DISTRICT NEWS. TRING.

The Price of Gas.— We are informed that the directors of the Gas Company have had the price of gas under consideration, and a rise of 5d. per 1,000 has been suggested, but they have not as yet decided what the almost inevitable increase shall be.

For Soldiers.— The Rev. Kenneth Kirk, C.F has been enabled, by the courtesy of the Alerta Film Company, to secure the loan of the great picture "The Messiah.” This will be shown at the Picture Hall on Sunday evening next, commencing at 6.45. Admission free. Soldiers only.

Prevention of Cruelty Children.— Friends of tho Societv for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children will be glad to hear that an account of the interesting and important work done by the Society will be given at 3 o’clock next Thursday, in the Gem Picture Palace. The lecture will be illustrated by lantern slides. Admission will be by tickets to be had from the Hon. Secretary, Mrs. Pone, The Furlong, and from Messrs. De Fraine. High-street.

Marriage. — On Saturday, 6th inst.. Miss Lucy P. Steel was quietly married at the Parish Church to Mr. C. Victor Bunker, son of Mr. B. Bunker, ex-superintendent of police at Buckingham. The bride, who was for about 12 years telephonist at the Tring Post Office, was married in a travelling costume, and her only bridesmaid was her sister, Miss K. M. Brown. She was given away by her stepfather, Mr. A. H. Brown. Mr. Percy Bunker (brother) acted as best man. The marriage service was conducted by the Rev. H. Francis, vicar of Tring. Mr. and Mrs. Bunker left early for Bournemouth for short stay.

Tring Parish Church.— Services and music, 4th Sunday in Lent, March 14.- Holy Eucharist at 8 and 12. Matins: “Venite" and Psalms, chants set (Cathedral Psalter); Benedicite, Stainer, Winn, and Walker; Benedictus,” Jacobs (M.S.); hymns 373, 403. Sung Eucharist service, Merbecke; hymns 157, 244. 193. 182. Evensong: Psalms, set; “Magnificat," Turlo (M.S.); “Nunc Dimittis,” J. Foster; hymns 176, 290, 634. Voluntary, Rousseau’s Dream (variations and finale), T. Craddock, Mus. Bac. —Wednesday, March 17th, Evensong, 7 p.m.; preacher. Rev. E. Lang, D.D., vicar of Mentmore. A. H. Baker. F.R.C.0., organist and choirmaster.

The Council Election.— Polling to fill the casual vacancy on the Urban District Council caused the death of Dr. Brown took place on Friday, 5th inst., at the Market House, Tring. Mr. Roland M. Vaisey was the deputy returning officer. There were two polling stations, at the first of which Mr. R. M. Vaisey presided, with Mr. A. H. Randall as poll clerk. At the other station the presiding officer was Mr. J. H. Casey, and Mr. H. N. Hedges was clerk. There was an utter absence of interest displayed in the proceedings, only about a fourth of the electors the register taking tho trouble record their votes. It is difficult to understand this apathy, seeing that there was such apparent eagerness to nominate candidates for the vacant seat. The votes were counted immediately after the close of the poll, and the result was declared as follows:- Mr. William Smith, 149 (elected); Mr. John Bagnall, 66; Mr. John Smith, 48; Mr. Edward Wright, 33.

Soldiers' Concert. A high-class concert, which was greatly appreciated, was given under the auspices the Soldiers' Entertainment Fund at the Medical Inspection Hall on Friday. March 5th. The programme, which was carried out under the direction of Mr. U. Kendal Ward was follows:--Pianoforte solo, Mr. J. Batten; song. "John Bull's Catechism," Mr. H. Kendal Ward; humorous song, "Mother Hubbard.” Mr. Harry Rumming; violin solo, "Allegro and Rondon," Mr. D. Dressel; song, "Jack Briton," Mr. David Thomas; comedy and ventriloquism, Miss Amy Brooks; violin solo. "Old Folk Songs and Variations," Mr. D. Dressel; humorous song, Mr. Harry Ruming; song "Drake goes West." Mr. David Thomas; comedy at the Piano, Miss Amy Brooks. The work which the Soldiers’ Entertainment Fund is doing deserves to be widely known. Amongst the great variety of useful efforts now being made by every class in connection with the war, the recreation and entertainment of the troops now in training throughout the country rightly occupies a prominent place. Without in any way competing with others who are working for the same end, the Soldiers’ Entertainment Fund strives to provide regular entertainments for soldiers without any expense to the men themselves or the local organisers of the entertainments. As the artistes who contribute to cue programme have their expenses paid and receive a small fee for their services, the Fund relieves a certain amount of distress amongst the less well-known entertainers who are now out of employment owing to the war. and any financial assistance will be gladly received by the Hon. Secretaries, "Soldiers' Entertainment Fund. 18, Northumberland Avenue, W.C.

URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.

The monthly meeting of the Council was held at the Market House on Tuesday evening. The Rev. C. Pearce (the vice-chairman) presided, and there were also present Messrs. Bentley Asquith, C. G. Batchelor, H. C. Cook, T. H. Hedges the Hon. L. W. Rothschild, Messrs. W. Smith and J. G. Williams, with Mr. J. H. Casey (acting clerk), and Mr. S. H. Gettings (surveyor),

A Welcome. - The Chairman announced theresult of tha recent elet ion. mid welcomed Mr. W. Smith to the Council. Mr Smith briefly thanking the Chairman for his kind words.

Mr. Emery's Property.—Arising out of the minutes. Mr. Asquith said he gathered that the Council served a notice on Mr. Emery to put his property in habitable repair, but had since issuS a closing order. It was the duty of the Council to give the owners particulars of the repairs that were required; and in his opinion it was unfair and unjust for any owner to have his property condemned in that indiscriminate way. - The Acting Clerk replied that the Medial Officer reported that the houses were unfit for human habitation, and it would have been rather contradictory for him have said what repairs were necessary. He meant that the houses were incapable of being made fit for habitation. — Mr. Rothschild said the houses were quite unfit. It was Mr. Emery's own offer to put them into repair. The Council had no option but to pass a closing order after the report of the Medical Officer. If on his second examination he found they had been made habitable, the order would he withdrawn.

The Hospital. - The Matron reported that one case of "Spotted fever" had been admitted to the hospital from Chesham. The patient has since died. Two cases of enteric fever were now in the hospital.

Highways. - A meeting of the Highway Committee was held on Feb. 18. There being some prospect of a further grant from the County Council the committee recommended that in the event of not less than .£200 being received the Counsel should take up the loan and proceed with the footpath improvement scheme. The Oxfordshire Steam Rolling Company informed the Council that owing to the rise in the price of coal they would have to increase their charge of 23s. day for the use of the steam roller. They suggested that the Council should either find their own coal and pay 18s. 6d. a day or pay an extra 3d. a day for every 1s. rise in the price of coal. The committee recommended that the latter course should be adopted. Mr Asquith was sorry he could not support the taking up of the loan the present time, when the cost of everything was going up.- Mr. Hedges moved the adoption of the report. Mr. Rothschild seconding. - Mr. Asquith proposed as an amendment that the question of the erred until the footpath improvements be deferred until the next meeting. They would then be able to know what the Counity Council were willing to do. - Mr. Batchelor seconded the amendment. The Chairman pointed out that the footpaths improvement scheme had advocated for a long time. The difficulty was to find the money, but by means of a loan they could get the work done at a little extra annual cost. They were getting an extra £250 a year from the County Council, and now there was the prospect of a further grant for the upkeep of the roads. - Mr. Rothschild: The plain English of it is, if we refuse to carry out the work after the County Council have made the grant, they will withdraw it again. - Mr. Smith: Is it necessary that the resolution should be passed to-night? - The Chairman: So much depends upon the work of channelline and kerbing being carried out before the roads are made up. - The amendment was carried, Messrs. Asquith, Batchelor, and Cook voting for it, and Messrs. Hedges and Rothschild against; Messrs. Smith and Williams did not vote. - The agreement with the County Council for the payment of £600 a year for five years for the maintenance of the high roads was signed.

Sanitary. The Sanitary Committee met on March 4. The Surveyor reported that he had applied to Mr. W. Kingham for the payment of 10s. 2d. for unstopping drains at his premises, but had not been able to get the money. - The Clerk was instructed to write demanding payment. - The question of the disposal of house refuse was discussed, the present system being considered unsatisfactory, but no action was taken. The question of urinal accommodation was also considered, but no action was taken in the matter. - The report was adopted on the proposition of Mr. Asquith, seconded by Mr. Rothschild.

The Cemetery. - A meeting of the Cemetery Committee was held on Feb, 18. The committee recommended that the line of the garden fence should slightly altered to effect a saving of space. The Surveyor was instructed to prepare an estimate for distempering the walls and staining the woodwork of the chapel, and also for repairs at the caretaker's house. The report was adopted.

Appointment of Overseers. - Mr. John Bly was re-appointed, and Mr. R. G. Wright was appointed in place of Mr. E. J. Rawlins, who had served for two years.

Veterinary Inspector of Cows. - Captain Wilson was re-appointed veterinary inspector for the district, at a salary of £9.

Inspector's Report. - The Inspector reported that the works of drainage and laying on water at Mr. Cooper's cowsheds had been carried out. Mr. Eustace had also carried out as far possible the repairs to his cottages. A number of houses in King-street had been inspected, and were reported to in a fairly good condition. - It was decided to defer making orders on the owners to carry out repairs, except in such vital matters as the water supply, which are to be dealt with at once.

TRING URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL

ELECTION

Ladies and gentlemen. - I beg to thank the Electors of Tring who returned me (with such a large majority) to the vacant seat on the Urban District Council.

Yours faithfully,

Wm. SMITH.

The Hollies,

     Tring,

         March 12th, 1915.

TRING URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.

TENDERS FOR MATERIALS.

THE COUNCIL invite TENDERS for the SUPPLY and DELIVERY OF BROKEN GRANITE, CHIPPINGS, FLINTS and HOGGIN as and when required for the year ending 31st March 1916.

Full Particulars and forma of Tenders may beobtained on application to to the undersigned.

Sealed Tenders, endorsed “Tender for Materials,” and accompanied by samples must be delivered to me not later than Noon SATURDAY, the 20th MARCH, 1915.

The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted.

 S.S. GETTINGS

Surveyor

Surveyor’s Office,

     Tring,

          9th March, 1915.

TRING URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.

TENDERS FOR MATERIALS.

THE COUNCIL invite TENDERS for the SUPPLY and DELIVERY OF BROKEN GRANITE, CHIPPINGS, FLINTS and HOGGIN as and when required for the year ending 31st March 1916.

Full Particulars and forma of Tenders may beobtained on application to to the undersigned.

Sealed Tenders, endorsed “Tender for Materials,” and accompanied by samples must be delivered to me not later than Noon SATURDAY, the 20th MARCH, 1915.

The lowest or any tender will not necessarily be accepted.

 S.S. GETTINGS

Surveyor

Surveyor’s Office,

     Tring,

          9th March, 1915.

TRING URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL

TENDERS FOR TEAM LABOUR.

THE COUNCIL invite TENDERS for TEAM LABOUR for Street Watering. House Refuse Removal and General Haulage work for the year ending 31st March, 1916.

Full Particulars and Forms of Tender may be obtained on application to to the undersigned.

Sealed Tenders, endorsed “Team Labour.” must be delivered to A. W. Vaisey. Esq., Clerk to the Council, Tring, not later than Noon on SATURDAY, the 20th MARCH, 1915.

The lowest or any Tender will not necessarily accepted.

S. S. GETTINGS,

Surveyor

Surveyor’s Office,

     Tring,

          9th March, 1913.

SEED POTATOES.

THE following varieties only once grown from Scotland : Arran Chief. Arran’s Hope, Cora (improved Up-to-Date). Dalhousie, Factor, Imperial, Langworthy, King Edward VII., Table Talk, Dalmeny Regent, Up-to-Date, 3/- per bushel; Eclipse, Duke of Yoik. Midlothian Early, 5/- per bushel, delivered.—BEDFORD, New Ground Farm, Tring.

WIGGINTON.

C.E.M.S. — The monthly meeting of this Society was held at the Vicarage on Tuesday, when there was a good attendance. The Rev. E. Clark, rector of Little Gaddesden, gave an address on "Unselfishness and Prayer," pointing out the duty of all people in these matters, and more especially at this time of national crisis.

BERKHAMSTED.

Joint Hospital Committee. The Clerk’s estimate of the expenditure for the ensuing year was considered at the meeting of the Aldbury Hospital Joint Committee on Wednesday evening. £1,117 was estimated for the year ending 31st March, 1915, and £889 was spent. £1,256 was put down for the coming year. Increased amounts were estimated for provisions, for necessaries, and for buildings and repairs. The estimated receipts and probable balance were put at £330, making the net amount of call £926. This was apportioned as follows: Berkhamsted Urban District Council: Basis. £48,199; amount of call, £477. Berkhamsted Rural District Council: Basis, £45,389: call, £449. The estimate was* approved and adopted. The corresponding calls for the previous year were £575 and £549 respectively.

WENDOVER

The Camp. The extraordinary traffic has reduced the Tring-road to a condition which in simply indescribable. Preparations are being made by some enterprising persons for the return of the troops, no less than seven coffee shops being erected between the camp and the Town Clock The erections are neither ornamental nor attractive, but the object in view is a good one.

CHILTERN HILLS AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION

THE BRITISH RED CROSS SOCIETY

A communication wan received from the British Red Cross Society with regard to a donation.

Mr. J. Clarke pointed out that farmers were being asked individually to subscribe towards the Society. .

The Secretary suggested that £50 should be given by the Association to the Society, of which Lord Rothschild is president.

Mr. J. Clarke formally proposed that this should be done, remarking that the Tring Society had made a donation of 100 guineas.

Mr. Stevens seconded, and the proposition was carried.