get the poor rate of Is lOd red uced or increased ? If we get 4d off one rate and 6d on another, then we shall be in a worse plight after all. The report was then unanimously adopted.

HEREFORD MARKET. (Special Farmers' Union Report). There was a fairly good supply of stock in the market to-day (Wednesday), and prices generally were very good. CATTLE. I There was a good supply of store cattle, and trade good for all classes. Barrens especi- ally were very dear. BEEF. Moderate supply, for which trade was rather better than last week. Best beef 7id to 8d per lb. Other qualities 6d to 7id. Fat calves up to lid. SHEEP. I A moderate supply. Store sheep sold very well, as also did ewes and lambs. Fat sheep did not fetch the sensational prices of last week. Best tog mutton 9jd to lOd per lb. Best wether mutton 8id to 9id. Other qualities, 7id to 8ltd. PIGS. I A moderate supply. Sm&U stores 263 to 30 s. Porks and b?cona not quite so de&r &s l?st week. Porks, 6?d to 7?d per lb. Boon8 5H to 6?d. I CORN. I A quiet market with prices practically un- changed, except that wheat was a trifle firmer. Wheat per 62 lbs, 38 lid to 4s. Id. Oats per 40 lbs, 2a 6d to 3s. Malting barley per 56 lbs, 3s 6d to 4s. Grinding barley per 56 lbs 3s to 3s 6d. Beans per 65i lbs, 4s to 4a 2d. HAY TRADE. I Hay trade very slow. Good wheat straw in good demand. Quotations are for good quality in stackseller to deliver on rail. Best hay 50s to 55s per ton. Second quality hay 45s to 50s. Clovers (good) 50s to 55s. Good wheat straw 50s to 60s.

Corn Famine in Gloucestershire. Cornex has made Corns scarce. No Pain. 7 d. —MINCHIN, Chemist, 15, Weatgate, Gloucestt-r. Local Agent MB. MEACHAM, Chemist, Lsdbnry.

IT WILL INTEREST YOU To know of The Astounding Value that Wilks' Stores Are now offering in a hundred SPECIAL LINES. Here I r. a few: English Cheese Good Quality. Slightly Tasty. 6|d and 7d. per lb Pure Butter Extra Choice. At 1/2 per lb., Nut | Margarine Equal to Butter. Made from NUTS and MILK. Only 8d. per lb. Try a sample. TEA 1/6 and 1/8 per lb Remember Straight from the Chest. Self-raising Flour In bags. 3d., 6d., and 1/- None better for Pastry, Cakes, etc. WILKS' as j& is N rd ] <t)Mt< e 2 I- CD  <  P*4 ?E r?'?'/   ? M Su  -I .cd m g ?, SUZXAMtj J  j  ? :a c.. ?????ssgBB? z GO ■ Absolutely wind proof. Burns 20 hours for 1 pint of oil. English made. f-in burner, Rivetted handle. Japanned red. Average weight 21b 5oz. Heavy wrought foot. Each lamp boxed. The finest lamp on the market. All the newest improvements. Price 2/6 each only. Also a large quantity of Burners and Glasses to suit these lamps. Large stock of Foot Warmers 9 From 1/1 teach. Note the Address— 10 &11, HIGH STREET LEDBURY.

ORIGINAL POETRY. IN MEMORIAM. 1 bring my wreath of verse, my heart's death- song My yearly tribute to your soul at peace. Not yet forgotten, though the years are long, Remembrance lasts until the years shall cease. Dreams that are precious hold me fast in bond. Glad golden dreams we shared in days of old Now you are sleeping in the vast Beyond, Dreams are the only treasure that I hold. The Door has clanged upon the bitter past; Who shall utter 11 Nay when fate has spoken ? Out of my silent grief while life shall last, I bring my wreath of verse, my heart's token. Newbury Park. ALFRED RUDALL. I Newbury Park. March, 1914.

THE LEDBURY CAS COMPANY'S I SHOWROOM. A New Departure. I People who have had occasion to walk down New-street, Ledbury, on Tuesday, Thursday or Saturday evenings of late, cannot but have been struck with the latest evidence of commercial activity on the part of that hitherto much maligned corporate body, the Ledbury Gas, Coal and Coke Co;, Ltd., in the new departure they have introduced, to wit, an up-to-date show room. As one is about to commence to give to the public some idea of the various matters of utility to be found in the show-room one cannot but recall the old adage that competi- tion is good for business. In other words had we had no electric light supply in Ledbury I very much doubt whether we should at the present time have the opportunity now afforded of seeing in actual working some of the more up-to-date lights and utensils which one finds in the show- room so excellently fitted up by the Gas Company, the directors of which are to-day adopting those go-ahead business methods which it is necessary to adopt when there is no longer a monopoly, but real, live competi- tion to face. However, it is not my purpose within the purview of this article to dilate on. the. shortcomings in the past of the Company's board of directors rather is it my purpose, metaphorically speaking, to give them and their methodical, essentially business secretary, a pat on the back for at last—(the directors)—rousing themselves from the lethargic state which has so often made them the butt of ridicule and contumely comment. BRILLIANCE IN EXCELSIS. I The showroom is the premises formerly occupied by the Ledbury Working Men's Club, and no structural alterations have been carried out, but the large and lofty room has been redecorated, so as to make it attractive, and it has been furnished with the needs necessary for the purpose it is designed to fulfil. The first thing that attracts the attention on approaching. the showroom is the outside lamp, which is a Bland No. 15, 375 candle-power. The directors are of opinion that there is an opening in Ledbury for outside lighting such as this lamp demonstrates, and they are giving it a fair test with a view of satisfying themselves and the public of its efficacy as a means of outside lighting. It is a flight burner and is undoubtedly a brilliant light. In addition to being illum- inated in the usual way, it is worked on a switch from a switch-board just inside the door of the room, and it can be illuminated and put out without any more trouble than one exerts in switching on and off electric light, showing in a manner not before seen in the town the convenience of a switch for gas-lighting. The show-rail in front of the window is fitted with four upright improved Bray 80- candle power burners, and two inverted Pyrol 80-candle-power burners fitted complete. Across the window are three single-drop pendants, the centre one being a 300-candle power Bon-Bac burner, an 80-candle-power Bland and a similar capacity Pyrol. These particular burners are being given a very high test, and it has been found from the experience of the recent winter that they are proving eminently successful; in fact so much so that as far as the Pyrol is con- cerned, repeat orders have been incessant. I GAS FOR DOMESTIC USES. In no department of household purposes has the use of gas progressed more of late years than in purely domestic purposes, auch as cooking and heating, and around. the room are to be found cookers, grillers, boiling rings, and gas fires in profusion. Here is a Parkinson griller with hot plate rack and stand,very suitable for small families where an ordinary large cooker would not be convenient. These grillers can be fitted witu a length of metallic tubing exactly in the same way as a boiling ring. In front of one of the fireplaces is a Wright's Thermo X gas fire, 17 inch fire front, fitted with duplex tap by which the fire can be reduced one-half. Any of the black finish fires on exhibition the Company are prepared to hire at reasonable quarterly rates. The fire is finished off with a proper tiled back, and imitation tiled hearth. Another of these Thermo X fires on exhibi- tion has a copper finish, and there are other smaller sizes, all Wright's make. One of Parkinn's gas fires has fitted to it a boiling ring, and both fire and boiling ring can be used jointly or independently of each other. Coming to cooking stoves there is a full raag on show of Parkinson cookers, No 2, No 4, No 6, and No 8, this practically covering the sizes necessary in a town like Ledbury. In connection with these cookers it mav- be mentioned that in addition to the methods the Company have previously adopted with regard to quarterly hire at reasonable rates, the directors are adopting an additional scheme which they are of opinion will command a certain amount of success. They are pre- pared at a customers option to sell out- right or to sell on the hire purchase system, so that instead of what to many customers is au objectionable method (paying hire for years), the Company are prepared to give them the option to purchase the cooker outright in three years. There is also on view a range of Parkinson grillers without stands. I AN INTERESTING EXHIBITION. On a stand is an exhibition silver- plated peany-in-the-slut, or prepayment meter, enclosed in a glass case, in actual working order, showing the system of the penny-in-the-slot meter complete. It is exactly the same meter as was shown at the National Gas Exhibition in London, and has been lent for exhibition purposes by the makers, Messrs George Glover and Co, Ltd. By the side of it is fixed a standard burner, operating in con- junction with it. Over one of the mantelpieces are two Bland 80-caudle power burners with porcelain finish, fitted complete with bead shades, which give a very pretty effect. Over the other mantelpiece is another Blaod 80-candle power burner fitted with a push switch, which is operated from the switch board previously referred to. Adjoin- ing it is a similar burner fitted complete with a Telephos switch. The difference between the two is that the first-named puts the service of gas on to a by-pass, and the Telephos switch has no by-pass. It is connected with a dry cell battery, and the switch allows a small quantity of gas to pass through and makes a contact, igniting the gas. Fixed si round the walls of the room are various upright and inverted single and double brackets, these covering a large range. One of these is a patent rise and fall bracket, by which the light can be moved to any height desired. Across the centre of the room is a show-rail fitted with I-light, 2-light and 3-light pen- dants, hall lamps, and 81SØ a (")mpI,4te'l' rise and fall single pendant with a n-i .-win'ta.. In a corner of the room is a iduuguau- Geyser, and to complete the exhibition is. a.. full-sized bath. Enough hot water can be heated for a penny sufficient for one t&. perform. one's ablutions and ? its hardiness cannot be over estimated. The whole of the lights in the show-Toon*' are served from a 30-light meter. Iii. addition to the appliances described there. are various boiling rings and gas accessories of all descriptions on exhibition. In coaolueion k would be as well to impress. upon the public the fact that the show-room is not a shop. It is simply and solely an exhibition for demonstrating to customers various lights, ifres, stoves, etc. where- they can see them in actual use, and, thus be better able to form an idea as to which pattern is best'suited to their own particular purposes and tastes. The show- room is open each Tuesday, Thursday and. Saturdc-y evening from Tito 9 p.m., and at other times by appointment. Daring the. time the show-room is open a practical fitter is in attendance who can demonstrate with any light or utensil desired. And, let me add, the show-room is well worth a visit. U-L-

CHELTENHAM STEEPLECHASES. New Stand Opened. The fine new stand which has been erected1 to cope with the rapidly increasing membership of the Cheltenham Steeplechase Club, was formally opened on the course at Prestbury Park by the Earl of Coventry on, Monday. Prepar- atory to next week's National Hunt Meeting Major the Hon. C J Coventry made an official inspection of the course, with which he expressed himself well satisfied. « Both functions were attended by a number of gentlemen .prominently concerned with the meet- ing, among them being the following Stewards:. Lieut.-Colonel Yardley, Major Purvis, Captain Henley, Colonel Churchill, Mr F J Longworth with Mr E H Cathcart representing Messrs. Pratt and Co., the promoters and stakeholders. • The stand, which makes a handsome addition to the already fine range of buildings, was erected at a cost of L3,000, and as well as containing a handsomely appointed room for the exclusive use of the National Hunt Com- mittee, together with several private boxes and accommodation for members of the club, it also has accommodation on the roof:, for 1,000* persons, who will have au uninterrupted view of the entire course. The opening of the stand was calebrated by. a luncheon at which Lord Coventry- presided, and spoke of the wonderful developments which, had taken place on the course since the arrange- ment of the meeting was taken over by Messrs. Pratt and Co., saven years ago. Nearly £ 50,000) had been expended on improvements. Mr Cathcart, replying to the toast of his. health, mentioned that a great effort would be. made to retain National Hunt meeetings at Cheltenham, and pointed out that since the. first National Hunt meeting was held there a few years ago the stakes had increased from, £.4,000 to B7,125 offered next week. The club was the strongest of its kind in the country, tha. present membership being no less than 610. THE NATIONAL HUNT MEETING. The National Hunt SteepleBe meeting is fixed for Wednesday and Thursday in next week, when tho entries throughout are exceed- ingly good, and thert) is every promise of some fine sport. There are six races each day, and cheap fares will be run to the racecourse station from this district. The most prominent leppers aad hurdle racers in the country ara entered, and all round the prospects for a. successful meeting are better than ever. SPRING MEETING. The events on the first day, April 15tblloo are: Amateur Steeplechase Handicap, of 200 sovs. Goanty Open Hunters' Handicap Steeple- chase, of 858ovs. Stayers' Handicap HurdI. Race, of 85"ovs.; Four- Years-Old Handicap Hurdle Rice, of 85sovs. Entrios for above close on M;trch 17th, to Messrs Pratt and Co 9, George-street, Hanover Square, London. Seven Springs Selling Steeplechase, of 7bsovs. and the Southam Selling Hurdle Race, 75sovs. Entries close, April 7th. On the second day, April 16th, the programme is United Hunts' Challenge Cup, valae 50 sows., with lOOaovs. added for the winner, entries for which close on MArch 10th Prince of Wales's Handicap Steeplechase of SSsovs. Cleeve Novices" Hurdle Race of 85sovs. (Entries close on March 17th) Swiadon Selling Handi- cap Steeplechase of 80SOVR. and the> Charlton Park Selling Handicap Hurdle Race, of 80sovs. Entries for the last two races close on March 31st.