Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

HOW DO WE STAND FINANCIALLY? 1 "How do we stand?" This is a question thai J concerns every ratepayer; and we are led to ask I it after perusing particulars of a committee ap- I pointed by "-he Right Hon. John Burns, which is I his first important action as President of th( I I Local Government Board, to enquire, inter alia J "into the systems on which the accounts of loca authorities in England and Wales are at preaen 1 kept; Rs to the system on which the accounts o I the various local authorities in England am 5 1 Wales should be kept, and in particular whethe such accounts should be prepared on a syster 1 requiring the entries of receipts and payments t 1 be confined, aa far as possibe, to actual receipt } and payments of money or not; and the regula tions which should be made on the subjeci 1 regard being had to the necessity for showin I accurately the amounts raised by local taxatio 1 and the purposes for which they are applied." W I have passed through the heat and 1 urmoil of j General Election, or nearly so. The Goveri I mental Ship has been piloted into port; an I John Boll has permitted the members of tl m I crew to sign on" again. For a prolong* j period of years, in all human probability, tl j Liberal Party, with an overwhelming majority j their back, will regulate the affairs of the countr Leaving out of account the Labour Party ai r 1 the Irish Nationalists, they may rely upon balance of approaching two hundred votes < en the right side; and even in the very unlike » contingency of the Irish and Industrial vc I being cast against them in any important divisic I they will still have a clear and substantial majc ity. This being the case, the electors of t j United Kingdom have a right to expect, and tb do expect, that the performances of the n j Government will approximate very closely their promises; The policy of non-interferer I with the existing fiscal system which has prof j in the working to be thoroughly good and sou J and to have brought the commerce of the Emp to an unparalleled pinnacle of prosperity, is mm j very well in its way; but the Government 1 been returned, not because they are a Gove J ujent that will do no mischief, but because tl VT J are a Government in whom the country hi confidence to do much good. They may, dou I less they will, undo many things for which tl 6 I predecessors In office are responsible and th J are directions iu which repeal or amendm J may well ke adopted as "the order of the da But» an<* t^1's 's.a P°int that must and that will WUS insisted upon, it is by their constructive legi< tion, by whattbeyaet up rather than by whatt lire knock down, that the present Cabinet will judged. It is for this reason that one rejoice: ict j find that they have so large a ma jority at their ba< a majority ilnUgives them no excuse for halting Co., the pathway to reform. They have the mand of the country behind them, they know I direction in which the country desires thetr I move, and the indication they have given ef I intention to tske action, foreshadowed by antb J app0i[jtrnent of the Committee alluded to ab< 1 is one th-tt «o hailed w»th the utmost sj cmth fac^Q by me, r)f all parties, It indicates t I in the result, Ibe appointcacnfc of a keen, b | Of tit(' type Of J Sores, to resideucy of the Loaai (.uv! »8) j ment Board, t thoroughly and abundantly jt I tied; and ^arlitaf- decision which he arrived at may taken as forecasting the inten of the Government to place the whole of f great public departments upon a sound busi PS footing. This is what the people require at is by persistence in what we may term -1 unhe legislation, io purging the Augean stables have too long been cumbered with rubbish at corruption, that the most good may at the Or be achieved. And the effects of this wor! we may judge, from the determination of President of t^e Local Government Board, then be felt, aad we anticipate benficially felt every single sook and corner of the Em rG We shall feel it at Llangollen sooner or la and there is DO question that the soonei side feel it the better it will be for rateps evor, generally. Gradually, year by year, urban i luare have been going-up and urban prosperity been going down. There is no disputing t facts and there is no disputing the fact, ei that there is scarcely a ratepayer in the fc and in the category we do not hesitate include a majority of our Urban Council en who can give a satisfactory answer to the q mmmm placed at the head of this article. Urban a are not managed on thoroughly sound bus and financial principles. They are not man as a Bank manages its affairs or as a sue ful tradesman regulates his underta] Llangollen is by no tneans singular in th spect; there is scarcely a small town ir Kingdom, that inay not be placed under the ban, It is qUIte true that if, locally, ms are better than they are in some places the a good deal worse than they are in ot and the reason for this is not very to seek. Mr. Turner, of Manchester, who way of being an expert on matters pertaini municipal finance, put the matter in a nutst his speech at the Dinbren rent audit dinne other evening when alluding to and depl( from the landlord's point of view, the rates that have to be paid in Llangollen. 1/1 OJ stated that it was quite possible to get on authorities a number of men who, individ were thoroughly alive and capable in the agernent of their own affairs; but so so they were brought together collectively up Urban or a Towa Council they appear depreciate in business acumen, and to b j slaves to the slipshod system by which the affairs of the kingdom are managed. Wha John Burns requires is that the nuts and ) in the machinery shall be tightened. up, ta: lnnan working and ;» fko .nn;nno ivvwv °. —- }!Jj.UJ .1U uu'V iuuum^ N machinery, which entails endless waste 0 » material and money, shall be reduced minimum; and that it shall be made practicable, say for an Urban Council tc factorily regulate the financial affairs of from the rates as it is for a merchant minister his business from his counting It goes without saying that the keen scrs be set on foot, leading as it may confide; 'rivate expected to do to the inauguration of better business-like system of regulating urbi Loans ancea, will soon make its effect apparen '• appreciable all-round reduction in the iuc fstanee i°ca^ taxation. The day has happily g wken the "purely parochial" was con entirely beneath the dignity of an I Chamber; and when the be-all and en< _1 C. — the performance of the Chancellor of the Ex- cheqner on Budget night. The local ratepayer 1 is to have his fair share of attention and no-one 1 who has studied the matter will be prepared to 1 state that the Local Government Board-whose 1 interferences in matters of urban policy have hitherto all too frequently been the reverse of helpful-have taken action in this matter a J single moment too soon. One of the greatest, perhaps the greatest, financier of modern times, laid it down as an axiom that sound finance consisted in making the year's income cover the j year's expenditure. This is the principle upon j j which every Chancellor of the Exchequer frames > I his Budget; and, although in the finances s world-wide Empire, with varying fiscal con- [ j ditions and unforseen causes interfering witt b I sources of production, he may as often have i f | balance on the debit as on the credit side at tb< j end of the year, there is no such difficulty ii r dealing with purely local finance and then a should be no such variation. Take Llangollen a o an instance. Our local Chancellor of the Ex s chequer knows, or should know, to withia a fev I pouuds what he will be called upon to provid i, and to within a very narrow margin what op J given amount in the £ will realise. Ther n should be no hesitation and no difficulty berE e But what do we find? There is invariably a balance of several hundred pounds on th t. wrong side and it is by no means improbabl d that this will be the case at the end of tb ie present financial year. It may be quite tru id I that, at the commencement of the year, ratl ie j were made exceptionally high in an hero I attempt to -wipe off an overdraft at tl y. I bank incurred daring previous years but whs id I earthly good is this, where is the benei a I in all our sweating to pay heavy rates, m r we are in no better position at the end of tl ly year than we were at the beginning, and tl te balance on the wrong side still rema n unliquidated ? It is all very well to urge, ir' j explanation of a decision to increase the rates, th he I it is necessary to do so in order to clear the urbi ey slate; but why, if it be considered necessary 3w do this, is not the rate fixed at an amount "to enable it to be done effectively so that 1 vln ,ce can look forward to having an unimped 'ed course to traverse in the future, and to bei nd able, as a town, to meet our current expens ire year by year in accordance with the requiremei all of sound finance. Until ratepayers ascertj aas precisely where they stand, until we have se rn- the last of overdrafts aud balances on t ley wrong side necessitated by this or the unexpeel ive I demand upon Urban resources, and we are in bt- position to start the financial year with a cle leir slate, our expenditure and our rates will alw! ere be in the unsatisfactory condition that charact ent iseS the affairs of all enterprises regaial II according to slip-shod business principles- be other words we shall never know precisely h jla- we stand. We are glad, therefore, to see ljey President of the Local Government Board int ke vening in this matter; and to have the assurac 3 to from an authoritative quarter that, in ;ks probability, an outcome of the Enquiry will be ron institution of a comparatively uniform system ate I account keeping for Urban Councils with the strict and accurate Government audit. to grievances have for many years been burn an I grievances and we can fully undertand t the atcaighfocward, business-like" honest -Job )ve, 1 buwoB to deal with them. hat,

"H LOCAL AND DISTRICT. ohn ,ni." I Mr. W. C- -.rto, 0? Toronto, Can: 'f1'" j arrived at his Llaniyailio Lodge, oaMon as> I after a stormv vova-^e 011. board the Caaard 1 fclon Gamuaw. the —*— ness A deputation from the Denbigh and 1 id it Congregational Union is towlit upon the sduca roic committees of the county councils of Denbighs that and Flintshire, askiag them to arrange for and teaching of temperance and hygiene in ltset elementary Kchools. t C, if The Rev. R. Jones Williams, of Llango; the read a paper on the Revival and its effects at will meeting of the Gorphwyafa Welsh Wesle I in Church, Cefn, on Tuesday night week. The: nire. Joseph Owen presided, and during the evening ter • Ben Davies's quartet sang Bome of the Rei ■ we hymns of 1859. t yers The death of Mr. Andrews, of Penybryn I ra,teS Panycae, took place somewhat unexpectedl; has wp/npsdav Mr. Andrews was much respecte hese di8tric^ and a painful feature of the death ther, that Mrs Andrews was away on a lecturing to Dwn, connection with Dr: Barna.rdo s Home,, with to cause she was prominently associated. lors, uery The second series of lectures under the aus ffairs of the Denbigh County Council was given in iness vestry room of the Welsh Baptist Church, Pen aged on Wednesday, when Mr. J. LI. Thomas pres cess- The lecturer was Mr. W. Hopkins Jones oi •qo. University Callege of North Wales, Bangor, is r:- the subject was The Breeding of Live Stock. the same The Rev. Rowland Williams (Hwfa A, Uters Archdruid of Wales since 1894, a Congregat yare minister, and formerly chairman of the N > Independent Union, who died on the 10th Nove f8' last, left estate valued at £ 95 12s. Probate c will has been granted to Miss Ellen Rober is by j^yg jjyyfa, lihy), the sole executrix. Q g tO tell in At the business meeting of the Llangolle) r the pigtrict Farmer's Association held at the Gri )ring, Eotel, on Thursday eveniag, Mr. R. Etlis, LI leavy silio Hall Farm, was elected president for the He in the place of Mr. Trevor Lloyd Jones. Five these members were elected on the Committee to taJ 11 pieces of the retiring members; and the remc man- the offioers were re-eie°ted- on as The death is announced in the South of F on an of Mr Algernon Hugh Myddleton, younger s ed to the it Squire of Chirk Castle." Mr. Myddleto acome been in failing health, and had been sent local warmer clime to recuperate. By his ma t Mr. parent he was related to the Duke of Norfoli bolts was descended from Sir Thomas Myddleton, tt the Mayor of London, who purchased Chirk ( )f the one of the few residential historic castles y time maining, in the 15^' Anofcher of his ♦" fathers was Sir Hugh Myddleton, the projec lO ft -v-r uat as the tamous .rIew ..l"lYOL "LA' satis- town The annual social evening in connectioi to ad- the English Wesleyan Church, Llangollen, w house, at the Memorial Hall, on Monday, und tinv to presidency of the pastor, the Rev. S. J. B tl/ be The annual reports, which were of a verj factory character, were presented by Mr. Killv « and Mr. Darlington. An interesting prograi H. na" music and games was admirably sustained *n an being rendered by Mrs. Meredith, Mrs- Wys; deuces j Williams and Miss N. Lloyd. A reoi )ae by "Love lightens labour was given by Mis ;idered Lloyd and the songs were accompanied b aperial Gwladya Humphrey*. Refreshments were -all of by the ladies of the ceagrejation, and a p A auaut- The Denbighshire and Flintshire Congrega- tional Union has passed a resolution urging the. Government to preta forward the repeal of the Eduoation Act and the disestablishment of t&e Welsh Church. +

MR. EVAN ROBERTS. INVITATION TO EAST DENBIGHSHIRE. A meeting of representatives of the Free Churcfr Councils (and Free Churches not associated wit*" the Councils) of East Denbighshire was held riting Mr. Evan Roberts, the Welsh revivalist? tfl5 lduct a mission in East Denbighshire. The Rev. E. Roberts, Brymbo, presided, ;er discussion it was unanimously decided tff id a deputation to wait upon Mr. Evan Roberts** ging him to conduct a mission in East Denbigh' ire. The fallowing were appointed on the putation :—The Rev. Robert Jones, Rhos (C.M.)r Peris Williams, Wrexham (C.) E. K. J°5.8^ ymbo (B.), and W. Caenog Jones, Coedpoeth (W J r. W. E. Jones, of Rhos, is the secretary. —

FOOTBALL. t ————— iWrexham on Monday to consider the question 0* riting Mr. Evan Roberts, the Welsh revivalist? tfl5 lduct a mission in East Denbighshire. The Rev. E. Roberts, Brymbo, presided, ;er discussion it was unanimously decided tff id a deputation to wait upon Mr. Evan Roberts** ging him to conduct a mission in East Denbigh' ire. The fallowing were appointed on the putation :—The Rev. Robert Jones, Rhos (C.M.)r Peris Williams, Wrexham (C.) E. K. J°5.8^ ymbo (B.), and W. Caenog Jones, Coedpoeth (W J r. W. E. Jones, of Rhos, is the secretary. —

FOOTBALL. Weexham SHOPS v. LLANGOLLEN.—On Fridaf esuit: Wrexham Shops 2 goals Llangollen 0. WREXHAM AND DISTRICT LEAGUE. RUTHIN ROAD v. ST. MABKS.—Result uthin Road 1 goal; St. Marks 1 goal. LLANGOLLEN V. Ruabon.—Teams represent^ ve of these clubs met on tha ground of the ^orl? a Saturday afternoon, in a Wrexham League » ire. The game, from the start, was a irce as one of the spectators termed it; afld it incerely to be hoped that, if the fixture is £ seps will be taken to prevent the possibility Bpetition of the series of official blunders that biedy responsible for this. Llangollen ^ere_aft rst-rate form, and on the day's showing "*r t way the better team—-the result 3 to 2 in fa f Ruabon, indicating nothing but the remarK ack of knowledge of the elementary rules ox ;ame in the minds of those responsible i° nflmeutial representations have been made in ight quarters to secure the fixture being re-P1 mder improved conditions. WELSH AMATEUR CUP. ,injj Mr. T. E. Thomas, Chirk, presided at a mee* >f tha Welsh Football Association at Wrexha Wednesday, when the draw for the fourth ro.^ ;he Welsh Amateur Cup took place. The:single ieams were drawn and referees appointed ton and Cole's v. Aberystwyth or Newtown Bnd, referee Mr. G. 0. Postle Wrexham V at.rg ar Buckley Engineers v. Esclusham Whit referee, Mr. Cutlaud Flint United or Colwy v. Rhos Rangers, referee Mr. G. S. '#eeeh madoc v. Oswestry Reserves, referee Mr. vr-

LLANGOLLEN COUNTY SCHOOL. UNIQUE DISTINCTION FOR AN ()l'° PUPIL.. thi Mr. Tndor Rees. a recent successful F?P1 0 t school, who is at present an uB^graaaave South Wales University College- diatia< been the recipient of a rare and flattering After only one term at college he has nafced by Mr. Paul Barbier, the Profe3sor o aa 'f student-assisiant in the French lecci*w ClThis is a position rarely ofifered to aMy^ honours students aud man by f-ar slr rJlo_t„ stQdeat as he will be lecturing to • a who have a more aavauced academic atana. g himself, but Professor Barbier has been so stni^ by his lingaiatic attainsaents trom --be f( has felt no hesitation in recomniendi <g this no^of bocour aad emolumeafiat Such a striking ts9tii»oowl "O b.s1 h advanced' scholarship m moderndang valued by Mr, Rees. bis teachers and ma men 'Jlou}f<

"¡'Uu.L V f LLANGOLLEN RURAL DISTRICT IZ COUNCIL. 3hire At the monthly meeting of this aut^°TrTl,Z the Tuesday there were present Mr. Davia the (chairman), Mr. J. Williams (Trefyaa^Jj Jones, Mr. D. W. Robots, Mr. D. Jf f R. M. Davies, with the clerk (Mr.. the deputy medical officer (Dr. R. Drinkwat ) the Mr. J. Williams (surveyor). eyan BALANCE. t Rev. The balance due by treasurer was repotted I » Mr. £138. Sd. vival N'RON WATERWORKS. Special instructions were given in cleaning out the Vron Waterworks, ana a "all> Roberts (Vron) with the Surveyor were inst y on to see to suggestions made by the custodian id in gard to placing stop-cocks in certain positions- 1 w^s CANAL BOATS. >ur in ^jr John Williams submitted his report in rel which to the condition of the canal boats ia the Coun area. He said that the system of working the c boats has been much improved and the ellill spices found on board were comparatively few. Or I the whole the report was a very satisfactory one. lycae, COUNTY COUNCIL kequikements. sided. The Surveyor said that he had filled in a f the under the headings required by the County Con and of works carried out in the district during the 3 He might say that many of the queries whic was required to answer, aud of which he i,t n\ examples, might be quite appropriate if ask« -j respect to an Urban Council, but they ?aK altogether out of place in respect to a 1 !f District; Council where conditions aud bye- r^hi'1 were entirely different.—Mr. John Williams ( fynant) said that a little time since a res, 0 xjtban Council, which be would not naaie, been in communio&tion with the Local Goveroi Board regarding the bye-laws which they expr< II a „ the opinion were not suitable for urban dist 'apes jje was g^a(j £ 0 gay tjja^ |,he Council had reoei' laaty- repiy from the Local Government Board 11 year, course of which it was indicated that there Wi e new need to stretch points in regard to their api ke the j.j0Q ancj that, if they could make better t ainder than those sanctioned by the authority, they justified in doing it.—The Clerk said that a I Commission had been sitting on the subject of iaws at present they had only the model bye 3011 °t to go upon and adapt to their own requiremen )n "ad PENTREDWB WATER SUPPLY. 8. In regard to the application from the inhabi iternai pentredwr for an improved water sappl; ^'t8 d Surveyor stated that works were in progress a > l^ord village in order to secure the desired end. 1 Castle, Tottenham, however, had not consented to pa 6 « rC" portion of the amount necessary to carry then s fore- an(j ha thought that an intimation should be stor 01 veyed to him that he would be required to do Mr. R. M. Davies Can we interfere in the in if we are not paying for it ?-The Surveyor I with if yon serve him with notice he must have a at as held -Mr. J. Williams If he does not comply and er the to the provision now being made he will ha 'ussell. provide something himself, or pay his part of r satis- has been done.—The Clerk His eonteation ii ngbeck the supply to his property is wholeeomf nme of suffieient.—The Surveyor And yet his tenant songs S0 from the White Hart" to this very I, Miss They will not drink the water, and say it if ftation for humaa consumption.—Mr. J. Williams u a Lacy and it was decided to serve Major Tottenham y Miss notice, calling upon hi. to provide a goo served sufficient supply of pure water for the use leaaaat toaaate. There was 118 other publio buinew.