Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Telegraph and General Weekly Reporter for the Counties of Pembroke Cardigan Carmarthen Glamorgan and the Rest of South Wales

I LOCAL NEWS. Mrs Nad in, of Tenby, has won a prize of £2 2s. offered by "Tit Bits" for the beat poem entitled The Lament of Lord Kitchener." District Nurse.—We are aske i to state that the District Nurse is suffering from a poisoned finger, and will be away from home for a week. Dislocated His Shoulder.—As a result of slipping on the frost while motor-cycling last Thursday, Mr Hayes, the assistant county surveyor, disiocated his right shoulder. At the County Appeal Tribunal on Friday Mr Vincent Evans, Dew Street, was granted leave to appeal to the Central Tribunal in London. The application was heard in camera. Red Cross Tea.—The tea on Monday in connection with the British Red Croes Society (Haverfordwest Working Party) will be given by Mrs John Blaud, who will also entertain the soldiers from Cottesmore. As last New Year's Day the charge for tea will be Gd. Alb-ny Mission Service.-We would re- mind our readers of the Albany monthly mission service,*to ba held next Sunday evening. The pastor, Rev. Owen Jacobs, will preach on the sub- jest Messages from the trenches." A solo will be rendered by Sergt. Eaton. An Interesting Visitor.—A few days ago Corporal Roberts gave his parents Mr and Mrs Roberts, Sutton Hill, Portfleld, a pleasant surprise by arriving home at midnight after an absence of several years. He emigrated to Australia some years ago, and when war broke out he joined the Anzacs and fought at Gallipoli. Mayor's Christmas Greeting.—A charming Christmas greeting has been issued by the Mayor: and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs G. Herbert Llewellin). The letter-press of the card is surmounted by the seal and motto of the Corporation, and the greeting is "accompanied by the hope that victory to the Allies may bring lasting peace and happiness to all mankind." Hunting the Submarines —A Haverfordwest man, who has been serving for many months on one of the patrol boats in the Mediterranean, sends home an interesting account of submarine hunting. Is it not singular," he asks, how little the enemy submarines show themselves when we are in sight. Anyhow they must lead very harassed lives. They have to be very careful themselves, and will have to be more careful as time goes on." Christmas Visitors.—A large number of soldiers were granted leave over Christmas. Mr Alfred James, rate collector, had the pleasure of having his three sons home over the festive season. Sergt. Alfred James came home from France on Thursday for 21 days' leave prior to proceeding to a Cadet School for four months The other sons are 2nd Lieut. Douglas James and Cadet Stanley James. Other visitors included Cadet Walter Edwards and Cadet Bertie Raynes. Christmas Market.-Record prices were secured at the Christmas market held on Friday last. A large quantity of poultry and a small supply of beef were offered. A considerable number of turkeys and geese were bought by dealers for des- patch to the large industrial centres. Turkeys fetched from Is 8d to 2s a lb. geese, ducks and fowls from Is 6d and Is 8d per lb.; prize beef from Is Id to Is id per lb. cow beef from lid to Is 2d pork Is to Is 3d lamb Is 2d and Is 3d per lb. Butter was bought up at 2a and 2s 3d per lb; eggs sold at four for Is rabbits at Is 2d each, and Welsh cheese at lid per lb. There was a clear-out sale. Concert at Cottesmore —A very enjoyable concert, over which Mr Francis D. Phillips presided, was given at Cottesmore Nursing Hospital, on Thursday evening last by the members of the Haverfordwest Cambrian Lodge. The names of the Masons who took part included Brothers C. A. Brigstocke, Geo. Lewis, W. H. Reynolds, W. D. Phillips, G. J. Thomas, T. A. Harries, F. J. Warren, and W. Summons. Everyone was delighted and a cordial vote of thanks was accorded these gentlemen for adding to the Soldiers' Christmas cheer. Bros. C. A. Brigstocke, Francis Phillips and Mr Eric Green generously placed their cars at the disposal of the Party.

NEYLAND NEWS. BILLIARD TOURNAMENT. Mr Edward Morgan after defeating his father in the semi-final, finally ran out winner of the tournament receiving the first prize, a cue and case given by Mr Dan Phillips, Kensington Road, whilst Mr George Thomas won a pair of fowls given by Mr Canning. There were altogether fifteen prizes given by various members and friends of the Institute. CHRISTMAS HOLIDAYS.—The Christmas holidays this year have been probably the quietest on record. Many dockyard men who have been working in the other yards have been home. The major portion of the men went to work on Boxing Day as usual, though a few took leave. On Tuesday evening there was a social and dance in the National School when a large number of people were present, including many Christmas visitors. Mr Tom Harries proved as usual an excellent M.C.

RHEUMATISM-KIDNEY TROUBLE. Rheumatism is due to uric acid crystals in the joints and muscles, the result of excessive uric acid in the system that the kidneys failed to remove as nature intended, and this acid is also the cause of backache, lumbago, sciatica, gout, urinary trouble, stone, gravel, dropsy. Estora Tablets, a specific based on Modern medical science, are the successful treatment, and have cured numberless obstinate cases after the failure of all other remedies, which accounts for them superseding out- of-date medicines sold at a price beyond all but the wealthy. Estora Tablets—an honest remedy at an honest price-Is 3d per box of 40 tablets, or six boxes for 6s 9d. All chemists, or postage free from Estora Co 132, Charing Cross-road, London, W.C. Agent-PUGH DAVIES, Chemist, 25 High Street.

Christmas Celebrations. The shadow of the war for the third Christmas in succession hung over our yuletide festivities. It was impossible to be merry in the sense of a light-hearted abandonment to the joys of the present, yet the shadow was relieved by one small ray of li,,ht. Peac,, talk" may prove to be that "false dawn" which is by no means an unusual phenomenon in Eastern countries, but the fact that the word" peace" is mentioned gives ground for hope. It was one of the quietest Christmas seasons on record. The holiday traffic was confined almost entirely to soldiers, a large number of whom came to spend Christmas around the old yule log. This was the brightest feature of the festivities. Nearly all social functions on Christmas evening and Boxing Day were this year abandoned. There was the usual Christmas rush at the Post Office, and cousidering the depleted staff and the large amount of inexperienced labour now em- ployed, there was surprisingly little inconvenience caused in the delivery of letters and parcels. There was a notable decrease in the number of Christmas cards sent out. THE CHURCHES.  ST. MARY'S. There were the usual services at the churches. At St. Mary's an interesting innovation was intro- duced by the vicar (Rev. T. O. Phillips) in the form of a six o'clock celebration of the Holy Communion. This service was attended by IS communicants, while at the seven o'clock service there were 32 communicants, at the 8 o'clock service 63, and at the 11 o'clock service 24, a total of 137 communi- cants for the day. At the conclusion of the ordinary service on Sunday the choir, with Mr Anstey at the organ, sang four carols. An interesting feature of these services was the handing to the bovs on Christmas afternoon of Mr Churchwarden L. H. Thomas's Christmas gift' consisting of one shilling each to twenty-seven boys. Unfortunately Mr Thomas was unable through indisrosition to be present to personally present each boy with the gift, but the Vicar made an excellent substitute. During the morning service the anthem Arise shine," &c. (Elvey) was tastefully rendered by the choir. The church had been beautifully decorated, the front especially being clothed in exquisite flowers by Mrs Herbert Price. Other decorators were: Miss B. James (altar vases); Mrs L. H. Jenkins (font at the west end window) Mrs L. H. Thomas, Mrs David Davies, the Misses Barham, and Miss Gwen Davies (nave window); Miss John, Miss Bevan, Miss Parker, and the Misses Warren (chancel win- dows) i Miss Olive Jenkins (north porch); the Misses Edna and Elsie Eemplay and Miss Ileen Mathiaa (litany desk and pillars). A plentiful supply of ever- greens was kindly sent by Sir Charles and Lady Philipps. All the services were conducted by the Vicar, who preached appropriate sermons. ST. MARTIN'S A Correspondent writes:—" For the firat time probably since the Reformation a sung Eucharist was celebrated at the above church on Xmas Eve. Commencing at 11.15 on Sunday night, the Liturgy was so ordered that the" Solemn act of consecra- tion" took place as the clock in the steeple at the sister church of S. Mary's boomed out the midnight hour. The service was the most impressive and the most reverent at which the writer has ever been present. There was a large congregation and com- munion was given to a great number. The revival of "an ancient Catholic custom" has been fully justified, and it is devoutly hoped that many churches in the diocese will follow the lead St. Martin's has given them. The services on Xmas Day were as follows: Low Celebrations at 7 and 8. Procession and Sung Eucharist at 11 a.m. Solemn Evensong at 6 p.m. The Vicar the Rev. A. Baring- Gould was celebrant at all services." ST. THOMAS. At St. Thomas Church there were the usual decorations. The services were well attended, and on Xmas Day the Anthem Christians Awake was I impressively rendered by the choir, Mr Reynolds presiding at the organ. THE CHAPELS. Services were also held at the Tabernacle and Wesleyan Chapels, when there were fairly large congregations. Christmas hymns were sung, and inspiring sermons were preached by the Rev. E. Nicholson Jones and the Rev. E. J. Bradford re- spectively. CONCERT AT THE INFIRMARY. A very pleasant gathering was held at the Havor- fordwest Infirmary yesterday afternoon, when the patients were cheered by an entertainment to which some of the best local talent contributed. Arcb. Hilbers presided, and was supported bv the Rev. E. Nicholson Jones, Rev. Owen Jacobs, and the deputy- mayor (Mr R. Sinnett). Madame Amy Jones sang several solos, and also accompanied the other vocalists. Miss Mills delighted the audience with her violin playing, so perfect in technique and expression. The other artistes were Messrs. W. H. Reynolds, George Lewis and Fred J. Warren (who appeared in a trio), Miss Hancock and Mr James James and Mr C. H. Lawrence (who gave several humorous recitations in splendid style). We must not omit to mention the clever conjuring tricks, including the disappearing half-crown by the Rev. E. Nicholson Jone. Miss Louise Reynolds also gave a pianoforte duet. During an interval the whole party were entertained to tea by the matron, who was ably assisted by a staff of nurses. AT THE WORKHOUSE. The Workhouse inmates had the usual Christmas fare,—roast beef and plum pudding. The gift were Mr S. W. Dawkins, tobacco for sick wards; Mrs Dawkins, tea and sugar for patients and toys, sweets and oranges for children The Misses Davies, Hill House College, cake for patients, and toys and oranges for children; Mrs Colborne, cakes for children and sick wards; Mrs Lloyd Davies, Glan- afon, apples and celery; Brabazon Committee, tea, sugar and biscuits for patients; Mrs Taylor, oranges and sweets; Mrs W. Thomas, Hill Street, oranges and sweets for children.

—- MR AND MRS X. HUMOROUS POLICE COURT INCIDENT RECALLED. The scene was at a local Petty Sessions sometime ago, and the principal actor was a woman who was always threatening to Court" her husband. Her matrimonial bliss was not what she had contemplated. To few belong the realisation of perfect happiness. This particular lady thought her supremacy in her own home was not sufficiently acknowledged by her husband. Eventually matters came to a climax, and the great attack was launched. The Courtroom at the petty sessions was crowded, as it generally is, there being large numbers of people in Haverfordwest who do not work on Mondays. Business having commenced, the Clerk called out Mrs X against MrX." Mrs X responded, but Mr X had not arrived. The Magistrates, however, decided, after a short deliberation, to proceed with the case. Mrs X having been sworn, she stated that her application was for a separation order against Mr X, as he was continually" crossing," "teasing," and using "insulting language" towards her. She had just reached this stage of her story when there was a little stir in the rear of the courtroom. It was caused by none other than the said Mr X making his way towards the witness box. Looking his wife full in the face, he addressed her thus: Oh I here you are, my sweetheart! Here you are I have been looking for you all the morning, dearest." The further progress of the discourse was interrupted by a policeman's strong voice exclaiming Silence in Court I" Mrs X having by this time been wound up to her usual pitch of excitement, turned to the magistrates, and waving her bands like a musical conductor and finally settling her right hand in a pointing attitude to Mr X exclaimed There gentlemen! There gentle- men he is insulting me now." The magistrates were seen to be discussing the matter, and afterwards the Chairman said that after the entertainment they had jast witnessed, they took a hopeful view of the case. They had decided to bindover Mrs X to be calm for a reasonable period and hoped Mr X would do all he could to help her in the undertaking laid down by the bench. The Clerk then breathed a big sigh of relief, and began preparing for the next case. Mr and Mrs X turned to the magistrates, and after thanking them for their patient hearing, left the Court arm in arm. Mrs X was overheard saying to Mr X To-morrow we celebrate New Year's day dearest." Mr X nodded a pleased assent.

POSTPONED WEDDING AT DINAS. The nuptials of the Rev. George Morgan, Tvheo, and Mrs Evans, of Penpark, near New Quay, which were arranged to take place at Glanrhyd yesterday week, were deferred in consequence of the state of the roads. The veteran bridegroom, accompanied by the Rev. J. L. Jones, Brynhenllan, started in 110 motor car, which, however, failed to climb tne hill below Gideon. Meanwhile the bride-to-be tele- graphed that the car was unable to travel. The happy event will take place at the earliest possible moment.

In PEACE IN 1917 ? With the Chairman of the Haverfordwest Grammar School Governors, every one is now looking forward to a speedy end of the pres- ent war. There was one significant passage in Mr Lloyd George's impressive speech in the House of Commons which does not seem to have attracted general attention. The Premier, in advocating the mobilization of labour, said that victory may be beyond our grasp unless reorganisation can be promptly carried out, and he added "It is a question of months, perhaps of weeks." That does not suggest another five years of war," as Lord iSorthchffe predicted, nor a war carried on for a generation, as the Morning Post thinks, with intervening periods of exhaus- tion on both sides." This might be true if Germani were prepared to fight on until the last man," and in ruining herself half- ruin the rest of Europe. When one set of belligerents makes direct overtures for peace, we may be sure that we are nearing the end. Henceforth peace talk is in the air, and one step will follow the other until the grand consummation is reached. That peace will be secured in 1917 we think almost certain. With the friendly intervention of President Wilson terms of settlement come appreciably nearer. We fail to see why anyone should resent the action of the President of the United States who, we believe, is actuated by purely humanitarian motives. There is, indeed, one unfortunate phrase in the President's note in which he said that each side desires to make the rights and privileges of small States secure against aggression. It is true that the statesmen on both sides have made public declarations to this effect, but President Wilson must be thoroughly familiar with the Bryce report and other well authenticated documents which establish beyond any manner of doubt an appalling record of German infamy in Belgium, a little country which she had sworn to defend against attack. But a representa- tive of a neutral State who desires to take soundings must, we suppose, to be suc- cessful, take official declarations at their face value. The German Chancellor admitted that the invasion of Belgium was a great wrong," and if a great wrong we suppose he will be prepared to make reparation," which is one of our demands. There surely cannot be any objection to the Allies stating their terms before the world. We want to get away from the region of nebulous phrases. Let our demands be as high as the crimes of Germany justify, but let them be stated in concrete objects. That, we think, is due to the men who are facing death daily in the trenches. The one over-mastering consideration in all peace proposals is that there must be no repetition of these horrors which have lain on Europe, like a nightmare during the past two and a half years. This can only be achieved by a process of disarmament, and the test of Germany's sincerity will be the lengths to which she is prepared to go in the attainment of this ideal. There must be effective guarantees against great nations regarding treaties as scraps of paper," and the lands of small nations as short cuts to military ambitions. In the case of a power like Germany this can only be attained by a con- siderable measure of disarmament, by the creation of a new Concert of Europe, or by a League of Peace which shall include America and which shall insist on all international disputes being referred to arbitration. Joubert 'has finely said, Force and right are the governors of this world force till right is ready." The world is not quite ready for "right" alone; force for a time yet must safeguard public right; and that, we take it, will be the object of a League of Peace under whose auspices we must proceed to rebuild a shattered world.

PEMBROKE DOCK. The result of the December examination of dock- yard apprentices, in the senior divisions, has been announced as follows :—Fourth year apprentices—I- T. John, 537 marks, L. E.Adams, 500, W. Brock, ssg. The maximum marks obtainable was 700. Third year apprentices—J. E. King, 400, W. G. Tucker, 349, D. E. Dally, 3S2, W. T. Davies, 326, R. T. Davies, 285, A. C. Pain, 182. Maximum marks 500. Yesterday at the Apprentices' Upper School Captain-Superin- tendent Gilpin Brown presented the prizes awarded by the Admiralty to the boys who obtained the lead- ing positions in each division at the Midaummer examination.