The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

The Proposed Gas Purchase. SIR,—-Mr Bevan's forecast of the benefits to be derived from the purchase of the Colwyn Bay Gas Company's undertaking is very attractive, but if the ratepayers are wise they will require some better as- surance before assuming the risk and responsibility of the purchase. One thing is certain, in the event of the purchase being completed, namely; that if the net profits should not cover the interest of the money borrowed to pay for the property, the deficiency would have to come out of the pockets of the ratepayers, whether they are gas consumers or not. Mr Bevan speaks of" enormous advan- tages and the certainty of the investment proving very profitable." This glowing language is very like what often appears in the flaming prospectuses of company promoters, but will it stand the test of investigation ? It is said that the old plant of the Gas Company is worn out. If that is the case the Council would be involved, to begin with, in a large capital expenditure in renewing the plant. Then as to the dividends paid by the company,—have they been fairly earned after setting aside an adequate sum for depreciation and renewals ? It is proposed to purchase either compulsorily or by arbitration. Everybody knows that arbitration values are often most excessive, and compulsory prices are invariably extravagant. I would respectfully submit that, as a preliminary step, and before proceeding with the expense of obtaining an Act of Parliament, the District Council should obtain an absolutely independent valuation from an expert, such as Mr W. Newbigginy, the eminent gas engineer, of Manchester and, secondly, that an independent audit of the accounts of the Gas Company, say for the last five years, should be made, to ascertain whether the dividends paid have been fairly earned after providing for depreciation and renewals. Another point, which gives rise to some misgiving—especially here in Old Colwyn, which has hitherto been so miserably served by the company, is—that if there are any directors, shareholders, or persons otherwise interested in the Gas Company on the District Council, it will be im- possible for those members, being both sellers and buyers, to guard the interests of the ratepayers. A recent legal decision appears to disqualify them from voting upon the purchase of their own property, and it seems proper that they should imitate the excellent example of Mr Vandrey, ex-mayor of Manchester, and retire from the Council before this question of the gas purchase comes on for de- cision. There is one more consideration. The project involves the circus feat of riding two horses abreast, under which condi- tions neither horse can do its best. What the ratepayers might gain in gas they would lose in electricity and what they might gain in electricity they would lose in gas. It is easy for Mr Bevan to prophesy enormous advantages and profits, but such prophetic day dreams are' not always realised. The prudent course for the ratepayers is to wait until the new drainage scheme is completed before piling up a fresh load of debt, and in the meantime it will be seen how far the electric light will meet the requirements of the district. —Yours, &c., LLWYCH.

Religious Teaching in School Boards, and the Breakers Ahead. Siiz,-The instance quoted Unfortunately is not by any means the only one that can be supplied to emphasise the attempt to deprive children of what every godly bishop, deacon, minister, or layman, will not say is essential, but a solemn duty, and trust to be performed and carried out. The apathy and indifference of some parents is strange that they should allow the situation to drift to territory where a reputed deception can be hoisted as a menace sufficiently so, to be able to exclude what a parent might well consider reasonably just and proper. I append the cutting, and add that those who intention- ally or unintentionally supply the very weapon of differences for the agents of Rome to confuse and defeat schemes to maintain Protestantism, might well ponder to consider the possible consequence of an attitude that may some day brand their. own children, and those of others, with being void of the very facts, or truths, necessary to oppose Rome's heresy and corruption. "WHAT IS A RELIGIOUS SERVICE?" The Norwich School Board has been debating a proposal made by a clerical member, in favour of rescinding a regulation which prohibits the letting of schools for religious services. It was urged that the regulation was unreasonable, especially as some of the schools were used for Sunday-school services. In the course of a lively discussion, Canon Duckett (Roman Catholic) sturdily opposed any change in the regulations which had worked well for eighteen years. Supposing the regulation were rescinded, and he hired the higher grade school and cele- brated High Mass there, would they consider that an advantageous thing ? For goodness sake let them not open the door to discussions as to what were religious services. Alderman White, M.P. (chairman), foresaw endless religious discussions as to whether the schools should be let to some body or other, and as to the rival claims for particular schools. Ultimately the motion was rejected by 8 to 6. I do not object to what is reasonable, but if gas, street-organs, old castle walls, advertising boards, and such like are of sufficient importance to fill the columns of newspapers, and to receive prominent attention from Council and authorities, then surely the coming generation has some right to attention to be protected from being surreptitiously treated, to be- come ultimately easy victims to the ravages of Rome, to mock sacrifice with sham and deceit, whose enmity to the New Testa- ment is palpable when even the Pope to the local priest and his bishop must act a coward's part to shirk the open declara- tion of the Apostle Paul that such ordin- ance perish with the using," and for a substitute shun Divine Truth to have re- source to references disrespectful and uncalled for. With due respect, where respect is due. —I am, &c. READER.

Memories of Past Days. Contributions are invited from readers interested in Archaeology or Folk-lore, for insertion in this column, in the form of Notes, Oiieries, or Replies. All communications should be addressed" Editor, Past Days,' Pioneer Offices, Colwyn Bay."

BOOKS WANTED. Peter Roberts' Popular Antiquities."—40. Carnhuanawr's Welsh History "—41. Humphrey Llwyd's History of Wales "—42. Dr Nicholas's Annals of Wales "—43. BOOKS FOR SALE. Traethodydd (many parts)-44. Geninen (many parts)—44.

Notes. LAST CENTURY RECORDS.—I beg to send for your antiquarian column some extracts from the Chronicle of 1775, most of which are of local interest :— October 3rd.—The lady of Sir Watkin Williams Bart., of a son, at Winstay, in Denbighshire. J"uly ist.-Charles Brown Mostyn, Esq., brother of Sir Pyers Mostyn, of Talacre, in Flintshire, to Miss E. Witharn. January ist.-Tlie Rev Dr Moore promoted to the See of Bangor. May :12th.—Owen Salusbury Brereton, Esq., to be Constable of the Castle of Flint, and the office of Keeper of the Gaol of the Castle of Flint, and the office of Comptroller of the Records within the counties of Chester and Flint, and the office of Comptroller of the Pleas, Fines, and Amerciaments of North Wales, in the county of Caernarvon, in the room of Other Lewis Windsor, Earl of Ply- mouth, deceased. May 30th.—Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., to be Lieutenant of the county of Merioneth, and to be Custos Robulorum of the said county. May tltlt.—William Beard, Esq., of the Middle Temple, to be a Welsh judge. March 16th.—(Died) Richard Price Thelwall, Esq., a near relation of the Lord Viscount Bulkeley, at Rulace, in Merionethshire. April Trlh.-(Died) the Rev Dr Roger Mostyn, rector of Christleton, Cheshire, prebendary of Windsor and Chester, uncle to Sir Roger Mostyn, Bart., at Christleton aforesaid. July 2211(I.-(Died) the lady of the Bishop of Kildare, at Holyhead, on her way to Dublin. July 2-j.th.—(Died) John Pollen, Esq., late one of the Welsh Judges, at Andover. August f jtli.—(Died) Sir Lynch Salusbury Cotton, Bart., who represented the county of Denbigh in the three last Parliaments, in an advanced age, at his seat at Combermere, in Cheshire. The title and family estate, of about £ 9,000 per annum, descend to his eldest son, now, Sir Robert Salusbury Cotton, Bart. September 2nd.—(Died) the Right Hon. (?) Lady Mary Herbert, only surviving daughter of the late (?) Duke of Powis, in her ninetieth year, at Paris.

Queries. DR JOHNSON AT GWAENYNOG. — The spot in a hollow in Gwaenynog Park, which the eminent lexicographer fre- quented during his visits to Wales, is secluded enough, but I have been puzzled to find why such a place in the middle of a field could have a charm for such a great mind. I would enquire whether the spot where the stone monument now stands was once the site of a summer house, or some other place of rest or retreat ? And while asking this, may I also ask if any readers from the locality can give a copy of the lines composed by Dr Johnson, and said to have been cut on a stone of a cottage door near Gwaenynog. It would be interesting to know why such lines were placed over the cottage referred to ? CLERICUS. THE TAI CROESION MSS.—I beg to enquire whether any of these were ever published. If not, where are the copies if still extant, and further, who was the compiler, where was Tai Croesion, and what did the M £ >S consist of. ? J. X v'. J. CoELBREN Y BEIRDD A COELBREN Y MENEICH.—I have a copy of a letter written by lolo Morganwg to the Rev Walter Davies (Gwallter Mechain) dealing with Coelbren y Beirdd, in the course of which he states that there were only sixteen letters in tne old Welsh alphabet, four vowels and twelve radical consonants. Can any reader kindly inform us what they were, or what are their modern equivalents. Then in another portion of the letter he refers to Coelbren y Meneich, or the alphabet of the Welsh monks. I would enquire why the difference, if any, there was between the alphabets of the bards and monks of Wales ? OVATE. THE CHARITABLE ENDOWMENTS OF DWYGYFYLCHI. Having seen in your columns occasionally notes on the Is charitable endowments of various parishes in this part of Wales, I beg to enquire IZ!, whether there were any endowments in the parish of Dwygyfylchi, and, if so, what were they ? HELYG. THE OLD TOWN HALL AT LLANRWST. —Now that there is a prospect of this musty-looking old structure being pulled down, it would be interesting to know something of its history. When and by whom was it erected ? CIWST.

Replies. LLYS EURYN, OR LLYS MAELGWYN.— Your correspondent has probably not visited the romantically situated old ruins above referred to recently. For his in- formation I may state that what is now remaining forms three sides of a square. Portions of the walls on these sides, to the height of several feet, are standing the fourth is easily traceable, but has almost disappeared. The space may be taken roughly at about twenty-three paces by twenty-two. The walls are picturesque enough in their ruins-broken and crumb- ling—and masses and lumps of stone lie about but most of the lacking material has been removed for use elsewhere. Nature, after her wont, is trying her best to hide her desolation; and the ivy hangs in masses all about. A little, low, round- arched doorway, about five feet in height, is still remaining; and there are eight little windows still in a tolerably perfect state; they are more like loopholes for defence than anything else. They are simply long, narrow, perpendicular slits, perhaps four or five inches in breadth. This is as to the exterior. Inside they slope inwardly, widening until they reach a width of eighteen inches by two feet, thus allowing the maximum of light to enter, with a minimum of risk. The tall chimney stack is most incongruous, and must have been of much later origin, as also the arched fire-place, which any architect would call hideous. There are traces of an outer wall or boundary, enclosing the old build- ing, and what might have been a court- yard, and in certain parts there may have been a moat. AP TRILLO. JEWS AT CONWAY.—The Jews who came over from Normandy with William the Conqueror, were always regarded as the king's chattel, their lives being absolutely at his mercy. They had no right of citizenship; the Jewry in which they lived was exempt from common laws. They were obliged to be in-doors by a certain time, the gates of the Jewry being kept locked at night. The Jews also wore a badge—two white tablets of wool—on their breasts, to dislinguish them from Christians, who loathed them, because they constantly sold up the land of their debtors; for at that time the Jews were the great moneylenders. At last, in 1290, hounded on by popular execration, they were expelled the kingdom by Edward 1., not to return for 360 years. C. LL. M. THE PROSECUTION OF DEAN SHIPLEY.— There appeared an enquiry some weeks ago in your Past Days column about the above case, which arose in the year 1784. As I have a record of the trial, and believe it may be of interest to many of your readers, I send it you herewith." J. H. EXTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS ON THE TRIAL OF THE INDICTMENT, THE KING, ON THE PROSECUTION OF WM. JONES, GENTLEMAN, AGAINST THE REV. WM. DAVIES SHIPLEY, DEAN OF ST. ASAPH, FOR A LIBEL AT THE AS- SIZES AT SHREWSBURY, AUG. 6TH, 1784, BEFORE THE HON. MR. JUSTICE BUL- LER. ON Friday, the 6th of August, 1784, the trial came on at the assize at Shrewsbury, before the Hon. Mr Justice Buller. The indictment was laid for the publishing a libel, entitled "The Principles of Government," in a dialogue between a gentleman and a farmer. This dialogue was written by William Jones, Esq., now Sir William Jones, Knight, and one of the judges of the Supreme Court of Judica- ture at Fort William, in Bengal. THE JURY. John Nicholls, of Chelmarsh, Esq. William Pemberton, of Walford, Esq. Charles Walcott, of Bitterley, Esq. Francis Lloyd, of Berghill, Esq. Thomas Ottley, of Pitchford, Esq. Joshua Blakeway, of Lythwood, Esq. Richard Jones, of Riston, Esq. John Hill, of Prees, Esq. Edward Williams, of Norton, Esq. Thomas Kinnersley, of Leighton, Esq. Thomas Eyton, of Wellington, Esq. John Smitheman, of Buildwas, Esq. COUNSEL FOR THE CROWN. Mr Bearcroft, Mr Cowper, Mr Leycester, Mr Bower, Mr Manley, Mr Richards. SOLICITOR. Mr William Jones, of Ruthin. COUNSEL FOR THE DEFENDANT The Hon. Thomas Erskine, j Mr Corbett, The Hon. Thomas Brodrick, Mr Abbot. SOLICITOR. Mr Lewis Hughes, of St. Asaph. After hearing counsel on both sides, and after having stated the evidence, -r Justice Buller addressed the jury nearly as follows: "Now, gentlemen, this is the whole of the evidence that has been given on the one side and the other. As for the several witnesses who have been called to,give Mr Shipley the charac- ter of a quiet and peaceable man, not disposed to stir up sedition, that cannot govern the pre- sent question for the question for you to de- cide is, whether he is or is not guilty of publish- ing this pamphlet? (To be continued.)

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