The Brecon Radnor Express Carmarthen and Swansea Valley Gazette and Brynmawr District Advertiser

I Presteign Officials. I Council and Their Salaries. I CLERK ASKS FOR WAR BONUS. NOT A TIME FOR INCREASES. Mr W. Bird (chairman) presided at the last meeting of the Presteign Urban Council, and there were present the Rev. H. L. Kewley, Mr H. J. Sparey, Mr W. Davies, Mr G. W. Preece, Mr S. Morris, Mr F. L. Green (clerk), and Mr J. J. Griffiths' (surveyor and inspector.) In his report the surveyor stated that during Wednesday's storm the sewer in High street failed to take all the water, and some of it overflowed on to Mr Bird's premises. The new pipes laid down in Church street had been effective, and no damage was done in that part of the town. He thought the best means to relieve the pressure in High street, which Mr Bird stated was as bad as ever, was to put a manhole on the Market Hall corner, as most of the water came down the Green End. Mr Sparey considered that this would result in endless expense. Mr W. Davies observed that if they closed the drains in High street it would relieve the pressure. Mr Sparey proposed that this be done, and it was agreed to allow the surface water to flow down the gutter in future. Mr Sparey remarked that they could never cater for exceptional storms. If they could remedy the outburst on to people's premises they must be satisfied. Mr John Kendrick, scavenger, applied for his wages to be increased from 19s to 20s per week during the war; and the Rev. H. L. Kewley moved. Mr Sparey seconded, and-Mr W. Davies supported, that this be granted. Mr Preece proposed that it be not granted. He should like to see a great deal more work done for the money. He advised councillors to go and in- spect the back lanes, which were in a scandalous state. They had no right to spend the ratepayers' money in increasing salaries. Mr S. Morris seconded, stating that he did so in the ratepayers' interests. The amendment was however lost on being put to the vote. Surveyor's Application. I The surveyor also applied for an increase, point- ing out that his duties had greatly increased during the last three years, and that the work under the Housing and Town Planning Act would be con- tinuous. 1 < Mr William Davies said it was understood when Mr J. J. Griffiths was appointed that he was to receive remuneration for work done under this Act—not as an increase to his salary, but as pay- ment for the actual work done. As they had no statement before them showing what work bad been done, he proposed that the application be deferred until such was sent in by the surveyor. Mr Griffiths explained that the number of 1 louses inspected appeared in the Medical Officer of Health's annual report. Mr G. W. Preece felt inclined to support the application, but, at this critical time in the his- tory of the country, he should oppose the granting of any increase in salaries. He was, however, willing to support the payment of a small sum for work done under the Act referred to. Mr W. Davies thought they might come to some understanding that the surveyor was to be paid for this work, and that it would be better if Mr Griffiths would defer his application for 12 months. The Rev. H. L. Kewley thought this was not a time to consider applications for increases in salaries, but something ought to be done with regard to paying the surveyor for work done ui der the Housing Act, and payment had bee" promised him. He was of opinion that Mr Grif- fiths should be paid an annual sum sufficient for the work done. Mr William Davies moved, Mr-.Preece second- ed. and it was carried, that the application for increases of salary in regard to his ordinary duties be not considered until Mr Griffiths had given three months notice. On the motion of Mr Davies, seconded by Mr Sparey, it was decided that payment for special work be not considered until such time as the surveyor furnished them with particulars of the actual work done. Mr Davies said he should like to see their surveyor withdrawing the appli- cation for the present. Mr Griffiths replied that he would allow it to be deferred to March next, and Mr Davies con- gratulated him on his generous action. Clerk Asks for War -Basnw. I Mr F. L. Green made an application for a* war bonus, and stated he regretted that owing to the increase in the prices of everything he could not go on living on his present salary. After point- ing out that two other councils had increased the salaries of their officers, he said he did not ask for a permanent increase, but only an increase to meet the present occasion and the wants of his family and himself. The council, he found on calculation, paid him 9d per hour, and this sum did not include the cost of keeping an office open all the week. Replying to Mr W. Davies, he said lie had an application to make for an in- crease in his salary as collector. Mr Davies suggested that such application should now be made, and Mr Green feU in with the suggestion, remarking that the council had sanctioned an increase in the salary of the col- lector of poor rates, and he asked that he should be paid at the same rate as that gentleman. Mr William Davies pointed out that Mr Cur- tis's salary was paid out of the poor-rate and not by the council. Mr Green said the council voted him the in- crease. Mr W. Davies moved that the application be not granted at present. They had made no pro- vision in their estimate for any increase in salar- ies and the clerk laid down a hard and fast rule that they must make proper, provision for their expenses. If they voted an increase, they could not pay it, as they had not sufficient funds. He did not want to be harsh, but he thought they had. a right to expect a three months' notice of such an application from their clerk. He did not consider the clerk had carried out the duties of collector in a proper way. He had never col- lected the rate personally, but sent a demand note round with a boy, and expected people to take the money to his office. He thought the collector should go round personally and demand the rates, and that lie should go, at least once, to receive the rate. Mr Green observed that Mr Davies's statement was absolutely incorrect. Every ratepayer was personally called upon. Mr Morris quite disagreed with the statement made by Mr Davies. He thought Mr Green was an excellent collector, and he did not consider it necessary for him to go. round personally for the money. The Rev. H. L. Kewley endorsed the first re- marks made by Mr Davies, to the effect that the application be not granted. His experience on the county council was that, although they had increased the labourers' wages owing to the war, he could not remember that any single officer had been granted an increase. Consequently, he felt that it was, so to speak, a bit unpatriotic in mak- ing the application at the present time. They had all to do their little bit, and he had to have a little less fire, a little less to eat and drink, and so on, and he was afraid that Mr Green would have to do the same as the rest of them He did not think that they should be doing right in giv- ing him an increase on the grounds applied for, viz., as a war bonus, but if he had applied for an increase of salary they might have postponed it for three months. The chairman agreed with MroKewley, remark- ing that all had to feel the "pinch," and that things were dear for other ratepayers as well as for officials. Mr Preece supported, thinking that the time was not opportune for making any increase in salaries. The application was not granted. A letter was read from Mr Malcolm Smith, Llandrindod, suggesting that possibly something might be done in the way of organising all volun- tary help which could be obtained in the county for the making of ammunitions, etc. After discussion, the chairman was asked on the suggestion of the Rector, to keep in touch with the writer of the letter with a view to seeing whether anything could be done in the matter.

.1? lp AambbAm \'? f1. Whàt, 61 Will jf ??"?SNrJ ?"tthe j  ^\>X^ children best ? f| ||j When you are ordering dinner,  j? this is always one of the first things ? to think oL You cannot give the children pj healthier fare in summer than ??, ? Broun & Polsons *4 J Corn Flour { ? prepared with milk. Children ? enjoy Com Flour; it can be made P into so many delicious dishes.  There is plenty of nourishment in it, too, and it is very light and 0 digestible. FREE.—The book Summer Dishes ? from Brown &* 7???, .?j?. ? • t^ g ?/? you how to make many <T?&?   summer sweets for ? '??WM-M?J as  well as the children. Write lor st now. rt: ———

*Tliese columns are freely open to the ventilation of any matter of public interest, local or general. Offensive personalities or abusive epithets are, however, rigidly excluded. Every communication must be duly and properly authenticated. In cases where anonymity is desired, the writer must privately and confidentially furnish the Editor with his name and address, as a guarantee of good faith. The Editor cannot undertake to return any rejected communication. Letters received on the Saturday preceding the week of publication are more likely to be in- serted than those arriving later. • 0-

I Brecon's Postmaster. I RECORD OF POSTAL PROGRESS. Mr G. H. Edwards (postmaster of Brecon) who retired recently, after completing 42 years' service, was the senior postmaster in South Wales. Mr Edwards, who is the son of the late Capt. Charles Edwards, of Swansea, was educated at the Kilvey Copper Works School. He entered the Post Office at Swansea as a supernumerary clerk in 1873, and was, subsequently, stationed at Llanelly and Gloucester. In 1889 li'e was appoint- j ed postmaster of Brecon, a post from which he now retires with the best wishes of the staff and the inhabitants of the town. In conversation with a Press representative, Mr Edwards said that, in 1889, when he was ap- pointed postmaster, there were 40 employees on the outdoor staff attached to the Brecon postal district. Now there were 102. The indoor staff, which, in 1889, consisted of six, was now more than double that number. Sub-offices had in- creased from 12 to 34, money order offices from five to 12, telegraph offices from four to 14, and rural boxes from 10 to 50. Mr Edwards said Mr W. J. Nott was one of the first gentlemen to make an application for the telephone in Brecon. The exchange started with 30 subscribers. There were, at present, five trunk lines, seven junction lines, .and 10 sub-exchanges, attached to the Brecon Post Office.

I Into Lion's Mouth." I BEGS FROM CONSTABLE AT HAY. I At Hay petty sessions, on Wednesday, before Dr, Hincks (in the chair) and Mr John Morgan, John James Morgan, Greenway's Lodging House, Hay, was brought up charged with begging in the town the previous day. P.c. H. Jones, giving evidence, said he saw defendant going from shop to shop in Castle street. Witness was in plain clothes at the time, and de- fendant asked him for money, whereupon he ar- rested him. Defendant then exclaimed, "If I had known lie was a policeman I would not have asked I' him for money." The chairman said defendant was an incorrigible vagrant. He thought to sentence bim to three months' imprisonment, but would suspend the warrant on defendant returning to the workhouse, a course which he decided to take.

FIRST TO LAND. I BORDERERS' GALLANTRY IN THE I DARDANELLES. BRAVE WORK UNDER COL. CASSON. General Sir Ian Hamilton, in a vivid descrip- tion of the landing of the troops on the Gallipoli Peninsular, shows that the South Wales Border- ers were the first to land. The dispatch says :— The detachment detailed for S. Beach (Eski His- sarlik Point), consisted of the 2nd South Wales Borderers (less one company), under Lieut.-Col. Casson. Their landing was delayed by the cur- rent, but by 7.30 a.m. it had been successfully effected at the cost of some 50 casualties, and Lieut.-Col. Casson was able to establish his small force on the high ground near De Totts Battery. Here he maintained himself until the general ad- vance on the 27th brought him into touch with the main body.

Mr Roland Thomas (president of Breconshire Association of the National Union of Teachers) re- cently obtained the degree of M.A. in philosophy in the University of London.

Every box of ENGLAND'S GLORY Matches used means MORJ3 WORK for British Work-people.—Moreland, Gloucester. 515, "THE KINOS" ¡ GEO. M. HAND. MIDDLETON STREET, LLANDRINDOD WELLS, CASTLE STREET, BUILTH WELLS. THE UP-TO-DATE PLEASURE HOUSES. 1aL&7KNE>RINE>01D WEbbS: 11 Continuous Performance. 6-30 until 8-16 p.m. Matinee on Saturday at 3. TUESDAY: Shadows of Adventure. WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY: t Mystery of Crystal Salts. FRIDAY, SATURDAY: 111 MYSTERY OF MUNROE MANOR. BUliaTM WElaLiSs Nightly at 8 p.m. Matinee on Saturday at 2-30. 1 WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: Mystery of Munroe Manor. FRIDAY & SATURDAY I Shadows of Adventure II USUAL CHILDREN'S MATINEE ON SATURDAY. br23 GRAND PAVILION THEATRE RECREATION GROUND SPA, LLANDRINDOD WELLS. Lessee IVOR M. JOHNS. Resident Manager W. ALEC MILLWARD. Each Evening at 8-15. Doors open at 7-30. WEEK COMMENCING MONDAY, JULY 12th. Important Engagement of the FAMOUS LONDON COMEDIAN, ARTHUR ROBERTS (HIMSELF) AND HIS OWN LONDON COMPANY. IN TWO ONE ACT PLAYS, viz.: -A Farcical Playlet, entitled The Importance of being Another Man's Wife. INTERSPERSED WITH A HIGH-CLASS VAUDEVILLE ENTERTAINMENT. And concluding with the Convulsive Screamer (Vide Press) TILL SUN DAY OR THE GIRL WHO TOOK THE WRONG 0 LJ I (TOWING) PATH. POPULAR PRICES. Front Circle and Stalls, 2/- Second Seats, 1/6; Third Seats, 1/- Admission, 6d. Box Office at Pavilion open from 11 to 1 and 3 to 5. Telephone 128. DAILY CONCERTS in RECREATION GROUND by IRISH LADIES' ORCHESTRA and EVERY SUNDAY EVENING at 8-15. When Purchasing MINERAL WATERS SUPPORT LOCAL INDUSTRY. Lemonade, Soda-Water, Stone-Ginger, Dry Ginger Ale, and other noted Varieties. ISYPHONS of Soda Water, Lithia, Seltzer, O Potash, a Speciality. Carriage paid on all goods sent and empties returned. Send a Post-Oard for Price L-ist. A Trial order solicited. LLANDRINDOD WELLS MINERAL WATERS, LTD, NOTED MANUFACTURERS OF HIGH-CLASS MINERAL DRINKS. ADDRESSES— Middleton Street, Llandrindod Wells, East Street, Rhayader. Tei 19, Llandrindod. r377 BRECON & RADNOR EXPRESS" AND « RADNOR EXPRESS." PREPAID ADVERTISEMENT FORM. FOR SCALE OF CHARGES SEE PAGE 1, COL. 1. I j — — Please insert the above advertisement.times, for which I enclose P.O. value. NAME.

Much discussion has been aroused in Ystalyfera on the subect of the promotion of boxing-matches in the town. The Free Church Council has, in every one of its meetings recently, passed resolu- tions condemning the two contests arranged be- tween local boxers, and some of the ministers have been particularly outspoken in denouncing the young men who spend their time and money in at- tending the contests, when, they say, the coun- try's demands for their services are unheeded. J The recent thunderstorm in the Abergavenny area was remarkable for the quantity and size of the hail that fell in the afternoon. On the follow- ing morning, in places, there was still a good thickness of hail on the ground—quite six inches. A local ooal merchant, plying his trade from Aber- gavenny to Crickhowell, picked up a few and showed them at the latter place to several of the inhabitants. Many of the hailstones even then were as large as marbles. 1

"SOSPAN FACH." Sir, Kindly allow me just to make a very simple statement with regard to the above song. First of all, three verses, and three only, were sung at Llanwrtyd Wells in the summer of 1895. The. third and fourth verses of Mr Talog Wil- liams's version were never sung—neither were they known. He may the author of those two verses for all I know, or they may be a transla- tion of Tennyson or Btowning, or, perhaps, two verses taken out of his chair ode. But I am quite certain that he is not the author of the three verses sung at Llanwrtyd Wells. I am sorry that my name has been brought into the fontroversy.- Yours, etc., \Yaunar]wydd, (Rev.) D. M. DA VIES. 1 Waunar l wyd d July 12th, 1915.

I Nir,-Onee again, and for the last time .1 crave for a little space to make a few remarks respect- ing the above. I was very much, astonished on reading the latter of "Rambler." If this writer is referring to the original verses-fils,gtateinent is absolutely untrue. I would not, for a moment, pretend to allow my name to be associated with the last four verses, unless the statement was a perfectly straightforward, and a truthful one. "Raiiibler" talks of "diffidence" on the one hand and "forwardness" on the other. Does it look like the latter to have allowed the matter to re- main for 20 years before speaking up? Surely, the Rev. D. M. Davies could defend himself in a letter to the Press without "Rambler's" assist- ance. No one would "lynch" him for it, and it wouldn't be necessary for him to stand up in a witness-box. I again openly state (if there is any credit attached to it) that the four verses of "Sospan Fach" referred to were composed by me at Britannia House, Llanwrtyd Wells, about 1895, and the first copy was handed to Mr Johns (sta- tionmaster, Great Western Railway, Morriston), who stayed at the same house, and who, if alive to day, can testify to the truthfulness of my state- ment.—Yours, etc., W. TALOG WILLIAMS. Dowlais, July 13th, 1915.

Washing Day. I IN THE LIGHT OF SCIENCE. I "The sea never gets full because so much water is used on land for drinking and washing." Answer to an examination question, quoted 'by Rev. E. J. McClellan, M.A. "Express," July 8th, 1915. Fain would I learn the wondrous law* That regulates the ocean's roll> And rules the waves' unending flow, <j> The earth around, from pole to Why do the rivers that descend From the high hills, at last to fall Into the deep, not fill it up, And flood the land, and drown us all? Do sun and moon and all the stars Declare, in some mysterious way, The limits of the watery waste, And doth that waste their word obey? Must I, to learn the hidden lore, Call on the learned to mine aid,. And study what would Iiiiake a child (Like me, in things like these), dismayed? I thank the Fates it is not So, For ponderous tomes have nought to teach I'll sit at no Gamaliel's feet To hear his philosophic speech. The young shall lead me in the way, Sucklings and babes shall spread the light, Genius shall take me by the hand, And Inspiration guide aright.. So will I drink with zest renewed, —Say tea—(tho' some would favour beer), This tends unto securer life And rids my soul of craven fear. And I of Washing Day will ne'er Say 'I no pleasure have in it But I will welcome it in trutil Ahd hymn its praise in phrases fit. My heart will leap up and rejoice, Anxieties will flee away, And gloom will vanish when I think 'Tis ever, somewhere, Washing Day. I. JINKS. I

THE GREAT SKIN CURE. I BUDDEN'S S.R. SKIN OINTMENT will cure *— Itching after one application, destroys every form of Eczema; heals old Wounds and Sores acts like a charm on Bad Legs; is infallible for Piles; Prevents Cuts from Festering will curb Ringworm in a few days; removes the most obsti- nate Eruptions and Scurvy. Boxes 7ld and 1/11, —Agents for Brecon, Mr Stanton and Mr Morris, High Street, Chemists; Builth Wells, W. Price & Co., T. A. Coltman; Llandovery, J. Nicholas, Chemist; Hay, J. L. Davies and Son; Talgarth, J. Parry, Chemist; Crickhowell, Mr Kirkland, Chem- ist; Brynmawr, Mr A. M. Jones, Chemist; Knigh- ton, Mr Perkins, Chemist; Pontardulais, Mr Jones, Chemist. b987

I LLANDRINDOD WATER WORKS. I I COMMITTEE'S REPORT. I At Llandrindod Council, on Friday, the water- works committee reported :-The surveyor pre- sented a report, with reference to the suggested alteration in the hours of running the water- pumping plant, of which the following is a copy, viz :— I have to report that the chairman of the coin" mittee and myself visited the pumping-station for the purpose of interviewing the engine-man (David Powell), in order to ascertain whether a more economical method of working the existing pumping plant could be adopted. After con- sideration, it was suggested that, in order to do awav with the working of one of the small en- gines at nights, the large engine be worked in suf- ficient hours' duration to keep up the required supply of water. The length of time taken for each shift would be governed by the state of the water at the receiving-tanks, and the time allow- ed between the shifts would be sufficiently long to allow the water in the receiving-tanks to settle down practically to the filter level. For the sake of experiment, it was suggested that the hours 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., and 8 p.m .to 10 p,m. be tried, but, should they require adjusting, steps could be taken immediately to remedy the defects. The chief difficulty appeared to be that David Powell was not keen on working 12 hours per day, or more, as the case may be, and that he emergency man, Edwin Rogers, although per- haps capable ofi attending the smaller engines, was not capable of running the larger plant. It was pointed out that Edwin Rogers was working five to seven hours, in addition to the ordinary work of 10 hours as waterman, and was there- fore not able to-make many night inspections for wastage of water. It was also pointed out that, as Rogers was benefiting financially by the hours worked at night, there was no incentive for him to use any strict efforts to locate and report was- tage of water. It was thought impossible for a man to be able to follow his work properly if he was called upon to work 15 or 17 hours per day, day after day, as is the case with Edwin Rogers. After a lengthy discussion of the subject, the chairman of the committee was requested to in- terview the engineman as to his working the hours Qecessary for carry- ing out the scheme as above suggested, and to arrange with Edwin Rogers (if necessary) for running the smaller engines on Sundays, and to report thereon to a subsequent meeting of the committee. The committee also met on the 29th June, and the chairman presented a detailed report upon the methods which had been adopted, with a view to economy in the cost of purnping, as under :— Pumping under the old system of 10 hours with  the larger plant and 5 hours with the smaller plant each day resulted on the 22nd, 23rd and ?24tli June, in an average depth of water in the filter-beds of 20 1-16 inches, and an average I quantity of water in the reservoir of 69,377 gal- lons; under the new system of. 12 hours with the larger plant only, arranged in shifts from 6 a.m. to 12 noon, 1 to 5 p.m., and 7 to 9 p.m. each day, resulted on the 25th, 26th and 27tli of June in an average depth of water in the filter-beds of 211 inches, and an average quantity of water in the reservoir of 75,672 gallons. "p]ie cost of pumping under the old arrangement was 19/10 per day, with an additional available supply of water of 11,911 gallons in the receiving and sedimentation tanks, the filter-beds and the reservoir. Another j method was now being tried, by which it was hop- ed that still further ecoirlorny would be effected, but the cqm:nittee decided that the new arrange- ment, which had been actually tested, should be adopted for the present, with thanks to Council- lor Coombs for the trouble he had taken in the matter. r The chairman of the committee drew attention to the fact that No. 3 nlter-bed was absolutely clogged, and only served to provide additional storage capacity, and, also, to the slow and ex- pensive process of washing sand at present in vogue. The clerk was instructed to make enquir- ies as to the cost of a sand-washing machine. A letter was read from Messrs. Bell Bros., of Ravensthorpe, with reference to the surveyor's re- port that quantities of sand had been washed out of their patent filters, through the rising-main, into the receiving chamber at the Llanfawr reser- voir, eta ting Jiha t they could not explafc the rea- son for this, unless there was some unsual de- velopment in the strainer arrangement at the bot- tom of the filters, and suggesting that the strainer arrangement should be looked at, and, when this was done, to report to them as to whether their services would be of any assistance. The com- mittee decided to advise the council to have the foregoing suggestions carried out, and anv neces- sary repairs made by Messrs. Bell Bros. The committee also met at the Llanfawr works on July 2nd, when they inspected the land ad- joining the reservoirs and filters, which was not enclosed, but which was the property of the council. The committee decided to recommend that the surveyor should prepare an estimate of the cost of fencing the whole of the land belong- ing to the council with a post and wire fence. 0 ¡ The chairman of the committee submitted par- ticulars of a further test made by him, as the re- sult of another variation of the hours of pump- ing, viz., from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., and whictfi were slightly more satis- factory than either of the -tests submitted at the last meeting of the committee. As the last of the tests appeared to be most favourable, the commit- tee directed the surveyor that, for the present, pumping should be proceeded with during the hours as above-mentioned, the surveyor being'au- thorised to use his own discretion should excep- tional circumstances arise. The committee considered a report made by the chairman, which stated that the' engine-man at the pumping-station (David Powell) desired to have relief from his work each alternate Saturday afternoon and Sunday. After interviewing Edwin Rogers, it was decided that he should relieve the engine-man at such times as were necessary, and to recommend to the council that Rogers should be paid at the rate of 7d per hour during the time he was engaged in running the pumps. —'

I Llandrindod's Library. I I ANNUAL MEETING. I I ATTITUDE TOWARDS CATHOLICISM. I The annual meeting of the Llandrindod Wells Joint Library Committee was held at the Town Hall on Thursday afternoon, when Mr Tom Nor- ton (the new vice-chairman) presided. On the motion of the retiring chairman (Mr J. 0. Bufton, seconded by Mr Morris, the rector (Rev, R. W. F. Singers-Davies, R.D.) was un- animously elected as chairman for the ensuing I year. Mr H. D. Phillips moved the election of Mr Tom Norton as vice-chairman, and this was seconded by Mr T. Evans and agreed to. On the motion of Mr T. Evans, seconded by the Rev. Father Kane, a vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring chairman, Mr J. 0 .Bufton, and on the motion of Mr J. O. Bufton, seconded by Mr T. Evans, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr D. C. Davies for his valuable services as hon. secre- tary, and on the motion of Mr M. Morris, second- ed by Mr J. O. Bufton, Mr D. C. Davies was un- animously re-elected as hon. secretary, and much appreciation was expressed of Mr Davies's will- ingness to continue to do the work without re- muneration or honorarium till the war was over. The books sub-committee was re-elected. The secretary reported that the income of the committee was now about £ 110 or £ 112, which was barely sufficient for the current expenses, and left no margin for the purchase of new books. The librarian reported that there was a demand for a few more books of a technical and scientific character, whilst there was a constant demand for fresh novels, especially of such writers as H. G. Wells and R. L. Stevenson. Several volumes had been presented by Miss de Winton, and one by Miss Powell (San Remo). Several volumes had been lost whilst the troops had been billeted in the town, but, in two cases, deposits had been paid. It was decided to communicate with the guarantors with regard to the lost books, and thanks were accorded to the donors of the new volumes. Mr C. H. Williams strongly supported the re- quest for more novels, and he stated that the books in the library were rather a poor lot, so far-- as fiction was concerned. It transpired, however, that there were no funds available for the purchase of new books, and, consequently, no action -was taken. On the motion of Mr H. D. Phillips, it was de- cided to add "Land and Water" to the papers taken in substitution of an extra daily paper which had been taken during the visit of the troops. Rev. Father Kane moved, "That Dr. Wylie's 'History of Protestantism' be removed from the library as being full of unproved and misleading statements, especially with regard to the Catholic Church." Mr T. Evans seconded for the sake of discussion, without committing himself to support the resolution. Mr J. 0. Bufton moved that the matter be de- ferred, pending a report from the book committee, and this was seconded by Mr C. H. Williams. This amendment found little support and much opposition, and was withdrawn. Mr H. D. Phillips then moved, as an amend- ment, that a history of Catholicism from the Catholic point of view should be added to the lib- rary, suggesting that this would be a better way of meeting the objection of Father Kane. Mr T. Evans seconded. At the request of the chairman, Father Kane then reluctantly withdrew his motion. Mr J. 0 B?ftoii then moved that the meeting proceed with the business, and this was seconded by Mr D. C. Davies. Six voted for the amendment and three against, whilst several did not vote. The result was that Father Kane's motion was thrown out, and, also, Mr Phillips's attempt to promote a compromise. The matter was keenly debated on all sides, but the best of feeling prevailed.

Brecon and Merthyr. I NO RISE IN LOCAL RAILWAY STOCKS. I The Brecon and Merthyr Railway have made it a rule not to pay anything on their Second Pre- ference until after the close of their financial year at Dfecember 31, neither do the Cambrian Railway pay anything on their D Debentures until the ac- counts for the full year have been completed. Consequently, there will be no declaration of divi- dend and interest on these stocks until February next. As far as the Taff, Rhymney and Barry are con- cerned, the prices of their Ordinary Stocks have had a substantial fall during the last 12 months, and, even at two-day's figures, the return is not more than 6 per cent. to 6l per cent. When it is remembered that the "heavy rails," such as Great Westerns, have lately been dealt in just below par. and that that railway last year gave its shareholders a 6 per cent. dividend, it shows that, for the present, there is no rise in our local rail- way stocks, especially taking into account the handsome yields to be obtained from first-class in- vestment stocks.

A Fine Exhibition. I CYFARTHFA CASTLE ART GALLERY. I A loan collection of paintings from the National Museum of Wales is now on view at the Cyfarthfa Castle Museum. The exhibition is an extremely interesting one, comprising as it does, works by famous Belgian, French, and English artists, and the visitor has an opportunity of studying and comparing the characteristic qual- ities of the painting of these three countries, the freshness and brilliancy of the Belgian art, the spontaneity of the French, and the more solid and restrained quality of the English work are to be noted. I The following is a list of the exhibits :-The Church at Delft, by Victor Gilsoul; The Thames, by Pierre Paulus; The Young Housewife, by Frahsios Bonvin; September Morning, and Port of Fecamp, by Boudin; A Talk on the Ramparts, by Philip Connard; Memory's Garden, by Tom Mostyn; Near Blenheim, by William Nicholson; Storm over Wide Country, by D. Murihead; The Swell of Hope, by Edgar Thomas; Landscape with Figures, and Landscape (a bay), by Rich- ard Wilson; On the Thames, by Thomas Lind- say; Primulas, by Francis James; The Lady of Pity, by Dante Gabriel Rosetti; Charcoal Draw- ing of Desdemona, by Dante Gabriel Rosetti; The Thames and Chelsea, by James McNeil Whiltler; series of Stalian Sketches by Barker of Bath; series of Italian Figures, by Thomas J. Barker, son of Barker of Bath. Thomas Barker, called "Barker of Bath," was born in the year 1769, near the village of Ponty- pool. In drawing or painting he never took a lesson; he was entirely self-taught. At the age of 21 he went to Rome, where the sketches now on view were made. There are two pictures by Bar- ker in the National Gallery—"A Woodman and his Dog in a Storm," and a landscape, "The Somerset Downs." He died at Bath in 1847.

Children's Cornet? F BY UNCLE TOM. X, 0 Brecon, July 13th, 1915. My dear. nephews and nieces,—I intended to Publish a detailed list of competitors' marks in the Vine competition, but the Editor informs me that space is very precious this week, and, therefore, I am holding it over, together with the usual i Comments, till next week. Below,'however, I give | the essays of the 7th, 8th and 9th competitors, and, I am sure, you will all agree, they afford some really interesting and instructive reading. • fhe competition has certainly re-awakened in- terest in the beautiful streams of our two coun- ties, for, the names of many small tributaries of the principal rivers had almost been forgotten, ex- ?pt by people living in the immediate locality of ?ir courses. Adult-readers of this column con- tllll1e to express great appreciation of the efforts qt J&y nephews and nieces. Mr G. B. 'Thomas, ,Sc.. F.G.S., pays kindly tribute to the Corner" in the course of a most interesting and jj?cative article on "A Visit to Aberedw and the '°ra of the District." I advise all my 'nephews ti1d nieces to read it carefully. Again, Dr. Bhvs avies, Builth Wells (county medical officer of 8ch?Ols during Dr. Colston Williams's absence on 44tional service), is also delighted with .the chil- 4rela's contributions and gives the ?irst-prize for the fullest and most accurate list of railway- stations in Brecon and Radnor, and their espective heights above sea-level—the subject of OUr July competition. I trust we shall have an- other excellent contest, and that you will all try and do your very best. To look up and to know every station in the two counties will be of future value to you all,-apart from prizes. The altitudes of these places, especially for comparative pur- poses, will also be equally interesting to you and of people who read uncle Tom's Corner. Wishing you—one and all-every success, I am, your affectionate UNCLE TOM. I I

"RIVERS OF BRECON AND RADNOR." I Highly Commended. I .'t?, Miss Nellie Haynes, Glasbury, aged 13.- -R adnor has two groups of rivers-the Wye and t?ibutaries and some of the Severn's tributaries, The Wye is the most important river and is fa ftied for its good fisheries and beautiful scenery. It 18 a Radnorshire river for ten miles, for thirty- follr miles it forms the boundary between Radnor- and Breconshire, and, for ten, it divides from Radnor. Near Rhayader is a sal- which is raised to help the fish up water-fall on their way to spawn. W^ibutaries of the Wye are the Edw, Bachwy, a-H and Henwy. The Lug rises in a lake and J\li,J¡s through Pilleth, the scene of a battle (1402). 1" the tributaries are trout-streams. The Arrow blses by Colva, near Michaelchurch, and is the b olllldary between Radnor and Hereford. It flows nto the Lug. The Avon rises in Colva, the Wey- el enters the Arrow, and the Somergil rises in ia dnor Forest and has a waterfall in its course raWil ed Water-brea kite-neck. It flows into lierefordsbire. The Teme rises in the Kerry hills, aild the Ithon in Lilanbadam-fvnydd, and joins the Wye at Nanneth. The Usk is the chief river in Breconshire. It flows through Brecon and is not- ed for its beautiful scenerv. The Llvnfi is a trout stream, and enters the'Wye at Glasbury." trout streani,, qj),l enter,, tlie?l\ '?-e ,it Gla sbiiry. 8th, Miss Mary Stephens, Ffvnnon-Gynvdd School, Glasbury, aged 12.—"The Wye is a Rad- norshire river, and its tributaries are the Edw, thon, Arrow, Somergil, Marteg, Bachwy, Wen- WYI and Elan. 11 Hie rivers are famous for trout, chub. crayfish, payling, pike, perch, carp, large eels, salmon and ?tuprey. The Wye rises on Plynlimmon, and, for 34! ?"es, it divides one county from another. It only ??Ws ten miles in Radnorshire. The Teme rises 11 the Kerry Hills. Presteign stands on the Lug, ,^d, on the banks of this river, the battle of Pil- 6th was fought in 1402. Water-break-its-neck is a. Water-fall on the Somergil. The Wye is a good salmon river, and the It-lion ri P. 8 in Llanbadarn-fynydd. In the Wye, near ayader, there is a steep waterfall which pre- tbnts salmon getting up the stream to spawn, so .UeY had to build a ladder for them to get up. he most important river in Brecon is the, Usk, j'cli is noted for its scenery and is famous for its tsheries. Another of the Breconshire rivers is the ii M, but this is only a small river which joins e Wye at Glasbury." α- h, Miss Cissie Edwards, Ffynnon-Gynydd 40ol, Glasbury, aged 12.—"The river. Wye is a fa t) important stream. It is a Radnorshire river .about 10 miles, and divides the county of Bre- q I1 from Radnor for 34 miles. It is very import- aaf for its fishing. Its tributaries are the Edw, tln, Bachwy, Wenwy, with other smaller ones. • A "^he Arrow is also a Radnorshire river, the name ^■rrow' meaning rough. The Somergil rises in Radnor Forest. The Lug is a Radnor stream, and flows east. The name Lug means 'clear water.' North of Radnor rises the Teme in the Kerry Hills. It forms a boundary between Radnor and Shropshire. On the river Somergil is a large waterfall, known as Water-break-its-neck. Xear Rhayader, on the Wye, is a salmon lad- and near Llyswen, the Wye curves round in tht shape of an enormous horse-shoe. Salmon, t, and other fish abound in the river Wye. he chief river in Breconshire is the Usk, noted 8r its beautiful scenery. The town of Brecon Ollads on the Usk. The Llynfi is also a small tftonshire stream, and a noted trout stream. 9 Acknowledgments. > Cefngarth Farm, Gwenddwr, nr. Erwood, JIIIY 7th, 1915.-Dear Uncle Tom, will you kindlv aCCept my sincere thanks for the P.O. of 2/6, hich I received to-day. I was simply delighted When I saw I was head of the list. It was my flftt attempt, but I mean to become one of your egUlar competitors in the future. I look forward to "Uncle Tom's Corner" week by week.—I re- ain, your loving niece, Esther Mvfanwy Morgan." "The Council School, Upper Chapel, nr. Bre- ?, 7th July, 1915.-Dear Uncle Tom, thank you ;Y much for the P.O. for 1/6, which I received ?s morning. I was very glad to win the second 11Ze and I mean to try hard to get first prize.— Our affectionate niece, Eleanor G. Evans." "The Villa, Glasburv, 7th July, 1915.-Dear ncle Tom, I thank you for P.O. to hand this orning. I hope to do better next time.—Your affectiona te nephew, Albert E. Jones. I I h July Competition. t. •t'nllest and most accurate list of railway-sta- ins in Brecon and Radnor, and their respective ?hts above sea-level. Open to elementary school-children in Brecon adnor. ??Delude name, address and age in your contribu-  Marks will be given as follow -Fullest list' of .?ttoag, 120; most accurate altitudes, 120; spell- 1" 80; and hand-writing. 80. ?"?es.—lst, 2/6 (given by Dr. Rhys Davies,  Wells); 2nd, 1/6; 3rd, 1/ P Th essays must be the bona-fide work of com- etltOrs themselves. The^ -Jaf* day for receiving essays will be Satur- dav ''?'? 31st, and these should be properly and addressed to Uncle Tom, care of *« Express," Brecon.