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

For the Fairs, and Whitsun! -4 YOU WILL WANT Ladies' and Children's Dressed, Costumes, Raincoats, Blouses, Gloves, Stylish Hats, &c., &c. also Men's and Boys' Suits, Overcoats, Shirts, Hats, &c. We hold a Big Stock at considerably under To-Day's Prices, IS* Ess" IS* Duggan's, BUILTH WELLS. :t.:q/t ?TBMN-?RCH__ED ? iJKivl 11 ,øJJ  PEED GEA FOR CYCLES AND MOTOR-CYCLES T?&5T'JR?&Y.?RC?R H.E.F.. Fr?ce. ??TS'S"? ?Spe?dG?.? "I have been De.patch riding  T ?' Fc?C?e?es. "? here for the last 20 month. For Motor   .ycf,TS.- I na Vè found our ge,¡¡¡r.. are- t-lie mG-t seryiet'a ble I ha n:'c-d." (Signed) A. A. JACKSON, Rider, 3:3 Heav3 Art. The c01lntershaft gear for makes traffic I safe :mc1 in all Ot1 Specify it after the war I Gr:AR5 LD. NOTTINGHAM

CYCLING. I Carrying Meals Awheel. I The difficulty of setting even a simple cup of tea now- adavs. has driven me to utilise the universal Thermcs flazk, and I have found it a great ionvenitnce. For one is independent of the innkeeper. Hut I am bound to t.av that tea does not keep well in a Thermos. I have taken to coffee, which tastes a.s well 12 hours after it is made and will easily keep hot all that time. Luckil Jor me, I am one of those who like coffee ju,t as well a- tea, but ladies in particular would not find is so appreciable. The top of the Thermos serves 3; a cup and with this and a. few sandwiches (not necessarily J meat. nowadav-s), one can get along quite well all day. till the events meal. For sandwiches I find eggs and any .sort of cress as welcome and refreshing any any- thing. Tomatoes also make good sandwiches. They get rid of the dryness which is the defect of the com- mon sandwich and makes it so tasteless. And there is a charm about a roadside snack which no meal at an inn can ever equal. Cyclists' Church Parades. Alma-t alone. I believe, Newcastle continues to hold its annual cyclists' church parade, which has. a history c; f over :0 year, ot;J¡in<i it. Fer tlti- year it i, again to be held at Blagdon, on June 23rd. when the Bishop of Newcastle will preach. The collection last- year .amounted to over £60. and the expenses were only just over £ 2—an example in moderation which might be com- mended to other charities. The balance was distributed amonn-st local hospitals. The idea of the church par- ade is. good, that one day in the year cyclists should combine to join in a thanksgiving service. It originated in the days when Sunday riding cyclists were pariahs. The intention was to show that cyclists were., at least, • no rel i gioui- minded than most other Britons, and to- day. when Eternity is so very clo, to many, the need j., if anything, sreater than ever. The example of Newcastle might well be copied.

MOTOR-CYCLING. I The Motor-Cycle in America. I The enormous popularity of the motor-cycie in the United States is emphasised by some interesting statis- tics which were recently published in a contemporary. In the 12 sparsely-settled American States west of the Kocky mountains, 50.410 motor-cycles are now in use, according to the number of machines licensed during the year 1917. California, one of the largest and mo-t populous of these States, heads the list with a regis- tration of 26,368 machines, and Colorado comes next with 6.1-36. Losses by reason of motorcyclists giving up their machines and taking to motor cars are in reality very small. Recent substantial increases in the manu- facturing costs and retail prices 12f all the well-known make- of cars have still further removed the. motor eyele from automobile competition. There hai; also been a great increase in the production and sales of commercial side-vans for all manner of light delivery purposes. Too-Heavy Sidecars. I There are several very important points that liiotl" 01" ,;electing a ,?ide-car, one taken into consideration when selecting a side-car, one of the mot necessary being to make sure that it is not too heavy for the motor cycle to which it is to be at- tached. It is most unwise to attach a heavy side-car to, &ay, a 31 h.p engine. Such a plan is i)ound to spell trouble sooner or later, ami generally sooner. As a, rule, in a case like this, the cycle and sidecar have been bought separately, for makers study this matter carefully, and with a 3\ h.p. mount recommend a suit- able ide-ear. It is a misfake only to study comfort, ap- pearance and design, the weight of the sidecar and the power of the engine should also be carefully thought out. for cnly in this way can successful running be en- sured.

MOTORING. I "Nothing to Buy But the Licence." I This is a mot excellent catch-phrase which many American manufacturer- are adopting. The meaning of the phrase, of course, is that. the makers are turning out their cars absolutely fully equipped, and that the purchaser will not. need" to buy anything at all save the licence. This is an excellent aim, and one that I have consistently advocated for a long time past. I re- centh received a very indignant letter from a corres- pondent. who bought a new far. which was priced in the catalogue at R-290. It was shown complete with hood. wind-screen, lamps, etc. In acknowledging the order the makers asked whether he would like a wind- screen ( £ 7 10s), a hood (£13). lamps ( £ '10 13s), and so on, naming accessories of this description, which to- talled to about R40. So instead of the car costing £200. it cost And the unfair part was that it was I shown in the catalogue complete with all the extras, and priced £:!90. Sawdust as a Grease Absorbent. It is an excellent plan always to keep in the motor hou-e a drum of paraffin, with a draw-off tap fixed two inches from the bottom, in order that when dirty para- ttin is poured hack into the drum the impurities settle I below the level of the tap, so that clear oil is drawn off OIl ome subsequent occasion. Personally (states a writer in the "Autocar)," I use paraffin from this drum to wash my hand, after doing any dirty work. The oil i. then pcured back into the drum through a funnel, and, instead of using each time a piece of clean rag to wipe my hands, I keep handy a kpx of sawdust, dipping my hand, into this several times has effect of drying i them in a lew seconds. I THE HUB.



— Brecon Guardians.  PROPOSED ADDITIONAL WAR BOXUS. V Mr Owen Price (chairman) presided over the Brecon Board of Guardians on Friday. It was reported that 51 vagrants received relief at the workhouse during the month, a decrease of 24 compared with the same period last year. There are 39 inmates. The House Committee reported having considered the question of giving additional war bonus to indoor officer., recommended that 2/- more per week be given, making it 6/—(2/- of which is part of their food allowance). Mi-s Adelaide Williams, in moving the adoption of the report, said they had a good many reports from various unions as to what they were giving their officers and they found that it came to rather more than what they were now proposing. 2! -extra was not very much. Mis- Philip Morgan seconded. Miss Williams: I ought to say we were not quite un- animous. Replying to other questions Miss Williams said there were eight officers. Rev. T. Griffiths: One officer had an increase before. The Clerk: You allowed them 4/- by way of food al- lowance Rev. T. Griffiths: Did not the nurse and cook have an increase in salary? The clerk said that was so about 18 months ago. Only two voted in favour of the report and 'seven against, and on the suggestion of Mr John Jones, se- conded by Mr Best, :the question was referred to the Finance CqTnmittee. The clerk reported that in respect to a person removed to the Talgarth asylum. he had taken possession of his bank book which contained a eum of X91 to hio, credit. Regarding the valuation of the Waterworks which had been before the guardians recent- ly. the valuer's fee amounted to £105. The chairman said although the sum was rather high a thorough valuation was made and the amount expended was en- tirely justified, since an increase of £ 1,000 was made in rateahle value of the works. That would mean rather moro than £ 200 per year for the Union. The action of tha committee wa.s fully justified. With regard to the increase in the tithes of the Union, this amounted to £ 1,600. The work had entailed a lot of trouble on their clerk, but the action taken was fully justified. Overseers were appointed for the following parishes, which had neglected to nominate: Glyn: Messrs. Walter Peck and Scammell. Cantref: Messrs. D. Williams, Ceofte and T. R. Evans, Nov add Hepste; the two latter beiPlg re-appointed.

Is the Raleigh a good bicycle for this district ? You know < that amongst the world's bicycles the Rigid, Rapid, Reliable ti '1, THE ?ILL-,3TEEL BILE Stand. First-hem Is evidence of the eervice ft g<ve« to local ndtm A V = 8. Janet street, Rhydfelan. "I have ridden the Raleigh 16,000 miles on i r??TT? rough Welsh hill roads, and it is aA true now  (Signed) E. H. MARTIN. S? (Si,-ned) E. H. MARTIN.   HJ  Tm\ = BRECON—Meredith & Sons, High St. == ???r?MHB\ |j  CRICKHOWELL-Perey Wilks, High St. ^== = HAY-T. J. Aladigan. = 1 jf === LLANDOVERY-T. Roberts & Sons. ;=- SENNYBRIDCE-Thomas Thomas. ¿ TALCARTH-F. T. Morgan. The Girl Guide Points the 114ay With Dunlop tyres and Sturrney-ALreher on a 3-speed Gear the RALEIGH will T last a li!etime Raleigh. GUARANTEED The Raleigh Cycle Co. Ld., FOR E VER.   ?"?"Em?" _?_?_???? /I/{IIIII\ 1 As one illustration of Raleigh perfection— the threads of every spoke are rolled on, not cut in, as in other bicycles, thereby retaining full strength where strain is greatest. «.<•<« • CYCUSO FOlt HEALTH by pp N. Attntt and Books tall* ¿"Mf'i.i: ,3' '< 'l'V"1'c'

Peeps into the Past. AN EMINENT ACTOR-AUTHOR. PRITCHARD OF TRALLONG. A most interesting paper was read last eession to The Brecon Welsh Society by Mr E. E. Morgan (the well-known compiler of the trefecca diaries) on T. J. Llewellyn Pritchard, widely known as the author of "Twm Shcn Catti," and who was a native of Brecon- shire, being horn in the parish of Trallong. Through the courtesy of Mr Morgan we propose publishing the paper from time to time and in this issue appears the first part. The first references to Pritchard, as a native cf Bre- cons'nire. that 1 "have seen are those given by Poole in his History of the County, which was published in 1886. One cf tiie.se reads as follows, and occurs in a short ac- count oi the Parish of Trallong:- "An eminent native. The author of Twm Shon Catti. T. J. Llewelyn Pritchard, was born in the parish of Trallong, County Brecknock, and died in Swansea Union Workhouse. An endeavour will be made to give some ,sketch of his life in that portion of this work entitled "Eminent Breconians.' A second reference is the promised sketch. "T. J. Llewelyn Pritchard, the author of Twm Shon Catti, was born in Trallong parish, in this county. A man of clever parts, cf brilliant wit, he still died miserably poor. He filled the dual positions of author, actor and amanuensis. In 1841 he was acting in Hrecknock theatre. He published several works, the chief being his "Twn Shon Catti," written in novel form, and supposed to recite the daring deeds and vagaries of a Brecknock County J.P. (Thomas Jones, Esq., of Tregaron). Another work of his was called "The Heroines of Welsh History." "Twm Shon Catti" has passed through several editions. An English edit- ion of this famous Welsh rarebit was published fti 1872 by the late John Price, publisher, of Llanidloes. Pritchard is supposed to have died in Swansea." A third reference, which appears in an appendix of "Books printed in Brecknockshire, with list of county authors," mentions again, as Pritchard's works, "Twm Shon Catti." and the "Heroines of Welsh History," with the addition -of one entitled "The Cambrian Balnea, or guide to the Watering Places of Radnorshire." The following reference to Pritchard In the "Glanusk Edition" of Theophilus Jones's History may be "T..T. Llewelyn Pritchard, author of Twm Shon Catti, lived for many years in High Street, Builth, where he kept a second-hand bookshop. He was locally known as "Pritchard the poet." He left Builth for Merthyr, and finally returned to Swansea., from which town he originally came to Builth. He often contributed short poems to the "Poets 'Corner" in the "Cahrian." He was the author of the Ncble of Xature, one of the poems in "Welih -Alinstre-isil published in 1824." -Thi, account of Pritchard, meagre as it is, is, pro- bably. all that some of us know about Trallong's "Emin- ent Native," and I am pleased tp be able to add some- thing to it. and to justify, to some degree, Poole's de- script ion of him and to warrant my mention of him as a Breconshire Worthy. His Birth Place. Although I do not question the accuracy of Poole's j statement that Pritchard was born in the parish of Trallong, I have not. been able, so far, to verify it. The Rev. M'r Hughes, Vicar of the parish, very kindly ex- amined the Parish Registers for me with this object, but unfortunately with the only result that they appear to be silent on the point. But there seems to he a refer- enee to his childhood in one of his poems which identifies the farm house cf Llwyn-nyth with his home, while in another the farmhouse of lir-, ndii-whicli is near Llwvn- nyth—is suggested in this connection. (I may here say that Poole does not mention him as a poot, and does not appear to have known his work.- of this character). It has occurred to me that, perhaps, he was biorn else- where, and only spent his early day, at Trallong. but some other enquiries that I have made have brought to me no information. I am, consequently, unable at present to name his birth-place, or the date of his birth, or. except approximately. that of his death. The latter event, I thilk. may, at present, be taken as having oc- curred about 1874. He was, probably, born late in the leventeen-nineties, or very early in the 19th century. It is evident, however, that important biographical data in connection with Pritchard are lacking. though I am not without hope of discovering some of tlie,e after fur- ther investigation and enquiries. Actor-Author. Poole, whom I have quoted, describes him as an "author, actor, and. amanuensis," but I am inclined to think that "a0tor, author and amanuensis" would, in a chronological sense, he a more accurate description. (I should say, here, that most of his works appear to have been written during, or about, his somewhat indefinite career as an actor, but he appears to have been already an actor when he began to write his books). I am. how- evre, at present, quite in the dark as to how a lad horn in Trallong was evolved into an actor with some London connections. The question of his education, too, re- mains for me in obscurity. One of my theories about Pritchard's early life is. that he received his education at Brecon, and that while in the ,town-which is the hirth- place of Mrs Siddons, and then more famous in the thea- trical world than it is to-day.-he joined one of the companies of actors that travelled through the pro-' vinces, eventually going on to London. It is. however, more probable that he had relatives living in London and that he went there at an early age, receiving his education mainly there and that he began his actors' career on the London stage, and later toured the coun- try. There is evidence. as I have just said, that he was an actor before he became an author, and as his first book was published in 1824. which he appeared (accord- ing to Poole), on the Brecon stage in 1841 it would seem as if he was a playactor for, perhaps, 20 years. It would be interesting to know in what plays he appeared and what parts he took, but. at present, I have no know- ledge of these matters. I regret this the more since it i- not easy without it to understand what part the stage had in the/life of South Wales a century ago. It would appear that there was some sort of a theatre in every county town in. this part of the Principality in Pritchard's day, and there was, certainly, one in Brecon for a con- siderable time before he was born, as Sarah Kernble- afterwards Siddons—was herself born here in 1755, her parents heing strolling players. of that time. There is no evidence that Pritchard was an actor of outstanding merit, and for me. at least, this period of his life re- mains in considerable obscurity, and it is very. prohahle that had he been an actor only Poole would not have described him as an "Eminent Xative of Trallong," while I sheuld to-night be paying homage to some other Breconshire celebrity. (To be continued.) I

St. David's Day In Baghdad, j BRECDS AXD RADXOR MEX PRESEXT. I Welshmen of all ranks resident in Baghdad celebrated the day of their patron saint with two very successful dinners. Among those present were Cpl. Williamson (Uandrindod Wells) and Cpl. Evans (Llanganimareh Wt-Hs). Officers and friends had a. delightful gathering at the Hotel Maude. Aft-er t generous repast, an excellent programme of ,wngs and glees in Welsh was rendered by a party of Welsh and men, and their efforts were greatly appreciated. During the evening the fol- lowing cablegram was forwarded to the Prime Minister, England:— "We, the Welshmen of all ranks serving in the Meso- potamian Expeditionary Force, at our first St. David's Day dinner held at Baghdad send hearty greetings and an expression of our loyalty and continued confidence in the old country with you at the helm of the nation."— Chairman." X.C.O.'s and men had thir own gathering (organised by Cpl. Williamson) at the Queen Victoria Restaurant, and enjoyed themselves after dinner with a good pro- gramme of songs, glee.s and recitations. No form of en- tertainment could offer a greater appeal to a Welsh- man. No village in the homeland would be considered oomplete. without its singers and reciters. For one night, at least, they were back in the land of their fathers. During the dinner a nilmier of officers were present, and the cablegram, forwarded later to the Prime Minister, was read and received- with c'aeers.

MO-TH ltit, IS EXCELLENT FOR I Mother Seigel's Syrup is an excellent H remedy for Indigestion, because it fi|pfij assists stomach, liver and bowels, to do their work naturally. and efficiently. IB g With these organs in perfect working jffl| t order Indigestion becomes impossible. |3§ Put l it to the test. t SJ| «

WELL-KNOWN MILLER. I RHAYADER'S LOSS. .THE LATE MR A. HAXDLEV. Mr Alfred Haudtey, of Messrs. A. Handtey and Sons (Builth, Rhayader and Erwood, millers, merchants, &c.), whose funeral was recorded in our last issue, died on the 28th ult., At the age of 69 years. The deceMcd gentleman represented a family of millers, whose as- sociation with the. trade goes hack for generations. Originally, the Handleys came to Mid-Wales from Wor- cester, opening and carrying on business at Brecon and Aberedw, and thenceforward the name HandleN. lia-s been synonymous for milling within, and, indeed, ages before, living memory. War conditions, no doubt, had much to do in hasten- ing the deceased's end, for lie wa? in harness to the very last, working practically without any help. He tried to secure the return of one of his old hands from the colours, hut without success, and thus, week after week, he practically wore himself out, -only abandoning his work when it wag too late. The late Mr Handley was. one of the most straight- forward men the writer ever ml,t-couseientious. sin- cere and rigidly honest. -Although he had not the ad- vantages of present-day k-(Iucatioi),' tic, was well read, and conversed on most topics with wonderful grasp and intelligence. Possessed of a kindly nature and disposit- ion, he never failed to be a gentleman. He was al. ways retiring, and, perhaps, somewhat isensitive—far too sensitive to face and cope with the general "rough and tumble" of everyday commercial life. His whole life spelled justice and ini-egrity-in fact he laboured to be scrupulously ju.st and straightforward, especially in dealing with farmers' grist—even to making up weight at his o-wn expense rather than run the risk of the slightest taint on his character. Politically, the late Mr Handley was a Progressive, al- though never narrow, unreasoning and bigoted. He also loved music, and, in his younger days, was a member of the late Llew Buallt's choir, possessing a good tenor voice. Music in the old day. especially 40 years ago, was a phase of the districts's life, and Mr Handley, like scores of others, found much pleasure in accompanying Llew Buallt on his singing rounds, the effects of which were still to be observed in the congregational singing, of the towns and villages for miles around. The late Mr Handley was also a fine type of patriot in a quiet, dignified and unostentatious way. This was; more than testified by the tenacious fhanner in which he clung .to his milling duties to the last, believing he wa,s thus-not. so much -serving 'himself—but doing a national service in time of need. The deceased gentleman leaves, a widow (Mrs Sarah Ann Handley-a few year. his senior), two sons and two daughters. One son is Mr Theophilus C. Handley, who carries on the well-known business at Nantyrarian Mill (near Builth), the Crown Stores, Builth, and Er- wood Depot, and the other sou, Mr Philip Handley, is in the Civil Service. The late Mr Handley was a cousin of the late Mr John Handley, Priory Mill, Brecon, and, also, a relative of the Handleys. of mill-stone building 'fame. Birmingham, the family appearing to have mill- ing almost inbred. He was also a cousin of Mr David Handley. Priery Mill, Brecon.

Neurasthenia and Broken Health. INVALIDED SOLDIEK MADE WELL AND ENABLED TO "VORK BY TAKING DB. CASSELL'S TABLETS. Mr George L. Joseph, 14, WJia-rfd'ii.lc Road. King's Cross, London, says :—"I was in the army when my trouble came on, -and had seen nearly two years of active service. I found .myself getting very run down and nervy, -and though I tried to | keep going it was no use. My sleep was very dis- turbed and my genera! health low" Appetite fail- ed me, I suffered with violent .headaches, and finally ibecamc so weak 'oha't I bad to go in hospital. I was discharged suffering with severe neurasthenia or nervous breakdown. I was terribly nervous and depressed w.hen I came (home, could not fix my mind on anything, and the feeling of gloom I en- dured 'was really terrible. "Then I tried Dr. Cassell *s.Tablcts. and the re- sults Imve been splendid. They braced me up as nothing etsc ?ad dODe. my nerves became steady, •an"now, I am pleased to say, I -a-m able !to work ?n<)w, I am pleased to say, l,ain able ?io v-(o r k Dr. Cassell's Tablets are the Proved Homedy for Nervous Breakdown Anaemia Nerve Paralysis Kidney Trouble Spinal Weakness Indigestion Infanatile Paralysis Wasting Diseases Neurasthenia Palpitation Sleeplessness Vital Exhaustion Specially valuable for Nursing Mothers and during the Critical Periods of Life. Sold hy Chemists and Stores in all parts of the world, including Australia, Xew Zealand, Canada, Africa, and India. Prices: 1/ 1/3. and 3/- (the 3/- size heing the most economical). IMPORTANT.-Dr. Cassell's Tablets are guaranteed free from iron and from narcotics. They' can neither constipate nor induce a drug-taking habit. If you desire further information, write to Dr. Cassell's Co., Ltd., Chester-road, Manchester.

THE GREAT SKIN CURE. BUDDEN'S S R. SKIN OINTMENT will cure Itching JD after one application, destroys everv form of Eczema; heals old Wounds and Sores; acts like a obarm on Bad Legs; is infallible for Piles; Prevents Cuts from Festering; win cure Ringworm in a few days; removes the most obstinate Eruptions and Scurvy. Boxes 9d and 1/3. Agents for Brecon, Mr Stanton and Mr Morris, High Street. Chemists; Builth Wells, W. Price and Co., T. A. Coltman. Llandovery, J. Nicholas, Chemist; Hay, J. L. Davies and Son; Talgarth, J. Parry, Chemist; Crickhowell, Mr Kirkland, Chemist; Brynmawr, Mr A. M. I Jones, Chemist; Knighton. Mr Perkins, Chemist; Pontar- i dulni-, Mr Jones, Chemist. b799/45/2i7 ZAM-BUIC Rescued this Child from momA4 and Gave H&r a Nice Cgbr Skin- MRS. E. MITCHELL, of "Ferndale, f Haath Road, Locksheath, Southampton, .1 writes: ? '-?? '? ? "?-? littIe S?!, Mary' age 5 years, had a spot ?/T '? ? '? ? come on her head which developed into eczema. ???/???.??? ? "? -?r??k ?? P?? itched terribly and spread rapidly ? ?'?  '? "?'?? "?P ?'?? ?? child's scal p and face. I "I tried various remedies, but a month passed ?/??? "s-?"? and the child was still in a distressing condition. Hl'1, —?\ T -?' 1 Then it occurred to me that I had used Zam-Buk with good results years ago in a case of Chickenpox sores, so I decided to try it for Mary's eczema. The first application relieved the irritation immediately so that Mary did not want to scratch •V'A ?? places, and as I continued the Zam-Buk  ?. *? ?n  n' '??  ?''A treatment, it w<? splendid to see all the innamma- ^J tion disappear from the sores, which dried up and ?(?'?C?'y????.? ?'?'? away, leaving behind nice clear skin. Before   ?< ?.'  ??'? long there was not a trace of the disease to be seen on Mary's scalp or face. ?"?' ?,.y M?c?eH. Since then my elder daughter became j [ ? icksheath. affected in the same way, but the prompt use of Zam-Buk prevented the trouble developing. j f MOTWT?M f DOM'? let npure fats and mineral ?OtSOtM I  ? *? (such as most or??t<T?y otM<tKC?s contaHf) ?e< nto your ? ?=-/?/—?<'  s. citilti's Use oitly Z??!-B;?. It is purely herbal and j most soothing in action. Zam-Bltk heals cuts and cures skin and scalp troubles more quickly than any other hnown preparation. Every parcel to your soldier SOlf should con- tain soipte Zam-Buk. Jt's fine for bad feet and Trench Sores. At iTlZ Clielitists and Drt4g Stores.

I BRECON F.C.C. ANNUAL MEETINGS. [ COUNCIL'S ACTIVITIES. I — There was a large attendance at the annual meetings of the Brecon Free Church Council, held in Bethel Chapel on Wedn-eday in last week. The special preacher,was the Rev. B. Grey Griffith, B.D. (Cardiff), and in the afternoon he delivered an impressive and eloquent sermon. Mr W. A. Wright (President of the local F.C.C.) presided over the evening meeting, and he was snported by Rev. R. J. Williams (president- elect), Rev. R. G. Thomas (secretary), Principal Lewis. Prof. John Evans, Prof. Mia 11 Edwards and the Free Church ministers of the town. The Free Church Choir (under the conductor-ship of Mr Oscar Wat kin.-) took part in the meeting, and rendered very effectively Macfarren's anthem, "The Lord is my Shepherd." The secretary in his annual report showed that the past year had seen most useful work successfully ac- complished by the council. Much of the success, he said, was due -to the splendid leadership of the Presid- ent. The spirit of unity had prevailed and the object of working for Christ in the churches. had been upper- most. During the year they had suffered a great deal from the loss of their young men, 300 of whom were serving their King and country. Amongst those who had made the supreme sacrifice he mentioned the name of one very prominent member who had taken a 1(>adll1 r part in the musical work, namely, Pte. Melville G. Trew, He referred to the visit of the Mid Wales Federation when memorable meetings were held, and particularly the work done in connection, with the Children's Wel- fare Union hy the Children's Welfare Committee of which Professor Iliall Edwards was the president. Sun- day schtool work was given special attention and the visit of Miss Florence Hoatson in connection with this was much appreciated. He also referred to the in- auguration of the Life Brigade Scout Movement amongst the hoys with the Rev. S. G. Davies as scout master, and Mr Percy Poulston as his assistant, and the valuable services rendered to it, by Deputy Chief Constable Steven Jones, and to the Girls Guide Movement, with which Miss Lettie Powell and Miss Wheeler were identi- ii ed. The winter lectures proved a great success finan- cially, intellectually and spiritually, and had lwcomid an established institution in the activities of the Free Churches. Reference was also made to the F.C. Choir and the successful festival on Good Friday, and the excellent services rendered in connection with it by Mr Rhys Jones. Mr Oscar Watkins and Mr R. W. Musk. Whilst they had held monthly intercessory services they had also made contributions to various war charities and had established a War Savings Association under the auspices of the council. Mr Evan Morgan, J.P. (treasurer) gave the financial report which was most satisfactory. j The President before vacating -the chair for his succes- sor, Rev. R. J. Williams, also spoke on the activities of the Council during the year, and thanked the churches f and the officers for their kindness and courtesy and wished Mr Williams a very successful year of office. Rev. R. J. Williams in taking the chair said he did not know of any Free Church Council where the churches associated with it were so united. Good work had been done. They recognised they were living in very dark times, but they hoped that -this coming year would isee victory and peace. Kev. B. G. Griffith in the course of a helpful address dealt with the duty of the Free Churches in the future. He hoped the title "Evangelical Free Church Council" would be retained, because the freedom they stood for was evangelical freedom. A good deal of the mistakes of to-day and the future were due to forgetting that there was a freedom -that sprung from the Evangel. Political freedom, in Britain was based historically on evangelical freedom. He dealt with the duty of the Free Churches in Wales, remarking that freedom and fellowship went hand-in-hand. There musit al.-o -be freedom of personal- ity. The only way to retain freedom was to extend its borders. In conclusion he dwelt upon the importance cf- the children's welfare in the churches Principal Lewis in moving a vote of thanks to the speaker and to the officers of the council, said the Free Churches of the town had extended the right hand of fellowship but the offer had been rejected. They might repeat the offer again. They 'did it because they felt that it should be done, and it ought to be put on re- cord. As Free Cliurche., they were broad—freedom and narrowness could not possibly go together. He was j glad they had done a lot, of useful work during the last winter and he hoped they would persevere, even by | accelerating the. pace a little bit more, and by entitlins | them to the name of "the Council that means business."

Blind Musicians I TO VISIT Lady Pearson, with the aid of Mr Sidney R. Phil- lips, who has kindly undertaken the v.ork of local hon. secretary, lias organised a concert by her party of blind musicians, attached to the National Institute for the Blind, to take place at the Kino, Builth Wells, on Tlesday evening next. The object of the concert is to raise funds in aid of St. Dunstan's Hostel, where those brave men who have lost their -iiiht in the present great war are "taught to he blind," and also to give an op- portunity to other folk with a similar handicap to do their share of war work. The concert will be given by -talented and fully tra.in- of artistes vocalists and instrumentalists), all of whom are handicapped by less of sight "The Press." says Lady Pear.-on, "has been most encouraging in it., reports of the. blind musicians' concerts, the proceeds of which last year amounted to over jt24,000."

—- W Every box of "ENGLAND'S GLORY Ma-tches used means MORE WORK for British I Work-people.-Moreland, Gloucester. 515 I MRS. DENHAM. "I suflered for six months with a terrible ULCERATED WOUND in my knee about two inches in depth. I was attended to by doctors, aud had a nurse, but did not get well. The doctors"thought.. I had a defeased bone, to I had an operation, having a piece taken away from my knee about the size of a five shilling piece, but still did not improve. Hearing so much about Clarke's Blood Mixture' I at last resolved to give it a trial, and after a few days the improvement in my kaee was great. The first bottle eased my pain, and by the time I had takeu a few bottles (three, I believe) my knee was completely cured. All my friends were sup- rised at sueh a wonderful cure. aLRpecially af tei, being laid up in bed for six months." (Signed) Mrs Denham, of 29,Brynhyfrydd,Peny- darren, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales.  If you suffer from any such "Disease as I Bad Legs, ??CMMS, Mc?-.S, (???t?M/(?)- ?'M'cMt?S, ?c?f??, Boils, Pimples,I t ?07-?? Eruptions, F??, J?/)eM?a<M7?, Sciatica, Gout. (ton't waste your time and money on useless lotions and messy ointments which cannot get below the surface of the skin. What you want and what you must have is a medicine that will thoroughly free the blood of the poisonous matter which alone is the true cause of all your suffering. Clarke's BlOOlt Mixture is just such a medicine. It is composed of ingredients which quickly attack overcome and e xpel the impurities and by rendering the blood clean and pure can be relied upon to give speedy relief and lasting benefit. Pleasant to take and free from anything injurious. 1 Clarke's Blood Mixture, EVERYBODY'S BLOOD PURIFIER." Of all Chemists and Stores, 2/9 ,/leT bottle. (Six times the quantity, 1 zll-.) I