WELSH TENANTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 147, 24 June 1887, Page 2

WELSH TENANTS.

They Object to Paying Tithes.

The rebellion against the tithe-paying led to decided noting in the Welsh provinces on, May 27th.. The .parish of Meifod was all astir as early as 6 o'clock 1 in the morning in anticipation of sales ,on six farms, distrained upon by representatives of the dean and chapter of Cnrist Church, Oxford. The bailiffs were out all night in pursuit, of distrained horses and cattle, many of which were on the hillside. A posse of .110 - police from Denbighshire, Flintshire, MontgomeryshireandShropshire assembled at. Weichpool last night, A detachment of police were sent, over the hills into Meiford valley after dusk and patrolled the disturbed districts throughout the night. ■'■ "■ At 8.30 o'clock in the morning the entire force of police arrived in Tenbrake, at the lower hill occupied by Edward Jonea. They were reoeived with deafening cries by a large crowd of farmers, labourers, and women, which lasted a quarter of an hour without cessation. After the noise had somewhat subsided, a representative and the chief constable had an interview with the farmer, and stated that the cattle had been sold by private treaty. After a prolonged altercation the farmer agreed to pay the tithe in full, less the cost, and his afcoclj: were returned to him. ' • While the tithe dispute >vas bejng arranged, She irowd Yang' levei'ftl VVelsh

hymns, led by Rev. E. Griffith, a Calvinistic Methodist minister. The constabulary were then marshalled to the next farm, amid the loud yells and hooting of the excited throng.' Traps and brakes loaded with visitors from adjoining districts were streaming to the valley all the morning, and at 11 o'clock it was estimated that 1,500 people were on the scene. The police went to the residence and farms of Richards. Here a fresh crowd had collected and formed themselves in strong force on the embankment. As the police came up the mob fell on them with sticks and a scene of wild disorder ensued. A farmer was knocked down by the police and another farmer torn from his horse. The greatest confusion prevailed. Shortly alter order was maintained among the crowd and several addresses were delivered by members of the Anti-Tithe League. Farmer Richards stoutly resisted the tithe, unless a'remission of 10 percent, was conceded. This was again refused and the constables were marshalled back to their conveyances amid great uproar and they immediately withdrew from the district, driving back to Welchpool. Early next morning the bailiffs of the ecclesiastical commissioners proceeded to Llangurn, near Corwin, to effect the sales, but were met by a great concourse of people armed with sticks. The bailifl's' appraiser and his clerk were informed they would not bo able to do anything. The auctioneer received much injury, two horses were so much injured that they had to be shot, and a trap was destroyed. The coats of the auctioneer and his assistants were taken off their backs and all were marched to Corwin, headed by red and black flags. Previously to ontering town the auctioneer had to take an oath that he would never trouble them again. At Corwin tho hotels were declared to bo boycotted. Scouts were up all night anticipating the arrival of tithe collectors. Writing of the tithe troubles in Wales, Henry Lubouchere says in "Truth:"— " Christ Church, Oxford, is in receipt of L 62,000 per annum. Much of this comos from tithes, which are taken from farmers who cannot afford to give their children an elementary education owing to the hard times. In the parish of Meiford the tithes are divided in equal proportions between the vicar and Christchurch. In anticipation of the last audit, the farmers of the parish applied for remission of some part of the charges. The vicar agreed to make a remission of 10 per cent. The college declined to make any abatement and this truly Christian and charitable college is now engaged in seizing and selling up the stock of the farmers. At an indignation meeting held last week in the parish Mr Watkins stated he had been ! a tenant of Devereux Price for thirty-eight years; that he had received notice to quit his farm because he had ventured to ask the governing body of Christchurch for a small abatement- in his tithes. Clearly, however, Watkins is in a better position than were he an Irish tenant. In that case he would have been consigned to prison for daring to conspire with others to ' persuade ' Christchurch to make the abatement." \