The North Wales Times

B 0 D F A RY-. VALE OF CLWYD MONTHLY MEETING. THE monthly Presbytery of the Vale of Clwyd Calvinistic Methodists was held oa January 21st, the Moderator being the Rev. Francis Jones, Abergele. There was a large attendance of presbyters. The retiring Moderator, Mr. Goronwy Jones, Prestatyn, gave his valedictory ad dress, in which he directed attention to se- veral matters bearing upon the meeting of the Presbytery, such as the lack of punctu- I ality on the part of many members who, whilst the introductory service was proceed- ing, were usually smoking or strolling along the roads, and the tendency in some districts to dispense with the preaching services which in the days of their fathers formed a conspicuous feature and a great charm of the presbytery meetings. The retiring secretary (the Rev. D. R. Griffiths, Rhyl), handed over his office to his successor, the Rev. Robert Williams, Towyn. Thanks were given to the retiring officers. Much satisfaction was felt when the re- port was given from the various district meetings stating that friends had been ap- pointed in the several churches to assist the officers in the search after any who were known to neglect the Sunday school and other services of the sanctuary in their res- pective localites, a report of the work done to be made to the Presbytery every six months. An address on family religion was given by the Rev. Robert Richards, Rhyl. The speaker laid great stress on the several fea- tures of home religion, such as teaching, family prayers, and example. Mr. T. R. Rees's call to the pastorate of the Ruthin English Church was confirmed, and the Rev. Lewis Ellis was appointed to represent the Presbytery at his induction. So also was Mr. W. Edward's call to the pas- torate of the church at Tremeirchion con- firmed. Mr. Peter Roberts reported that the For- eign mission ccllection f the Presbytery for the year ending December 31st last, amoun- ted to £536, the largest sum ever collected within the bounds. Votes of condolence were passed with the relatives of the late Mr. Owen Jones (Voel), and Mr. Roberts (Foxhall), a1' J sympathy Was expressed with Mr. Hugh Parry (Ben- larth, Abergele) in his affliction. The next meeting of the Presbytery is to be held at Towyn on March 12th.

ST. ASAPH. CHURCH INSTITUTE DEBATING SOCIETY. At the meeting of this society held last Thursday evening, a discussion took place pn 'Dancing.' Mr. C Thomas, B.A., opened, and was followed several other speakers. LITERARY SOCIETY. The meeting of this society was held last Wednesday evening, the Rev. Jonathan Jones, presiding. A programme of a variety nature had been arranged, and was com- posed of solos by Miss Ethel Jones, Mr. R. T. Edwards, reading by Mr. W. H. Jeftreys, impromptu speeching, spelling bee, and char- acter finding. There was a good attendance and i* very pleasant meeting was held.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The fortnightly meeting of the Board was held on Friday at the Board Room, St. Asaph. Mr. Edwin Morgan presided, the other members present being Mr. John Wil- liams (vice-chairman), Mrs. Lloyd Jones, Mrs. Rawlins, Mrs. Jane Roberts, Mrs. Mary Jones, Miss Bennett, and Miss Evans, Messrs. Joseph Lloyd, S. Perks, John Yaughan, John Williams (Pydew), R. Llew- elyn Jones, Thomas Lloyd (Trefnant), John Williams (Llanncfvdd), William Jones, Thomas Lloyd (Llansannan), Morris Jones, John Evans, John Lloyd, Joseph Roberts, Robert Hughes, William Littler, Gwilym Parry, John Kerfoot, William Owen, T. Howes Roberts, P. Mostyn Williams, A. Foulkes, J. H. Ellis, and the clerk (Mr. C. Grimsley). THE HOUSE. The Master reported that the number of paupers in the House last Board-day was 122 admitted since, 2 discharged, 3 re- maining in the House, 121: corresponding period last year. 119: increase, 2. Number of vagrants relieved during the last fort- night, 69 a decrease of 3 on the correspon- ding period last year. ENTERTAINING THE INMATES. The Master further reported that through the kindness of the officers and teachers of the Nonconformist Sunday School held in the House, the whole of the inmates were recently treated to a first class tea, with bun loaf, &c. At seven o'clock the same even- ing, an excellent concert was held, the room being densely crowded. On the 21st ult., through the instrumentality of Father Lucas and Mr. Peter Jones, a dramatic entertain- ment was given in the House. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to those who provided both the tea and the dramatic entertainment. ILLNESS OF A MEMBER. The Chairman said that before proceeding with the ordinary business of the Board, he wished to call attention to the serious illness of one of their oldest members—Mr. Hugh Parry, Bettws, for whom no doubt they all felt sorry, and sympathised with him in his trouble. He begged to move a vote of con- dolence with Mr. Parry. The Vice-chairman seconded, and the mo- tion was carried. SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN. LETTER FROM THE REV. MR. WAUGH. A letter dated January 13th, was read from the Rev. Benjamin Waugh, secretary of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, replying to the resolu- tion passed by the guardians in respect to the resuscitation of the North Wales branch. The writer said the motion was placed before the executive committee, and he was instruc- ted to inform the board that no such deci- sion as that suggested by the resolution had been arrived at by the committee. It was not the practice of the society to require each of its branches to be self-supporting; all it required was that each branch should raise the minimum sum of S150 per annum towards expenses. He was sure the publi- city that had been given to the matter would now secure this to the Denbigh and North Wales branch. Mr. R. Llewelyn Jones proposed that the clerk be instructed to write to Mr. Waugh that the Guardians were very glad that the Branch was likely to be kept going, and koped that enough money would be contri- buted in the district for that purpose. Mr. Howes Roberts suggested that the Guardians should now subscribe to the funds of the Branch. Mr. Waugh had now written in some reason on the matter, and he believed that some Boards of Guardians at least were in the habit of contributing. The Clerk said they must obtain the sanc- tion of the Local Government Board before subscribing, but that no doubt would be given. It was ultimately decided to place the matter on the agenda for discussion at the next meeting of the Board. CHILDREN'S SUB-DEPARTMENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD. The Clerk read a circular letter and copy of resolutions from the Central Poor Law Conference, recommending that a children's sub-department of the Local Government Board should be established, and protesting against any proposal to take away from the Board of Guardians the care and control of children entrusted to them. After a brief discussion, a similar resolu- tion was adopted by the Board. MR. ASHFORD'S ILLNESS. The Clerk said he had seen Mr. Ashford, ( one of the Guardians for Denbigh, who, owing to illness han not attended the Board for some time. Mr. Ashford expressed him- self willing to do as the Board suggested, and leave the matter of his resignation in abeyance for a short time. He (the clerk) told him that the resignation would not take effect without the sanction of the Local Government Board. PROPOSED ALTERATION OF THE BOARD ROOM. The Chairman said that the next busi. ness was to receive the report of the com- mittee re the proposed alteration of the Board Room. Mr. Howes Roberts said the committee were of opinion that the master should be allowed to carry out the alterations re- quired. He had a man in the House to do the joinery work, and only bricklayers and slaters would be required from outside. They were also of opinion that by adopting this suggestion, the work could be done for considerably less money than the estimate from a builder in the City, but the master thought he could employ labour from the House. The committee's recommendation was, that the matter be left in the master's hands, and that he be authorised to carry it out. Mr. Joseph Lloyd For what sum 1 Mr. Howes Roberts: For a lessifsum than was estimated. Mr. Joseph Lloyd: And, to exceed a thousand pounds (laugt;} The Master then c~ -ute descrip- tion of the alterat" uyin^ he proposed leaving the Board «u intact, but to pro- vide a Iadief g rooni; and other ac- commQdati, ? In reply to Mr. Joseph Lloyd, tie said the estimate of the work was under SIOC). On the motion of Mr. Wm. Littler, secon- ded by Mr. Foulkes, the recommendation of the committee was confirmed.

ST. ASAPH (DENBIGH) tit-IRAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. Mr. William Jones, the Vice-chairman, pre- sided at the monthly meeting of the above Council, held on Friday at the Board Room, St. Asaph. The other members present were Messrs*. Morris Jones, John Evans, T. Lloyd (Llansannanj, A. Foulkes, W. Owen, John Vaughan, Thomas Lloyd (Trefnant). John Wil- liams, and Joseph Lloyd, with the Clerk (Mr. Grimsley), the Medical Officer (Dr. J. Lloyd Roberts), the Inspector (Mr. Bell), and the two Surveyors (Mr. John Davies and Mr. John Williams). THE USE OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE. A PROTEST. The Clerk having read the minutes of the last meeting', which were in English, Mr. John Evans (Llansannan) asked whether it was not possible to record the minutes in Welsh. It had been decided some time ago that the proceedings of the Council should be carried on both in English and Welsh, but he was sorry that the English language was used to such an extent as to make it difficult for some members to understand the business. He knew that the proceedings of other Councils were mostly carried on in the Welsh language. Moreover, all the members of the Council present that day were Welshmen, the Clerk alone being the only one not able to understand it. The Clerk said he did not know Welsh, and could not read anything in that language. No resolution having been proposed, the sub- ject dropped. SWINE FEVER. Mr. Foulkes said the closing oi the Swine Markets in the county was brought before a Committee of the County Council at Denbigh the week before, and he should like to see a similar resolution to the one passed by the Committee also adopted by the Rural District Council. A great many farmers were com- plaining of the loss they suffered in consequence of the order declaring the markets closed all over the country. He thought it would be wise on their part to adopt a resolution in favour of getting the order limited to those parts where the fever existed, and that the resolution be sent to the County Council before its next meeting. There had been no ease of infection in the Western portion of the county since last April, and to prohibit farmers from removing pigs to the markets within non-affected areas was a source of great loss to the farmers. His suggestion would be that the resolution should request the County Council to limit the area to the places actually infected. Mr. John Vaughan said he was glad that Mr. Foulkes had mentioned this matter. The order now in force was a very serious matter to a large number of farmers. There was at pre- sent no case of infection this side of Wrexham, and it was a great injustice to put the order in force in the Western portion of the county simply because a few cases of fever had been discovered in the other end of the county. He begged to propose the resolution as suggested by Mr. Foulkes. Mr. Morris Jones seconded the motion, which was unanimously carried. TELEGRAPH EXTENSION. A letter was read from the Postmaster Gen- eral declining to pay Is. per post per annum as rent for telegraph poles which were to be put down between St. Asaph and Cefn, and Llan- fairtalhaiarn and Llansannan, and expressing a hope that the District Council would withdraw this stipulation. Mr. John Williams proposed that the con- sent given by the Council to the fixing of these posts on the roads conditional on payment of Is. per annum be now withdrawn altogether. These posts encroached considerably on the roads, and unless the Postmaster General could see his way to pay the Is. asked for, it would be better for that part of the country interested to be without the telegraph No one seconded the motion. Mr. John Evans moved that the post office authorities be allowed to fix the posts without making any payment. The Postmaster Gen- eral had consented to extend the telegraph from Llanfair to Llansannan at the special request of the Parish Council, and it would be a matter of regret if anything was done by the District Council to prevent the work being carried out. The motion was duly seconded and carried. THE ELECTION OF RURAL DISTRICT COUNCILLORS. The next business was to consider resolu' tions from the Ruthin Rural District Council suggesting that nominations of Raral District Councillors should be on the same principle as that of Parish Councillors; also that Parish Councillors should be elected for three years, and not one year only as at present. Mr. Joseph Lloyd said this seemed to him to be a matter for the Parish Council and not for the District Council. Mr. Thomas Lloyd (Trefnant) said that if the elections be carried out on the principle advocated in the resolution, it might be a great advantage to the parishes, and surely if that was the case, it was not out of place for them to pass a similar resolution to the one adopted at Ruthin. Mr. John Evans said the Ruthin Council would not have passed the resolution unless they had some reason for doing so. He begged to propose that a similar resolution be adopted by them. This was carried. THE QUEEN'S REIGN. The Clerk said he had received a circular letter from the Commons Preservation and other Societies as to the commemoration of the Queen's reign, and asked whether it was the wish of the Council that he should read them. Mr. John Williams Pass on to the next business. Mr. Joseph Lloyd: Do they want any money? (laughter). The Clerk They want to know whether you are going to commemorate the reign by pur- chasing recreation grounds, &e. Mr. Morris Jones Pass on please. Mr. Joseph Lloyd said that no doubt some- thing would be done in the different parishes or districts with regard to the Queen's reign, and some demand would be made. Undoubtedly, they would have to go to their pockets, but he strongly objected to vote anything from the rates except for the maintenance of the poor. The letter was laid on the table. DANGEROUS PLACES AT LLANDDULAS. The Parish Council of Llanddulas wrote ask- ing that the dangerous places at Clipterfyn, and the Railway Viaduct be at once attended to. Mr. W. Owen suggested that Mr. Foulkes and Mr. J. D. Jones be authorised to visit the places mentioned with the surveyor, and report to the council. The Clerk read a resolution which had al- ready been passed with regard to the matter. Mr. John Williams moved that Messrs. Foulkes, William Owen, and John Vaughan should be a committee to visit the place, Mr. Owen to act as the convener, and the motion was carried. A SEAT DECLARED VACANT. The Clerk informed the council that Mr. Robert Parry, the rural district councillor for Bettws, had absented himself for more than six months from the meetings, and that unless he could give some satisfactory reason for such absence, the council should declare his seat vacant. He had written to Mr. Parry on the subject, but had received no reply from him. He had written to him as clerk of the guard- ians also, but got no answer. Mr. John Vaughan said he did not think Mr. Parry intended to attend the meetings again. Mr. Joseph Lloyd moved that the seat be declared vacant, and this was agreed to. RHYL URBAN COUNCIL AND ITS WATER RIGHTS. A letter was read from Mr. Morgan of Llan- fairtalhaiarn with reference to a nuisance al- leged to he existing at Ffynnonau farm, Llan- nefydd, and complained oi by the Rhyl Urban Council. Mr. Morgan said it was a pity that the Rhyl Urban Council did not buy the farm in question so as to secufe the water rights near their reservoir. The Medical Officer said it would be far better for the Rhyl Council to do as suggested in Mr. Morgan's letter, it being important that the water rights in the vicinity of their reser- voir should also belong to them. Mr. Joseph Lloyd said this was a matter for the Rhyl people, and not for the Rural District. Council. The Medical Officer But we might suggest it to them. Perhaps the idea has not come into their heads. the Vyrnwy works were constructed, the Liverpool Corporation was f very caretnl to securt the water rights for the whole district, and it is also a very important matter to the Rhyl people. Mr. Foulkes proposed that the clerk be in- structed to write to the Rhyl Council suggest- ing the desirability of their buying the property in order to get the water rights. They could then put a stop to all nuisances. The Medical Officer said the Rhyl Council would always have nuisance of some sort or would always have nuisance of some sort or other in this place. There was a house not far from the lake, and nuisance was bound to exist there. Taking everything into consideration, it would be far better for the Rhyl Urban Council to become the possessors of the proper- ty, and get the washhouse from which the dirty water rmanted pulled down. Whatever the District Council might do to satisfy themselves in respect of the nuisance, that possibly would not satisfy the Rhyl Council. But if they se- cured the property, they could close the house on the border of the lake. Mr. Joseph Lloyd asked the inspector whe- ther the nuisance complained of existed now? Mr. Bell said it had been abated when he was in the place some time ago, by the discon- tinuance of the washing at the house. But this had been done on condition that a drain should be made at some future time. Mr. Joseph Lloyd: And there is no danger at present? Mr. Bell I cannot say there is, but your council will have to be satisfied that no nui- sance will again occur. The Clerk said Mr. Morgan in his letter, stated also that the tenant of the farm inten- ded to take proceedings for compensation against the Rhyl Council because a large drain had been cut in one of his fields without his con- sent, or that of the owner (Mr. Morgan). Mr. Joseph Lloyd said they as a council had nothing to do with the matter. The drain in question had no connection with the nuisance, and did not come within their jurisdiction at all. It was simply a question for the Rhyl Council. The Clerk asked the inspector whether the drain prevented the nuisance ? Mr. Bell replied that no nuisance existed at present, because the washing at the wash house had bten discontinued. Mr. John Williams moved that they pass on to the next business. There was no nuisance at present, and that should satisfy them as a council. The Clerk said that the nuisance might con- tinue as soon as Mr. Bell turned his back. Mr. John Vaughan thought there would be no harm in suggesting to the Rhyl people, the desirability of purchasing the property. Mr. Joseph Lloyd: You are going out of your way, gentlemen Mr. John Williams: What have we to do with the buying of the farm ? The Medical Officer said that if the Rhyl Council secured the water rights, it would shift all responsibility from the shoulder of the Dis- trict Council. Mr. Foulkes said they had been advised by their medical officer and the inspector that they could do no more than they had done as regards abating the nuisance. But he would suggest that the clerk be instructed to write to the Rhyl Council with a copy of Mr. Morgan's letter, at the same time giving an intimation that the nuisance complained of had been aba- ted. THE HEALTH OF THE DISTRICT. The Medical Officer reported, that cases of scarlet fever had been notified from three Jiouses at Rhydyfoel, and one from the village of Llanddulas, contracted through the medium of the elementary school. Measels had broken out at Bettws. NANT MOSTYN ROAD LLANSANNAN. The Surveyor (Mr. John Davies), reported upon the condition of the above road, describ- ing the dangerous places about which com- plaints had been made to the council. Messrs. William Jones (vice chairman), Morris Jones, and Thomas Lloyd (Tantryfan), were appointed as a committee to visit the spot, and to advise the council as to the steps to be taken. THE COMPLAINTS AGAINST THE ABERGELE SURVEYOR. Mr. John Williams, the surveyor for the Abergele district, in submitting his monthly report, replied at length to the complaints made against him in the last meeting of the council with reference to the state of the roads in the parish of Cefn, and more particular, in the townships of Wigfair and Meiriadog. In his humble opinion, the Cefn people had no real cause of complaint, but of course the recent wet weather and extraordinary traffic with heavy timber wagons had damaged the roads more than usual. Mr. Joseph Lloyd asked that the resolutions passed at a meeting in Cefn on this subject be read, and this was done. The resolution poin- ted out that the roads in the townships referred to had not been satisfactorily attended to by the surveyor, that the quantity of stone broken and laid on the said roads was inadequate, that the supervision on the part of the surveyor had been inefficient andinsufficient, that the work of cleaning the culverts had been neglected, that whereas only £52 per annum used to be spent on the roads in Wigfair and Meiriadog, JE88 was now spent, and that they were not in as good a condition as formerly. The Surveyor said he would deny most strongly some at least of the statements made in the resolution. Mr. Joseph Lloyd said the best course to per- sue in the matter was for the Surveyor to meet the ratepayers of Cefn at a parish meeting, in order to reply to the assertions made. He begged to propose that this course be adopted. The Surveyor said he was quite prepared to do so. He also explained that he was not ac- countable for the £ 88 now spent on the roads as that amount included the sum apportioned under the district rate, Mr. John Williams (Llannefydd) said he could not [agree to Mr. Lloyd suggestion to allow their officer to meet the Cefn people. He was the oiffcer of the District Council, and to that body he was alone responsible for his action. If they thought that the complaints were well founded, the best way would be to appoint a committee to visit the roads and report to the council. He (the speaker) had often tra- velled over the roads in question, and found they would compare favourably with other roads in the district, especially those of Llan- nefydd. Mr. Foulkes said Mr. Lloyd's proposal was certainly not a proper one. It was the duty of the District Council to investigate complaints made against their officials, and not direct their surveyor to meet his accusers in the way sug- gested. Referring to the road leading from Abergele to St. Asaph, he said he had been compelled to call the attention of the surveyor to its unsatisfactory state. He did not wish to bring complaints of this nature against the officer, but he must say that Mr. Williams had not done his duties as he ought to have done in respect of that road. However, he would pro- pose that Mr. Lloyd's motion be not enter tained. Mr. Lloyd said that when he received the letter containing the resolutions already read, he handed it to the surveyor so that he might be prepared to reply to them. Of course the council had to decide what course to persue. He had done his duty in the matter as a repre- sentative of Cefn. Mr. Thomas Lloyd said one party complained of the unsatisfactory state of the roads at Cefn, whilst the surveyor supported by a member of the council said they were in a fairly good con- dition. Under the circumstance. what could the council do, but send a committee there to investigate the matter. Mr William Owen said the roads in his dis- trict were also neglected by the surveyor. They were not properly looked after as regards the mettaling. Complaints were often made in the district. Mr. Thomas Lloyd proposed that the chair- man, Messrs. Joseph Lloyd and John Williams should visit Cefn with the Surveyor, and report to the next meeting of the council on the matter. This was duly seconded and carried..

RUTHIN. t_, Ji..Ie 1." -> THE DENBIGHSHIRE ASSIZES. The Winter Assizes for the County of Den- bigh, were held at Ruthin, on Monday last, at 10.30 a.m., before Sir William Grantham. The Judge was accompanied by Mr. E. O.V. Lloyd, High Sheriff, the Rev. H. E. Beach, M.A., Rector of Kingsley, Staffordshire, Sheriff's Chaplain, and Mr. J. Parry Jones, Solicitor, Denbigh, Acting Under Sheriff. The Judge arrived on Saturday, and was re- c'eived by the High Sheriff, Mr. E. O.V. Lloyd, of Rhaggat (with whom was the Acting Under Sheriff, Mr. J. Parry Jones, of Denbigh), and was escorted by a detachment of police, com- manded by Superintendent Jones. Up to the last moment it was anticipated that there would be a maiden assize, and the High Sheriff and the Under Sheriff were in consultation with reference to the purchase of a pair of white gloves, when a telegram arrived to the effect that a prisoner had just been committed by the justices at Ruabon to take his trial be fore Mr. Justice Grantham. This news was dis- appointing, as there has not been a maiden assize in the county for many years, and it was hoped that the present popular High Sheriff would have the honour and pleasure of presenting white gloves to the Judge before retiring from office. THE GRAND JURY. The following were sworn on the Grand Jury:— <8 Major isirch (foreman). Mr. William Carr. „ Brook Cunliffe. G. Arthur Bradley. Dr. J. R. Jenkins. Capt. F. B. O. Cole. Mr. G. H. Denton. Thomas Williams. John Briscoe. R. W. W. Wynn. J. Duncan Miller. J. Anthony Hogan. „ R. H. V. Kyrke. A. Ernesb Evans. „ W. Theodore Rouw. „ E. Lloyd Edwards. J. Oliver Pugh. J. Lloyd Thomas. „ W. J. Lewis Morgan. J. Watkin Lumley. T. J. Williams. „ W. G. Dodd. F. Meredith Jones. THE CHARGE. The Judge addressed the Grand Jury as fol- lows:- Gentlemen of the Grand Jury-This is the first time I have had the honour and pleasure of coming amongst you to assist you in the ad- ministration of justice, and it gives me great pleasure to find that, on the present occasion, your county is comparatively free from crime; in fact, I think I ought to say that I feel some, what disappointed, because I thought until my arrival in this town, I was to have the pleasure of a maiden assize, and that I should go away a richer, if not a wiser man, for the possession of an article of clothing which is always very acceptable to judges of Assize, and perhaps more particularly to their marshalls, who make use of those gloves perhaps more often than the judge. But I found, on arriving here, there was one case for trial—undoubtedly a case of ordinary character, and one that is not likely to give much difficulty to the Grand Jury I have now the pleasure of addressing. I think it was at BeaumaTÍs that the Grand Jury made a presentment to me with reference to the class of cases that is to be brought before you, viz., that of obtaining money or goods by false pretenees, whatever it may be, expressing the opinion that greater liberty should be given to the magistrates to deal with these cases, and thereby to save the necessity of judges and jurors of assize of try- ing them, but it must be borne in mind with regard to cases of this kind that they vary very much in their character, and that, although in a great many of these cases, there is not the slightest reason in the world why magistrates should not deal with them summarily, yet a great many cases which are in this category, j viz., of obtaining goods or money by false pre- tences, requires a great deal of attention and care, and in which I think it would bd bet- ter that the Judges, or Chairmen of Quarter Sessions, should deal with them as they do now. There is another matter which I may allude to. It was also a subject of presentment to me dur- ing this assize, and one in which, I have no doubt, you take great interest in, and this is the practice,—I use the term advisedly-the practice of summoning a great many jurymen, much to their incovenience no doubt, when there is practically nothing for them to do, and I have been asked'to make a presentment, both as regards the Grand Jury and Common Jury. But I think I may say this, that with regard to the Grand Jury that circumstances are dif- ferent to what they are with regard to the Common Jury, who are summoned really to try cases. The Grand Jury is a constitutional body, and has an opportunity of speaking in the name of the magistrates of the county in the presentments which they wish to make. Of course, the other jurors have not. and I think it is a pity almost to do away with their meet- ing altogether, although it may be that when they do meet together, there might be nothing to do. But I think what happened on Satur- day perhaps is the best proof of the desirability to keep that body together and their coming together, because you cannot tell until the last moment whether there will be any work to do or not, and until then, you cannot tell whether it is desirable to make a presentment to the judge upon any subject, not akin perhaps, to the purpose of their coming to the town. But with regard to Common Jurors, I think it is desirable that some change should take place, and I have been already in communication with the Lord Chancellor on the subject. I fail to see myself why your Sheriff has not, to a very great extent, these matters in his own hands. I am not, of course, very familiar with the details of the sheriffs office. I am not aware that there is any statute by which it is necessary for the sheriff to summon as many men as he does now on common juries. It has been the practice I know, for a great number of years, not only during the time I have been on the bench, but ever since I have been at the bar, to find a great number summoned, in some places 74, and never less than 48 jurymen for the trial of the cases or causes. It is, of course, a great inconvenience to bring so many people away from their homes, particularly when they come from long distances at considerable diffi- culty, as must be the case in some counties, and I cannot see that it is necessary, where the probabilities are that so few cases will be brought before the Court, to summon so many I may tell you that I took upon myself on Sa- turday to direct the Sheriff, through his under sheriff, when I found that 48 had been sum- moned to this assize, and that there was only one case to try, to communicate with 24 of those who lived the furthest eway to tell them that they need not come (hear, hear). I may have had no power to do it, and if anybody is to blame I hope they will blame me, and that my shoulders are broad enough to stand it. How- ever, I can not see myself that our Sheriff has not the right to do that. By the commissions which have just been read, he is bound to sum- uon sufficient; good and true men of his baili- wick to come here and do the work. The res- ponsibility is upon him for getting a sufficient number of good and trim men, but he does not want more than sufficient. Therefore, I can- not help thinking that ;he custom of summon- ing so many is one 01 those things which have gone on without anyone realising the change in the circumstances, and that the 48, which is the customary number, is the number which was necessary in those good old days of which we are always talking, when judges were not allowed to go alone, when there was more fear of^heir losing their way than now, when there were always two judges, and," therefore, two courts, and more jurymtm w-ira required. Therefore, in a county such as this, where I ani glad to find JOIl are all generally so good, as a rule 24 common jurymen should be summoned. The assize only lasts a day or two, and, there- fore, these can aot for the tim", and probably a gi,(,,tt, man. f t vi!S never have to he summoued again. 1 have ventured to make these remaks as a suggestion to your Sheriff, but I am quite sure he will not break the law, bnt will nink<: due inquiries Wore actin. par- ticulai ly when he has not a judge by him to advise him. If there are likely to be heavy cases, or many of them, more must be sum- moned, and in any event more than the exact number must be summoned, as there is such a thing as illness and doctors' certificates with which we are occasionally bombarded, and I have also heard of a juryman not coming when he had no excuse. You must always be pre- pared with a sufficient number of jurymen to provide for the due administration of the laws. There is another thing I should like to refer to; a personal matter perhaps. You will quite understand that when I have, as I often have, a very busy week, it is a relief to me to visit a circuit town and to stay there from Saturday to Monday, and when I am asked to postpone the assize service to Sunday in order that the Mayor and Corporation may attend, it is al- ways a very great pleasure to me to do so, and nothing gives me more pleasure than to join the mayors and the corporations of the various towns through which I pass in a common pray- er in one House of God, to ask for the assis- tance of God in the work which I may be called upon to perform, and having been requested" t for that purpose to postpone the assize service J here till yesterday from Saturday, I was some-/ what disappointed to find that the Mayor and' Corporation were conspicuous by their absence. Now I daresay I was misinformed. There was not sufficient ground for the suggestion to me 19 to postpone the service, and, mind, I make no complaint whatever. I only wish to say I was disappointed because, as [ said before, it is al- ways a pleasure to me to meet the mayors and the corporations in service in that way but more particularly is it a pleasure to meet them when I know that, as in cases, more often than not, a great many members of that corpora- tion do not belong to the same Church as I do, and prefer different forms of public worship from that to which I am accustomed. It gives me, therefore, always much greater pleasure to find them broadminded enough themselves to join with me in worshipping the one God whom we all believe in, and I must sav that yesterday when I went to that grand old church, I could but feel that all the people of Ruthin, Dissenters and Churchmen alike, must be proud to possess such a noble old building as that in this interesting town, and I could but feel still greater disappointment, because they must remember, and I am sure they will be proud to remember, that for many a cen- tury of their history,their ancestors worshipped together in'that one house of the one true God that we believe in; and it cannot be otherwise than interesting again, after some time of com- passive disunion to find us all meeting together for the time being, and at any rate showing by our temporary union our love of religious li- berty and freedom of religious thought. This is a personal matter, as I said, but I was dis- appointed that, after having postponed the ser- vice for that purpose, in findingthat I was, as it were alone, as far as the officers of this anCient town were concerned. The Grand Jury then retired. They brought in a true bill in the single case sent before them, and they returned I into court with the following presentment, which his Lordship stated should be presented to the proper au- thority :— That the Grand Jury of this Assize are of opinion that great inconvenience may result from limiting too closely the number of petty jurymen, but that it be left to the judge and sheriff to excuse jurymen at the last moment when their services are needed.' TRIAL OF A PRISONER. The Court proceeded to try the prisoner, Alice Jane Valentine, of Ruabon, a young mar- ried woman, who was indicted for having, by false pretences, obtained certain articles of clothing from a Ruabon tradesman. Mr. S. Moss prosecuted, instructed by Mr. Kenrick, Ruabon, and Mr. Colt Williams de- fended by direction of the Court. The jury brought in a verdict of not guilty, and his Lordship said it was an improper ver- dict, and the prisoner must not repeat what she had done under the belief that it was not a crime. THE MAYOR'S REPLY TO THE JUDGE. In the course of the day, the following letter was sent to his Lordship by the Mayor (Mr. Ezra Roberts), a copy of which was alsoisup- plied to the High Sheriff 'Will your Lordship permit me, as Mayor of the town, to refer to your Lordship's observa- tions with reference to the Mayor and Cor- poration in addressing the Grand Jury to-day? They took me entirely by surprise as I had not heard that it was even suggested that the Mayor and Corporation should accompany your Lordship to church, from any official sources, and the only communication I received on the subject was a letter from a member of the Town Council, written upon his own per- sonal responsibility, merely suggesting that it would I robably be regarded as a compliment bv the High Sheriff of the county if the Council accompanied him t > church on Sunday. As this letter arrived too late to enable a formal meeting of the Council to be convened, I saw some members of the Council on the subject of the letter, and it was felt by them that, as the suggestion did not come by way of official in- vitation, and as it was already in contempla- tion to propose at the next Council meeting a presentation of a public address of congratula- tion to the High Sheriff, the suggestion should not be acted upon. This I communicated to the member in question. How any representa- tion could have been made to your Lordship or the High Sheriff under these circumstances I am quite at a loss to understand, and I am sure that your Lordship, after this explanation, will not consider that your Lordship's strictures were deserved. Speaking for myself and the Council, please accept my assurance that no- thing could be further from our intention than to be guilty of any action or omission which would by any possibility be construed into want of due respect to your Lordship or the High Sheriff.' HIGH SHERIFF'S LUNCHEON. After the conclusion of the Assize business, the High Sheriff gave a luncheon at the Castle Hotel. There was a large company present, in- cluding some of the leading men of the county. The High Sheriff himself presided, and was supported by Mr. Justice Grantham, Major Birch, the Acting Under Sheriff (Mr. J. Parry Jones), the Rev. the Warden of Ruthin, &c., &c. The menu was of a most recherche charac- ter, containing most of the delicacies obtain: able at this season, both the cuisine and the waiting being excellent, the company generally complimenting Mr. and Mrs. Tegid Owen on their most successful effort. The High Sheriff, in proposing the first toast, that of the Queen,' said the commemoration of the 60th year of Her Majesty's Reign, was perfectly unique in English history, and, in- deed, in the history of the world (cheers). Major Birch next proposed the health < i the High Sheriff. He had, known Mr. Lloyd per- sonally for many years, and could confidently say that no man was held in greater respect im he district than him (loud cheers). He was

conduct, and, therefore, it was the duty of Christian churches to syoeak out without hesitation (hear, hear). With regard to Lord Penrhyn personally, they need say nothing. So far as he knew be n 111gbmmderl gentleman, and one whom they would all respect in a high degree if they knew him well enough (laughter). A* a late writer re marked, by his present conduct", at any rate, he was gradually emerging out of the ob- scurity of his rank and wealth into notor- iety. He begged to propose the following resolution That this conference expresses deep re- gret at the action of Lord Penrhyn in refus- ing to avail himself of the offer and medita- tion of the Board of Trade under the pro- vision of the Conciliation Act of present Government, with a view ote-cermi-natiig the present unhappy trade dispute OO^-A oen him- self and his employees, which refusal had led the strike to be prolonged indefinitely also that the relief fund be strongly recommen- ded to the practical sympathy of the public.' The Rev. Gower Evans seconded. Mr. Beck (Bangor), questioned the de- sirability of their interfering in the matter at all. They knew very little about it, and from the papers it appeared that blame was cast on quarrymen as well as Lord Penrhyn. If they censured one side they must censure the other. He bad certainly allowed no in- terference, but he offered the men work, which had been refused. The resolution was carried, with only two dissentients. The expresident next moved— That this conference desires to record its emphatic protest against the appointment of a, gentleman unacquainted with the Welsh language to the important post of chief In- spector of Elementary Schools in Wales, as we are convinced that upon educational grounds, a thorough knowledge of the langu- age is essential to the proper discharge of the duties of the post.' The resolution was seconded by Dr. Cou- sins and carried. The Rev. J. G. Evans moved— 'That this conference in view of the ag- gressiveness of Rome in propagating its doc- trines in the Principality, urges upon the Protestant community to stem the Papal tide by teaching its distinctive principles, especially to the young.' The Rev. W. Saunders Say the Roman- its, and that will take in the Church of Eng land as well! The Rev. D. G. Lewis, seconded the reso- lution, and it was carried. The Rev. W. J. Jenkins next moved- 'That this meeting deprecates the proper sals of the government to further the sys- tem of denominational education by further subsidiary grants from public resources.' The Rev. W. Saunders seconded and the resolution was carried. PUBLIC MEETING. In the evening a largely attended public meeting was held in the same place under the chairmanship of the Rev. H. Rees. The Rev. William Jenkins, Ponkey, deli- vered an address on 'The Education Ques- tion from a Christian Point of View.' He said that in contemplating the education question from a Christian point of view they must look upon it in its ideal bearing. Proceeding, the speaker went on to examine the points on which education in this coun- try was out of touch with the Christian con- ception of education, and how those points may be rectified. The sectarian idea of education was a false one from a Christian point of view. The education of the young should be a national affair. He admitted that there were points in connection with the education of the young which it was the duty of the church to deal with, but those points might be left to the church without any intervention by the state. He held it was the duty of the home to train the citi- zen, of the state to make a capable citizen, and of the church to make him a spiritual citizen. In the matter of education the state's efforts should be directed to making capable citizens, training them to earn their own living by equipping them with the ad- vantage of a good secular education. The state should not allow sectarian influences to be exerted on the education of the indi- vidual as a capable citizen, and for that reason the proposal which further endow Denominational Schools was a mistake,, and should be resisted by Nonconformists and by all true citizens (loud applause). The Rev. Gomer Evans also gave an in- teresting speech on Papal aggression in Wales.