Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

up Maengwyn street into the Bryncrug road. In a few minutes the Cemetery on the right is left behind, and we soon reach YX YS-Y-MAENGWYN park where we just catch a glimpse of the historical and picturesque mansion of Mr. John Corbett, to whom Towyn owes so much. The ancient seat was burnt during the civil wars of 1643 to prevent its affording shelter to the Parliamentary party. Con- tinuing our journey three fields, called Dolyffrwya, are pointed out, on our left, within the area of which Prince Llewellyn is said to have fought a great battle. Further on we reach BRYNCRUG near which village there ouce stood the Manor House from which the same Prince wrote his letters House from which the same Prince wrote his letters

ROUND AND ABOUT TOWYN. Towyn abounds in pleasant excursions, and the visitor, if the weather is favourable, need never be at a loss where to go and what to see. Every week- day during the summer months Mr. Carter's well- appointed coaches or Chars -a-banc, run from the railway station to Talyllyn by way of the Dysynni Valley, returning by a different route, or to Pennal and back, a delightful drive of about 20 miles, ten of which on the return journey are along the sea coast. If we take this trip we pass through what is known as "THE HAPPY VALLEY," and an opportunity is afforded visitors of ascend- ing Cae Ceinach hill, permission for which has been kindly granted by the Marchioness of Lon- donderry. A most charming view of the estu- ary of the Dovey and the surrounding country can be obtained from this point.

TAL-Y-LLYN CHURCH n J ancient odifico n.n<1 IO « oTrin.ll nrifl '•or"p<' uver the porch is a Welsh inscription of which the following is a translation ¡ A great and holy house of refuge A royal quire In the face of God and the congregation Except with pure thoughts, Man, come not hither." Several hours can very profitably be spent at Taly- llyn if the visitor is fond of mountain climbs and romantic scenery. Cader Idris may be ascended from here or failing that a walk up to Llynycae is recommended. There is good trout fishing to be had in the lake and boating may be indulged in. The return journey is made by way of DOLGOCN VALLEY, and an opportunity is given to visit the beautiful waterfalls of that name. St. Cadfan is said to have often resorted to this spot as a recluse. The falls are easily reached from the main road the path leading thereto passing under the Talyllyn railway viaduct. Proceeding homewards we pass Dolau Dolangwyn, then Rhydyronen and the last feature of special interest is a fine old Elizabethan mansion which stands in its own grounds just off the public highway. Towyn is reached about a quarter to six o'clock.

MERIONETH COUNTY GOVERNING BODY. The quarterly meeting of the above body was held on Thursday at the Police Station, Barmouth, under the presidency of Dr Edward Jones, Dolgelley. The following members were also present:—Mr T. E. Ellis, M.P.; Professor Edward Edwards, M.A., University College of Wales, Aberystwyth; Mr Haydn Jones and Mrs Rowlands, Towyn Dr Roger Hughes, Bala: Mr E. P. Jones, Blaenyddol, Festiniog; Mr Andreas Roberts, Festiniog Mr R. 0. Jones, Festiniog; Mr John Davies, Dyffryn Mr W. P. Evans, Mr W. Evans, Trawsfynydd; Mrs Burton, Bala; and Mrs Price, Rhiwlas; with Mr Jones (headmaster Barmouth County School), Mr Todd (headmaster Festiniog School), and Mr W. T. Lloyd (assistant clerk). BARMOUTH SCHOOL SITE. A letter was received from the Charity Com- missioners in which they stated that in view of the difficulty that had arisen with regard to the vendor's title to the site on which it was intended to build the new County School at Barmouth they had decided that all proceedings to vest the property in the official trustee should be deferred for twelve months, and in the meantime the conveyance should be retained by the Commissioners.—Mr T. E. Ellis, M.P., asked if that meant that the building operations were to be discontinued ?—The Chair- man replied that he did not think so. Are you of opinion that we had better write to ask them ?— Mr Ellis said he thought it better not, but that they should proceed with the work.—The Chairman agreed with this opinion. FESTINIOG SCHOOL. Plans and specifications of the Festiniog School were returned by the Charity Commissioners, with their architect's recommendations as to slight alterations. After a little discussion they were re- ferred to the consideration of the Festiniog Local Governors. The deed of conveyance of the Festiniog School site was submitted and signed. REPAIRS TO BALA BOYS' SCHOOL. A communication from the Charity Commis- sioners was received sanctioning the sale of £ 500 worth of consols to meet the cost of repairs needed at Bala School.—The Governors signed the authority on the proposition of Mr Haydn Jones (Towyn), seconded by Mr Andreas Roberts (Festiniog). BALA BOYS' SCHOOL. A communication was read from the Charity Commissioners stating that as the Bala Managers had not complied with certain conditions the grant of zC300 from the Building Fund for the purpose of the Boys' School had failed. Under the circum- stances, however, the Commissioners would allow the County Governing Body to pay over to the Bala School managers out of the general fund the sum of £ 300 if that amount were repaid by the school managers.—It was agreed to sign a cheque in favour of Bala School. COUNTY EXHIBITIONS EXAMINATION. Professor Edward Edwards laid before the Board the result of the above examination. He said that the examination for the two ClO exhibitions offered this year by the Merionethshire County Governing Body to the best boy and girl in the Merioneth County Schools, was held on Friday and Saturday October 14th and 15th, at the County School, Bar- mouth. The science papers were set by Professor Phillips, Bangor, and the arts paper by Professor Edwards, Aberystwyth, as Professor Anwyl could not undertake the work owing to the unfortunate delay in holding the examination. The papers were all of the matriculation standard and the tnai k- ing in each subject was strict and severe, for the examiners maintain that it is of the utmost im- portance to keep the standard of this examination as high as possible. For the exhibitions only seven candidates appeared, four girls and two boys, and on the whole the papers were well done, which reflects the greatest credit ou the general pftki- eucy of the teaching in the county school Bat ',0 this excellence of work there was one serious ex- ception for only two out of the s,v 'ti candidates e secured over 20 per cent. of the marks in the math- ematics paper. In the case of the boys the com petition lie. between R. T. Jenkins and Edward Hughes, for D. LI. Hughes only offered four sub- jects against their six, and as he did badly in physics and mathematics he was quite out of the STothprY 6 of an excellent paper in chemistry. The other two candidates are very good, and we are sorry there is only one exhibition to offer for vim T1Ward HuShes is forward all round, but It. 1. Jenkins, Bala, has done some brilliant work in his history, Welsh, French, and Latin papers, and all his unseen translations are really most creditably drne, and it is to him that we award the boys exhibition. In the girls' competition the rrenchand the botany papers were, without ex- ception, very satisfactorily done, while the Latin was weak, and the English moderate. There is no doubt that the best all round papers were sent in by Elsie Jones, Barmouth, whose history and French work was excellent, and who, alone of the girls, got credit for her mathematics paper. She fully deserves the exhibition offered to the girls. Below is appended a full table of their marks: MAXIMUM FOR FACH PAPER—300. English History Welsh French Latin Math. Phys. Chem. Bot. Totl Elsie Jones 158 226 191 224 113 63 975 May Ellis 69 114 152 158 0 174 667 Annie Jones 53 101 123 0 105 186 568 Mary J. Jones 145 218 186 214 118 0 881 R. T. Jenkins 181 224 230 236 229 0 1100 I D. LI. Hughes 95 0 0 225 320 Edward Hughes 190 177 166 179 144 84 — 940 Considerable discussion took place on a sugges- tion by Professor Edwards that next year better arrangements should be made for the examination. -Several of the members were of opinion that prop3r arrangements had been made for this year's examination, but that they bad not been carried out.—The Chairman explained that since the arrangements had been to a great extent delegated to a committee, the clerk might be under the im. pression that the committee would carry them out. -On the motion of Air E. P. Jones it was agreed since the clerk was not present to proceed with the business. LLANEGRYN CHARITY. A letter was read from Mr W. R. M. Wynne, Peniarth, asking for the decision of the Body as to whether the master's salary at Llanegryn under H ugh Owen's Charity was to be paid up to the date of the official notice (August 20th) or to the date of the approval of the scheme (May 18th). Mr Wynne also enclosed plans of the proposed altera- tions at the Llanegryn School buildings.-The Chairman explained how the charity had been transferred to that Body, and said that Mr Wynne stated that he was only informed of this in August last and not in May, therefore he asked that the salary of the headmaster be paid to August and not to May. Professor Edward Edwards inquired who was meant by the headmaster ?-Mr Hadyn Jones The Rev David Hughes, vicar.—Reference was also made to the school building and the headmaster's house, and Mr Hadyn Jones made a proposition that a committee from that Body be appointed to visit Llanegryn and inquire into the matter. They could then see in what state the school buildings were, and also examine the plans of the proposed alterations. They could also ascertain what trusts the Governors were about to take over. He believed the Rev D. Hughes was entitled to the salary asked for.—On the motion of Mrs Rowlands it was agreed to pay the headmaster's salary to the 20th of August.—Mr E. P. Jones seconded, and the motion was carried.—The committee was then appointed as follows:-Dr Edward Jones, Mr Haydn Jones, Professor E. Edwards, and Mr E. P. Jones.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES, ABEKYSTWYTH. ELECTION OF COUNCIL At the annual me tit g of the Court of Governors (I tt Fri,i, l" i k U JS-VV I., L 1 '•« Lord ivu-;y.<r of Man- chester (islr J F Robot ts) in the vice-chair, the fo lowing were eloeted members of the College Council :—Sir John William*, London; Sit J, Hills Johnes, Mr J. Gwettogvryn Evans, Oxford Mr b. J. Roberts, inspector of schools, IthyI; Mr J. H. Davies, Cwrtmawr; Mr D. E. Jones, "science and art inspector for Wales, Cardiff; Mr C. E. Howell, Welshpool; Mr W. T. Jones, Melbourne; Mr J. Francis, Wallog; Mr W. Jones, Birmingham; Mr J. D. Perrott, Mr E. Evans, and the Rev. T. Levi, Aberystwyth. Mr Charles Lloyd, Waunifor, and Mr T Lumley Davies, Liverpool, were also elected for periods of two years and one year respectively. Miss Dobell, Intermediate School, Pontypool, was elected under clause 35.

THE NARROW-GUAGE RAILWAY. This little railway runs from Towyn to Aber- gynolwyn and the varied scenery through which it passes is most impressive. There are four stations —Rhydyronen, Brynglas, Dolgoch, and Abergynol- wyn. At each of these villages there is much to be seen and admired. The waterfalls are not far from Dolgoch Station, and the trams run conveniently so that visitors can, if they wish it, go by one train and return by the next. Dolgoch is also the sta- tion to alight for the Bird Rock The road, how- ever,is not a very good one, and it is well to enquire one's way along the route. The railway station at Towyn is in a turning out of Maengwyn street, on the right. The carriages are, of course, very small and convenient, and the fares are moderate.

AGRICULTURAL SCHOLARSHIPS. Arrangements were made for offering agricu I tural schoJarships for men, and it was decided to advertise in the papers in the various school districts.

COUNTY RATE. The Chairman reported that under the new Rating Act the d rate towards Intermediate Education only produced £465, instead of R569 as before. The County Council, however, at the suggestion of the Finauce Committee, had readily agreed thai the schools should not suffer, and had agreed to make up the deficiency by voting X100 odd towards the amount raised by the rate (hear, hear). Ihe balance in hand was £ 914 13s 6d, out of which sum £ 700 had been vo ed to be divided amongst the various schools. The Charity Com- rais,ioners had approved of the apportionment of theoun ty rate.-Mr Haydn Jones proposed that the Governors approve of the apportionment and the motion was agreed to -+-

RAIL AND COACH EXCURSIONS are arranged daily by the Cambrian Railways Com- pany to Tanybwlch and Maentwrog, the Raven and Cataract Waterfalls; to Dolgelley, the Torrent Walk, the Precipice Walk, Ty'nygroes, and the three Waterfalls; to Cwmbychan Lake to which a combined and short walking tour over the moun- tains may be added. This does not by any means exhaust the programme as reference to the Com- pany's advertisements will show, but in this article we have to deal with these walks and drives rather nearer home first premising that there is excellent boating and fishing on the Dysynni river which here empties itself into the sea. The first excursion to which we will refer is that DOLGOCH PALLS. TO TAL.Y.LLYN AND BACK. We start soon after ten o'clock in the morning from the railway station in a comfortable char-a-banc and are soon bowling along the main street. past theChurch, the Whitehall and Corbett Arms Hotels to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and where 20 years later Edward I. dated a charter. A mound or tumulus on the hill-side less than half a mile south,of the bridge is called Tomen Ddreiniog. At Bryncrug is pointed out the cottage where at one time lived Mary Jones, whose name is mentioned as the person who probably was the means of starting the British and Foreign Bible Society. Continuing our journey for about a mile and a half a halt is made at CEFNCOCH, a roadside inn, where the opportunity, first of taking refreshments and afterwards of visiting Llanegryn Church is offered. The building stands on an eminence and is an ancient structure in the early- English style of architecture. There is an elaborately carved oak screen and rood loft said to have been brought from Cwmmer Abbey, near Dolgelley. A curious Norman font will also attract attention. Proceeding on our way we arrive in succession at the villages of LLANEGRYN AND PENIARTH, and then following the line of the valley with the Cader Idris Range bounding the wild prospect on our left we wind round past one of the most remarkable features of this district and a prominent object from many points of view-Craig-y-Deryn, or, as it is more popularly called THE BIRD ROCK. This rock, the dwelling of the hawk and the cormorant, is about 700 feet in height and the view from its summit is only equalled by Cader Idris without its attendant fatigue. It derives its name from the number of birds which frequent it in the breeding season and thus find shelter for them- selves and their progeny. Other frequenters of the Craig are sheep, of the small mountain breed, abounding in these solitudes. On the northern side of the summit are traces of fortifica- tions and on the opposite side of the vale are remains of Roman entrenchments. Re- suming our course to Talyllyn, we soon arrive at the top of the hill leading down to ABERGYNOLWYN and this we descend on foot. Arrived at the village we see a very pretty chuich and beyond it are the late quarries of Bryn- eglwys. This is the terminus of the Toy Railway from Towyn. From here the journey to the lake is soon accomplished, the distance being about 3 miles. The view of the lake, as it comes into sight, is very charm- ing, and whilst the coach puts up for an hour or two ample time is given for a walk along its banks or for a mountain ascent. History says that the lake was originally caused by a tremendous landslip which completely barred one end of the valley. How many years ago it happened nobody ap- pears to know, but the little churchwhich has existed for a great number of years was built upon the debris. This barrier of earth and rock completely stopped, the course of the Dy- synni and so its waters accumu- lated in the meadows until the present lake was formed. In the course of time the water found an outlet for itself and the lake gradually became reduced in depth until it arrived at its present condition.

THE BIRD ROCK—ANOTHER VIEW.