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Another so-called capital of the Boers has fallen into our hands by General Plutner'sj occupation of Petersburg. Unfortunately the occupation and "e-OCCUPation'. of 'towns fhas^been a process so often repeated during the war that it conveys little definite hope of'forwarding',the campaign materi- aHy. The Boer disappears from one town only to Set up his standard in another, although it must be confessed that such captures of ammunition as are this week recorded must considerably weaken his powerjof resistance. One hopeful feature that has recently come to light is the formation of bodies of burgher police. Many of these men Were actually in arms against us earlier in the war, but having been convinced of the futility of resistance are coming forward under British officers to help in putting down the marauding bands whose :primary method of warfare is to loot Indiscriminately all property, whether British or Dutch. The crisis in China is averted, for the present. How long the smouldering embers will remain before they burst into flame is a matter of perilous uncertainty. Russia has agreed not to press for- ward the Manchurian treaty, but possession is Markedly nine-tenths of the law in the present case. Treaty or no treaty, Russia will triumph unless her troops are withdrawn from the territory in question; That is the way Japan looks at it. The latter Power is, as far as the heads of its government are concerned, disposed seemingly to await the next manifestation of Muscovite guile, but the people are seriously debating whether, as war is sure to come, it had not better be undertaken at once. This attitude of the nation receives confirmation from the fact that Japan has been preparing for another war ever since the end of her conflict with China, and has added six battleships of the.first-class of her Navy, and sanctioned an additional expenditure this year of four millions sterling upon military measures. *#* No good is likely to rssult from indulgence in such extravagance of speech as that of Mr Ben Tillett at the meeting of the Penrhyn quarrymen on Monday last. There is neither sense nor argu- ment in the wild assertions of which the Trade Union delegate was guilty. If a reconciliation is to be brought about it will be by sane consideration of the methods best adapted to meet the wishes of the disputants, not by flighty rhetoric. The Working man has no greater enemy to his trne interests than the demagogue who stirs up class bitterness. The Penrhyn management still demand specific instances of grievances and the fact that none have been brought forward must weaken the case of the men in the eyes of unprejudiced People, and tend, therefore, to alienate sympathy from them. The suppression of Mr Young's letter at the meeting was a seriously mistaken policy. However much the assembly might have been against accepting its proposals, the documents should in fairness have been produced. As to the resolutions concerning arbitration, such a method of procedure seems useless in face of the determi- nation of the employer to deal with his men at first: hand, which he undoubtedly has the right to insist upon, especially in face of the fact that no griev- ance has been particularised. Whatever course the men decide upon, they would do well to rid them- selves of such advisers as Mr Ben Tillett. "II< The promoters of the Barmouth Eisteddfod have been taught a lesson by their experience on Monday last. During no portion of the morning or the afternoon meetings was the Assembly Room filled, and the committee should lose no time in finding out the reason for the dwindling attendarce. The prize offered for the band contest failed to attract a single band, the chief choral competition wap not in evidence, and on the other musical piece one choir only, and that the local one, put in an appear- ance. The number of visitors to the town was also much less than in previous years. Possibly the committee will find themselves, despite these adverse circumstances, with a substantial balaiace as the amount of the prizes withdrawn amounts to a considerable sum, but the moral effect will be great. Next year's eisteddfod should be exten- sively advertised, and the public confidence restored. There is no reason why the Barmouth eisteddfod should not be far more successful than it at present is,. and the committee would do well to abolish the penny wise and pound foolish policy they have adopted, and advertise the eisteddfod as it deserves to be advertised in the interests of the townspeople and those willing to compete. «< Once again there was no criminal business to be transacted at the Merionethshire Quarter Sessions on Tuesday, and the Chairman was the recipient of the usual gift of a pair of white gloves. There have been many such Sessions of late years, indic- ating a freedom from serious offences highly creditable to the county. The petition sent by the Merionethshire Police Force to the Joint Committee will commend itself to most people as a reasonable demand. It was clearly shown at the meeting, that while the Force, thanks to the energy and the ability of Major Best (the chief constable), are not a whit behind any other Force in North Wales, they are the most poorly paid. A difference of three shillings in the weekly pay of an ordinary constable's on appoint- ment, seems a sufficient justification of the petition presented on their behalf. Possibly it would not be wise to raise the salaries off hand before the county had been afforded a sufficient time to con- sider the facts brought forward. There is some ground for surprise that the Force have not petitioned tile Committee before llotv. 1\0 nr:e \yho takes the trouble to compare the H-HIB of pay of this county with other counties can fairly object to the application. Major Best is to be congratulated upon having such an efficient Force, especially when the poor pay is borne in mind. V The formation of golf links at Towyn is a matter that, judging from opinions expressed, would meet with popular support, and there can be no question that the establishment of facilities for this popular form of recreation would result in an additional influx of visitors. There is no lack of ground which could be found on either side of the town. Some z6200 to £ 300 would probably be required at the outset, but this would be repaid in the course of a few seasons by the increased prosperity of lodging-house keepers. Such a question should b<s taken up by the local authorities who have, or should have, the welfare of the town at heart. »
TOWYN.
TOWYN. GOOD FRIDAY.—The usual morning and evening services were held at St Cadvan's Church on the above day. The Vicar (Rev T Lewis) officiated, and the congregations were fair. EASTER MONDAY.—-The only attraction on Mon- day was the annual Easter pleasure fair, and some hundreds resorted to the town. During the after- noon rain began to fall, and continued all through the evening. This, however, did not deter the pleasure seekers. OCR ADVERTISING COLUMNS.—Mr Young, The Stndio, advertises in another column that he is now selling off a large number of views, pictures, and all kinds of fancy articles at great reduction. Mr Young will remove to his new shop in High street in May, and previously to this he desires to clear his premises of slightly soiled articles which he now sells at very low prices. COMPLIMENT TO A TOWYN ACCOMPANIST.—Miss May Roberts, Board School, was the happy recipient of a high compliment from Mr William Davies, St Paul's Cathedral, at the Barmouth eisteddfod <)n Monday. Mr Davies said it was not very often they came across accompanists who assisted soloists. It was no doubt the function of the accompanist to assist the soloist, but in this case Miss Roberts bad not only done that but her playing was of the highest standard (bendigedig). ACCIDENT.—Mr R W Jones, Morfa Cadvan, met with a .serious accident on the football field on Monday afternoon. He came into collision with one of the Bala players, the latter's knee catching him in the stomach. Jones did not appear to have been seriously hurt at first, but he gradually got worse, and in the evening Dr Gordon was called to attend upon him. Dr Gordon found it expedient at a later stage to call in Dr Rowlands. Mr Jones is a gentlemanly player, and it should be said on behalf of the Bala player that the regrettable occurrence was purely accidental. Mr Jones's condition is understood to be improving. EASTER DAY.—At the Parish Church on Sunday, special Communion services were held for the con- venience of parishioners, and a large number availed themselves of them. After the morning service Merbecke's Communion Service was ren- dered by the choir, under the leadership of Mr Tookey, the organist. The Rev R Davies, curate, was the celebrant. At the services the Vicar officiated. Appropriate sermons were delivered morning and evening. On Monday the children of the parish were examined in the Church Catechism and a sum of £ 1 under an old charity distributed amongst them. FOOTBALL.—The Towyn Rovers Football Club completed its season with two matches on Monday. On the Saturday they played Dolgelley on the ground of the latter team, where they won by three goals to one. On Monday they played the same team at Towyn and again scored a victory, winning by a similar score. Another team was put on the field later to play the Bala Press Club, and again the homesters were successful, vanquishing the Pressmen by six goals to nil. It is confidently believed that the club will wind up its season with a small balance in hand. These successes speak well for the local team, and it is to be regretted that they are handicapped from meeting better teams by want of increased railway facilities ,and from the fact that the town is situated at such a distance from the centres where football is looked upon with more favour and more heartily sup- ported. Dolgelley, Aberystwyth, and Machynlleth, are the only accessible towns. A proposal has been put forward to start a league for the district by next season. 'THE DEBATING SOCIETY.-To mark the close of the winter session of the Debating and Literary Society, a social evening was held at Cadvan House on Tuesday evening. The room had been taste- fully arranged, and the committee of ladies who carried out the arrangements did their work to the satisfaction of all. Afterwards the election of officers for next session took place, and was decided by ballot. The following was the result:—Presid- ent, Mr J Maethlon James; vice-presidents, Messrs T G Roberts, B.A., F T Tookey, Samuel Edmunds, R R Roberts, and Miss L J Roberts; secretaries, Mr Ernest Richards and Mr 0 Watkin Hughes; treasurer, Mr E J Evans; committee of manage- ment, Miss Phillips, Mr E D Hughes, Rev R R Williams, M.A., Mrs H Jones, Miss Parry (Glasfor), Mr L Jones (Bank), and Miss Jones, Brynmeirion. The balance sheet showed a deficiency of 3s 6d, but a collection was made in the room and left a like amount on the credit side.—The following pro- gramme was gone through :—Pianoforte duet, Misses Roberts, Board School duet, Folly and Fashion," Mrs Davies. Glorywerydd, and Mr Ernest Richards (encored); song, "I couldn't say no, could 1 ? Miss Davies; song, Queen of Angels," Mr Ernest Richards. Various games were then indulged in, and an enjoyable evening was brought to a close. The ladies who carried out the arrange- ments were:—Mrs Howell Jones, Mis. Phillips, Miss Pany (Glasfer), and Miss Roberts, Cantre House. COMPETITIVE MEETING.—A successful meeting was held at the Wesleyan Chapel on Good Friday evening under the presidency of the Rev R Jones, and the conductoi ship of the Rev Henry Hughes. The list of subjects attracted a large number of competitors, and the competitions were taken as a whole very orood. The following is a list of the pn'z"-winners —Poetical address, Mr E M Jones, Fronde; address by the President; the prize for the ladies' black ribbed stockings was withheld as there was no merit: pianoforte solo, Miss Dilys Hashes, Bryn Alu n recitation for children, 1 Lizzie Jones, Sandiland, 2 Dilys Hughes; rendering of any Welsh air, 1 Miss Laura Davies, 2 Miss Dilys Hughes; tray cloth, Miss Hughes, Merton Villa; tenor solo, "Holy City," Mr Hugh Lewis, Aber- dovey essay, Woman's influence on the Church," Miss Kate Jones, Abergynolwyn (highly praised) tea cosy, Miss Williams, Idris House; reciting, "Yr Heol Aur," Mr Meurig Rowlands, Abergynolwyn; composing a hymn tune, Mr D Roberts, a blind man from Dinas Mawddwy duet, Albion," Messrs D 0 Jones and Townley Jones, Idris Villas; stanzas, Troell Nydda," Mr J Williams, Eden, Towyn. The following is the sl;anza:- Y foddus droell wna fuddiol-weithredoedd A'i throdau chwimol; Hen forwyn sy'u anfarwol, A'i hwyl yn nydd Gwalia'n ol. Translating English to Welsh, Mr D J Hughes, Cader View solo, Bwthyn yr amddifad," Miss M Hughes, Escuan corner bracket, Mr J Owen, green grocer; wooden spoon, Mr E M Jones, Frondeg; five minutes'speech, Mr Wm Evans (Gwilym Crog); night dress case, Miss Hughes, Merton Villa; verses on The rising of the sun," prize divided between Mr E Roberts, Gwernol, and Mr J Williams, Eden reciting, prize divided between Mr R 0 Ellis, Aber, and Miss Bennett, Llanegryn; baritone solo, "Y Milwr Clwyfedig," Mr Townley Jones socks, 1 Mrs Jarman, Ty'nllwynliir, Bryncrug; essay, "Moral Courage," Mr Isaac Jones, Abergynolwyn. The greatest interest was centred in the choral competi- tion on the anthem Dyddiau Dyn," for which three parties had entered, under the leadership of Mr Townley Jones, Mr D 0 Jones (Towyn), and Mr Hugh Lewis (Aberdovey). The prize was awarded amid much applause to the party led by Mr Townley Jones. Mr J J Thomas, Talsarnau, was the musical adjudicator, and gave geneial satisfaction. The other adjudicators were Essays. Rev R R Williams, M.A., and Mr D Lloyd, Pant; translations, Mr T G Roberts, B.A.; poetry, Gwilym Dyfi, Pennal; recita- tions, Maethlon and Dyfi; miscellaneous, Mrs Morgan, Lluesty, and Mr Owen, Brynygwin. The accompanists were Miss Hughes, Merton Villa, and Mr John Lloyd, solicitor. Mr W E Jones, Frondeg, carried out the secretarial duties and Mr B C Richards was the treasurer. ♦
BARMOUTH CHAIR EISTEDDFOD.
BARMOUTH CHAIR EISTEDDFOD. FULL LIST OF AWARDS. This annual event took place on Easter Monday, at the Assembly Rooms, Barmouth. The weather in the morning was threatening, which no doubt prevented many from visiting the town. The number of visitors to the town was not nearly what it was in previous years, this being due to counter- attractions and the fact that the Eisteddfod is not "boomed," so to speak some weeks before the event is advertised to take place. The result was that on the chief choral competition "By Babylon's wave" (Gounod), a splendid piece which the music lovers would greatly enjoy, there was no competi- tion at all. The prize offered was no doubt a small one, and an Eisteddfod on the scale of the Bar- mouth one should offer a more alluring snm to get good choirs to compete. In the male voice choir competition there was only one choir, the local Barmouth one, and in the second mixed choir it was the Barmouth people again who saved the committee from the ignominy of having no competition at all. On several of the other items there were keen competitions. The Rev E Hughes, rector of Barmouth, is the chair- man of committee, and the following are the vice- presidents: Dr D A Hughes, Messrs Hugh Evans, Peumount; E R Jones, Post office, and G E Owen, Greenwich House. Mr John Jones, The Library, and Mr Rhys Jones, Glanymor were the efficient secretaries. The adjudicators were :—Music, Mr William Davies, R.A.M., St. Paul's, London; Mr D D Parry, Llanrwst; and 0 0 Roberts, Dolgelley. Literary, Rev E Hughes, Barmouth. Translations, Prof J E Lloyd, M.A., Bangor. Art, Mrs Best, Mrs Williams, Mrs Buckley, Mrs Lloyd, Mrs Hughes, and Mrs Griffith. MORNING MEETING. The morning meeting opened at 10-30 and was presided over by Mr Oswald Davies, B.A., Bar- mouth, and Llew Meirion conducted, and kept order throughout.—The meeting opened with a rendering of "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" (Land of my fathers), Llew Meirion taking the solo. There were three pianoforte solo competitors on Mosart's Sonata No 2, and the prize was awarded to Miss Maggie Thomas, Board School, Barmouth, whose rendering was very highly spoken of. Mr N Wynne Williams, Dolgelley, the only com- petitor, was awarded second prize for a map of Barmouth. Out of three competitors on the bass solo, Mr J T Owen, Rlaenau Festiniog, was declared the best. There had been a mistake in connection with this item, the title of the solo being ascribed to an un- known person instead of the late Mr R S Hughes. The consequence was that one competitor was allowed to compete on a solo of his own selection, Lead, Kindly Light," with which he won th^ prize, Mr William Davies characterising the render- ing as a most artistic performance. A large number of persons had sent in stanzas (englynion) on the subject" liaelioni" (Munifi- cence). Five of these were of great merit, but of these the prize was divided between Mr J Maethlon James, Towyn, and Dyledwr yn ei dlodi," who did not answer to his name. The following are the prize stanzas Haelioni-nefol anian,-dy olud A hwylus red allan I fwydo a gwisgo y gwan Adnewyddi fyd anniddan. Duwies Ion yw haelioni-a Ileddfai Llaw addfwyn bob cyni; Euraidd nawdd ei rhoddion hi Ettyl adwyth tylodi. Mrs Hughes and Mrs Griffith adjudicated the prize for men's knitted stockings to Mrs Gaynor Hughes, Portmadoc. Five essays were sent in on the subject "In- fluence of war upon the life of a nation," for which a prize of one guinea was offered. The Rev E Hughes delivered a careful adjudication. The best was adjudged the composition sent in by Mr John Adams, surveyor, Barmouth. The Chairman then delivered his address. He referred to the death of that child of the Eisteddfod, Llew Llwyfo, and claimed that the Eisteddfod had ad exercised a healthy influence on the life of the Welsh nation. Proceeding, he said that a Barmouth man, the Rev E 0 Jones, M.A., Llanidloes, had done more to bring Welsh poetry within the reach of English readers than anyone else during the last sixty years.: Barmouth bad every reason to be proud of him and owed him a debt of praise and gratitude (applause.) The piece selected for the tenor solo was The promise of life" by Cowen, and the prise one guinea. There were four competitors, two of them being very highly praised (Gutyn Eifion, Garn, Dolbenmaen, and Ellis M Evans, Barmouth). The former got the prize by a small margin. For the male voice choir competition on Psalm of Life," the prize of twelve guineas offered, only attracted one choir, Barmouth, under the leadership of Mr Griffith Griffiths, Barmouth. The choir was declared to be fully worthy of the prize. For translating from English to Welsh, Mr C D Bryner Williams, Dolgelley, was awarded the prize of £ 2 10s Od. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the proceediogtitoaclose. After the meeting the Rector of Barmouth (the Chairman of the Committee) gave a luncheon to the adjudicators, etc., at the Corsygedol Hotel, which was excellently served by Mr B J Allsopp. AFTERNOON MEETING. The afternoon meeting commenced at 2.30, under the presidency of Mr Hugh Evans, Pennant, and Bryfdir, Festiniog), who conducted with con- spicuous ability. Mr Wm Davies (St Paul's) opened the meeting with a splendid rendering of Hen wlad fy Nhadau." The next item was the adjudication of\ Miss Buckley and Mrs Lloyd on a set of d'Oyleys, the prize going to Miss M E Jones, Barmouch. Professor J E Lloyd divided the prize for. the best translation, Welsh to English, of The of Human Selfishness," for which a sum of £ 2 10s was offered, between Mr Daniel Williams, Dolgellgy, and Mr J B Jones, Peurhyndeudraeth. There wjre twenty competitors. For the soprano solo competition "I know that my Redeemer liveth four competed. Mr Wm Davies delivered an adjudication which caused some surprise. He stated that the renderings were not up to the standard, and he and his colleagues felt it their duty to with old the prize. Mrs Buckley and Mrs Lloyd awarded the prize for the best embroidered sideboard cloth, to Miss Myfauwy Evans, Bank place, Portmadoc. The subject of the chair ode was Yr Efengyl" (the Gospel), for which a carved oak chair and a prize of two guineas was offered. There were four competitors, and the best was that sent in by Mr R Athron Thomas, Caernarfon, late of Llan, Festiniog, who was Chaired according to ancient rights. Cdn- gratulatory effusions were delivered by Glan Wnion, Dyfi, Llew Meirion, and Bryfdir. Mrs Best and Mrs Williams divided the prize for the ladies' woollen bedroom slippers, between Miss Jennie Thomas, Glyndwr, Barmouth, and Miss Jones, Penygraig, Barmouth. The Chairman next delivered his presidential address. He favoured placing the Welsh language as a subject of instruction at Welsh Schools, and said he hated no one more than the stupid person who forgot his native language and country after having met with success in the world. A challenge solo competition attracted a large number of competitors, four of whom, two basses and two tenors were allowed to appear on the plat. form. Mr Wm Davies stated that this was the best competition of the day and he and his colleagues felt considerable difficulty in deciding on the best, as they were so equal. Eventually the prize was divided between Mr J T Owen, Festiniog, who sang Star of Bethlehem and Mr Alexandra Henderson, Talysarn, who gave "Niagara." Mr John Davies, Dyffryn, won the prize of X5 for the best translation, English to Welsh, of The principles of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivi-section (an address delivered by Miss Francis Cobbe, Hengwrt). The Barmouth choir, under the leadership of Mr W Williams, took the prize for a good rendering of Yr Haf," there being no other choir to compete against them. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the proceedings to a close. ♦
BARMOUTH.
BARMOUTH. COMPETITIVE MEETING.—On Saturday evening a competitive meeting was held at Rehoboth Chapel, Dyffryn. The Rev E Morris presided, and Mr Edward Pugh conducted. The musical adjudicator was Mr Rice Price, Llanfachreth.—Prizes were won by Mrs Evans, Tvcapel Miss Parry, Pentre- bach Miss Parry, Mr G Pugh, Pantenddwyn; Mr G Pugh, Pantenddwyn Miss Jane Pugh, Panten- ddwyn; Mr S Lewis and party, Mr R Jones and party, Miss Jones, King's Mill; Mr S Davies, Mr Evan Davies, Mr W Lewis, Mr Isaac Pugh, and Mr Evan Pugh. Songs were given by Mr Evans, Meirion House, Miss Mary Thomas, Willie Evans, Tommy Evans, G Jones, Elizabeth Williams, Mag- gie Lewis, D Davies, R Griffith, Jane Davies, and E Griffiths.
LLWYNGWRIL.
LLWYNGWRIL. A FREAK OF NATUBE.'—Mr W Williams of Pentre- bach has in his possession a sheep with six legs— four fore and two behind. The sheep is about 12 months' old, and all the legs are in perfect con- dition.