The Abergavenny Mail

I OUR WEEKLY CALENDAR. Events advertised in these columns or for which we have received printing orders. TO-DAY (FRIDAY)- Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. TO-MORROW (SATURDAY)— Cricket Matches (see fixtures), Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 2-30, 6.30, and 8.45 p.m. SUNDAY- Church Services. Ledbury Brotherhood, Town Hall, Ledbury, 3 p.m. MONDAY- Whit Monday. Picture Palace-, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 2.30, 6-30 and 8-45. TUESDAY- Ledbury Urban Council, 7 30 p.m. Ltdbury Stock Market. Entertainment at Yatton Schoolroom. Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. WEDNESDAY— Ledbury Police Court, 11 am. Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. THURSDAY— Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. FRIDAY— Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 8 p.m. SATURDAY- Cricket Matches (see Fixtures). Picture Palace, Royal Hall, Ledbury, 2.30, 6.30, 8.45 p.m. FORTHCOMING EVENTS. Jane 25-Garden Fete at Canon-Ffrome Court. June 30-Sale of Coddington Court Estate at the Feathers Hotel,' Ledbury, by Messrs Pope and Smi; h, at 3 for 4 p.m. July 18—Annual Ledbury and District Lodge National Conservative League Excursion to Portsmouth. July 25-Annaal Summer Outing of the Here- fordshire Lodges National Conservative League to Bryngwyn. July 30-Hartpury and District Horse Show, Flower Show and Sports. August 3-Redmarley and District Flower Show.

SATURDAY, MAY 30, 1914. Topical Tattle. The discussion at the Guardians meeting on Tuesday respecting the proposed changes in the machinery for local rating was very interesting and especially the contribution of the Vice-Chairman, Mr J A Thompson, who showed a grasp of the subject which probably few of the Guardians possess. The point he made against the proposal to abolish the Assessment Committees and substitute a paid official to value property received the cordial approval of his fellow-members, and it is a long while since such a chorus of hear, hear," was heard on so a debatable subject as this is when he declared that the agriculturist had been taxed in the past on his stock-in-trade, and that the food-producing industry bad borne much more than its fair share of taxation. ♦ There is undoubtedly going to be a vast change in the system of local rating, if the present Government remain in office, and probably even if they don't, as it has been recognised now for years that the system whereby local rates are made responsible for education, the maintenance of main roads and lunatics, is all wrong. These matters are national subjects and not local, and being such they should be removed from local rates and made charges upon the income of the nation as a whole. It is particularly hard on an agricultural county like Herefordshire, with its vast mileage of roads, that the upkeep should bealocal charge, and that makes the burden particularly heavy on the farming industry, seeing that the bulk of the rates in the county are paid from agriculture. And at the same time that the charges for the maintenance of the roads is a local charge, yet the Treasury takes about 93,000 a year from the county in taxes paid by people living in the county for licenses for motors, carriages, etc. The allocation of a fixed sum from such licenses to the County Councils was a big blunder, as if the respective counties were allowed to keep the amounts they themselves collect in the counties it would make some difference, probably not a great one, but still a reduced rate would be the result, for whereas expendi- ture is growing and the receipts from licenses growing, yet the amount left in the county from such receipts is barely half of the total amount received. ♦ We have evidentlv not got into the way of observing Empire Day in Ledbury. True the schoolchildren observed it on Monday morning by all meeting at the boys' school, singing the National Anthem and saluting the flag, but apart from this, the ringing of the church bells and one or two flags being hung out the Empire was a dead letter so far as celebration of the Day was concerned. We really must see what we can do next year in this matter. It is the usual tale of every- body's business being nobody's business, and we must see if we can persuade somebody to make it their business next year. I sincerely trust that the suggestion thrown out at last Friday's gathering of the Ledbury and District Air-Rifle League, regarding the formation of a miniature rifle club, will bear good fruit. The manner in which air-rifle shooting has caught on as a pastime for the long nights in the winter months has really been remarkable, and while expressing my congratulations to the various members of the league, I would most sincerely impress upon them the importance of the suggestion thrown out by Mr T G Drew. That gentleman having broken the ice, might he not go a step further and take the lead in calling a meeting of loeal riflemen, of whom there are a good number in the town and district, who would be only too ready to join a miniature rifle club, if they could but see that business was meant. « When one can see flourishing miniature rifle clubs at villages such as Much Marcle, Tarrington and Canon Froome, it seems a positive disgrace to the riflemen of Ledbury that they do not go in for one. There was such a club some years ago, but that was before the sport became so popular io the county as it is to-day, and bad the club only existed a year or two longer I have no dyubt that it would have been in existence now. At the time of its being there were very few such clubs, nor was there a league or the trophies to be shot for that there are to-day. and without question a real good club MOLD be run at Ledbury. It is probably too late to do mveh this season as regafrcfa competing for the couaty trophies, but the dab coald be formed and placed on a working basis, and next season it would be plain sailing. Poor Mr Masterman has had another great fall. The question is whether all the Cab- inet's horses and all the Cabinet's men will ever put Mr Masterman together again. I do not think they will attempt the task. The fact is not to be blinked that Mr Mas- terman is not popular, and all the dislike of the imperfections of the Insurance Act seems to fall on his head. He has made energetic enemies in many quarters. ♦ The Red Heads. announces the Evening News," will be the principal new attraction next week." Will The Dead- heads be there also? Mr Churchill, Steersman is a heading in the Daily Mail." Mr Masterman looks like being the man overboard. TATTLER.

DYMOCK. Empire Day was celebrated on Monday last at both schools in the parish, the 24th falling on Sunday. At the Dymock schools a large 'number of visitors, including several of the parents, assembled at 11 o'clook to witness the celebration, amongst whom were the veteran "Squire," Mr G Onslow Deane, Mra Marston, the Misses Jackson, Mr and Mrs Bartlett, Mr and Mrs Griffiths, Mrs Cowles, Miss Macdonald, Mrs and Miss Holdway, Miss Peake. The Squire addressed the children, telling them of their dutes as citizens of our great Empire, and saying how proud they should be to belong to such a glorious country and what great changes had taken place during his lifetime. He also alluded to the fact of Queen Victoria being made Empress of India, and told them how before the railway they were marching for six months through the country. The Union Jack was then hoisted, and solemnly saluted by all, after which the song Flag of Britain was sung by the children. A recitation was then given by Violet Phelps. The boys now sung in very nice tune, in two parts, Now pray we for our country," which was demanded again, so well was it rendered, the girls then singing Land of my Fathers." Afterwards the announcement of a half-holiday by Mr Griffiths, one of the managers present, was the signal for much applause on the part of the scholars. Mr Griffiths briefly thanked all those who took part in the celebration—teachers, scholars and visitors, especially noting the fact that in being honoured by the presence of their good old "Squire "they were specially favoured, as he was one of the real old English gentlemen. Mr Deane made a few remarks, saying how much pleasure it gave him to be present, after which Mr Marmont responded on behalf of the teachers. Oranges, which had been thought- fully provided by Mr Deane, were now dis- tributed, and the singing of the National Anthem brought the proceedings to a close. A similar programme was gone through at Haffield School, at which the new Vicar, Rev S Marabou, presided, Captain Smyth very kinder providing bags of coopers to be dis- 'tributed to the scholars. A half-holiday was also given.

COLWALL. WALWYN EXHIBITIONS. THE GOVERNORS of this Foundation have decided to award TWO SCHOLARSHIPS *of Ten Pounds each per annum (oae for boys and one for girls) tenantble for three years -at a Secondary School subject to the conduct and progress of the Exhibitors being considered satis- factory. Candidates must reside within the Parishes of Colwall or Little Malvern and be between the ages of eleven and fourteen years. The examination of Candidates will be held ia July. Full particulars may be obtained of the Head Teachers of the Schools at Colwall and Little Malvern or of G. H. T. FOSTER, Solicitor and Clerk to the Governors, Bank Buildings, Colwall.

COLWALL NEWS. DANCE. On Thursday evening a Liberal dance, which was attended by over 100 young people, was held at The Winnings Farm, which was kindly lent by Mr F Ballard, Broadwood. The success of the meeting was principally due to Mr Percy Lewis, who acted as M.C. Miss Lily Bishop was the pianist. LEGACY. At the 7 o'clock celebration of Holy Com- munion at the Parish Church, on Ascension Day, the Rector announced that the late Tilley, Claverdon, Colwall, the widow of the late Rev. Mr Tilley, a former Vicar of Claver- don, Warwickshire, has left £ 50 by will to- wards the liquidation of the building debt on the New Hill Church. GUARDIANS AND RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION. Nominations closed at noon on Thursday for the casual vacancy for the parish of Colwa 11 Oft the Ledbury Board of Guardians and Rural District Couneil, caused by the retirement of Mr M J Powell, who for private reasons resigned. There are two nominations, viz. :-Lake, Bessie, Brook House, CI wall, spinster Roberts, John Roberts, Quarrybeq, Colwall, gentleman. There were eight nomination papers for Miss Lake and ive for Mr Roberts. Withdrawals can be made up to noon on Tuesday next, and the election, which appears probable, will take place on Monday, June 15. Mr R Homes, Clerk to the Guardians and Rural Distaiet Council, is the returning officer.

Spectacles and Byeglasses. We test the sight scientifically witliosfc any charge and smpply the exact glasses necessary in won- fitting frames at very moderate prices. Speetacle8 from 2/6 per pair. Satisfaction guaranteed.— MINCHIN, Ckeraist and OptieiaB, 15, Weslgate, Glonoester.

ifcfrlmrg ftqroite AND FARMERS' GAZETTE. The acknowledged Advertising Medium for the district covering the wide area of ground bounded by the cities of Hereford, Gloucester and Woi oester, which has a popalatioll of between 30,000 and 40,000. It is read by all classes, and there is no bettei Advertising Medium in the Ledbury District. Telgrams "Reporter," Ledbury.

J, i .i'. '< ':f'ifi(":Ji\ f'¡" :> ,i"'I:r J: :¿ ,<1'- :l:: :I; I ESTABLISHED 1858. The INDIA & CHINA TEA Co. I HIGH-CLASS Grocers I Provision Hants. Ir 14- c KNOWN BRANCHES EVERYWHERE THROUGHOUT AS ENGLAND and WALES. HAVE STORES IN THE FOLLOWING B HOLIDAY RESORTS 8 Portboawl. Skegness. Ilfracombe. Builth Wells. Hereford. Kingsbridge. g|j I Buxton S.G. Chepatow. Ly n ton. Bridlington. Monmouth. Mihehead. tB Knighton. Malvern. jtfewquay. ■ Llandrindod. Ross. Teignmouth. IH Mablethorpe. Weston-Super-Mare. M ."i.å' -> I,: '<)?:ys: ;(;ft! Motor Cycles for Sale! BARGAINS IN SECOND HAND MACHINES. £ a. cJ. TRIUMPH.-3t H.P., 1912 Clutch model. 35 0 O B.S.A.—3-| H.P., 1913 Clutch and 2 speed gear 45 0 O B.S.A.—3 £ H.P., 1911 fixed gear 28 10 0 NEW HUDSON.—2f H.P., 1913 Clutch and 3 speed gear 28 10 0 HUMBER.-o''l H.P., 1912 Clutch and 2 speed gear 30 0 O SCOTT.-3-a H.P., 1912 Clutch and 2 speed gear 43 0 0 REX.—5 H.P., 1910 fixed gear 20 0 0 DOUGLAS.—21 H.P., 1911 fixed gear 16 0 0 GEORGE HOPKINS & SONS MOTOR ENGINEERS, LEDBURY. Great CLEARANCE SALE The Whole Stock of China, Glass, Earthenware, Brushes, etc MUST BE CLEARED! Come Early and Secure the Bargains 1 ARTHUR BROWN, 18, New Street, Ledbury.

EASTNOR. SWIMMING BATH.—This bath will be opened on Monday next, June 1st. The bath will be open for men only from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. 09 week days, aed on Sundays a.m. The charge will be, as usual, 3d eath (Eastnor residents Id each).