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

ECONOMY. Probable Reduction of County Rate. BRECON DISTRICT COUNCIL DISCUSSION. At the Brecon District Council, on Friday, Mr Rees Williams moved to appeal to the County Council to use every means they possibly could towards economy, and the Rev. T. C. Richards, in seconding, said he hoped that the Board of Guar- dians and this council would, at the earliest op- portunity, start to economise. iMr J. Jones (vice-chairman) said that, so far as this council was concerned, they had already done their best, and this autumn had been able to reduce the rate by 2d in the C. The chairman (Mr Owen Price) said the educa- tion and the county rates had been going up for years, but he was glad to say that this year there was no increase. A county committee had been appointed to go into the economy question, and he believed the committee would be able to reduce the rate-possibly, by 2d or 3d in the R. (Hear, hear.) Of course, they had to meet the require- ments of the L.G.B. and Education Department, but the rates of the latter had recently been relax- ed, and they were able to do some things now that previously they were not able to do. He was sure the County Council were doing all they possibly could in the matter of economy. It was a time when they should use every effort to cut down ex- penses as much as possible. The war might run for another twelve months or more, and it was everybody's duty to cut down expenses as much as possible. (Hear, hear.) Farmers and Labour. Mr John Smith, speaking with regard to the surveyor's estimates, said his attention had been drawn to the help that could be given by roadmeI, to fanners. In his own district there were farmers w4io had not a single farm labourer on the place, and during threshing and other operations, when necessary, roadmen should be spared off the roads to assist them. He did not suggest that there were too many men working on the roads, and the surveyors had met them generously, but it would be better generally for the county if some pans of the road were left undone in order that firiSers might not be neglected to the ex- tent they might be unless they got sufficient lab- our. Mr -John Jones proposed that the whole ques- tion should be referred to the General Purposes Committee. It was quite possible, he said, that during the coming spring a large number of road- men might be much better employed by farmers than on the road. Mr Smith said he did not object to this, only it meant delay, and this was an urgent matter. They had had notice urging farmers to grow more wheat and increase production generally, and it was im- possible to do it without labour. The chairman said the general question of shortage of labour would have to be seriously con- sidered by the council between now and the spring. According to appearances at present, there would be a greater shortage in future, and the matter would present itself in a more severe form than at present. Mr Smith It is difficult to see what the deci- mal of nought is. (Laughter.) It was decided to allow a man to help a farmer where necessary for a day at present, and the general matter would be gone into by the General Purposes Committee. Mr J. Jones There is a feeling amongst farm- ers generally that we should do without a single roadman during the next six or seven months. The council decided to support the resolution of the Neath Council asking the L.G.B. to modify the fees payable to medical practitioners for the noti- fication of measles.

The Welsh Army. I General Owen Thomas's Scheme WHY WALES SHOULD SUPPORT IT. I (By A WELSH NATIONALIST.) I General Owen Thomas' proposals for the con. stitution of a National Civilian Committee, charg- ed with the duty of safeguarding the inteiesi of Welsh soldiers and their dependents noth duiing and after the war, have provided the Principality with a new and very much needed neutral plat- form. What the Bible Society has been to re ligious Wales, what the eisteddfod is to literary Wales, that we may reasonably hope will General Owen Thomas' scheme for the Welsh Army prove for patriotic Wales. The whole scheme has been conceived on such broad, comprehensive, non-con- tentious lines that every patriotic Welshman, whatever may be his religious creed, his political party, his social position, can whole-heartedly, and without reservation of any kind, support it. It has no savour of class, or creed, or party, but is national in the broadest and most comprehensive sense. Unfortunately, owing to the lack of some guid- ing influence in the past, W ales has not been ac- corded all the credit really due to her in connect- ion with the war. We have, it is true, a number of Welsh Regiments, both of the Line and Terri- torial Force, but they are very far from including all the Welsh youths who have so patriotica.lly of- fered their services to their country in this time of national crisis. New enlistments from the Principality have been drafted to units in no way associated with Wales. Seottish, Irish, and Eng- lish Regiments have been strengthened by recruits from Wales, and Welsh Regiments have, conse- quently, been deprived to that extent of their Inatural resource of supply. I Welshmen for the Welsh Army. ) Now General Owen Thomas' scheme, if I right- I ly apprehend it, should put an end to this drain- ing of Welsh patriotism. The particular benefits of the scheme are intended to be restricted, I be- lieve. to members of the various Welsh units, viz., the Welsh Guards, the Welch Regiment, the j Royal Welsh Fusiliers, the South Wales Border- ers, the Denbighshire, Pembrokeshire, Glamor- ganshire, and Montgomeryshire Yeomanries, the ) Anglesey Engineers, the Carnarvonshire B.C., and the Welsh Horse. These, whether of the Line or of the Territorial Forces, have well and nobly borne their part in the present Titanic i struggle. This war has added new laurels and fresh lustre to the military fame of the Welsh ) people. One of the inevitable and much to be desired results of General Owen Thomas' scheme will be to prevent the diversion to other units other than those I have named, of the constant stream of Welsh patriotism flowing into the British Army. Every man who joins the Army has, so I far at least, the right to select his unit. The I' greatest military authorities of every country have long since recognised, and never more, so than dur- ing the present war, the value, from a purely military point of view, of the unifying and inspir- ing influence of national and even of local senti- ment. General Owen Thomas made the best of this in organising the battalions he raised for the first Welsh Army last year. £ [is present scheme contemplates emphasising the same thing, to an even greater extent, in the new Welsh Army he is now organising. It is the bounden duty of every true Welsh patriot to assist in this effort by advising and directing every Welshman who offers his services to join some unit of the Welsh Army. I Provision Against Adversity. This will very materially facilitate the working of that portion of the scheme which comes into active operation at the close of the war. What- ever plan may then be adopted by the War Office for the disbanding of the Army, it will be inevit- able that many parts of the country will be flood- ed with returned, and for the time being idle, soldiers. Many of these, and their families, will be in need. It will be impossible, without some systematic organisation and effort, to find employ- ment for all, or even for the majority, of them at once. It is true the Government contemplate insuring them agamst unemployment tor a period of twelve months—but, in twelve months after the war is over, much of the enthusiasm will have cooled, much of the sympathy aroused during the war will have evaporated, and, unless something practical is done in the meanwhile, a country which now desires to be generous in its treatment of its heroic sons will be in danger of forgetting its indebtedness to those who saved the national honour in the great crisis. Now General Owen 'Thomas' scheme is intend- ed to forestall this danger. It contemplates creat- iag the necessary organisation and collecting the indispensable funds now while the national and patriotic enthusiasm is at boiling point, when. every man worthy the name is moved by gener- ous impulses, when the nation's indebtedness to its heroes is ever present in the public eye. Never, surely, was there a more far-seeing statesman- ship than this which, in what may be called the hey-day of national prosperity in impulse and generosity, endeavours to make adequate provision for the time of adversity which will come as sure- ly as the ebb follows the flood of the tide in the sea. I have only touched upon two of the most ob- vious features of the scheme which appeal strong- ly to national sentiment and national honour— encouraging in every way possible the collecting into the Welsh units of all Welsh recruits, and affording all such the assurance that, whatever the Welsh nation can do, the nation will do, to see that neither the Welsh soldiers nor their depen- dents shall suffer aIJbr avoidable disadvantage, either during or after the war, in consequence of their having responded to the call of their coun- try. A Worthy Example. I Glamorganshire, which rightly claims to be the premier county of Wales in wealth and in popu- lation, has set the rest of the Principality a worthy example. Its County. Council invited General Owen Thomas to attend its meeting and to explain his scheme. More than one town in the county entered into friendly rivalry for the honour of holding a public meeting to promote the scheme, and to be addressed by General Owen Thomas himself. And, in conjunction with Monmouth- shire, Glamorganshire, reviving the old union of Gwent and Morganwg, claims also the credit of organising and holding the first Great Provincial Conference to launch the Scheme on the rising tide of public and patriotic enthusiasm. Support of Local Authorities. I Let every other part of Wales rise to the occa- sion. Let every County Council invite General Owen Thomas to attend its next meeting to pro- ound his scheme. If it be necessary, let a special meeting of the council be summoned for the pur- pose. Let every town, and urban, and district, and parish council throughout Wales and Mon- mouthshire pass a resolution in favour of the scheme in principle, and let each of the other three ancient Princialities, as outlined in the scheme- Gwynedd, Powys and Dehebarth—arrange without delay for its own general conference to elect its own provincial council, and thus organise for ef- fective action all the national forces of the Prin- cipality, whether religious, political, industrial, social, whatnot. in one great national organisation for the promotion, in a practical manner, of the real interests of the Welsh Army-to which every cottage and mansion in the Principality owes so much.

J. E. NOTT & Co., LTD. f AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERS. MAKERS OF Cultivators, Implements, Dairy and Barn Machinery, AND MANY OTHER THINGS NECESSARY FOR THE AUTUMN AND WINTER WORK ON THE FARM. Repairs and Renewals Specially Attended To. J. E. NOTT & Co. High Street, Ship Street, and Market Street. BRECON.

Brecon Board of Guardians. HAPPY XMAS. FOR INMATES. KIND AND THOUGHTFUL FRIENDS. There were present at Brecon Board of Guardians, on Friday, Mr Owen Price (chair- man), Miss Adelaide Williams, Revs. T. Griffiths, H. J. Church Jones and A. E. Evans, and Messrs. J. Jones (Battle), J. Jones (Llandefalle), C. W. Best, J. P. Williams, J. Jones (Glyn), T. Mor- gan, W. Morgan, Rees Williams, Edgar Morgan, Daniel Watkins, T. Daniels, John Jones (Llan- fihangel-Nantbran), E. Jones, A. A. Mitchell, Jen- kin Williams, E. T, Hyde, J. Smith, W. C. Davies, E. P. Jones, J. Hill (deputy-clerk) and other officials. Upon the clerk asking instructions as to pay- ing in a certain sum in respect to county rates, Rev. T. Griffiths asked how the rates had been collected in certain parishes, and whether there were many defaulters? The Chairman The Swansea Corporation sent us (the Cray overseers) a cheque yesterday for £ 1360. The clerk said there were a number of parishes behind in their payments. Mr Best asked whether it was fairly understood that overseers and assistant-overseers might pay in money on account when they could not meet the 'whole of the call? The Chairman I believe so. Mr Best said it seemed to him that some were keeping money to their account at the bank when it ought to be transferred to that of the Union. If they could not make up the whole of the call, they might just as well pay up all they had got, in- stead of waiting until the whole was complete. Mr Mitchell supported, saying it ought to be put to them very straight. They ought to pay in what they had got. During the fortnight 50 casuals received relief, 33 less than in the corresponding period of last year. There are 64 inmates. Gifts to Inmates. The master reported the following Christmas gifts from Miss G. E. F. Morgan, oranges and sweets; Miss J. Jones, Hostel, oranges; Miss Sylvia Hando, books and toys; and a Guardian, mince-pies. The journal also recorded that "the Christmas dinner was plentiful, well-cooked and served. In the evening a, concert was held, the following friends taking part, viz., Mr G. and Miss Agnes King, Mr Ambrose Morgan, Mr Roy Parry and Miss Martin. We all had a very happy Christmas, and thank the Board for their great kindness in allowing the usual Christmas fare." The chairman said he was sure they were all anxious to thank the ladies and gentlemen who had contributed so much towards the happiness of the inmates. He proposed a very hearty vote of II thanks to them. Mr John Jones seconded, and it was unani- mously carried. Asylum Charges. I The Brecon and Radnor Asylum Committee gave notice that the charge to Boards of Guard- ians in repect to initiates chargeable to them would be 13/6 per head per week from the 1st inst. This, it was stated, was about 2/- more than it was 18 months ago. An important circular was read from the L.G.B. with regard to the reduction of work with a view to economy.

*Theee 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.

I "LAND OF SONG." Sir,—Would you kindly permit me to call at- tention to the decline of good song in Breconshire. Wales has ever been eulogised as the Land of Song" since the historic bards. This was not an inappropriate title, but there have been periods in which the bardic note has thrilled Wales from centre to circumference, until a singer could be found in every house. Other times melody has been retrogressive; then it ,would revive again, but to-day the classical song is almost Obselete, for only a few can be heard in a shilling concert, the rest is what used to be sung in the penny read- ings. Singers know but little of chest voice. col- lar voice, or head voice, neither do they consider the -art of respiration. This is because their songs require no skill. In addition the service of song, cantatas, oratorios, and the like are almost things of the past. Less than twenty years ago Brecon- shire led the way in singing. Why not to-day? "There are a few reasons. First, the promoters of concerts never think of systematising a concert. I always thought such a function consisted of bass, baritone, contralto, mezzo-soprano and soprano, duets and parties between, but this me- thod has gone, and comic songs, drawing-room ditties and songs that our mothers used to rock the cradle with have taken their place. In fact I know ministers and leaders of churches who advocate these things. Now I am not prejudiced to these worthies, but I think that these above all, should relegate this low standard of song back to the temples of Baccus from which many of them originated, and try to stimulate a love for the ar- tistic and the beautiful, for common songs require no skill or cultivation of voice, unless it is thea- trical. The present musical achievements in s ID cr- ing would stagger Schubert, Schuman and Men- delssohn, for there is quite an absence of blending of words with music to-day. Again almost every concert is falsely labelled "ebarity" which de- prives the local singer of any compensation, and these unfortunates get nothing to purchase music, much less to pay for voice culture. Then we com- plain the concert is a. failure as a result of local talent, when if they 'were remunerated so that they may pay for voice culture and music, we should find local talent with as rich vocal organs as those in far off towns and cities. One other reason is that good song is degenerating. Is it that in order to dispose of their tickets, concert committees, dis- regard the hundreds that appreciate the artistic and cater for about fifty of the other element who clamour for action songs? If you will permit me to suggest, sir, I would urge that you open a col- umn in your valuable paper for musical chats, so that some capable man may suggest what songs should be sung, and at the same time give a little light breezy criticism and encouragement to sing- ers and players which would be both stimulating and inspiring. Yours, &c., A. LOVER OF MUSIC.

Messrs Ben Evans and Co. (Swansea) are doing an enormous trade just now. Their winter sale continues daily through January, and goods are ac- tually being sold to customers at pre-war prices. This is, to say the least, a great money saving epportunity for their clients.

Alk4 and after their cure I Thoso Two Slstera Were Oared of I I I ECZEMA & BLOOD-POISOI By ZAM-BUK. I I WHEN my daughter Alice was about three," Mrs. Griffiths, H I W of 31, Sandringham Road, Willesden Green, told a I I London reporter, some white blotches came on her arms and H I legs. The places irritated, and when she scratched them sores ■ I broke oat pretty well all over her body. I dressed the affected surfaces ■ t with a doctor's ointment, but this did not have much effect. ■ I "We were then living at Southend, and Alice underwent treatment at H I the Cottage Hospital there. I next went with her to St. Mary's Hospital. H I I Paddington, but no cure resulted. For seven years Alice was a maftyr to ■ t her distressing skin trouble. H ? "We were then recommended to get some Zam-Buk, and did so. The I I irritation died away from the very first dressings with Zam-Buk, and it was ■ I ■ plain that Alice's sores were getting smaller and fewer every day. A few ■ more applications of Zam-Buk resulted in Alice's long-standing skin disease ■ ■ being perfectly and quickly cured. ■ my other child, Rose, was scratched on the right arm by a kitten, and ■ I blood-poisoning set in. I used Zam-Buk again with splendid results." I HAVE rou GOT CHILBLAINS 7 The irritation and smarting pain of chilblains-whether on feet, H cars. ot, fingers-can be avoided by the use of Zam-Buk. When the skin looks red, H ^1 and itches and bums. gentle dressings with Zam-Buk will soon mend matters. H ■ When the chilblains have broken, and through neglect got into an ulcerated state, H Zam-Buk's powerful antiseptio qualities are of incalculable value in purifying the tares and helping the balm's rich herbal juices to complete the healing by H H growing new skin which will resist cold and frost. H ■ nb?<? JW?A?C Uk. Z??-B??T for ecze??, ?M. "?''  ?' t ■ jS?.????'X' ?<??. ?<T??. scalp sores, ??. "?..?.?"? ■I WWaiaime anJ rhommatistio? ?*M.. bu, .¡waMS. de. Of all H ■ dZgrtZZsor The Z<?-BMt L??oWM. l??t. P'?' ?? ?.' ,'???''? t ■ and m lws id. war-tax. The larger si*e « more eeomom*oal for ..e. because it eontains nearly four times the quantity of the small ?? H

Breconshire's Insurance | THE COMMITTEE S WORK. SUB-COMMITTEE'S REPORTS. I A meeting of the BncoDshire Insurance Com- mittee was held at the Shire Hall, Brecon, on Wednesday in last week when Mr W. S. Miller I (chairman) presided over a large attendance of I members. Medical Benefit Slb-Committee. A meeting of this sub-committee was held on November 10th, and reported that Mr Trevor Rich- ards, of Gilwern, had been appointed chairman. Two applications from doctors and one from a chemist to go on the panels were granted. The clerk (Mr Edwin Davies) submitted a preliminary report upon the checking of the chemists' accounts for the first half of 1915. A recommendation was made that the doctors be instructed not to give treatment to persons who could not present a medi- cal card, unless such person was found by a refer- ence to the medical register to be en their panels. Reference was made to the medical service for 1916, and to the changes in the terms relating to chemists, and the committee instructed the clerk to remove, at the end of 1915. all suspense slips from the index cabinet and to adjust the medical regis- ter accordingly. A special meeting of the same committee was held on the 29th November, and from the report it appeared that the chemists of the county who were on the panel, had expressed them- selves as being dissatisfied with the new terms of service for 1916. and had proposed resignation. A conference had taken place between representatives of the chemists and the committee, and a later re- port stated the chemists, from patriotic motives, would continue to serve under the Act provided cer- tain concessions were made and the whole situa- tion reviewed after the lapse of six months working under the new tariff. Sanatorium Report. I The Sub-Committee reported that 18 cases had I been admitted to treatment upon the recommenda- tion of the Tuberculosis Officer. who had also ex- amined 16 cases and had been able to report them I as being free from disease. Joint Medical and Finance Committee. j The medical and chemists' accounts for the period ended December 31st, were submitted, and sundry small trade accounts. Referring to the administra- tion expenses of the committee, the Commission- ers had written to say that the special grant for 1915 and 1916 shall 'be credited to committees by reference to the 1914 credits, when ascertained, that is to say, without any reduction on account of enlistments during these years, and a sub-com- mittee was apointe(l, on the motion of Mr Idris -Davies to go into the matter of the administrative income of the committee, and to report. Blaenycwm Waterworks. I The committee had under consideration the posi- tion as regards the above area for 1916 and the provision of medical benefit. It was resolved that the attention of the Commissioners be directed to -the reduction in the insured population there, and to ask what arrangements they proposed to make for 1916, and that the committee agree to an aver- age of 40 in making its contribution to the sum paid to the doctor in c harge. Pricing of Drugs. I The committee agreed to engage the services of Mr Ernest J. George, of Walsall, to price the pre- scriptions from Breconshire for a period of six months, after which a further consideration of the subject would be entertained. Agreement re Unassigned Residence. I The agreement, drafted by the clerk, and which had been approved by the Commissioners, dealing1 with the allocation of peraons who had not selected doctors, was produced, and with a slight amend- ment, which it was resolved to submit for the ap- proval of the Commissioners and Panel Committee, 4he scheme was adopted.

Stop a Cough In One Night. I TAKE I VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE. I A cough may be due to any of the following Catarrhal Colds Bronchitis Enlarged Tonsils Inflammation Influenza Pleurisy and Croup Enlarged Uvula Stomach Disorders Inflamed Throat Asthma A cough may be dry and hard, or loose with much expectoration: it may be catarrhal with a dry tickling in the throat accompanied by partial 4itoppagtl of the nostrils and shortness of breath. Veno's Lightning Cough Cure removes the cause of the cough, not smothering it but curing the diseased conditions which produce it. Leading British Analysts speak in the highest terms of Veno's Lightning Cough Cure, and unfailing re- liability has won for it the largest sale of its class in the whole world. Veno's Lightning Cough Cure not only radically cures the most stubborn coughs, but strengthens the lungs and gives perfect ease in breathing. Aek for Veno's Lightning Cough Cure, prices lljd., 1/3, and 3/ of all chemists.

Builth Wells Council. I Covering of Glyw Brook. I GALE DESTROYS GROE TREES. "I There were present at Builth Urban Council's meeting, OIl Thursday. Messrs. Gilbert Eadie (chairman), John Morris, John Duggan, H. T. Price. T. R. Worthington, Howard H. Lewis, E. S. Davies, W. W. Lennard (deputy-clerk) and J. W. Morris (sanitary inspector). Dr. W. Black Jones (medical officer) also attended. Sgt. G. Davies (inspector) reported he had visit- ed the three registered lodging houses in the town several times during the quarter, and found them clean and well conducted. Doctors' Fees. The council supported a resolution from Neath rural council, which urged the Local Government Board to modify the fees payable to medical prac- titioners for notification of measles or German measles, and suggested that the fee should be 1/- per notification. The deputy-clerk stated that the fee was 2/6 to the doctor who notified the disease to the medical officer. The latter also received 1/- for notifi- cation. Glyw Brook. Correspondence was received from Builth rural council asking the council to pay half the cost of covering Glyw brook, near the Gas Works. The cost was £5 15s. The depty-clerk explained that the rural au- thority wished to fence and cover the brook in or- der to prevent children getting into the water. The district council had agreed to pay half the cost if the urban authority would pay the other. The chairman enquired whether the brook men- tioned was within the boundary of the council's jurisdiction? The deputy-clerk replied that it was. The chairman suggested that the members should inspect the place before they decided what to do in the matter. They should know whether they were liable or not. Mr J. Duggan remarked that the rural council had admitted liability for part of the covering for the brook, and he considered that they must be responsible for the other part. The chairman observed that the question was whether the brook was in their district or not. Dr. W. Black Jones said the centre of the brook was supposed to be the boundary. Mr H. T. Price stated that, if this were so, they should pay half of the cost of the covering with the rural council. This was only a small item. Mr J. Morris thought the work could be done cheaper. Dr. W. Black Jones said it was proposed to lace a concrete covering over the brook. The meeting decided to refer the matter to the roads and streets committee for consideration and to report thereon. Trees on the Groe. Mr J. Duggan enquired what steps had been taken with regard to the trees on the Groe which were blown down by the gale on the previous Monday? Replying, the chairman said he consulted several members of the council, and they decided to have the trees removed as soon as possible, He had seen Messrs. J. M. Jones and Sons, who had agreed to ta-ke the trees and pay the value of them. The tops of the trees had been cut off and given to the poor in the town for firewood. Branches of trees, damaged by the storm, had also been cut off. He informed the council that several more trees on the Groe should be cut lown, aDd suggested that the Groe Committee should inspect them and report. This was agree to. Mr J. W. Morris informed the members that he had been attested under Lord Derby's scheme and thad been placed in group 18. Mr Howard H. Lewis drew the council's atten- tion to the steps outside the Post Office. He said that, in consequence of them being raised some time ago, the railings, on the left hand side, were now too low. It was quite easy for anyone to slip over them. He thought the surveyor should be consulted on the matter. The council resolved to visit the spot at the con- clusion of the meeting, as well as speak to the surveyor about it.

From a diary of 1884 :—"January 26th. Great storm at Brecon; trees blown down by Watton Mount, &c."

Bronchitis Rooted Out. PEPS IDEAL PROTECTION FOR THROAT AND CHEST. In these days of sudden weather changes and quickly varying temperatures the immediate need for every one is Peps, the novel breatheable re- medy for coughs, colds, and bronchitis. A cold or chill is breathed in and that is why it soon strikes down to the lungs, causes bronchitis, and paves the way for pleurisy, and even pneu- monia. Many people, when they "catch cold" and start coughing, geek relief in some old-fashioned liquid mixture or lozenge which they swallow into the stomach. This is a mistake. The lungs and the stomach are entirely separate. Any/ medicine swallowed into the stomach can only get at the lungs indirectly through the blood. Peps reach the lungs direct and thus solve a problem which medical scientists have long puzzled over. Peps are unique. Peps check coughs 'and colds and prevent bron- chitis because the Peps medicine is released in air- 'like form as Peps dissolve in the mouth, and is breathed in. That is the only way a medicine can reach the lungs direct, and explains why Peps are so beneficial to sufferers from bronchitis. Being 'brea;theaible. the Peps medicine gets to the root of bronchitis at once. Directly a Peps tablet is placed in the mouth the medicinal fumes circulate through the breath- ing passages. A welcome, soothing effect is felt on the tender and inflamed lining membrane of the throat and bronchial tubes. Phlegm is loosen- ed and easily got rid of. The breathing is made easy. That tightness across the chest and those sharp stabbing pains between the shoulders dis- 'appear. Stuffiness in the nostrils and irritation in the throat are felt no longer. The bronchial sufferer gets immediate benefit and lasting relief from Peps. Peps contain no harmful narcotic drugs like laudanum and opium, and they have this further important advantage over ordinary cough and cold remedies—they are germicidal. To let a Peps tablet dissolve in the mouth is a real protection against infectious colds and in- fluenza. No child is less liable to contract whoop- ing-cough or throat trouble than the child whose imother follows up her morning kiss with a Pep to suck on the way to school. Peps are sold by Chemists and Drug, Stores in sealed boxes only. Refuse all substitutes. Insist on having Peps, which mean "A Pine Forest in Every Home."

Dardanelles Experiences. NEWBRIDGE SOLDIER'S LETTER. The hardships through which our .soldiers have had to go in the Dardanelles fighting are very evi- dent from a letter written home by Lce.-Cpl. Pritchard. 1st Hereford Regiment, of NTewbridge- on-Wye. He speaks of a heavy storm of tn under and lightning. with the raip "coming down in sheets." He was on six hours' guard at a well. The barricade burst, and he had hard work to warn his mate, W. Lewis, and other men in time. They were up to their armpits in the water which coursed through the trench. Regardless of bullets, he and the others got on the parapet of the trench, and the dry river bed he was previously guarding was quickly turned into a raging flood about 40 feet wide and 7 feet deep, and in which horses, mules and Turks were sweeping past. About mid- night the storm ceased and the waters subsided. They stopped in the open all night and, in the morning, were covered with snow. He speaks highly of the work of the R.A.M.C. men. At the time of writing, Lce.Cpl.Pritchard was in a Red Cross Hospital at Cairo. On the hospital ship. Jie says. he met several from Rhayader (pre- sumably, judging from his letter, suffering from exposure). He winds up by saying he is in a nice comfortable bed, had two eggs with his breakfast, and is promised chicken and pudding for dinner, so "we shall soon feed up."

THE GREAT SKIN CURE. B UDDE.N'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 cure Ringworm in a few days; removes the most obsti- nate Eruptions and Scurvy. Boxes 9d and 1/3. —Agents for Brecon, Mr Stanton and Mr Morris, High Street, Chemists; Builth Wells, W. Price Sc 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

King's Honours. I FOUR WELSHMEN. In addition to Mr D. A. Thomas (now a peer of the realm), there'are four Welshmen in the King's honours' list for the New Year, namely, Mr Don- ald Maclean, M.P.. of Cardiff, who is appointed a member of his Majesty's Privy Council, and by virtue of that high office is henceforth "Right honourable"; Lieutenant-Colonel. Harry Webb, of Llwynarthan, near Cardiff, who is raised to the rank of baronet; Mr Thomas J. Hughes, of Car- diff, Chief Insurance Commissioner for Wales, who is one of the new knights; and Mr Owen M. Edwards, Chief Insector of the Welsh Department of the Board of Education for Wales, upon whom I also the distinction of knighthood has been con- ferred.

HAVE YOU PAIN? J. Swift, Attercliffe, Sheffield, says "The first dose gave me great relief. I can confidently say that one box of these pills has done me more good than all the medicine I have taken. Mrs A. Wil- kinson, of Nelson, states "My sister, who suf- fered from weak kidneys, took one box, and it has done her more good than pounds spent on Medical Men." HOLDROYD'S GRAVEL PILLS, a positive cure for Gravel, Pains in the Back, Dropsy, Bright's Diseases of the Kidneys, Gout, Sciatica. 1/1?, all chemists. Post free, 1/M stamps. HOLDROYD, MEDICAL HALL,. Cleokheaton.

"RUSTIC SIMPLICITY." Sir.—Like yourself, Mr Editor, I am somewhat at a loss to know as to whom or what "T. C. Tho- mas" refers, except it means a concert held on Xmas Day (with emphasis on the "Xmas," sir) not 100 miles from Erwood. I cannot for the life of me believe he means what he writes (why, of course must be known to himself) because the able way the letter is written is in direct contradiction to facts which unfor- tunately cannot be disproved. "Rustics" in- deed! Does "T. C. Thomas" really mean what he says that the likes of this is due to the "Rustics" abil- ity to appreciate "beauty of art?" He then goes on to say that it is not a case of "Pearls being cast before swine," but just the reverse, the "Rustics" being such fine judges of talent that they use the same tactics as the theatre goers of large towns- when they do not appreciate certain items in the programme. Will this true statement convince "T. C. Thomas?" A first prize National Eistedd- fod winner (and a native of the County of Brecon) was singing at a certain "Rustic" concert-not far from the above scene—when the performer failed to proceed owing to the uproar of "beauty of art" which was present. This "honoured national win- ner" had the pluck to give the "Rustics" a good sound piece of his mind, which, not to be wondered at, proved as "water on a duck's back." Being present I can vouch for the accuracy of the state- ment. Fancy defending such fellows with quo- tations of our fine British history of pluck and victories I These "rustics" who attend country concerts for rowdy purposes are always, without exception, the biggest cowards of the district. What is worse still is the progeny of these coward- ly rustics for future generations. Small wonder that conscription is gaining ground at the present rate. The authorities are evidently studying posterity. Let "T. C. Thomas" remember that it is behav- iour—and not appearances—which counts even at a country concert. Again he says, "Our ears are accustomed to the beautiful melodies of nature. Think you then that we are unable to appreciate music"? I am sorry again to admit, sir, that these rowdy rustics will appreciate more in five minutes of low down comic tomfoolery than a full hour of the finest classical music. Which of the two tunes do you hear whistled and hooted for weeks after these rustic concerts? Enough said! Don't try to be funny, "T. C. Thomas," you may succeed and do us-as "rustics"—no good.—I am, sir, another of these simple rustics. "AGRICOLA." I

BUCKNELL AND THE SOLDIERS. I Sir.—I have read with interest, but not with satisfaction, the reply of the Rev. J. S. Wood- house," to my letter, re above. I should like him to know, I did not rush into print, without a little knowledge of what I was doing. I did make en- quiries respecting the matter, and was told a com- mittee had been form ed to carry out the arrange- ments. This was the party to whom I referred, without the slightest intention of casting a slur on the whole of the Church-people at Bucknell, as his letter implies. Several of their own members were quite as indignant over the affair as our- selves, and expressed their opinions in our favour. The slight alteration, made in the cards, was not sufficient to alter the impression, we expected they would convey, proof of which I have seen since some of the parcels have been received. One letter contained this message home. I have received a very nice parcel of things for Xmas, from the "Vicarage," Bucknell. I must write and thank the friends there for sending them. My conten- tion is, why have mentioned S. Mary's at all? The rev. gentleman tries to justify this by saying, he wished to convey to our. men "the fact" that they are being daily remembered in prayer at this particular place of worship. This calls forth the question, what are Nonconformists doing? Do "they" never remember these brave sons of our Empire at the Throne of Grace? Emphatically, yes? We are praying for them fervently, in every service held in our little chapels, as much as in the established churches. I think every fair-minded person will agree, that everything of a denomina- tional character, should have 'been rigidly exclud- ed from parcels purchased with public money. I am not writing this in a bitter spirit, but sim- ply trying to uphold the rights of Nonconformity. —Yours, etc., Bucknell.. A LOVER OF JUSTICE.