Flintshire Observer Mining Journal and General Advertiser for the Counties of Flint Denbigh

HOLYWELL. TEJIPSEANCE SUNDAY.—By directions of the Confereuce, Temperance Sunday was held on the 24th inst., when special reference was made to the evils of drunkenness. At Pendrof Chapel, the preachers Were the Rev. Morris Robert?, Caerwys, and Mr. Daniel Pierce, Holywell. WINTRY WEATIIElt. Seasonable, although bitterly cold weather, has prevailed this week. On Tuesday and Wednesday heavy falls of hail took placo, followed by a sharp frost. A heavy gale prevailed on Monday, and the tides in the Dee have this week risen very high. SHOCKING DEATH OF A HOLYWELL MAN.—At noon on Monday, a young man named William Williams, of Holywell, aged twenty-five, employed at the Little Orme's Head Limestone Works, fell from the rock had into the sea, and was drowned. Deceased had only begun to work on that portion of the rock on Monday. The other men, as soon as they discovered Williams fall, threw a couple of lifebouys into the sea, to one of which the poor fellow clung fur one aud a half hours in a raging sea, his comrades being powerless to offer him any further aid. In the meantime messengers had been Sent to Llandudno, three miles distant, and the lifeboat was launched as soon as possible, and pulled with all haste to the scene of the accident, but ere its arrival the poor fellow (whose face could be seen from the shore to have turned quite black) had let gu his hold, and sunk. The occurrence caused iuteTi, xeitement. The body of the deceased, who was a native of Bryn&annan, Brynford, was recovered this morning. MUSICAL AND DSAJIATIO ENTERTAINMENT.—On Monday evening last a musical and dramatic entertainment was given in the Assembly Hall, by the members of the St. Wmefride's Amateur Dramatic Society. There was a large number present the Hall being completely filled. The proceeds were given in aid of the St. Winefride's Schools, and a very satisfactory sum will doubtless be handed over towards this deserving object. The two-act drama was well staged and the property- man" had arranged the stage and scenery to good effect. The farce was also very popular and greatly amused the audience. The miscellaneous part of the programme was well sustained, the pianoforte duett Ash Grove," was loudly encored as also was the comical rendering in character by Mr. John Doian, of 11 Mickey Rooncy's Band." The following was the programme:—and dramatis persona of the drama and farce. Part I, overture, "Norma," Master F. C. Hatfield. The sparkling drama in two acts, entitled "The white horse of the Peppers." Characters: -Colonel Chesham and Phelim, Mr. W. G. Gallagher; Major Hans Mansfeldt, Mr. J. Gibson Portreeve, Mr. R. L. Hughes; Darby DoLaghue, Mr. R. V. Wdliams Gerald Pepper, Mr. J. Dolan Dillon and Rafferty, Mr. A. J. Skidmore; Dennis, Mr. G. Griffiths; Servant, Mr. W. Gallagher Master Gerald, Master J. Gallagher. Peasants, servants, &c. Pianoforte solo Mr. F. C. Hatfield pianoforte solo, Jenny Jones," Miss. E. Jones pianoforte duett, Ash Grove," (encored) Miss E. Jones and Ma-ster W. Nuttall; song, "Eileen Alannah," Mr. A. E. Carver; pianoforte solo, The Rising of the Lark," Mr. W. Nuttall; song (in character), Mickey Rooney's Band," (encored) Mr. J. Dolan. The side-splitting farce, entitled A Day After the Fair." CharactersMr. Fidget, Mr. J. Gibson Clod, Mr. J. Dolan; Jerry, who appears as Drunken Cobbler, Female Ballad Singer, Drummer Boy, Madame Maypole aud Madman, Mr. W. G. Gallagher; Polly, (who appears as washerwoman), Master Joseph Gallagher Mr. Sterling, Mr. A. J. Skidmore. The accompanists were Miss E. Jones, and Master W. Nuttall. The entertainment con- cluded with the singing of the National Anthem. CONGREGATIONAL CHAPEL ANNUAL TEA PARTY AND E,-TTERTAINX ENT. -"I'he annual tea meeting and entertainment in connection with the English Congregational Chapel, was held on Tuesday afternoon list. Tea was provided in the usual happy and hospitable style, in the schoolroom, and although "the stormy winds did blow," there was no appreciable diminution in the number who attended this annual tea meeting, a fact which shows that this is now one of the most popular tea parties and Bocial gatherings in the town. The ladies who presided and supplied the cttfferent tea-trays were:—Mrs. Waterhouse, Oakland House; Mrs. Llewelyn Jones, Panton Place; Miss S. A. Sibeon and Miss Anne Jones, Brynford-street Mrs. Jones. Bagillt-street, and Miss Paddock, Holway Mrs. Seth Holmes and Miss Plowden, High-street Mrs. D. B. Evans, Rose Villa; Mrs. Jones and Miss M. J. Jones, Well-street; Miss Polly Hughes, High-street; Mrs. P. Harding Roberts, The Grove; Miss Hughes and Miss Edith Jones. Theie were also several other assistants. Valuable aid was given by Messrs. T. H. Waterhouse, P. Harding Roberts, Beadles, D. Hughes, T. W. Sibeon and E. Walker. The bun loaf, seed, and plain bread, was supplied by Miss Hughes, Confectioner, High-street, and the tea and sugar by Mr. J. E. Jones, High-street. The lady presidents and their staff of assistants were busily engaged supplying the wants of the visitors from four until nearly six o'clock. In the evening the entertain- ment was held, in the Chapel, which was well filled. The Chairman of the evening being Mr. Urias Bromley, Pias-y-morfH, whose services in the chair were much appreciated and considerably increased the interest of the meeting. An appropriate introductory address having been delivered by the Chairman the programme Was gone through as appended. The items being heartily applauded and a good number encored Pianoforte solo, Heather Bells," Miss M. J. Jones; song, Goodwin Sands," Mr. P. H. Roberts song, c. The Wooden Shoon," Miss Bromley; recitation, "The Tramp and his dog Roger," Rev. D. B. Evans; violin solo, "Mignon,"Miss Adeline Jones, who Was vociferously encored song, The Toiiers," Mr. D. J. Davies, Fiint; song, Ora pro nobis," (encored,) Miss Edith Griffiths, Mold pianoforte duet, Misses Lizzie Thomas, and Gratton Tnomas song, "Twilight," Miss Hughes reading, "Leave well alone," Mr. T. H. Waterhouse; song, "Death of Nelson," Mr. T. W. Sibeon; song, "At the Minster Gate," Miss Bromley, (encored) duett, "Excelsior," Messrs. D. J. Davies, Flint, and P. H. Roberts recitation, Mamma's letter," Rev. D. B. Evans; violin solo "Firefly," Miss Adel.n) Jones; song, "AngusMacdonald," Miss Griffiths. At the close of the entertainment a vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by Mr Waterhouse, and seconded by the Rev. D, Oliver, and the chairman in acknowledging paid a similar compli- zaent to the artistes for their services. The tea takers and assistants at the afternoon festival were also accorded hearty thanks. The accompaniments Were played by Miss Gratton Thomas, and Miss M. J. Jones; Mr. Horace Hazelden, accompanied the violin solos. The entertainment concluded with the National Anthem. THE WELSH INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION ACT. PROPOSED SCHOOL FOR HOLYWELL. IMPORTANT MEETING AT THE ASSEMBLY HALL. On Tuesday evening last, a meeting of the inhabitants of Holywell, Greeuticld, Bagillt, and the surrounding neighbourhoods, was held at the Assembly Hall, couvened by the Chairman and Members of the Holywell Local Board, for the pur- pose of considering the advisability of advocating the claims of Holywell as a centre for the estab- lishment of a school under the Welsh Intermediate Education Act. Councillor J. Lloyd Price, J.P., (chairman of the Holywell L,cal Board) presided, and was supported on the platform by Alderman Qoronwy M. Evans, Messrs. J. Garner, E. Bryan, 1:. A. Lambert, Jas. Williams, J. Caiman and R. Lloyd, members of the Local Board Mr. William ba.vie, Clerk to the Local Board Rov. R. O. Williams, Vicar of Holywell; Rev. D. Oliver, Welsh Congregational minister Messrs. H. T. 13arker and S. Jones, members cf the Holywell School Board, and Councillor T. Hughes, Green- field Mills. The Hall was well filled considering the fact of there being seveial counter attractions in the town ani in Greenfield. The Chairman having read the notice announcing the meeting said :—I may mention that the meeting Is called, and is to some extent held under the aus- pices of the Holywell Local Board. And, in virtue of my office as chairman of the local authority, the Y honour is given me of presiding over the delibera- ] tions of this meeting. I mty further remark that the members of the Holywell Local Board in their capacity as public servants, and as faithful re- presentatives possessing an ardent desire to further and to promote the best interests of the town and district, have deemed it prudent in conj unction with their duties to move in the important matter of Welsh Intermediate Education, and to embrace all the advantages which the Act in connection there- with offers to the Welsh people, With this object in view this meeting has been summoned, and not only have the inhabitants of thia immediate district been invited, bnt the attendance of the inhabitants and ratepayers from adjacent parishes has been solicited, whom the Act equally affects and con- corns, for'the express purpose of considering the desirability of taking steps for the establishment of Holywell as a centra under the Welsh Inter- mediate Education Act." It ia with very much pleasure that I venture to state, that we are, as Welshmen, to be heartily congratulated, and we have every reason to welcome, and even to rejoice at the passing of the Welsh Intermediate Education Act ha prospective value of which is certainly beyond our calculation at the present moment, and is bfyond all question an event full of promise and augurs well for the future of the principality. Scotchmen have profited greatly by the educatianal advantages they have possessed, and have taken time by the forelock in embraomg, and occupying almost every appointment in our public offices. It states at the foot of the notice announcing the meeting, that" in consequence of the importance of the matter to be considered the attendance of working men is particularly requested." To workingmen this Act has a special and a most important applica- tion (applause). The Welsh Intermediate Education Act was undoubtedly enacted and passed in the interest of the working classes, and to afford in an exceptional manner to poor boys and girls who might prove to be intelligent, and who might exhibit special ability, an opportunity of passing from the ordinary elementary schools to those of higher grade, so that merit should not in any way be discouraged for the want of pecuniary assistance (applause). The middle and upper classes have the means to provide for the education of their children, but hithero in Wales a considerable number of promising, intelli- gent, and clever boys and girls were for want of funds compulsorily kept back, and thereby severely handicapped, a circumstance which was dishearten- ing to the studious and ambitious Welsh children (hear, hear). By this new Act, boys and girls who might become candidates would have their ability tested, and where such ability was recognised, those in a better position in life would be called upon and have the privilege given them of providing the necessary sinews of war to further educate those whom the examiners commended and passed. It seemed very hard at first sight that one portion of the commauity should not only be compelled to educate their own children, but should also be obliged to furnish means for the education of the children of others. Yet, on reflection, you will find that the injustice, if I may so term it, would vanish, and that it is only reasonable and right after all, for I am confident that whatever is calculated to benefit and to further the welfare of the working classes is conducive in a material degree to the prosperity of the nation (hear, hoar.) The Welsh Intermediate Education Act camo into operation on the 1st of the present month. For the purposes of the Act there shall be appointed in every county in Wales a Joint Education Committee. This Committee will consist of five persons, and an Assistant Charity Com- missioner. Three persons have already been elected by the Flintshire County Council, and the two other persons, who will be nominated by the Lord President of Her Majesty's Privy Council, must possess a thorough knowledge and be persons well acquainted with the conditions of the county, and with the wants of the people. I am informed by our Clerk (Mr. Win. Davies) that those two gentlemen will be the Dean of St. Asaph and Mr. Pennant (hear, hear) An Assistant Charity Commissioner shall be at liberty to attend any meeting of the Joint Education Committee and take part in the proceedings, but shall not vote. This Joint Education Committee must be petitioned, and the paramount and indispu- table claims of Holywell as a centre for the estab- lishment of one of these schools muat be strongly urged, plainly illustrated, and placed before the Com- mittee in such a manner that our demands cannot possibly be overlooked (loud applause). Now what are our claims ? To begin with, Holywell is the centre of a very large population, for within a radius of six miles from this platform we have a popula- tion of about 31,000 inhabitants, or over one-third the population of the whole county. As it is absolutely necessary that these Intermediate Schools should be erected within easy and measurable distances of the homes of the children of the working classes, the question of population is the primary object for consideration, and on that account we ought to gain several points in our favour (hear, hear). Again, we are surrounded by elementary schools, about foroy in number, and it is almost imperative that our Intermediate School should be in close proximity to these (hear, hear). Tnere is another matter which certainly ought to weigh heavily in our favour with the Committee, that is the very low death rate of the Holywell district. The salubrity of our air is acknowledged as giving facilities for establishing a sound body so that it might entertain a sound mind. This district is also an important centre of industry, in which are erected a variety of works and manufactories which will be invaluable in the education of the student if technical subjects are successfully studied. Although we have been left in the cold on seveial occasions for the want of closer railway communi- cation with other towns, I believe that railway communication is not an absolute necessity in this instance, yet we have every reason to look forward with great hope that the railway which has been opened for traffic during the present year across the Dee will be extended to the estuary of the Dee or to some other convenient point, in conjunction with the important docks which I am given to understand will in a very short time be erected at Mostyn. Moid may offer its old barracks as a suitable building already erected for one of these schools. St. Asaph its Grain.Liir School, but that inuot not tell against us as I am sure that there is sufficient philanthropy amongst us to over come all obstacles in that respect (applause). From the passing of this Act I expect great things, when the advantages it affords are combined with the natural talent of Welshmen, and this talent developed, Wales will become, as I hopo it will, one of, if not the foremost nation in the wor.d (applause). Dr. Jamos Williams said it was with much pleasure he acceded to the request of the Chairman to propose the first resolution That an applicati-ou-I be made to the Joint Intermediate Education Com- mittee for the County of Flint, that in its schema for the Intermediate and Technical education of the inhabitants of the county, that Holywell be fixed upon as the most central point of-the cou^y as regards area and pf)pulation." r H.. said, I think after what you have heard from our Chairman, who has so plainly and so concisely laid before you the claims of Holywell, you will see pretty plainly that there is very little left for me to say. Mr. Price has gone into the subject and got facts and figures which he has put before you and it merely remains for me to propose the resolution. 1 will just say how very cordially I endorse all Mr. Price has said, as I am myself sure that Holywell will make a most excellent centre (hear, hear). No doubt there will be very considerable competition as to where the centre will be, but as yet it is not quite settled how many schools there will be in the county, or whether there will be an amalgamation and have one for the joint counties of Flint and Denbigh. However that may be, it is not for us to look forward to such pro- babilities, but to do our duty to advocate tho claims of our own town of Holywell (applause). There is one point, so our Chairman says, to recommend us to those in authority to decide, and it forms a strong claim—and that claim is, that it is a manufacturing and mining area, second to none in the county, and a large portion of the population are of thaI; class who are not able through financial circumstances to afford their children higher education and further the talent which their children may show. There position will not allow them at present to attain higher education and so get into the higher walks of life and be an ornament to their country (hear, hear) Then there is the claim of population, which is greater than I took it to be. I think the figure quoted a very good one to go before the Committee. Another point I think would be this—though the worst part of it is the railway. accommodation. Holy well is not so convenient as many towns in that respect now-a-days, yet there is no reason why something of this kind should not be the means of acting both ways. We want a school here, there is no doubt, and we will work to get it -(applause) -and the railway will follow without a doubt, the consequent result of that will be an increased amount of commercial enterprise and also be an incentive to the town. It behoves us to have a hearing in this matter and put our claims forward in as strong and forcible a light as possible (hear, hear). Mr. H. T. Barker, Dee B;uk Cottages, Bagillt, said it afforded him very great pleasure to second the resolution. He thought they should be exceed- ingly proud that the Welsh Intermediate Educa- tion Act was now a fact and a reality. It was no longer a fiction, no more a drea-u but a reality. They had occasion to be very proud of tho act. Education had been considerably neglected, but the tide had now turned, and education was now placed on sound and higher basis than hitherto. There had been a very considerable gap between elementary i and higher education in Wales, but by the act which bad dow como into force that gap was bridged and higher education could be attained by those whose adverse circumstauces prevented their hitherto ascending to higher grade schools. Many people considered there was a danger in over educating the people. It was quite a failacy. If to educate the people was to ruin the moral standard of the nation if it was to bring more proficiency into crafts if it was to still more advance the learned professions- then by all means educate the people (applause). The claims of Holywell were numerous, it was the centre of a greater variety of industries than any other part of the county (hear, hear). There was a great lack of technical knowledge, and an important factor in the curriculum of the intermediate schools would b3 technical knowledge, and the advantage of such knowledge in such a centre of industry as Holywell and neighbourhood could never be over estimated. The Rev. R. 0. Williams, in support of the resolu- tion said, he came to the meeting rather to hear than to speak, but he felt bound to rise to support the resolution. They already had set before them the clear and distinct grounds upon which Holywell may rest its claims to be selected for an Inter- mediate School, and he thought there was every reason to believe that if the claim be judiciously laid before those in authority, it would be listened to and granted (applause). As an instance of the importance of Holywell and its claims and as a ground for encouragement, he would mention that one of the Commissioners under the Endowed Schools Act (which is one with the preseat Act), told him (the speaker) distinctly that Holywell was named as a place for one of the schools, and it only the Charity Commissioners under that Endowed Schools Aut, could have been quite sure that sufficient funds would be forthcoming that Holywell would have been selected. He did not thiok that thde were the mountains of difficulty existing under the new Act as there was then under the Endowed Schools Acts, and ho did not think there would be any considerable difficulty in raising necessary funds that may be required. The erection of an Intermediate School wou d not inter- fere in the least degreo with the success of the pre- sent existing schools in the district. He hoped that what he said would be the means of drawing the teeth of anyone who :through ignorance of the act would on that score offer needless hinderance. He considered that such a school was more wanted in Holywell than in any town he knew of. He had long thought it a sad thing to see a whole host of young Welsh boys going over the border to England to be educated at Chester. He trusted that their efforts would be successful, and that necessity would pass away and they should find a school in their midst well qualified to educate the rising generation (applause). Tne Rev. D. Oliver further supported the resolu- tion and said it was regrettable that they should be obliged in Hoiy well, to send their children away to be educated. The success of the present movement depended upon the enthusiasm of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood. If they failed in advocating their claims and the school was established elsewhere they should never have the chance again. He be- lieved that they now understood their position from the lucid statements of the previous speakers. He was glad to notice that the Chairman in his address had mentioned that it was the privilege of moneyed people to provide the sinews of war." He should be glad if that could be oarried out. He understood that other towns throughout the princi- pality had men coming forward and offering their hundreds of pounds on condition that the Joint Education Committee would fix upon the town as a centre for the establishment of a school. He was glad to notice that their Chairman had got that note in his address and he hoped that others who were placed in similar positions would be able to say If you work hard and get the schools hero we will go deep into our pockets and help you" (hear hear). The Vicar had referred to the Inter- mediate school having no dangerous effect upon the other schools. That was quite correct; the Inter- mediate school would not draw from them but would rather increase their efficiency. It would creite a kind of feeling between the teachers, and make them anxious to get as many clever boys as possible to compete for the scholarships which would be offered by tho Education Committee. The speaker afterwards spoke very effectively in Welsh. Councillor Thos. Hughes, Grdenfield, said, as one who had taken an interest in technical education, for he could safely say that no one in the neighbour- hood had spent so much money, or devoted more time to technical education, considering the cir- cumstances, than he had, he felt proud that there would now be a chance of having that educa- tion in Wales which had been so long wished for. Intermediate and technical education was now brought to their doors and it behoved them to take it in hand and work earnestly to get the school established in Holywell. Reference had not been made by the previous speakers to any extent upon other than intermediate education there was technical education which was the most important part of it, and the result would be better mechanical work, finer art, and more reliable work all round. Who knew but that there were rough diamonds in their county, which when polished would shine like stars, and be the glory oi Wales (hear, hear). Re- ferring to the appointment of the members of the joint Intermediate Education Committee by the County Council, the speaker said he objected at first to Mr. Jones of Liverpool, being one of the repre- sentatives, dimply because the Act said preference should be given to those persons resident within the county, and as a Fiiatshire maa and a Welshman, he felt rather riled that it was not considered that there were three persons in the county fit to repre- sent the inhabitants. He did not know Mr, Jones at the time, but he had since learned that he was an exceedingly well educated man and was well qualified for the position and no doubt he will do his best for the county of Fliut (hear, hear). He had a few reasons to bring forward of this scheme. They had no buildings. How should they get them? Under the Act they had the power to borrow money. Claims were set up by other towns —St. Asaph had its grammar schools. Mold had its Barracits now empty but ready and said to be suitable. Between the two Holywell might be left in the cold. But the Holywell inhabitants must look after themselves and be determined to do their level best to get the school established in the town. The Act stipulated that not more than one half- penny in the £ should be spent on technical educa- tion in one year. It would not be money unwisely spent. The half-penny rates would produce 187U a year. The rateable value of the county is £ i'21,770, but there is a suggestion of robbing the county of a large slice of property in the far end of the county -the hundred of Maelor, with a rateable value of £51,6)1, which would make the annual income in the form of rates less by 1107 12s. They would still have 1771 for the maintenance of the schools. Government also gave an equal sum in the form of grant towards the school providing they came up to the staudard of education. That would bring the total to about £ 1,600 towards educa- tion in Flintshire. There were also charities in the county amounting to 1512 a year which would be taken for the purposes of intermediate and technical education. They would be in receipt of about £ 2000 towards education in Flintshire. How many schools were there to be P Some spoke of two—one at St. Asaph and the other at Mold, in that case Holywell was certain to want a third, aud they must fight fur it. He thought they could get a very good school for £ 700 a year, As to the reasons why Holywell should be a centre, there were coal, lead, zinc and copper mines, requiring to be fully developed. The more they delved/into the rocks and bowels of the earth the more important it was they should have technical education. The more they extended the study of tllo more C,, ralll they should be able to put their pick on the spot where the minerals lay. The deeper they bored into the earth the more need of technical education, and the result would be still greater discoveries of the wealth which lay beneath their feet. The rateable value of Holywell and district was about £Ol,OOJ or nearly one-fourth of the rateable value of the whole county. Its claims were strong in themselves but it remained for the inhabitants to be united and enthusiastic in putting their shoulder to the wheel and say once for all—" We, the inhabitants of Holywell, Flint, B ;g?llt, Gre'ii-iii'Id, WhuforJ, Caerwys and Yscei- fiog all intend to have this intermediate and techaical school in our midst and that no place in the county has a greater claim to its establishment (applause). The resolution was then put to the meeting by the Chairman, and carried unanimously. ] A1 ierrnan Goronwy M. Evans said, now they had passed the resolution, there was another step to be taken to carry out the effect of the resolutions and that was to form a committee. He should propose for the meeting's acceptance or amendment the following gentlemen—Lord Mostyn, Mostyn Hall; Messrs. J. Lloyd Prico, Mertyn Hall Jos. Garner, Cross-street H. T. Barker, Bagillt; H. A. Cope, Saithaelwyd; T. A. Lambert, King's Head Hotel; J. Carman, Gerddi Be uno; E. Bryan, Trade Hall; T. Hughes, Greenfield; Dr. Jas. Williams, Castle Hill; Messrs. Urias Bromley, Pias yn morfa; J. Kerfoot Evans, Strand; Robt. Lloyd, Holywell; Peter Hughes, Penypvlie; John Kerfoot Evans, Greenfield John Petrie, Greenfield; Peter Jones, Halkyn Llew. J. Henry, Halkyn S. Davies, Bagillt; W. Thomas, Ysceifiog. The clergy and ministers of all denominations in the district. The committee having power to add to their number. Mr. John Carman seconded the proposition. Councillor Thos. Hughes suggested that the em- ployers of labour should be included. Alderman Evans s lid he had pleasure in accepting the suggestion. Mr. T. A. Lambert, proposed that Councillor W. Jones, Frondeg, be added to the committee. Mr. Barker seconded. Mr. E. Bryan proposed that Alderman G. M. Evans be appointed hon. secretary to the committee and convener of meetings. Mr. T. A. Lambert seconded the proposition. The appointment of committee and hon. secretary was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks for presiding was accorded Mr. Price, on the proposition of Mr. Lambert, seconded by Mr. Garner, and oarried with acclamation.