The North Wales Chronicle and Advertiser for the Principality

EVENTS OF THE WEEK. It is very hard at thiA particular moment to wriw anythmg ahout Lord Roberts that is not tuckncyed, as his ntine has been on everyone's tongue now for a full twelve, monthe. Just a year ago, in the black days when bad news fol- j lowed hard upon the heels of bad news, every- body began to ask amongst themselves whi- "Bobs" wa6 not sent out, and he jiersomlly was dying1 to go. At last the moment arrived. News of another disaster came across the sea, and upon, a Saturday, a few days before Christ- inas, a Cabinet Council was hurriedly summoned, which resulted in tlie welcome news to the pub- lic that I.c.rd Roberts was to go out with Lord Kit;hen<l' as chief of his staff. The next morn- ing the story came to hand of his son's great gallantry and hero's death, and added a jiocntliaT patlios to the sititation but Lord R0- berts did not flinch. Then he sailed, and early in the year landed at the Cape, and this mere foot somehow (teemed to relieve the nation's tension, despite intervening mishaps in Natal. After this followed a quiet period of masterly inactivity, till all was ready, and thenceforward Rolxrt.-i lsegau his wonderful march. Without a tiieek he routed the enemy from what had heen considered impregnable positions, until Kimber- jey had ltvn relieved and Paardeberg reached. Almost at once Cronje surrendered with 4000 men, and OIl "Hobs" led his victorious army to Bloemfontein. Here he halted and rested after one of the most brilliant and extraordinarv marches in the annals of the British Army. A few weeks Inter he entered the other capital, months before anynnc ever dreamt it, possible, and he became a god in the eyes of the people, and the very mention of his name would almost throw the nation into hysterics. Since that, day he has had a most worrying task to suppress the guerilla warfare, but last week at Durban he Mt- nounced that the war was over. So it is for all practical purposes, but De Wet has heen decided- ly giving the Commander-in-Chief the lie, since he turned his back upon the scene of hi, triumphs. But. for some strange reason Lord rt»i>erts, so popular with Boer and Briton alike, h*1t a. great deal of his popularity with the inhabitants of Cape Colony and the R-efiigeef.- tho former Ivecnuse they consider his treatment of their Boer cousins too harsh, and the latter because they do not consider it sufficiently sc— but Lord Roberts can let this pass with ar un- ruffled mind, in the thought that he has pleased his grateful fellow-countrymen. His progress from. Pretoria through Natal, via Lady smith, Pietermarltzburg, Durban, and East London, was like 30 Roman Emperor's triumph, and Cape liiv.n suqmssed itself, Fhowingtllat repeated ovations luive not made it blase. Now Lord Ro- berts is fairly on high seas, accompanied by General Keliy-Kenin, whose infantry brigade distinguished themselves so on the Chief's great mar-\ and who helped to draw the cordon round the Boer< at Paardelierg, General Ian Hamilton, who was the life and soul of the Lady- Hmith garrison, and who, rumour hath it, is pre! ably to get the V.C., and the staff which lias been so loyal and devoted to him throughout ail the war. They n-c timed to arrive—though we have luarnt to place no reliance rpon winds and waves, and that, though time 111111 tide wait for IM nwan. men often have to wait their pleasure—at the psychological moment of A life- time, wort-hy of such an f)(a..sien-the- last night- of the dying centttry: And the New Year's H. moium' List will hfippily synchronise with their first morning at home and afford an op- portunity "f giving honour where honour is cer- tainly dre. Bis dat qui cito dat, and there need be no delay in this ease. is Lord R."h0rt.¡;o to have?" everyone is asking, and it weems the popular opinion that it will be a dukedom and a large grant of money, but this will be a cruel kindness, reopening an old sore, unless it is alowed to lie perpetuated in the female Jin". After the great ohligationR he has placed his country undtT, this great little gener- al's name IJ11JQt never die. And now he is coming Kick to put, the crown upon his nl}.le and useful career by rt:t1rganiing the army he loved so well, as its Commander-in-Chief. Rir Outkbert Quitter's turn has come at last. His ideas aU ut pure hew havio hitherto received It scant c<"i.sid'<ratio(r from tlw lIoust:!1 of Com- mons, but tho time has now arrived when hi« fellow-members must not. only hear but heed him wiwii I'1xt, bo introduces the Bill which he ha« brought forward year aftar year with praise- worthy persistency. His efforts to ensure that when a man asks iorr glass of heer he shall not I*? served with ani injurious chemical concoction instead of the rrodt:d of good sound malt and faop.<, which i» w.hat t'h "national 'beverage" is generally suppi»cd and ought to tve. now stand a olianee of Ite'ng rewarded, inile-s tho number of (>oisoned p=«-ple is insufficient to convince phlegmatic. Parliament that it is time they took ..{i"n. In various and widely distant parts of the country hundreds of people are still suffering ■■in/ THE BEER POISONING EPIDEMIC: SIR  CUTHBERT QUIETER, M.P., Who has long agitated for Pure Boer. because the law allows the brewers to produce \El>d beer with cheap and deleterious substan, i lor the sake of extra profit. Since the source the outbreak of peripheral neuritis was tr ,« e.! everytiiing possible has heen done to prevent t", further consumption of contaminated liquor. o the elaborate precautionary measures which Hit i now being taken, essential as they of coursi. j look very much like "locking the stab.e di ( after the horse has lieen stolen." However. ( Ik-er poisoning epidemic will hare eerved a iv fill pur??c if it ha. opened the eyes of 0 legislators to a grave public danger. The pity ? that they did not leaxn the lesson long ago. for if they had some scores of lives might have. be saved. It evident that the occupation of this S., t., to re financial and nothing else, and the FIwech itself mii/lit he summed up in tI" Kiplingesque phrase, "Pay, [ary, pay." The ■ amount required for the working expanses of war, not the first or the last by any means, sixteen millions, of which £ 5,300.000 is to po f, transports and remounts, C4,250,000 for pro visions, forage, etc., £ 750,000 for clothing, etc., 24,700,000 for wailike stores, and 21,000,000 for works, buildings, and repairs—in itself a moder- ate and sensible enough estimate, if only one wero certain where it is to end. As it is, the revised total estimate for the year stands at just under 289,000,000. The new estimate, how- ■ever, includes provision for Baden-Powell's newly-raised South African Constabulary, and out of it a million and a half is to be spent in a way which will be very welcome to the nation. Every meml>eir of the forces in South Africa, from Field-Marshal Lord Roberts down to hum- ble Private Thomas Atkins is to receive a gratuity, a aort of Christmas-box. though the date of the distrilmtion is not yet, definitely fixed. The unit is to lie five pounds, the share of every private, and so on in proportion to the Field- Marshal's block of five hundred shares (22500). The full generals are to have four hundred shares, the other generals of different gradies down to fifty-seven shares, colonels thirty-two, majors sixteen, and soon to six for a subaltern, and the non-commissioned officers in proportion. This gratuity is to include every soldier who has seen or is at or eventually gOOf; to the front, and the money owed tothose who havourifortunately lost their lives in the service of their country will be paid in due course to their relatives. Surely there could be no more pleasing way of spending a million and a half of public money! A few days ago we were informed by an en- thusiastic interviewer that the days of the sub- marine cable were numbered, inasmuch lie the wonder-working Marconi had found a means of communicating with America by wireless tele- graphy without erecting a couple of Eiffel Towers —one in England and the, other at Sandy Hook. Those of ir, who read the article were much impressed, and the credulous amongst us are now wondering whether the clefver young Italian electrician will? he. consulted before, the con- tractors begin operations on the Pacific Cable which is to connect Canada with Australia and New Zealand. It would certainly be interesting to have Marconi's opinions on the project, even i though t.h,o contract for the oaible has now been I let, and work will doubtless be commenced very shortly, for there must be many people whose ROUTE OF THE PROJECTED PACIFIC CABLE. kmywledge of telegraphy, and of the wireless variety in particular, is very limited, and -"ho would like to be assured that there is no likeli- hood of the table system being abandoned soon after £1,795,000h[. been spent on the new line. Will it ever he possible to send messages a dis- tna)of 7000 iiii.es without wires with the same secrecy that the cable affords and with equal reliablity, and if so, when? Perhaps Marconi can inform u;. Wireless telegraphy is in its infancy as d., but there is undoubtedly a great future before it. and it is quite possible that in a few years it will supersede the old-faahioned cable, i iblv not before the Pacific cable has been laid lonienqug-li to recoup its cost —and le>av,'j something over. It. will take two years to complete the cable, which is to stretch from Vancouver to Norfolk Island, touching at Fannijpg Maud ;ind Fiji. From Norfolk Island it will elf to Brisbane and New Zealand, ho thst it. will lie the longest direct wire in the worl.l. owwiisy a distance of nearly 9000 miles in 11'1. The suvtion from Vancouver to Fanning I laii l. approximately 3500 miles, will consti- ;■ >. T»>t.<*rd stretch, and in every way the new Pa- ifi" oahJu will lie the biggest undertaking of the. kind ever attempted, though it must be re» j ii>eail«'red r.'i.t the actual work of laying these long e:i.bles is by no means so difficult as in the days of tin- "Great. Eastern." :'t'mil1l.( e.ents cast their sliadows before, tit the ndvent of Christmas is heralded by some- thing more :-¡¡ht,¡,»,¡.,1 than a shadow, as visitors Hall this week will readily hHo'v. AVIk ii we we the posters announcing- the :i.!iR:>n l I of fat stock displayed on the •:itni'cl'»is> up :11:.1 down the country we begin to Rt minjkMneat and mirthlteidiother good thins}* n.«-Jiji!ii:ted with Christmfl.stime, and it '■(id denli il«« vijon us why the jjostman, the i'oli.^Miifin, tlvc luiikman, and sundry other indi- viduab' whfvilaily minister to our comfort have • ■ hk 1 ;>:ouio so extraordinarily attentive and "\r1q,lnl1_' polite. There are few to whom a '■■r!-tnia^ Fat. Sf(«k Show does not offer some .-pccialiy if it is such an exhibition i AP THE SMITHFIEIJ) CLUB SHOW. •'•• t;' >' '"ich be«n annually promoted by the '• l 11 Club f>>r snore than a century. Con- ■> i •• •••/ • numtter of people who are .11:1'1' stock-breeders, butchers, nor nt simply siglitseiere are to be found inspecting with a more or Jess critical and expert eye the bulky beaste and plump birds destined to provide the solid por- tion of the Christmas cheer. There wan a falling-off in the number of entries at the Smithfield Slow this year, but the quality of the exhibits was uniformly exceHeDt. e of the leading at- tractions was the Queen's renowned heifer "Cicely"—the magnificent specimen of a one- year-old shorthorn which was the talk of the Birmingham show, and added to her laurels at Islington. The entries numbered 526 altogether, made up of 259 cattle, 153 pens of sheep, and 114 pens of pigs, but apart from the display of live stock, the Agricultural Hall during the week has presented other attractions to the fwmers in the way of a collection of the latest inventions in the domain of agricultural engines, machin- ery, and implements of various k^nds. The usual exhibition oi table poultry was also held in an annexe set apart for that purpose, and the pro- dues department was of exceptional interest this year, for farmers have experienced the best sea- son for root crops since 1894, and the results were visible in the beautiful displays on view in the galleries of the hall. Although by certain circumstances it has been led up to for some time past, the news in last week's "Racing Calendar" that Tod Sloan's Jicenoc was r >t to be renewed next season fell like a bomb in racing circles. Rumour has been rife with his name almost ever since he opened his phenoraally successful career upon English racecourses, and it has for no inconsiderable period been thought right that the jockey club should exe?-ji«e their prerogative of holding an enquiry into his habits. And this, when it came, =i, amongst other things that, strictly in the teeth of our jockey club rales, he had been betting, and in one specific instance at least- that of Oodomau in the Cambridgeshire this year—had agreed to take a considerable present in moneiy from an outsider in the event of win- ning. For this the etewsrds thought it only right for the Mko of the purity of the turf to warn him off, and in all probability the Ameri- ( mn. stewards will follow suit from the Free- I masonry of Jockey Gluhs. But, while reoogjiis- J IXSTER REIFP, J I The American Jockey. I I. ing his tamts and not condoning -his offence for a second, we must not lie too hard upon him, as he has undoubtedly taught us a gneat deal about riding a. horse, and is without question one of the best, if not the best, jockey ever seen on the pigskin. His conduct was not that originally iinderclonsideration, but came to notice as a side- issue of the caee of Lester Reiff, who this year headed the jockey's list in every way and has proved himself a marvellously able horseman. He was accused at Liverpool -of not having rid- den "Scotchman II." fairly against Lord Dux- I bani?s "Gerolatein," and the local stewards r? ferred the case to headquarters. Lord Durham, with characteristic impetuosity, sent &rat:h I sweeping telegram on the subject, but, fortunate- ly for Reiff, the stewards took no serious notice of it, and completely exonerated him after weeks of waiting, on the ground that "Gerolstein" was unreliable and inclined to play the rogue. This enquiry they made the opportunity of a general survey on the conduct of certain jockeys and their followers to the undoing of Sloan and the complete exoneration of Reiff all along the. line, upon which he is to be heartily congratulated. It is a terrible thing for a jockey, morally and financially, to be deprived of his licence, but, when he deserves it, no sympathy or mercy should be shown. It is essential to its vitality that the turf should be kept as pure as possible.

GENERAL NE WS 07 TIIE WEEK, Her Majesty lias conferred peerager of the United Kingdom upon Mr Goschen and Sir Matthew White Ridley. The death is announced of the Earl of Harrowby, who succeeded to the title in March last. He was sixty-four years of age. John Bowes was hanged at Durham on Wednes- day for the murder of his wife on the beach at Seaham Harbour in September last. Fire, on Saturday, destroyed the central build- ing of the General Telephone Company at Calais, the loss being estimated at 2,000,000 francs. Part of the City of Brussels and of the Commune of Forest have been flooded, many of the inhabi- tants being imprisoned in their houses, through the River Senne overflowing its banks. In the Divorce Court, on Tue'day, Mr George John Someryille, engineer, was granted a decree nisi for the dissolution of liis marriage on thegroDDd of his wife's adultery with Earl Russell, whom she married in America, with 215W damages against the co-respondent. A fire broke out at Laird's shipbuilding yard, Bir- kenhead, on Tuesday night. The pattern shop was destroyed, many valuable muchines and tools, as well as a great number of patterns, being involved in the conflagration, which was practically got under by. eleven o'clock. Ir. the Court of Appeal, on Monday, it was de- eded that the late Duke of Marlborough was en- I)tled.oto appoint P,2500 out of the Blenheim estate to his first wife, the Marchioness of Blandford, and 11 similan sum to his second, Lily, Duchess of Marl- borough, while both ladies were alive. I At Munster Assnzcs, on Saturday, Lord1 Chief Justice O'Brien commented on the difficulty of securing convictions in clearly established cases where the agrarian elemeut arises. Ho was strongly of opinion that the Attorney-General should have power to change the venue, and secure si>ecial iuries in agrarian cases, without liaviiig to resort to the Queen'?, Bench. The Rev. Alexander Sntith. a Roman Catholic priest, was at Salford on Tuesday committed to the Manchester Assizes on a charge, under the Corrupt and Illegal Practice Prevention Act, of having used undue influence and threatened to in- ilid loss upon Thomas Murphy, fish and egg mer- chant, in order to induce him to vote at the Schoof Huard: election for Canon Corbisliley. Mr Chaplin', at Reading, on Saturday, observed that when tho Board of Agiiculture was first estab- lished, he tried unsuccessfully to persuade the then Chancellor of the Exchequer to give 9100,000 a year, or even £ 50,000, instead of the present pit- tance. Had this been granted, the. foreign butter trade would have been in a very different position, ) and a large pro portion of the butter now imported I might-have been made at home. Agriculture needed II the help and support of every friend.

THE MOST NUTRITIOUS. E P P §'S GRATEFUL-COMFORTING, COCOA BREAKFAST-SUPPER. "Weekly Return of Bills of Sales and Failures." —In the week ending December 8th there were 127 bills of sale registered in England and Wales, a de- c'-e:? of 16 as compared with the corresponding i period last w:u-, und bms of sale re-registered 9, I a cWnea.Qê of 5. ThR receiving orders gazetted number 93, showing an increase of 4, and the num- ber of registered weds of arrangement was 75, an I increase of 16. The totals for the portion of tlra year to December 8th are hill., of sale registered for England and Wales 5740. s decrease of 214; and bills of sale re-registered 464, a decrease of 25; the lec'eiving orders gazetted number 4119, an increase of 230; and the registered deeds of arrangement 3347, an increase of 356. — Stubbs' Weekly • Gazette."

PWLLHELI TOWN COUNCIL. I THE PROPOSED HARBOUR SCHEME. A niteting-of the Council was held on Tuesday, I AJderman Dr. Wynne Griffith (mayor) presiding. ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC. Mr A. Ivor Parry protested against the meet- ings being held in the anto-roosn instead of in the public hall, inasmuch as the public were riot given the opportunity of attending and being iilent listeners at the deliberations. Important matters were to he discussed that day, and tho meetings should lie held in the public room.- Alderman Anthony said it was usual to hold meetings at the public rooan, but lately the 4d lmzaar was. co-midered ot greater importance than are Council meetings (laughter). There was, however, ample provision in the proposed town hall, and provision conforming with the dignity of the Oouncil (hear, hear).-Alderman David Williams said the public did not attend the meetings at, any time. Perhaps a few arb- tended once or twice a year.-Alderman Anthony said the best policy for the ratepayers would be to read the new spapers, which gave the facte without th) rubbish.—Mr R. Isaac Jones suggested that some of the ratepayers might not 00 up to the language made use of in the news- papers (laughter).—Mr Parry said he merely drew attention to the matter. He would not submit a proposition. I THE QUESTION OF SLABS. The Council next discussed the matter of the slabs, in regard to which Mr Eift. Jones offered an explanation at. the last meeting.—Mr John Jones, the foretnan, now attended to tender an explanation.—Alderman R. O. Jones expressed a hope at thei oiitwt, that the members should I rwolleeb that it was a case of slabs and not of "slaps" (laughter).—Mr John Joi^s said he was aiKio-js to offer an explanation, as the re- port of the proceedings whicii appeared in some of thie newspapers t-ended to cast a reflection upon him. According to the report it was stated in the Council meeting that he had practically sold the slabs. It was not necessary to be versed in the principles of Cobdera and of Bright to know that he had no business to sell the slabs, and being aware that he had not got the right he would never dream of selling. Be remem- bered very well Mr Eifl Jones ooming to him and asking what the slabs were wrath, and that his reply wa, from 22» to 25& The slabs were after- wards taken away. He had nothing to do with their removal; and he had no doubt, personally, that Mr Eifl Jones had absolutely no thought of doing what was wrong or irregular. He was sure that he did not intend acting in any way except that which was perfectly honest.—Alder- man R. O. Jones said now that Mr John Jones had given His explanation would it not be better to let the matter drop.—Mr A. lror Parry: It is a. question of fact. One says one thing and the other says another thing.—Mr J. E. Hughes agreed that it was no use making long speeches. He did not think any member would say that anything wrong had been done.—Mr Ivor Parry No. I den't think anybody hag done wrong wil- fully.—Mr J. E. Hughes: It is merely a little irregularity.—Alderman R. O. Jones proposed that the nlattet should now be left to drop.— Mr John Jones said it. had been said by outsiders that OrTHvration workmen put down the « labs. He could prova by the pay-sheets that the two workmen who put the ulabs down were not in the employ of the Corporation.—Mr William Eifl Jones g-,id he had nothing to add to what he had already sqid. He went down to Mr John Jones 'and, having ascertained the price of the slabs, took them away. However, he had acted hastily in removing th--m thti.p. He ought in the first place to have consulted the mayor or the town clerk. That would have been the right, and proper thing to do.-The Council then; agreed without opposition, to take no further action in the matter.—Mr Parry inquired what. about the question of «9,le.—Mr Eïf Jones wnf about to reply, when there were loud cries of "No, no," and "Let. the matter drop," and the next suib-i ject was taken. ) HAULAGE. Considerable discussion took place an the re- pm1; of the R.œds a,nd TraDlwa (yon leiZ I which d'c'?It with the h&uhge of mct?Iin? from Ffridd Quarry.—Mr R. Isaac J() mid the I committee appeared to hava entrusted the haul- age to one. pemon, ?though ?e nnderttood that the cnntT3?t for haMta?e WM JMnt.—Mr H. P. Joremi explained that the joint contractors were unable to eoame to am, understanding. One of r the <x>ntrR.ctor* agreed to draw lets or toss for the post, but. the other would not agree, and in the result the ommmittee appointed Mr John I Griffith.—Alderman Anthomv and other mem- bers said the committee* came to the decision after careful consideration. ALA ROAD. Tins committee recommended that the County Council ?hwdd be asked to subscribe towards the provision of a p'weme-nt, kerbing, and chan- nelling along Aa-road, from the ?hop of Mr G. Cornelius R?bert?i to the Police StatioTL-Afr J. .E. Hughes, the chairman of the oommitee, stated that the road was in a deplorable state at present, asid the committee felt that. it was but right to call upon, the Council to sub- scribe as they subscribed largely towards such improvements in other towns-.—Alderman Anthony, in seconding the adoption of the re- commendation, paid the towns in the upper end of the county were the recipients of suibstantial dom,t;om; in some instances the County Council paid tho whole cost, of the improvements.—The recommendation wa,<3 adopted unanimously. PIPES. Alderman Anthony inquired whether the Tiipes at Murycwymp had been riemoved to "Spion Kop" as directed.—The Surveyor: -No. not yet. —Alderman Anthony: I hope they will be re- moved herr,re the ne!tt century (laughter).—The Surveyor: Tho<y will be removed in a few dava. CARRIAGES AND HORSES. On tho recommendation of the Waterworks {)o.mmi1.tj), it was agreod to levy a yearly I&W r<f 3s 4d per carriage for the supply of water in the o&,e of thre e c[>.rria.ge, and Is for each Sub- sequent carriage up to ten, and to charge 2s in resjfect of ovicn ho-rfe.—It was stated that for- merly the rate was 5s per carriage. OVERDUE WATER RATES. It was resolved to issiue demand notes upon the ratepayers who had not paid water ratea for two years.—It was also decided that in the case of lock-up shops the water rate should be levied on a basis of quarter the rateable value with a mininlum of 5?.—The Clerk said the recommen- dation was made. by the Waterworks Committee as the result of complaints that soma owners were cliarged much less than others. PLANS. Plans of proposed alterations to the Gwalia Temperance Hotel were referred to the Sanitary and Byelaws Committee for further considera- tion.—Plans 4 a proposed shed were approved conditionally upon the structure being temporary, and plans of <everal proposed new houses were passed.—Referring to the plan of alterations to a certain howe. Mr R. Mapon Jones said the production of the plan oa a as the altera- tions had been effected.—Mr R. Isaac Jones: For your information I may say that this is the usual cuctom (laughter).—Mr John Williams: It means holdine a trial after the execution.— Mr J. E. Hughes: Yes, like the Methodists (laughter).—It was resolved that the public should be warned that in future plans of all projxsed a!t.rat.io!1JS and of new buildings were to be suhmitted to too Council before the work was started. BACKWATER WALL. On the reeomir.er dation of the Public Works Committee plans and estinmte of a wall at the backwatsr were adopted, and it. was further agreed to invite tenders.—It was stated thst one of the conditions would be that the wall was to be completed by May 1st. REFUSED. An application by Messrs. So Andrews and Sons for a ter^tions in the agreement as to the removal of stable* was recommended by the Sanitary and Buildings Committee to be re- fused.—The rec<»mm«ndation was adopted on the moticn of Mr J. E. Hughes, seconded by Mr A. Ivor Parry.—The oommitteei further re- eommended that a second application to amend the agreement as to the tramways should be re- fused, and this was adopted on tho proposition of Mr T. J. Williams, seconded by Mr H. P. Jones. A FOUNDATIONLESS RUMOUR. Alderman Anthony drew attention to the rumour current that there was an outbreak of small-pox at Skifton-terrace. On making en- i quiries he found that th-e-rumour W116 without I foundation. It tehcved them to disavow the story, so that there should 00 no risk of injuring the prospects of the town.—The Surveyor said i he had nOso made inquiries and found that it was an idta story. LOANS. The Clerk stated that he had been able to I sccurf a loan of £ 4000 in respect of the water- works, repayable in 60 years, at a rate of 93 13s 9d, and a loan of 2200 repayable in 30 years at a mte of 23 15s. Since effecting these two loana another company had offered a loan of 24200 at a rate of £ 3 12s 6d, repayable in 50 -years. He had consulted Alderman Anthony, the chairman of the Finance Committee, on the matter, and he agreed with him that it would be a good thing to borrow this money for the new town hall, so as to avoid the inconvenience of a large overdraft at the bank.—On the mo- tion of Alderma,n- Anthony, seconded by Mr EL P. Jones, it was agreed to secure the second loon. THE FISHERY HARBOUR SCHEME. The Clerk said the Harbour Committee had met -three times of late to dLscuae matters per- taining to this scheme.—The following letter had been received from the Board of Trade: — Nov. 21st.—With reference to the interview you, together with a number of other gentlemen, had with Mr Ritchie at the Hmiso of Commons, on the 6th of August last, with regard to the above subject, I am directed by the Board of Trade to state that the committee appointed to examine and report upon applications far grants in aid of harbours have informed the Board that further information is necessary with respect to the proposed scheme for the improvement of Pwllheli harbour as laid before Mir Ritchie. The Boatd of Trade would, therefore, be much ob- liged if you would favour them with your ob- servations upon the following points, viz. (1) Taking 260,000 M the estimated coot of the works, the contribution of one-third promised by the Corporation of Pwllheli would amount to 220,OOD, which sum, it would' 'appear from the statements made at the interview of the 6th August, the Corporation propose to borrow under the Pwllheli Corporation Act, 1897. Prima facie, it appears to the Board that the Corpora- tiosi have not power under the Act to borrow more than C15,000 for harbour purposes, and if this be so they would be glad to know how the balance is proposed to be made up? (2) Regarding the contribution of one-third pro- mised conditionally by the Qambrian Railway Company, the Board would do glad to learn whether this amount includes or is inclusive of the cost, of making the embankment, on which the railway will run between the existing sta- tion and the station proposed to be erected by the railway company in the town itself. Before being in a position to recommend any grant of public money for a harbour scheme, the Board of Trade must be assured* that the money con- tributed locally is actudlTy available for harbour purposes a.nd for harbour purposes only? (3) The Board as at present advised, are disposed to regard the presence- of shoal water off the entrance of the harbour as a serious impediment to vessels seeking refuge, more especially during south-westerly gales at low water; while the direction of the entrance channel would, under the same conditions, lender it an extremely difficult talk io reach a position of safety, and they will he glad to be favoured with your ob- servations upon this point. I am further to slate that if any representatives of the Corpora- tion of Pwllheli desire to lay their views personr ally before the committee, the Board of Trade will be pleased to arrange that they shall have an opportunity of doing so. A copy of tlfs letter has been forwarded to the secre- tary of the Camb^ain Railway Company. —The Clerk s-% d he .•ftetrwards wrote inquiring when it would he convenient for the committoe to meet the deputation, ard a reply had cmo suggesting the second weds in this month. Pro- ocieding. the CleTk said that the committee had aslred Mr Anthony to make an estimate of the revenue likely to to received, and upon that estimate and after a long dioouion the com- mittee recommended that the Conrral should support, the scheme cs it stood, and that eventu- al.y a public meeting should be called to con- sider the matter. In the menntime, the Coun- cil was asked to appoint n deputation to attend before the Board of Trade.—A Member asked wino wns <*r>in;r tn' pay their expenses?—Alder- man David Williams: You don't expect them. to go on their own account?—Mr Anthony gaid that unless they intended to gras'*), the question it was no use referring to it. He had been asked to furnish sr-iae data, and he could assure them that this was something new to PWllheli. It was t?.rbenic for Pwllheli, though B20,COO mi?ht ipjiear a flea-bite to ether p!acM. Up to 15 M- 20 ycrs ago they knew very Httle about, 'everything save about the purchase of a few bricks to make sewers, and very little inte- rest indeed v-ns taken in public works; but now there was one vital reason why they should go on with this harbour scheme. They must look it in the face in its entirety. The Cam- brian Bailwrt-r Company at lest had airolied to Parliament. for powers to extend their line, and they actual v had the money to go on. Some of them would wake up one morning to see the new station in toe heart of the town. Accord- in.g to the present plana they intended coming I as close as rkoy possibly could to the Abererch- road, and '.v?uld leave no cq;r??- unity to the town to rec.himi sn,y land whatever for any pur- pos. 8:'PlIc."iwJ they w&i-: confined to that, scheme only, MtM. there was no possibiMty of any other, they would willingly support it in order to hnvo 'he station brought hem such an outlandish pla. e. But there was another possi- bi.ity of their leinl, able to co-operate in an alternative t<h: me, and It was to their interest to overcome the difficulties. They knew that the schemc the making of a fishery harbour of refuge at the entrance, and the- deepening of the inside harbour. In order to meet them. the Cambrian Railways were ready and iriliing to move their 1ilW, further on to the harbour over 120 yards. Tlia.t would mean the reclaiming ) from the ot- n of nine acres cf land on a splendid site, and wh:<-h could >>« laid out to the credit clf thie It. would bo a<jcording to the public sipirit <>f the town whether they would co-operate wii'i the railway company or pro- ceed with thnr own isolated scheme of deepen- ing the hnrb'iur. In that event they would ha.ve to get 1).. dri'ii' arid n boat which could take cut that r.f?c to the deep se?, but. if this em- bankuaert made the refuse could be placed between it awl fb mainland, and thus improve and enhance the value of the land. This la.nd would helomi the Corporation, and the railway COOlp>.1!I < n)v required t,lffioient to lay down two or threi l of rails, and probably the com- pany f;te outlet, he able to assist them financially. lie believed that the land thus re- claimed woul.'l be worth at the very least £ 13,000, and nnb, ilu ret.laimed this they would have to sink thousands in carrying the refuse to sea. Mr Anthony then dealt, with the scheme in de- tailllnd maintained that the increase in harbour dues would be enormous. Tho money at three per cent, wiwdd require £300 annually to repay, a-nd there wmld be an increase in harbour dues i alcne of about £12.5. He also believed that ab least, 100 new fishing boats would make Pwll- v, I -mR heli their port, while small coasting vessels would run in and use the jetties. The dues in OinvrvoT! for the year ending 30th June last amounted to £1100. After the scheme had been fully explained by Mr Anthony, he proposed the adoption of the committee's recommenda- tiom-3tr H. P. Jon?a seconded, and a generaj discussion fAlgw?-d.-On a vote being taken a large majoritv voted in favour, one against, and one remained neutral. NET MESH. On the motion of Alderman Anthony, it wfcus Agreed to petition the Lancashire and Western Fishery Committw to permit the size of tjxe mesh to ba the same in the western district as before amalgamation* HOUR OF MEETING. It was resolved to meet at two o'clock instead of half-nest ten in future. LIGHT RAILWAY SCHEME. Alderman Anthony moved that the Council support the principle of the amended light rail- way scheme.—Mr W. Eifl Jones seconded, and it was agreed to.

POETlfADOS DISTRICT COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday night, Mr David Morris (vice-chairman) I presiding. FINANCIAL ifie I'm ante Uommittee, at which Mr R. P. Lewis was the only member present, reported that during the month JB346 16a 5d bad been collected, includ- ing R241 10s 8d of the general district rate, and jB80 8s 6d gas rentals. Balance in favour of the Coun- cil, £ 93-1 12s 2d. STATISTICS. During October there were eight births and eight Tr' n'??i.g d.h- of 20.4 per thousand. One death was ascribed to enteric fe,?:r thousand. Mr Jonathan Davies, who presided during the first part of the proceedings, asked the surveyor if there were any cafes in November? The Surveyor: Yes; four-three of typhoid and one of eryllipelas. Mr Davies: Any fresh cases for December? The Surveyor: lio it is a fortnight since I had the last notification. THE MARKET HALL Mr Morgan Jones asked if there was anything ?fr dj? in regar d to the ro?= improvemenhl at the Market and Town HaU? Air Jonathan Davies said there was nothing done which would bind the Council in any way, and if the chairman had =resent that night the report of the committee would have been' given. Mr Morgan Jones expressed himself satisfied with the explanation. WORKS COMMITTEE. The Works Committee, in response to a petition by the occupiers of Brecon-place, recommended that a. footway, five feet wide, including the channel- ling, should be constructed, at a cost of EZ6 4s 8d, the amount to be included in the next application for a loan for works of street improvement. Mr W. B-. Lawford, agent to Lord Harlech, wrote that, with regard to the proposal to widen Borthygest-road, he should like to inspect the ground in the first instance. It was recommended that the manager of the j Festiniog Railway Company fhould' be written to calling his attention to the footpath along the side of the railway from the station to Cornhill. The Surveyor reported on the question of the yearly amount which should be asked from the Tremadoc Estate as contribution for the future maintenance of Higbstreet, and the committee recommended that the Council should make appli- cation for a renewal of the agreement for the maintenance of the street for ten years from March bt, 1901, with a contribution of £75 per mile per annum for such maintenance, and that, at the same time, a return of the receipts and expenditure under the present agreement with the surveyor's estimate of the cost of future maintenance should be sent to the estate; also, that the cost of the agreement should be divided in equal shares be- tween Mrs Roche and the Council. Tlie report was adopted. HKALTH COMMITTEE. At the recommendation of the Health Com- mittee, several notices were directed to be served upon houseowners, etc., to abate nuisances. UJvNEKAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE. The General Purposes Committee had under consideration a letter from Mr R. Browning, C.E in further reference to his report upon the question of improving and extending the gasworks, and also the report of the surveyor upon the scheme. The committee resolved that, whilst not at present recommending the adoption of the mode of re- constructing tha retorts recommended by Mr Browning, to instruct the surveyor to prepare an estimate, with the assistance of the gasworks manager, or the co't of retort benches, setting, and connections, constructed on the semi-generator principle, as roccmmended by Mr Browning. Permission was given to the OoJwyn Bay Bill posting Company to place two boards outside the Market Hall, under certain conditions. The report was adopted. A HINT TO SPECULATORS. Mr Jonathan Davies, commenting upon the fact that no plans of new houses were but seldom sub- mitted, aid it war, a matter of regret that they could not get more houses built in the town, so as to be an inducement to people to come there to live. He did not know whose fault it was that people oould not get suitable houses in the town. He knew of several families who would remove to Portmadoo if they could get houses rented at from £20 to £ 30 a year. He did not know whether tlley as a Council could do anythitfg by "way of either inducing people to come there and build or getting the Tremadoc Estate to grant greater facilities for building purposes. Mr David Morris agreed in the main,but said that there was more need for workmen's dwellings. Mr Morgan Jones observed that they could not Duua couses unless they bad. land to erect them upon. Mr Isao remarked that there were people who were afraid to come to Portmadoc to live, because they had heard 213,000 was going to be spent on the gasworks, and that the rates would be very bigh in consequence. Mr Morgan Jones They will have to pay rates everywhere. Mr Isaac said the. rates were going up. Mr Morgan Jones agreed. Mr D. Morris said he wislred to see more ships built (laughter). Mv Ebeuezer Roberts: But what is the use of building vessels unless you have slates for them. Mr Morgan Jones Oh! we can get plenty or Mr D. Wi.liams thcught something could be done in ventilating the suggestion of Mr J. Davies. Mr D. Mori is asked if they would wish to ap- point a deputation to see Mr R. Casson, agent to the Tremadoc Estate? Mr D. Williams said he would' propose that a deputation bn appointed1 to interview Mr Casson on the mutter. Perhaps, then, pemeone like Mr Solomon Andrews might come amongst them. Mr R. P. Lewis aid the land from Penyclogwyn to Mn J. R. Pritchard's house would be a highly- suiti'blo site for houses of the description mentioned by Mr Jonathan Davies. Visitois to Borth com- plained that the accommodation there lacked in modern conveniences; Mr Jonathan Davies seconded Mr D. Williams' mot.on, which waf' passed', and Mr J. Davies and M'- R. r. Lewis were appointed to intefview Mr Casson on tlie question. THE PROPOSED TRAMWAY ALONG CAMBRIAN-PLACE. in reference to tue application by the Carnarvon- shire Granite Quarries Company, Limited, for con- sent to construct a tnmway along Cambrian place, Mcssi's George and George, solicitors, wrote that they had now obtained tlie opinion of Mr Younger, Q.C upon this matter. They were enclosing the case and opinion to be dealt with as they thought best. For the prepent it might suffice to fay that Mr Y Qlinger "pnsdered that the Council would be running no risk in giving the consent asked for the company, ana they sugge.sted that a small committee be apjjointea, with power to arrange terms with the company, subject to the approval oi the Council. Messrs George added tha.t they were informed by Mr Ciliingham that Mr Charles H'lghes aow meant to witWraw the notice he gave the Council, but- they would doubtless receive direct information on tlie point. The Council discu-sed the matter in committee after the ordinary business had been transacted. T THi-; LIBRARIES ACT. I m accordance with noace, -Air Jonthan Davies brought forward his motion that a Library Com- mittee be appointed under the Free Libraries Act adopted by the Council. He proposed, in the first place: "That for the reminder of the term of office of the present councillors a Library Com- mittee of nine be appointed, to consist of five mem- bera of the Coi^nc l. and four non-members." Mr David WiHi a ins seconded. I Mr Morgan Jones, inasmuch a, their term of office would soon terminate, proposed, as an amendment, tht the matter be deferred until the new Council was elected. Mr William Williams seconded. Mr Ebenez-i Roberts said a library was more wanted at Tremadoc. There were alreadv five or six libraries in Poitmadoe, but nobody received the books that were tlif re- Mr Robert Isaac supported Mr Jonathan Davies. On division, thee, viz., Messrs M. Jbnes, Wil- liam Williams, arid Ebenejscr Roberta, voted for the amendment, and four, viz.. Messrs J: Davies, Robert baae, D. Williams, and R. P. Lewis, for the original resolution, which was carried. Mr Jonath-iii Dfcvies next propo: "That be- before we deci l" wh it power fhall be delegated to the committee, u, -k the Mid coamiittee tf meet and report to the Council as to the best mode of e!a.bli8it;Db a I.brary, and particularly as to what, amount of private support is likely to be given to the mo eme. Thin was seconded, and passed. The '< ;m''ttee was then formed es folows:- Dr Wiiliim Jones-Morris, Meters R. M. (Jteaxes, David Moitm, Jonathan Davies, John Hushes (member-; of the Council). Miss -,riffitbo (Bodlondeb), Mrs J. Rhy Evens. B.A., Mr E. H..Roberts (Tre- madoc), and Mr J. Tobias (solicitor). MILK SHOPS AND DAIRIES. Regulations with respect to dairies, etc.. as re- vised by the Local Government Board, were, on the motion of Mr J. Davies, seconded by Mr Ebenezer Roberts, adopted. ACKNOWLEDGMENT. Mr T. E. Morris, barriste,at-law, wrote to thank tJ-æ Council for the honour conferred upon him j¡,y re-electing hint it?' representative on the Court of Governors of the University College of North Wales. THE FIRE BRIGADE. Captain William Jones reported upon the first outbreak of fire which the newly-formed brigade had' attended. In less than ten minutes after the alarm they were playing upon the fire, and, qply for their prompt attendance, t-he fire might hayie hiA a very serious res?tt. The vMe work of ex'in 7i' 'I'? the fire was got through ia less than twenty -i-u- 0.th..1, Mr Morgan Jones, seconded k Mr William Williams, r" vote of thanks wa1 passed l to the brigtde, and complimenting them upon their r conduct and, prcmptitude. I;menting them u p on tlwir INSPECTION OF SHIPPING. The LocL1 Government Board wrote that Dr. Wiieaten had visited Portmadoc, and the Board re- gretted to learn that, there was no system of in- specting shipping carried on there. Vessels hod arrived in the port from Glasgow when the p:agu6 was prevalent, there. There ought to be a deputy medical officer of health resident at Portmadoc. It was derided to communicate with Dr. Flayer. POOR RATE. Mr David Jones (assistant overfw.r) reported that 9119 11s 5d of the poor rate had been oollected during the month. FINAL NOTICES. Un the motion of Mr Jonathan Davies, seconded by Mr Robert haac, the collector was directed to serve final notices upon all defaulters to pay the general district. rat« and the gas rents.

PENEEYNEEUSBAETH BOAND OP GUARDIANS. The fortnightly meeting of the Board was held on Tue«dcy, Mr Owen Jonee (vice-chairman) 1 presiding. GIFTS. The Master (Mr D. J. Jones) in his report wished t? n?kn<wledge the kindnem of Mr Oswald Witii&m?, 18, City-road, Chester, in pr&- ser,tiz2,? in ?-n, senting t:, in merles with sevn volumes t? W'Popular Encydopredia," tw'O vo;umeg œ "Oeinion Llcr.vddiaeth Gymrcig," "Beibl Peter Williams," "Taith y Perer.n, "Gciriaduap YagrythyrJ. Brawn," and 28 parts of "Hanea Prydain F.wr. Mr Rolierfc Edward. chemist, Penrhyn, had sent seveiai Welsh magazines regularly, and Mrs Haigh, Heiulxc, had kindly sent h;xe,o of sweets to the old people and children.- -The Bo-ird passed a vote of thanks to the above for thoir kindness. FINANCIAL. During the fortnight the following sums were paid in ont-rcliefTremadoc district, 971 12s Id to 2^0 parlors; Festiniog district, SM 3s 6d to 3t3 pgr.-pcis.—IXnidraeth district, M 12n "d to 273 paupers. PAiUPEIlS AND FTNEKAL EXPENSES. Dealing with, a case of a widow from Festiniog, who ir. receipt of relief and whofte husband had d'ed in the meantime, a bill was presented by Air Thomas, relieving officer, for funeral ex- oFE4 15s foe a coffin.— The Chairman va;d this -cN m av extravagance which they ought not only to severely condemn but to f.trem:ffi1&lv di.-c<>iiiitcnance.—Mr Owen: Is it tlie faitit of the rckq)-le themselves or that of the joiner-;?—Tbf. Chairmen: I have nothing bUt. the acc,-tiiit, lie?"-re me.—Mr Owen thought. objection should be raised in that direction also; as poor peop e. were beirg imposed upon, and ptid vc-ry c-ft-n far tr-y much for coffins.—The Chairman *a.id he felt their officer.* y.liouId take more Icfinit action* in cares of this sort. Ifc was not long sgo thet they had to call attention to a similar case. The officers should explain to, the paupers the position of the Guardians in such esses. Whoever ordered the ooffin in the present cae. ought to be told that they had no right to indulge in fileh extravagance a.t. the ex- pense of the ratepayers.—The Relieving Officer said that no one came to consult him, and it was only casually that he heard of the dea.th.-The Chairman said that their instructions as set forth in the rules were perfectly definite on the point They might have spoken in much stronger terms were it not that the eireumetanoes were exceed- ingly distressing, the widow at the time being seriously i. 1 with eight children. However, they must let the purple know that it was inv- portant that, they should ho warned that they must not indulge- extravagantly at the expense of the ratepayers.—Mr Richard Boberts pro- jxxsed a resolution expressing condemnation c £ the way the money of the ratepayers was beinsf spent in funerals.—This woa seconded by Mr Richo.ird- _id ixirecd.—It. WM decided to graJdi. relief to 1;11" widow frr the next fortnight, thw relieving offi -er to make inquiries as to the lid)* paid and the raemey i-oceived from insurance societies. t.c m(,met zer-eive d fr,(Yni in-,iirano& NO POB-TMADOC (3TTARDIA5T PRESENT. During t'"> C('nl'"rJ"'r"1.tj(V1l of the relief lipt for- Tremadoc dit-trict. the Chairman observed thai it was rather awkward to decide some of the cases in the aloence of the Pvrtmadou Guard ir.«. FARTHER. TOA-N. It ws><- decided, on t.hc motion of Mr William seconded hy Mr J. P. Roberts, to apply to the I-ral Oov-Tnnient Board for a farther loan of £ 1P00 for the pllrp<1I; of werkhooife im- provements.—I*- re-olved that the architect (Mr W. W. Thomas) be requested to attend at the licise as Fo^n a;. pcY-.<;ble, so as to hasten the \}IDr-Jeoti(r.1. (,f the workhouse con- tract. NEXT MEETING. The Chairman hrvirig called attention to the fact that the next, meeting would faU on Cliristmap. Day it irw decided thnt the Guardians should meet on the. previous Monday. DIETAK Y TABLE. The Chairman explained that the committer had met. and drnw-r up a report which was under consideration by the medical officer, /lc11J "W<,lIld .be. again submitted to t!i.-) committee. He o served tint it w j. matter which deserved serious att^tl-t?, The dietary table as pre* pared by the J.1.1 Ciwernent Board might be. suitable for a.ny I< ndon IL/tei (l3r.ght.CT). THK CH AIT-M A:S INPISPOSraCN. The Clerk (Mr Thomas Roberts) stated iLh.b h-o had paid a vi«it to Yr.ysfor ard found their ClairD1,"n (Mr John Jonet-) improving, and he wished to be v-:fy k nflly remembered to all the Guardians.—Tive Vce-CTiairman (Mr Oveft Jones) said 'they could but rejoice at the faeb that they were hold so d-ir in the memory of their respei-ted chairman, whosecontinued indis- position they dfeplv regretted. He fully recipro- cated the gixxl-feeliny, and wished their chair- man a speedy recorcrr, a merry Christmas, and a happy r.ew verir, I1nd t,at. he would soon again return pro- idr. over tJwir • delibera-fccw for m,r,ny yew. t■■ < me. He proposed that. ? resolu- tion toO twit, -effect, be forwarded to Mr Jones.™ Mr Cadwaladr Poberts fecorded. adding that he was c.ad to r.ftio a letter in the papers from Mr E. 11. J< n™, YrT.-IOT, wb- was a guardian, dihiÍlg his ex"r:;p.nœ in &l1th Africa. Mr Roberta referred t- tho compliment paid to our oJdier'l in S-oufh Africa, by General Roberta, amI t,i.??v had f')H Wtimony of t?e high 6tatn& of the'army when there were among its ranks young men of the m^ral standing of Mr E. B. ,J(}n-'I and Certain Thomas. Anglesey.—The motion was p's»cd unanimously.

I TO (VR7, A COLD IN -ONF, DAY Tak« Laxalive Bromo Qoinine Tablet*. All Druirgista refuatf the nw ey if it fails to 1"1' Is lid. Thei-genniw! it stamped'Ii.B Q. 80440