The Pembroke County Guardian and Cardigan Reporter

THE NEW THEOLOGY. A labourer's opinion," next week. [Too late for Classification.]

HAVERFORDWEST RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. THE MAIN ROADS. COUNTY COUNCIL TO BE APPROACHED. Mr. W. G. James brought up a report and recommendations from the special committee appointed to inquire into the main Toads in the county of Pembroke. The committee met at the board-room of the council on Wednes- day, February 6, when the members present were:—Messrs. J. S. Roberts, W. Lewis, W. George James, and the Rev. W. H. Walters. The committee had arrived at the following conclusions:— 1. The present financial administration of main roads is thoroughly unfair to some of the districts, in consequence of the system now in vogue of gramting subsidies to equalise the expenditure in the different divisions of the county, irrespective of mileage or the amount of public traffic on the roads. 2. That under the present system of subsidies it is a misnomer to term any road in Pembroke- shire a main road. They are district roads managed by the County Council. 3. Subsidies are partly responsible for the inequality of the rates in the various districts; for instance, in 1906, Pembroke road rate, Is.; Narbetrth, Is.; Llanfirnach, 10d.; Saint Dog- mell's, Is.; Haverfordwest, 2s. 4. No other county throughout England and Wales grants subsidies to main roads, but the main roads are, without exception,, maintained out of the county funds. 5. That all the main roads ought to be wholly maintained out of the county funds, and each division should be furnished with a mileage of main roads based on the ratable value of each district and the requirements of the public traffic. If this was adopted an additional 38 would be granted to the Haver- fordwest District Council. 6. The committee strongly urge the council to appoint a deputation to interview the County Council and to point out the great injustice the Haverfordwest district is suffering under the present system of subsidies and the inequal division of main roads throughout the various districts of the county. Mr. James said that report was agreed to unanimously by the sub-committee, and he need not say much in support of the recom- mendations. They strongly urged upon the council, in the interests of the ratepayers, to take immediate action and endeavour to put the maintenance of the main roads upon a fair and equitable basis. He continued:— Some members contend that it is a mistaken policy to have our district roads mainedonthe ground that the County Council is extravagant in the management of the county roads. I do not bnow whether these members have taken into consideration that, although the average costs of district roads is low per mile and county or main roads is P,50, that when you take the average of district roads at £ 18, there are in every parish nearly half the mileage that only cost from P.4 to L7, leaving the other part with traffic to cost firom E30 to F,50 per mi. The cost of the county roads is so high, not because of extravagant administration, but through all main roads having a heavy traffic. In the Haverfordwest district at the present moment there is over 70 miles of district roads that cost over £50 per mile. The, subsidies are no remedy but a positive loss to our district, unjust and untair m every respect, and i oe- lieve we can go further and say illegal. In my hand is a return from nearly all the coun- ties of England and Wales, and what does his return prove. They grant no subsidies to main roads. The roads once taken over are maintained by county councils without refer- ence to cost or outlay. The deficiency of main roads amounting to forty miles, together with the granting of subsidies, is to a great extent responsible for the inequality of the road rate in the various divisions of this county. We now pay double any other division. Some members present may have about a month ago read the speech of the secretary to the Board of Agriculture, in which he pointed out the heavy burden taxation im- posed upon land compared with personal property of all description, and the one remedy that suggested itself to him was to transfer the cost of main roads to the Imperial fund. Surely this would be a proper course, for do not business people and monied people use the roads equally with farmers and land- owners. The report in my hand shows that the counties in England and Wales are doing th'r utmost to main the roads to be ready for this possibility. In some of the English counties nearly every mile is main. The result will be that if county roads are transferred to the Imperial fund those counties will have no district road Irate, whilst we have in the rural, and certainly a hundred miles of that quality, through the heavy traffic costs us over k50 a mile. Mr. James concluded by moving that the recom- mendations of the committee be adopted. Air. Keppel Palmer seconded this with very great pleasure. Mr. W. Howell Walters said he did not in- tend to raise anything of a contentious nature, but a good many of them when first the County Council was constituted tried to get the main roads put on a satisfactory basis, but they failed. One reason was that then nearly all the coaching roads led up towards Hobb's Point, so that the bulk of the main roads were in the south of the county. The rate to maintain these roads had they been taken over by the County Council would have been levied over the whole of the county, and in the north of the county they alleged that it was unfair to collect rates from them to maintain main roads which were chiefly in the south. That was one reason why they could not carry it then, and a second was that the district councils were unwilling to sur- render the control over their own roads. He did not believe they were much more disposed to do so to-day. He was quite sure that we ought to have a much larger mileage of main roads. The pre- sent state of things pressed very hardly upon the Haverfordwest Union. He was in favour of seeding a deputation to the Main Roads Committee which would be formed by the new County Council. Mr. Samson Williams wanted to know what they would save by transferring the roads to the County Council, and out of whose pockets would the money come for maintaining them? In his opinion the roads would cost them more under the County Council than if they were managed by themselves. The Rev. W. H. Walters said the sub-com- mittee felt very strongly in the matter of subsidies. In the Haverfordwest district they had to pay a 2s. Tate, while Is. was paid else- where, and that was an instance of the unfair incidence of taxation which prevailed under the present system throughout the whole of the county. What they wanted was that rates should be levied right throughout the county on the same basis, but tho system of subsidies did not do that. He supported the resolution. Mr. G. Harries thought this matter required further consideration, and that it should be deferred. Mr. Vincent Johns supported the resolutiq)Vl, and paid a high tribute to Mr. James, who haa' devoted many months to getting up this re- port. Mr. John Reynolds said he was not in favour of extending the main roads. On the resolution being put to the vote it was carried unanimously. Other business was chiefly of a routine char- acter.

HAVERFORDWEST SCHOOL MANACERS- The monthly meeting of the Haverfordwest School Managers was held in the Shire Hall on Friday afternoon, the Rev. James Phillips presiding. There were also present:—Revs. 0. D Campbell (vice-chairman), 0. Jacobs, and D. Akrill Jone.s, and Messrs. H. J. E. Price, W. T. Davies, and 1. Reynolds Rev. D. Akrill Jones pointed out that if the average attendance of schools in the urban districts exceeded 120, the head teacher received an additional iP,20 in the) case of boys' schools and £ 10 in the case of girls' schools. This constituted an injustice to the head teachers of the Prender- gast schools for the accommodation made it impossible for them to obtain the ElO or £ 20.— Mr. W. T. Davies said a letter had been received from the Board of Education com- plaining of there being in Prendergast school three over the number for which there was accommodation.—The Chairman said that when the scale was drawn up no one supposed the number would be reached by the smaller schools.—Rev. I). Akrill Jones: Had I knowm at the time I should certainly have objected.— Rev. 0. D. Campbell said it was to the honour of th'9 teacher that there was an increase. There were three or four over the 120, and if the number was reduced the teacher would lose L20.-iNIr. Reynolds: The only way out of it is to increase the accommodation.—Mr. W. T. Davies: Or lower the number to ninety- The Chairman: We only followed the example of neighbouring boards.—Mr. Price thought it was a question over which they had no control, but the chairma-i said they could make a recommendation.—Mr. Reynolds thought the bonus system should be abolished, and the Rev. D. Akrill Jones gave notice that at the next meeting .)f the managers he would attention to the injustice of their present scale of salaries for head teachers in the Haverford- west group of schools in its application to the Prendergast boys' and girls' schools and the advisability of its revision. A letter was received from Miss Emma Brown, a supplement arv teacher in the Prendergast Infants School asking for an in- crease of salary.—On the motion of the Rev. O. D. Campbell, seconded by the Rev. D. Akrill Jones, it was resolved to recommend the Edu cation Committee to increase Miss Brown's salary to L26 per annum. A letter was read from the Education Com mittee expressing their desire that cleaners should be paid an inclusive sum, out of which they must find all materials necessary. The amounts suggested for the various cleaners were:—Prendergast Council Schools, £18 15s.; Barn-street Council School, e9; St. Martin's Girl's, £ 14 15s.; Dew-street Infants', k7. The managers thought the salaries were insufficient. A letter was lead from Miss Eminent ex- plaining why she had refused to grant transfer certificates to certain children.—Rev. D. A. Jones said that as a body of managers they had a regulation governing this, which he him- self had proposed. According to that, no children should be moved from the infants to the toys' and girls' departments until they had been in the first class for at least six months. If they could make this regulation they should be able to see that it was carried out. He wished to know why the Attendance Com- mittee rent a contradictory order behind their back. He thought they should have their posi- tion defined. Not only did this savour of discourtesy, but it gave them no control over their head teachers.—Rev. O. Jacobs acquiesced in what had been stated by Mæ. Jones.—Mr. W. T. Davies said the Attendance Committee met on the previous Saturday. The children referred to had left the infants' department and were attending the higher department. Their names were not on the books and they were losing grants.—The Chairman: We should have had no difficulty if there had been only provided schools. If we send them from St. Martin's school they will proceed somewhere else.—Mr. Price: I don't think it is fair to say th,i.t.-Air, W. T. Davies: The managers have nothing to do with the attendance.—Mr. Camp bell: Why are we called manag-ers l They are even putting teachers into our schools without consulting us.—Mr. Price. said perhaps the corfrrjtt-ee did not know of this resoluticr They should draw the committee's attention to it. Was once a year enough to draft scholars I—Mr. Jones aid all educationists were agreed that once a year was enough.—"The following resolution was finally adopted on the motion of the Rev. Akiill Jones, seconded by the Rev. 0 Jacobs:—"The managers irespec* fully suggest that the question of drafting the infant scholars to the boys' and girls' school be left in the hands of the managers as they have a resolution directing the matter, which is in the hands of the head teachers." Miss Emment also wrote asking for an it". creise of salary, and asking that infant mis- tre-ise.s should be dealt with more generously, but no action was taken in the matter. A letter was received from the County E-dic,t tion Authority concerning the salary of the head teacher of St.. Martin's Girls' School (Miss Evans). Mr. George wrote:—"I am directed to inform you that the Education Committee have considered the application of the head-mistress of the above school, and have come to the con- clusion that she is entitled to be placed under the high scale of the late school board. She will, therefore, be paid at the rate of £ 125 a veil- from January 1, 1907." It was announced that an examination wUl be held at the County Intermediate Schools on July 6, 1907, for boys and girls who will be over fourteen years of age ou August 1, ±907, and desire to obtair probationernhips to prepare for becoming pupil teachers. Mr. T C. Rees (headmaster of Barn-street Boys' Council School) wrote stating that the certificated teachers of the county had elected him to represent them on the ne <vly-formed fede-ation of Welsh teachers, which meets at Shrewsbury. It was quite possible that once in three months or so he would have occasion to do the journey to Shrewsbury on Friday after- noon. He would be glad to know if the managers were agreeable to his accepting tne service thus imposed on him.—It was unani- mously agreed to grant the request, Mr. Rey- nolds remarking that it was an honour for one of their teachers to be selected. The attendance officer .,M(r. Rees) presented his report for the three weeks ending January 25:—Dew-street Infants', 79.3 per cent.; Pren- dergast Infants', 70 per cent.; National Infants, 79 per cent.; St. Martin's Girls', 89.4 per cent.; Prendergast Girls', 91 per cent • National Girls', 80 per cent.; Birn-streoc Council Boys', 91.3 per cant, Prendergast Boys', 37 per cent.; National Boys', 86.4 twr cent.

Wholesome food for Cold Weather Apple Dumplings, Norfolk Dumplings, Jam Rolys, Plum & Suet Puddings. With BORWICK'S BAKING POWDER all can be made to perfection.

MILFORD. WESLEY GUILD. The weekly meeting was held on Monday last,, when Mr. A. G. Cottrell read on interest- ing paper on "Prayer" before a small but appreciative audience. The chair was taken bv the president, the Rev. J. Ward. THE MACKEREL TRADE. About a dozen steam drifters have arrived, and are fishing out of the port. Owing to the bad weather supplies have been scarce. Prices, which were down to 14s. per hundred on Saturday last, leached 22s. on Wednesday. There is every prospect of a good season. PARISH CHURCH. The first of a series of week night Lenten s-erviceis was held on Thursday last at St. Catherine's. The special preacher was the Rev. Akrill Jones, of Haverfordwest, whose dis- course was much enjoyed by the large congregation. "FOOTBALL" CONCERT. A concert, in aid of the funds of the Milford United Football Club was held on Thursday last in the Masonic Hall. There was a poor attendance. The following contributed to an enjoyable entertainment. Miss Maud Llewellyn, Master Charles Thomas (Tenby), Messrs. Adams, Scoit, Wilson, and Frise. Miss Johnson and Miss Chugg acted as accompanists, while the chair was taken by Mr. A. J. Tiibrook. Much disappointment was felt owing to the absence of Mrs. HerbeTt Cole, who was unable to appear through illness. At the monthly meeting of the Free Church Council held at the Wesleyan Church on Friday evening, Mr. A. J. Tilbrook was unani- mously elected secretary in the place of the Rev. W. Joseph, B.A., B.D., resigned, and a letter was sent to that gentleman thanking him for the past services to the council and wishing him God-speed in his new charge at Bristol. At the same meeting the Rev. John Ward introduced the subject of the New Theology" in an excellent paper. The mem- bers afterwards gave expression to their views, which were not those of the Rev. R. J. Campbell. At midday on Tuesday the steam drifter Torbay, of Lowestoft, airived at Milford Haven and reported that whilst making for Milford with a voyage of mackerel, when about ten miles from St. Anne's Head, the main boom struck and knocked overboard one of the deck hands, Albert Soans, aged 27, residing at York Cottage, Becclas. As soon as possible the captain of the Torbay put his, vessel about, and made for the drowning man, who could be eeen struggling in the water. Soans, how- ever, disappeared before a rescue could be effected. A strong wind was blowing at the ti,me, and vessels arriving report rough seas in the Channel. The manager of the Castle Trawlers (Limited), explaining the insufficient supply of lish by Swansea tTawlers, says that comparisons with Milford are unfair, for at Milford tne trawlers number seventy, as agiinst twenty at Swansea. The company, he says, are building eight new steamers and doing everything possible to establish firmly the fish trade in Swansea, and they were unjustly blamed for the slackness of supplies. "We removed from Milford," he says, at considerable expense, expecting to reap many benefits at Swansea; but instead of reaping these benefits we- 'now find ourselves saddled by the town with charges which were non-existent at Milford or any other port where fish is landed in they British Isles, and, instead of le^eiving the fnoouragement whi; o. e would naturally think would be meted out to an industry of such vast possibilities, in this respect we have been sadly disappointed." Mr. G. H. Hale, formerly a postman here, died on Tuesday at Tenby. He retired in December last on pension. Deceased, who was only thirty-four years of age, has left a widow and two children. Mr. John Lloyd, of 113 (formerly 46), Charles-street, Milford Haven, retired butcher, who died on October 23 last, left estate of the gross value of £6,412 4s. 8d., with net personalty of iP,6,372 14s. 2d., and probate of his will, dated August 2, 1894, with codicils dated respectively January 2, 1897, August 14, 1895, and September 5, 1905, has been granted to his son, Mr. Frederick Alphonse Lloyd, of 17, Charles-street, Milford Haven, builder's manager, and power is reserved to grant pro- bate also to the other executors named in the will. The testator bequeathed £ 500 to his wife, Mrs. Maria Lloyd, and left to her the use of his residence in Charles-street during her widowhood, and he bequeathed JS100 each to the children of his late daughter Agnes, JE25 to the Rev. Thomas Lloyd, R25 to William Lloyd, e5 for the building fund of the Wes- leyan Chapel at Milford Haven, and k5 for distribution among the poor of Milford Haven, and he left his houses in Robert-street, Milford Haven, to his daughter, Eliza Ann Coltman, and, subject to other legacies and provisions, the testator left the residue of his estate. equal shares for his childten, the shase of his son Frederick Alphonse being held in trust for his benefit and that of his wife and children

FARMERS AND THEIR HERDS. THE SCOURGE OF ABORTION. Proposed Experiments by the Board of Agriculture. We have received from Mr. W. Richards, of Hasguard Hall, the following, which we gladly publish, as it will be of great interest to our numerous agricultural readers :— To the Editor of the "County Gua'lian." Sir,—In the interest of farmers generally will you kindly allow the enclosed letter, which is a copy of one I have received from the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, to appear in your valuable columns. I should be very pleased to do all I could in the laudable endeavour to discener a remedy for a disease entailing such an immense loss upon tho owners of cows as abortion does. It should be borne in mind that similar investigations and experiments have resulted in finding out a cure for milk fever, which, although such a scourge to cow-keepers in the past, can now be successfully treated, that no more deaths need arise from it than from the impaction of the third stomach (" baked "), red water, or other occasional complaints. We may, therefore, justly hope for a remedy being found out for abortion; and the owners of cows who would alone, or, at least chiefly, benefit by such a discovery should be gladi to render every assistance in their power towards securing such a desirable object. Thanking you in anticipation of your kind- ness, I am, etc., W. RICHARDS, Hon. Agricultural Correspondent Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. Hasguard Hall, Little Haven R.S.O. [COPY.] Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 4, Whitehall-place, London S.W. No. A 6,350, 1907. Sir,—I am directed by the Board of Agricul- ture and Fisheries to inform you that the Departmental Committee on* Contagious Abortion desire to obtain information as to the specific nature of the disease in various parts of Great Britain, by means of the examination of the discharges from cows as soon as possible after they have aborted. The Board would be greatly obliged if you could see your way to co-operate with the Committee in this important matter. The Board would be glad if, in the first instance, you could arrange to obtain the names and addresses of the owners of any affected herds in your district, who would collect the material desire-d for examination from their cows immediately after they have aborted, and dispatch it to the Secretary to the Committee either direct or through your own agency. A simple apparatus for the purpose would be supplied for the use of the owner of the cows, together with instructions as to the manner In which the material should be collected and forwarded for examination. The names and addresses, of the owners would not in any way be made public, it being the desire of the Committee merely to examine a considerable number of the s.a.mple., of the discharge from aborted cows in the various districts of Great Britain, and to ascertain the number of cases in which the specific organism of abortion is found. The Committee also desire to examine a large number of aborted calves, with a view of establishing a correct method of diagnosis; and the Board will be obliged if owners of cows could be prevailed upon to send foetuses to the laboratory as soon as possible after they have been aborted Decomposing foetuses should, however, not be sent. It is unlikely that aborted calves will arrive in a reasonably fresh condition after the month of May, and the Committee do not think much will be gained by sending them up after that date. Any communications in response to this letter and all materials supplied for the pur- pose of the investigations should be addressed: J. R. JACKSON, Esq., M.R.C.V.S., Secretary to the Committee on Contagious Abortion, The Poplars, Sudbury, Middlesex. I am, sir, Your obedient servant, (Sigaed) T. H. ELLIOTT, Secretary.

CAMROSE. A THREATENED CONTEST. It is currently reported in the neighbourhood that Mr. A. W. Massy, of Cuffern, is going to oppose the present member, Mr. W. J. Canton, of Nolton, at the coming County Council elec- tion on March 5. Mr. Massy has fought the seat twice before, but has never succeeded in winning it. He has sat in the council as alder- man, but does not now occupy that position. It was hoped by many that this district would have been spared this time a contested elec- tion. No doubt both sides will try to per- suade" (?) the electors that the rat(e)s will be exterminated, and that the calls of the rate collector will become few and far between. Every little busybody who has power, or thinks he has, will use that little power in trying to coax or compel his fellow-elector to vot-o the way he wants him. An old friend has often- times said to the writer: "Well, Mr. Blank, you always shakes hand with me, mun; but these big bugs only shake hands with me at election times; they canna' see a poor body at other times. May the electors whom the canvassers are trying to convince that "Codlin's their friend not Short," ponder the matter over, try to sift the chaff from the wheat, and vote for the candidate whom in their heart they think will do the greatest good for the greatest number. Promises are very plentiful just now, but they are like pie-crust, very often made to be broken. May the best man win.

-=' COUNTY JOTTINCS. Contributions to this column are invited. Let them be as pithy and bright as possible. A post-card to EditoT, "County Guardian," Old Bridge, Haverfordwest, will suffice. The Point to Point of the Pembrokeshire Hunt ha.s been fixed for April dth. Can you make a phrase that, will read the same backwards and forwards ? Here is one: Llewd did I live and evil I did dwell." There is a descendant of Baron Munchausen in our midst. He says he walked from Fish- guard Post Office to Haverfordwest Post Office in two hours and a half! It was in the dockyard town that husband and wife were having a tiff. Wife (bitterly): "You deceived me when you married me." II usband: "I did more, I deceived myself." As far as can be gleaned from certain con- cert tickets now being pushed in Haverford- west, the "Messiah" is about to be self-per- formoo-" assi-ed by Hulley's band." They are very personal when they quarrel out Hakin way. Two neighbours were "having words." Said one: "Call yourself a man of 8Emse 1 Why you're next door to an idiott" There was some aiiiu-ement at Mr. Ward's meeting at Haverfordwest the other evening when he calmly assumed his audience wou1,1 have preferred his speech in English. This in a town which prides itself on being so wholly English was rich. Did she mean his head or the blow? At a dance held in "town" the other night a young gentleman whisking about the room ran his head against a young lady. He began to apologise. "Not a word, sir," said she, "it's not hard enough to hurt anybody I" A Liberal County Council candidate in the north of the county has issued' wn address, in which he says The Liberal Government sym- pathise with the injustices placed on Noncon- formists by the Education Act." What does he mtan Is this a case of "thinking in Welsh, and writing in another tongue?" One of the fair sex talking with a clergyman the other day taunted him with this question: If marriage is such a holy thing why is there none in heaven?" "Perhaps there are no women there," answered the worthy divine. But the fair one, equal to the occasion, quickly retorted, Oh, yes, women there are, but I'm afraid they can't find a priest!" The "Western Mail" says "that Cardiff has a public-house to something like 900 of the popu- lation, and that Aberayron, a midget town on the Cardiganshire coast, has a public-house to every 78 of the population." Lower Fishguard beats the record. Out of a population of about 150 there are no less than three public-houses, about 50 for each. Who can break this (record? Eglwyswrw is becoming famous. It is proud of the large number of prizes won by its young ploughmen. Though the parish is com- paratively small its representatives have worn nine prizes in open competition's at the Eglwyswrw, Ffynonau, and Crymmych plough- ing matches. They admit that much of this success is due to the splendid ploughs of Jem y Gof." One of the pressmen at Mr. John Ward' meeting at Haverfordwest was compelled, by an engagement at the telegraph office, to leave before that gentleman had done speaking. A truculent Radical, who had punctuated the Labour M.P.'s speech with audible comments tuned his ferocious eyes towards the depart ing pressman, and loudly ejaculated, "There, that b has had enough I" A Haverfordwest Radical, whose enthusiasm for the cause is as strong as his language, spied "strangers "taking notes" at a meeting of the Liberal Hundred, and rising excitedly asked what those b-- were doing at a private meeting." He was Dot pacified wb, the chairman told him they were invited to attend, but looked as if he would like to act the part of chucker out." And yet his Radi- cal confreres were not doing anything of which th?y need be ashamed. Severe but deserved.—A little while ago a young minister, when dining at an hotel whh an acquaintance who had just returned from the Metropolis, expressed sorrow that the gentleman should have heard him preach after hearing so many great guns in London. The gentleman perceiving that the young divine was angling for compliment promptly replied, Oh, it is sometimes a relief to hear a pop- gun after so many great guns!" Some years ago in the County Council elec- tion at Prendergast the candidates tied, and the then Mayor, the late Alderman Williams, gave his casting vote for the Liberal, the Rev. John Jenkins, whose opponent was MT. Arthur Rose. Six years ago a similar thing happened at St. Mary's, Haverfordwest, and the Con- servative Mayor, Alderman T. L. James, gave his casting vote for Mr. W. H. George, whose opponent was Aldetrman John Llewellin. Will history repeat itself in 19071 Though Mr. John Ward, M.P., expressed himself as rather surprised at Fishguard by coming the other day into a Welsh-speaking district, at the ease with which everyone seemed to follow his speech and understand every word he said, he did not go so far as the traveller who visited Fishguard years ago, and wrote in his account of the place how he was stared at by "groups of barbarians who spoke a harsh jargon in loud tonea" But Mr. Ward is a six-foot man, and, as one of his admirers said, all manhood, so that he did not come to insult anybody. Dinas residents often see f jackdaw with a White wing flying about Dinas and Dinas Cross, but a much rarer sight can be seen not many miles away from the same locality. This is a white blackbird, as it is called, and another spotted or piebald bird of the same species, both of which can invariably be seen on the same field, where they almost exclusively dwell in the wild state all through the winter. Into a smoking carriage leaving Cardigan, containing several commercials, there entered an loquacious farm labourer, intelligent much beyond the average. "Where do the Cardigan doctors live about whom we read so much ? said one of the commercial gentlemen. Doc- tors," said the loquacious one, "they're no doctors; they're just farmers, and farm a bit of land just outside Cardigan." "Well they are making a great noise," said another. Oh, they axe very clever," said the labourer, but I wouldn't like to say they can just cure can- cer. I know," he went on "of at least one wonderful cure they have made. It was old Tom, who works for Mr. Harries, down the line. Old' Tom for many years had a small wart on his lower lip. It grew year by year bigger and bigger, until it looked very big and coarse, onrl rln\ £ I\IR ni lin diown. and quite disfigured him. He was in this state when his son came home from Glarmorganshire, and would have his father go and see the Penybank doctors. Well, old Tom went. They gave him some stuff' which went right down to the roots; wherever there was a root this stuff found it, but it never touched the good flesh. After a' time the growth became loose, until it could be lifted up; and when it came out, look you, there were roots spreading every- where, and it looked-just like a crocodile. a simile which finished the gravity of all who heard the story. Nothing abashed the loquac- ious one went on, "oh, it was a terrible thing, you never saw the like; and when it came away, old Tom had a great hole in his jaw, but mind you every bit of that ugly old root had gone. Well they patched his up, and by and bye except for a small mark you couldn't see old Tom had had anything done to him, and to-day he is as hale as ever. Now what do you think of that," he asked triumphantly. "But have these men even qualified as medi- cal men," asked one. Qualified, what for ? asked the loquacious one. "Why," was the answer, "supposing any thing happens to a patient under their care," "Oh that," was the answer, "if you're got something on you like old Tom had you don't wait for that; you go and get it out, and who's to stop you. Oh they are a wonderful pair. Look you, I know them quite well, and if you met them on the road you'd never think how clever they are. Why I have been trussing some hay there, and one of the brothers tola me they had an offer of P,2,000 to go away and perform an opera- tion." "But, said he to me, I don't think we shall go; we prefer to do good at home." "And have they many patients"? was asked. "Aye, as many as fifty to-day; and there is some one coming down from London to be operated upon for cancer. Mind you, cancer, and you know to operate on a cancer means you,f-3 snuffed out like that," bringing his huge fist down with a resounding smack. Then the train drew up, and the loquacious one shouldered his bag, and went away with a cheery good-night.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. Cannot something be done to improve the quality of the gas in Haverfordwest ? I don't know what candle power is said to be the standard, but for choice and use in reading or writing, I should prefer two candles at reason- able distance to corporation gas. Surely at 4s. 6d. per 1,000 feet we may expect something better than the apology for gas-light which is foisted upon us. If a more even pressure were maintained it would be an improvement. We have actually had to fix up a bicycle lamp in these offices in order to pursue our work. XXX The Corporation Committee had another night's wrestling with the market hall im- provements on Wednesday night. The architect has cut down his estimate of the cost from zE2,900 to Z2,500, and this without sacrificing any essentials. It is possible that the Town Council, ruthlessly unmindful of the archi- tect's love of the ornate and the beautiful, may dispense with more outside show, and sticking to the strictly useful and necessary, effect a further economy. XXX I see my colleague, "The Pilot," has bestowed a tiny bit of patronage upon the Rugby lvr11, but he is so new a convert that he still ,.Lsts a longing eye on the soccer fleshpctz; with its greater science." When The Pilot" has seen Rugby played, as it can be played, he will find the game is every whit, as scientific as its younger sister. Mid Pembrokeshire was once a stronghold of the game, and it is a pity it was ever abandoned. I am delighted to see that Milford, Pembroke Dock, Goodwick, and Haverfordwest are setting about its vigorous resuscitation. XXX Everybody about Milford Docks has been telling his neighbour for days past I told you so," meaning that he knew the "Castle Line" would some day regret its abandonment of Milford as its trading port. The writeT, at the time, set forth in one of the Welsh dailies his reasons for believing that the Castle Company were committing a blunder. The article was commented upon at the time, quoted and criticised, but were it re-produced to-day it would show that his premonition of three years ago has been fulfilled to the letter. One of the cutest men in the Milford Docks also showed by his action three years ago that he was of a like opinion. x x x This is the first week of the mackerel season, and it has been, on the whole, a disappointing one. Rough weather has diminished the catches, and made supplies very uneven. Given good weather everything points to a very suc- cessful season. x x x One of the county gentlemen,, a bit of a wag, has been having a joke at the expense of a Haverfordwest shopkeeper. He visited the shop and told the tradesman that a new dress material for ladies was in vogue. It was a cloth made in various colours, with a broad arrow" pattern, designed by suffragettes to avoid the necessity of making a change of toilet when they were sent to gaol. The trades- man was deeply interested, and called Mrs. Shopkeeper to listen to the wondrous tale. They had never stocked" the cloth they assured the gentleman, but would send an 0 dor at once to their London agents to for- ward some. The wicked wag all this time was looking as if ne has never made a joke in his life, and he came away leaving Mr. and Mrs. Shopkeeper convinced that he had put them on to a good line." x x One of oucr "locals" has either unconsciously perpetuated what Artemus Ward used to call a goak," or, in its zeal as the self-constituted champion of Liberalism, it has "given away the show." We are gravely as- sured that "the Liberals are on their metal" for the County Council elec- tion. This is a very awkward state- ment to make, seeing the slanderous aspersions which are so often cast on the purity of elections at Haverfordwest. On their metal Why not on their mettle ?" It is better English, and probably better ex- presses the writer's idea. XXX I was offered the other day some tickets for a concert, at least the faitr vendor led me to believe it was one. When I Cooked at the ticket I "had ma doots," but as it used to be an axiom in my whist-playing days when in doubt play trumps," I purchased three tickets, and if I live until "the Ides of March"—I mean March 14--I mean to see the thing through. As far as I can ascertain from the ticket Bethesda Chapel, Haverfordwest, is about to give a performance of the Messiah," and it will be assisted by Hulley's Band." Now that will be a very remarkable perform- ance, and will, I believe, constitute a chapel record, with Hulley's band thrown in. x x x Lest, however, I should prejudice in any way, a society of which we are all proud, let me supplement the meagre information given on the ticket by announcing that the Haverford- west Choral Society will give a public perform- ance cf Handel's oratorio, "The Messiah," in the Bethesda Chapel on March 14. I am told that the rehearsals are splendidly attended, and that the choruses are being thoroughly mastered. A very competent musical man tells me that the sopranos are very brilliant, and the contraltos, I am. assured are. of a better tone than we have had in Haverfordwest for some years. No one has praised the male voices particularly, but their fine record for the last four years Tenders that needless. With Hulley's Band and four tip-top soloists we should have a musical treat. THE SAXON.

HAVERFORDWEST. Tivyside point-to-point steeplechases will be ilver the same ground as last year, about the end of March. It is probable that a farmer's race will be included. PROMOTION. Mr. Vaughan, of Prendergast, clerk in the office of Messrs. Price and Sons, has received an appointment as assistant to the magistrates' clerk at Wimbledon. He leaves Haverfordwest to-morrow to take up his appointment. We congratulate him upon his promotion. The Pembroke Imperial Yeomanry, under Col. Meyrick, C.B., will assemble at Penally for the summer training on May 21st (Wirt Tuesday), and be dismissed on June 7th. The Glamorganshire Imperial Yeomanry, under Col. Wyndham-Quim, will train at Penally from May 28th to June 14th, so that the two regi- ments will be in camp together for some days. In addition to the Yeomanry, two battalions of militia will go into camp in the neighbour- hood of Tenby. At the dog show held in the Agricultural Hall, London, Mr. T. H. Rule Owen was award- ed reserve prize with a very promising fiat coated retriever puppy of his own breeding. There were sixteen entries in the class. In the Toy Spaniel section of the same show Dr. Mills was similarly placed with a young Pekingese bitch, Lady Concert." TEMPERANCE MEETING. The annual entertainment in connection with Hill Park Band of Hope, was held on Wednesday evening. The. meeting was pre- sided over by Mr. Morgan, Bridge Street, who made a few appropriate, remarks at the com- mencement. Owing to the inclemency of the weather there was a sparse audience. The programme proved very interesting, and re- vealed some talent amongst the little ones. Great praise is due to Mr. D. J. Edmonds and helpers for the way in which they had trained the children. It is to be hoped, as the chair- man remarked, that amongst the little ones who sang and recited so well will be many of the leading men and women of the near future. The accompanists throughout the evening were Miss Garnon and Miss Lloyd, Dark Street, of whom special mention should be made. The programme was as follows:—Chorus, "Tie on the ribbon of blue"; recitation, Master Willie Phillips; solo, Miss Annie James; recitation, Miss Annie Williams; action song, The Girls; recitation, Master John Hughes; solo, Miss Agnes Phillips; recitation, Master Freddy Daye; chorus, "A Song for the Temperance Army"; recitation, Miss Myfanwy Hughes; solo, Miss Alice Noott; recitation, Master Bertie Morgan; action song, The Boys; recitation, Mr. James Rees; solo, Mr. Jack Edwards; dialogue, Miss Thomas and Miss Daye; recitation, Miss Clara Owea; chorus, "To all you ladi-as yet unwed"; musical monologue, D. J. Edmonds; action song, The Girls; recitation, Miss S. Thomas; solo, Miss Bessie Davies; recitation, Mr. Ted Wassell; chorus, "A Host with Ban- i neTs"; doxology. The proceeds of the bazaar recently held for the proposed school alterations at Albany Congregational Church, amount to over k330. Mr. Seymour Allen has fixed the 11th April r the point-to-point races. There will be five races: open race; open race under 15 hands; open race for horses hunted by ladies; Mr. Seymour Allen's Hunt cup; and farmers' race. PIANOFORTE RECITAL. Miss Ellinor Lloyd's very talented pianoforte recital at the Salle Erad on Tuesday, February 19, gave intense pleasure to a most appreciative audience. The programme chosen appealed to real lovers of music. Miss Ellinor Lloyd's rendering of Chopin (especially), Liszt, Rubin- stein, etc., showed remarkable execution, combined with great delicacy of touch and sympathetic feeling. Miss Lloyd is undoubtedly a very fine pianiate, and one who should be known far and wide. She is of Welsh birth, has studied in Brussels and Paris with Moszkowshi, and in London with Oscar Beringar, etc. Mr. Charles Bennett's singing gave much pleasure. BESTHEDSA ANNUAL. The annual tea and entertainment at Betlicsda last evening was well patronised. The tea was well attended, and the spacious chapel held a large audience for the entertain- ment. An excellent programme had been arranged. Mr. H. F. Walker, A.R.C.O., opened with an organ solo, and acted as accompanist. Songs were rendered by Miss Annie James, Miss Noot (with flute obligato), Mr. Isaiah Reynolds, and Mr. S. Bowler; Mr. Bartlett contributed a flute sola, and Mr. W. Walker a piccolo solo. Instrumental selections were given by Messrs. Colin Jenkins, E. Garrett, A. Cook, and F. Lewis (violins), George Lewis ('cello); Mr. Bartlett (flute), and Mr. Walker (piano). The selections consisted of Uni Fete a Trianon" and (a) Allegro Moderato (b) Tempo di Minuetto (c) Rondu." The Male Glee Society, under the direction of Mr. J. Adams, contributed A Little Church" and. The Crusaders." SENT TO PRISON. At the Shire Hall on Monday (before Mr. L. Roberts and Mr. John Rees), a tramping labourer named Thomas Jones was brought up on a charge of having been drunk and dis- orderly on Saturday afternoon.—P.S. James told the court that prisoner was staggering over the footway in Victoria-place, and as he used very bad language-obscene and profane--he was taken into custody on the Salutation- square.—Prisoner expressed his regret for what had occuned, said it was his first offence, and that he had been working with a farmer named Mr. Williams, about four miljs from Haver- f cirdw est. -Inspecto- Thomas mentioned that on Friday afternoon Mr. Joseph Thomas's coachman came to complain that prisoner was creating a disturbance in Quay-street, but witness took compassion on the prisoner and saw him safely down at Mr. Power's lodging- house.—Mr. Roberts: And this is his conduct on the following day.—In answer to the Bench, Inspector Thomas said that if prisoner were fined, and he was given time to pay, he would very likely clear out of the county, a,, ct another warrant would be added to the large iiiin-Ler which had been N f eu ted. -T,i, magistrates decided to fine prisoner 5s., in- cluding fosts, but as he only had lid. in his possession he was unable to pay the ani consequently he went to Carmarthen to- sc/en days' hard labour. REV. ALEX ROGER AND CATHOLICISM. Three very interesting lectures on Catholic- ism were delivered on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday last at the Temperance Hall, by the Rev. Alex Rogar, honorary secretary of the National Protestant Federation. The lectures were got up in order to start a fund for a memorial to perpetuate the memory of William NichoHs, the Haverfordwest Christian Martyr. On Monday night the Rev. W. Mendus occu- pied the chair, and Mr. Roger spoke on the subject Why we cannot join the Church of Rome." The lecturer maintained that the true Christian life can never run in a Catholic groove. On Tuesday night Mr. R. Sinnett took the chair, and Mr. Roger spoke on Some benefits of the Reformation." The Reforma- tion was, he said, not "made in Germany,' but was the direct result of Wycliff's piety and Sawtre's martyrdom. The Reformation was no new faith, but a re-statement of old truths. Above all other benefits conferred by the Re- formation, one stood out from all the rest, and that was that the Reformation gave England the Bible.—On Wednesday night, Rev. 0. Jacobs occupied the chair, and the lecturer spoke on ".The Monastic Alien Peiil, and the evils of the present Conventual system." The lec- turer failed to see why England should be made the dumping ground for foreign outlaws in the guise of monks. It was as if England had a sign board on her coast; "Rubbish shot here," and the foreign monks take advantage of this, and dump themselves on Englishmen. The lecturer went deeply into the subjects of convent "sweating" and convent laundries, and said that the London white" sales, are generally composed of garments made by "sweated" labour in French convents. He also spoke fully of penance, scourges, and con- fessionals. He then showed tne increase of convents and monasteries in England and Ire- land, from 52 in 1850 to 918 in 1903, and 1,066 in 1906. The lectures were poorly attended, the collections failing to cover the expenses. After the meeting on Wednesday night, a com- mittee was formed to go into the subject of the memorial more deeply. Mr. Richard Sinnett kindly consented to act as secretary.

County Council Elections, 1907. TO THE ELECTORS OF THE WHITCHURCH DIVISION. Ladies and Gentlemen,— You are again calle'd upon to elect a County Councillor for this division. Having had the honour of representing you on the Council for the last eighteen years, and having during that period successfully con- tested the seat on three occasions, I again beg to offer you my services for the next ensuing three year; I shall endeavour, as heretofore, to further your interests, and maintain your confidence, if elected. I am, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, .!()[IN THOMAS. Trevigan, February 21, 1907.

A GRAND EISTEDDFOD Will be held in HAVEBFOEDWEST, On WHIT MONDILY, MAY 20th. 1907. CHIEF CHORAL Prize: £ 25 and Silver Mounted Baton. MALE VOICE Prize: R30 and Silver Cup. Substantial prizes for Part Song, Juvenile Choir, Solos (Vocal and Instrumental). Also an excellent list of Literary and Art Com- petitions. Programmes may now be had, 2Jd. post free, from the Hon. Sec., Mr. W. G. ROWLANDS, 1, Castle Terrace, 2mrl. Haverfordwest. WANTED good General Servant, about 25 TV years of age.-Apply, Salutation Hotel, Haverfordwest fe22- SILK UMBRELLAS 2s. 6d each. Wonderful value. Unequalled for wear and appearance. On receipt of P.O. 2s. 6d. (postage 3d extra), we will send post free any address, one of our famous Silk Umbrellas for Ladies or Gentlemen. Numerous Testimonials. All orders despatched same day as received.—South Wales Umbrella Co., 83, Lower Oxford Street, Swansea. 3mr8 WANTFD, an Experienced GENERAL, Two in family.—Apply, Mrs. R. C. Nicholson, Gwalia House, Milford Haven. 3mr8 ri^O LET, FIELD and HILL, part of Gwarcoed JL Farm, now occupied by Mr. Jftmes ETans, Bank House, Solva, possession next Michaelmas also Two M oors with immediate possession, situate between Solva and Middle Mill.—Apply to J. Morgan Williams, St. Davids. lfe22

MILFORD PORT SANITARY AUTHORITY. MEETING AT NEYLAND. A meeting of the Milford Port Sanitary Authority was held on Tuesday at the South Wales Hotel, Neyland, when Mr. T. Llewellyn was voted to the chair, and there were also present: Messrs. F. S. Reed, J. Lawrence, J. Ll. Davies, S. W. Dawkins, J. H. Bishop, T. L. James, B. Thomas, and C. Matthias, and Mr. F. L. Jeffs (clerk), Dr. Griffith (medical officer), and Mr. W. Davies (inspector). Mr. J. Ll. Davies said that he felt sure that he would only be expressing the feelings of all present when he referred to the extreme regret they all felt at the death of thei.r late chairman, Mr. N. A. Roch. Ho was their chairman for many years, and his attention to duty, his strict economy as to finances, his courtesy and kindness were known to all. He proposed that the clerk be instructed to write a letter of condolence to Mrs. Roch. Mr. C. Matthias seconded, and this was carried. The next buiiiess was th3 appointment of chairman, and Mr. J. Ll. Davies proposed the election of Mr. C. Matthias. This was seconded by Mr. Llewellyn, and carried unanimously. In reply, Mr. Matthias said that he hoped their meetings would always be ItS harmonious as they had bee-i under their late chairman. RATS. Some discussion took place with regard to the number of rats at Milford Docks. The question was raised by Mr. Reed, and the medical officer said that he had seen the manager of the Docks Company on the matter, but the latter said that the rats were such good scavengers that they should not take any steps to remove them. Dr. Griffith proceeded to describe how, supposing a ship infected with the plague came to Milford, the infection might be spread by means of rats. Mr. Reed asked if Milford Haven was the only place troubled with rats in the harbour? The Chairman said that was where most of the rats were, and that was where most of the ships came in. Mr. Reed lemarkod that they must be careful that the rats did not come up to Neyland. They were likely to follow the ships. After some further discussion it was decided to writo to the Milford Urban District Council on the subject. THE HOSPITAL SHIP. Mr. Lawrence remarked that he had heard that the hospital ship was of no service, and ytt there was a considerable expenditure laid out on her from time to time. The Corporation of Pembroke had a hospital which could be used for such a corporation as this. If they could come to an agreement with them, then they could do away with the hospital ship. The Chairman: Where is your hospital ? Mr. Lawrence said that it was at Jacob's Pill, and could be got at at any time or tide. Mr. J. Ll. Davies pointed out that the doctor had authority to put in bedding, etc., at the hospital ship, and it could be made ready for patients in twenty-four hours. Dr. Griffith said that he knew nothing about the hospital at Jacob's Pill. As to the hospital ship, no doubt it at present looked rather dreary. At first she had been provided with everything, but they had never had a case, and the things had gradually rotted, until there was now only the bare boards. He could not report with regard to the Jacob's Pill Hospital without notice. Mr. J. LI. Davies pointed out that the doctor, living at Milford, could not very well attend Jacob's Pill. Dr. Griffith said that if they went to Jacob's Pill he would resign within twenty-four hours. It was bad enough getting to Sandy Haven, but Jacob's Pill would mean camping out. Mr. Bishop referred to the hospital ship as a place where he would not put a cat, let alone a human being. After some further discussion the matter dropped, Mr. Lawrence stating that he might bring it up at the next meeting.

FISHCUARD. URBAN POWERS. Mr. A. J. Hodges, clerk of thet parish council, has received the finally affirmed orders for forming an urban district council at Fish- gllrd The electicn will Ü.ke place >n March 25 TABERNACLE DEBATING SOCIETY. This debating 'society (under the able leader- ship of Mr. 0. R. James) has proved most effectual, some very pleasant evenings having been spent. Next week the debate will be, Which is the most beneficial, town or coun- try." Mr. W. Thomas, "Guardian" office, will take the former, and Miss Bessie Harries, Shop y Bobol, the latter. ILLNESS. The many friends of the Trellewellyn family will regiet to hear of the prolonged and severe illness of Mrs. Lydia Davies, who has been laid up for some time with an acute attack of heart trouble. She is daily attended to by Dr. Owen, and we are pleased to state that she is slightly better.

3Btrtbs-IDarriat3es-E)eatb s. BIRTHS. Feb. 18th, at Hill Terrace, Fishguard, the wife of Mr. James Roberts, of a daughter. Feb. 14th, at 12, Spring Gardens, Haverford- west, the wife of Mr. James Lewis, of a daugh- ter. MARRIAGES. February 17, at the Tabernacle Church, Narbea-th, by the Rev. R. J. Williams, Mr. John Thomas, son of P.S. Thomas, of Narberth, to Miss Polly Sale, of the Barley Mow Inn, NaIr- berth. At the Registrar's Office, Haverfordwest, Mr. Benjamin Jones Smith, Croesgoch, to Miss Martha Anne Thomas, Porthgain. Feb. 18th, at Dale Parish Church, by the Rev. G. H. Hughes, Vicar, Mr. Godfrey S. Booth, of Portarlington, to Miss Martha Jane Sturley, eldest daughter of Mr. James Sturley, Dale. Feb. 19th, Llanstadwell Church, by the Rev. D. L. Davies, Davd Phillips, of Cardiff, to Rebecca, daughter of Mr. Williams, Kensing- ton Road, Neyland. DEATHS. Feb. 14th, at Lonsdale Hospital, Barrow-in- Furness, Arthur Wilkins, of H.M.S, Hazard, son of the late Alderman Wilkins, of Pembroke Dock, aged 41. Feb. 15th at Prospect, Pembroke Dock, James Cole, aged 93. February 16, at Bank House, Croesgoch, Miss Maggie Williams, aged 25 years.