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EISTEDDFOD GADEIRIOL MEIRION. New Year's day this year falline; 01 Sunday, tlF •chair eisteddfod of Meirion, sacred as it might be i. the eyes of its coiyiiiiittee, bards, and literati, Weti> postponed to Monday when it was hdd literally" in the face of the EUn, the eyc of light." and in tl1,' presence of rn iminensa concourse of people gathered from the four cornets of North Wales and even from beyond its borders. The Committee were fortunate again in obtaining the services of Mr Joseph Henne't, of London, the well-known musical critic1, whose sympathe ic and instructive and impartial attitude has won for him tli, good will of the Welsh people and the respect of the competitors and an lovers of music fre- quenting; the ei-te<ldf(;d. Mr Bennett's connection with institution and the broader scope which the Committer- has given if than is usual hsve produced for the anmnl 'festival a.higher stand ird of merit than generally obtains and "made it more than ordinarily successful. The officers of the Committee are Mr Morris Jones, Plasucha, presidt nt Mr J, H. Marshall, M.A., Mr E. Griffiths, Ala< sybrvner, and Mr E. Jon- s-Griffith, Coedcymmer. vice pn sidents, and Mr J. C. Roberts, Bryntirio'i, Mr W. D Pigii. Vale View. and Mr T. P. Joues-Parry, Bank, treasurers. Mr 0. 0. Roberts and Mr E. Williams acted as secretaries as usual and acquitted themselves of their arduous task with general satisfaction and successful results. The day was beautifully fine and as the trains brought into the station their successive loads of pas- fengers the streets became thronged aud presented a lively appearance. The morning meeting was to com- mence at half-past ten but whoever heard of an eisteddfod commencing punctually? It would be too radical a departure from long established u age tor even thes; radical days and so tile meeting began at eleven o'clock and even then there was so scant an attendance that it would have made the Committee "stare and gasp" it they were not well aware that, as in former years, the crush by and bye, would be too great for the capacity of the hall. Llew Meirion opened tl-io ei-ted(ifo(i by singing the Welsh national anthem "Hen wlad fy nhadau," and then the adjudications proceeded briskly under the humoious and able conductoiship of Air Henry Owen, Ciswyn, who is known in bardic circles as Amaethon, or the agriculturist, who recently Bought the suftrages of his fellow countrymen in con- ducting the affairs in the eisteddfod of the empire at St. Stephens but was not so successful as "in his own country." The first competiti°n was of a utilitarian nature and ended iu making Mistress Catherine Williams, of Cult ian, Rhydymaen, happy in the posses- sion of lialf-a-guine3, given by Dr J Jones, Cae'rffynon, for the best knitted stockings. Miss Anne May Roberts, Towyn, whom Mr Bennett, said had skilful fingering, good touch, and had been well taught, won £ 1 given by Mr Thomas Edwards for the performance on the pianoforte of Bach's "Echo" and was invested by Mr Marshall Dr Lloyd, liarmoutli, contributed JOs. for an englyn on "Passion," and "Artro," Dolgeiley, being adjudicated by Ptulrog and the Rjv Ben Davies to be the best, he was invested by Mrs Cadvan Davies. The Rev JoIlll Williams, Dolgelley, read an adjudica- tion on Welsh to English translation of Welsh literature, for which Mr R. H. Wood offered a prize of £1 and divided the prize between Mr J. R. Evans, Birmingham, and Mr E. Jones, Glyn, Wariingtoii, who were invested by Miss Williams, Rectory. No fewer than thirty-one sent in epitaphs to the late Mr Charles Millard, solicitor, in response to a prize of a guinea given by Mr W. Harvey Jones, Caerffynon. Artro was declared to be the winner. Towyn and Pen- rhyndeudraeth Juvenile Choirs contested a prize, of j68 (15 of which was given by Mr Morris Jones, Plas- ucha) for singing Rossini s The Caroovale" and Mr Bennett, adjudicating, said it was a very interesting and even pretty competition. It would be observed, he added, that some members of the choirs had passed the angelic stage of juvenile life and had grown beards, and perhaps in future it would he advisable to select a piece which children alone could sing. There were merits in b,th choirs and some of tne defects with regard to time were due tothe conductors and not to the children. The conductor of the second choir (Towyn) had not p >id attention to the directions of the com- poser, a.8 he took the first part of the piece slow when it should be the quickest, The movement was there- fore robbed of all distinction. The conduct of No. I (Pcnrhyn) was excellent from first to last and so was the singing. There was a. disposition to force the sopranos, making them harsh, which should be guarded against particularly in Wales where singers were liable t'o be carried away by enthusiasm. The leader of the Penrhyn Choir (Mr Owen Rowland Williams), having been duly invested y Miss Griffith. Springfield; Mrs Hend, r,oii Jonts, Penygroes,who was said to be a singer above ti e amateur stamp, took a prize of £ 1 given by Mr William Evans, Birmingham, for singing the soprano song Rwy'u caru per awel." The CHAIRMAN of the morning meeting (Mr Robert Jones Griffith, solicitor) then briefly addressed the meeting, humorously remarking that he had beii asked to take the chair in the absence of Mr Thomas Edwaids, B aenau, because," as Mr Griffith humbly put it, the Committpe could not find anyone better." Continuing, he expresse I the pleasure he felt at seeing so many prpsent and to know that the eisteddfod maintained its p pularity and high standard of merit. When the programme was reverted t), Mr Evan Francis,on the adjudication of Mr J. Chidiaw Roberts, won 92 given by Dr H. Lloyd Williams for the best specimens of woods growing in Merionethshire and Hoel," who did not appear, won f3 given by Mr W. R. Davies for an ode on "Bryniall Ban Mer- ioneth." The winner was Mr Hughes (Elfin), Festiniog. One of the chief competitions of the morning followed in singing "The Martyrs of the Arena for £ 12 ( £ 5 (riven bv Mr W. N. Griffith. PenmaenL The "Capel Seion (Aberystwyth) Choir was first called on to the platform; but as they said they had not some of their best singers present they were allowed, amid some confusion, to stand aside for a while. Cefnmawr (near L Wrexham) opened the contest with a brilliant piece cf singing and was followed by Moelwyn (Blaenau Festiniog) which ran Cefnmawr very close if it rdid not surpass it for freshness and vigour. Aberystwyth, being then allowed to sing, was nowhere. Machynlleth made a very brave and musical attempt, and was loudly ap- plauded and this concluded the tale of competitors. Mr Bennett adjudicated and said that Welsh male voice choirs always fought well. It was a treat. for a jaded Londoner with all experience of listless audiences to find that enthusiasm, that earnestness, not only cn the part of the performers, but in the audience as -well. The piece was dramatic and therefore well chosen for" Wtlsh choirs, ^oine of the parties made a mistake in the place marked recitative and some sung it with single voice. No 2 (Festiniog) sung it with the whole of the voices and No 2 was right in that respect. It was a choral reo'tative and should be taken a tempo, at the discretion of the conductor. The quartett of No I (Cefnmawr) was somewhat %i-atit- lAg in balance. It should be given like a psalm upon organ, wherein one part balanced the < ther. M« st 01 the choirs were wanting with regard to the quirtett; but there again No 2 came to the front, the quartett bctDg well balanced and the music exceedingly well aunS(. The general reading of the piece by No 1 was hi^h.y ti be commended. The conduc or had evidently studied the piece well and contrived to get from hit followers a great deal of the character and «xpressici of the piece. But No 2 (FEstiniog) also Tead the pp.ce excellently well and perhaps the general t body of tht voices of that choir came up to the re- quirements (f the conductor somewhat bet pr than those of No 1. >0 3 (Aberystwyth) had evid ntly a great doel yet tolearn before it would have a chance of taking a^ prtzi in an important competition like that. He did not mow where the choir came from, nor did he know Avhdher he ever met them before; but there were evidently e*tne noints that the conductor should be careful at out,. The voices, particularly in the forte passage, wallteususta;ning power. The last choir (Machynlleth) was aVittle faulty in that respect, and it failed a little in tiP, quartett. It, however, sung remarkably well, and thcreal contest lay between No 4 (Machynlleth) and No 2 (Festiniog ) He had therefore to compare the twt choirs in o der to decide which should take the prize That was not a matter of great difficulty for he found that the singing of No 2 was correct, was intelligent, was well worked out and that all the little points and graces of the piece He excellently observed and therefore he was hound in the discharge of his duty to give that choir the prize. The result 'Was received with immense cheering and general satis- faction, and Mr Cadwaladr Robe.t«. the conductor, Was invested with the prize by Miss Roberts, CiOgwynj amid a second outburst of applause A competition in violin playing for a prize of £ 1 given by Mr J. Charles Hughes. Dolgellev, having been decided in favour of Master Pnrcel Jones, Barmoutli, the great competition of the morning ensued in a contest among brass bands in per- forming Marino Faliero for a prize of £15. Portmadoc, Festiniog, and Nantlle Vale. competed. The Aberystwyth Briton Band entered but did not put in an appearance. It was a splendid and close com- petition, aud as two of the bands were provided with silver instruments and were old and experienced hands, it was pel hars well that Aberystwyth showed that discretion which is said to be the better part of valour. Mr Bennett, adjudicating, said that if the male voice parties fought well, the bands fought harder. The con- test had given him one of the toughest jobs he ever had inhislife and he was driven totakenote of trifling things in order to decide. When Band No 1 (Portmadoc) had rgone through the piece he thought it would take a I great deal to beat; but when Band No 2 (Festiniog) yplayed he knew that a d'fficult task lay before him. He was compelled, in the first instiuce, to place No 1 a little below Nos 2 aud 3. It played excellently and it was not i-in*il ,lie other bands played that he was able to see trifliog points which they observed but which the first band omitted. The real tu of war, then, lay between bands 2 and 3. He was toid that they were old antagonists that they had met before and most likely would meet again. (Laughter). The two bands gave a most excellent performance of the piece. It was quite cheering to hear music played in the manner in which it was played and it seemed to him that in some of the p^.s-agrs he was listening to a band of pro- fessionals, to a baud of distinction in England instead of a baud composed of working men in Wales. (Cheers) He was not flattering one bit. It was not his habit to flatter. He spoke the truth as far as he knew it and flattered nobody. (Hear, hear). The tone of No 2 band (Festiniog) Was superb. Their precision gave them an advantage over No 3. The little points iu the piece were taken up with more confidence and accuracy Lut to a little extent only. The euphonium cadenza I was better played and the slow moveuent was taken I in stricter time and more in consonance with the com- poser's directions. Without going further, he miut content himself with assuring them that in tr fling point No 2 (Festiniog) was better than No 3 (Nantlle Vale) and to them must go the prize. The conductor having been invested with tne prize, the meeting separated on a vote of thanks to the Chairman for p-esiding, moved by Mr W. H. DAVIES, seconded by Mr D. H. JONES. If the morning meeting was crowded, the afternoo i meeting was id that any order was kept in the circumstances speaks volumes for the orderly dis- position of the people. MrC. R. Williams, Dolmelyn- Jlyn, presided and was suDnorted bv Major Best, Mr C. E. J Owen, Mr W. R. Davies, Mr Morris Jone=, Pias- ucha, Mr Furlong. Mr J< nes Parry and others. The Rev Cadvan Davies presided and, like Amaethon. had his hands full in keeping the over-crowded people in the gallery in good order. The hall was not half b g enough to hold the people. "Cad van," rose a piteous C'y from the gallery. what is a nun to do who n he has paid for admission and can't get in?" Well." replied Cadvan, driven to his wits end by so cogent a question, "I f you are toosmall to look afteryour self and your mother is not there, come here and I will look atter you." In the middle of the laughter which this jsu d'esprit occasions, the interruption subsides, and the eisteddfod proceeded under great difficulties and delays. The first competition on the afternoon was for a priz; of 15s given by Dr Hugh Thomas, in p'aying Sonatina in F." Two competed, but Mr Bennett stid neither had given a satisfactory perform- ance. The prize went to Miss Laura Evans, Henllan. The Rev F. P. Watkin Davies read an adjudication of a translation into \Velsh of "Mozart" by Mr Bennett for a prize cf £1 given by Mr J. R. Furlong, and the prize went to the Rev. J. R. Evans, CM. minister, Birmingham, who was represented by Mr W. Griffith, Dolgelley. Two com- peted in singing Sound an alarm for a prize of El given by the Rev D. Griffith, Criccieth. Air Bennett said it was hardly fair to put that song before an amateur, for when Handel composed it, he had a.n exceptional s;nger, Edward Lloyd, who could ring out the top A's like a bell. Considerable merriment was occasioned when the winner's name was announced as "Edward Lloyd, Llanuwchllyn." Thechair subject was for a pryddest on the Battle of Life for which a prize of £ 7 and a handsomely carved oak chair were given by the Committee. There were sixteen competitors, out of which Pedrog and the Rev Ben Davies selected the Rev R. R. Morris, C.M., Carnarvon, as the winner. The rev. gentleman was invested by Miss Fletcher, Pencoed, and installed according to the rites of the bards of the Isle of Britain bardie addresses being given by the Rev Ben Davies, Wnion, Glan Wnion. Amaethon, and Mr D. Samuel, The adjudi- cators said that the competition was very close and of a high standard. The winner came second best last year and the year before, when the Rev Ben Davies, Y stalyfera, was chaired. The CHAIRMAN (Mr C. R. Williams) in his address to the assembly, said there could be no doubt that eisteddfodau formed an important part of the healthy life of Wales. Their object was to bring the ideas of beauty and taste and the cultivation of the intellect within the reach of those who did the hard work of the world. It was something for any nation to boast, that the eisteddfod of the middle and lower classes afforded the olily parallel to the artistic competitions of the early Greek period. (Hear hear). It was, he believe L a thousand years or more since the eisteddfod was first instituted. Their presence that day, notwith- standing the severe weather, p.oved that the spirit of the Welsh people was, in that respect, as fresh and vigorous as ever. (Cheer). The programme included, he saw, Hadyu's greatest work, It was assuredly right and proper that those who were specially gifted should aspire to the highest standard of poetry and music. There were elements in that direction, of a distinct and sometimes of a lucrative profession. Those special gifts should unquestionably be cultivated. (Hear hear.) But for the purposes of those meetings they should not lose sight of their national character, and therefore he also said that they should encourage the taste for Welsh national poetry and Welsh national music, for he was sure no Byron, or even Tetitiyson-ilo brilliant instrument ition, or marvelloua vocal range, had touched the fountains of the Welsh heart like the hymns and verses of their own poets and the melodies of their uative land. (Applause.) The programme being proceedod with, Mr C. E. J Owen gave an amusing adjudication on hackney shoes sent in competition for a prize of 10s 6d given by Dr Jone. Caerffynon. CYmro was declared the winner. Mr Bennett, adjudicating on two tenor and bass duets. "Bydd bur iGymi-u fad," for a prize of 30s given by MrMarshall, said the singing was much below par, whereupon a voice in the audience declared that par, whereupon a voice in the audience declared that the best voices had not been ttllo%, ed by the prelimin- ary weeding out to appear on the platform. Air Bennet said he could only deal with what came before him and added that he reluctantly tyitheld the prize. 'A prize of JG1 given by Mr G. Jones Roberts, Liverpool for singing Lead kindly light," was declared to have produced a very creditable specimen of Welsh singing, and the prize was given to Mr H. R. Humphreys, Machynlleth, and Mr Bennett added a second prize of 10s tor Air R. W. Jones. Llsnljyfnj, The winners were mvested by Miss Jones, Cefniiiawr. No merit appeared in the elegies to the late Air Owen Roberts for which a prize of JE3 was offered (10s. 6(1. given bv Mr Wm. Williams, Caerynwch, and f.2 by Mr Jones, Coedcvmer). Mr J. R. S. Furlong adjudicated a prize of £ 1 for the best pen and ink sketch to Mrs Robert Williams, B.A., Idri Terrace. The subject was the picturesque mansion of Do'serau which had been treatKl :n a skilful and delicate manner. Miss Davits, Birkenhead, won £1 given by Dr Lloyd. Bar- mouth, for the best painting on silk, on the adjudica- Ica tion of Miss Cobbe and Miss Fletcher an the Rev E. Vauohan Humphreys, Llmelltyd. was successful with his essay on "Knowledge and fxperieuce" for which a prize of i:5 was given by Mr C. R. Williams, Dolmelynllyn. The adjudicators were the Revs David Evans, M.A., and the Rev Lpiyd Jon^s, Llanrwst. These cleared the way for the chief choral competi- tion of the day which was for a prize of £10 (£5 given by Mr Samuel Pope, f5 by Mr John Vaughan, £ 5 by Mr J. Leigh Taylor, C2 2s. by Nlr C. E. J Owen, and £ 2 2j. by Mr J. Chidiaw Roberts) for singing Handel's well-known chorus For unto us a Child i born." The Cefnmawr, Acrefair, Rliei(lol United (Aberyst- wyth). and Festiniog Choirs competed. Mr Bennett adjudicated and said his taslt was comparatively simple and one that gave him no anxiety whatever. The general standard of the competition that day w?s not equal to that of the past, and he hoped it would improve by next year. Three or four years ago there was an admirable competition and he was consider- ably exercised in his mind respecting it. The real struggle-if struggle it might be called—lay between No. 1 (Cefnmawr) and No. 4 (Festiniog). No. 2 had an intelligent and able conductor, but he had in his choir a large number of young people. Of course a conductor mmt work with the tools at his but if possible in future he should try to secure Bingers of more mature voice. Children were liable to force their voice from the chest and so produced harsh sounds. No. 2 was, then, out of the running. The quality of tone of No. 3 (Aberystwyth) was more satis- factory than that of No. 2 and yet it was not quite what it should be. The tenors and basses were weak in proportion to the other voices. The tenors were of a beautiful quality, but the were somewhat weak and inferior. Possibly the inductor could not equalize the voices and therefore J laboured under a disadvantage when he came in cont t with others better prepared. No. 1 choir (Cefnmaw gave a satisfactory performance, and after hearing N 2 and 3 he thought tliev were the prize winners, TI y sang very wtll, with good quality and tone. The sang together, and there was correct phrasing. ()od reading and altogether a satisfactory performan 'C considering the opportunities the singers had. 1 7hen he came to No. 4 (Festiniog). however, his ta* was ended. The choir evidently was in the hands he did not know the gentleman at all-of a cont ctor who was a musician, who was a man of feeliri: who knew what he was alboiit, who knew when to get what he wanted, who had under him ladies nd gentlemen who responded entirely to his appeal, aV I who knew how to produce exactly the effect he req red. (Applause). He (Mr Bennett) was struck with t\ > feeling of that choir. He was told that it came ft 3m Festiniog and he was toVl^that other choirs and competitors came from Festiniog. He could not help that. He said; Bravo Festiniog." (Applause). The best cboir I must win, and the best choir was t iat of Festiniog. [ (Loud applause). The conductor w s invested by Mrs Watkin Davies, Llanfachreth. ? ir Purcel Jones, Barmouth, won 1:1 givea by Mr Charles Williams, Hengwm, in a 'cello competition a d Air A. Hender- son find party, Penygrocs, won £1 )s given by Mr Alarshall for an alto, tenor and bass trio, Mr Bennett saying that the gentleman who took bass had a fortune ill his thnnt. Mr Gritlith Pierce and party were commended, and this brought a most afternoon's meeting to a close. In the evening, there was an excellent performance of Haydyn's oratorio of The Creation" by thc Idri-J Choral Society, conducted by Mr 0. 0. Roberts, accompanied by an orchestral band piovided by Mr Akeroyd, Liverpr ol, aud supplemented by jo(:l iustrumentalists-Colouel Evats, Bdr Misses K. Joues Parry, Ethel Griffiths, Ada Hughes, Mes,r Bennett Williams, Tulie-in Davit-s, E. R. B Thomas, Miss AI. Jones Parry, Air William Griffith, Air J. Henscoe and others. Air W. L. Barrett, London, the celebrated flautist, took the first flute part. Miss Maggie Davies, R.A AL, London, who was attired iti somewhat novel costume, acquitted herself of the soprano parts to the satisfaction of the audience. Mr Maldwyu Humphreys gave an excellent interpretation to the tenor numbers, and Air Henry Pope, London, sang the bass parts. Mr AI. W. Griffith Alus. Bac., Air J. H. Jones and Miss A. May Roberts, Towyn, acted as accompanists. There was a crowded attend- ance, ovef which Air Vaughan If Nanuau presided, and the concert made a successful ending to a remark- ably successful eisteddfod. The Cambrian ti ain arrangements were probably very complete on p:per, but most unpllnctnai in th-; working out, and lignts were not provided for many of the compartments.

DR WILLIAMS' SCHOOL, DOLGELLEY.

MERIONETH JOINT POLICE COMMITTEE.|

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