The Pembroke County Guardian and Cardigan Reporter

THE DOCKYARD. Inspector William Keddie, of the Pembroke Dockyard Division of the Metropolitan Police, has been appointed divisional inspector at Woolwich. During his seven years' stay in Pembroke Dock, Inspector Keddie has made himself popular, and he enjoys the reputation of being a strict but courteous officer. Pre- vious to coming to Pembroke Dock he served in the B Division at Chelsea. The captain superintendent of Pembroke Dockyard was officially informed on Satur- day that the Admiralty had had before them an account of the cost of building and com- pleting the cruiser Duke of Edinburgh at that dockyard* whji-ch shows that- a substantial saving was effected in the cost of building that ship. Their lordships (proceeds the offi- cial minute) regard this as a creditable per- formance, and desire that an expression of their satisfaction shall be conveyed to the officers and others concerned in the construc- tion of the vessel. The Duke of Edinburgh was laid down at Pembroke in February, 1903, and commissioned in March last. The re- vised estimate of cost, exclusive of guns, which cost C59,900, was iEI,141,787, and the actual cost about £ 1,071,611. The battleship Dreadnought, commanded by Captain Bacon, left Portsmouth on Saturday for her maiden commission. She proceeded first on an experimental cruise, which is to extend over three months. During this period the Dreadnought will visit Gibraltar and the West Indies, and carry out an exhaustive series of trials. On returning to England she will become a Chatham ship, and it is understood she will fly the flag of Rear-Ad- miral Bridgeman as commander-in-chief of the HomAo Fleet

———————————— 1 NEYLAND, CONVERSAZIONE. A pleasnt conversazione in connection with Llanstadwell Parish Church was held on Wed- nesday evening at the National School, Ney- land, the organiser being Mrs. Button, of Cambria House. Some 80 ladies and gentle- men were present, and dancing and round games made the time pass quickly away, Mrs. Hariris and Miss Richards providing the music. Miss May Appleby also gave a clever recitation. Refreshments were provided under the super- intendence of Mrs. Button, the Misses Button, MTS. Saunders, Mrs1, and Miss John, Miss Coram,, Mrs. Rowlands, Mrs. Davi(il;, Mm. Harries, Miss Richards, and Miss George. DEATH OF DR. EDMUNDSON. Quite a gloom was cast over the town of Ney- land last Friday, by the tragically sudden death of Dr. William Charles Edmundson, of Qsborne House. Deceased was the Neyland representative of Dr's Stamper and Saunders, and was subject to fits, but had appeared to be in fairly good health of late. On Thursday he had a very busy day, visiting it is stated some fifty patients and appearing to be in excellent spirits. On Friday evening he rose as usual, and was preparing to set out on his usual round, when he suddenly fell to the gTound. Dr. Cooke was hastily summoned and pro- nounced life to be extinct. The doctor was able to certify that death was due to heart failures so that an inquest was deemed un- necessary. Deceased was the son of Mr. John Edmundson, of Aberdeen, and was only 33 years of age. He graduated at Aberdeen Uni- versity College, and as a young man had a brilliant college career, obtaining the degree of M.B.C. at the age of 20. He had lived in Neyland ten years, and by his genial manners had made many friends, and was deservedly popular among all classes. He was parish doctor for the Neyland Division of the Pem- broke Union, and also medical officer for the Oddfellows, Rechabites, Foresters, and many other friendly societies. He was also medical officer for Trinity House for the district. He leaves a widow and two children. Mrs. Ed- mundson was Miss Rosser, daughter of the late Capt. Joseph Rosser, of Swansea. The funetral took place at Dan-y-graig, Swansea, on Monday, the body being conveyed there by the 10.30 a.m. train. There were a large number of medical men who met the funeral cortege at Swansea station and afterwards attended the interment. Mrs. Edmundson desires through our columns to thank the many friends who have sent letters of sympathy to her in her bereavement.

TENBY. Programmes for the Tenby races (January 29th and 30th) may be obtained from Mr. Page, Unicorn Chambers, Worcester; or Mr. George Chiles, Victoria Street, Tenby. Five races will be run on each day, whilst the prizes amount to Z400. The new railway works at Carmarthen hav- ing been completed, the workmen of the loco- motive section employed in the Great Western Railway works here, numbering about 37, will be removed to the new works early this month. This is a loss to the town, but when the G.W. Railway remove the rest of the works as they intend doing, the loss will be still greater. The men employed in the carriage and wagon department, remain here until the company build their new works for this purpose at Whitland, which are expected to be ready in a few years. DYNBYCH.

NAR8ERTH. WEDDING. At the Congregational Chapel, Narberth, on Wednesday, Mr. Herbert Tidman, eldest son of Mr. C. J. Tidman, of Torwood, Weston- super-Mare, was married to Miss Laura Price, daughter of Mr. R. E. Price, Narberth. The, ceremony was performed by the Rev. E. Tid- man, A.T.S., of Mountain Ash, cousin of the bridegroom, and the Rev. R. J. Williams, pas- tor of the church. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a gown of crepe de chine, trimmed with embroidetred chiffon. The bridesmaids were Miss Lily Price, L.L.A., Miss Millicent Tidman, Miss, Edith Price, and Miss Olive Rollings. The bridegroom was attended by his brother, Mr. Harold Tidman. •a.

RUCBY. MILFORD v. GOOD WICK. On Saturday last, the newly-formed Rugby Club played thc-ir first match against Goodwick on the Mount Pleasant grounds, near Milford. Owing to the train service not being favourable the visiting team were late, but to save as much time as possible the Milford committee had provided a brake to drive the players direct to the field from Johnston station, thus saving about 20 minutes. Goodwick although bringing down a full team, took the field with only 13 men. The teams fielded as:—Milford, Fee, Palmer A. Harris, G. Harris (captain), W. Brown, Reynolds, W. Powell, Evans, Caisley, Harris, David, Thomas, Keen, Antwist, Han- 000k. Goodwick, Foil a nd, A. Phillips, Pitt, Apple- dore, F. Phillips, Moses, Harris, Reed, Smith, Davies, Dunsdon, Lewie. Referee, Mr. Dixon, Haverfordwest. Goodwick won the toss and played with the wind and slope in their favour, and were quick- ly on the aggressive. Goodwick got the ball from scrum, but forward pass spoiled the at- tack. Good football was impossible, as rain was falling heavily. Goodwick forwards made strong rush, and Fee missed a flying kick, and A. Phillips falling on the ball scored. Williams converted with a splendid kick. From the drop out Goodwick at once pressed and Williams scored a try, which was not improved upon. Milford worked up the field by good forward work and were awarded a penalty, but Harris' kick was charged down. From a long high kick by Folland, Goodwick forwards pressed and Fee mulling the ball a further score was only prevented by A. Harries finding touch in his* own 25. Bert Palmer was hurt in a charge, but though evidently suffering, did not leave the field. Milford were working up the field when half-time sounded with the score. Good- wick 1 goal 1 try; 8 points to nil. On resuming the hopes of the Milford sup- porters were high, for Milford at once pressed and within three minutes, G. Harries scored in the corner. A. Harries took the kick which fell short. Milford continued the pressure and Harris and Davies in the forwards were very promi- nent. Harries making some very useful bursts. Several penalties against Goodwick were of no avail, either they were charged down, or from the state of the ball the direction was bad. Reynolds got possession from a scrum and after beating the defence passed to G. Harris, who scored. Fee took the kick, but waited too long after the ball was placed, and had his kick charged. Milford were now all over their op- ponents, and some pretty passing was spoiled by A. Harries and Palmer knocking on. From a long cross kick, W. Brown followed up and in trying to pick up kicked the ball over the goal line and falling on it claimed a try, but the referee thought the ball had been knocked and ordered drop out. It was now almost too dark to see the game, but Milford continued In press. Final score—Goodwick, 1 goal 1 try; Milfoard 2 tries. Comments. The performance of the home team in their first match fully justified the opinions of Mr. Heek, and those who werfe associated with him in forming the club, and must be a great encouargement to the committee, as with only a few alterations a very strong side can be formed. It would not be fair to criticise the team too strongly, as out of the 15 players, only about 7 had played Rugby previously. In the forwards all played well in the loose, but we would like to see two or three use their strength and weight a little more in the scrums. Powell at half-back will improve when he knows the game better. Of the three-quarters much cannot be said either way, the weather was all against handling. Fee at full back want a lot of experience before he can fill that position satisfactorily, but allowance must be made as this was his first game of rugby. We would like to impress upon the forwards to listen to the captain's instructions on the field. Time after time on Saturday he called to the forwards to "heel out" when they had the ball, but they did not do it. On the whole, the committee have every.reason to feel encouraged as with the addition of a good working half and a full-back, they will have a team very much better in their first season than their most sanguine suppotters expected. Th& first match in the West of Llanelly Rugby League was played at Pembroke Dock on Saturday between Pembroke Dock and Ney- land United and Wilts Regiment. Pembroke Dock won by 5 tries to nil.

ASSOCIATION. P.D.A.C. v. R.D. APPRENTICES. This league match was played on the Bush Street Athletic ground on Saturday, before a sprinkling of spectators. The ground was in a terrible condition and the match could not be said to be very exciting. The homesters, though without Taylor, John, and Nixon, put a serviceable team in the field, and won some- what easily by 4-1. The Apprentices took the field with only ten men, but Owens soon appeared, but not before the Docks had opened the scoring. The home- sters pressed strongly right from the kick-off, and Mathias had hard luck in not scoring on two occasions. The second effort was saved by Rees at the expense of a corner and a second flag-kick followed. The visitors cleared but Searle securing, tried a long shot, which went just under the bar and drew first blood. The Docks continued to have all the game, and the Apprentices had to play almost entirely on the defensive. Despite the heavy going, the Docks forwards combined very well, and Fielder played brilliantly. He ran in and out among the Apprentices with the greatest of ,Elxlie, and gave Reefc somte warim handfuls, which the latter saved smartly. Presently, however, Fielder put in a lofty shot at some 30 yards range, and scored number two. The Apprentices seldom broke away, and the Docks custodian only got about a couple of kicks in the first half. As he paced between the posts, with no work to do, he appeared to be almost freezing. Such efforts as the ilpprentices did make to reach the Docks citadel, were promptly nipped in the bud by Mason and Morris, the former being in fine fettle, and kicking very strongly. Thei Docks, however, scored twice more before the interval. On one occasion Fielder ran clean through all opposition and scored at the close quarters. On the other occasion Russan scored during a melee follow- ing a cornea- kick. Rees saved two shots in rapid succession, and then Russan struck the bottom of the cross-bar, and the ball went into the net without giving him a chance. At half-time the P.D.A.C. led by 4-0. Immediately upon restarting the Appren- tices made a rush for the Docks goal, and W. Davies tried a high shot, which Frise partly stopped, but failed to prevent finding the net. This was all the scoring that occurred in this half. As in the previous moiety, the Docks held the upper hand right through, but the visitors certainly improved, both their wingers being dangerous at times. Frise had one or two shots to stop, but was not nearly so hard- worked as was his vis-a-vis. Fielder managed to net tha ball for the Docks on one occasion, but was given off-side, and on another oc- casion a fine drive from Silcox hit the post. Rees brought off some smart saves, one or two shots from Fielder and Russan being very cleverly dealt with. Towards the close, the heavy going began to tell on the players; and with the exception of Mason no one seemed able to put much powder behind their kicks, whilst now and again a man would get fairly stuck in the mud. Eventually time came, with the Docks victorious by 4-1. NOTES. On Saturday next Milford United meet Pont- lottyn on the Pill ground in the third round for the Welsh Cup. A good game is expected Milford are at full strength. The team has been selected—Goal, Hoggins; backs, Atkinson, and Oakley; half-backs, Bough, Blockwell, Mathias; forwards, Walters, Davies, Parrott, Smith (captain), Davies; linesmen, E. Bird. Referee, Rawlinson, Barry Dock. A tournament to take place early in February has been arranged by the Milford club for junior clubs, but owing to the number of entries it has been found necessary to confine it to the north part of the county. A good afternoon's sport may be confidently looked for as there are some very promising players in the twelve clubs entered. THE PEMBROKESHIRE LEAGUE. P. W. L. D. F. A. Pts. Wilts Regt. 6 5 0 1 26 2 11 P.D.A.C 5 3 0 2 15 5 8 Milford .6 .3 2 .I 31 9. 7 R.D. Appren. 5 2 2 1 11 15 5 Llanreath 6 1 4 .1 6 21 3 Neyland 5 1 4 0 8 32 2 &G.A 3 0 3 0 2 15 Q

TENBY HUNT WEEK MONDAY'S THEATRICALS. The annual Tenby Hunt Week festivities commenced on Monday last and continued up to this evening (Friday), when the Hunt Ball takes place. The Hunt Week has now been a successful going concern for over thirty years, and seems to grow in prosper' more and more every year. On Monday night the usual theatrical per- formance took place wThen A Pantomime Rehearsal," pieceded by a curtain raiser, en- titled "Rain Clouds," was staged. "Rain Clouds" is a very pretty little play, and to say that it was well acted does not convey any idea of the splendid way in which it was handled by Miss Winifred Sadler and Mr. Leonard Graves. The Pantomime Rehear- sal" is an extremely witty play, and shows what an infinite amount of trouble and an- noyance a stage manager has to endure before the play is in a fit state to present to the public. Jack Deeds (Mr. Leonard Graves) is thte gifted author, who has been induced by some of his friends to write a pantomime for Christmas, and the play depicts what hap- pens at a rehearsal held a few days before the performance. At the rise of the curtain Deeds is discovered arranging his papers, pro- perties, etc. etc.. while Sir Charles Grandison (Mr. E. Forbes) is found on the top of a ladder painting the scenery for the show. He appears to think that he has been treated badly, as when he was asked to help in the pantomime he thought he was going to act, but instead of being given a part in the play he is told off to paint the scenery, and help the man with the limelight. He bit- terly complains of this treatment having al- ready spoilt two suits of dress clothes, and it looks likely that the third suit will share the same fate. Deeds. trying to console him. tells him that all great actors begin at the bottom of the ladder and work their way up, but this does not appease him in the slightest, as he replies very truly, he's already at the top —his favourite line being "I want to wact; I've told all my friends that I am going to, and I want them to see me wacting," which brings forth the following retort from Deeds: "Why? Have they ever done you any injury?" Then Tom Robinson (Mr. L. Mathias Thomas) comes upon the 6cene. He appears to be absolutely indifferent to everything, and when anything goes wrong, as it does about every two minutes, makes Deeds simply fran- tic, by remarking, "It'll be all right on the night," which appears to be slightly doubt- ful. Then comes Loid Arthur Pomeroy (Capt. Davidge), who is always late, and always has the same excuse for keeping the whole com- pany waiting for him, namely that he has just had a cab accident, and he insists upon telling everybody about his narrow escape whenever he gets a chance. On Lord Arthur's arrival the scene is hauled up, and shows the ladies of the cast posed as the Fairy Group, which is at once spoiled and broken up by Lord Arthur and Capt. Tom, who insist upon having a flirtation with them. When Deeds has got them out of the way he asks the ladies to form the Demon Group he has just shown them. They at once put themselves into posi- tion for the Fairy Group, and on being re- minded that the Demon Group is required they resume their ordinary positions, and say they have .forgotten what the Demon Group is like. Deeds says he'll show them, and does so, but the ladies pay no attention, but enter into another flirtation with the gentlemen, and on being asked by Deeds to do what he has just shown them, they haven't the slightest idea of what to do; Lord Arthur, whom Deeds has previously told the audience has'nt the slightest idea of anything, and who believes that if he has a cardboard nose, and a blue wig on, everything will go successfully on the night, at once offers to show the ladies his conception of the part, and what he would do if he were in their place. They accept the offer and pay the greatest attention to Lord Arthur, when he throws himself into what he terms a demon-like pose. Deeds gets riled at the interference, and reminds Lord Arthur that he (Deeds) is the person who is managing the rehearsal, and when he wants any assist- ance he'll ask for it. Lord Arthur does'nt know a word of his part, but he doesn't seem to think that matters. Capt .Tom says he knows his words, but found them doosid difficult to learn"; he also remarks that "he can't make out what the doose the whole play is about, and he doesn't see how the audi- ence is going to if its beyond his understand- ing." Deeds quietly replies, "I don't see that at all; they won't all be Heavy Dragoons." Deeds then explains that the pantomime is the Babes in the Wood," in which there are fairies, demons, babes, etc., etc., all of which Lord Arthur most strongly disapproves of, and ternbs "all rot." After many most amusing interruptions the rehearsal is pro- ceeded with, and when Capt. Tom's entranoe comes as "The Demon King," he is found to be asleep in the wings. However, after waking up he comes on and says a few lines, when he is immediately, much to his annoyance, hauled up by Deeds and told that he should say Appear Bellerophon," aTld not Appear Bald Ruffian." Then an argument follows as to which is correct, and at length Capt. Tom most reluctantly gives way. Lord Ar- thur now appears as Bellerophon, and mum- bles his lines so indistinctly that not a per- son hears a word of what he says. Deeds tells him politely that he doesn't think the audience will understand what he (Lord A.) is saying, whereupon Lord Arthur loses his temper, throws down his part, and proceeds to leave the stage, when he is immediately surrounded by the ladies, and after much per- suasion and flattery, he consents to act again as "he doesn't want to spoil the piece, but Deeds is so stupid." After things have as- sumed a peaceful attitude once mare, Capt. Tom goes on with his speech, but is at once again hauled up, and another row takes place, in which Capt. Tom says he can't read Deeds' writing, and strongly advises him to get one of those writing fellows." After this a very pretty dance was given by the Misses Tread- gold, which was very much appreciated. Then a duet was very nicely rendered by the Hon. Lily Eaton Belgrave (Miss Vera Voyle), and the Hon. Violet Eaton Belgrave (Miss Ban- croft), in which they tell the story of the "Babes in the Wood." Then there is a fairy scene, song and dance ,in the middle of which Lord Arthur rushes upon the stage, singing at the top of his voice, as the "Comic Guard," which drives Deeds into the wildest of rages, as he says Lord Arthur will spoil the whole play coming on as the "Comic Guard" in the middle of the fairy scene. Lord Arthur gets annoyed, dashes his part down once more, and it is only after much coaxing by the ladies that he is prevailed to take it on again. Then another very pretty skirt dance was introduced by Miss Tina Bancroft, which was loudly ap- plauded. The play proceeds, and Lord Ar- thur and Capt. Tom, much against Deeds' wish, determine upon singing a song entitled "All's Well." The song was most comical, and sung so very flat and so out of tune that it drives Deeds nearly off his dead, but the two singers can't be induced to leave the stage until Deeds appeals to the musical director to play another tune, when they exit in a rage, Deeds remarking that "it was like a couple of cats squealing." Then the fairies again appear and dance, after which comes Capt. Tom's entrance as the good robbecr, but he is not to be found, and after many calls he emerges from the refreshment room and soliloquises, but is interrupted by Lord Ar- thur in the most awkward plaoes, all of which was very amusing to the audience, but most trying to the stage manager and author, Jack Deeds. Then Sir Charles Grandison and Miss Rose Portman (Miss H. Tuck) appear, and say they axe getting tired of the whole, thing as they have nothing to do in the play and they both want "to wapt." They are told they had better both "go and wact is the Greenroom" which annoys them both, and they retire with silent contempt of Deeds and his play. Then the "Fairy Queen's" (Mrs. R. H. Williams) speech comes, but she's forgotten it—Deeds shows her, she doesn't listen or look ,and when asked to do it has'nt the slightest idea of what Deeds said, and says something entirely different in the calmest way possible. Then comes the robbers (Lord A. and Capt. Tom) entrance, which they go over three times, each time being more absurd than the previous one, until Deeds gives them up in despair, and won't hear of them trying it again as the last entrance, which they do like Marionettes,nearly gives him an appoplectic fit. Then Lord Arthur suddenly thinks that this would be a suitable place for his favourite imitation of Tree— Deeds protests, but it's no good, as Lord Arthur insists, and imitates Tree in the most absurd way possible. Deeds tells him it's not a bit like Tree, Lord Arthur gets offended and once again dashee his lines to the ground, only be- ing prevented from going home by Lady Muriel and Capt. Tom, who say he's simply spLendid and that they were absolutely de- ceived. Then the Robbers fight, Lord Arthur runs Capt. Tom through the heart and kills hi 111, but Capt. Tom won't die, until the greatest pressure is brought to bear upon him, and even then he refuses "to flop on the stage" as he should, but most carefully lies down. There were several other most amusing scenes and some very chajrming dances and songs by the Misses Treadgold and Miss Nesta Allen. The final chorus "The Church Parade" being most effectively sung by Mrs. Williams and the other ladies of the cast. The ladies and gentlemen forming the com- pany, which was a very strong one, did full justice to their parts, and I am unable to pick out any single person from. the cast upon whom to shower more praise than another. The play was most amusing, and went throughly well with the audience, which was a very large one, and does Mr. Leonard Graves and Col. Goodeve much credit, as we are told that the company had only rehearsed it for nine days before It was staged. DYNBYCH.

MILFORD. At the Police Court on Wednesday Theo- philus Lawrence, trimmer on a steam trawler, was brought before Col. Roberts on a chaarge of drunkenness. P.C. Evans found Lawrence helplessly drunk in Charles Street on the pre- vious evening. He was ordered to pay the costs. THE "FREE" CHURCHES. Following the usual custom there was a genral exchange of pulpits amongst the Non- conformist churches. The Rev. W. H. Pros- ser (Baptist) exchanged with the Rev. W. Joseph, B.A., B.D. (Congregational), and the Rev. J. Ward (Wesleyan), with the Rev. J. Harries (Calvinistic Methodist). Throughout the week united prayer meetings are being held. REHOBOTH CHAPEL. A social" in connection with Rehobath Chapel, Hakin, held on Thursday last was well attended. Tea was served from 4 to 6 o'clock. A very pleasant evening was after- wards spent in the enjoyment of innocent games, after which a short musical programme was gone through. It is gratifying to be able to record that all the different branches of church work at Rehobath are in a healthy and flourishing condition. MADDENED WITH DRINK. At the Police Court on Tuesday (before Col. Roberts and Mr. J. Ll. Davies), Martin Ben- nett, cook on the steam trawler Eudah way charged with being drunk and disorderly on the docks on the previous evening.—Dock-Con- table Rigby said, in company with P.C. Can. he found the defendant drunk, lying near the dock wall, and held there, by Mr. John Codd, shoemaker. Mr. Codd said prisoner came into his shop and made use of such filthy language that he put him out. He thereupon struck him in the face and ran out saying he would jump into the dock. Mr. Codd followed and held him until assistance came.—He was fined 5s. and costs. THE FISH TRADE. Probably never in the history of the port has fish maintained such high prices for such a lengthened period. No steam trawlers arrived for Friday's market. A solitary smack turned out a mere handful of fish which realised £ 12. She bore evidence of the rough weather raging in the channel. The mainsail had been split from top to bot- tom, whilst the glass in the skylight at the entrance to the companion way had been com- pletely smashed by shipping a sea. On Mon- day the Neyland, the new steam trawler owned by Messrs. Coram and Pettet, landed her first catch of fish, and grossed L230. Hake through- out the week has averaged £ 4 per kit, rays £ 2 5s., magrams 35s., haddocks 34s. per kit. Cod has made 23, conger- £ 2 5s., and plaice £4 15s. per box, whilst a fairly good supply of soles have found a ready sale at ell 10s per trunk. To see a Brixham smack landing fish at Milford on New Year's Day was con sidered a novelty. It is expected the whole fleet of Brixham boats will soon be fishing in Western waters. CHILDREN'S EVENING." Rarely has the Masonic Hall looked better than it did on Thursday last on the occasion of the entertainment given by the local Catho- lic children. The decorations were on a lav- ish scale, and the enlarged hall was taxed to its utmost seating capacity. The first part of the programme consisted- of a humorous sketch entitled Mrs. Mulligatawney's Spring Cleaning." The young artistes did remark- ably well. The laughing song performed by a group of boy;; produced much merriment. The action song, Little Gipsy Jane," by Misses Keegan and King, met with a well merited encore. The principal item in the evening's performance consisted of a repre- sentation of the old familiar story of Dick Whittington and his Cat." Master Herman Portch made an excellent Whittington, but the hit of the evening was undoubtedly Tommy Keegan, who as the historic cat, reached an acme of perfection scarcely imaginable in a boy of such tender years. After Mr. Cecil Portch had recited "The Village Blacksmith," the entertainment terminated with a tableau, in which a guardian angel was deputed pro- tecting a child. A series of colbured lights played upon the scene, but both angel and child remained immovable—a realistic living pictuie. The accompanist throughout the evening was Miss Bramwell. Father Burke and Mrs. Portch are to be, congratulated on the way in which the children were trained. As the delighted audience streamed from the hall there appeared to be a consensus of opinion that the evening had been one of the most enjoyable in which the public if Mil- ford had been permitted to participate.

DEEP SEA MISSION. The inclusion of the name of Dr. Grenfell in the King's Birthday Honour list, has at- tracted public attention to the Mission work amongst sailors, carried on in all parts of the world. Dr. Grenfell is the medical mission- ary of the Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen on the North American coast. A magistrate in Newfoundland has recently stated that the presence of Dr. Grenfell upon the Labrador shores has made it possible to insure steamers where previouly Lloyd's re- fused to take any risks owing to the frequent wrecks, many of which savoured too suspicious- ly of the foul practice known as "dumping." But it is not only in foreign ports that the Mis- sion to Deep Sea Fishermen carries on its ag- gressive work. At all the principal fishing ports anrouhd the British Islands there are mission rooms and shelters where the toilers of the deep may find a home from home, and be saved from the public house and the human sharks who prey upon the proverbial good nature of the British seamen. The work done at Milford Haven will com- pare favourably with that accomplished at any similar institution around the coast. Miss Cooper, the honorary superintendent, has de- voted her life to the best and highest interests of the fishermen. Many hundreds of men have caiise for thankful- ness that the Mission for Deep Sea Fishermen has pn established home at Mil- ford Haven. On Tuesday the annual social gathering was held at the headquarters, Charles Street. The large refreshment bar was prettily decorated for the- occasion. There was a splendid attendance, chiefly composed of fishermen, their wives and children. The following programme was gone through, every item of which was- exceedingly well rendered. riogramme—Pianoforte solo, Rev. Fred Wil- liams; song, "The Star of Bethlehem," Mr. R. Hancock; mandoline solo, Miss Chugg; song, Miss Dunlop-Smith; recitation "The Fireman's Wedding," Mr. Wilson; song "Death of Nel- son," Mr. D. Adams; song, Miss Dayes; re- citation "Papa's Letter," Miss Crocker; song, Mr. S. Scott; violin solo, Master Lewis; recita- tion The Bachelors'" Miss Matthias; song, Miss Dunlop-Smith; recitation, C. John; quar- tette "Home, Sweet Home," The Collin's Family; song, Mr. R. Hancock; recitation, Mr. J. Hewitt; duet, Messrs. Scott and Adams; recitation, Mr. D. G. Jones; pianoforte solo, Mr, F. Price. In addition to the above several items were rendered on the gramaphone, a beautiful in- strument presented to the Institution by Mrs. Bromfield (nee Miss Philipps, Pcton Castle). During an interval, refreshments were handed round and at the expiration of the programme supper was served in the large room upstairs. About 150 persons sat down to well spread tables. The whole mission staff vied with each other in attending to the wants of the inner man, and the equally voracious inner woman of the assembled guests.

Mar. W. Rees Davies, King's Advocate in Cyprus, has been appointed to be Attorney- General at Hong Kong, in succession to Sir Henry Berkley.

MAIN ROADS COMMITTEE. MORE MAIN ROADS WANTED. FARMERS' NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED. THE SUBSIDY SYSTEM AGAIN. A meeting of the Main Roads Cocimittee of the Pembroke County Council, was held on Tuesday, at the Shifre Hall, Haverfordwest. There were present Dr. Griffith (in the chair), Lord Kensington, Col. Ivor Philipps, M.P., Messrs. E. Robinson, R. Cole, E. H. James, J. Harries, W. T. Davies, W. Robinson, 1. Rey- nolds, T. Llewellin, D. G. Griffiths., John Thomas (Whitchuroh), W. Howell Walters, and T. E. Thomas (Trehale). Dr. Griffith was appointed chairman, and brought on a vote of condolence with the re- latives of the late chairman. The remarks made by Dr. Griffith and others are reported at length in the public tributes to Mr. Roch. MORE MAIN ROADS WANTED. Lord Kensington who had given notice of a motion he intended bringing forward at the last meeting, said it was owing to the courtesy of the late chairman that his motion was al- lowed to stand over from the last meeting, at which he was unable to be present. They would miss the late chairman's valuable assistance in the very knotty question he had to bring for- ward of additional main roads. He felt very strongly on this question, and possibly some members of the committee might think he was a little prejudiced, which, of course, he was to a certain extent, as he had to use the roads a great deal. He would take the Dale road as an example, as that was one he knew very well; but the remarks he would make about this particular road referred to many other roads in the county. His first point was this: nearly all over Pembrokeshire, nearly every big road was named, and was either the Narberth road, Fishguard road, or Dale road, as the case might be. That was done with an object, and it prac- tically meant that those roads provided the only means of communication between those places and the nearest market town, which was Haverfordwest. If they took Haverfordwest as a centre, from it radiated all these roads, which were named according to the place to which they led. Dale, for instance, lay 14 miles from Haverfordwest, and along that road he did not think there was any one in that room who had any idea of the tremendous traffic which went along that road. It was the only means of communication for the farmers in that part of Pembrokeshire to get to a market. He did not know of any one there, except it might be Dr. Griffith, who knew the deplorable state of that road; it was too appalling for words. He was a young man, but he could assure them that sometimes when deriving over it, either in or out of Haverfordwest, he felt afterwards as if he would like to be on his back for half-an hour and not move again. They could have no conception of what the road was like unless they went over it, and at this time of the year it was really terrible. They could farm no idea of the wear and tear—he would not say of his own harness and horses—but take the farmers who passed along that road, and the cost to them for driving that 12 miles into Haverford- west, was very heavy. They had two horses and a man's wages for the day to drive a ton, and besides that they had the wear and tear, and the constant repair of harness ana vehicles. He had seen a spoke of a wheel cracked simply by dropping into one of the ruts, for there were ruts in that road now which could not be equalled on any other road in Pembroke- shire. He knew the Dale road very well, and therefore he dwelt upon that, and he contended that it was not right nor fair that the road should be allowed any longer to remain in that condition, but that it ought to be put into a fit and proper state and maintained as a main road. He had seen a report from the Carmar- then suiveyor which was prepared in 1901, and in that report it was stated that it would cost Z390 to put the St. Davids road into repair; that was for 16 miles. From Mullock Bridge to Skerryford was roughly about 10 miles, and it was estimated that it would cost about £1,240 for widening certain portions of the road to 20 feet between the hedges, and putting the road in good order. But it was not necessary to widen the road to that extent. Originally the road was probably that width, but banks of road scrapings had been allowed to accumulate on either side. If they took half the estimated gum, say LGOO or iE700, that would be sufficient to put the road into a fair state of repair. He did not say they should do it all at once. They might take over a length and do the work grad- ually. He had dwelt on the Dale road because he knew it well, but there were other roads that needed attention. They must remember that large tracts of the county had no train service, and were absolutely dependent upon the roads for communication. He moved that the committee consider the desirability of ad- vising the County Council to take ove-r as main roads those roads leading from Haverfordwest to Dale, and also from Milford Haven to Dale, by Rickeston Bridge and by Hasguard Cross roads. The Cletrk pointed out that on April 6th, 1900, it was agreed to take over the road between Mullock Bridge and Haverfordwest railway station. That resolution had never been carried out. The Chairman: Was it passed by the County Council? The clerk: The report was adopted by the County Council. So we may take it that it was. He added that in the following year the Car- marthen County surveyor was directed tb make a report upon the state of the roads, and Lord Kensington had given an extract from his re- port. Sir Charles Philipps said he seconded Lord Kensington's motion with much pleasure. He could do so all the more readily because he did not use the road. He knew it, however, and from his experience ho could say it was not the most perfect road in the British Is- lands. And yet many eminent men lived upon it, and the chairman of that committee had a great deal to do with it as well as many other gentlemen in whom they all took great interest. But besides that they had along that road a great body of farmers, for it was one of the most important parts of Pembrokeshire, and, therefore, ought to be looked after. Lord Kensington, however, would understand that the road must be put into a state of repair, such as would pass the surveyor, before they could take it over. Seeing that it led to such an important part of the county no doubt they would feel inclined to take a lenient view of its condition before taking it over. From a military point of view it was also necessary that the road should be put into good order, for it led to many block-houses, old block-houses, and new ones which were continually being put up. In the past he did his best to intro- duce the steam roller along our Pembrokeshire roads, and since its introduction our main roads were in as good condition as people could wish to see, but he could not say the same of the district roads. He sincerely hoped the con- summation they all wished to see would be attained, when all the roads would be put undler one central authority, and that the County CounciL Then we might hope that we should have no more roads, over one portion of which they broke their horses' necks, and over the next bowled along over nice smooth roads. Meanwhile, until such a desirable Act of Par- liament was adopted, they should see that as many roads as were important and necessary for communication between the different pa-rts of the county should be taken over and kept in good condition. He heartily supported Lord Kensington's motion. Mr. E. Robinson said they would all sym- pathise with Lord Kensington, but they were bound by certain sections of Act of Parliament, and one of these was that a road must be put into good condition before they took it over. The clerk pointed out that there was a minute in July, 1901, relating to the road between Mullock Bridge and SkerryfoTd, when the com- mittee decided they were not prepared to spend £ 1,500. Col. Ivor Philipps said he noticed that one section was always being quoted, that they could not take over a road until it was put into good condition, but another section, equal- ly applicable, was never quoted. This was that the County Council might contribute towards the cost of any highway in the county, even though the same was not a main road. At pre- sent they gave away large sums of money every year m- subsidies, and he had always main- tained that that was a most extravagant and improper system, and should continue his antagonism to that system until he could get some one to support him. It was a bad system, because the most money went to the people who had good roads, and the least, where it was most needed, to where they had bad roads. At one time the people in the North were not properly represented on the spending body, and the people in the South were over-repre- sented. The result was the people in the south of the county got good roads while those in the north were neglected, and that system had been perpetuated, and the money divided un- equally. He condemned the present system as unjustifiable and unfair. When the St. Davids road was taken over, he had heard it said at that committee look at the money we spend on St. Davids road?" But not a penny had been spent all that road, because it had been taken off the subsidy given to the Haverfordwest rural district. He had the figures and could prove it absolutely that not one farthing had been spent on the St. Davids road. He cordially supported Lord Kensing- ton's motion. Mr. E. Robinson said they would be estab- lishing a dangerous precedent, as there were n any other roads that wanted taking over, and they would expect to be placed in the same category. The Chairman supported the motion, and at the same time pointed out that they needed a main road from Milford to St. Anne's Head. Mr. 1. Reynolds said the question of the sub- sidies was like the poor—always with them. Could they carry out Lord Kensington's pro- position without considering the whole ques- tion of the main roads? He was afraid not. He quite agreed with what his Lordship had said as to the state of the road, for he got hun- dreds of carts in from farmers in that district, who all complained of the roads. He did not know who was to blame, whether it was the Rural District Council Mr. T. Llewellin: We pay Is. in the pound more than any other district council. Mr. Reynolds suggested that they ask the surveyor to prepare an estimate of the cost of putting the road into reasonable order, and that they deal with the matter at the next meeting. After some further discussion this course was agreed to. Mr. R. Cole said he had given notice that at the next District Council meeting he should move a resolution relating to the Milford roads. Milford had doubled its population during the last ten years, while Haverfordwest was prac- tically stationary. (Laughter). Mr. I. Reynolds: But Haverfordwest is in- creasing. (Laughter). THE ROAD INSPECTOR. The road inspector, Mr. Thomas Morris, made an application for an allowance for his bicycle. It was resolved to allow him 3s. a week for the up-keep of his bicycle, and occasional lodgings. MISCELLANEOUS. A sub-committee who had visited Solva, re- I ported that the wall built by Mr. A. 0. Wil- liams was not an encroachment, and recom- mended that no further action be taken. Agreed. A communication was read from Mr. Hugh J. P. Thomas, stating that Mr. Higgon would give the land for widening the road at Ford, providing the County Council would bear the expense of the hedge. The surveyor said this might be E8 or iClO. Agreed. The clerk said the late Mr. Roch represented that committee on the Finance committee, and it was necessary to appoint some one in his place. Mr. R. Cole was elected. I A communication was read from the Carew Parish Council asking for the road to be raised one foot at Carew Bridge, to bring it above high I tide, and for the north end of the bridge to be widened. On the motion of Col. Ivor Philipps, the com- 1' munication was .forwarded to the Pembroke Rural District Council.

» THE BATTLE OF THE PORTS. FISHGUARD'S OPPORTUNITY. I Liverpool is considerably perturbed by the transfer of the White Star Liners from that port to Southampton, and by the further an- nouncement that the Cunard Company will follow suit sooner or later. ¡ Commenting upon this decision the West- ern Mail" says:— I "The decision of the White Star Company to transfer four mail boats from Liverpool to Southampton is a sign of the times. It wants very little more to convince the White Star Company that Fishguard is a still better place than Southampton as the terminal port in this I country for mails and passengers. We have no doubt that the enterprising Great Western Railway Company will take every means of impressing upon the great steamship companies the supreme advantages of their new port, for they originally set out upon the Fishguard and Rosslare enterprise with the hope that sooner or later they would attract to the Welsh port, not only the Irish traffic, but a great part of the Transatlantic traffic as well. For many years past Liverpool has been threatened' with the loos of the Transatlantic steamers, but it is only now that the Mersey Board are waking up to the danger. The Englih Channel ports have long been preparing for the transfer- ence, -and, no doubt, German competition has quickened the action of the White Star direc- tors in moving to a port where they will enjoy better facilities. Fishguard is only a new- comer amongst Liverpool's rivals, but nobody can study its geographical position, together with the great enterprise of the Great West- I ern Railway, which has brought it within 4 hours of London, without realising that it enjoys advantages superior to anything that its older rivals can offer. In the matter of time Fishguard as the port for mails is immeasurably superior to any other. From New York to Queenstown is 112 hours; from New York to Fishguard is 117 hours; and from New York to Southampton 125 hours. The 259 miles of railway between the Welsh uort and London are covered in 4 hours. This means that mails landed at Fishguard would not only be delivered in London, but answers would be written and posted, while mails sent via Queenstown would still be on the I way, and mails sent by Southampton would be somewhere in the English Channel. This tremendous saving in time is bound to weigh in favour of Fishguard. The Postmaster-Gene- ral, in making his mail contracts, cannot afford to ignore the saving of a few days, for that is. what it. woujd mean, to business people. What applies to the British mails would also apply to British passengers, with whom the fastest mail route, Paddington, Fish- guard, and New York, would fast become the favourite. A correspondent writesI am sure your readers will be glad to know that the Ross- lare-Fishguard route is already available and j can be made, use of in effecting a great sav- ing of time to passengers travelling between the United States of America and South Wales 1 and the West and South of England. Last month I was a passenger by the White Star liner Baltic from New York, and, by the way, had a very enjoyable time through the harmony evolved by the Royal Welsh Choir (Treorky), who were aboard and gave some excellent concerts. "I got off at Queenstown (where some of the mails were landed) between five and six p.m., caught the 6.56 p.m. dining car ti-aill via Cork and WTaterford for Rosslare Harbour, embarked there on board the Great Western I Railway Company's turbine steamer St. Pat- rick, arrived Fishguard soon after three a.m., Cardiff 6.15 a.m., and was having breakfast I here several hours before the Baltic arrived in the Mersey; in fact had I been going on to London I shcaiVf have got there before my t fellow-passengers on the liner landed in Liver- pool. I This saving of practically a day ought to I be of great service to the commercial and j trading intellects r<¥ South Wales and our 1 American cousins, illustrating as it dees the } great possibilities of the Fishguard route for [ American travel." | • ?

ALLEGED EMBEZZLE- MENT AT PEMBROKE. Quite a sensation was caused in Pembroke j on Tuesday afternoon, when it became known f that Mr. Frederick Lawrence, the local mana- r ger of Messrs. Eastman's, Limited, butchers, j had been arrested on a charge of em- J bezzlement. f Accused was brought before the Pembroke magistrates on Wednesday morning, and was remanded to the Borough Sessions on Monday, bail being allowed. Mr. R. D. Gilbertson was for the prosecution, and Mr. F. S. Reed for the defence. He was charged with embezzling £7 Os. 8d. Mr. William Lawson, of Swansea, manager for Messrs. Eastman, for the district, said that on Monday he had gone through accused's 'j books, and found that certain debts which ap- peared there were not owing. Printed by The Pembroke County Guar- dian," Ltd., at. their Head Offices, Old Bridge, in the Parish of Prendergast, in the Town and County of Haverfordwest, and published by them at their Head Offices, and also at their Branch Offlose I at Fishgvard, SolYa, and Petobrolce Dock. I