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----Rhyl County Court.
Rhyl County Court. FRIDA Y: Before His Honour Jugde Moss. DISREGARDING A SUBPCENA. ,His Honour again remarked that he was de- termined that the subpoenas of the- oourt should be obeyed and in the case of a defendant named 'Robert Jonh Jones (junior), Windsor Street, who had beeyi summoned to attend the court to an- swer a julgment summons and conduct money paid, he fined the defendant J31, and ordered .him to clear off the old debt at Is per month, in default 14 days. Later on defendant's wife appeared, and on her representation the Judge said he would give defendant the chance of appearing at the next court. THE JUDGE AND HIRE PURCHASE ARTICLES. Messrs Aston and Sons, Wrexham, sued Mr W F ^Morgan for 50s., or the return of i mangle bought by him from Fred W Pugh, late °of Rhyl, the mangle being hired to Pugh on the hire-purchase system. The defendant said he was asked -by Pugh to hold a sale at his house, but as there was nm: sumci-ent to m.ake a sale he bought what he I wanted to sell for £ 3 16s. He repeatedly ask-e the man in front of Mrs Pugh if the mangle was on the hire-purchase system and he replied that I it was not. The mangle was sold for 25s. The Judge: I am afraid he sold you what did not belong to him. In reply to questions, plaintiffs' lepresentn- tives said that Pugh paid 10s deposit and had siiSte paid 6s. The Judge gave judgment for 34s and said defendant had his remedy against Pugh. Defendant: H has gone away and we can- not find him. Plaintiff's representative asked for judgment for 50s., as the 16s had been paid for the hire and not on account of the purchase, price. The Judge said he would not allow plaintiffs to get 16s twice over. They had had 16s from l'ugli, and he did not intend to make defendant pay it also. He thought that Pugh should be prosecuted. THE COUNTY COURT OFFICIALS KNEW. It was explained to the Judge that in the case of the service of a judgment summons on Frederick Simons, 11 Victoria Street, Leaming- ton, there had been difficulty in finding defend- ant at home until the Court officials suggestel that the summons should be kept over until the Christmas holidays, when defendant would be sure to be home. That course was adopted and Defendant was duly served. The claim for 12s 6d, balance of debt due to Mr R Williams, boot and shoe dealer, Rhyl, but the defendant set up the plea that his firm, ,the Borough and Counties Advertising Company Birmingham, had given him cred;t for 12s 6d in .respect of an account due to them by plaintiff. Mr Williams, however, produced evidence to the effect that when he gave defendant an order ior advertising to the extent of CS, he allowed defendant to have a pair of boots valued 22s 6d. Defendant paid 10s. on account, and after Mr Williams had paid £ 2 10s out of the £ 5, he pointed out to the firm that defendant owed him 12s 6d. The frm, however, replied that they -had nothing to do with defendant's private afEaars, whereupon Mr Williams paid the bal- ,a-.ice of L2 10s, but had not yet been paid by defendant. The Judge made an order against defendant for 5s per month, or in default 14 days im- prisonment. A NOMADIC DEBT. Mr. Rowlands, referred to the case of Mrs Hester Curtis, boarding house keeper, 19 Guild, ford street, Russell-square, London, against Mr W Hatherly Jones, in respect of a judgment debt of JB5 16s 6d. Mr Rowlands explained that the defendant had been subpoenaed to attend court, but there was difficulty in finding hi He had been in Rhyl for the Christmas holidays and stayed at 42 West Parade, but as soon as the summons was issued he cleared away He would like to have the defendant in Court to cross-examine him as to his meiis, and cer- tain letters and documents he had sent. There ihad been two subpoenas and conduct money issued. The Judge questioned whether the conduct 3noney was sufficient to bring the defendant to Rhyl ? Mr Rowlands said the defendant found money to travel about and had written letters from London, -Birmingham and Liverpool-,all from hoarding houses. The debt was for board and lodging in London. The Judge after reading the documents said he would order defendant to pay 5s per month or 28 days. He could only allow the conduct money and expenses in one case. THE CWYBR BACH FARM CASE. Mr E A Crabbe, solicitor for Ca.pt. Jones, ad. ministrator of the estate of his mother, the late Mrs Jones, of Cwybr Bach, Rhuddl-an, asked his Honour to make an order that the admin- istrator should .be allowed to continue as tenant of the farm from the date of the s?le, Feb 21st, to the next court in February, Capt Jones under- taking to guarantee the Receiver appointed by the court against any claim in respect °, rent for that period against tha estate. 'Mr A W Lewis, for the plaintiffs (Messrs Chas. Jones and Sons), said he had had no notice, and did not know h to meet the appli- cation that day. Mr Norris (the Court -Receiver), said he had had a verbal understanding with the agent of the estate to hand over possession immediately after the sale, and he had written letters to that effect, but was awaiting an answer. LMr Crabbe said no doubt the delay was due to the fact that the landlady had been approach. ed to allow Capt Jones to cantinue as tenant. The Judge said he did see how he could .interfere. -If the receiver caned to give -up possession after die sale, he could do so. Mr Crabbe submitted that had the Receiver not been appointed, the tenancy would have be-en continued in his name as administrator, and if the landlady of the estate cared she could make the tenancy go on Lint-I Sept. 29th. 1909. The administrator was prepared to go on and to have the rent guaranteed. There was a considerable sum overpaid by him in Tespect of the estate. The Judge said he would allow matters to go on as they were, and for the Receiver to com- municate with him .if be. felt disposed to give up possession, but the tennancy mu.t not be given up without his consent. Mr Crabbe said thcrt would satisfy him. "Mr Norris aid he was willing for the admin- I istrator to go on if the rent was guaranteed. There were plenty of people after the farm. PALACE CO. SUE A TOURIST AGENCY. Tihs Rhyl Palace, Arcade, and. Hotel Co., Ltd., sued Messrs Mc Alpine, tour:it agents, of Manchester Street. Liverpool, for the balance of an account for catering for one of their par- ties, Mr Joseph Lloyd, for -the plaintiffs, said that the defendants arranged for a party to be, -catered for at the Queen's Hotel, Rhyl, and the bill came to 226 10s. That was in October last, and after repe.ated requests had been made for payments defendants in December sent £10, saying that they we-remaking big clearances, t, and would send on the balance. When aclion was taken they paid into Court L-14 8s 9d, and the balance was in (IispirLe. Mr McAlpmc said .that the only matter in dispute was JB1 4s, and that they claimed as their commission as agreed. It was the cus- tom with all tourist agencies to settle their accounts once a -quarter, when they were paid by railway companies. Miss Banks, a former manageress of tha Queen's Hotel, was called, and admitted that minerals, which were arranged for in the in- clusive charge of 5s per head for dinner, had ,b--ea charged for again. The full amount of the bill should be L25 12s 9d, and on account c.t that defendants sent LID, and paid L14 3s 9d into Court. Defendant said that in an account sent in on October 4th—three days after the visit—24s was shewn as commission, and he claimed that as agreed. (Miss Banks, replying to Mr Lloyd, said she understood that it was a cash transaction, and that was Why the 24s was allowed. She ex- pected to have been paid before the party left on October 1st, and was then told that the cheque would be sent on. Mr Hornby, defendants' representative, said he arranged the 5 per cent. commission, and the account was settled when they were paid. All accounts were cleared quarterly. Mr Lloyd cross-examined the witness as to why there was not a word said in the corres- pondence as to there being three months credit, and the reply the witness made was that it was understood." t-Nfr Lloyd submitted that 'the plaintiffs treated the matter as a cash transaction, and that as defendants had not paid cash they were not entitled (to the discount of 5 per cent. Had there be&n any idea that the defendant was to have three months' credit, he would have said so in his correspondence instead of dwelling on the fact that he w6uld send it on during December, when he had some large clearances. The Judge said that had there been an ar- rangement for credit, it would have been set out in defendant's correspondence. lie gave judgment for R25 12s 9d, less the Cl-I 8s 9d paid into Court. AN AUCTIONEER'S TEST ACTION. IMPORTANT JUDGMENT. His Honour delivered an important judgment in a case where an auctioneer had advanced money .on furniture intended for sale. It was the adjourned case in which Mr Jos Williams, auctioneer, Rhyl, was claimant in respect of money realised on a piano seized under an order of the Court in the case of Pope v. 'Pemberton. The claimant sued for C5 3s 6d, being in respect of money advanced on a piano, railway fare paid, printing nd adver- tising expenses, and commission on the highest bid received for the piano at his sale Mr A W Lewis appeared for claimant, and Mr Roberts-Jones represented Mr Pope. The facts as given in evidence by the plain- tiff were that he had certain goods at his sale room belonging to Mr Pemberton, of South Avenue, Rhyl. He advanced defendant 25s on them, and arranged for a sale of defendant's piano and furniture. Then defendant wrote (him a letter asking for 45s, as his child had died. In the letter sent by defendant, and in claimant's reply with the cheque nothing was said about the piano, but later on when defen- dant asked for another 35s to pay his rates, he said that that would make 95 5s, and men- tioned the sale of the piano and furniture. Claimant pointed out to defendant that having a sale at St Asaph, defendant would get a better price for his piano there, and so it was taken from defendant's house to St Asaph and offered for sale. Although. L16 was bid for it, defen- dant would not sell, and it was arranged for the piano to be returned to Rhyl. Claimant had the piano taken to his stores, and while there it was seized foy the Court, and although offered by three auctioneers only realised J38. Claimant contended that he had a lien on the piano, and asked to be paid his claim out of the money in Court. Plaintiff disputed that the piano was sent to the claimant's stores because claimant had a lien, but rather -because it was nearer St Asaph and that it was raining very heavily when the cart reached Rhyl. JUDGE ON AUCTIONEERS' CUSTOM. Mr Roberts Jones cross examined claimant as to the case being a test one, and he replied that it was the custom for auctioneers to advance money on furniture -intended for sale, although the goods were left in the house of the parties and not removed by the auctioneer. He con- tended 'that if he advanced £10 on furniture that he had a lien on it againse anyone else. The Judge said such a practice might exist, but he was afraid that it wjs bad law. Wheth- er the piano ever came into the legal possession of 'the claimant was another matter. It seemed by the letters sent by the defendant that he meant the total sum of P,5 5s. advanced to be in respect of the piano and furniture. The case was a small one, but it gave rise to many difficult points. It was clear that the claimant advanced 25s on specific articles which were in his possession, but as regards the 45s advanced he was afraid that he hid to decide against the claimant, as the piano at the time the advance was made was not in his possession, nor was there a bill of sale registered. The claimant could not have furniture or a piano as a security unless he registered a ball of sale, as the goods were left in another man's house. Bills Or sale were necessary in order to protect tradesmen and others who might otherwise give credit .to persons on the supposition that the furniture in their houses belonged to them. That the piano did come into Mr Williams" possession after the St Asaph sale could not be disputed, but he had grave doubts whether it went to him because of the lien or because it was too wet to take it to the defendant's house. The other side had admitted that the 21 15s was advanced to defendant in respect of the contemplated sale, and he gave judgment for claimant for that amount, and also for varioti3 items he had paid, making a total of L2 143 6d He did not allow the L2 5s cl ime i for the piano. Mr Roberts Jones urged that inasmuch as defendant had 'tendered the claimant 355 no co,t could be given against plaintiff m respect of that. The Judge: He did not tender enough. I give costs on whatever £2 14s 6d carries.. -0 WIXTER FOOD. Winter Food should 'be such as will .supply the body with enough animal heat to resist the effects of weather, temperature, etc. Currants are two-thirds 1:ili.eir "weight natural sugar, the elemen't which contributes heat to ,the humsn organism. Currants are ifresh grapes of a seedless variety, grown only in Greece and dried in the open air by exposure to the sun. The practice of drying fruits ds almost as old as the hills. It renders food economic, and increases their nutritive properties. A ijpound of sun-dried Currants contains all the nutriment of five pounds of ifresh grapes.
. Former Rhyl Solicitor and…
Former Rhyl Solicitor and the Collier. ALLEGED BRUTAL ASSAULT, REMARKABLE EVIDENCE. The adjourned proceedings in. which Mr LI Roe-Browne, a well-known Wrexham solicitor, formerly of Rhyl, charges a oollier named Evan Evans, of Hope with stealing a bottle of whisky and a breakfast cruet, and with unlawfully wounding him took place at Wrexham on Mon- day. The prisoner was further chaigecl with indecently assaulting Elizabeth Roberts, Mr Roe-Browne's housekeeper. Mr Owen Roberts, barrister, appeared on be- half of the prosecution, and the prisoner was defended by Mr Downes Powell. In his opening statement counsel said the case was in many respects an extraordinary one. Mr Roe-Browne had been b utally as- saulted by the prisoner, and the doctor who attended him found he was suffering from a C, very severe lacerated wound on the back of the head, and that the injury, combined with loss of blood, seriously affected him. The assault was a most unprovoked one, and had it not been for the ,timely assistance of Mrs Roberts, the housekeeper, the prisoner would prolably have been standing before their worships on a much graver charge. Having recited shortly the facts of the case, counsel called COMPLAINANT'S EVIDENCE. Mr Roe-Browne, who stated that he resided at Gwastad Hall, Gefnybedd, continuing, he ■said that on the night of Saturday the 11th ins;t at about five minutes to ten, he went to the Holly Bush Inn, where he ordered two bottles of whiskey and two syphons of soda-water. These were supplied to him in a wicker bass, and upon coming out of the inn at ten o'clock ho was accosted by the prisoner, who said, Let me carry your bass, Mr Roe-Browne." Witness replied, No, I don't want you to. I can carry it myself. I don't know you either." Prisoner said, "Y.I)u know my father," and then got hold oi and carried the 'ba-;s. When they reached Gwastad Hall, witness, wishing to be hospitable, seeing that the man had come so far, invited him in and gave him a and soda. He then asked him to have a cup of tea, and prisoner assenting, witness went down to the kitchen and told his housekeeper to make the tea. Upon returning to the morn- ing foom, where he had left him, witness found that the prisoner had left the house. Directly afterwards the prisoner returned, and said he did not want any tea, and asked for the loan of a walking-stick, as it was slippery outside. Witness handed him one, and prisoner went away, and the door was bolted. Soon after- wards there was a knock at the door and wit- ness heard prisoner's voice, but he did not open the door to him, and prisoner went away again. Then witness missed a bottle of whiskey and an electro-pLated cruet. Taking a lantern with him, witness went after prisoner and asked him had he got the bottle of whiskey. Prisoner, with an oath, asked if he thought he would steal his whiskey. Witness said, "No, I don't accu e you of it. I will take your wod for it." Prisoner pressed him to feel in his pockets, and upon witness touching the outside of his jacket pockets prisoner said, You d Roe-Browne Do you think I care a d about you and your d- housekeeper and your father ?" Witness, whose father was Chief Constable of Flintshire for thirty-five years, said, Please don't mention my father's name. He -has been dead some time." Pri- soner then raised the .stick witness lent him, and dealt witness a violent blow Ti the head with it. Then, raising the stick again, he smashed the lamp to pieces out of witness' hand. Prisoner afterwards struck him seven or eight blows on the head as hard as he could with the stick, which he held in both hands. The stick broke, in two. Prisoner then got hold of witness, who was dazed and helpless, and, helping him towards the parapet of a rail- way bridge, pushed him partly over the para- pet, which was only about three feet above the ground. Mrs (Roberts, witness' housekeeper, then came running up as fast as she could, pulled witness back iby the coat, and got him fr.e,a Witness ran off (laughter), thinking discretion the better part of valour under the circumstances. Prisoner pursued him, and very nearly caught him, but the roads were slippery, and he tumbled down head ever heels. QUITE SOBER. Mr Owen Roberts: You have suffered from those injuries ?—Oh, very much. Mr Downes Powell: Were you sober that night ?—Perfectly sober. I had not been out of the house, and had not had anything to drink. Well, we will see about that. In further cross-examination, witness said the prisoner's father came to interview him last Saturday. Did you ask Mr Jones to make you an offer to settle this matter ?—Never in my life. Did you ask him this question What are .you prepared to give me to settle "Nothing of the kind. That is an infernal lie. Did he then say he was .not prepared to do anything until he knew something —No. Did you then say to him: "I will think things over and you must call again on Mon- day ?"—No, I did not. Do you know whther he did call yesterday ? —Yes, he did but I was unable to see him. Witness explained that he had slept on a sofa in front of the fire downstairs several nights, .as he had been too bad to go upstairs. He had only threepenny worth of whiskey at the Holly Bush. Mr Downes Powell: Where had you been that day ?—I had been in the house, .lying down. All day ?—Yes. How many drinks had you had at him that day ?-Not one. Do you ask this ccurt to believe that this threepenny worth of whiskey was .the first and only drink you had during that time ?—I'll swear it. If Thomas Williams says you were drunk.— He is telling a lie. Whilst Mr Roe Brown was giving his evid- ence a woman who sat next to the witness-box repeatedly "BSTiaved in an objectionable manner, and at length the Chairman (Mr W E Samuel; said, I think ia-at lady had better be removed. She has been sniggering in Mr Roc Browne's face." Cross-examination continued by Mr Downes Powell: SEVERE CROSS-EXAMINATION. Didn't you ask him to carry your parcels for you ?—Nothing Of the kind. I tried to per- suade him to go home. When did you discover that fact?—That is the plain unvarnished truth. Did you take him home and give him whis- key ?-He forced himself upon me. Are you in the habit of taking collars home with you ?-No. Never taken them ?-I may have taken one or two. It is rather notorious that you do -it.-it ds not notorious at all, 'because I do not do it. It was after lending him a stick that he formed the opinion that the prisoner was an undesirable character, and it wa then thai he I got the housekeeper to bold the door. The collar worn- by the-witness (produced) I' was bloodstained. Mr Downes Powell: Has not this collar been. dipped in blood to bring it here to-day ?—Do you mean to suggest that 1 did it ? I don't suggest that 3rou have done it.—Mr z, Downes Powell, you think I am a very dis- honourable man. I have no feeling against this man at all. The collar was taken off my neck. In reply to further questions, witness said he would have been more lenient to the pri- soner if he had gone to him before the warrant was issued. M rDownes Powell: Is that of morj interest to you than a cracked head ?—I think a cracked head is more important. Wouldn'4 it be to you (Laughter) ? ,Mr Owen Roberts {re-examining) A serious charge has been made against somebody of having dipped this collar in blood. You say this blood was on the collar when it was -taken off ?—Certainly. Mrs Elizabeth Roberts next gave evidence- She said she had been Mr Roe Brown's house- keeper for fifteen years. After corroborating the prosecutor with regard to pri oner's visit to the house, witness stated that she followed her Iilastersoon after he went out, and at the bottom of the hill found prisoner trying to put him over the parapet of the bridge. For God's sake," she exclaimed, dont do that!" and pulled Mr Roe Browne back. The latter ran down the hill. Afterwards, when witness and Mr Roe Browne got back into he house, she saw blood on his collar and down the back of his head. She did not dip the coHar in blood. Cross-examined Her master had no dinner that day, to her knowledge. When Mr Roe Brwne told her to lock the door he said he did not like the looks of the prisoner. There were two big cuts on his head. She had sat up with him several nights owing to his con- dition. He had been vomiting violently. When she ran down towards the bridge she heard prisoner using very bad language, one remark he made being "I'll put the -—— —— over the bridge." The prisoner pleaded "Not guilty" to the charges. THE DEFENCE. Mr Downes Powell then addressed the jus- tices for the defence. He said he had the strongest ground' for suggesting that the affair was the result of a drunken brawl. At Mr Roe Browne's instigation, the prisoner went to Gwastad Hall, and both men were decidedly the worse for drink. After having two drops;, of whiskey at the house prisoner remembered no more. 'Mr Powell went on to say that Mr Roe Browne was in the habit of asking men into his house to give them drink. Prisoner was committed to the assizes at Ruthin on the charges of larceny and unlawful wounding, the allegations of indecent assault being by permission withdrawn. -10(-
Interesting Wedding.
Interesting Wedding. MR. JAMES P. LINNELL and MISS CHARLOTTE COWARD. On. Wednesday, -the wedding took plac at Christ Church, Prestatyn, of Mr James Philip Linnell (younger son. of 'Mr J B Linnell, J.P., and Mrs Lin-nell, Rose Cottage, Prestatyn) and Miss Charlotte (Lalla) 'Coward, fourth daugh- ter of Mrs Coward, and the late Mr W II Coward, J.P., Rose Mount, Prestatyn. A large company attended at the Church, and the cereMony was performed by the Rev 0 J Davies, vicar, while Mr E T Williams presided at the organ. Mr G T Linnll (brother of the bridegroom) was best man, and the 'bridesmaids were Miss Ethel Coward -(sister of the bride) and Miss Linnell (sister of the bridegroom). The bride wore a dress of white silk, trimmed lace, ruching in designs of true lovers' knots, and silver tassels; veil and orange blossoms, and she carried a handsome white bouauet, the gift of the bridegroom. The bridesmaids wore pale grey costumes, lace blouses, strapped to match, and had large cream hats. They also wore gold pendants, and carried white and yellow^ bouquets, the gift of the bridegroom. The bride's mother was attired in a handsome gown of black brocade, with lace, and wore a black and silver bonnet. The bridegroom's :mother wore mole cloth faJrion with white, and hat en suite. After the wedding ceremony a reception was given at Hopwood's Cafe, and among the guests we-re--Alrs Coward, Mr and (Mrs Linnell, the Rev 0 J Davies, Miss Davies, Misses Lyne, Mr and Mrs Bayfield, Mr, Mrs and Miss E Gillett (Liverpool), Mr S S Davies (Newmar- yet), Miss Williams (Plastirion), Mr J Bradbury, Mr H Andrews, &c. Later in the day Mr and Mrs Linnell left for London, where the first portion of the honeymoon will be spent. The bride travelled in a brown costume, with beaver hat trimmed with roses. Among ithe numerous presents received were z, the following: — Mrs W H Coward—'House linen. Mr J B Linnell, J.P.—Cheque. Mrs J B Linnell—Brass Arabic bedstead. Mrs Smith—Teapot. Mr and Mrs Bayfield—Dinner service. Miss Linnell-Toikt ware. Mr G T Linnell-Cheque, etc. Miss Ethel Coward—'Jam spoon, pickle fork, and butter knife. Miss Evelyn Coward—Tray. Miss Gertrude Coward—Tea, cosy. Mr F S Cowiird-Vases. Mr and 'Mrs Hands—Silver cake basket. Mrs Markham—Silver cake basket. Mr and Mrs Holdon—Double cases of silver- mounted carvers. I-ady McLaren—Furniture. Rev 0 J Davies and Miss Davies—Silver teapot. Rev, IMrs and Miss Davies, Newmarket—Fish carvers. Mrs ,Cl.are-Silver egg-stand. Miss Lyne—Silver sugar .basin, sifter, and cream-jug. Mr M A Ralli, J.P.-Cheque. Mr and 'Mrs J Cunn.ah--C-ase of silver. Mr J C Littler—Silver sardine dish. Mr Jack Limer- Butter dish. Mr and Mrs Burt-Silver spirit kettle. Mr and Mrs Roberts, Pen-y-cae—Marmalade jar and spoon. Master II Roberts—Bread fork. Miss Davies, Snowdon View-jam spoons. Miss Roberts, do-Sugar ),asin and sifter. iMr and Mrs Evans, Catherine Villa-Biscuit barrel. Mr and Mrs Whalley—Silver brush and comb. Mr and Mrs Welsh, RhylSilver sugar basin and sifter. Miss Williams, PIastirion-Fl,ower vase. Dr Eyton Lloyd, 'Rhyl—Silver toast rack. Mr 0 H Hughes—Barometer. Mr and Mrs E Taylor, Mid Nan't—Sausage machine. Mr J H Bradbury, Birmingham—Bread fork, etc. v Employees Nant Estate—Silver cruet and spoons. Messrs J and E Roberts, Dyserth-Set of jugs. ■Miss E Jones, Rose Cot,al,e-Pair of vases. Messrs J II Jones and Co.—Breakfast cruet. Mr and (rrs D P Morgan—Silk muffler and gloves. Mr J W Jones, Gasworks—Case cf carvers. Miss E Gillett, Liverpool—Salad bowl. Mr R R Humphreys, Gop—Silver salt cellars. Mrs Wsterhous-c—Silver serviette rings. .Messrs Williams and Richards—Cushion. Mr J McNichol aid employees at 3, Fern Grove, Liverpool—Tea service. ■— ooo
Abergele Urban District Council.
Abergele Urban District Council. GAS LIGHTING CRITICISED. STORM IN A TEA-CUP. SMALL HOLDINGS ACT CROPS UP. The monthly meeting of this Council was held on Monday evening, when there were present Messrs J Hannah, J.P. (presiding), Ed Williams (Vice-Chairman), H E Pritchard, I Morris, W P Morris, J Pierce, Pierce Davies, W H Judson, W II Jones, J Edwards, J Buchanan, E A Crabbe (Town Clerk), and R M Jones (Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector). PENSARN ILLUMINATION. Mr W P Morris, with reference to the lighting of Pensarn, wished to know whether t was the fault of the Gas Company or the Council that the lamps were not lighted on the nights com- plained of. He was told that no one went down to light the lamps on a certa-'n night. The Chairman: We do not send our man down to light the lamps in private houses. Mr Morris: A charge was brought against ,the Company, and I am told that -o attempt was made to light the lamps .that evening. Mr Buchanan; As a householder in Pensarn, I can say that the gas went out in the houses, and that for three nights we we-p without light. The Chairman It was a mistake of the Gas Company. Mr Pierce asked for further informaton ? Mr Edwards said that in Kinmel Terrace the gas went out, and when a complaint was made the Gas Company went to look for the fault in the gas m .ins. Mr Morris said he had asked a question, and expected an answer. The Surveyor said there was an impression abroad that it was the gas lamps which were at fault, but he did not understand that the Coun. cil referred to them dn the minutes .1 the last meeting. He 'believed that on one Sunday night the lamps were not lighted, but the refer- ences made in the Council were to the private supplies. Pie understood that the supply failed owing to water in the gaS pipes, and the Gas Company relaid a portion of Kinmel Terrace. On the Sunday night in question tbe-e were no lights in the public lamps in either Pensarn or Abergele. Mr Buchanan said the complaint made to the Council was that the Company opened the roads without first notifying the Council. Mr Judson said he understood that the Sur. veyor had to write to the Gs Company on the subject. Had any reply been received ? The Surveyor' No. Mr Pierce asked if the Company were not re- quired to give notice before opening the roads. The Surveyor: Yes. The Chairman said they had trld the Com- pany twelve months ago that they could not open the roads without permission. On the motion of Mr Judson, the Council directed the Surveyor to ask for a reply to his letter as to why the Company opened the roads without first obtaining permission to do so. DUST LAYING. Mr Judson asked for information as to what the Council intended to do with respect to the laying of dust on the main road through Pen- sarn. He noticed -that they were 'aying down tarred macadam tlnMarket Street, and he con- sidered that they should also pay attention to the Pensarn Road, from which they had as much dust in. the summer as from Market Street. The Chairman It is an experiment in Mar- ket Street, and we cannot lay it elsewhere until we see how it will act. Ir Judson .thought that they had already tried several experiments, and had decided on what they considered would answer their pur- pose the best. The 'Chairman said they had not yet decided —they were still experimenting. Mr Judson It is rather a big order to lay the whole street with tarred macadam as an experiment. The Chairman It would be ten times worse if we did it in Pensarn as well. The Surveyor suggested that as tarring the street in Pensarn, was but a small matter, they might leave it over until the estimates were prepared and include dt in the new estimates. The Clerk thought Mr Judson might give notice to include Pensarn in the next estimates. Mr Judson said he would give native that if the work done in Abergele was a success that they would carry out like work in Pensarn. The Surveyor said they would not want to relay the Pensarn road for some years. He suggested 'that they should allow in the esti- niates for tarring the road. Mr Judson agreed to give notice to this effect. ANOTHER LAMPLIGHTER REQUIRED. Mr Edwards moved that the Council take into consideration the question of appointing another lamplighter. He believed that they would save money in the long run, and have he work .better and more evenly done. At the present time 'the lamps in one portion were lighted much too' soon, while elsewhere they were lighted very late, owing to the lamp- lighter having so much ground to cover. They should put on two or .three men, and have the work done quickly. Mr Judson seconded, and said that while the lamps in Sea Road that evening were not ligh- ted when he went to the meeting in Pensarn they had been lighted for hours. On th motion of Mr Pierce, it was decided that the Surveyor should prepare a report on the matter, and present it to the next meeling of the Works Committee. STORM IN A TEA-CUP. Mr Judson raised a discussion as to certain plans for a house belonging to Miss Wolsten- holme at Pensarn, and as to the plans for a new road in a field, .the latter plans beng ob- jected to on the ground that the rond would be a cul de sac, while Miss Wolstenholme's plans were passed subject to the bye-laws being complied with as to the height of rooms. Several members confessed that they were in ;1 fog as to what had occurred, and the Sur- veyor said that the Council could not blow hot .and cold water on the matter. A recommen- dation by a Committee as to the plans had been upset by the Council. Miss Wolsten- holme's plans had been delayed in the hopes of something being decided as to the road. He wanted it clearly understood by Miss Wol- stenholme that it was the Council and not himself who were to blame. 1 Mr Judson said Miss Wolstenholme did not 1 blame the Surveyor. A difference of opinion then arose as to whether Mr Judson was referring to the plans of a house or the plans of the field, and Mr Judson said that the plan he had seen had been shown to him not as a councillor, but as a private .individual. The Chairman ruled that as the plans were not before them that they could not discuss them. The Surveyor then read a letter sent to Messrs Jones and Pritchard to the cffect that the Council could not pass the plans for a new street at Pensarn because the rcd Ijd to the middle of the field, and would be a cul de sac. It was suggested that Messrs Jones and Pritch- ard should carry the road to the end of the field, and at the same time widen the road by Pensarn Chapel. The plans were sent back, and .there *0 ma iter ended. vfr Pritchard said he had replied to the loiter, and said that there the inciter ended, .as they could not see their way to do what was suggested. cl The matter then dropped. SMALL HOLDINGS ACT. The Clerk reported that he had received a letter from the County Council as to the Small Holdings Act, and the Urban Council were asked if they knew of any applicants for small holdings. ft was agreed that if any members heard of applicants they would communicate with the Clerk. THE NEW PUBLIC HEALTH ACT. The Clerk explained that 'a new Act was passed last year dealing with Public Health, and the Council could adopt it if they thought fit. certain portions of it. If they did adopt any portion they would have to give public notice. He suggested that he should procure for each Councillor a copy of the Act, and that the-Surveyor and himself should confer together and draw up a report bearing on the Act so far '3 ■as it related to their district. If that were done, they would know where they stood, and The members could come to the next meeting prepared to deal with the matter. On the motion of Mr I Morris, seconded by ,Mr Pierce the Clerk's suggestion was z cted upon
North and South Wales Bank.…
North and South Wales Bank. ANNUAL MEETING, BANK-RATE AND BANKER'S' PROFITS. THE DEPRECIATION OF SECURITIES. The seventy-second annual general meeting of the shareholders of North .?Pd .South Wales Bank, Limited, was held on Tuesday afternoon in the Law Asoociation Rooms, Cock Street, Liverpool, Mr Thomas Brocklehank, chairman of directors, presiding over a large attendance. The report of the directors .showed on the profit and loss account the following items:- Credit: Balance from last account, £ 20,509 10s lOd net profits for the year, after making provision for losses, L,151,629 2s 5d—tccal, £ 172,133 13s 3d. Debit: Interim dividend at 14 per cent. per annum for half-year ended 30tli June, 1907, £52,500; dividend at 16 per cent. per annum for half-year ended 31st December, 1907, £ 60,000; income-tax, paid by bank, £ 8,515 6s; officers' .pension fund, £ 2,000; written off bank premises, £ 3,000; set aside against investments, £ 25,C00—-total, £151,015 6s, kaviag to be carried to next account L21,123 7s 3d. The balance-sheet at 31st December, 1907, showed assets amounting to £13,706,413 7s 5d, against which were. liabilities to the public, Ll2,423,2,95 Os 2d; the capital paid up, £ 750$100; reserve fund, £ 312,000 un- divided profits, L21,123 7s 3d. Since the Last meeting of Shareholders, the various branches of the ,bank have 'been, as usual, vi«itcd by one or more of the directors, the general manager, country managers, or inspectors, and the cash, hills, overdrafts, &c., examined, and the results in every case have .been satisfactory. The directors deplore the loss by death of their esteemed colleague, iN-fr ''Gilbert .Robertson Sand-bach, who had been .a member of the board since March, 1898, and had rendered most valuable, service. Mr Frederick Hynde Fox has joined the board in succession 'o the late Mr .Beausire. The directors who retire by rotation at the present meeting are Mr Robert Clover Beazley and Mr Frederick Hynde Fox, both of whom are eligible for re-election, and offer themselves accordingly. The Chairman, before commencing the busi- ness, asked to be allowed to say how much they missed the familiar figure of Mr John Dickin- son, their .solicitor, who had so often stood by his side at ithese meetings in previous years. He was a trusted counsellor of the bank, an 1 both personally and from a business point of view they missed his presence exceedingly. He would also like to express the hope that Mr Dickinson's partner, iMr Norman Hill, who was likewise a trusted adviser of the bank, might be speedily restored to health, and be back to his business, which he always conducts in such a masterly way i(Hear, hear). Mr :Russell Roberts (solicitor) then read the notice calling the meeting and the minutes of last annual meeting; and Mr Rowland Hughes (general manager) read the auditors' certificate. The report and ibalance-sheet were taken as read. The Chairman, in moving the adoptio-n of the -report and balance-sheet, said:—The year that his just closed must .strike you, as it does me, as one of the most memorable in h annals of banking, and my experience now extends to a period of over thirty years. With the excep- tion of the last phrase in the sentence, that might lhave been -said by the chairman of the London and Provincial Bank, whose meeting was held yesterday. We had no collusion, but the minds cf banking chairmen apparently go in one groove, .and he used almost the same words. The year has exhibited an amalgam of depreciation on ,the one hand, and success on the other, which it would be difficult to excel. The bank-rate has been changed seven times. On January 17th it fell to 5 per cent., having stood at 6 per cent, since the 19th Octo- ber, 1906, that rate never having been imposed before .for sudh a long time. On '.he 11th of April it fell to 4 per cent., and on th- 25th to 4 per cent., where it remained until 15th Aug- ust, when it again began to rise first to 5 per cent.'on 31st October and on 7th Xovember to 7 per cent., at which rate it remained up to the end of the year with which we are dealing, and we have to go .back for thirty-four years- namely, to the period following the Franco- German vVar-to arrive at the time when such a condition cf things existed, in the financial world. You will, no doubt, say, and it would be quite true to say, that such a state of things must have 'been very profitable for bankers; but alas, there is .another side to the question which 'has counter-balanced the profits that bankers have made by their current business. The shadow of the over-speculation in America which had been looming for over a year at last descended, and resulted in one of the sever-es, commercial panics ever known in th.?_ or in any other country, but we may be proud to sav that the financial and commercial world of England stood so firm that only one or two F failures took place consequent upon the dis- tressing fall in almost every class of securiiy. Those held 'by this bank, in spite of being of the very first class, were no exception to the rule, the ultimate result being that the profit that we should have reaped from our general business has been largely swallowed up in providing for the depreciation of our securities. Nevertheless, I must say that we have an en- tirely satisfactiry balance-shcet to offer for your .acceptance, and it is now my duty to invite you to adopt and pass i:. Turning for a moment to the lfigures themselves, you will find that the deposits have realised £11,000,000, the profits of the year's working being no less satisfactory, as they are 1,3,600 larger than a year ago, so, we are able to pay the same dividend, to apply £ 3,000 in reduction of pre- mises account, to pay £ 2,000 to the pension fund, and to set aside another £25,00.0 out of the year's profits to meet the depreciation of* our investments, a subject upon wxTich I have already touched, and I am glad .to tell you that they now stand in our books at prices well within the market value en the 31st December (Hear, hear). The high rates obtainable for money have, cf course, been remunerative, and with our large and increasing business, our resources have been well .laid cut. You will notice that our advances .to customers are half a 'million less than last year, 20 with £ 600,000 more bills in our bill-case we have been in an exceptionally strong position to weather anv storm that might have burst upon this country .consequent upon the American situation. Moreover, our bills having been discounted at good rates, we shall reap the benefit of that investment this year. In short, with liabilities to the public of rather over £ 12,000,000, we have in cash, bills, and investments £ 6,400,000, or 58 per cent. of the funds in a readily avail- able form, a position on which I think we can congratulate ourselves, and you can all leave this room thoroughly satisfied with the stability of your property. I had the melancholy task last year of recording 'the death of two of the directors, and I .am sorry to say that we have now to deplore the loss of our ^colleague, Mr Sandbach. He was appointed to a seat at the board in 1893, and by his geniality and esteem cf his fellow directors and the officers of the bank. Latterly, however, his health being in- different, he was unable to take that active share in the duties of his position which he did in the earlier part of his career. To fill one of the vacancies thus created we have elected Mr F H Fox, son of our old and much. valued friend, Mr II F Fox. Mr Fox, our new director, is a partner in the firm of Dun- can, Fox, and Co., who are very old and es- teemed customers. Mr Fox's name come up in the ordinary course for re-election, and while expressing the hope that he may have a long and useful career before him, I feel sure that you gentlemen will gladly and unanimous, ly confirm our choice. From among the staff, past and present, death has claimed several old friends who in their time served the bank well and faithfully, of whom T might mention Mr Richard Meredith Jones, for many years manager at the head office, and known and es- teemed during his lifetime by many of you at this meeting. Our premises account has in- creased 'by L25,773, which is practically accoun. ted for by the purchase of a site in Catle Street which wes thought it prudent to secure in view cf the possible extension at the held office, where we are now rather cramped for room. The same remark applies- to sites we have bought at Aberystwyth and Queen Square, Liverpool, in both of which branches the ac- commodation we have at present is inadequate. A good substantial building, suitable in every way for -the requirements of the business, has been bought and adapted at Bootle. As re- gards the staff, I have nothing to aid to what I have told you in previous years, as to their reliability and enthusiasm for their work, and we find no difficulty in getting youths to join, which speaks volumes for the continued popu- larity of the service. Your directors have in .the past endeavoured to place the officers on an increasingly better footing, and it will be in your 'memory that we voted a sum of £ 1000 in 1903 to supplement a gift of LI,500 made by the family of my predecessor to this chair, Mr George Rae, for the purpose of forming a fund for the benefit of the widows and orphans of the deceased officers. I am glad to be able to tell you that such a fund on a selfsuppor'.ing basis has been formed on lines which we believe are sound in a financial sense. At the moment there are 269 contributing members enrolled- out of a total of 352 in the service who arts eligible. This, I think, is all I have to tell you about the working of the bank and I will say "s little as possible about the future, for you all know as well as I do the state of things in this country and the possibilities one way or the other for prosperity or the reverse which the few year may bring forth. But I do think <he future points to a restriction of trade and until the process of liquidation in the United States has been in the main accomplished it does not seem to be that money will become cheap. The pos- ition in America is still far from be'ng satis- factory, though we are told .that it is sound at the bottom and with the possibility cf trouble in th financial position in Germany before us, it is, in my opinion, prudent that we should maintain our exceptional strong reserves (Ap- pause). Mr William Watson seconded and the motion wns put and carried unanimously. Mr Edward Rae proposed the re-election to the Board of Mr Robert Clover Beazley and Mr Fredk. Hynde Fox.. Mr W R Pierce seconded and the resolution was carried. On the motion of Mr C G Dobell, seconded by Mr W C Aikman, the thanks of share- holders were presented to the directors, and R4500 free of income tax, was placed at their disposal as their remuneration for he current year. Messrs Harmood, Banner and Son, were re- appointed auditors at a rein of 400 guineas, on the motion of Mr George Robertson seconded by Mr H C Woodward. Mr Hugh Bulkley Price moved "That the thanks of the shareholders be given to the mar.- agers and other officers of the Bank." This resolution always met with the very cordial acceptance of the shareholders, so much so that it was unnecessary -to say anything' in support. Mr R E R Brocklebank seconded the resolu- tion, which was carried with acclamation. Mr Rowland Hughes, in reply, assured the shareholders generally that as far as in them lay the staff did their utmost in the i-,ite-)ests at the bank. Mr J E Caroe moved a cordial vote of than! to the Chairman for his conduct -in the chair, and for his clear and lucid statement of the bank's affairs. 'Mr H M Be-ausire,lseco-,ided, and the resolu- tion was carried. The Chairman in acknowledging, said he, thought the balance-sheet shelved how the dir- ectors had tried to -do their dULY (Hear, hear). He personally was ably seconded by his col- leagues, and Mr Rowland Hughes was of course a tower of strength. The shareholders might feel assured that the directors would in future endeavour to carry rthe affairs of the bank to a successful issue (Applause). The meeting then closed.