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

Births, Marriages, Deaths In Memoriam, &c. It is our desire that our column of notices under the above heading should be valuable to all our readers. Notices are inserted at the minimum rate of 1/- for 20 words and sixpence for each additional ten words or part of ten words, and must be prepaid. Unless prepaid ther are charged at the rate of 2/6 per insertion. ACKNOWLEDG- MENTS will be charged at same Rate. No notice of this deecription will be inserted unless authenticated by the name and address of the sender. MEMORIALS FOR WAR HEROES « OTHERS. I n T. A. KING, Sc Victoria Marble I ?f Works, HEREFORD |M| having purchased a large quantity of Marble and Stone before the great rise fi"Mi I, in Prices, his customers will share the advantage. Illustrated catalogues with prices sent free. 319p i Heatft* THOMAS.—At Priory Villa, Brecon, on Monday, April 271ih, Anaie Mary Barratt Thomas, be- loved daughter of Mrs Tudor and step-daughter of the late Mr John Tiidor.

TOO LATE FOR CLASSIFICATION. WA-N-TED, good general. Apply, Mrs Williams, Clydfan, Struet, Brecon. 477p WA,N-TED.-T,he West Breconshire Farmers' Association, Ltd., 8, Ship Street, Brecon, require a salesman carter at their Brecon Depot; must be a reliable man.—Apply to H. Williams, Manager. 474p TO BLACKSMITHS.—The West Brecons,hire Farmers' Association, Ltd., require a. blacksmith at Sennybridge; must be sober and good shoer.-Apply to H. Williams, Manager, 8, I Ship Street, Brecon. 474p

Y.M.C.A. I Subscriptions, on behalf of the Y.M.C.A. funds, I can be received at the "Expreaa Offices, Brecon. Official receipts are issued to all donors. fl026

THE COUNTY SCHOOLS. The meeting of the Brecon County School Governors last week was of more than ordinary interest, since a recommendation was made on a question which has long been talked about, but never, so far as the schools in Brecon are concerned, seriously tackled. It has to do with the length of stay of pupils in the Intermediate Schools. It has long been held that a great deal of the education lavished on pupils in the County Schools is absolutely wasted, and money, public and private, spent in vain unless full advantage is taken of the whole course of instruction, which should extend to, at least, three years. The Intermediate School Scheme in Wales-like all other good progressive schemes, we suppose-has come in for a very fair share of criticism, not only from the general ratepayer, but even from some expert educationists. The common complaint seems to have been that so much expenditure has been made on an elaborate education, which is, after all, said to be not altogether needful for the avocations sub- sequently pursued by the large majority of pupils. The average person's conception of education, is, of course, generally wrong. It would be a waste of time to enter into the various ideas of people as to how children should be educated. We expect such con- troversy will always obtain. No one, we suppose, is foolish enough to assert, or even think, that the education given in our Inter- mediate Schools is not of the highest value, but there is good reason for saying that unless such education is fully assimilated,^ so much time and expense has been wasted. In this one particular critics and friends of the schools appear to agree, namely, that unless pupils make a longer stay than is generally the rule at present, the full ad- vantage cannot be derived. The fault lies, if we mistake not, in the fact that the real object of the schools has never been fully understood. These schools were never in- tended for what is usually termed a finish- ing off." The very word Intermediate points to something other than that. The Schools were first of all intended to be a stepping stone to the higher education necessary for the professions, civil service, and so forth. There are many who advo- cate that the education in the schools should be more technical, or, as they say, voca- tional, that a County School in a certain locality should take into consideration the industries of the locality, and that the teaching should have a bias towards those local requirements. Granted this.-in our counties the requirements would be mainly agricultural, and special attention would be given to the subject of agriculture-theo.. retically, of course, for the boy or girl must go to the farm before any practical know- ledge could be acquired. Even then there could be no useful instruction in the theory of agriculture unless the subject was dealt with scientifically, and unless the period of the stay in school was at least a few years. It is useless to send children to these schools for six or twelve months, and it was never intended that they should be sent for so short a period. That the schools have done much to bring to the fom Welsh boys and girls cannot be gainsayed, but it is question- able whether the real object for which the schools was established is being strictly borne in rrund. Much too may be said on the somewhat inadequate support these -schools have had from the Treasury, The re- quirements of the Board of Education are many and exacting, but it has all along been evident that more funds are necessary to carry out those requirements. The Bre- con Governors, who since their formation have always been more or less worried with the financial outlook, now propose to im- prove matters by making compulsorily a longer stay for pupils. They propose enter- ing into an agreement with parents that pupils should attend school for a period of not less than three years. Provided this recommendation is adopted the tuition fee will be reduced, and the County Education Authority will be asked to sanction an ad- vantage to junior candidates in the entrance scholarship examinations. These recom- mendations are far more important than they may at first appear, for if adopted, they will certainly ensure a sounder financial stability, and a better training for the pupils, whatever their future vocation may be. This would, in our opinion, give greater satisfaction to teachers, parents and ratepayers, especially to the latter, who will feel that there will be a more certain return for the expenditure.

Notes and Notions. Llangammarch fox-hounds killed a fine fox at Garth a few days ago. Llanbedr school-children recently collected 54 eggs for the National Egg Society. Cwmdu inhabitants sent 171 eggs to the Red Cross Depot at Crickhowell last week. Rev. Oliver Davies, B.A. (curate of Glanam- man) has been appointed curate of YstaJyfera. The Hoo. C. Bailey (brother of Lord Glanusk) has been gazetted lieutenant in the Territorial Force (Reserve). Radnorshire and West Herefordshire Hounds met at Whitton on Monday. They also meet at Kinnerton on Friday. Mr Lloyd George announced in the House of Commons on Thursday that the Government had decided to make April 22—Saturday (following Good Friday)—a Bank Holiday. Lord St. David's hae received a further coin- » munication from his son, Capt. Roland Philippa, who was wounded on the 2nd inst., to the effect that he continues to make satisfactory progress. Thirty-three claims for total exemption were dealt with at Painscastle Tribunal last week. Fourteen absolute and sixteen temporary exemp- tions were granted and three refused. The Bishop of Hereford has just licensed the Rev. Hyacinth Osman Grimes. B.A., to the cur- acy of Knighton, and Rev. W iliiam Edward Johnson, B.A., to the curacy of Oid Radnor with Kinnerton. The feature of the April number of the "London Magazine" contains the second instal- ment of "Seven Years at the German Court." This contribution is full of interesting fact, and well worth perusal. Sir Francis Edwards, who is very much better, has been appointed a member of the Committee on Unopposed Bills which is to begin its work to- day (Thursday). Four municipal measures have already been referred to the Committee. See.-Lieut. Wymond Lloyd, 1st Herefordshire Regiment (eldest son of Mr Howard M. Lloyd, of Delfryn, Llanwrda, near Llandovery), has died in Oswestry Hospital from injuries sustain- ed through being knocked down by a locomotive at a local camp. Ji The inhabitants of a certain rural district in Breconshire are in a quandary. The only coffin maker for miles round joined the Army without waiting for his appeal to be heard, and a move- ment is on foot to obtain his discharge. The honour of the shrievalty of Breconshire, held this year by Mr Rees Llewellyn, J.P., j Bwllfa House (Aberdare), has been previously held by an Aberdare gentleman in the person of the late Mr James Lewis (Abernant). Petty Officer H. L. Pitman (Dorset House, Upper Cwmtwrch) has been on active service since the outbreak of the war in one of his Majesty's ships. His son, Gunner Pitman, R.G.A., who was a police constable at Builth Wells before joining the Army. is now on ac- i tive service in France. I Mrs E. B. Nicholl (Llwyncelyn, Llandovery) has been notified that her son, Pte. Robin Nicholl, of the Swanseae Battalion, has received serious wounds to the head whilst in action in France, and lies in a critical condition. Mrs Nicholl's husband and two other sons are serv- ing with the colours. Driver E. T. Lloyd, K.S.L.I. (Transport), of Knighton, ha-s been in the Army since Septem- ber, 1914. Previous to the war, lie was employ- ed as cowman for Mr Bowon, Cwmgilla. His wife and child reside at 14, Lower Cwm. A brother, Pte. W. J. Lloyd, S.W.B., was killed in action in September, 1914. Sergt.-Major Whitehouse (1st South Wales l Borderers), who was awarded the D.C.M. for bravery at Givenehy, has also been decorated by the Russian Government with the St. George Cross. He has recently been at Brecon Barracks, recovering from the effects of shell fire and gas poisoning at the battle of Loos. I A memorial brass tablet has been made for erection in the church at Aden in honour of the men of the 1st Brecknocks, who died there last year. The cost of the tablet is being borne by the heroes' comrades, and the names of the 19 men, who lost their lives on active service, are neatly inscribed thereon. I Mr W. Thomas (member of Llandovery Board of Guardians and Rural District Council) was formerly a member of the Metropolitan Police Force. Whilst guarding Mr D. Lloyd George during the riot at Birmingham some years ago, he was struck on the head with a missile. He is now superannuated. Three sons of Mrs T. L. Lloyd, Cwmbaoh, Glasburv-on-Wye, are now serving in the forces, viz., Pte. Wm. Lloyd. A.V.C., in France; Trooper David Lloyd, Glamorganshire Imperial Yeomanry, Halesworth; and Pte. Albert Lloyd, Motor Transport, in France. Another son, Ed- ward Lloyd, of Dowlais, is an attested man, and a fifth, George Lloyd, has three times been re- jected on medical grounds. By continuous working the different break- down gangs were able to clear the wreckage, the result of 27 wagons and 3 coaches being- badly j derailed on the Central Wales brane-h of the London and North Western Railway on Tues- I day week..The 11.23 a.m. passenger train ex Cra- ven Arms was the first to pass over the newly-laid portion of the road, and all trains (including goods, held up since the previous Thursday night) were worked as usual. afc 3k 3fc 3k Six englynion by the late Alafon to the late Professor David Jenkins, Mus. Bac., in the cur- rent "Geninen" have a pathetic interest. The first may now well be applied to the bard him- self :— Lle'r hen gyfailll-hir ein gofid—o'i wel'd I Yn wag, a'r fath newid 1,- Gwir fab awon, di wendid, A Hyw praff o allu prid. Second-Lieutenant D. C. Thomas, 1st Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (only son of the Rev. and Mrs E. Thomas, Llanedy Rectory, near Pontar- dulais), died from wounds in France on the 18th inst. An old Brecon College boy. he answered his country's call instead of proceeding to Oxford University as intended. He was only twenty years of age, and had been in France since last November. Bishop Edwards, on Saturday, completed the twenty-seventh year of his episcopate of St. Asaph. He was consecrated by Archbishop Ben- son in Westminster Abbey on Lady Day, 1889. He is the senior prelate in point of continuance in office in the Province of Canterbury, but his brother-in-law, the Bishop of Chester, the senior prelate in the Province of York, beats him by a month, having been consecrated on St. Matthias' Day, 1889. Both have lost sons in battle—the Bishop of St. Asaph in Flanders, and his brother- prelate in the South African war. Breconshire has lost a useful public man by the death of Mr Edward Davies (Cathedine), whose funeral took place on Thursday. The deceased gentleman, who was 65 years of age, was educated at Carmarthen Training College, and, for the past 31 years, had been headmaster of Cathedine School, which, under his guidance, maintained a high educational standard. Mr Davies, who was an active member of the National Union of Teachers, was a Churchman, and for many years a member of the choir. A man of genial disposition, and an excellent racon- teur, he will be much missed in the district. Relative to Carmarthen and Brecon Tribunals, Rev Gwilym Davies (Abergavenny), writing in the "South Wades Daily News" on Saturday, stat- ed :—"The courteous explanation of Mr W. Price Williams makes it clear that the Carmar- then Tribunal has come to the conclusion that it should carry out the instructions of the War Oltee. What of the tribunal at Brecon? Ac- cording to the full report in the 'Brecon and Vd..r Express' of the 16tb of March, the 'majority of the tribunal had decided not to as- sent to the applications. Has the majority in any tribunal the right to set aside an order of the Army Council?" To the cyclist no evidence is needed of the cheapness of the bicycle as a means of locomotion, but as an illustration to the non-cyclists it is in- teresting that Mr R. Vickery. of 43, St. Aubyn Avenue, Devonport, writes to say that the whole cost of his cycling for eighteen months has been ninepencel Mr Vickerey rides a Raleigh, and adds further that he has never had any trouble of any kind, notwithstanding the rough roads and big hills which abound on the Devon-Cornwall border. Apart altogether from the question of recreation, cycling, with such a machine as the famous all-steel bicycle, is by far the greatest economist in road locomotion to-day. Colonel J. J. Jones, J.P., who is now acting as military representative to Vaynor and Penderyn Tribunal, took an active part in the early volun- teer movement, and joined the JMerthyr Corps as far back as 1863. Some 18 years afterwards he transferred to Brecknock Yolontecr Batw lioo. from which he retired in 1901 with the honorary rank of lieutenant-colonel, whilst, in recognition of the valuable services he had rendered the move- ment, he received the coveted V.D. He is A deputy-lieutenant for the county of Brecknock and chairman of the Brecknock Territorial As- sociation, whilst his initiation into the Loyal Cambrian Lodge of Freemasons dates back t. 1878. V Pte. Willie Briggs, son of Mr and Mrs C. Briggs, Presteign, writes home saying he is fit and well, but adds, "I can assure you it is a hot quarter we are in-it is simply on times- We are quite close to the trenches at what we call a battle post. We turn out about 7 p.m., and reA turn sometimes about 12 p.m, and various hours in the morning. Between these times we visit 6 or 7 control posts, worked by cyclists, who direct tra.ffic to and fro to the trenches, and it is quite a. common occurrence to have several waggons with horses in the ditch, which, on an average, is 5 or 6 feet deep and half full of muddy water. I can assure you from experience (I have been in one), it is not very pleasant. What makes it so bad for the driver is that no lights are allowed. and, sometimes, the nights are very dark. One, is not even allowed to smoke a cigarette, because the roads are well under rifle fire from the Ger- mans. and, also, continual shell fire. I have had several starts, but thank God my nerves are good, and I believe my heart is all-right." Speaking at a recent meeting of Hay Buffalo Lodge, Grand Secretary (England) W. H. Rose, R.O.H., said it was only fair that their lodges. which in pre-war days they took the greatest in- terest in, and enjoyed many a pleasant" evening, should be maintained by those left behind for them 811 their return from the war. To show they were doing something in this terrible war, he would point out that over 58,000 members of their Order were doing their duty to-day to their king and country, a fact that they were proud to ac- Not only had they sent men, but they also between them subscribed for and tl)e v l i d a l so betwe  ii handed the authorities four a.mbulance cars. which were doing their duty to the wounded and sick soldiers in France, at a cost of about X500 per ear, and another one was now in preparation. Continuing, the Grand Secretary said that despite difficulties, there were lodges being held to-day actually in the trenches, and one could understand that they -hoi.'ld have the privileges of which they had lately been deprived by holding a lodg and enjoy it if they were back at home. The next, part of their great machinery was their Orphanage at Aldridge, near Walsall, Stafford- shire, where fatherless or motherless children of members of tiie Order were boarded, clothed, educated and cared for until they were able to look afte." themselves, and, in the case of boys, they were taught useful trades with which to start their careers.

Llandrindod Items. M.I.Y.— News has been received of the safe arrival of the Montgomeryshire Imperial Yeo- manry in Egypt. Many local men are with this company. CONCERT AT VHKOXA.—A very pleasant concert took place at Verona (Mr J. E. Parry's) on Fri- day night, when the programme was much ap- preciated by the convalescent soldiers. Rev. D. Arthur Davies presided, and Mr Sanders, organ- ist of Baptist Church, arranged the programme. Many local artistes took part. S.S.U.—The Rev. James Jones, B.Sc., presided over a meeting of the local Sunday School Union, which was held at the Wesleyan Church Parlour on Monday evening, when the subject of the adult class was considered.—The speakers included Miss Ingram, Mr E. R. Davies, Mr J. H. Jones, Mr T. L. Vaughan, C.C., Mr Rhys R. Williams., B.A.. Mr Edward Evans, and the Rev. D. Arthur Davies. The Rev. Stephen George, B.A., also took part. PRESBYTERIAN YOUNG PEOPLE'S MEFTIN-G.-Tlie, Rev. Stephen George, B.A., presided at the weekly meeting on Tuesday, when there was a capital at- tendance, the meeting being by common consent one. of the best of the session. A recitation waq given by Pte. Howell Williams and a solo by Pte. H. R Williams. Songs were also contributed by the following members of the society, viz., Miso Euronwy Jones, Miss Gwen Owen. Miss Gwladv6 Jones, Miss Alice Col ley, Miss Tudor and MI, Jack Rees. Miss Grace Howells was the accom- panist. PETTY SKSSIONS.—Before Dr. J. Morgan Evans (chairman), J. Hurst, Jeffrey Jones, and R. Page- Thomas Charles Morgan, Hill Crest, Llandrindod Wells, chauffeur, was summoned for driving a. motor car without a rear light on March 1Ot.h. Defendant admitted the ofTence.-P .c. Williams proved the case. Fined 7/6.—Annie Duggan. High street, Llandrindod Wells, was summoned for allowing a chimney to be on fire at Duggan's Hotel on February 23rd.-P .c. Williams proved the case, and defendant was fined 4/6. FREE CHURCH COUNCIL.-—A meeting of the Executive of the F.C.C. was held at the Wes- leyan Parlour on Monday evening, when it was decided to offer a welcome to the M undeslev Con- ference, and to state that the members of the Free Churches desired to offer any assistance which it was in their power to give.—It was unanimously decided to reaffirm the previous decision ef the council to ask the churches to do their part in de- fraying the expenses of lighting and cleaning the rooms at the Public Library, which had been placed at the disposal of the members of the Welsh Unit 'py the U.D.C. NOT A GERMA BOMB.-About 7 a.m., on Sun- day morning, there was a terrific explosion near the Wesleyan Church, caused by the bursting of an electric light man hole, due, probably, to the accumulation of gas. The noise was as great, or greater, than the explosions which take place at Llanfawr Quarry, and many people in the vicinity was aroused from their slumbers. The few people. who were about thought that sure enough a zeppelin was overhead and that a bomb had been dropped. The heavy masonry and iron-worki covering the man-hole was blown right up into the air, and, of course, if any one had been near at the time, serious damage would have been done. MESSAGE FROM CAPT. THE RON. ROLAND PHILLIPs.-Acknowledging a letter of sympathy from the local Boy Scout, Capt. the Hon. Roland Philipps writes to Mr A. F. Villiers (scoutmaster) as follows :—"Please convey to the Scouts of Jjlandrindod ells my great appreciation of their kind wishes on my behalf expressed in your let- ter. On March 22nd we made a. very successful attack on some German trenches. The enemy put two bullets into me at close range, but they have done me no harm, and I hope very soon to be back with my battalion. My love and best wishes to the troop." Capt. the Hon. Roland Philipps. it will be remembered, addressed a public meeting at Llandrindod Wells on behalf of the Scout movement, and is now the Assistant Scout Commissioner for Wales. WELSH SOCIETY.—The ordinary meeting of the Welsh Society was held at the Emporium on Fri- day evening, when the chair was occupied by Mr T. L. Oliver, BJSC. The subject for debate was "That the Puritanism of Wales has been a dis- advantag.e to its progress and development." Pte. D. Morris Jones, M.A., B.D., a professor at Bala Theological College, introduced. the discus- sion on the affirmative side, and in the absence, through a misunderstanding, of the gentleman who was to have introduced from the negative point of view, Mr Rhys R. Williams, B.A., was the second speaker. The matter was ably dis- sed from both sides, contributions being made by members of the Welsh Unit, R.A.M.C., and al- so by the Rev. James Jones, B.Sc., Mrs R. M- Morgan, B.A., Mr E. R. Davies, the chairman, and others. No vote was taken. CONCERT AT THE BERKELEY.—A concert for the convalescent soldiers was arranged at the Berke- ley Hotel for Wednesday evening last bv Mr Rhys R. Williams, B.A., who presided. &ongs were contributed by Pte. T. Jenkins, Pte. Med- gicks, and Lance-Corporal H. Williams, of the Welsh Unit, Miss Gwen Owen, Miss Alice Coolev. and Mr Philip Gough; a humorous song by Mas- ter Bobbie Roberts; a monologue by Mr A. F. Villiers; a recitation by Pte. Nathan Muscat. B.A. a quartette by Mr T. L. James, Mr H- Morris, Mr Rhys R. Williams, and Mr Harry Jones; and pianoforte selections by Private Wal- ters, all the men joining in the choruses. Miss Myfanwy Hughes was the accompanist. Sergt- Ed-wards expressed the thanks of the men the nurse, and said they all hoped that there would be another similar concert on an early occasion. Most of the items were encored, and the whole programme immensely enjoyed.