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

=.=:=:=-=='=::=:=: THE Loninsi City (Midland Bank Limited 4 HEAD OFFICE: 5, THREADNEEDLE STREET, E.G. 31st December, 1915. Subscribed Capital E22,947,804 Paid-Up Capital 4,780,792 Reserve Fund • •• ••• ••• 4,000,000 Advances, etc. •• • ••• ••• 65,921,541 Deposits ••• •• 147,750,702 I FOREIGN BRANCH 8, FINCH LANE, EC. I

RHAYADER APPOINTMENTS. I PRICE OF MILK. I I ?UAHDIANS AND THE FARMERS' UNION. j I Rhayader guardians met on Wednesday, Mr D. C. Davies (chairman) presiding. Others present I wem Rev. D. L. Thomas and Messrs D Davie6, Edw. Price. J. Jones, D. Mills, A.. „ P;a fV1 Stephens, J. Evans, E. Morgan E. Price W. Evans, E. E. Thomas, E. D. Prothero (clerk), Rd. Price and J. Griffiths (relieving officers) and G. W. Griffiths (master). The Local Government Board wrote stating the Boa,rd offered no objection to the appointment, for the period of the war. of Dr. A. G. Richardson aa medical officer of Rhayader Workhouse. The Board also approved of the payment to Dr. Rich- ardson of X30 salary per annum. Mrs Lucy Pugh f LI vest-Bailey. Nantmel), milk contractor to Rhavader Workhouse, wrote asking the Board to advance the price of milk from 3td to 4d per quart, owing to the great increase in the price of all feeding stuff. The chairman said the present contract was made at Christmas.. Rev. D. L. Thomas asked if the prices of feed- ing stuff had advanced since Christmas. Mr A. Edwards pointed out there had been great advances since the outbreak of the war. Mr Edward Price remarked that 4<i per quart was not unreasonable, but the argument used could not be applied to what had taken place since Christmas. The Board agreed to grant the increase. Mr J. P. Griffiths (secretary of the Brecon and Radnor Farmers' Union) wrote asking for the following particulars :—Number of inmates in the workhouse, number of officials and salary paid to each, and cost of maintenance. The clerk was directed to furnish the required information. Two applications were received for the post of assistant-matron at the Workhouse, and Miss M. Mason (Newbridge-on-Wye-) was appointed by seven votes to four.

That "Liverish" State. Any man or woman is liable to fall into a wretched liverish state, just through unsuitable food, or change of weather, or through neglecting to give the liver a little occasional help in the form of a suitable tonic, such as Mother Seigel's Syrup. Liverishness leads straight to headaches, sickness, torturing bouts of biliousness, to irri- tability, blurred vision, bad complexion and drowsy eves, and chronic weariness. It must be re- membered, too, that a torpid, inactive liver does not aid the bowels, as it should, and the conse- quence is constipation, with all the ills that follow in its train. It is a simple matter to take thirty drops of Mother Seigel's Syrup in a little water, whenever you feel the tendency to liverishness, or have par- taken heartily of food that is liable to disagree with you; yet thousands of people avoid the con- sequences of biliousness and indigestion in just this simple way. Try it!

King and War Cripples. I HUNDREDS BENEFIT BY iMRS GWYNNE I HOLFORD'S SCHEME. The King and Queen recently visited the Queen -Mary Auxiliary Hospital for Limbless Sailors and Soldiers at Roehampton. For two hours their Majesties remained at the institution without a single dull moment, and, in spite of the fact that every patient had lost one or more limbs in fighting for their country's cause, they did not encounter a single glum face or hear a single expression of complaint or regret. In a delightfully informal way they chatted with the patients, asked a variety of questions which mark- ed the depth of their interest, and, with infinite sympathy and tact, did their utmost to encourage the note of hope and cheer which appeared to be dominant throughout the institution. The hospital was once the private residence of a Lord Lovat, and, after being occupied by vari- ous tenants, was lent by Mr Kenneth Wilson for its present purposes. Under a scheme originated by Mrs Gwynne Holford disabled soldiers a.nd sailors are collected and concentrated there, sup- plied with the best artificialappllances and in- structed in their use, and assisted to get employ- ment. The Queen and Queen Alexandra are patronesses, and Mr Balfour and Lord Kitchener are presidents. Well on towards a thousand bat- tered heroes have already been received and treated. Testimony to the dem&nd for the bene- fits of the institution is shown by the fact that there are now 2,000 names on the list of those waiting for admission. Mrs Gwynne Holford must be complimented on her great and humane work.

Women on the Land. I FARMERS' DIFFICULTIES IN RADNORSHIRE. Important matters affecting agriculture in Rad- norshire were discussed at a meeting of Knighton War Agricultural Sub-Committee on Thursday, presided over by Mr Evan Kinsey, J.P. The county organiser (Mr D. Thomas, Builth Wells) said that while the object of these com- mittees waa to maintain and increase the supply of farm produce as far as possible, the farmers had a big problem to solve in the labour question. The county committee had resolved to form a commit- tee to ascertain how much women labour could be obtained for the farms. The clerk read a circular from the President of the Board of Agriculture, suggesting that the shortage might be met by mutual help among farmers, by the transfer of employees, by an ar- rangement with the military for soldiers to assist in farm work, by women workers, or by arranging with the education authorities for boys to leave school at an earlier age, and by obtaining assist- ance through the Labour Exchanges. Mr J. Stevens It looks to me as if farmers are to go to the dogs. Women labour will be practi- cally useless on some of our farms. Rev. E. Lew Is Jones Do not give up the ghost yet. (Laughter.) You should get prisoners of war. Mr Bache They (German prisoners) are get- ting as fat as pigs at Shrewsbury. They ought to be employed-it would be better for the men themselves. Mr Green-Price thought they could not settle anything until the county committee had come to a decision as to what labour was available. Mr Bache referred to the all-round work which women were doing on farms in Cardiganshire. One lady, in showing him a horse, trotted it up and down. She wore cloggs and short petticoats. and could run like a lamp-lighter. (Laughter). He saw scores of them only the previous day doing men's work. Rev. Lewis Jones thought they should have more knowledge with regard to soldiers be- ing obtained for work on the farms, and, also, with respect to prisoners of war. One woman farmer in the Northhadheeo asked by a Labour Exchange for the characters of her dairymaids in connection with munitions, and from another Labour Exchange she was asked if she would take women workers in. This woman's difficulty wa.s that the munition factories paid wages for women with which she could not compete. He moved that the meeting considered it desirable for speak- ers to be sent to different centres in the county to address public meetings on various matters deal- ing with the labour question. Mr T. B. Dove seconded. He thought the Radnorshire women only needed a little encour- agement to do men's work. The resolution was carried. On the motion of Mr Wm. Watkins it was re- solved to ask for three tenant farmers to be add- ed to the Appeal Tribunal.

RHAYADER SOLDIERS. I NEWS FROM THE BOYS. I Mr Pugh Lewis, Glanelan. who is one of the time expired men, and having gone through the arduous campaign in Gallipoli, has again rejoined the colours, evidently bent upon doing more for his country. Others also who at present are at home in the town intend taking the same steps, Brave Boys Mr Leslie Price, son of Mr Price, Nantgwyn, is at home for a week's leave. He joined with the first to respond, from Cwmdauddwr school, where he was teacher. He is now at Bologne, and is confidential secretary to General Sawyer, who is head medical expert in the hospitals of that town. Mr Andrews has received interesting letters from his two sons, who are in the heat of the fire in France. Mr E. Andrews, the eldest son, was in the charge at Loos, where he picked up a post-card written by a German and a quantity of excellent cigars, some of the spoil from the enemy, which delighted the Welsh boys for a while. In the course of his letter he says that the snow is there as here, thick on the ground, yet in the midst of it they had several skirmishes with the Germans. When first he arrived he was after relics for souvenirs, but now he is not so anxious, rather he looks for dug-outs for shelter Mr Hugh Andrews, from another part in France writes that he also has been suffering from the snow and sleet, but now a change has taken place and they enjoy beautiful weather like summer. Chatham and Dover are in sight, as Tommy Mills (the booking clerk on Rhayader station, who fell in Gallipoli) used to say when the Cam- brian train steamed to Rhayader. Long as it may seem it will end. Writing letters in the trenches is not an easy nor pleasant work amid heavy phell fire, trench mortars, grenades, and machine guns.

GRAMOPHONES & RECORDS. Brightness for Dark Evenings. The SPIRIT OF CHEERFULNESS is the thing to en- courage in these days. GRAMOPHONES & RECORDS  ..f dIspellmg depreSSIon. The Cheery Record will put all the Family in Good • Spirits. We are the ACCREDITED DEALERS for HIS MASTER'S VOICE > Instruments, and all other makers Prices from :Ol- to L50. ———— Records, 1/1, 1/6, 2/6, 4/ etc. HIGH-CLASS PIANOS AND ORGANS. HEINS Stl C?., E; ][ XTS <3?t C 0 3 R ECON. bl 39 j I

County Insurance. I Breconshire Committee Meet. I I THE MILEAGE GRANT. 1 POSITION OF DEPOSIT CONTRIBUTORS. A meeting of the Breconshire Insurance Com- mittee was held in the Shire Hall, on Wednes- day the 15th March, when Mr W. S. Miller, J.P. (chairman) presided, and there was a good attend- ance of members. The principal business was to receive a report upon the mileage grant for 1914. At a previous meeting, the committee had under consideration a scheme suggested by the Panel Committee for the division of JE425, which the Commissioners had allocated to the Breconshire area. The committee rejected the scheme of the Panel Committee, which embraced a capitation fee of 1/4 per mile outside the three miles, with ad- ditional grants to practitioners whose patients were resident in sparsely populated or inacceasable places. And the chairman undertook to submit an amended scheme, based upon a graduated scale of payment at an approximate grant of Up to an average of 1 mile {over the first 3 miles), 8d; 2 miles, 1/ 2 to 3 miles, 1/4; 3 to 4 miles, 1/8; 4 to 5 miles, 2/ or any modification of these amounts. It was this scheme of the chairman's, which varied only in a few particulars from the practi- tioner's scheme, but which was based upon a set- tled principle, that came under discussion on Wednesday. The chairman moved that the resolution he had moved at the last meeting be amended, Dr. Francis raised objection to this, and was supported by Dr. A. E. Jones, of Crickhowell. Ultimately the meeting voted in favour of the principle of the chairman's scheme, and it was adopted. The scheme was then introduced and read by the clerk. Mr Trevor Richards raised the point that no provision had been made in the scheme for prac- titioners whose patients resided in difficult or in- accessible places within the three miles, and gave instances where the doctors had to attend such cases at considerable inconvenience. The chairman admitted that the scheme did not include such cases, and eventually it was agreed that the scheme be amended in this direction, and that the chairman should submit the amendments to a sub-committee, who should be given power to adopt and to order the payments to doctors. The Position of Deposit Contributors. I Mr A. J. Glover raised this question by notice of motion, and he moved the following resolution That in the opinion of this committee all deposit contributors should now be required to become members of an approved society, and for this purpose should, in the case of under-averaged lives, be provided with such additional reserve value as will enable an approved society to 'accept them as members without incurring undue risk or loss." The motion was agreed to. Times of Meetings. The chairman had it DutiCe of motion as to the ? ].our?; of nieetin' but agreed to defer the matter ?ntH the next meeting.

Farmers and Labour. THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOMEN. ] I BRECONSHIRE WAR AGRICULTURAL I COMMITTEE'S DISCUSSION. I The question of how to get women to take the places of men on the farms was discussed by the Breconshire War Agricultural Committee on Fri- day, when the Board of Agriculture's scheme was considered. The scheme provides for the appointment of a committee of women to act in co-operation with the War Agricultural Committee, which commit- tee will (from their own number or from others outside if thought fit) appoint district represen- tatives, and, also, for the appointment of a lady canvasser for every village, who will compile a register of women willing to undertake farm work. The committee were reminded that Mrs Silyn Roberts, who had been appointed by the Board of Trade as organiser of female labour in South Wales, would be prepared to come to Breconshire and assist in the development of the movement. Mr Owen Price (chairman) remarked that the farmers' wives and daughters were working at home and could not be expected to go anywhere else, because they had quite enough to do. It was very difficult now to get servant girls to do any- thing. It was very difficult to get them at all, and more diffiflcult to get them on farms than in the towns. He was afraid they could not do much with this scheme, but it was worth trying. Lord Selborne was very anxious that everything possible should be done to get women to do some of the work, so as to release men for the Army. Mr Walter Williams said that of the Welsh counties already Flint. Denbigh, Glamorgan, Radnor, Carmarthenshire and Cardigan had taken steps to form women's labour committees. It was intended by the Board of Agriculture that such committee should have their own staff and machinery, and there was a special provision for expenses. Therefore, nothing need be added to the work of the War Agricultural Committee, al- though the ladies would act in conjunction with it. As they had heard, there was a special lady organiser appointed to deal with this matter, and, if the ladies' committee were once brought into being, the work of development would devolve on this organiser. They could get her to reside in the county for a week or a fortnight. There was no doubt the Government felt very strongly on this matter, and were urging that farmers should employ women as far as lay in their power. As a. farmer's son, he had worked side by side with women himself, and. perhaps, further west women worked more on the land than they did in Brecon- shire. It was no new thing for women to be engaged in agriculture. It had gone out of fashion a great deal, but women were doing a great many things now that were formerly monopolised by men. It was quite possible for them to do a great deal on the land during the coming summer, and lie believed they would come forward, from a patriotic point of view, and put in a few hours a day to help the farmers if the necessary organisation were supplied. Mrs Silyn Roberts and Miss Strong, of Cardiff (a Board of Trade representative) were both very keen on this matter, and were very anxious they should start. They were ready to come to the county the moment a women's committee was formed. He proposed that a women's labour committee be formed. Mr J. 'L. Davies seconded the motion. He said that it was very hard to say whether they had any available women to work on the land—pos- sibly they had not—but if they formed a com- mittee no one could say they had not done their best to find out. Mr W. S. Miller said that there were many counties in which more could be done than was possible in Breconshire. because there were a great many women who worked on the land in this county now. But he held that more might be done. and be thought it was largely a matter of a false sentiment having got into people's heads that there was something degrading in field work. If they could get rid of that feeling they would get more help from their female friends in every district. He thought they should pass the motion and bring the machinery of organisation into existence. If they could make labour on the farms fashionable, they would have done a great deal to solve the difficulty. The resolution was carried and a committee was appointed.

Aberedw Concert. COMFORTS FOR LOCAL MEN. A concert was recently held in Aberedw school- room to provide comforts for the local men fighting for their country. An excellent programme was presented, and the room was attractively decorated for the occasion with flags, red, white and blue festoons and Chinese lanterns by Mrs Bates and Miss Webb. Rev. J. H. Lloyd presided and the artistes, -who gave their services, were Mrs Leonard (Swansea), Mr J. Protheroe (Glaniuaiit), Mr Rees (Rhulan), Miss L. Jones (Llanfaredd), Miss Violet Webb, Miss Phyllis Jones and the children. The programme was presented in two parts, -each of which was opened by the children, who sang the "Welsh National Anthem" in the first part and gave a musical sketch in the second. They also gave recitations and songs. The recitation, "The incomplete reciter," by Cicely Jones, was excel- lently rendered and caused much amusement, "Dolly's hath" was also very well given by Ethel Stephens. The old song, "Bird in hand," by Misses V. Webb, G. Jones and J. Handley, crea- ted roars of laughter, especially in the last verse when the three "old maids" appeared. Mrs Leo- nar d was highly complimented for her songs by the audience. Miss Webb, Miss L. Jones and Miss Phyllis Jones also sang in good style. Mr Prothero, as usual, was a great favourite with his excellent selection of songs. Mr Rees (comedian) was in tip-top form and gave his songs in fine style, being encored each time, as Were all the other artistes. Votes of thanks were proposed by Rev. W. Rod- erick to Mrs Bates and Miss Webb for the great pains they took in training the children so well, to all the artistes, to the accompanist (Miss G. Pryce, Court), who accompanied throughout the evening, and to the chairman, Rev. J. H. Lloyd. Mr Jas. Pryce (Court), in a few well chosen words, seconded the proposal and thus one of the best ooncerts held in Aberedw ended by singing of the National Anthem. Appended is the programme :—"National An- them," school-children; recitation, "Dolly's bath," Ethel Stephens; song, "Come away," Miss L. Jones (encored); song, "Searching for fairyland," six girls (encored): song, "Upper department," Mr Rees (encored); recitation, "The incomplete reciter," Cicely Jones; song, "Where my caravan has rested," Miss V. Webb (encored); song, "Eng- lish lads," the boys dialogue, "A woman's care," two girls and a boy; song, "Take a pair of spark- ling eyes," Mr Protheroe (encored); song. "Bravo Territorials," 'Mrs Leonard (encored); song, "Bird in hand," Misses V. Webb, G. Jones and J. Hand. lev (encored); song. "Sons of the Empire," Miss Phyllis Jones (encored); musical sketch, "The woe of a booking clerk," (encored): song, "Home," Miss L. Jones: song. "Cassidy's Supper," Mr Rees (encored) song, "Sneezing," five girls song, "One day," Miss V. Webb (encored); song, "Til'l the boys come home," Mrs Leonard (encored): song, "Mate o'mine," Mr Prothero (encored); song, "The most miserable man," Mr Rees (en- cored); song. "Mountain Lovers" (encored), Mrs Leonard; and finale, "God save the king. I

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Crickadarn's Church. I Restoration Fund Augmented I BY INTERESTING ERWOOD CONCERT. As briefly recorded in last week's issue a con- ) cert, in aid of Crickadarn Church Restoration Fund, was held in Erwood Market Hall on St. David's Day. The concert proved one of the most successful ever held in the district, and great credit was due to all the performers for the able way in which the many items of a. varied and in- teresting programme were rendered. The thanks of those, who organised the concert, were especial- ly due c to the artistes from Builth, who kindly came to Erwood, and contributed so materially to the success of the entertainment. Songs by Messrs. S. Davies and T. Jones, recitations by Mr L. Davies, and comic songs by Mr A. V. Price were all excellent, and the appreciation of the au- dience was shown in no half-hearted way. The hall was packed with a large and appreciative crowd, which included representatives from Builth, Alltmawr, Aberedw, Llandilo, Llyswen, Bough- rood, Llandefalle, Talgarth and Glasbury. Rev. H. V. G. Philipps. who had been indispos- ed, was able to be present. An unusual but popular innovation was the fact that the chair was taken by a lady (Mrs Thomas. The Skreen), who presided with marked success. Mrs Thomas, in the course of an appropriate ad- dress, referred to the object for which the concert was held, and said what pleasure it gave her to preside at an entertainment for such a worthy purpose. Mr Phillips had worked hard to reduce the debt for restoring Crickadarn Church, and it must be very gratifying to him to know his efforts 1:71 ?l had met with so much success. The well-packed hall showed a considerable addition to the fund would be one result of the evening's proceedings. The concert commenced with an opening chorus by the Church choir, conducted by Mr Maxwell Davies. Messrs. C. Richards and Wilson and Misses D. White, Betty Davies and G. Jones were all received with appreciative applause, and Miss F. Davies, as Mrs "Pankhurst," fairly brought down the house. The most popular features of the programme were the parts taken by the children, Crickadarn G.F.S. candidates and Bonghrood school-party, respectively. The G.F.S. candi- dates from Crickadarn gave a two-act operetta, "Discontented Peggy," and it proved one of the most entertaining items of the evening, revealing a wealth of dramatic talent. "Discontented Peggy" herself was an ideal heroine, and "Meg," the sister, and the "nurse" were both played in natural and effective manner, whilst the "Fairy Queen" and her sprites seemed to have come straight from "Fairyland." The scene in Act n. represented a "fairy glen," and the effect was en- hanced by the very clever way in which the scen- ery was arranged by Mr Wilson, who, in con- junction with Mr Allsopp, acted as stage manager. The full caste of the play was :—"Discontented Peggy," Mary Davies; "Meg, her sister," Avril Williams; "Nurse," Marjorie Bufton; "Fairy Queen." Doris Davies; and "Sprites," Elizabeth M. Beavan, Elsie D. Beavan, Dorothy Jarman and Ruth Jarman. The action song, "Daffodils," and the hoop- drill were exceedingly well rendered by Boughrood school children, and were received with hearty and well-deserved applause. Other interesting items during the evening were a capital song by Miss Gladys Bufton, a very young performer, a humor- ous duet, exceedingly well received, by Masters Edwin Williams and Archie Stephens, and a laughable farce by Boughrood Theatrical Party. After the concert, refreshments were generously dispensed 'by Mrs Richards (Maesclettwr) at Clovel- Iy, by the kind permission of Mr and Mrs Daven- port. The programme was as follows :—Part I. Opening chorus. "God bless the Prince of Wales," Church choir: solo, "Wilt thou love me?" Mr Tom Jones; song. "The Diver," Mr Chas. Rich- ards: song. "When the war is over, mother dear." Miss D. White; duet, "Watchman, what of the night?" Messrs. S. Davies and T. Jones; song, "Rock'd in the cradle of the deep," Mr Wilson; song, "Bother the men," "Mrs Pankhurst" solo, "Babylon," Mr S. Davies song, "When the boys come home," Miss Gladys Bufton; recitation, "Henry V. at Agincourt, Mr L. Davies; song. Miss Gladys Jones; solo, "Sweet as her roses," Mr Tom Jones: comic-song, "Can't you go farther than that?" Mr A. V. Price: chorus, "Where are the old Kymry?" Church choir. Part H. Chil- dren's play, "Discontented Peggy," Crickadarn G.F.S. candidates: song, "The Wolf," Mr Wil- son: duet, "Call to arms," Messrs. S. Davies and T. Jones; action song and hoop drill, Boughrood 'School; duet, "Why do they call me Archibald?" Masters Edwin Williams and Archie Stephens; re- citation. "Parody on Macaulav's Horatius," Mr L. Davies; solo, "Drake goes West," Mr S. Dav- ies: song. "The Brook," Miss Betty Davies; comic, "Little by little and bit by bit," Mr A. V. Price: "Mrs Tibbin's Cat," Boughrood theatrical party; sailor's chorus, "AVe rock away on the bil- lows gay," Church choir; and finale, "Gdd save the king." Mrs Evans was the accompanist.

I BRECON BOROUGH TRIBUNAL. I A SHOUT SITTING. At the Brecon Borough Tribunal on Thursday evening there were only five applicants and the business was disposed of in a few minutes. A motor caT driver employed by a local doctor had been examined by the Medical Board, who re- ported that lie was fit for garrison duty only, and the military authorities assented to conditional exemption so long as he was chauffeur to a doctor. Conditional exemption granted. Similar exemption was given to a science master at Christ College who had been examined by the Medical Board, who reported that he was suffer- ing from very defective vision and as his present occupation was both suitable and useful, the mili- tary authorities assented to exemption conditional on his remaining as schoolmaster Military assent was also given to the exemption of a stud groom as long as he remained in the certified occupation in which he is now engaged. A clerk engaged in the County Council office was granted conditional exemption as long as he remains in his present occupation. A motor mechanic was granted exemption— conditional on family circumstances remaining as at present.

Tretower Tea. SUCCESSFUL ENTERTAINMENT. Tretower Congregational Sunday School, of which Mr P. Isaac is superin- tendent, held its annual tea and entertainment on the 3rd inst. There were two tables at which Miss Roderick (Llwyncrwn) and Miss Powell (Cwmmawr) presided, assisted by Mrs B. Powell, Mrs W. Powell and Miss Swithin. Mrs Wil- liams (Rose Cottage) prepared tea, and Mrs Parry, Mrs Evans, Miss Methuen and Miss Parry distributed cake and served in other ways. Messrs. P. and Howell Isaac collected tickets, and Messrs. W. Williams and W. Evans atten- ded to the fires. The subsequent entertainment was a great success. The chairman was Mr J. Owen (Abergavenny), whose resources are inex- haustible and was as much appreciated as on former occasions. In addition to recitations from Mr Owen, the following programme was gone through :-Pianoforte solo, Dora Johnson: song, Mr W. Davies, junior: recitation, Tom Evans; selection, children's choir (conductor, Miss Roderick); song. Miss Swithin; dialogue, Sarah and Owen Isaac; solo, Jenny Williams: recita- tion, Henry Prosser; quartette. Miss Roderick and friends: recitation, Emily Griffiths; recita- tion. 'Miss Swithin; song, Mr Ernest Isaac; dia- logue, Messrs. Howell and Ivor Isaac; song, Miss Loam: recitation, Jenny Williams: trio, Mr W. Davies. junior, and friends: song, Mr W. Davies, senior; solo, Miss Morris: recitation. Miss Meale; song, Miss Laura Davies; selection, children's choir (conductor. Mr W. Powell); song, Mr W. Davies, junior: duet, Misses Roderick and Laura Davies; song, Mr A. Mor- ris: song. Miss Fair; quartette, Mr Ernest Isaac and friends; recitation, Clifford Powell; recita- tion. Miss Coburn; song. Miss Loam; accompani- ments. Mrs Evans (Owindu School). A vote of thanks to the chairman. Mrs Evans (Cwmdu School), the Crickhowell friends, Miss Meale, Miss Loam. Mr Ernest Isaac and Mrs Isaac for a bag of oranges, Messrs. M. and W. Davies, W. Powell. Miss Roderick. Miss Laura Davies, the ladies who presided at the tables and all who helped to make the meeting a success brought the proceedings to a happy close.

Builth's Hospital. ANNUAL REPORT. At the annual meeting of Builth Cottage Hos- piatal, presided over by Mr C. W. Woosnam, it was proposed by the chairman, seconded by Rev. Lewis James, and carried "that members present record their regret at the death, during the past year, of the late Mr A. Gwynne-Vaughan and their appreciation of the services he rendered to the hospital in his capacity of vice-president and auditor." The medical report showed that, during the year, 106 patients were admitted against 67 the previous year. The average stay of each patient was 36.25 days, against 35.83 in 1914, and the average daily number of patients was 10.52, as compared with 6.57 for the preceding year. The annual cost per bed, including every item of ordin- ary expenditure, had been X62 Is Old, and the average cost per pat lent, k6 2s lOid. Mr C. W. Woosnam was unanimously re-elect- ed president, Mrs Inglis was elected vice-presi- dent, Drs. Black Jones and E. M. Spencer hon. medical officers, and Mrs Telfer Smith hon. secre- tary. The members of the committee were all re- elected, with the additions of Messrs. Snead Williams and A. P. Morgan to the house com- mittee. The balance-sheet for the year disclosed the following :—Receipts Annual subscriptions, £ 81 188; donations, X40 10s 5d; congregational collections, X22 Os 9d; invested property, C202 5s 7d; rents on farms, £ 150; income tax returned, f £ 10 Ils 9d; patients' payments, ?131 7s 6d; other receipts, £ 15 16s; totaL £645 10s. Expen-/ diture: Total, X654 10s; and deficit balance, X125 5s 8d, as compared with a deficiency of C128 4s 7d for 1914. The congregational collections were :—St. i Mary's Church, £ 5; Llyswen Church, X3 6s; St. John's Chtireli, X3 3s; Congregational Church, £ 3 0s 3d; Alpha Presbyterian Chnrch,£2; Wes- ley Church, t2; Pisgah Baptist Church, El 9s 6d; Baptist Church, XI Is; and Crickadam Con- gregational Church, Xi Is.

Hay Council's Estimates. NEW SURVEYOR AND HIS DUTIES. Present at Hay Rural Council, on Thursday, were Messrs. E. D. Weaver (chairman),, Revs. W. E. T. Morgan and E. L. Crichton. and Messrs. W. M. Price, W. V. Pugh, W. Thomas (Wernllwyd), C. Butcher, J. Jones, Jas. Gunter (clerk) and W. L. Powell (surveyor). The inspector's report showed that all cases of infectious disease in the council's area had abated. One death in the Brecon and Radnor Asylum, due to tuberculosis, had occurred.. A letter was read from Mr W. L. Powell (new- ly-appointed surveyor), notifying the council that he was prepared to start work any time, and the clerk stated that the beginning of the council's financial year was April. This date was the most suitable, and would give him time to pre- pare for the work. The clerk's suggestion was adopted, the terms of engagement being subject to three months' no- tice either side. Relative to the payment of the roadmen, the surveyor said he could not possibly pay all the same day. as they were so scattered. The Clerk About 11 or 12 men are employed now. Mr Charles Butcher introduced the question of releasing the men to help the farmers during the spring and summer. Rev. W. E. T. Morgan suggested they might be released from May to September or from June to October. The matter, however, dropped. Last year's estimates for materials, etc were re-adopted.

Brecon Wesleyan Church. GUILD COMPETITIVE MEETING. In connection with the Christian service section of the Lion Street Wesleyan Guild, Brecon, a most successful competitive meeting was held in the sc: olroom on Wednesday. The competitors 1 were i!ie scholars of the Lion Street and Llanfaea Sundays Schools. The event, which is an an- it fixture, %s much enjoyed by a crowded and,. Mce. Rev. C. A. Harries (pastor) presided, and the adjudicators were :-Music, Mr Rhys Jones, Brecon; recitations, Mr Roland Thomas, M.A., Brecon; and essays, Rev. C. A. Harries. The successful competitors were :— Soio for children from 4 to 7 years.—1, Madge Parry; 2, Donald Wall. Recitation from 4 to 7 years.-lf Willie Dav- ies 2, divided between Nesta Watkins and Evelyn Grounds. Solo, 8 to 10 years.-l. Lily Brown; 2, Jessie Glover. Recitation, 8 to 10 years (23rd Psalm).-I, Lily Brown; 2. Gladys Price. Solo, 11 to 14 years.—1. Emily Lewis; 2, Geo. Eddols. Recitation, Longfellow's "Psalm of Life. "—1, Beatrice Bate; 2, divided between Bessie Grif- fiths and Doris Price. Essay, "Life of Josepih" (open).—1, Beatrice Bate; 2, Bert Robinson. Six questions on the catechism-Bert Robin- son. Book-prizes were distributed to the successful scholars bv Mrs G. Hopkins. Through the kind- ness of a few of the teachers and friends, consola- tion prizes were given to all the scholars of the primary departments who had competed. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the ad- judicators, on the proposition of Mr James Thomas, seconded by Mr William Powell. The chairman, and all who had helped to provide the evening's entertainment, were included in an- other hearty vote of thanks. This conoluded » very pleasant and enjoyable evening.

A Miner's Asthma. Had suffered for 20 years, yet cured by VENO'S LIGHTNING COUGH CURE. Mr William B1 atehford, 12, Swinburn Terrace, Dipton. Co. Durham, suffered for 20 years from miner's asthma. He says "I cannot praise Veno's enough for what it lias doue for me. I could hardly get my breath sometimes, and often I dared not go to bed for fear of suffocating, and even to walk out into the open air used to choke me up. But now I enjoy the best of health; Veno's cured me. Veno's Lightning Cough Cure was awarded the Grand Prix and Gold Me- dal for safety and efficacy at the 1910 Paris Health Exhibition, and is a perfect remedy for all chest, lung and throat troubles. Prices Ilid., 1/3, and 3' of all chemists.

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COLWYN'S HEALTH. I ABNORMALLY LOW BIRTH-RATE. I MEDICAL OFFICER'S "ANNUAL. I Mr J. Ll. Davies (chairman) presided at Col- wyn Rural Council's meeting on the 13th inst. Others present were Rev. D. Lewis Davies and Messrs. W. Prothero, John Price, H. Evan- Thomas, W. Walter Lennard (deputy-clerk), W. Evans (sanitary inspector) and J. W. Evans (road survveyor). Dr. W. Black Jones attended, and, in his an- nual report, stated that the number of births, re- gistered in the district for 1915, was 36, of whom 18 were males and 18 females. The birth-rate was 18.57 per thousand inhabitants, a lower rate than had 'been registered for several years, and much lower than the rate for England and Wales, which was 21.8 in 1915.. The number of deaths was 21, giving a death- rate of 10.84 per thousand inhabitants. Two in- habitants died outside the district, and, adding these to the above, he found the total deaths be- longing to the district (i.e., the corrected death- rate) were 23, of whom 12 were males and 11 females, or 11.86 per thousand. This was slight- ly lower than for 1913, which was 12.3, and, also, lower than the rate for England and Wales, which was 15.1 in 1915. There was only one death under one year of age, that being of a child who had congenital malformation and lived only one day. This gives a rate of 27.77 deaths per thousand births, the lowest rate yet experienced in the district. A low infantile death-rate was a good index of the health of a district. The Notification of Births Act came into force during the year, and it was 'hoped that, before long, there would be a periodic and systematic inspection of every infant in the district. This would be a great factor in reducing infantile mor- tality, and would have great influence for good in the coming generation, as the more healthy the infants were, the better they would be able to resist the diseases common to childhood. Of the deaths of persons over 65 years of age, those under 70 were three and those over 70 and under 80 were seven in number. There were 16 notifications of infectious disease. Epidemics of whooping cough, chicken pox, and mumps were prevalent in the district, and the schools at Builth Road, Llanelwedd and Llan- saintfraed were, consequently, closed some weeks. The sanitary-inspector reported he had made 301 special visits, besides ordinary visits, during 1915. He had visited the villages 85 times, and j had inspected the cow-sheds, butchers' shop, slaughter-houses, and petrol store-houses syste- matically throughout the year. All cow-sheds had been twice lime-washed. The drains at several houses at Llanelwedd and one in Llandrin- dod Rural area had been found to be defective, In the case of Llanelwedd Villas, a public sewer for these houses was an urgent necessity, and was the only satisfactory way of dealing with the matter, which had become a nuisance to the neigh- bourhood.

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Henry Vaughan, the Silurist, who was a phy- sician as well as poet, lived for some. time near Brecon, and, in one of his letters, speaks of him- selt as "still attending our Bishop's Lady in » tertian fever, and cannot as yet have the leasure to step home," adding, "My profession allao is physic, wch I have prastised now for many years with good successe (I thank God !) and a repute big enough for a person of greater parts than myselfe.

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