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

Brecon Borough. I TRADESMEN'S APPLICATIONS. I There was a large Attendance of the public at the Brecon Borough Tribunal on Thursday even- ing. The members present were the Mayor, Ald. B. A. Wright, Mr T. E. Trew, Mr JaB. Morgan, Mr Edwin Da vies and Mr John Davies, with the Town Clerk (Mr G. Hyatt WilliaMB). Mr C. W. Best was the military representative. Exempted Trade. Mr Hy. Coppage (Messrs. Coppage 1\00 Son) I applied for the exemption of T. J- Richards, eowtii and fitter, employed by the firm. The Town Clerk The military authorities will grant exemption subject to their being satisfied that this man is a bona fide smith and fitter. Mr Coppage He is certainly that. Mr Beat Properly apprenticed and so forth? Mr Coppage Yes. Mr Best said he accepted that, as a smith and, fitter came under the list of certified occupations of the Ministry of Munitions. Applicant, in reply to the Mayor, said Richards had been with them seven or eight years, and he was principally engaged in work connected with ?rm machinery and °was the ?yman they had left to do this particular work. Twent, y-^ five per cent. of their men, -he said, had volunteered for service and 25 per cent. had attested under the Derby scheme, so, he thought, the firm had done their fare share. -o An exemption, conditional on Richards con- tinuing as a fitter, was granted. Butcher's claim- I Mr Hy. Clifford (Messrs. Eastman s, butchers) Applied for the exemption of John Powell (mar- ried), butcher and slaughterman. The clerk informed applicant that the military did not assent to the application on the grounds that it was no longer necessary in the national interest that Powell should continue in his civil empJoyment. ^Clifford said it was an exempted trade. On- ly he and Powell were left out of four. The firm itself hitd lost 1250 men who were all serving the colours. This man did the whole of the slaugh- tering. There was another business belonging to .the firm in the town, but the management of that business was not under his supervision. Powell had been employed by him for 13l yeats and did the slaughtering for the two shops. Mr Beat What is it that prevents the two shops being axaalcramated?-Thiit bu to do with the district manager of the firm. Mr Best said he noticed that the application form was signed by Messrs. Eastman's district manager, and he did not know whether they were in order in proceeding unless he was present to make the application. The two shops, not being under one control, could not be dealt with on Mr Clifford's evidence since he said they had nothing to do with the other shop. Mr Clifford I said I have to provide meat for the other shop, but it is not under my control. The shop is not under my control nor is the manager of it under my orders- Answering Mr Best further, Mr Clifford said he had a son not of military age, but he was not working for the firm. He assisted him by err rands, looking after some sheep he had, and in a few other ways. Do you get any consideration from the firm for him?—Yes. Then, in effect, he works for TEP ast, mans? HTTe is not engaged by Eastman's. You get payment for his services? Not recog- nised as services by the firm. I get my sala.ry. His son could not do the slaughtering. He (Mr Clifford) could not do the slaughtering and mind the shop at the same time. Does no one mind the shop beside you?-—My wife is minding it now while I am here. Your wife manages the shop, and to a consider- able extent?—Yes. So that the excuse that you could not do the slaughtering and mind the shop will not quite wash?—I do not know what you mean by "quite wash." I say that the slaughtering would be too much for me to do with my other work. It is within the bounds of possibility that you could do the slaughtering, and the fact that you would be away from the shop during the time the slaughtering was being carried on would not matter because your wife would mind the shop? Applicant said that he could not do the slaughtering and manjage the business. This man, he pointed out, did the slaughtering for both shops. Is the man in the other shop simply a meat ,slc,sman ?-,Only that. He has not been engaged in butchering?—I could not say. t:I b' Don't you know whether he has any qualifi- cations for butchering except the cutting up and selling of meat?—I don't know. I know for a fact that he has never slaughtered anything in Brecon. Whether he can or not I cannot say. Powell, replying to Mr Best, said he was at- o TT- tested in November or December. ne was will- ing to go provided Mr Clifford could spare him and provided also that he could get into the A.S.C. He distinctly told the recruiting officer that when he atested, and the reply he got was that if he were called up he would give him every chance of going into the A.S.C., otherwise he was not willing to attest. It was not only Mr Clifford's objection that held him back, .but the fact that he had heard that the A.S.C. was filled up. He would be quite willing to go into that oorps if Mr Clifford could spare him. Mr Clifford said he wished to state that he bad not persuaded applicant in any way. The fact that be was attested in November was simply ow- ing to the reason that he was told that no one would be allowed to appeal unless they had been attested. Mr Best This is the first case of a married slaughterman which has come before this Tri- bunal. You have had a single slaughterman be- fore you and he has been exempted. I wish to make it clear that that case is being appealed against by me and he will come before you shortly, because I feel that no married men should be taken while single men are exempt. The Mayor said the Tribunal would grant a temporary exemption for two months. Baker Exempted. I A baker, employed by Mrs Davies, Green Dragon, was, with the consent of the milit&ry authorities, granted conditional exemption as long as ho continued to act as a bread baker. Farmers and Their Seeds. I Mr John Meredith (of Messrs. Meredith and Sons) applied for the exemption of Wm. Jones, carter and horse-keeper. The military represen- tatives did not assent to the claim as they did not consider the reasons sufficient. Mr Meredith said this was the only man they had in that particular business out of three usual- ly employed, the other two having joined. It was utterly impossible for them to carry on the trade without such a man, and they had faded to get another. This man had sole charge of two horses which he had to work. They were now at their w,4i'' c h -he h-M to w<)r busiest time of year, with the agricultural seeds, and they had to have someone to deliver them. It was necessary to have a strong man because he had to deLiver casks of ioil and sacks of corn to the country. They could not employ m Jus place a boy or a woman. Mr Wright Have you tried to get another man ?-We had great difficulty in getting this man. In reply to Mr Best, applicant said in the two businesses they had two men to took after four horses. We are expressly instructed by orders from iKvidquarters, in the case of delivery to private houses, to oppose all applications for the exemp- tion of carmen. In your business of delivering -agricultural seeds and implements to farmers what is there to prevent farmers fetching it ■themselves?—Inclinations, they would not. We cannot put inclination against national needs, at least we ought not to?-The farmers must have their seeds, and if they are busy they cannot fetch the seeds and they must have them delivered. It is in the agricultural interest. But, Mr Meredith, they can find time to go I into market on Fridays?—Some of them. Then leave it at what you said before, it is principally a. question of inclination?—I say it may be inclination, but if they are verv busy, as they are just now, and their horses all employed OR the land, I don't see how they could take heavy sacks of seeds in their traps. At the present moment are farmers plough- ing ?-Yes. Why were not these seeds delivered before?- Because they are not ordered. We have got to get down to the root of things in this time of national need. In this particular case it is perfectly clear and I am not exagger- ating one little bit when I say that many of these things are due to selfishness on the part of people ordering?—It is a fact tha t the seeds have not been ordered, and, therefore, we could not have delivered them. They are in stock, and if we have not a man to deliver these seeds it will mean a matter of C,200 or £300 loss to us. Further replying to Mr Best, applicant said it was quite impossible to work the two businesses together. They could not send a cask of paraffin with groceries because people did not care for paraffin with tea and sugar. (Laughter.) The two .men were engaged in hauling work practically every day of the week. If you had a temporary exemption for him for a month would that take you over the seed time? —I don't think a month would. Supposing you notified your customers that un- less the seeds were ordered now they would have to fetch them?—They would go elsewhere. 'Mr Best And we should have to tackle the elsewhere people. (Laughter.) Asked by Mr Best whether he agreed with him that his customers had not realised suffi- ciently the importance of the war or how they could help patriotically in not fetching the seeds, Mr Meredith said that if they had been told six months ago that from a certain date they would not be able to deliver anything and that they would have to fetch them possibly it might have been done. Without that notice he maintained it could not be done. You knew this man was attested. What efforts have you made to get another man?—We have tried to get men to replace the other men. We have not advertised to fill this man's "place be- cause I thought we could keep him for a time. I had no idea the married men would be called up so soon. I had no idea of the number of ex- emptions which would be given to single men. You, like other people, have thought that every- body else's man might go but their own?—I thought they would take' the single men first of all and then the married men might go, but we have had no time. How many men have left your establishment with your consent?—Which establishment? Both ?-Six men. I don't think any of your sons are serving yet? —They are attested and are waiting to be called up. Mr Meredith, addressing the Tribunal, said that this man had only been medically passed for home service. Mr Best But you cannot deal with that. But that statement is incorrect. I have seen the medi- cal certificate, and he is passed as fit. Answering Mr Best, Jones said when he attest- ed he meant to serve. You are quite willing to go?—Yes. When I was attested they told me it would be for home service. The Mayor said the Tribunal in this case re- fused exemption, and the application was not as- sented to. Mr Meredith Can I appeal against this? The Clerk Yes, within three days.

Brecon (Rural) Tribunal. I NEW CHAIRMAN. I There were fewer cases before the Brecon (Rural) Tribunal held at the Parish Hall, Brecon, on Friday.. Mr Owen Price presided, and Mr C. W. Best attended as military repre- sentative. 'Most of the cases were assented to conditionally by the military authorities. An applicant 39 years of age said he was tenant of a farm and pro- duced rent receipts to support his statement. He was also engaged by farmers for other special work. His father was 65.—Mr Best objected to absolute exemption, which some members sug- gested, saying that should anything happen to the father at any time applicant, being a single man, could get someone to look after the farm during his absence.—Mr John Smith said he did not agree with that. If a farm were left to go to wrack and ruin just because the farmer was a single man, and had to go, it would be against .the interests of the nation.—A conditional exemp- tion, while circumstances remained as at present, was granted. This was the last meeting of the Tribunal over which Mr Owen Price said he would be able to preside, as he had been appointed by the Board of Agriculture to represent them on the County Appeal Tribunal, and at the conclusion of the business, after the heartiest thanks had been ex- tended to Mr Price for his chairmanship, Mr Jenkin Williams (Sennybridge) was unanimously elected chairman. +

I CERTIFIED OCCUPATIONS. I CRICKHOWELL CHAIRMAN & STARRED LIST. 1 FARMER'S SIX SONS. I Mr E. Pirie Gordon presided at a meeting of Crickhowell Military Tribunal at the Town Hall, Crickhowetl, on Friday, to consider about 50 I cases of men in certified occupations which the military representative considered no longer neces- sary in the national interests. The chairman remarked that the list appeared to need revision, as it included men holding medi- cal rejection certificates, several men who some months ago enlisted in the Army as married men in group 39, and cases where men had left the district. The military representative (Mr G. C. James) said the list was sent to him from Brecon, and he handed it to the clerk of the local tribunal, with instructions to send out notices to the men. He was not responsible, and he should like to point out that the military authorities at Brecon were shorthanded. The chairman said he quite understood. Mr James and the Clerk of the Tribunal were in no way to blame. A number of men were unstarred. Nine medi- cal rejection certificates were produced, and, in 5 cases, it was stated the men had either enlist- ed with the colours or joined the Navy. There were several cases of men who, since the Registration Act, have entered certified occupa- tion, and, without exception, they were un- starred. The cases of four men, brothers, were con- sidered, and the father, a farmer in the Cwmdu district, was questioned by the military represen- tative. He said he had six sons altogether—one was married and the youngest 17 years of age. Five of the sons were employed on the farm, which was 200 acres in extent, 28 of which were under plough. He had 70 head of cattle, be- sides a large flock of sheep and 10 horses. He admitted he had only two milking cows. He had two daughters. All his sons were of military qge- except the youngest. The military representative said this was a case where the men most certainly ought to be un- starred; and the Tribunal agreed.

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Farmers and Labour. I WOMEN ON THE LAND. I SUPPLEMENTARY-NOT ADEQUATE. Speaking at the Executive Committee's meet- ing of the Brecon and Radnor Farmers' Union on the 20th inst., Mr J. W. Jones (Sheephouse) I wondered how women could be employed with ad- vantage in the harvest. They oould, perhaps, work a horse-rake, but the heavier work was out- side their physical powers. Again, women would have to be paid a living wage or the interests of men would be sacrificed while they were fight- ing for the country. Farmers would pay reason- able wages, but they were entitled to value, and, therefore, there was need of a clear understand- ing on the point. Personally, he felt the best way to remunerate women was on the "piece-work" principle. Mr 0. W. Davies I should say that would be the better way. Mr David Thomas We are not re-placing men by employing women—we are simply trying to get" what labour is available to carry on in a period of national crisis. We shall probably lose many men off the farms, and it is essential we should look at the question in its right light. Coventry farmers, I am told, pay women 15/- per week, and provide part of a cottage. They also receive 4d per hour overtime pay, the regular working-hours being from 6.30 a.m. to 6 p.m., with half-an-hour off for breakfast and tea and an hour's break for dinner. Mr J. P. Griffiths (secretary) The hours are too long. The Chairman We should know where we stand so far as the Tribunals are concerned. If, as farmers, we employ women we should not be deprived of our skilled men. Women would only take the place of casual or unskilled Labour. The Secretary Is this female labour available? Where is it coming from? Last year a consider- able effort was made to get labour for the land by the La.bour Exchanges, but the result was that no surplus labour could be found anywhere. I very much question whether suitable, healthy, strong women aire to the found in any numbers for the land. Mr G. P. Jones I believe women could help a great deal-we must not be prejudiced. Mr J. W. Jones If we lose our skilled hands the farms will go out of cultivation. Women could never take the place of men—only to a very limited extent. Mr J. Evans We have not enough labour in Erwood district now, and, if women are employed, we should require the skilled men to show them how to do the work. The Secretary It takes several years to make a skilled agriculturist. Women can be taught to make munitions in a month or so, but such was not the. case with farming. Agricultural work is so seasonal, and practically every job is a new one throughout the round of the year. Mr Dd. Thomas Women labour is only to be of a supplementary character—not to displace men. Mr Nicholls We have to agree to do the best we can to work the land over a very difficult per- iod. The question of women-labour is merely intended to be of a supplementary character. There is no end to jobs women cannot do on the farm, and this particularly applies to Brecon and Radnor. No women could follow a team. She would, however, be able to work in the harvest fields, plant potatoes, etc. We have to make sacrifices now, and I fear we shall have to make graver sacrifices before the war is over. We shall not lose our men for 2 or 3 months, but. in the meantime, we should prepare women for the emergency. Alderman Mervyn Davies (chairman) We are not prejudiced to women labour, and are willing to employ them to the extent they are able to do farm work. They cannot, however, be regarded as able to take the place of men. Discussion on the -subject now ceased.

BRECON RURAL COUNCIL. A TALYLLYN WATER SUPPLY. I MAESCAR COUNCIL'S APPLICATION. I At the Brecon Rural District Council on Fri- t day, Mr Owen Price (chairman) informed the Council that he had been appointed by the Board of Agriculture to represent them on the County Appeal Tribunal and, in that case, he had de- cided to resign his seat on the local tribunal. A good deal of the work had been done, most of the appeals having been gone through, but a large number of those who had been exempted tempor- arily would come up again and there would be appeals to be dealt with from the married groups. Evidently there would be a lot of work for the Tri- bunal to do during the course of this summer. The Tribunal, he said, had done their work as' impartially as possible but nevertheless they had been blamed for giving too many exemptions on the one hand and on the other for giving too few. (Laughter). Rev. T. C. Richards regretted that Mr Owen Price was resigning the. chairmanship. He was a gentleman whom they always looked up to, and ,his rulings at the tribunal had always been thor- oughly correct. (Hear, hear.) I Unsatisfactory Water Supply. 1 II The Sanitary Committee reported, among other matters, that a complaint had been made in re- gard to the water supply to certain houses near Ta-lyllyn station. The water, it was stated, was, exposed to contamination before it reached the spout on the roadside from which the water was obtained. The supply to the spout consists of an overflow and is conveyed by a shallow field drain from the tank to the spout referred to, a distance of about 100 yards. During the rainfall surface drainage percolates freely into the field drain and the water discharged at the spout is frequent- ly extremely muddy and quite unfit for use. The risk of fouling was still greater when the field was being treated with farmyard and artificial manures. Rev. T. C. Richards said the report was quite correct. On several days last week the water was muddy and unfit for use even to wash tea things with. The supply was for 14 houses and he thought the owner of the field would have no ob- jection to them remedying matters, so long as it did not interfere with the supply of water to his house. On the suggestion of the chairman, the matter was referred back to the committee, instructions being given that in the meantime 'some arrange- ments should be made to ensure a purer supply. Sennybridge Water Works. I Maescar Parish Council wrote respectfully ap- pealing for some power or authority to inspect and see that the work in connection with the schedule of duties of caretaker of the sewage and water-works were more effectively carried out. as the Parish Council was directly more in touch with the interest of the work than the District Council generally. They considered it would be to the interest of those whom they represented in both villages to see that the system of the works was kept in proper working order and sug- gested that the Parish Council should be. formed a representative committee for general inspection. The Chairman If anything is wrong in the management of these works it is the I duty of the Parish Council to tell us in order to get it remedied and improved; but, at the same time I think the letter is going a bit too far. I am sure that this council has no wish to do anything- only what is right and fair. If the work is not carried on property I hope they will let us know. The Council then considered applications ,for the vacant post of caretaker to the Sennybridge waterworks and sewage scheme, and by a large majority Mr David Griffiths, blacksmith, Devy- nock, was appointed.

Captain R. T. Evans (Cefn-Coed), an officer of the 2nd Gwent Battalion, has been wounded in action, and is now in ,hospital in France. Before the outbreak of war Captain Evans, who is a first- cuass honours man. was engaged as an economic assistant to Colonel David Davies, M.P. He en- listed as a private soon after war was declared, but was later granted a commission, and, within a few months, was promoted to the rank of first lieutenant, afterwards receiving his captaincy. I Brecon Board of Guardians. GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL & "RED TAPE." I A SURCHARGE OF 4/6. I There were present at Brecon Board of Guar- dians, on Friday, Mr Owen Price (chairman), Mr John Jones (vice-chairman), Miss Adelaide Williams, Revs. T. Griffiths, T. C. Richards and A. E. Evans, and Messrs. E. T. Hyde, C. W. Best, J. Jones (Llandefalle), Edward Jones, Evan Jones, W. Morgan, 0. T. Harrys Howells, W. C. Davies, Thomas Williams, J. Thomas, Dl. Watkins, Jenkin Williams, Thos. Daniels, J. F. Ricketts, Rees Williams, J. Price, John Smith, Edgar Morgan, T. Powell, J. Jones (Battle), W. W. Williams, J. Jones (Glyn)-, W. Morgan (Glyntawe), P. J. Williams, T. Morgan, E. J. Hill (deputy-clerk) and other officials. The number of vagrants who received relief -at the workhouse during the month was 147, being 43 less than for the corresponding period last year. There are 63 inmates in the bouse. "Red Tapeism." The clerk reported that the Government Au- ditor had surcharged 4/6 railway fare paid for a man, who was 'an inmate of the house, in order that he might take up a situation in another un- ion, on the ground that the payment was illegal to send a pauper from one union to another. Mr Best said he was largely responsible for what was ddne, and was quite prepared to pay the 4/6 himself, but, on a matter of principle, he strongly urged the Board to appeal against this decision. This man was given 4/6 to enable him to go to a situation which had been found for him. It was a case where, speaking with all due re- spect, an official was hidebound by red tape re- gulations in a matter that might have been dealt with by a little common-sense. (Hear, hear.) There Was no intention of dumping this man from one union into another. This pauper was a man who at one time had been in a good position, and having a situation to go to they thought by paying his fare to go to it they would be setting him on his legs again and thus save the rate- payers' money. It was stated that the man held the situation two months, and then his health broke down again and he had to be re-admitted to Brecon Workhouse. Mr Best proposed that the Board should appeal to the L.G.B. against the surcharge, and this was unanimously agreed to. contracts. With regard to contracts and the war, the L.G.B., replying to a letter from the clerk un- der date March 20th, said they were of opinion that in any case in which contractors represented to the Guardians that they could not continue to supply goods, etc., at contract prices, the Guar- dians should endeavour to arrange with the con- tractors to continue to supply on the understand- ing that whilst the contracts would form a basis for arrangement as to the prices to be paid, the Guardians would be willing, to settle the actual amounts at a subsequent date by agreement or by arbitration. The clerk said he had seen the Government Au- ditor on the question, and he said that in all cases where the contract was entered into after the war commenced the L.G.B. now refused to grant any extra sums. but where contracts had been entered into before the war they had grant- ed concessions in some cases. It was a matter that concerned one contractor a good deal. Mr Best said the L.G.B, must. have known by the clerk's letter that this particular contract was entered into after the war; and this para- graph in their letter was a- distinct authorisation to deal with that. They should take the matter up with the L.G.B. and not sit down under it— it was most unjust. He proposed this. Mr J. Smith seconded, remarking that it was well-known that some contractors were supplying goods at a loss, and it was ridiculous that they should be ignored. This was another case of "red tape." Mr Best If it had not been for the answer given by the L.G.B. in their letter we should have terminated the Contracts. We should es- pecially emphasise the fact that these contracts were entered into on a date subsequent to the outbreak of war. The motion was agreed to. Officials and the War. The deputy-clerk said he and the master of the workhouse had attested, and would probably be called up shortly in their groups. Mr John Jones (vice-chairman) said they could not dispense with these officials' services, and they should .appeal for them. Their clerk had now been gone for a long time, and if they lost their deputy-clerk again they would be in a very bad position. The chairman said Mr Hill had been acting as their clerk to the Board, the Rural Council, the Tribunal and in other Ways for 18 months, and his hands had been more than full, insomuch that he was not only doing work in the day-time, but was obliged to work ;by night. It was very essential that he should be retained. With re- gard to the master, the management of the house was very important, and he (the chairman) quite agreed that they should appeal for both. It was unanimously decided to appeal for the exemption of these officials from military service.

I Amalgamation of Workhouses I 1 DISCUSSED AT BUILTH. REV. DAVID OWEN'S SCHEME. I Relative to the suggested amalgamation of worlchouses to reduce the cost of maintenance, etc., Mr J. P. Griffiths (secretary to Brecon and Radnor Farmers' Union Executive Committee), at a recent meeting in Builth, said he had written to the six unions of the two counties, asking for information, etc. 'He had heard from Knighton, Rhayader, Builth and Brecon, but nothing had come to hand from Hay and Crickhowell. Bre- con's inmates numbered 66 and an abstract, giving other details, was also sent. Knighton had 40 inmates, 4 officials and the salaries paid amounted to X122 per annum with occasional hired labour. Rhayader had 23 inmates, 3 officials and salaries paid amounted to Xlll 8s. Officials' mainten- ance cost for the last half-year was X40 3s 7d. Builth had 30 inmates, 3 officials and the cost of indoor maintenance (including vagrants) was 6/10 per head per wppk. -N,lr O. W. Davies Nothing is said about laun- dry maids, porters and the host of other officials. I suppose the inmates do the work and the officials see they do it? (Laughter.) Mr T. Davies But the inmate are not paid. Mr O. W. Davies No—they do the work for those who are. (Laughter). I don't think these replies satisfactory—we want information on the complete staffs, cost, etc. Mr.R. T. Rogers You wish to know what staff each workhouse has, what the salaries of officials are, and cost of inmates, vagrants, etc.? Mr O. W. Davies That is 80. Mr J. Evans I think we should bave asked the Rev. Dd. Owen to attend this meeting, for, he could have enlightened us on the matter. I be- lieve he once said it cost XI per week to keep each pauper in the workhouse, that was taking establishment and all other charges into con- sideration. Ald. Mervyp T. Davies (chairman) Seeing two replies have not come to 'hand. we shall have to deal with this matter again.

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Farmers' Co-op. I ———— WEST BRECONSHIRE SOCIETY'S ANNUAL MEETING. EXPANSION OF CO-OPERATION. I The annual general meeting of the West Breconshire Farmers' Association, Ltd. (formerly, the Cradoc Co-operative Society), was held at Bethel Hall, Brecon, on Friday. Amongst those present were Messrs. J. L. Davies (in the chair), John Jones, Pentregwyn (vice-chairman), Walter Williams (agricultural organiser), David Thomas, Builth (county organiser), Howell Phil- lips, David Davies (Cilhowey), Edward Thomas, Evans (Newton), John Jenkins, Daniel Rees, Edgar Morgan, David Lewis, Griffith Jones (Maesmawr) and Rees Williams (Pool), and Rev. J. Davies, Aberyskir (secretary), and Mr R. G. Stapledon, M.A. (University College of Wales, Aberystwyth). I' The annual report was as follows :—"The ap- pearance of the report and balance-sheet for the year 1915 is an event of great importance in the history of agricultural co-operation in Brecon- shire. The importance of the event lies in the fact that we have to report expansion and de- velopment in new directions, as well as progress in the old. Since the issue of the last report the society has been re-registered under a new and a more comprehensive name, and has also become amalgamated with the Talybont Co-operative So- ciety. Further, in accordance with an announce- ment in the last report, the business of Mr T. Rees, Ship Street, Brecon, has been purchased and taken over, and a considerable amount of trade has been done in ironmongery, in addition to the usual agricultural requirements. But the expansion has been a drain on our resources, and, consequently, our balance-sheet shows a slight deficit, which can easily be accounted for. The want of sufficient capital and excessive cre- dit are chiefly responsible for the deficit. Changes and economies in certain directions has already been decided on, and these measures will tend to improve very considerably the financial position of the association." The chairman said the most important item in the report was the amount outstanding in debts. This was not satisfactory. The society had been established to support the members, and not to act as a borrowing society to non-members. They were not established for credit. He further stat- ed that the committee would be obliged to close the accounts with non-members. A resolution to that effect would be the only way to improve the society's financial position. He proposed the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Mr Walter Williams seconded and called at- tention to the amount outstanding at the end of the year. He stated that cash payments were the essence of successful co-operation. He was glad to hear it was intended to discontinue business with people who took a long time in paying. He proposed a small sub-committee be appointed to go into finances monthly with the staff. The balance-sheet and report were adopted un- animously. The secretary informed the meeting that a small committee for the purpose had previously been appointed, and several meetings had been held. Several members expressed their opinions on the matter, which then dropped. Mr Walter Williams proposed that Mr J. L. Davies be re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. This was seconded by Mr John Jones and carried unanimously. Mr John Jones (Pentregwyn) was elected vice- chairman, on the motion of Mr David Davies, seconded by Mr John Jenkins. The members nominated for the committee were elected on the proposition of the chairman, seconded by Mr John Jones (Pentregwyn). 'The addition of Mr Davies (Llwyngraig) to the com- mittee was carried unanimously. "Grass Land in Wales." Mr R. G. Stapledon (University College of Wales, Aberystwyth) addressed the meeting on the subject of "Grass Land in Wales." "If we want to add to our food supplies," he said, "we must add to the fertility of the soil." This was everywhere overlooked. The soils! in Wales were insufficient in lime. In a wet district like theirs the lime was washed out of the soil to a certain extent. When they bad clover on the land they bad good pasture. A substantial amount of white clover meant a. fertile farm. He dealt at length with the various kinds of grass and their advantages. English and Welsh grown clover was needed in this country. With regard to seed mixtures and their impurities, it all de- pended on what the impurities were. They should be careful, as a society, that the bulk was up to the standard of the sample. Two per cent. of thistles or Yorkshire fog in a mixture meant a few thousand plants, which would take years to clear out. In this opinion, the better the grass land the better and mo.,e fertile the farm. He advised them, in conclusion, to have an eye to the future. (Applause.) The chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Stapledon for his useful and lucid address on a subject of real interest. Mr Bees Williams (Pool) seconded, and the vote was carried with acclama- tion. Mr Stapledon suitably replied.

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Blaze at Norton. I SOLDIERS HOME DESTROYED. I In the early hours of Tuesday morning of last week, Presteign people were aroused by"the ring- ing of the fire alarm bell at the Market Hall, and it was learned that a cottage, called Shelly's Cot- tage, at Norton, near Presteign, had caught fire and was burning fiercely. It appears that a farmer, named Mr Evan Price, of Haresgreen, was out attending 'to the lambs on his grounds and observed the glare, at once giving the alarm. Mr Whitmore Green-Price sent his chauffeur, Mr Bryan Jones, to Presteign to summon the fire brigade, and, with commendable speed, they proceeded to the scene of the conflagration. By the time the brigade arrived there, however, noth- ing could be done to save the premises, which were practically gutted. The cottage, one with a thatched roof, was oc- cupied by Sergeant and Mrs Rocke, the latter be- ing at present away serving with his regiment, the 1st Herefords, and Mrs Rocke was also away from 'home at the .time. It is not quite clear how the fire originated, 'but it is said that a neighbour, in Mrs Rocke's absence, had been airing some bed-linen, and, it is thought, these caught fire. The cottage and all its contents were practically destroyed, including the household furniture of the occupants and Sergt. Rocke's medals and- decor- ations. The fire brigade was under the command of the captain. Mr J. J. Griffiths, and a number of townspeople also went to the spot to render what assistance they could, whilst the villagers did everything that could be done. Much sym- pathy is felt with Sergt. and Mrs Rocke in their loss. Sergt. Rocke had served in the Royal En- gineers in the South African war, and had several medals and decorations, which were destroyed.

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Colliery Venture. BANKRUPTCY OF BRYNMAWR LADY. Before the registrar (Mr E. H. Davies) the public examination took place at Tredegar Bank- ruptcy Court, on the 20th inst., of Mary Jane Bull, wife of Charles BuU, of Brookfield House, Brynmawr, a colliery proprietor. Mr W. A. Jones (Messrs. Powell, Hughes and Jones, Brynmawr) was for the debtor. The gross liabilities amounted to zC556 17s 6d, and there was expected to rank for dividend X300 16s 6d. There were no assets. Failure was attributed to an award given against her at the instance of a petitioning ere- ditor, and the denial of liabilities by an insurance company under the policy issued by them. Debtor commenced business as a colliery pro- prietor at Llwyd Coed, Nantyglo, in April, 1914, without capital. An assignment of the lease of the colliery was taken in the name of the debtor's husband, who, it was stated, paid XN to the les- sees for the unexpired term to October, 1915. She alleged that the working of the colliery was left to her husband, who is an undischarged bankrupt, and her son, who is a minor. At the outset, the business was carried on under the name of M. and C. H. Bull, but, beyond signing a proposal for an insurance policy and going security for moneys advanced, debtor said she had had nothing to do with any colliery or other business. Nothing had been done at the Llwyd Coed Colliery since No- vember 17, 1914. The husband of the petitioning creditor met his death whilst engaged in work at the colliery on November 11, 1914. After negotiations, debtor was made respondent in a claim under the Com- pensation Act, and an award for R300 made for applicant, no defence being entered. The insur- ance company refused to concern themselves with the matter, contending that no valid insurance had been effected with them, but afterwards paid zClOO into court. Debtor had kept no books of ac- count and knew nothing about the colliery. The texamination was closed.

Paid 20/- in the Pound. OFFICER GETS HIS DISCHARGE. .ro ,T"?" Major nenry uoraon wolnge, (jordon (rLowey Hall, Llandrindod Wells), who is now serving with a well-known regiment, was given his dis- cliurg*' irom bankruptcy at Newtown County- coui t. His debts amounted to X2,099 lis 8d, and n presented money-lending transactions chiefly. lu ")09 he openc l a county club at Llandrindod Wells at a cost of £ 12,000. It was announced that he had paid his creditors 20/- in the X.

Have you seen the "Royal" for April? Its article on "Love" is a "peach" And the magazine is still sold at 4td.

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