The Barmouth and County Advertiser and District Weekly News

COMMITTEES versus MASTER- FUL MEN. I • IF committees can save a nation, the security and future of this country are assured. We have quite lost count of the numerous bodies which have been appointed since the war began; probably nothing less than a card index would enable one to keep track of them. Some of them have done excellent work, especially in connection with munitions, but a large number have done nothing but issue preliminary programmes full of platitudes and generalities, and provide positions of notoriety for people of leisure. The weak point of committees is the diffi- culty of getting the right people to sit upon them and the fatal ease with which the wrong people can be secured. It is not only wisdom that is wan- ted in a national crises such as we are passing through; equally important matters are courage and driving force; and these can only be obtained by securing the services of men of affairs, who are accustomed to make up their minds definitely and then to see that their ideas are carried out by others, using persuation or authority to accomplish their ends. Uunfortunately such men are generally fully ocoupied and can only take up new work by relinquishing something of im- portance. Certainly there are not enongh of them to constitute one tithe of the new committees, and the result is that while many of these bodies consult and formulate, it is the exception for them to effect anything more. Among the numerous subjects which are the care of committees is the extension of scientific knowledge and practice among manufacturers, and many are the schemes which have been pro- founded to this end. —

SCOUTS' CORNER. In the House of Commons last week Viscount Milner and the Earl of Meath inquired whether there was any reason why thm Union Jack should not be flown from all Government buildings in be United Kingdom on Empire Day as t was in the self-governing Dominions. The appeal for an official recognition of Empire Day was supported by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Syden- ham, and Lord Beresford. The Mal quis of Crewe said that every- one must sympathise with the senti- ments expressed. The question of an official celebration in one form or I another of the 24th of May or some other suttable date bad excited some in- terest in past years, and bad been the subject of discussion at the last Im- perial Conference in 1911. On that occasion, although the principle was generally accepted, there was some divergence of opinions as to the various methods to be adopted and the particu- lar day to be chosen. His Majesty's birthday must remain the officially celebrated 'Empire Day, but it was well that respect should be paid to the 24th of May, the birthday of Queen Victoria, in whose reign the conception of Empire as we now under- stand it bad developed and become recognised throughout the world. It was particularly appropriate that this day should continue to be celebrated in the schools throughout the Empire, by Boy Scouts, and other organisations of similar character for the training of youth in the right conception of citizen- ship, and their duty to one another and the country, The display of the Union Jack on Government buildings on Empire Day might have a moral effect in persuading school managers to pay respect to the day, and the Government would, there- fore, agree to the request. Such official recognition would be a popular and appreciated. expression of the estab- lished union of the Empire, brought home to us during the past few months in a way it had never been before.   The Mawddach Troop is looking for- ward eagerly to the 24th when they hope to have a good time. The Com- mittee who are so interested in the behaviour, conduct and progress of the Boys" have made adequate arrange- ments for their entertainment. In the afternoon, Athletic Sports on a modest scale will be held in the Recreation Ground, if the clerk at the weather-office will but graciously order sunshine and not rain. Not only are the Boys" however bent on pleasure alone, and not only are the Committee interested in the Boy Scouts alone, but one and all are alive to the fact, that we owea debt which will never be paid to our brave boys who have voluntarily and willingly left home and comfort, and dauntlessly faced all the perils and privations of a terrible war, in ordA to protect their homes and dear ones from the ruthless and cruel Huns. Many of our soldier boys have already been wounded more or Jess seriously, and some are prisoners. Now the Boy Scouts feel they would like to do a good turn to their gallant protectors. So far no public provision has been made in our town to express our grati- tude to, and sympathy with these men. On Empire Day, with Lieutenant Oggen and Mr Harry Kirk as prime movers, an entertainment of a novel and exceedingly interesting character will be held, for the purpose of starting a fund, with which to render some com- fort to any Barmoutb man when wounded. A31 particulars will appear in next week's Advertiser. I I

I I CORRESPONDENCE. I We do not hold ourselves responsible fot the opinions of our correspondents. Dear Sir,— Through the medium of your paper may I askotbe Chairman of the Bar- mouth Urban Dietrich Council what steps has his Council taken, being that the Surveyor was given a month's ex- emption by the Local Tribunal, to secure a deputy. Has the Council met to consider the securing of one above military age to carry on the Surveyor's work. I understand an application was received and was not considered. What answer will the Chairman give when asked Have you made any attempt to secure another person unfit or above military age to do the Surveyor's work"? Perhaps the Chairman will accept-the gentle reminder. FROM AN OLD MEMBER.

DEATH OF LANCE-CORPORAL HARRY DUDLEY, COESFAEN, FROM POISONOUS GAS. The town was cast into gloom on Friday last by the sad news that Lance- Corporal Harry Dudley, 20 years of age, the second son of Mr and Mrs Dudley, Coesfaen, had been gassed whilst serving in France with his regiment, the 10th R.W.F., in France. Lance-Corporal Dudley was well-known in the town, and loved and respected by all who came in contact with him. Previous to joining the colours be was employed as a gardener at Glanmawddact). He was a faithful -membpr of the St. John's Church choir and Sunday School, where his loss will be much felt. We are sure that the following letter received by his bereaved by his bereaved parents from one of his officers will come as a ray of sunshine to them in their sad loss. They have the sympathy of the whole town in their bereavement, but they have the satisfaction of feeling that he died fighting nobly for his King and country. May God bless and comfort them in this dark hour. May 4tb, 1916, 10th Batt. R.W.F., B.E.F., France. Dear Mr Dudley, It is my painful duty to be the writer of sad news. Your son, Lance- Corporal H. Dudley, died of gas poison- ing on the morning of April 30th. The Germans suddenly launched a gas attack, and although we had been warned and were prepared, your son was one who breathed a little of the gas. I saw him about half-an-bour after the gas had passed over, and although he said ne fell ill, be was nobly sticking to his post. I told him to leave the trenches to see the doctor, but, sad to say, be died on the way. You will be relieved to bear that be did not feel much pain because he became uncon- scious. He was buried by his comrades in a cemetery about a mile behind the line, the Chaplain being present. He was a brave soldier, who died nobly doing his duty to his country. I feel his loss greatly, for I have lost one of my bravest, most willing, and best non commissioned officers. Please accept my deepest sympathy. Yours sincerely, W. N. DA VIES (2nd Lieut), Bombing Officer, 10th Batt. R.W.F.

AN OYER PRODUCTION OF POISON, j Some people produce uric-acid twice as fast as others, and an overload of this poison is a serious thing for any- one. It comes in different ways, but the most productive cases are over- exertion and eating too much, parti- cularly of meat. Some allowance should be made to those suffering from uric-acid com- plaints, for they can't help being nervous, morose, cross, suspicious, head- achy, dizzy, at times, and tacked with all sorts of queer pains. The rheumatic sufferer knows what real pain is like, and it is no wonder he grows old too fast—and sooner or later develops heart trouble, sciatica, gravel, dropsy, or hardening of the arteries. The sensible thing to do is to take warning at the first sign that uric-acid is developing—eat less meat, and not too much of any food. Drink plenty of both milk and water. Take regular exercise, and get eight hours sleep seven nights a week. Use Doan's Backache Kidney Pills"to repair the weakened kidneys and help them filter uric-acid from the blood. You can't be really well while an excess of this poison remains in the system. There is scarcely a man or woman in Barmouth who has not a good word for Doan's Backache Kidney Pills, the special kidney medicine that does not claim to cure everything.

WITH THE 1/7 R.W.F. IN EGYPT. Wadi Natrun, April 15bh, 1916. We have bad one more trying experience. On the 13th inst we bad a Brigade tactical scheme. Reveille was at 4-30 a.m., and we set out from camp at 5 45 a.m. A cool refreshing breeze was blowing, and as we were in shirt sleeves and fighting order- haversack carried on back instead of valise-we were looking forward to an enjoyable morning. The wind suddenly increased in intensity, and in a very short time we were in the midst of one of the worst sand storms we have I experienced in Egypt. The driving particles of sand lashed our faces and bare arms, causing a sensation like innumerable pin pricks. Fortunately on the 12th inst. we. bad been provided with tinted spectacles, but even with their protection our eyes became full of sand. At the height of the storm it was only possible to see a few yards ahead, but, nevertheless we carried out the scheme, and when the about" was given, we were all very glad. We had some difficulty in locating our positions, as all prominent objects were obliter- ated, but after a decidedly unpleasant march, we reached camp tired out. The insides of the tents presented a deserted appearance, as everything was smothered with a thick layer of sand and dust All of us were carrying small deserts in our clothing, and our faces and hair looked as if powder puffs bad been used too liberally. I have now bad an opportunity of visiting the up-to-date works of the Egyptian Salt and Soda Co., at Wadi Natron (" the soda valley.") Europians- control the works, but native labour is largely employed. The production of salt is a monopoly. The sjda is obtained as a deposit from the bottom of the lakes, or as a thick crust from their margins. Miniature dredgers are used to raise the deposit, which is carried to the works by the company's own light railway. During a great part of the year the lakes are covered with shallow salt water, but in summer the water disappears and a layer of salt varying in thickness from four to six inches is left behind. "A." and C." companies have re- turned from their distant outpost stations. Mosquitoes appear to have been their greatest bug-bear, and many of the men were severely bitten. There is a persistent rumour Boating about that we are to leave here in the course of the next few days in order to be finally equipped for If we do go, many of us who have been out since last July will surely be able to obtain a short leave before entering the firing line again. We are highly amused at some of the excuses advanced by the conscientious objectors before the local tribunals. They appear to be a new kind of animal which has sprung into existence through the exigencies of the moment, and would sacrifice everything an$ everyone to carry out their dictates of conscience. It is arrant cowardice, not conscience they suffer from. The man- so-called—who would sacrifice his mother to brutal treatment at the hands of the Huns is outside the human pale altogether. I suggest the authorities pack the lot off to Germany and let them practice their moral suasion ideas on the students of Kultur." The football season has been brought to an end by the final for the Brigade cup between the Seventh and the Fifth. My forcast as to result was all awry, and there is not the slightest doubt that the better team won. The match took place on the 15th inst., on a. capital playing pitch. It is worthy of note that three Europian ladies graced the match by their presence. Pte. Humphrey Humphreys, Barmouth acted as goalkeeper. The commencement of the game saw our team pressing, and Capt. Parkes and Lieut. Valiant bad extremely hard lines with grand shots. Before the game was a few minutes old, the Fifth centre-half fell and twisted his knee, and was carried off. Nothing daunted, they set about their task-man- fally, and as the result of a fine run by the right winger, they drew first blood. Our team was woefully at sixes and sevens. Chances in galore came their way, open goals were missed, and their display was enough to make anyone cry. The Fifth—with only ten men- made the running and simply played with our men. Lieut. Valiant and Capt. Parkes strove to effect an altera- tion, but without any response. Half- time arrived, with our team one down. The second half was a repetition of the first, and our men gradully got worse. We were soon put, out of our misery by the ootside-left of the Fifth spring beautiful goal. A few minutes from time, Finney scored for us, but it was only a flash in the pan Our team gave its worst display in the series of con- tests, and none of us begrudges the Fifth the honour of lifting the cup, and retaining it for good. Lieut. Valiant was the best man on the field, whilst Capt. Parkes worked hard to pull the side, together, but without avail. Humphreys, the goalkeeper, played splendidly, but the remaining members of the team were mediocre.