The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

ALLEGED. FALSE pretences AT BANGOR j r NfiVlN GIRL'S STORY OF HER CAREER. 1 GIRL'S STORY OF I-TER CAREER. ii A ■ *,j« J?ngor Police Court, on Tuesday, before Pughe a??d other magistrate, Kate p.o.'? (22), a native of Nevin, was charge ?"?? obtaining. by false pretence5¡ a pair of boota »«i at. £ l from Mr F. W. Wynne, boot dealer, Upper Bangor, and also with ob- ta"lilig food and ?od,?)ng by false pretences from *?,'? Holt. Weif-street. Sup&rintendent Griffith ?osecui?. red W. Wynne said the defendant called st Ilia siwp and stated dtat ???s Thomaa. wife -I. J. E. Thomas, wished him to &end some ?? down for her inspection. W itness remark- her that MM Thomas was not a customer j ',IIS, ?"s??pon the defendant said that Mæ !?. ?''? ?? ""? saHsfi&d with boots she had Sbpf0'1 fht?Utiing in town, as they were very poor." *R?? a took the boots away with her, and return- ?S with them an hou? bt?r said that Mrs Tho- v.-anted to know whether he kept any fanGy "?Pped shoes. She was shown a couple (??f  r8. but said they would not suit Mrs Thomas. Ventu-ally she said she would take a pair of Patent leather shoes, and wen? away wilJh ?<'?. } ^'S Tt?omas, Nantlys, said she had no know- j le,dgo of the defendant, who had never been in er service, nor was she ever authorised to buy oats for witness.  W. Roberts (55) deposed to arresting the ^ndant, who made no repiy to the charge. t ?he Defendait when formaJiy ch'j'?ed made ) .!lï reply, but handed in the following'statement, n ueh was read by the Magistrates' Clerk (Mr e. Vincent):- Gc" itien-ieii,I wa-s brought up by my grand- Mother until I was 14 years of age; when she died I went to service as a nurse to [I place where ?y mother was a cook, at Cardiff-road, PwH- eh. Mother left the phK? at P'.vUheM. and went ,Its a housekeeper to a widower to Penrhyndeu- raoUl. Aftor she liad been there some time she iftarried him, then I left mv place and went to livo with them. After I had been home a few -eeks my etep-father turned very unkind to me •s^^d also to my mother. Then I got lodging in In,,ume and got sent to prison for a month. j hell I came out of prison I went home. But ,tber was no home for me; I wa.s turned out ?° I had nothing to do So I got lodging again In my step-father's name. I wa3 tried at Port- JtoUioc Police Court and got out on bail until th L, sessions. While I was waiting to be tried my stop-father died. At the Carnarvon Sessions, yt1 tolier 14th, 1912, I was sentenced to three years In a. Borstal Institution. While I was at Bor- -tal my mother married again, a widower with ) three little children. I served two years and six tnOÜhs at Borstal, then I came home to wait on toy mother who was ill with cancer. She died .August 17th, 1816, and left me with no one to j Pftd on. My home was broken up. I had how ho re to go, so I came to Carnarvon to a friend at the Land Valuation Office, Carnarvon. Worked there for my food. She got tired of Ine, so I went to her friend's house and she asked tne to go, there to her for a few days until I .ould get work. While I was there she pawned *11 my clothes out of my box, because she had j*° food. I was only there two days, and I paid ? 6d for my place. Then I came to Conway to -Y last step-father's sister's .house. She had no foom. So I got lodging again on false protenoea Iond was sentenced to three months h.l., Car- narvon. I was discharged from prison on Janu- 4eY 15th, 1917, on a cold snowy morning with- Out a penny in my pocket. I walked to my Mother's uncle's house to Bethel, and e refused to take me in. I had no one else to go to, so I mme to Bangor bnd got lodging on false pretences, and also Oot-s. I am quite willing to go to a home or Cautlitioii works, or anywhere, if only for my food for a while to keep straight. I have had very hard life all these years, and nothing but Prison. I can't get on in my own strength with- out somebody's help. I am willing to do any- th,ng to keep straight, so I beg of you, as gen- tlemen, to give me one more chance, and do *<Miiething with me instead of sending me to Prison every time. Trusting, gentlemen, you take a lenient view of my case thia time.- (Signed) Kate Griffiths." The defendant was committed to the next Quarter Sessions, no application being made for ¡ ail.

fcEE IF THE CHILD'S TONGUE I IS COATED. I MOTHER, DON'T HESITATE: IF YOUR CIHLD IS CROSS, FEVERISH, CONSTI- PA'TOD, GIVE "CALIFORNIA SYRUP OF I FIGS. Look at your child's tonge, mother! If boat,ed it is aau,?" sign tha.t the little OM'S mh, li,.r and boweb need a gentle, thorough 4ean,i It at onoe. 1 When peevi&h, cross, U6t!ee9, pale, unable to Weep, doesn't eat or act naturally; or if it is feverish, with a i80rdeid sto- 41 a c It and .tainted breath, .?* has stomach- c he. sore ,?-oat. d i a r- '?opa, or the l?3tu ffi ne3? caused by a Cnid, give a tea- •poonful of C a. I i for n ill. Pyrup of Figs," and in a few hours all the 1 I. constip- ated waste JOfttter, undi- Bted food and lour bile gently move out of ,• little bowels I .t,hout griping, and you have a healthy, playful ^B'ld again. Voti needn't coax sick children to take this Mfcrmiesa 41 f it laxativethey love its delicious tute, and it always makes them feel splendid. fa Ask your chemist for a bottle of "California oyrup of Figs," which haa directions for babies, children of all ages and for grown-ups plainly the bottle. To be sure you get the genuine, 88k to see that it is made by California Fig I oyfup Company." Refuse any other kind with eoliternpt.. All leading chemist8 sell "California syrup of Figs," Is 3d and 2s per bottle.

REFUGE ASSURANCE COM- I PANY. LIMITED. The accounts for 1916 of this flourishing Life Office fully demonstrate how indiaeolubly the Activities of a great Insurance Institution are and up with the well-being of the State and t the individuals who compose it. The Refuge 49 taken no lem than three millions sterling of ?a new War Loan, and has deposited securities ? ?e value of 2900,000 with the Treasury. ?S&tn, it is stated that nearly thm6 hundmd wousand pounds have been paid to the repre- ta.tives of soldiers and sailors who have met t^ir deatlis in the present war, and a very iM-ge ?'opoft.ion of these a!Suranoos were not subject any additional charge for "war risk," ?"e increase in income from pramimna re- "ived was again a record. This augurs well for the Popularity of the Office, and after all, a Com- pany whioh paid ol er EI,885,000 in claims last yeaf has established its right to the confidence the people. The surplus of a?wets over lia- ..litie amounted to 2446,985, in addition to nicil there are Investments Reaerve Funds of M15,WO and the sharehoiders' capital of EM(?000. Y view of the continuance of hostiktiea, th.e N-d took the v?ise course of carrying forward n*aot the whole surplus, against contingencies, t*hu,s further adding to the ability of the Com- pany to withstandl any strain which the unpre situation might impose. The Refuge has consistently onoouraged re- cruiting amongst its staff, and is granting allow- ■noes to those who have joined H.M. Forces, to -0 Extent of over £62,000 per annum.

ALONG THE CfBnLN COAST. (Bv R o FADOG.) :,i I A commercial traveller, whilst at P last week, got up rather early one morning, and went towards a newsagent's shop for a newspaper; but the shop was not open, and in order to while away the time until the shop opened, he walked about the streets. He was astonished to find no one olse was about except himself, but he was soon satisfied on that point when ho canie to the town clock. His watch was two hours fact! < < < o A Harlech egg dealer, lieairing that a poultry fancier in Lloyti had excellent laying bene, went there and bought most of the hens and took them" away. Not one of the hens has since laid' a -single egg at their new home. A local wag re- marked that they may have been frightened by the castle crows! < A Merionethshire farmer wrote to a Pwllheli diealer ordering a quantity of seed potatoes, abat- ing that lie would call the following day and take th,C-Il with him to save carriage. When he arrived at Pwllheli, he found that the boy who had taken the potatoes to the station had booked them by passenger train, addressed to the pur- chaser. So the latter had to pay his fare to Pwll- lieli and the carriage of the potatoes to his farm. < « A Merionethshire man who had recently gone from the Baptists to the Congregationalists, was teasing a bard who had also left from one de- nomination to join another. "It is easier," sad the bard, "to jump from one bowl into another than it is to jump from the river into a bowl!" • • « < The late Rev. Wm. Ellis, Bron Tumor, Maen- twrog, was staying one Saturday evening at Plas Newydd, MinfTordd, when the host asked him, "Do you evor love a. pretty gi.rl, Mr Ellis?" Mr Ellis (who was a bachelor) replied, "Do you think I am a stone?" d When Mynyddog was conducting an Eistedd- fod at Penygroes, a disturbance took place at the rear of the pavilion, because women stood on the bench es in front of a large number of people. Mynyddog. in a humorous way, pretendin.g to address an individual in one part of the hall, re- marked, If that young girl sat down people would not notice that she was wearing an old- fashioned hat." Turning in another direction, he again said, 'i Yoii, girls there, if you sat down peopl-e would not tleO the holes in your stock- ings. His intervention had the desired effect, and all the women sat down immediately. Festiniog Council's rate collector being ill, it has been decided that his wife shall do the work pending his recovery.^ A letter, written by the late Mr Richard Lloyd, the Premier's uncle, to Dr. R. D. Evans, Festin- iog, in 1874, when Dr. Evans was a student at Edinburgh, refers to "the boy David." Tho letter has been presented by Dr. Evans to the Welsh Natiori-al Library. < A waggonette- full of passengers was going from a market town to tho country. The occu- pants were all women with the exception of one man, and the latter was taken to be the writer of humorous articles to a well-known journal. Henoe the women kept silent throughout the whole journey. The male passenger was quite ignorant of this strange attitude of the femaies, but when the vehicle reached its destination he heard one of the women trying to explain his identity. Soon, however, they found out their mistake, and that their fellow-passenger was a commercial traveller, who, nevertheless, bore a striking resemblance to the journalistic Conti- butor for whom he was mistaken. » The Rev. F. J. Davies, pastor of Machynlleth English Presbyterian Chapel, has left for France to undertake work in connection with the Y.M.C.A. « Harlech parish councillors are canvassing for workers under the National Service Act. « • The total war savings in Trawsfynydd is now • over JElOOO. When it is considered tila,t Ole num- ber of the inhabitants in the village is smaU, such a sum tyaved is a great credit to their patri- otism. Speaking with a house mistress, the other day, about food rationing, she remarked that if she gave margarine to the servants the fact would soon be published throughout the town and dis- triot. Yet, they ate margarine. The mistress called it "Calabra butter," the name changed the situation, and the servants were delighted with the butter. This fact shows how imagina- tion has a groat deal to do with our appetite and taste. I have been asked by two different persons re- siding in different towns to appeal to customers to do their shopping- earlier on Sa-tunla-ys, and so obviate the rush of business which is now the case on Saturday nights. » # • A farmer wanted to buy a book which was sold for sixpence, but now cost sevenpence. Why has the price gone up?" he asked the bookseller. The latter said it was due to the war. Will it come down after the war?" queried the farmer, and the bookseller said, "I cannot say." Then Agricola blurted out, "I'll wait and see I" • The many friends of Councillor Lloyd Williams will regret to heaV that he has been very ill for the last five months. When rector of Bodvean he became known as the captain of Porthdin- lleyn lifeboat, in connection with which he ren- dered invaluable service. • » • • At a public meeting held recently in support of National Service, the Chairman said that t.hro were hundlreœ of people who did nothing for their oountry, but of wE.O Pilzo wdio did nothing ply lived on their money and idled their time away. It was time these people w&re brought to realise their respon- sibility. Mrs C. Jones, Tanymarian, Salem, Bettws Gar- mon, died last week. She was a descendant of the late Mr John Jones, Gla.n Gwynant, a man known, for many years in Beddwefort district. » » < < All the local Co-u-noils along the coast are sup- porting the resolution passed by the Barmouth Council, asking thooe who oonbrol the railways to issue cheap tickets during the summer sea- &on. It is difficult to understand why such a oonoession altould not be granted. If it is not allowed the result will be very serious to most of the lodging-house keepers on the coast. I notice already that many such houses are empty. < < < w A local correspondent tells me that half the houses at Tanygrisiau are empty. I remember a time when the greatest difficulty was experi- enood in getting a house there, and when the enocd In Authority had to take proceedings to prevent over-crowding. Mr Arthmr Davies, Blaenau, has been appoint- ed mechanical engineer superintendent of the London and Nortii-Western Railway Company's steamer, at Garston. • • » The Festiniog District Welsh Society have handed over the surplus they had in hand to the Urban Council, to enable them to purchase new books for the public library. < Mr Wm. Owen, J.P., manager of Lleohwadd Quairny, has been laid up by a severe oold for several days, « x w The poor and district, rates for Festiniog par- ish are 118 3d in the E. This is serious when it is known that many of the inhabitants are suffer- ing from privations in one form or another. The population is continually dwindling. < < < Mr John Llywelyn Roberts, Ramoth, Groes- lon, won the chair prize at Groe-alon Jiiiateddfod, on Friday, his subject being "The Soldtier." The successful bard was "chaired" in the usual fashion. i • • « The members of Crosshall-street C.M. Chapel, Liverpool, hold periodical entertainments, con- sisting of songs, recitations, poetry, etc. As the members liave come from different districts in Wafer,, those who come from, say, Nantllo dis- trict, organise one entertainment, and draw out a programme, containing subjects associated with Nantlle Yalf. The other membars, in turns, organise entertainments, with special rc- ference to their old homes. At the last entertain- ment, everything almost dealt with Narttle Vale, and the prize essay was on the lives of the bards the Vale had produced. It » • • Mr Wm. Jones (Clogwyn), who was for some years the manager of Pen-y-Bryn Slate Quar.ry, Penygroes, and subsequently cleric at tho Doro- thea Quarry, died last week. to It It 4 The total amount subscribed by Lleyn and Eifionydd towards the Liverpool hospitals for last year was JB70. » It It It Muoh sympathy is feM, with Mr O. W. Jones, 4, Baladeuilyn-terrace, Nantlle, on the death of his wife. • • • • M'r R. Lloyd Jones Evans, Broom Hall, and four soldiers were in charge of a motor plough in Abereroh district last week. • » to It Tho infante' clinic recently started at Nantlle is doing excellent work. The medical attendant is Dr. Lloyd Owen, and Miss Roberts, Pmygrors, is the nurse. Already about 80 infaBtta have been examined. The Ladies' Committee in charge of the establishment offered prizes for the best-kept babies. The wii)iiors we,rc:-I. Tommy Jonsc, Ty'nywcirglodd; 2, Kvan Owen Griffith, Liwyny- fuchoz, and Henry James Owen, 45, Water-street, Penygroes; 3, Owen Thomas, Hyfrydle-road, and Jane Elle-ii Owen, Hyfrydie-road; 4, Sam Mar- sliall, Llwyndu-road, Gwilym Pierce, Llys Pedr, and II > wel Jones. Market-square. < < « < The following ministers are to be amongst t.he special pneachois at the Manch ester W £!oo-h Con- gregational Cymanfa: Revs. Miall Edwards, Breoon; Henry Jones, Trefriw; J. M. Williams, Penygroes; and J. Mostyn, Abersoch. < it A journalist, whilst staying at a friend's bouse, noticed a very tame parrot there, and remarked, "How very blue he is about, the wings." The friend replied, "I think he rruust have been a sub-editor at one time." tI It • I read last week part of the annual publication of "The Oxyrhyncus Papyri," issued by tho Egypt Exploration Fund. The "Papyri" con- tains letters that were written probably betwee-n 100 and 200 centuries ago, and were brought to light by roocut exploration. • • It One letter in particular appears quite "modern" to us in these war days. It is a letter written by a soldier to his mother, in which he says I wish you to know that I have not sent you a line all this long time because I have been bo oamp, and not on account of disable- ment, so do not bo distressed. I blame the man wTio told you. Don't troubLe to send us any- thing. We received- the presents from Hera- olides. Dionytas, my brother, brought me the present, and. I received your letter. I am thank- ful to the Lord (Serapis) always. Don't burden yourself to send us anything." • ■ The writer evidently did not like Itis mother to be over-anxious about him. An authority on the matter seems to suggest that the man was a soldier in the Roman Army, and that- he was at tho time on the Danube.

/?? '"?? M@TME? MT& rTlNACM SYRUP < 1JilJ@@'Ji¡¡

I CAMBRIAN COAST I MILITARY NEWS. I Mr Wm. Hughes, Rhiwen View, Ebenezer, Cwm-y-Glo, has completed his course of train- ing in aeronautics, and will shortly leavo for active service. » Private James Aehton, Betibel, Carnarvon, son off Mrs Ash tori. Saw Mill-terrace, Portmadoc, is reported wounded and missing. • « I have been asked to contradict the report that Mr R. R. LLoyd, Victoria Buildings, Barmouth, hns been wounded. He was not in Gallipoli at all. < An elderly man some time ago appealed to a Tribunal on behalf of his son (a farm servant). The Clerk, thinking the old man was a farmer, questioned him about the number of horses, cattle, and sheep be kept, the aorea-ge he had under the plough, etc., and the old gentleman said, "My dear boy, I am keeping a chapel house. • • • Private J. Lloyd Jones, of Penygongl, Rhyd ddu., has been wounded in action. He volun- teered for the Army two years ago.

WHAT A FOOD HOARDER 1 MIGHT DO. Writing to the Times, "Common Sense" says: -If I were mean enough to hoard flour and sugar I should not be silly enough to let any inspector find it. Even if he turned out every drawer, cupboard, and box in tho house, exam- ined every pillow and cushion, moved all pic- tures that might conceal a cupboard, and ran- sacked a large boxroom full of the accumulation of years, would he insist upon a sick person being lifted out of bad that he might spo if the mat- tresto wore full of flour instead of hair? Would he examine the whole roof and look up all the I chimneys, rake out eight or ten tons of coal in the cellar? Would ho hunt in every corner of the garden and outhouses and use a divining rod to help him to find what I might have buried? This would all take a considerable time. Or What is to prevent me after he has searched room No. 1 and is busy in No. 2 removing my hoard from No. 3 and re-hiding it in No. 1?

On Saturday the Great War had lasted exactly as long as the South African war. The Boer War began, on October 11th, 1899, and lasted two years, seven months and twenty days, peaoe being signed at Pretoria by Lord Kitchener and General Louis Botha on May 31st, 1902. The coastline of Wales is 360 miles long; that- of England 2000 miles.

AGHICULTVPAL PROBLEMS. I CONFERENCE AT 10, DOWNING-STREET. The Prime? Minister, Mr Balfour, Mr Bonar Law, and other Ministers, received a party of members of Parliament and others interested m agriculture, at 10. Downing- fctreet, on Monday a fternoon. The proceed- ings lasted an hour and a half, and. were strictly private. It ivaa learned that thcee pre- 5-ent did not attend as a deputation, but that a talk or conference on certain agricultural Fiibjeofcs had takon place.

CHEAP MONEY FOR FARMERS. j The Government scheme for nine months' loans to farmers at five per cent. interest is now in operation. The Joans are to enable farmers to purchase fertilisers and seed or &oed potatoes, and will be made on the recommendation and guarantee of the Executive Committee of the County War Agricultural Committees, to whom all inquires and applications should be made There is a great shortage of tractor ploughs, but the horse plough is at work and much grass land is being broken up. Women are helping in many pMts of the country.

FARMERS' CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY. I Tho fcixth annual meeting of the Vale of Ohvyd and District Agricultural CD-Operative Society was held at St. Asaph on Wednesday last week, presided over by Six R. E. Birch, J.P. There was a go-xl attendance of mem- bers. Tho Secretary (Mr A. E. Jones) pro- sented the annual report and balanoe sheet, which discLoscd another year's successful working, tike salcw having reached £ 19,1.39, an increase over the previous year of X7186. The statement of accounts was unanimously adopted, and the Chairman congratulated the members en tilie continued prosperity of their society, and urged them to increase their holding as a safe investment. A divid- end of 5 per cent, on all-paid up shares "was declared, after investing .£2-50 cf the profits in War Lean Stock It was decided to pav a bonus equal to 10 per cent, on salaries of employees for j¡'1.e past year. The capacity of the society's warehouse at Dyserth is being taxod to the utmost. The company at an in- t-erval partook cf substantial refreshments, after which they were addressed by Mr E. W: Janes, organising- secretary for North Wales of the A.O S., London, and Mr E. Jackson the agricultural roprcisentativo of the Co- Operative Wliol-esale Society, Mari-ehester. I

WOMEN RECRUITS FOR THE I LAND Hundreds of town girls and women who ap- plioo last week for agricultural work started on Monday free training courses for the lajid and for four .weeks will be fed, lodged, and trained at the country's expense. Their uniforms, pro- vided free, will consist of a pair of high boots, breeches, two overalls, and a hat, and they will be sent to carefully-selected farms, and placed under the care and protection of supervisors ap- pointed by the Women's War Agricultural Com- mittee. When starting her independent career on a farm, a trained recruit will not receive less than- 18s weekly, with the usual bonuses for special work and harvesting, and wherever the district rate is higher than IE6 the pay given to women reoruits will bo higher also. When a girl can reaj* and take to market arid sell a prize beast, she will be worth high wages, and the War Agricultural Committee will see she gets them. Every member of the women's land army will have the rilrht of appeal to the War Agricul- tural Committee, or direct to the Board of Agri- culture, if dissatisfied with the wages or con- ditions of her employment. Immediate enrol- ments are urged, as after the middle of April men now on furlough for farm work will be re- called to the Army..

WOMEN GARDENERS. 1 NEW TRAINING CENTRE AT CHESTER. I The Chester Horticultural College, which was formally opened on Monday afternoon, by t-ho Duchess of Teck, is one of the most recent of the infititutions which have arisen cut of the necessities of the war, and in some respeots it is probably unique. Its object is to provide women with a short course of training on the moat practical lines in the production of vegetables and fruit, and its situation and orgaaitso tion are suqh act should enable this to be douc admirably. Upton House, which has been generously lent to the committee by tho trustees of the late Mrs E. Gray Hill, end transformed into a comfort- able hostel capably of accommodating some forty resident student.?, stands about a milo and a half out of Chetter, and in the midst of tho extensive nurseries of Messrs Dickson^, Limited. But it is cot necessary to become a resident in order to enjoy the advantages of the scheme. Indeed, it is hoped that, in addition to filling tho College with residents, there will ))0 a much larger nujnber of non- resident pupils. To facilitate this, Messrs Dicksor.s, Limited, have placed not only their grounds at the disposal of the committee, but al.iO the services of their foremen. Miss Evelyn Lucas hae been appointed lady superintendent. Applications for admission h) both oollege and hostel should be sent to Mrs E. D. Dickson, 16, Sunny Bank, Queen's Park, Chester.

The Ministry of Munitions has fixed maxi mum prioes for wrought iron scrap ranging from .-£6 5s to X5 5s a ton, a.nd for second- hand rails at .-£10 per ton. In each case a turn not exceeding 21 per cent, of suoh prices m-y be added in the case of sales by recog- nised merchants. About .23000 has been collected as a result of the celebraticxn of "Our Day" in North Borneo in aid of the funds of the British Bed Cross Society. The total contribution by North Borneo to war relief funds now amounts to £ 13,000.

[ FARM NOTES. In Friday's Parliamentary Papers, Sir R. Win- frey informed Mr Brooks tl., the distribution of e&ed potatoes in Great Lntain is not con- trolled, though the prices of them are regulated by orders made by the Ministry of Food. Seed potatoes may only be exported from Ireland under licence granted by the Department of Agriculture at Dublin. W ————— The Irish Department of Agriculture have taken drastic measures against county Meath owners of grazing lands, and have put a com- pulsory tillage scheme into full operation for food production. Reporting upon last week's markets the Board of Agriculture states that supplies of oattle have again been iarge, and in exoess of the three years' average. Trade generally, however, has been fairly steady, prioes showing very littte change from the previous week. The live weight quo- tations on the whole also remain practically an- changed; at both Wolverhampton and Hereford there was a Rise of 5s, at Penrith of Is, and at York of 3d per live owt., but at Shrewsbury and Wellington prices declined 2s. and at Oswestry Is per cwt. The average dead weight quotation last week for the best quality Shorthorns was about 17s Id per 141b. stone (rather over 141d per lb.), and the live weight about 77s per cwt. « BilOep have again been penned in large num- bers, the supplies at several places being groator t1:m the previous week, while the numbers gener- ally \re considerably in excess of the three years' average. Trade generally has been easier; the average over all markets allowing a fa.11 of about id per lb. compared with the previous week. Pigs have been offered in rather smaller num- bers than last, week j at Birmingham barons were fully Is per stone chraper, while at Gloucester and York prices declined 9J, but at Asuford and Hull prices advanced about Is 6d, and at Dar- lington Is, causing the average rate over all mar- kets for the Ir-st quality to show practically no change on the week. Porkers were ratner dearer than the previous week. We have had a recurrence of cold, frosty weather this week, and numerous amateur ga,r- deners have hesitated to put their potato seed into the cold ground. Light falla of enow have taken place whilst the sun waa shining bril- liantlj. A committee has been appointea by the Board of Agriculture to consider moans for increas- ing the supplies of sea fish for the home markets and for encouraging the consumption of such fish. The committee has received a grant from the Development Fund wherewith to assist fisher- men who own their own boats to develop their fishing power. A committee has also been ap- pointed to consider whether greater supplies of fresh water fish can be brought into consump- tion.

UNGLISH MARKETS. I CATTLE. I LIVERPOOL, Maroh 2óth.-Thcre was a con- siderable reduction in the supply of cows, and a better trade was experienced, nice young cows making more money. The sheep supply was practically unaltered. A slow but firm trade prevailed, late rates governing most tranemtioria. Beef sold at Is Id to lid; small sheep, Is 6d; heavier sorts, la 4bd to Is 3d; ÐWÐS, Is 2d per lb. in sink. At market: 41 cows and 1038 sheep. SALFORD, Maroh 27th. Trade was fairly good at about last week's prices. At market: Cattle, 1565; decrease 312. Sheep, 9123; increase 865. Calves, 56; decrease 25. Quotations: Cattle, Is Oid to 16 lid; sheep, Is 2d to Is 6d. BIRMINGHAM, Maroh 27th. A reduced entry of pigs met a firm trade at dearer prices, baoon pigs reaching 25s per score, cutting pigs 24s 6d, and sows 22s 5d. Small lupply of oattle and sheep, beef making Is to Is 2d per lb., and mutton, Is to Is 3!d. WOOL. I BRADFORD, March 26th.-No material change in conditions, market remaining very firm, with transactions on small scale, but at extreme rates, probable scarcity of raw material causing uaers to operate with caution. Position decided- ly against buyers. Intimation that Government are willing to consider applica,tions for merino tops May delivery had littie effect, the general opinion being that circumstances will prevent delivery. Sixty-fours firm from 6s Id, stocks cf cross-bred being* reduced. Forties worth 2s 9d. Yarns firm. CORN. I CHESTER, Maroh 24th.-All English grain in small supply. Oats held for 3d to 6d per bushel advance. Feeding stuffs in fair demand and tending against buyers, wit-h the exception of 1 bran and thirds, which a.re offering at lower rates, but quality is also decidedly lower. Maize very scaroe, and 9d to Is per 2401b. dearer on the week. Flour Is per 2801b. dearer.

WELSH MARKETS. I CHESTER, March 24th. Eggs, 6 for is; buitter, 2s per lb. chickens, 65 to 10s per couple; sprouts, 6d per lb.; onions, 5d par lb.; forced rhubarb, 4d; potatoes, there are nona in the market; rabbits, Is lOd and 2s; English beef, joints, Is to la 6d; stealcs, Is 6d to 2s; English mutton, joints, Is 2d to Is 6d; chops. Is Bd; foreign beef, lOd to Is 4d; foreign mutton, lOd to Is 4d; pork, Is 2d to Is 6d; vsal, Is 2d to Is 6d; larpb, Is 2d to Is 6d. LLANRWST, Maroh 27th. The market showed a stiffening tendency, butter advancing from Is lid the previous woek to 2s and 2s 2d, and eggs from ten to nine for a shilling. DENBIGH, March 28th.-Fow, 6s to 7s a couple; eggs, 8 for Is; fresh butter, 2s to 2s 2d per lb.; small tubs, 2s per lb. beef, Is to Is 5d per lb. mutton, Is to Is 4d per lb. pork, Is 2d to Is 3d perlb.; fat pigs, 10d to lid per lb. rab- bits, 2s ód a couple; English wool, Is 6d per lb.; Welsh wool, Is to Is -Ild per lb. PWLLHELI, March 23th.-But,tN, wholesale, Is lOd per lb.; butter, retail, 16 lid per lb. eggs, 13s per 120; fat pigs. 9id per lb porkets, 28s to 36s each; beef, lid to Is 6d per lb.; pork, 10d to Is 5d por lb.; mutton, lOd to Is 5d per lb.; vea!, lOd to Is 5d per lb. CARNARVON, March 24th.-Fresh butter, 2a Id per lb.; eggs, 8 and 9 for Is; potatoes, lid por lb.; fowls, 5s 6d to 7s a couple.

I MENAI BRIDGE EASTER SALE. I Messrs John Pritchard and Co. held their 36th annual Easter prize show and sale at this centre on Monday, when a grand entry of fat oattie faced a full crowd of buyers from all ports, and a first -claas trade ruled. The entry comprised 150 fat and store cattle, and 220 4wheV and lambs. The judges were Messrs T. J. Jones, Llandudno, and Mt Joseph Ford, Yorkshire. The awards in the various classes were as follow: Class I.-Beet butcher's bullock: 1 and teserve, the Right Honourable Lord Penrhyn, S48 and £45 iOs; 2nd, Mr J. Evans, Ysgubor Fawr, £46. Class 2.—Best buteller's heifer: 1 and reserve. Lord Penrhyn, JE41 2s 6d and JM2 respectively; 2, Mr J. Evans, Ysgubor Fawr, fAl 2s 6d. Class 3.-Best fat cow: 1, Major Eric Platt. Madryn Home Farm, JB58 15s; 2, Mr W. T. Prytherob, Bryngof, 235; reserve, the tirustees of the Vaynol Estate, C34. Class 4-—Best bull: 1, Lord Penrhyn, L52; r2, Mr Delamere, Cremlyn, £48 10s; reserve, Mr Pritcharil, Glanymor Isa, S45 10s. Class 5.—Best ten Welsh wethers: 1, Lord Penrhyn; 2, Mr John Griffiths, Bryn; reserve, Mr H. O. Ellis, Ty'nhendre. Class 6.-Dcst ten Welsh barren ewes: Mr D. Owen, Glan'rafon. Class 7.—Best three sucking lamb6: 1, Mr Evans, Ysgubor Fawr; 2, Mr D. Davies, Pias- newydd; reserve. Mr H. Thomas. Farcen Wen. O f Prices.—Lord Penrhyn had the largest number of cattle on offer, his bullocks making up to £48, and his heifers to E42 Mr J. Evans's bullook P,46, and his hel fer E41 2s 6d; Major Eric Platt. Madryn, £ 44 10s, £44 15s, and 1;43 15s; Mr E. Delamere, Cremlyn, to £43 10s; five nire bullocks from Mr John Griffith, Bryn, made from E32 7s 6d to £ 37; the trustees of the Vaynol Estate, S74 10s (a pair); Mr Edwards, Treborth, to jSo3 10s (a. pair); Mr H. Roberts, Myfyrian Ucha, JM2 15s (a pair); Mr Jones, Plas Llan- 1 degfan, £ 79 (a pair); Mr W. T. Prytherch, Bryn- gof, £99 5s (three); four from Mr Humphrey Ellis, Tai'rmeibion, m51 17s 6d; Mr Hughes, Bodfair, £ 87 55 (three); Mrs Hughes, Caemawr, £5,. 10s; Mr Roberts. Tymawr, S51 7s 6d (a pair). Fat cows, £30 to £38 10s There were quite a good number of dairy cows and heifers on sale, which were nearly all sold, and made from P,20 to C28 (from Mr E. Jones, Tyddyn Waen); strong store bullocks, jCl8 10s to £ 22 10s; yearlings, £12 10s to £ 15 !5a. Fat sheep mot a better trade and lambs, al- though only a few on offer, were very dear, and the supply was totally inadequate to meet the demand. Sucking lambs from Mr D. Davies, Farm Yard, 57s, 47s, and 44s 6d; Mr J. Evans, Ysgubor Fawr, 42s to 50s; M- lhomas, Fargea Wen, 46s, others to 40s. Welsh barren ewes, 47s 6d to 54s; Welsh wethers from Mr J. Griffiths, Bryn, 45s to 518 6d. Yearling Welsh wethers from Lord Penrhyn, 613 to 63s; other wethers, to 4-Js 6d from Mr H. 0, Ellis, Ty'nhendre. Welsh ewes from Mr D. Davies, Plasnowydd, 56s 6d to 67s 6d; fat rams, 75s to 90s (Mf" Owen, Gaerwen Ganol). The next sale will be held on Monday, April 16bh, and will include the annual Spring sale of store cattle and couples. Valley Easter mile Monday April 2nd, at two o'clock.

LLANERCHYMEDD SMITHFIELD. I The fortnightly sale at this centre was held on Monday. when Messrs W. Dew and Son and R. Arthur Jones offered for sale 145 cattle, in- cluding some well finisli-ed stall-fed bulloelw ani heifers a number of very good dairy CQ?s and several lots of forward store cattle. T!? highest price for a single fat beast was 1;47 17s 6d paid for a bullook from Mr E. Evans, Tremol- gooh, another from the same farm selling at B46 12s 6d. Mr R. T. Hughes, Ynys Fawr, secured the hig-hest price per hundredweight with a bullock of 9-owt., which sold for £34 7s 6d, thus giving 763 4d per cwt. Dairy cows made up to £2ó 153, and the few fat sheep on offer real- ised up to 83a. Store cattle selling readily in large bunohes at satisfactory prices. The fol- lowing .are some of the sellers and Drioes;- For Cattle.-N-liss Jones, Hen Du, Trevor, £ 34 5s; Mr Roberts, Tyddyn Deigion, £2S 7s od, B30 12s 6d; Mr Roberts, Orsedd Ucha, S50 15s and £20; Mrs Grace Jones, Rhyd y Badet.1, LSil 10s and B32 12s 6d; Mr Ellis Hughes, Ty'nyrhos- ydd, P,44, L26, JE;21 10s 226 2s 6d. and £21 25 6d; Mr Jones, Fferam ijeha, 1:39 15s; Mr Evans, Tremolgoch, JM7 17s 6d, E46 12s 6d, and £ 26; Mr M. Thomas, Pant y Gaseg, 924; Mr 11. WiI- liams, Llys Dulas Home Farm, JE28, £2ó 10s, L28 2s 6d, and JE:26 12s 6d; Mr R. T. Hughes, Ynys Fawr, C.16 17s 6d, E58 78 6d, C36 10s, £33 7s 6d, S54 7s 6d, and jBM 10s; Mr Ed- wards, Quirt, C33 10s, L33 2s 6d, and JB34 10s-, Mr Lewis, Bryngwallen, JES1; Mr R. Jones, Ty- mawr, JB32 15s, t29 15s, J355 17a 6d, and £30 78 6d; Messrs Williams Bros., Pwllcoch, 230 10s, £27 lOs, £28 15s, £ 28, £ 25 2s 6d, EZ3 2s 6d, C26 £ 27 10s, £ 29 15s,and EV 7a 6d; Miss Jones, Pen- bont, S25 5s; Mr R. Jones, Pendref, £ 20; Mr Edwards, BetUvs, JE:22 10s; Mr Roberts, Gwredog Isaf, eight at £ 22 5s eaCh; Mr John Owen, Ynya Wen, M 153 and J625 10s; Mr Owen Jones, Small Holding, B26 5s, £ 17 12s 6d, and R17 10s; Mr Henry Roberts, Brynteg. three at E19 7s 6d each; Mr Thomas Roberts, Clegir, £?9 2s 6d; Mr Owen, Fron Deg, 915. Dairy and Store Cattle.—Mrs Griffiths, Myn- ydid !thel, £24 15s; Mr Hughes, Hafod Min, B13 10s: Mr Owen, Ty'nyberth, jB25 2s 6d; Mr J. Williams, Blindda, Jei5 15s; Mr Williams, Bryn- goleu, Sa6 15s; Mr Edwards, Bettws, three at £ 26 12s 6d; Mr Jones, Ynys Dodyn, two at 217 17s 6d; Mr Pritchard, Tyddyn, £ 20; Mr Hughes, Taldrwst Mawr, C23 26 6d and £13; Mr Griffith, Tyddyn Gyrfer, £ 14; Mr Williams, Ynys Groes, C23; Messrs Roberts Bros., Penbol Doha, seven at R20 7s 6d; Mr Pritchard, Old Telegrabh, 216 10s; Mr E. R. Owen, Bodsuran, two at -£19 17s 6d; Mr Williams, Tylier4 Llan- six at C15 10s; Mr Jones, Tyddyn Bale, JB26 10s; Mr H. Roberts, Penrhos, Bi4 7s 6d and two a.t £10 Mr Roberts, Cae Cwta, B15 5a; Mr Davies, Cefncoch, Ell 10s; Mr Jones, Ty Canol, JS22; Mr Lewis, Ty'nlon. £ 25 Ss, On Monday next. April 2nd. Messrs W. Dew and Son and R Arthur Jones will hold their great Easter pri7,e show and sale at Llanerchy- medd, and for which they already have record entries to hand.

CONWAY CATTLE MART. I Messrs Wm. Dew and Son and R. Arthur Jones dealt with some 100 head of prime quality fat cattle, a number of dairv cows and stores, about 100 bacon and porket pigs, and 600 fat wethers, yearlings, ewes and lambs, at their great Easter prize show and sale, on Wed- nesday. The stock assembled was of outstanding merit throughout, easily eclips- ing anything before seen in the borough. The champion beast was shown by Mr Ed. Owen, Cefn Garlleg, a. blue-grey of admirable finish, realising -£52 15s, and purchased by Messrs Jones Bros., Conway; Mr Wm. Davies, Baclaw, fur- nishing a chase competitor, also greatly admired. In the class for bulls, Mr Wm. Davies, Baclaw, obtained first honours with a highly-bred short- hom, which sold for 956; second oame a fine two-year-old from Mr Spence, Ty'n-y-Coed, realising £ 55 7s 6d. Other bulls: Mr Ellis, Ty'nhendre, £50; Messrs Jones Bros., Cilgwyn Mawr, j346 10s, eto. A keenly contested fat cow class saw Mr Griffiths, Henfaes, Abar, finst, and Mr Spence, Ty'n-y-Coed, seoond and third. Best price for beef, 80s per cwt., live weight. Pigs &old freely up to Bll. Wothers, a remark- able lot of out&t<u?dtn? merit, up to 71s; yearlings (Major Eric Piatt's), 70s; Welsh mountain lambs (University Gollege Farm),^855, bought by Mr E. Lloyd, Chester; fat ewea and rams, up to L5 10s; and couples to 80s. Easter show and sale at Uanerchymedd on Monday, April 2nd, and at Llanrwst on Wednes- day, April 4th, 1917.

BODORGAN SMITHFIELD.. 1 Mr William Hughes had a good entry of fa.t oattle, sheep, and Lambs, at his Easter sale at Bodorga.n SmitlifielcL last week. The judges were Messrs John WHlLams, Bangor, and Owen J<?nea, Cajfog, who awarded the prizes as fol- lows -Bullooks, over two yeMe o fd? 1, as fol- Riohards Bros., Henshop; 2, Mr Lewis, Talyllyn, Tycroes. Bullocks, under two years old: 1 and 2, Mr Lewis, Talyllyn. Heifer, over two years old: 1, Mr Wiihams, Tyddyn Oliver. Heifer, under two years old: 1 and 2, Mr Williams, Prys- iorwerth. Bull: 1, Mr R. Lewis, Cwirtai, Ty- croes; 2, Mr E. S. Thomas, Penrhyn Halen. Cow: 1, Mr Owen Thomas, Green Farm; 2, Mr Thomas Jones, Glantraefch. Best four beasts in the show: 1, Mr Lewis, Talyllyn; 2, Mr Owen, Ty'npwll, I/langaffo. Pen of sheep: 1, Mr Lewia, Talyllyn; 2, Air Prytheroh, Ty'ndryfol. Easteir lambs: 1 and 2, Mr David Jones, Ty Pigyn. There was a large number of buyers, and the bidding wae brisk. Bulls realised up to £59 16s; bullocks, up to £ 49; heifers, up to pows, up to £30; aheap, 42s to 17. Six roun# ,4m realised 14 gnhnifc

To Every Patriotic Citizen From 18 to 61 Years of Age. The following is a copy of the Director-General of National Ser- vice's recent letter to the Press- It will answer your doubts or questions. ST. EM, IT-N'S, WE&TMINSTETi, S.W., DEAR Sm,- (1) The object of The gescral appeal for vol- unteers is to form a register of willing Workers. The requesst is for men to sign a voluntary offer of service, so that they may be asked to undertake work of national importance if they are wanted and when they are wanted. (2) After signing a form, iy.) volunteer is asked to continue his present work until the is called up. it should specially bo 110tw that he must not give up his job and expect to be immediately used as a volunteer, (3) Every one is asked to enrol because the men of military age whJ re required for the Army arc of all types and be- long to all trades and industries, and the men who are* asked, to take their places must bo of equal variety. (4) The signing of the enrolment form im. poses on the volunteer a moral obliga- tion to keep his promise. It doos not involve him in any legal conaequenoos. If a volunteer is asked to undertake wcrk at less pay than he is at present earning, this will give him a right of appeal; even if the appeal tribunal should hold him to his undertaking, no ponalty will be visited upon him if he refuses to conform to its decision. But he will have to settle with his conscience whether he is performing the dutty which he owes to ihSa country. (5) It is tho intention of the Department that volunteers shall be 00 plaood that they shall have the minimum of in. eonveaiieaee and the maximum of pay for the work which they are aok-od to undertake. (6) The minimum "Wage of 25s. a week was fixed so that men should net be asked to work at the low rate of wages pre- vailing in some agricultural districts. It -has already been followed by an announcement by trie Prime Minister that the minimum wage for agricultural labour is to he raised to 25s in all dis- tricts by legislation. It should be clearly understood that the volunteer will be paid the jaame rabe as the man working next to him on tie same work, but in no case than 25s. a week. (7) If a volunteer is asked to move from his home, which he has to continue to maintain, he is entitled to claim sub- sistence allowance up to 17s 6d a week. (8) If a volunteer who has been placed in work of national importaaicc ie. then thrown out of work, through no fautt of his own, he id entitled to claim an out-of-work allowance of 3s 6d a day from the first day he is out of work for a period not exceeding four weeks. (9) A National Service volunteer, if out of work, can be eng-aged by an employer in a restricted occupation without a per- mit from the Department, the only permit neoe-ssary being his volunteer's oard. (10) All skilled tradesmen who are entitled to enrol as war munitions volunteers are advised to do so, as they gain cer- tain advantages thereiby. (11) The Government have introduced thi-s system of voluntary National Service in tho hope of avoiding any necessity for a compulsory scheme. (12) Should a compulsory scheme be intro- duced the volunteer's undertaking will be automatically canoelled the day the oompulsory scheme becomes law, and all men will be placed on the same footing. (13) If a volunteer wishes to appeal regard- ing his transfer he can do so to the Sub. Commissioner, who has the power im- mediately to grant the appeal if he con- siders it reasonable. If lie is not satis- fied that tho grounds of the appeal are justified, he is bound to permit the vol- unteer to present to is rose to an Appeal Tribunal, consisting of tshe Sub-Cont- missioner and two representatives of employers and two of employees nomina- ted iitocally, and appointed by th* Director-General. I thinik that these statements oover tho majority of questions which have been faiaad neoently, with me, and I hopo that they will assist local recruiting oommittees which have been working so hard to secure the suo- oesa of the schenn j. Yours faithfully, NEVILLE CHAMBERLAIN, This is National Service Week. Enrol To-Day. Forms for offer of service can be obtained at all Post Offices, Employment Exchanges, and National Service Offices-