The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

CARDIGAN COUNTY COUNCIL. L J t1 JL i V -\J U ±5. The CjU'i,1'; erlv meeting of tlio Cardigan County Council w.s ilt ,< in. the Shivjh ;:i, L'unpo.er. or. fna^uy, th?r h;,i»g preset CVarct'lur Morgan E-aus, 0 0. Brcc-roik-, L'-m.-higwvad C. M. Williams, Peter.j<ue-AlK;i-,st"\th; Jou yraur Win. D^vics. Riry.lyron:nfaoh Divid Lloyd, Lampeter Levi James. Cardigan D. W. E. Row- land, Limddcwibrefi John Davies, Tanycoed Daniel Jones, "J .Ian on Jen kin Jenkins, Blaenplwyf Evan Ricnar" S, Penuueh and Jenkyn Lewis, Cilcenin Council! >rs Jenkin Ho-wella. Nantc^nlie. \V. T. Davies, Feiinfach Edward Jones Talyhrnt J. W. dumper. Ab.;ryst>vyfch George Gi-, ei-i. Abciystwyth D. C. Roberts, Aberystwyth Enoch Davies, Liatidysvid Thomas Thomas, Lhuiny-sul J. R. Howell, LUindu^wyild M. Yangh¡L!J Duvies, Llan- larian Llewelyn Edwards, Trefeirig r. Thomas, Aberporrh John Wiilkma, Cardigan B. Jones, LUinilar James James, Llanrbystyil Thomas L-jvi, •Aberystwyth Enoch \V. Jamo, Berth J. T. Evans, Aberarth John Jones, Tuliesin John Hope Evans, Llangranog Watkin Jones. Llanllwchaiarn Timothy Jones, Llauwenog D. J, Widiams, Llanddewibreli J. M..Umvtll, Aheiayr )ii J. 0. Harfod, Lampeter lftrtei. Lloyd, Xew Quay P. R. Bsynon. Penbryn VYm. Evans. Llautihangei John Jones, Llangeitbo D. J Llangoediiiore Isaac Jcnes, Pont-rwyd T. Mason Jones, Yspytty John Jones, Strata Florida T. H. R. Hughes, UamnL n J. J. Jones. Trocdyraur James St-phens, Cardigan Messrs H. C. Fryer, coaKty cLrk, and J.D.Perrott, treasurer. ELECTION OR (,'IIAIRMAN. The CHAIRMAN s~id the first business was the ap- pi'intmeut; of ehuirman for the enduing year. Mr BRIGSTOCKE said it was the pleasure of the Council that the chairman ehonld be appointed annu- ally. Some difference of opinion might arise as to the advisabiii.y of that cjurse, hut it was undoubtedly the wisri of the Council that it should be the course pursued a-ui it was also the wish of the Council th..t the chairman should be selected as far as possible to that the- whole of that long and ddficnlt-of-<tCcSS county should bs represented. Lust year the chair- man was drawn from mid Cardiganshire and this yea,r it was thought fit that he should be drawn from the northern end. He had therefore pleasure in pro- posing thai Councillor D. C. Roberts, of Aberystwyth, should be chairman for the ensuing year. He did that with the full conviction that Mr Roberts would efficiently, honestly, and without favour or affection fill the chair of Cardigan County Council for the next year. (Cheers.) The Rev T. THOMAS, Llandyssul, and the Rev JOlIX DAVIES, Tanycoed, seconded the proposition. Tiie CHAIRMAN elect (taking trio chair after the proposition had been agreed to with cheers) thanked the CoHiicd for the great honour they had conferred upon him and said he felt great hesitation in accept- ing that very important position, not only because of the great responsibilities, but because he felt it would be very difficult for him to fulfil the duties of the office in the same efficient and in as creditable a manner as his predecessors. However, as they had unanimously elected him that day, he felt sure that he should receive from everyone of them all the help and support he would need, aud that they would slse pass ligntly over any faults they might find in him. He WOUHI endeavour to conduct the* business of the meetings without preventing adequate discussion of matters brought before the Council, and he trusted all the members would assist him as far as possible by observing the Standing Orders. (Cheers.) The Rev T. THOMAS felc that the Council would not be doing its duty without according Mr Morgan Evans a vote of thanks for his conduct in the chair during the past twelve months. Mr J AMES JAMES seconded the proposition, and Mr LEVI JAMES supported it, observing that Mr Morgan Evans had discharged the duties of the office very 'efficiently and with courtesy to every individual mem- ber of the Comicil. (Hear, hear.) The proposition having been carried, Mr MORGAN EVANS said he felt very much obliged to the Council for the unanimous vote accorded him. He felt very great diffidence at the beginoing in taking office, but he must acknowledge that they had all supported him excelleatly and rendered his duties as light as possible. When he took the chair at the commencement of the year, he said that the members would be at liberty to speak in Welsh if they so preferred. Tney were all so great Englishmen, however, that few of them had taken advantage of that liberty—(laughter)— though for his own part he should be glad to see them .take more advantage of it. The CHAIRMAN said there would be the same liberty accorded this yedor to speak Welsh or English just as the members preferred. APPOINTMENT OF COMMITTEES. Mr STEPHENS, Cardigan, said the Joint Police Com- mittee had done their work well and proposed the re-appointment of Messrs Peter Jones, J. T. Morgan, Maesnewyd, John Howell, C. M. Williams, Morgan Evans, J. M. Howell, James James, Daniel Jones, John Owen, Blaeupennal, D. C. Robert3, John Williams, Cardigan, and Llewellyn Edwards. Captain DAVIES, Llandyssul, seconded the proposi- tion, and it was agreed to. The various other committees were, appointed. On the re-appointment of the Weights and Measures Com- mitter Mr PETER JOXES moved the suspension of the Standing Orders and proposed, in order to allow that Committee to go on with their work, that the Chief Comtahle should act as inspector for the northern district. Inspector Lloyd having died. Mr BRIGSTOCKE seconded the proposition, and it was agreed to. On the re-appoiutment of asylum visitors, Mr BRIG- STOCKE wished to say how very much indebted the counties of Caid F-raii, Carmarthen, and Pembroke were to Mr C. M. Williams for the indefatigable trouble he had taken in carrying cut the very com- plicated business connected with the appeal against the assessment of the asylum. The Committee were still pursuing what steps they deemed right to obtain what they thought was justice for the coanties. Dr Enoch Davies had also been very regular in his at- tendance The statistics compiled by Mr Williams were perfectly appalling and required quite a large portmanteau to carry them about. (Laughter). Messrs W. 0. Brigstocke, C. M. Williams, David Lloyd, and Dr Enoch Davies were appointed visitors. On the Western Sea Fisheries Committee, Colonel Howell begged to be relieved from the Committee, He had had a notice tc, attend that day on the Com- mittee at Portmadoc, but he thought that Lampeter bad the better claim and he had attended there. (Laughter.) The Committee were re-appointed with the exception 'of Colonel Howell. 011 the proposition of Mr J. M. HOWELL, seconded by HUGHES. Neusdd, Messrs Lima Jones, John Evans. Jenkin Jenkins, Blaenplwyf, and Daniel Jenkins, Pen- fire elm, \Vere appointed Conservators for the Ayron nalierv district. Snape, Aberystwyth, on the proposition of Mr £ TKK JONES was re-appointed county analyst. „ ABERAYRON LOCAL 1J0ARD. The COUNTY CLERK stated that he had received a letter from the Local Government Board relative to a communication hy the Rev E. Morris, and asking what steps were being taken in the matter of an order for the forma ion of a Local Board for Aberayron. He had not i'i'pl,e to that because he anticipated that something wcub he done that day. He supposed lie now mu-t say tliat no steps had been taken. The CHAIRMAN* the application to annul the order was made to t. e Council and refused BO he sup- posed there was no reply. The COUNTY CLERK added that no definite motion Was put on the paper to revoke the order, and he supposed the order would stand until it was revoked. A communication having be^n received say'iig that it was not regular to invest t ie police pension fund in county stock, but allowing it until some measure !egalisdng it was passed, Mr » AUGHA.V DAVIES pro- posed and Mr TA-,IEI. JAMES second a proposition u.ro'ing the Government to amend the law in the direc- tion indicated. MAIN ROAIlS, BRIDGES, AND BUILDING^ Mr PETER JONES brought up the Main Roads, bridges, and Public Buildings Committee s report for the northern division, which recommended that the Surveyor should prepare an account of extra traffic on Devil's Bridge and Strata Roads, and the Clerk demand pay ment from parties liable; that the question of provid- Ing a steam roller should be dfferred that the Council should vote £ 150 extra for the completion of Ponter- wyd bridge that a sub-committee inspect Talybont bridge, and report that the repairs to Rhiwgwraidd bridge be executed, as specified in the report, at a cost ot _1 ¡.: that it he referred to Alderman J. Owens, and Councillor J. Jones (Llangeitho), to inspect the encroachments upon the Penuwch Road and report that a dry rubble wall be built alongside the road by Moelifor, at cost not exceeding £ 12 10s that the Clerk InOUlre upon whom rests the liability to rebuild the *11 below the Llanrhystid bridge that the road from f\0:"th to Moelynys be attended to by the Surveyor, Gregnon s offer to share tne cost being accepted that the Surveyor invite tenders for the supply ot stones where iiecded that the estimates of £ 600 for roads, and of £20 for nnall bridge repairs, for the current quarter, be allowed. Applications to enc ose a)all ro tdside strips of land were received from Alder- man Evan Richards, and from Bwlehmawr, and it was ^solved That Messrs Peter Jones, Vaughan Davies, M* ans> Benjamin Jones, David J^nes, and T. anrf°n '^01ies a sub committee to inspect the spots. r?P.'rt uPon the application Mr John Jones, of thpe!Uei-n' atten.^efl and explained to the Committee vJr. P^t'on of his hay shed, which he had been called ,a io lemove, and it was resolved —Tint a s il- with the Tregaron Union. be requested to visit and inspect i h place, and report thereon. As an explanation of the extra e vt of Ponterwvd Bridge. Mr PETER JONES explained that Ü was found nec.-ssary to do more masonry work than was at first contempt»tcu and a difficulty in ejuuection with the supply of ftone. Mr JOHN' JONES, Talicsin, siul the est ine.tc for^the iixn vvoik was £ "500 and the ork hau cost £ ol5. whereas the masonry was estimated to cosi £ o00 but it had cost £ 5S5. Mr GREES said it was the old story. When the work was done by contract the estimate was not much exceeded, but when nork was done by tne day it cu,t nearly double. Mr SZLUMPER said the masonry could have been done by contract as well as the iron work but it would have been necessary to have demobshtd all the old bridge first and the total would have cost more than it had now cost. He thought the Committee had doue the right and proper thiust. The report was adopted and. the recommendations agreed to. Mr Brigstocke brought np the report of the Com- mittee for the Southern division who recommended that the work of cutting down some of the sharp, pitches oa tllR road between L'.an.iyssul and Llyadwr as suggested he sanctioned, the work being done by the roadmen. That a Sub-Committee should consider on the spot, and report upon the desirability of con- structing a bridge or culvert at Cipcl Cynon. That thc estimate of expenditure for the current! quarter be allowed. The Sub-Comm>H.je having reported that as no loc^i stones sufficiently durable could be obtained for the coping of Cwrrwsbridge,they had directed Cilgerran stones t'j be used, which had increased the cost of the repairs of the bridge. It was resolved to recommend :-That an additional sum of 91,5 he granted, making a total expenditure of £ 55 upon Cwrrws Bridge. Upon the further consideration ot the Report of the Sub-Committee upon the Aber- ayron Lower Bridge retaining wIll adjourned irotn the last meeting—the adoption of the report, proposed hy Ciuncilbr J. M. Howell, was opposed by Councilor Enoch Davies and an amendment moved by Councillor J. William?, that wooden railings be erected to protect the road in we place of those which were removed, having been lost, ft waQ eventually resolved, on the motion of Alderman David Lloyd (Lampeter), that the report of the Sub-Committee and the whole question be referred to the Cownty Council. A motion of Alderman David Lloyd That the appli- cation of the Lampeter Highway Board to have the road from Troedyrhiw to Ohnarch finally adopted as a Main Roa,d be entertained," was seconded by Alderman Jenkin Jenkins, and jjopposed by Councillor J. M. Howell aud upon being put to the meeting was negatived. Mr BRIGSTOCKE said the evidencerespecting the road adjoining Aberayron bridge was so very conflicting thaA; lie was enable to come to any conclusion upon it and thought the matter should be decided as a matter of utility. Mr J. M. HOWELL contended that it was a public road and had been included in certain plans submitted by the County Surveyor in 1SS1. If the Council would not complete the wall, which had been commenced, perhaps they would make a contribution towards the work. Mr VAUGHAN DAVIES, as a member of the Quarter Sessions, was of opinion that it was a public road. Mr SZLUMPER proposed that 1:30 should be expended on the completion of the wall. He said he had included the wail in a plan submitted to Quarter Sessions because he thought it was a public road used by the public. After a long and tedious enquiry it was decided that it was not a public road and nothing was done then. The evidence lately given led hiai back to the conclusion he originally held that it was a public ruad. The last he heard of it was that Mr Gwynne had put up a fence, on the county paying half the cost. He (Mr Szlumperj wondered that no lives had been lost there. Mr DAXIEL JOXES, Llinon, seconded the proposition. Mr J. M. WILLIAMS read from a report presented by Mr Ssclumper in 1881 that it was not a public road. (Laughter). A child fell over the wall and broke his arm and Mr Lloyd Phillips wrote to Mr Szlumper about it but he replied that the county was not liable to provide a fence as the county had never maintained the roadway. (Laughter.) Mr SZLUMTER said he had an answer to that (Laughter*. Mr C. M. WILLIAMS said that eleven years ago, Mr Gwynne erected a wooden fence and the county con- tributed nothing, He had no objection to voting £10 or E12 to the Highway Board towards the work with- out admitting liability. Mr J. M. HOWELL contended that it was a public road, but for the sake of peace and harmony would accept I l' William's suggestion. Mr SZLUMPER wished he was -is well up in ancient records as Mr Williams was. (Laughter). He admired Mr Williams for the tenacity with which he stuck to antiquity. (Laughter). He was of opinion at one period that it was not a public road but evidence subsequently adduced convinced him that his first con- clusion that it was a public road was correct. Nlr PETER JO-NES, in replying to Mr David Lloyd who asked if the money would be voted under section 10 (11) of the Local Government Act of 1888, said it would be simply voted for strengthening the retaining wall of the bridge. Mr GRKKN having said he did not spe how the money could be vot-=d when the Council denied its liability,J he suggestion to voe 10 or £ 12 was agreed to. 0 The remainder of the report was adopted and Mr MORGAN EVANS called the Surveyor's attention to the dilapidated state or the milestones, some of which were used to stick posters on. FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. A meeting of the Committee was held on December 28tli, when they declined to recommend the payment of £ 4til 10s. 9d. demanded hy the Sea Fisheries Committee, considering that the circumstances did not warrant so heavy an expenditure, and that an experiment upon a smaller and less costly scale should first be made. The Committee also declined to pay Xl lis. 8d. made by Mr B. C. Jones for ex- penses connected with the abortive election of the Aberayron Local Board, considering that that expense should be borne by the locality. Alderman David Lloyd was deputed to make orders for goods required for Lampeter Town Hall. The CHAIRMAN, referring to the Sea Fisheries pre- cept, hoped the members of the Committee would re- present to the Council the desirability of proceeding in an experimental manner at first, rather than in- curring great expense by the purchase of a steamer and tne appointment of highly paid inspectors. Mr Abel Evaus, coroner of the Lampeter district, applied for an increase in his salary of £22, saying that during the past quarter he had held five inquests, two of which were at Llauarth. The matter was re ferred to the Finance Committee. Mr C. M WILLIAMS, chairman of the Committee, said it was intended to apply for a loan of £ 1,500, £ 900 having been taken out of current revenue for public works. Notwithstanding the enormous in- crease in the cost of roads and bridges, he was pleased that the "said had not been exceeded, and that there was a fair balance in the bank. LAMPETER ROADS. Mr DAVID LLOYD then moved that the amount ex- pended between April, 1S89, and March, 1893, by the Lampeter Highway Board in the maintenance of the highways provisionally ordered to be constituted main roads should be paid to that Board under Section 10 (11) of the Local Government Act. He contended that roads in the Lampeter Highway district had been iiuluded in ClaSi A in Mr Hutching's report and taken over as main lotds, but the matter had not been canied through in that district as it had in other districts in the county. He therefore asked that the Lampeter district should be treated with the same justice as the other districts. Mr JENKINS, Blaenplwvf, seconded the proposition. Mr J. M. HOWELL siid" a Committee had reported that the road could not be takenover until £ 75 had been expended upon it and the CHAIRMAN, saying that the Council had already resolved not to make any grant, ruled that Mr Lloyd must rescind that resolu- sion before proceeding. Mr LLOYD moved, and Mr JENKIN JENKINS seconded, the suspension of the Standing Oiders but Mr PETER JONES contending that urgency did not arise in that case, Mr LLOYD said he would give the necessary notice to rescind. THE WELSH UNIVERSITY. The Rev LLEWELYN EDWARDS then proceeded to propose certain amendments in the Draft Charter for a Welsh University and said lie was afraid that the matter would be more or less strange to some members of the Council but, at the same time, he thought it ought to interest every member of the Council. In reviewing that draft schemes they might take three main points into con.iclertion. First of all, the general character of the Charter-simply the question whether the University was to te an Examining Board or also a teaching and more or less a retidental tinivetsity. Secondly, came the question relating to the constituent elements of the University—whether it should be confined to the three Colleges of Bangor, Aberystwyth and Cardiff, and, thirdly, whether there were any clauses in the Charter binding in any degree ¡ in the direction of produciug three Universities instead of one. On the first point—whether the University should be an Examining Board or a teaching and more or less a residential University—three principles underlay draft scheme of that kind. First of all the principle thnt it should be an Examining Board and nothing else. In the second place, just the opposite, principle that it should be something like Oxford or Cambridge, a residential and educational or teaching University. The third question was whether they could not get a mixture of both applied to the Univeraity for Wale". Now, if the question were put before him personally whether the University was to an Examining or a resident! Umv-rs'ty, he j should have no hesitation whatever in replying in r favour of a re-i.demial, teaching, tutorial University. When they came to think of the advantages of re-i- dence the advantages of bringing young men into contact witn superior ILen, and, greater still, the advantages of bringing young mi'.1 iuto contact with otie another aud when they recollected the fact that with regard to the University of Loi.doa there were very fc-w exceptions now of men passing the examina- tions without having had residence, and tuition, and education at some seat of learning, tlify would all decide in favour of a residential and teaching university as against a simple Examining University. But could there not be a mixture of both. He found it extremely difficult, because if they made the chief principle of the University that it should be an ex- aming Board, they contravened the principle of a residential university. The question, however, arose whether it would not be possible, without mixing those principles in the constitution of the scheme, to allow the University Court some discretionary power that o,l I (,i enable poor W e!sh student-* who could not possibly secure residence or tuition, aud still might bs able to pass an examination, to proceed to thmr degr-je, provided is wss made clear that they had failed ut'.criy to g-t residence ? He would give one instance. Hi"; own father, a native of Cardiganshire, went to the University of Edinburgh, where he was supposed to remain four years. At the end of three years, however, he had come to the end of his resources. He stited the case to Dr Chalmers who induced the authorities to mak". an exception in ids favour and allowed him to go in for h's examination. He passed the examination aud returned home with the M.A. degree. It might be said that he was legislating for the past if he got such a thing adopted now but there were many and worse ci<es in Nl-zllcs a: the present tim*. There were young men who might secure a degree and go through a training for examin- ation if <.iise;vHon.iry oouer was given to the Univer- sity Court. Ia regard to the second point — what were the constituent elements of the University to I)e-t"e charter fixed upon the three university colleges only. Would it not be possible to make it more elastic so as to make it possible in future to intreduce "ther col- leges ? One example would suffice to show the diffi- culty and to which chat led. There were other examples but let them take that of theology The university was to give a degree in Tneology but as neither of the three constituent colleges taught that subject, the fundamental principle that-the university was to be residential and teaching was sacrificed, and in respect oi theology the University offered to make itself an Examining Bsard. Bat why not make the theological colleges constituent parts of the University as far as theology was concerned ? The last point was with regard to the clauses that tended more or less to produce three universities instead of one. It allowed the three different colleges ilis- cretion with regard to curriculum and the number of subjects. Section 54 went iu the same direction. T, enabled the three colleges to have what was called internal examiners—not examiners appointed by the University but examiners appointed by the college to examine the students in the college. He thoroughly disapproved of that. Clause 72 was a well-known one. The committee had sent an amendment to it. He objected almost as tiilicii to the amended fo.rm as to the original. The point of it was that an identical proposition might be considered by the different sen- ates of the three university colleges and if the three agreed upon it, it should be accepted as passed with- out having any conference. That applied a principle that would never be allowed even by County Council,. for they would never allow any resolution to be passed by simply getting signatures from individual members without a conference. He objected to it, because it would be inoperatiyc-the three senates not agreeimi in some cases without a conference, while in others there would be danger of immature and hasty rcsolu- tions being agreed to. Those being his views, he proposed (1.) That whilst we accept as the fundamental principle of the charter that the University be a teach- ing and, as far as possible, a residential one, we still think that some discretionary power should be left in the hands of the Court to allow young Welshmen to pass their examinations and procatd tc their degree without residence when it can be shown that residence is beyond their reach. Mr JAMES JAMES having seconded the proposi'ion, Mr JXJNES, Taliesm, asked if Mr Edwards did not in- clude in his proposition young Englishmen in Wales as well as young Welshmen ? The Rev LI. EDWARDS replied that if an Englishman lived in Wales he was a Welshman to all intents and purposes but be would substitute the word btudent for Welshman. Mr BRIGSTOKE asked if it was intended by Mr Edwards to limit the degree to the Theological Col- leges of Wales ? Tli- Rev LLFWFLys EDWARDS replied that he only took the theological question as all example. There might be an Engineering College. None of the Univer- sity Colleges might teach engineering. The University however might examine in engineering, and if an en- gineering college sent in students and they were exam- ined why should not the college be a constituent college, Mr I AUGiiA-N DAVIES, supporting the proposition, said he very much feared that the Shrewsbury con- ference by the charter would narrow the future edu- cation of Wales, and that was what he thought the Welsh people did not wish. What Wales wanted, un- doubtedly, was one university with one examining body and if in did not get that the degrees would be of doubtful vilue, and education iu Wales would be iii-re injured than benefited. The proposition having been unanimously agreed the Rev Llewellyn Edwards also nrornitterf the fol- lowing: "That the constitution of the Universi'y should be so far enlarged as to include other colleges besides the three University Colleges of Wales and "That this Council recommends that all the clauses that in the draft charter tend in the direction of too gre»t decentralisation, should be ommitted viz. 43. 54, and 72." This was also agreed to unanimously, and it was resolved to forward a copy to Mr Owen M. Edwards. The Rev LLEWELYN EDWARDS said it was interest- ing to see the vie" s taken by the different County Councils of that matter. Carnarvonshire bad pvsed a strong resolution in a sense upsetting the charter, whde Montgomery had swallowed it whole with the shght excepiion of substituting the Prince of Wales for the Queen as visitor. (Loud laughter.) THE LAND COMMISSION. Mr PETER JONES then moved That a Committee be appointed to arrange for evidence with regard to the tenure and occupation of land and to other matters connected Ith agriculture in Cardiganshire, to be given before the Royal Commission on agriculture" He said that proposition required no speech to recom- mend it. In connection with it he moved that the members of the Conned in their respective unions should meet togetner and consider that matter so a. to be in a position to present evidence to the commission when It met. Mr J. M. HOWELL, observing that the matter was a most important one, seconded the proportion. Mr BRIGSTOCKE said lie regretted not being able to agree with Mr Peter Jones in that matter It was alleged that the farmers of Wales suffered not on equal terms with their brethren in England. If that was so they were entitled to relief. On the o'her hand some of the landlords thought that quite the contrary was the case—that the landlords of Wales were as liberal or more liberal than the landloids of England. Be that as it might be, he could not help thinking it would be extremly difficult to appoint a committee which could identify itself with the interests of landlord and tenant. It seemed to him that the interests of the landlord and tenant in that particular instance were not quite identical. He might be mistaken but he thought that the tenants with that sagacity which characterised the Celtic race, would endeavour to get the best terms they could. On the other hand, no doubt the land lords would do their best to maintain their present posi- tion. He thought it very desirable that the tenants should confer among themselves as to the best means of pressing their claims, and the landlords how best to maintain their position. He did not intend joining any combination but if the Commission came down he should endeavour to furnish such evidence which would be given fairly, honestly, and truthfully. He hardly thought it within the province of the County Council, which was essentially an administrative and not a judicial body, to appoint a committee of the kind indicated by Mr Peter Jones. Mr AUCHAN DAVIES supposed that Mr Brigstocke had heard of the Landlords Protection Society. Per- haps the occupiers would like to have their side laid as well before the Commission, and he did not see how it could be better done than by means of the County Council. Mr BRIGSTOCKE asked why should not the landlords avail themselves of the County Council as well as the Mr VAUGHAN DAVIES replied that if the landlords asked the Council to take up their case as well, the Council would be glad to take it up, but the lanulords had not asked. He hoped the Council would adopt the proposition, and thit the Committee would be centred in every union for the farmers to rally round aud get up evidence. Mr BRIGSTOCKE-Not the landlords ? Mr VAUGHAN DAVIES added that the landlords could go if they liked. Mr Brigstocke was the one who drew a distinction between landlords and tenants He (Mr Vaughan Davies) did not. The tenant farmers must have some support. In Cardigan- shire he knew tenant farmers would not come out unless they had support. (Cheers.) Captain DAVIES thought that Mr Brigstocke Ind taken the wrong tide in that matter. What the I Cotlncillleired was not evidence on oneside only, but { evidence of the ttue tt it- agric-.tltu-x- ia C«rdigini- shire. Mr MORGAN EVANS, Mr C. M. WILLIAMS, and Mr GREEN, supported the proposition, Mr V\ ILLIAMS con- tending that farmers iow no lixity of t mure or f! entity of any kird. If t'i-y made improvcui'-ins, their rents v. eie raised 4-0 or 50 per ce..t. Mr BI.IGSTOCKE s iid he was not opposed to the Com- mission but thought the getting up ofeviden;c had I better bs left to a private body than to a public body- like the County Council. The proposiuou was then carried and Messrs E. W. James, Aberystwyth Union; ■). M. Ho« ell, Aberayron; D. J. Wil'inns, Poncefn, Tivg.irou J. V\ atkin | Davies. Lnmpcer Enoch La-its, Newcastle Emlyn. and Tlio;il,s Thomas, Ca: digan, were appointed j conveners. THE SUSPENSORY PETITIONS. The Rev T. LEVI outlined a suspension of the Sbnll. ing Orders to bring forward a proposition respecting petitions which were being signed under misapprehen- sion of their meaning. Duurch p ople misrepresented | the of the For instance last week a petition was taken into a boose and the wife was acked if she was willing that the Bishop's salary should be reduced to £ 150 a year (Laughter). '■ No,' the wrouiu replied, "she was not in favour oi that. "Well," was the answer, "'then sign this." (Laughter.) In another case, a clergyman said he had a small field and asked if a woman WES in favour of a Bill to take th-,it field fccin Iiiiii Linl kvh(,u sl,i,l LNo got and all the children to sign, the petition. He was. perfectly willing tha.t Church people should go round with petitions if they put the matter fairly before the people. To misrepresent the object as was dooe throughout the county was unfair and deceptive and had induced hundreds and thousands of Noncon- formists to sign in ignorance. He propmed. That. we as a council protest agamst the unfair and mis- 1 leading way adopted by the churchmen to secure signatures to petitions against the Suspensory Bill." Mr J. M. HOWELL, seconding tne proposition, thought the Council should endeavour to protect Non- conformists of the county from these petitions. List Sunday a clergyman preached on the Suspensory Bill and said Nonconformists wished to deprive the Church of her property. The sermon, however, was tao much for the patience of the Church people themselves, for one octogenarian stood up before the service was over and said,° You have not pre'.ch;d a word cf Gospel here to-night." (Laughter). The Rev JOHN JONES, Ystrad Meung. saul in regard to the stroog terms Mr Levi u-ed, he ("he speaker) did not think the County Council of Cardigan oiilcl support such a resolution vrithout e\idence such as would be acceptable in a court of law. There was 118, evi fence whatever—not the least Lit. Would any magistrate present accept such evidence ? He could say as far as his district was concerned that the petitions had been sent about on this ground and that ground alene-tlut it was net fair by any means—be i, Church or Nonconformity, Mahotnmedanism^ or Bhnddism—to bind hand and foot an institution, thinking of killing it five years afterwards. He said nothing with regard to disestablishment. He should hail it to-inori-nr-(ciieers)-blit he felt it strongly and he believed that Nonconformists wouH tind it out that there was a sense of justice even in NVales-(P, "S oice Of course there is ") — that would never allow Church property to be taken from it. The Rev LLEWELYN EDWARDS—It is not Church property. The Rev JOHN JONES (continuing) said, the Council had seen the scheme which, had been published. He did not object to having the question discussed, but he certainly asked gentlemen of reason and justice not to use strong terms without evidence. Mr SZLUMPER as a Churchman and one who would always be a Churchman, could not conceive of anyone objecting to the Suspensory Bill. Even Mr Jones (Ystrad Meurig) used himself a strong expression as to tying down the Church for five years, whereas the Bill only suspended matters for one year. (Cheers.) The Rev JOHN JONES said he knew that quitf-. well. (Laughter and Oh.") Mr SZLCMPER—Ihen why did you say five years ? The Rev Jcws JONES—Simply because I did not believe it could be done in five years. Mr SZLUMPER said he should very much like to be allowed to proceed without interruption. If a champioa of a great body like the Church knew the Bill was for one year only he should not try to in- fluence, or rather deceive or attempt to deceive a body like the Council by stating that it was for five years. (Laughter and cheers.) There was no man in Wales more desirous of teeing religious equality than he (Mr Szlumper) was, and therefore he hopd that the Bill would be passeu. (Cheers.) There was no at- tempt to rob the Church. The Rev LLEWELYN EDWARDS—Or kill it. Mr SZLUMPER (continuing) said he gave Noncon- formists the credit of doing unto others that which they would be done be. For himself he hoped that not only would that Bill be passed, but that in the next session another Bill would be introduced to bIing greater blessings into the Principality. (Cheers.) Ihe Rev T. LIKN-I said the proposition was not in favour of the Bill, but tgainst the unfair and mis- leading way in which signatures to petitions were being sought. What he had said lie could prove before a magistrate and a great deal more. Mr MORGAN EVANS believed there would be no difficulty for anv member of the Council to make up his mind on that question. Petitions had been hawked all over the country and members of the Council knew exactly what had bepii done and were satisfied that what had been seated at that meeting had not been overstated. The proposition was then agreea to without fuitoer opposition. LOCAL OPTION. The Rev T. LEVI moved, Mr GREEX and Mr DAVID LLOYD seconded and it was agreed, that we as members of the Cardiganshire County Council desire to express our great satisfaction at the introduction by the Government of a measure embodying in a couside.rable degree the principle of direct popular veto on the issue of the renewal of licences, and while pledging ourselves to use our utmost endeavours to aid the Government, we earnestly urge them to put forth tneir fu.l power to ensure the piss-ng of the measure into law without delay." CONDOLENCE. On the proposition of the Rev T. MASON ONES, a vote expressing the Council's sense of loss by the death of Mr John Williams of Bronant, a member of the Council, was unanimously passed. AGENDAS. The COUNTY CLERK said he had now a numoer of corrected copies of the agenda which members might have for future reference. The Council then rose having sat from eleven until four.