The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

WELSH COLLEGES AND SCHOOLS. The Board of Edtroaitioiii have just issued Che eannul Blue-book containing reports from the University Colleges wfliidh partici- pated during the year 1906 in the amnoal grant, now amounting to £100,000, made by Parliament for "University Collages in Great Britain," and for the three Uni- YQisdty Colleges in Wades, wthiah receive a grant of 94,000 each. Reports from üoor- jrstwytli, Ransror. nd Cardiff University Colleges are on the whole very satisfactory. Daring the academical year the nmraber )f students attending each institution has been well up to the avemge, and, judging by the examination results, the work ac- complished has been attended with more -9-n ordinary success. Unfortunately, tW) of the colleges found themselves with a financial deficit a.t the close of the year. While the South Wales and Monmouth- shire institution had a surplus of £ 386, there is a deficit of E391 in the case of Bangor University College, and L280 at Aberystwyth. This goes a long way to rapport the claim for an increased annual grant from the Treasury towards the main- tenance of the throe constituent oodleges of the Welsh University. The totaJ sum of R12,000 now allowed by Government is ad- mittodly too small, especially having regaa* 1 to the great sacrifices already mado by Wales in educational matters. The dccisi in of tho Chancellor of the Exchequer on this question is awaited with keen interest, and it is gratifying to learn that the negotia- tions in progress are likely to prove suc- oessfuL The administration of Welsh Seoandiary Schools, under the Act of 1889, during the year 1905-6, is the subject of another in. te resting report from the Board of Educa- tion. The Board state that "tlho reports of the examination and inspection of the sahools show that the system of seoondary education in Wales, including Monmouth, is developing napidly, and that the people are becoming more and more anxious to xv-tul themselves of the opportunities offer- ed them for higher education." Th;.8 popular desire to profit by the facalitaes afforded for higher education has long bee-i obvious to those who have been associated with Welsh secondary school work chmng the Last few years, but is all the more gratifying when acknowledged by a Govern- ment department. Tho repart states that the total number of pupils inspected has increased from 10,413 to 11,337. The 001 lective staff for the schools consists of 74 headmasters aId 21 headmistresses, 266 assistant masters and 262 assistant mis- tresses, an increase of nineteen assistant masters and an equal number of assistant mistresses during the year. The permanent staff is, therefore, 623 teachers to 11,377 pupils, or a proportion of slightly under one to every eighteen scholars. The. emoluments of the headmasters amount a.pproximatelv to £ 25,519, and of the headmistresses to about £ 6,138, showing am average of E,344 17s for each headmaster, and E292 6 for each headmistress. Considering the qualifications demanded of the secondary school head-teacher the average salary is not extravagant. A noteworthy observation in the report ts that "the average length of stay is gradually improving." Three or four yea.9 ago it was a subject of complaint that parents withdrew their children after but a few months' experience in t'he schools, and the frequent appeals that the children should be allowed a more extended course of study are evidently bearing good fruit. In concluding their report the Board of Kdncation state that, though recognising th«T.fc some few schools are still much below t.!1" standard of efficiency that should fe attained, they arc able to concur in the opinion of the chief Inspector, "that the roeord of the last triennial period indicates a decided advance in almost every depart- monf of school activity." Wales has an undoubted right to expect more generons tmn.tnv^nt in ro^pect of her Colleges and Intermediate Schools. The Welsh people htavc done their share in supporting their educational system, and they not un- naturally expect an acknowledgment of their efforts in the form of increased Kx- cheCLuer ooutributisa*.

WELSH MP.'S DISPUTE. ME. CLEMENT EDWARDS, the Pairliamemtary representative of the Denbigh Boroughs, not unnaturally felt aggri-eved at a state- ment reported to have been made by Mn. KErn HARDIE, when the latter addressed I meeting in MB EDWARBS' constituency. Though the dispute between the two mem- bers has occupied the attention of the House of Commons, apparently the last word has not been heard oonoornittg the point at issue. It is not regarded in good form for one member to go down to a. con- stituency and criticise his colleague who sits for that constituency. This is wha.t was attributed to Mn KEIR HARDIE, who is re- ported to have said that MR CLEMENT | EDWARDS was "paid by Liberal money. The member for the Denbigh Boroughs re- garded the use of such, wordis as a reflecti)n upon his independence. Had MR KETH HARDIE given his own explanation of what occurred or withdrawn his remarks, the matter would not have attained the promi- nence it has done. But instead of doing that the junior member for Merthyr waited until the subject was brought forward iu Parliament ere he gave his own version, of what he said at the Wrexham meeting. ITe. in effect, fell back upon a familiar device. he denied tie accuracy of the newspaper reports. The journalists wtho reported his speech, however, vouch for the accuracy of their reports, as they gtate in a letter they have sent to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and they are further supported by a number of Wrexham real- j dents. MR KEIR HARDIE, it is stated, has made it known thait ho has rsotfivrng further to add to his speech" in the House of Commons on the srabject. That Is how the matter resits, and tihe omffiotwn of testimony does not facilitate a harmonious ending to the dispute.

TEST CONCERT AT LLANDUDNO. LIST OF AWARDS. At the Prince's Theatre, on Wednesday even- ing, a. successful test oonoert was held. Coun- cillor John Jones, of Dinarth Hall, presided and in the course of his opening remarks said be well remembered the Eisteddfodau which were held in the Prince's .Theatre on New Year 6 Day and mentioned the late Mr John Williams, Bodafon and others who interested themselves in the town that time. He thought that they must have amusement for the young, but they ought to endeavour to raise the standard of amusement. The adjudicators were: — Music, Messrs W. Watkin Williams and George Edwards; recita- tions. Rev. Gwynfryn Jones and Mr John Owen (AvaUon). The following were the awards:—Recitation: W. O. Griffiths, Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay. Challenge solo: Miss M. LJechid, Llandudno. Party competition: Mr Edward Davies's party, Old Colwyn. Challenge solo: Mr Hugh Roberts, Blaenau Festiniog. Juvenile choir competition: Deganwy-street Juvenile Choir, conducted by Mr Williams, Llandudno. The Rev. Gwynfryn Jones conducted the proceedings, and Mr J. Ord Charter was the able accompanist.

"It sounds like a religious service," said a solicitor wthen a constable, by aruer of bhe magistrates, wlusrpered in a defendant's far at Newport Peiioo Court the bad language ho- was accused of using.

COMBINATION AND CO-OPERATION, XT ■ WILLIAM E. BEAU. II A staTe subject 1" perhaps scars will exclaim and it is true that, so far as co- operation at least is concerned, the need of it has been drummed into the of the farmer ad nauseam, while he has been csnsured for not following the example of those wonderful Danes, of whose doings I. for one, am thor- oughly sick of reading. But even in reference to co-operation, there are aonw pubit* to which hardly any consideration has been given, indi- cating the reasons for the coiapnratiTCly slow progress of the undertaking in Great Britain, with corresponding suggestions to which atten- tion may be usefully invited. COMBINATION NOT NECESSALLILY CO-OPERATION. Before proceeding further with my remarks, it is desirable to explain why the two terms, combination" and co-operation are used In my title. Co-operation is necessarily com- bination but, unfortunately, the converse ia not equally universal, as too many combina- tions result in nothing more than co-talking, and do not proceed to co-working. For exam- ple, all Fanners' Clubs and Chambers of Agri- culture are combinations, but all are not co- operative institutions. It is true that those which are affiliated to the Central Clmmber of Agriculture assist in doing very valuable work in suggesting to Parliament measures which are needed by agriculturists, and in criticising or opposing those which are more or less antagon- istic to farmers' interests but very few of the, local bodies act effectively in Parliamentary elections. None, I believe, take action against arbitrary and unjust conduct on the part of railway companies, or in opposing the several trusts or syndicates which now control the prices of nearly all the principal requirements of farmers, or, generally, in protecting indi- vidual members against injustice which, for want of means or otherwise, they cannot singly resist effectively. There is no doubt, I think, that if farmers' combinations would assume more of the charac- ter of trade unions than they do at present, they would gain greatly in popularity, aud therefore in strength and influence. It is a question whether the agricultural societies which are concerned almost exclusively with thows could not take action in the several ways indicated above or to be suggested, and cer- tainly farmers' clubs and chambers might do so, THE C8ES OF COMBINATION. In some directions agricultural combinations could act locally to the best advantage, whereas in others a central amalgamation of them would be needed, perhaps. A few examples will illustrate my meaning. Take the case in which a member is wronged by a railway company under the owner's risk rate. That rate, it must be borne in mind, is the only one which some consignments of farm produce will bear, and yet, if goods are so badly mishandled that they are almost or quite unmarketable, the companies will not entertain a claim for damage unless wilful negligence can be proved. How can it be proved by the consignor or consignee ? Neither, as a rule, is at a station where and when the goods are loaded, transferred from one train to another, or unloaded from the trucks. Simi- larly, when perishable goods are delayed in transport or sent to the wrong station, and loss is incurred by the sender in consequence of the delay, the companies refuse compensation. A lawsuit on either point would almost certainly result in the conwignor's favour if he could prove serious damage and loss but not one farmer in a hundred can afford to fight against the "long purse of a railway company, who would carry any case from one court to a higher one on the legal point in. volved. Cases in which fruit-growers and miik-sellere are wronged, and dare not risk the cost of possible redress, are very numerous. What is suggested is that a farmers' combina- tion should take up any good case on behalf of a member, and help him to fight it in the law courts. TO TIGHT THE TRUSTS. Similarly, when a member of a combination is unfairly treated by a rise in his rating assessment, and the Assessment Committee will not give any redress, he may not be in a posi- tion to take his appeal to Quarter Sessions at the cost of jE50, or possibly double as much but his association would be rich enough tc help him in the matter. Other cases in which an association could act where an individual could not might be cited but the examples given will suffice for illustration. With respect to the trusts," which control the prices of manures and other farmers' requirements, the first effort should be to ob- tain legislation against them as monopolies in restraint of trade." Failing success in that effort, a central union of farmers' combinations might do much to bring the monopo- lists to moderation. For example, to counteract the price-raising action of the recently formed trade union of wire-netting makers, and that 01 the manufacturers of artificial manures, the threat of importing these materials from the continent of Europe or the United States might prove effective. The nitrate com- bine woul'Jbe more difficult to combat; but the threat of using guano instead, or sulphate of ammonia, if the syndicate controlling that manure is not an international one, should have weight. As the latter manure is made in gasworks all over the civilised world, the syndi- cate dealing with it can hardly be as close a co-operation as the nitrate one is. This may also be said of the potash syndicate, seeing that potash is a natural product of many coun- tries. Turning now to co-operation or combination for trading purposes, it is first to be remarked that the existing Agricultural Co-operative Federation might well take action against the monopolies referred to above. THE MOLLE OUDINAKY FUNCTIONS of co-operative associations, however, are by themselves of vast importance. They are par- ticularly comprehensive in Denmark, I and, although the constant repetition of descriptions of their work has been alluded to above as wearisome, I yield to no one in admiration of the energy and public spirit by means of which the Danes have made their associations a great success. It is to be borne in mind, however, that the circumstances of British farmers differ widely from those of Danish farmers. Butter- making and selling form the principal subjects of co-operation in Denmark, and these are of less importance in England and Scotland than milk-selling, cheese-making, and some other branches of farming. Moreover, where sales of fresh butter from farm dairies to consumers, or even to retail shop-keepers, can be made, they pay much better than butter-making in creameries for the wholesale market. The cir- cumstances of Irish farmers more nearly than those of their British fellows resemble the con- ditons that exist in Denmark, and in Ireland co-operation has made very great progress. With regard to breeding livestock, in connec- tion with which the Danes co-operate to great advantage, it is to be observed that this branch of co-operation is not needed so much in any T art of the United Kingdom as it is in Den- mark. Our large farmers can obtain for themselves choice animals now widely dis- tributed over Great Britain by means of the numerous auctions and, as for small farmers, many British landlords keep well-bred male animals for the use of their tenants. Still there are cases in which the farmers of a district co-operate for the purpose indicated with great advantage. In Ireland the Department of Agriculture is assiduously attending to tlip improvement of stock-breeding. SOME CONTINENTAL EXAMPLES. In France the co-operative societies named Svndicats Aurricolps." scattered all over the country, have proved of great value to the fanners, and particularly to the p«*»»«.fit-pro- prietorsv In nearly all the oilier principal countries of continental Europe elso agricul- tural co-operation has made great progress. It is needed in most or all of them rcore than in Great Britain but it d-t follow that it is not required hers eiw. The Agricultural Or- ganisation Suricty has done good work iu starting British co-orAtive arwtjciations. As compared with 12 sjch IxoiHo affiliated to it in 1901, there Ie 131 in and ethers have been established sime tho la'.tci date. The number is not a t!rc..t o but it shews that British farmc-jn art; at waking up tu realise the advantages of the system. Of the 13d societies 96 were for the supply of re-qxiitcmt-nts or side of produce 12 were daiiy sot icues 11 were credit associations 4 wnwriitd allot- ments 3 were to nccure motor service S weru of miscellaneous characttrs. CREDIT WITH CO OPEI(Ano;. Now, the great obstacle to the popularity of Co-operation for the purchase, of goods 111 (ireat Britain has been the rule as to Ciish payments. Farmers who can pay cash, if they are fairly I large buyers, ran obtain terms as advantageous bv nrivate treatv is a co-ot>erHtiv« aMOciatiou

l TIMBER. TIMBER. TIMBER, RICHARD WILLIAMS & SONS, « R»- -"X SAW MILLS AND WAGGON WORKS, X" « R»- -"X SAW MILLS AND WAGGON WORKS, X" MiUnTi.w A CONNAH'S QUAY. ( BuyfR3 r WHEELWRIGHT'S ————.======.== EVERY DEscnlPTION TIMBER. Head Offices-3), Oldhall St., LIVERPOOL. OF ESTATE & RAILWAY fcmuuiri ou»v !>Q C r L C M > < TIMBER. TELEPHONE | CONWAH S QUAY 29 J ENGLISH & WELSH ( LIVERPOOL 829 English Oak and Elm TELEGRAMS "OLDHALL LIVERPOOL." T R lEES. Planking.

THE LATE LORD PENRHYN. ELOQUENT TRIBUTES, At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Bangor Workingmen's Conservative Asso- ciation the following resolution was moved by the Chairman (Mr W. Price Smith) and car- ried, all the members upstanding:— "That the condolence of this meeting be tendered to Lady Penrhyn and family in their afflicting bereavement occasioned by the death of Lord Penrhyn; and the hearts of the members of this Association go out in deepest sympathy with them in their great sorrow. That by his death this Associa- tion has lost a staunch friend and supporter. His sympathy and support were extended lo all, without regard to sect, or creed, and the rich and poor of the district have alike lost in him a noble friend and bene- factor."

SYMPATHETIC REFERENCE BY THE LORD- LIEUTENANT. At the Carnarvonshire Quar-t-er Sessions, to- day week, the Lord-Lieutenant, who pre- sided, made a touching reference to the death of Lord Penrhyn. He said :— It has been my sa.d duty as Chairman of this Court, all too often, to refer to the gape wrought in our ranks by the hand of death, and never have I done so with a deeper sense of the lost- which this county and this Bench has sustained than on the present occasion, for the late Lord Penrhyn was not only a.n esteemed and valued colleague, but was the senior magistrate upon the bench. The late Lord Penrhyn qualified as far back as 1861, and he therefore acted as a oounty justice for six and forty years. His loss will be soreiy felt in the social and public life of this countv, in which he always took a keen and active interest. In him every good and every charitable cause ever found a ready, kindly, and generous friend, and his memory, enshrined in many a grateful heart, will surely constitute his noblest monument. I will, therefore, move that we tender to Lady Penrhyn and the family our respectful sympathy, and at the same time express our sense of the great loss which the Bench and the county have sus- tained by the death of Lord Penrhyn." The magistrates present expressed their con- urrence with the motion by rising from their seats.

Births, Marriages, and Deaths. BIRTHS. DA VIES.—April 9th, the wife of the Rev. E. J. Davies, Nantglyn Rectory, Denbigh, of a son. DA VIES.—April 3.2th. at New-atreet. Porfcma-doe. the wife of Mr Llewelyn Davies, journalist. of a daughter. EVANS.—April 15th, at Beaoon's Hill, Denbigh, the wife of Mr Henry Evans, of a son (firs! barn). JONES-—April 11th, at 17, Assheton-terrace, Carnarvon, the wife of Mr George Jones. clogger, of a eon. POWE,TA,Ori April 10th, at Sunnyside, St. Asaph, the wife of the Rev. E. W. Powell. vicar of St. Asaph, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. EVANS-HARDY.-Aprid 11th, at All Saints', Compton, Winchester, by the Rev. C. H. H. Cooper, rector, assisted by the Rev. J. T. H Du Boulay, Lieut. M. D. Evans. R.N., son of Major D. W. Evans, Penymaes, Llansantffraid, Montgomery, to Cecil Beatrice, daughter of Major-General Hardy, York and Lancaster Regiment, Shawford, Hampshire. ROBERTS—EVANS.—April 18th, by licence, at the Welch C.M. Chapel, Bwloh, by the Rev D. James, Llanegryn, Mr Hugh Roberts, Pen ayffryn, Ruthin, to Mary, only daughter of Mr and Mrs John Evans, Ilafcd Wen, Llan- gelynin. DEATHS. ELT,IS.-Api-il 10t.h, at the Almshouses, St Asa.ph. Mrs Borbara Ellis, late of Waen, aged 80 years. GEOR-GK.—April 13th, at South-lawn, Rbyl, in his 69th year, Oliver George, Registrar and Hiarh Bailiff of the Rhyl and St. Asaph County Court and Clerk to the Justices of the Petty Sessional DivisiollB of Rhyl. Abergele, St. I i3L' Asaph, Prestatyn, and Colwyrn Bay. GRIFFITH.—April 11th, at BrvnBiencyn. Mr R Csidwaladr Griffith, Late of Portdinorwic, aged 66 years. HOTCHKISS— April 15th. at The Grove, Holy- well Henry, the dearly-beloved husband of Hannah Eliza Hotdhkiss. JONES.-ApTil 11th, at Boaitnewrdd, Grace, wife of Mr Hugh Jones, Rock Villa, Llan- fai rf cohan. JONES.—April 15th. Mrs Jones, Plas Meiio-d Henllan, near Denbigh. OWER-April 14th, at Bryn Hyfryd, Trefriw, in her 88th year, Ellen, widow of the late William Owen. ROBERTS—April 15th. at Gwalia Villas, Castle, Denbigh, Mr Robert Henry Roberts. elder son of Mr Robert Roberts, joiner. late of Clifton House, Park-etreet, Denbigh. WILLIAMS—April 11th. aged 69 years, Mr Owen Wdliams. Tynyceunant, Waenfawr. WILLI A MS.—Ar>ri] 15th, in his 24th year, Bert.. son of Mr W. Williams, Armonfa, Vale-street, Denbigh.

RNFT?AI,«5 BY Established 1867. ft Allen & Sons, 4c. station Voad. Colwyn Bay. Telfohon? 91S7 9 ITelcams: Aliens. Undertakers, CflwynRay For MO LVA. NUMENTS I INGc&Nr F. Alio SLATE § IIP:' GEO ROBERTS & BR0. | I Tel. 32X cCULPTORS, | PUARON WORKS, LLANDUDNO. | Atld-psc— SCULPTORS, LT.AN*fHTr>NO. f ¡ ,<11.<4?"

GLAN CONWAY JOTTINGS. (From a Correspondent.) PARISH COUNCIL. The newly-00nstituted Council is to meet on Wednesday evening, when the usuaJ prelimi- naries have to be arranged Y12- the appoin*- !iic,:iu5 of chairman, VJOe-ohainnan and over- Boors. The recently elected councillors have, for so.m-o time past, been busily engaged col- 14acting meuterLal upon multifanous subjects in ordier to be prepared to deliver impromptu orations upoin questions likely to be worthy of intellectual consideration and intelligent diu- ouesion. It is to be hoped thiait the present councillors will act in an independent manner, and use their own common sense and thinking powers whenever any subject crops up thai ooneoraB the welfare of our delightful village which is seemingly gaining in popularity yearly. • • THE SUMMER TRIP. My sugigestaon Last week, with regard to making tiie summer trip a "popular" one. socnifi to be favourably commented upon, ana I sincerely trust tha.t an effort will be energe- :.io.ulv made to select a particular day, plat* a:ni train in order thaut the "lions" and tha "lambs'' may, for onoe, at any raw, dwell to- gether in unity.

"When my sLsttcr died," said a defeiutrtnt at Llanfyllin (Montgamervahne) County Court, "it was thought my broWver was dead, and I ha.d her ntcsney ari-d property, but. it thf* last 111 >n!Jt. he turned up, ajid I h;¡,d to hand the prx>?lerr-v and a sia.re of the money over to him. His Honour Under those circumstancebÏ* e. well worth turning ttp (lauptierj.

A good wedding atory is told in the "CShuaxih Family Newspaper" by the Rev. CL Emery, reotor of Pemmmen, in Gla- morgan. At a voleage chw-ch a wedding was fixed for a certain date. The happy morn arrived, and in due course a youtlhicl swain and fatre ladye presented themselves at the chancel steps. The service proceed- ed smcothly aa far as the question, Wilt thou have this woman to be thy weddied wife?" Whereupon the supposed bride- groom stammered blnshiinely, "Please, air, I'm not tie right man." "Not the right man I" exclaimed the oktrgyman, aghast. "Then where is the right man?" "He s down at the bottom of the church, sir. He's ashamed to come up." t The Goveramemt, it is understood, will in all probability adopt Mr Rea's Ball pro- viding for the medical inspection of school- children, which has now comjpletad its Committee stage. The Bill will come up for report, in the ordinary course, on one of the two Fridays following the Whitesimtide holidays, when Mr McKemna is expected to announce his intention to take up the Bill as a Government measure for the sake of edi ting business. « In the "Brython," a writer gives some interesting remmi-smneco of the famous tenor Eos Morlais. He first sang himself into fame at an eisteddfod held at Towyu, Merioneth, and he kept in public sighft ever afterwards. He contracted his long ill- ness by standing in the draught whilst singing on an eisteddfod platform. He was obliged to undergo a serious medical opera- tion, but he never successfully shook off his malady. Whilst under chloroform he astonished the doctors by singing, "Sound an alarm," a favourite song of has, from beginning to end, and it greatly affocited them. Eos Mortaid last public act was to lead a musical festival at Donvlais, end his appeal for sympathy and help on that oc- casion was very pathetic. On every occasion previously he was able to infuse life into the singing with his own incomparable voice, but this time he could do little more than stand in front of the audience. 0 0 0 0 Lord Aberdare, who went to Cowbridgo the other day to speculate oil tihe presence of so many Sootah Land-owning families in Wales, has atirong Welsh sympathies. He attended the bazaar dubly-ol-d in Welsh clah-overcmt and all. Tlhis is all 'brothyn llwyd,' but it comes from Nortli Wales," he was ovedbeard to remark. We should thank ourr stars that we have our own gas and electric lighting oon- cerns," said All- John Williams at Tuesday s meeting of tihe Colwyn Bay Council. Mr Williams, as chairman of the Lighting Com- mittee, mig^ht perhaps be excusied for in- dulging in a few superlatives when he speaks of the undertakings under his con- trol. The two concerns are certainly in a very prosperous condition. While neigii- beuring towns have to meet deficits on their electric light schemes, that at Colwyn Bay is not ojiiy paying its way but affording a substantial source of ixslief to tihe rate- payers. Mr Williams anticipates a net profit of E700 on tihe year's working, and Lt was hinted that the price of electric cur- rent might be reduced to the private con- sumer in the near future. Agiain, the town derived great financial help from the gas undertaking, which contributed £550 towards the cost of street lighting, and, as compared with 38 4d per 1000 cubic feet, which was the charge under the old regime, the present price of gas is 2s. In other words, public lighting by means of gas has cost the town 1;230, as against L760 paid in former years. But for these pro- fitable oonoems it is difficult to conceive how Colwyn Bay could have carried out the several expensive sdfoemes completed during the past few years without a very material increase in the rates. ft • • • Mr Joseph Dicken, the deputy dhairman of the Colwyn Bay Urban Authority, is to 4be entertained to a banquet by his col- leagues. This is intended as a graceful tri- bute to his services during the past year. As our readers are aware, Mr J. Herbert Roberts^ M.P., agreed to accept nominally the chairmanship of tho Council, but on tihe 'distinct understanding that he would not be able to attend the Council meetings owing to his Parliamentary and other en- gagements. This step was taken on the presumption that a member of the Royal Family would perform the opening cere- monies in connection with various public undertakings completed during Mr Roberts term of ofiioe. Hopes entertained in this direction have been deferred, but of this matter more anon. Mr Dicken should, in the ordinary way, have occupied the chair, but under the circumstances he freely waived his claim and readilv carried out the duties of chairman, tnough he could not fully share the honours attached to the office. This was an action wortrhy of the best traditions of public life, and for that reason, no less than the admirable manner in which he has conducted the Council's business as its acting chairman, we are glad Mr Dicken's fellow members have decided upon recognising his services in the manner indicated. Mr Justice Williams, at Tuesday's Welsh Church Commission sitting, observed that the name Band of Hope has a pretty equivalent in Welsh. The Welsh name is Gobeithlu, "llu" being a word of wider meaning than band in the modern sense. It gives tho meaning of the word in the six- teenth and seventeenth centuries. # For the first time in its history the an nual conference of the London and North- Western Railway Temperance Union wias hel'l in North Wales on Saturday, Llan- dudno being the favoured town for the holding of the meeting?. In following the proceedings one could not fail to be im- pressed with the admirable organisation which has done such excellent work in pro- moting temperance amongst the railway men. Tts membership roll is ever iibcrms- ing, and there is every prospect of the Union adding to its strength year by year. The thousands of men employed cm the varioros railway systems throughout the country haw duties to perform which, in their own and the public interest, demand the utmost vigilance and tihe fullest use of tbeaf faculties. It ia, therefore, gratify- ing to find tihat the men themeelves have so largely appreciated tOO principles advocated by the Union and joined )t(.. ranks. The many interesting addreaaea de- livened at the conference will do mudh to direct the attention of the public to the excellent work that is being carried on under he auspices of the London and North- Western Railway IVsRiperswico Union,

PERSONAL. Tie Oxmieea of Powis has ooma to town from Pomft Cbet'e, Welshpool. The Duko of Westminster has returned to GrosTMMr Boase from Eaton Ball. Mrs Emily Cfetroime Hill, of Llanddnlas, Abar. wibo died on the 19th January last, has left estate vaJood at £3700. The Dnke of WesfcmVifiker was on Saturday elected president of the ne^ly-oanstiitu*edChcshix<? LhVision erf otM Natioana.1 Umion of Conservative Aasocratxoina. Sir William Preeoe and Or. John Rhys have had conferred upon them the honorary degree of LL.D. by the Western University of Pennsyl- v.œa.. I Lard Tredegar is giving sittiings to Mr Hugh Rsriope, the well-known portrait artist, far an oil painting whiah will form part of the Mon- re tribute to his lardshay, The rmrriagtt of Miss Prise ilia McLaren, daughter oi Sir Qhartes UcJ Bart., M.P., wath Sir Henry Norman, M.P., is to take place in St. MexgareifB Qbiaroh, Westminster, on Wednesday, May 8th. Mr O. G. Afflbetan-Smidh, of Vayrnod, celebra- ted) his 57th btntbday on Toeeday, and the vil- lag-e of Porbdinorwio and the shipping in the harbour were gafly deoan»ted with flags in honour of tibe event. Under the will of tihe late Mr Lewis, J.P., of Ba.r.mouili, a l af o has been left to the OaetrsaJam CarvimNUc Methodist Cthardh, Bannoaitih. He also beqiaeathed £25D to the Barmouth Oomnity Sdbcol, and £100 to the British ana Foreign Bible Society. The Rev. Thomas Lewis, M.A., B.D., who has just been appointed PriacipaJ of the MemoriaJ t^odlsge, Brecon, is an odd student of the Uini- vensiJ.y College of North Wales, Bangor, where he held an exhibition and took part of has couree for the London B.A degree. The Marquis of Amg-ksey, his mother, Lady Alexander Pt, and a party from Beaudesert, his lordship's seat noaT Rnigelev, had a motor- car breakdown on Friday afternoon while on the way to Burton-on-Trent, where the Marquis was to have opened a bazaar iin connection with Holy Trinity Church. The Marquis left Beau- desert on Monday for London. Captain tihe Hon. J. O. Best is reported to be seriously ill at bis Welsh seat, Vivod, Llangollen. He has taken a prominent part in Denbighshire county affairs, serving as a justice of the peace, oounty councillor, and holding many otheT public appointments. Captain Best is an uncle of tihe present Lord Wynford. The marriage arranged between Oapt. F. G. Oourtihope Mansel Morgan, South Wales Bor- derers, eldest 60D of the late Captain Mansel Morgan, J.P.. D.L., and Mrs Morgan, of Plas Cood M6r, Anglesey, and the Hon. Helen Mary eldest daughter of Lord and Lady St. John, of Bletsoe, will take place at Melchbouma on ruesday, tJ1,e 30th insfc. At Upton Parish Church, near Chester, on Tuesday, a marriage was solemnised between Mr Allan Fergus'^n Wood, eon of Mr Wi'l'am C. Wood of WeOOn, Essex and Brinscall, Jharlcy, Lancashire, aaid Rubma, daughter of Mr H. EobeartBOn, J.P., Plas Ncwydd, Llan- gollen. ex-High Sheriff of Denbighshire. The wedding took place from Upton Grange, the residence of the bride's uncle, amd was very quiet owing to tihe recent death of the brae's mother. Mr Francis Bcnry Dent Isas been appointed by the Managing OommSttee of the South- Eaetorn and ChaKham Railway Companies to be their ijoods maaager im the room of the lat3 Mr George Wa.ilia Mr Dent's father was Vice- Adminl Dent, Comn.odore and Superintendent for tho London and Norrth-Western Railway '"Vsn.pany's fteamors a.t Holyhead, and he himself was assistant sutparimtendent ait CheeteT, and aftersrards promoted to the suporintendency. His brotJher, Mr Charles Dent, who was the London and North-Western Company's dist-ict superinteftdesit at Liverpool, was a few years ago made general manages- of the Great Southern and Western Railway of Ireland. VISCOUNT FIELDTNG'S MAJORITY. The rommrtt-oe which has been appointed to iariy tthrongih tho tienamts' celebration of the coinng of-age of Visoounit Fielding (eldest son heir of tlbe Ecurl of Denbigh) held a meet- ing art Holywell on Friday, when it was is- ported that a suibshaautial stan had been sub- scribed tor the presentation to tihe young heir. It was decided tihat the presentation shou 1 d take tihe form of aiD illuminated address, and that Viscount Fielding should be consulted as to whit form tho general presenitation should toaka. The festivatties intended to mark the happy occasion will take place at Downing early in June next. Tho .nansion of Downing is beautifully siiua- ted and was formc<rly the Tesidenoe of Thonws Penn.ant,tr..e aflitiqTsary. The estate was brought into the Earl of Denbigh's family by the mar- ria,rro ryf the presf-iit peer's fcuther to Mics I..o116a Pennant, the great- gr and -d au^ht e r of Thomas Pennant.

WILL OF THE LATE COLONEL SIR CHARLES HUGHES-HUNTER. Colonel Sur Charles Hughes-Hunter, fiffst bar- onet of Plas Codh, Llanfaiir, Anglesey, who died on 2nd February Last, aged 62 voturs, left estate valued at £301 2 10 grces, of which £40 9" 2d is net personaJtty. Probate of his will has bcøn granted to hie widow, Dame Sarah Elizabeth Hugfaes-IIuntor, of Plas Coch, and of Brynddu, Anglesey, Lady of the Manor of maes, to wham the testator left the whole of his property abeoiutely. He is succeeded in the baronetcy by his son Lieutenant William Bulkedey Hughes- Hunter, kuto of 4ftie 3rd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and now a. student at law.

COLWYN BAY LIGHT RAILWAY. PROMOTERS D!SCUSS THE SITUATION. GROUNDLESS RUMOURS. Mr Sllon (chairman), Mr Huxta.bie and Mr Ivey, representing the light railway promoter*, interviewed the members of the Oolwyn ay Council, on Tuesday afternoon, with reference to oertain points in the scheme. was ono word, AXr Sellon said, which be wished to say before starting upon the actual business. He had received cuttings of certain newspapers which were issued in the town, but he desired to ray at once, and distinctly, that there was no intention on the part of the com- pany, and ceitainly would not be eo long as DO was chairman of it, to try to depart from any agreement they might have entered into. He wanted to set aside that question at once. He wanted the Council to be good enough to take the company into their confidence, and listen to what the company had to 6ay rather than listen to what he had seen in the Prees. The company was, after all, composed of gen- tlemen, and he hoped he was one. They haa found the money privately amongst themselves for the purpose of carrying out this undertaking, .so that they had not gone to the public at large and asked for money until the concern became the euooess which they intended it to be. He did not think, under the circumstances, that it was quite honourable on the part of a section of the Press to make use of such terms as "shifty devices," "discreditable tricks," "evasive and underhand methods," and so he hoped tha.t when the members saw such remarks, they would not take them into consideration, but would at once write to the fountain head, namely, him- self, for official and reliable information. THE DRAFT ORDER. Now there were just one or two points he ihould like to deal with. The first, the speaker proceeded to say, is this matter of the draft order. The draft order, which we gave to the Commissioners, was before you and before yo1 clerk, who, no doubt, thoroughly went throu^ I it, and, no doubt, he could have gone and mei. tioned to the Commissioners if that draft order contained anything which was contrary to the agreement he had entered into. He didn't do we, and we know he didn't do so because the draft order abided by those agreements, and fcherefore he had nothing to complain about. But there has been some little misunderstanding, and I want to tell you frankly that the terms of the order issued were drawn up by the Com- n.issioners. Without consulting the promoters the Commissioners took the promoters' draft order, and then formulated their own, and sent it down to you as the provisional draft order for ytiir consideration, binding on no one, but simply for your consideration. They did that .with the promoters as well as with the authorities interested. We make our own re- marks upon the ordea and send it back, and I jvisb to make it quite clear that our draft order {had nothing in it contrary to the agreement urmde re Sunday running. There is nothing in (that which in any way says we are going to (demand Sunday running. The order when it ,We.cl before the Commissioners had nothing in fit deleting the question of giving the Corpora- tion the right to omit Sunday traffic. But that order was issued by the Commissioners, and you have had a communication from the jLight Railway Commissioners themselves to in- form you that the mistake was their own, and tyiat the clause re Sunday cars had been omitted in error. Mr Amphlett: Yes, that is so. Mr Sellon: I want to show you that it was an alteration made by the Commissioners and not by us. Wo are not responsible, and that is why I complain of the mention publicly made in a section of the Press that the omission is a "shifty device," a "discreditable trick," that it was "an evasion by underhand methods." I way that the gentleman who wrote that knew nothing about the matter, and that he ought to be ashamed to make such statements. COST OF ROAD WIDENING. The next point dealt with was the £ 3000 contribution towards the cost of road widening, »nd the Clerk, after Mr Sellon had dealt with it, aid he had no doubt that this agreement also would be abided by. Mr Sellon said he would undertake, as far as he could, that the wording o( the order should be the same as the wording of the agreement. Mr Amphlett: That is quite satisfactory. The contribution of JE2500 in respect to Rhos- road widening was dealt with to the material satisfaction of the Council and company. Mr Sellon also explained, again to the satis- faction of the meeting, why the company had abandoned the dangerous two-decked 30ft,. car and adopted in its place a single-decked 42ft! car. This was done in the interests of public ea-ety. A GROUNDLESS RUMOUR. Continuing, Mr Sellon said there had been some discussion in the newspapers about some question of laying down temporary rails in the narrow street near Cambermere Lodge. That suggeabion had not emanated from him, and so far as he was concerned there was nothing in tho rumour. He hoped those little points wou'd olear tho air, and leave the Council and the com- pany ea good friends as they were when he had itiha opportunity of meeting the councillors before. There was one more question which needed explanation, and that was with regard to scwi-.o oairs which ha-d been put down at I I w- dudro. With regard to that there had been an a»TCCT:io-:it between tho contractors of the 'ine ar. 1 a lixrd landowner that oars should he iui>tt;ri,g at T/'nndudno by a oertain date. The cars pl-ircd rzn the raila im oder to com- p'{'t.e th; agreement, bu+ the 1.i-rht Railway C^np-uiV had no'hmar to do with the matter, as tie agreement was between the contractors and the landowner PFBLTC OR PRIVATE. FinaJlv, the Sf-rnkcr said he had ecmne pru- pos.i's to make to the Council in respect to the question of a choice of routes—the only point loft between them—and he thought that was a matter which, should be diecassed in carmnittoe. Mr E. Allea proposed, and Mr E. H. Davics seconded, that the discussion bo in open Coun- cil on the ground that that was a question which had been thrashed out in the newspapers. Mr Sell em pointed out ihat in that instance ihoy w.re de-ding with pnviaie property, and it was onJy reasonable to discuss transactions of that chaj\icio<r in committee. Mr T. H. Morgan supported the motion. The Rev. William Hughes opposed the motion on tho ground that it was not desirable for the Ocwno 1 nocr -he company to "tfumv their hands" in a nwilffl" of that kind. He proposed that the question be dealt with in oammittee. Mr D. 0. Williams seconded, and said that as the previous irnterviefw with the company had been in committee, he could see no reason why tbait should no* also have been proceeded with in the same way. Mr Bevan supported the amendment, and pointed out that the committee's decision would have to be oonfrrmed in open Council afterwards. Mr Wiiliam Daviee said he was as strong an advocate of open discussion as anyone, but he mlmld not see why they should help people to bleed to dea-th ertiher the company or anyone else (langihter). Mr Allen eventually withdrew his motion, and ltwas agTeed that the clerk supplied the press WÏIffu a summary of the proceedings. AN UNADOPTED SUGGESTION. It is understood tha.t Mr Sellon afterwards suggested that txa Council nwide a contribution to help the company lo bear the cost of acquir- ing Cambermere Lodge, so that the route known by that name could be utilised by way of an ensbranoe to the town. The Lodge, it should be explained, obstructs the witening of the Prome- nade at its extremity at Rhoe, and if the tram- way is laid past the Lodge, the Council expect the company to throw open to the public the grounds of the Lodge not required for the Pro- menade. Henoe Mr Sellora's emggeetion that the Council oomtribirted towards the expense of acquiring this property. The Council stated they ware unable to adopt Mr Sellon's suggestion, but they agreed that f 1he owners of the property adjoining, who would be txinefite-fi by the scheme, did not contribute to the satisfaction of the company, the alte:- nat-, route phould be followed.

I English and Welsh Markets. CATTLE. LIVERPOOL. Monday.-The supply of O;alld Was larger tthain last week. Demand alow bond prjoes generally unchanged, the top quotation bewg hard to realise. A thousand more sheep 00 ?r(?' at unaltered rates for sn*a!I ani^ihed classes. Strong &ad rcrvtgh sort* aiso maintained last. week's improved prices. In Lambs in more inquiry and dearer. Prices:— Beef k1 to 5d per lb.; sheep in wool, lid to 82d; ditto clipped. 9d to 6d. At market: 1023 oat;td,B and 4635 sheep. ^djhOR.D, Tuasclay. — Eighitv-onc mart cattle on show, 1802 more sheep. The general tone for both was a little dull exoopt in ease or vary choice animals. Quc-taitnons —Gataie. 5d to 7d; sheep, 7d to 9^d; lambs, 30s to 42i each; oalvee, 6d to 9td. CORN. LIVERPOOL r TlIeOO.av. Wheat market closed steady after fajT business at Fridav5* PnCe? /Hf1 dcaj'«- Flour in better do- mand at fail pricos to 6d per sack dearer. Maiae mot mo-danate consumptive trade Mxed American old, 5s; Gsiv^ton, 4S 7jd New Orleans 4s 7jd: Odessa new 4s Id' Northern Americans,. 4e Plate, 5s Id per vf + i™ qxuot> ancJiaiigod.. Peas steady but sW trade. Barley and aits firm. HAY AND STRAW M^CIIESTER, Monday.—Hay, 6d clover, 6 £ d 6tnaw (oat), 3jd per stone of 141b. WOOL. BRADFORD. Mond.a.v.-Thc market is still quiet as regards both wool and top,. UOO1'8 eeem disposed to await the result of the May Balas before operating further. Prices remain faraa all round. Ocssbred forties 7 merino sixties tops 2s Ad. In mohair there » a smalJ miscellaneous business at unchanged rates. In tho yarn trade there is still nn advance of new business for th« Continent,. BUTTER, MEAT, EGGS. BANGOR, Friday.—Fresh butter, 13 3id to Is 4d per lb.; ditto (salt), Is to Ls 2d eggs, 16 !° on foT 16; 4id per lb. porkets,' 15a to 2Gs each; fowls, 5s 6d to 6s per couple; duck^. 3s each; rabbits, 6-d to lOd each; beef, 5d C- lOd per lb.; mutton. 8d to lOd pork. 7d to lOd; veal, 7d to 9d; lamb, 15 2d to ls 3a; potatoes, 7a to Ss per sack; Welsh honey. Is per I b. CARNARVON. Satu.roay,-Fres.b butter, Is 4d per lb.; ditto (salt), Is to Is 2d eggs, 18 to 20 for Is; potatoes, 8s per sack fowls. 3s per con- ple; ducke, &0 to 3s 6d each; beef, 2d to 9d per lb.; mutton, 7d to 9d; lamb, le to is 2d; pork. 5d to 9d; veal, 5d to 9d; fat pigs, 4d per lb.; porkets, 16a to 186 each. LLANGFFNI, Thursday.—Butter, le 3d per lb.; eggs, 18 to 20 for ls; beef, 6d to 8d per lb.; mutton, 7d to 9d; lamb. Is; veal, 7d to 8d; pork, 6d to 8d; fat pigs, 4d to 44d; porkets, 15s to 20B each; fowls, Is 6d to 2s each; ducks, 2s 6d each; oats, 17a to 19s per quar- ter potatoes. 7s per sack. PWLLHELI, Wednesdav.-Frmb butter, Is 8d per lb.; eggs, 5s 6d per 120; fat pigs, 4d per lb.; Htade pigs, 156 to 2Qs each fawls, 2B 4d to 2s 6d per couple; chickeas, 4s to 4s 6d per couple; beef, 5d to 8d per lb.; mutton, 8d to lod; pork. 6d to 8d; veal, 5d to Sd lamb, lid to 18 Id per lb. WREXIIAM, Monday.—At this market to-day there was a large supply of stock, and trade was very good indeed. A Large number of abeop and lambs chian-ged hands at isatisfact-ory prices. QuotationsBeef, 6d to 7id, muttoa 7d to 8d, lamb 82d to lOd, voal 7d to Bjd, and pigs from 8s 4d to 10s per score Ibe.

I ¡ [SAVE.. MILK Every wide-awake Farmer knows that there is money in milk, and more milk means more money. Thousands of Farmers are saving milk and making money by using SILCOCK'S SOLUBLE CALF MEAL for rearing calves. It is a perfect substitute for milk, saves time and trouble, and is ready for use In three minutes simply by adding water; i pint makes i gallon of thick gruel, which will make the calf grow quickly and profitably, and fit it early for Cake-feeding. The price is only 12/6 per cwt., carriage paid. bend a trial order to day to R SILCOCK & SONS, Union Street, Liverpoo>, and you will rear paying calves and begin to SAVE.. MONEYN

could offer them. It is small farmers chiefly Who need to combine for purchasing purposes, lId most of them require credit. In most con- tinental countries, and recently in Ireland, agricultural credit societies have been estab- llshed side by side with other co-operative Institutions, and this must be the case in Great Britain. if co-operation is ever to become very extensive. Co-operation for the sale of produce, except iiii relation to the dairy branch of farming, has Jiitherto been an extremely small business com- fjaratively, though the bacon trade has been ncluded extensively in Denmark. It is obvi- ously much more difficult to work than co- operation fcr purchase but it seems to me Calculated, if the difficulties can be surmounted, k prove more beneficial. Its highest function would be the attainment of direct dealing be- tween producers and consumers, and it is pos- sible to imagine the accomplishment of this object in reference to milk, butter, poultry, eggs, fruit, and vegetables, if not to fresh pieat, bacon, and hams also. The difficulties tie very formidable, and it would require a separate article to enumerate and explain them, and to niggest possible means of surmounting them. Perhaps human nature will have to be- Ollie improved before those difficulties will be fully overcome, as I am convinced that they will be some day. A MATTER OF ECONOMY. In the meantime, much advantage might be obtained from the co-operative sale of agricul- tural produce, including fruit and vegetables, by means of a system falling fhort of the direct Biipply of consumers. It would be compara- tively easy for producers of meat, dairy pro- duce, poultry, eggs, fruit, and vegetables—in short, everything now largely sold for them by Commission salesmen, to combine to sell their produce co-operatively in the wholesale mar- Kets. This would also cover a great saving in railway rates, consequent upon carrying, goods in truck-loads or even train-loads in some Cases. In the Evesham district one association of the kind suggested is reported to be working successfully in relation to fruit, and a few other successes have been noticed in the reports of the Agricultural Organisation Society. If the success continues, we shall soon see a multipli- cation of the few attempts outside the butter industry hitherto made in this direction.