THE TITHE-WAR IN WALKS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7822, 15 August 1887, Page 3

THE TITHE-WAR IN WALKS.

In the parish of Meiford Mont, on 27th May, six farms were distrained upon by the representatives of the Dean and Chapter of Christ Church, Oxford, The bailiffs were out all the previous night in pursuit of the distrained horses and cattle, many of which were on the hillsides. A posse of 110 police of the Denbighshire, Flintshire, Montgomeryshire, and Shropshire forces also assembled at Welshpool, and detachments of police were sent over the hills into Ilia Meiford Valley nfler dusk, and patrolled the disturbed districts throughout the night. Karly in the morning the entire force of police ai rived in ten brakes at Lower Hill, occupied by Mr Edward Jones. They were received with defiant cries by a large crowd of farmers, laboreis, and women. After the noise had somewhat subsided, the representative and the chief constable held an interview with the farmer, and stated that the cattle had been sold by private treaty. After a prolonged altercation the fanner agreed to pay tithe in full, less the cost, and his stock was) eturned to him. "While the tithe dispute was being arranged the crowd sang several Welsh hymns, led by the Methodist minister. The constabulary were then marshalled to the next farm, umid the hooting of the throng.

'raps iiud brakes loaded with visitors

from theadjoining districts were streaming into the valley all tile morning, and at 1 1 o'clock it was estimated that 1500 people were on the scene. The police went to the Lower Hall, the residence and farms of Mr Richards. Here a fresh crowd had collected and formed themselves in strong force on an embankment. As the police came up the mob fell on them with sticks, and a scene of wild disorder ensued. A farmer was knocked dow n by the police, and another farmer taken down from his horse. The greatest* confusion prevailed. Shortly after order was maintained amongst the crowd, and several addresses were delivered l>y members of the Anti-Tithe League. The farmer, Mr Richards, stoutly resisted the tithe unless a remission of 10 per cent, was conceded. This was again refused, and the constables wore marshalled back to their conveyances amidst great uproar, and drove back to Welshpool.

On 28th May Mr Roberts, auctioneer, Khyl, known as " Ap Mwrog," attempted to sell at a very early hour in the morning the stock seized on the previous day at Lliingwm, Cerrig-y-druiddion, before proceeding to the Melford Valley. The farmers anil their men were upon the scene at 4 o'clock, and immediately the

police and auctioneer were seen cannons were fired from a dozen anvils, and about 30 horns were blown from as many farmsteads by tile fanners' wives. A long pole was erected on the loftiest mountain path, at the top of which a large faggot, drenched with paraffin, was"* fir. l ; this was instantly in a blaze, and in a short space of time a crowd of several hundred men, women, and youths, strongly armed with cudgels, congregated on the scene of the intended sale. A coach containing Mwrog, Mr Yaughan, the appraiser, a clerk, and three constables, was surrounded on reaching the first farm by a mob, who assumed a menacing attitude. Mwroe commanded the coachman to

drive " through the crowd ; this was attempted, but the horses were clubbed about the face with the cudgels, and in

turning suddenly round the centre pole of the coach broke in two, and the broken ends penetrated the body of one of the horses. The animals then plunged forward and dashed, through the crowd, causing the wildest confusion. The constables were thrown out, but the other men clung to the coach, and were carried furiously along the road for nearly a mile, when the horses fell from

the loss of blood. The carriage was completely wrecked, and the occupants marvellously escaped v ith their lives. The crowd hurried after the coach, and on reaching it surrounded the auctioneer and his friends, who were shivering with flight. An extraordinary scene then ensued. The crowd became so excited

that Mwrog's life was in danger. Two farmers under distraint (Mr Jones and Mr Thomas Thomas, Tynant) seized the auctioneer liy either arm, and crying aloud to the mobj paid if Mwrog was to lie killed they \yould die with him. This had an electric effect upon the people, and Mwrog begged that his life might lie spr.red. A conference was held, and it was ultimately decided that if, upon his knees he would .swear never again to attempt a sale upon a distrained farm, his life .should he spared. The auctioneer assenting, was lifted upon some palings on the roadside. He was afterwards commanded to kneel, which he did, and taking a solemn oatli in lite presence of the mnltitude, he signed the following document, which was drawn up in pencil .- — "To Thomas Thomas, — I hereby prouii&enot to come to this business in any part of Wales, or England, to sell for tithes.— Signed, K. J. Roberts, Wellington Chambers, Khyl, 27th May, ISS7." Mr Vaughan, the appraiser, then fell on his knees in the road, anil after swearing, signed the agreement. As a proof of their sincerity, the two men were then instructed to take off their coats, turn them inside out, and wear them as " turn-coats." Thus attired, they were marched by their two defenders to Cyinino, a village two miles distant, the crowd following in a long procession behind. Before arriving at Cymmo the victims were allowed to have sonic refreshments, It was then arranged to divide the procession, only .100 being permitted to make the remainder of the journey, and the rest returned home to their farms. The mrteyc was then refoimed, a red Hag being borne in triumph before the lepiesentativesof the Kcclesiastical Commissioners, and a black one was carried immediately behind them. The crowd proceeded along the highway to Corwyn, adistanee of four miles, to th« station at which the auctioneer and appraiser were seen oil 1 . As the train steamed out of the station, Mwrog, lo the nMlonishmcnt and amusement of all present, cried from the carriage window, " I will Le here again to look you up in a day or two." After the crowd had dispersed a veterinary .surgeon wasdespatched to the scene of the coach accident, and,

linding the two horses exhausted through loss of blood, ordered that they should be shot