Prestatyn Weekly

POETRY AND THE NEW YEAR. Anyone not acquainted with the routine of a newspaper office would be surprised at the quantity of poetic copy freely placed at its disposal on every imaginable subject. 0 This week we have had an extra instalment. Sheets and sheets of notepaper, foolscap, leaves from exercise books, and even grocers' wrappering have been pressed into the service of the inspired bards, and generously dumped into our capacious letter-box. Whatever may be the cause of this sudden increase in the output of our local poets, we jeave to be conjectured. Sufficient be it for us to know that space forbids its insertion. As a solace to our readers we append a few lines appropriate to the occasion from Tennyson, which will perhaps be appreciated by all. Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky, The flying cloud, the frosty night. The year is dying in the night: Ring out, wild bells, and let him die! Ring out the grief that saps the mind, For those that here we see no more Ring out the feud of rich and poor, Ring in redress to all mankind. Ring out a slowly dying cause, J n And ancient forms of party strife Ring in the nobler mode of life, With sweeter manner, purer laws. Ring out false pride in place and blood, The civic slander and the spite Ring in the love of truth and right, Ring in the common love of good. Ring out old shapes of foul disease, Ring out the narrowing lust of gold Ring out the thousand wars of old, Ring in the thousand years of peace. Ring in the valiant man and free, The larger heart, the kindlier hand; Ring out the darkness of the land, Ring in the Christ that is to be.

Telephone No. 3y3. Telegrams, "Jewell, Prestatyn." FRANK JEWELL <& Co., Auctioneers, ESTATE AGE N T S AND VALUERS, Collectors of Income Tax. Sales by Auction of all classes of Property. Valua- tions made for Probate, Mortgage, Transfer of Tenancy, and other purposes. Rents Collected and Properties Managed. Insurances effected in all the principal offices. Auction and Estata Office- HIGH STREET, PRESTATYN. J. LLOYD JONES, (From Clay and Abraham, Liverpool, Chymists to the Queen), DISPENSING AND FAMILY CHYMIST. THE PHARMACY, PRESTATYN. Prescriptions carefully compounded under the per- sonal supervision of the Principal. Telephone No. Syl. HOW DELICIOUS IT IS Is the delighted opinion, ex- pressed or implied by all who try our Famous TELYNO TEA (REGISTERED) at 1/6, 1/8, and 2 per lb. SOLE AGENT W. J. Williams, The Stores. T.Pairu Williams s cd Painters, Decorators, and Glaziers. —o — Plain and Fancy Window Glass always in Stock. BRISTOL HDUSE, Prestatyn, FOR HIGH-CLASS • Grocery & Provisions, Bread Confecti-onery GO TO Phdyincihl Stores (Corner of Nant Hall Road), Telephone 5x. PEESTATYN VAN DELIVERIES DAILY. A. W. JONES, Proprietor. THE GROFT MISS &MRS JONES t It 'f Confectioners, HIGH STREET, PRESTATYN. Boarding and Commercial House. Parties Catered for. Well-aired Beds. BULBS I _BT7LBSI I Large quantity Best Bulbs, true to name, at Low Prices. J. R. Tickle, CORN MERCHANT, Colomenfryn, Prestatyn, STORES PLAS BUILDINGS. HUGHES & WILLIAMS, Sewer & Road Contractors STAFFORD HOUSE, PBESTATYN. Estimates Free. W. WILLIAMS & SON, Monumental & General Masons, High Street. Prestatyn. RESIDENCE 8, ROSLYN TERRACE.

Pheasant Shooting. At Talacre on Tuesday a shooting party of six guns, consisting of Sir Pyers Mostyn, Bishop Mostyn, Lord Mostyn, Sir Thomas Esmond, Mr Eaton and Mr Pickering, bagged the respectable total of 166 pheasants.

Temperance Meeting. In connection with the Welsh section of the Free Church Council, a temperance meeting is to be held in the Avenue Chapel to-night (Friday), when addresses will be delivered by Revs John Roberts and W. 0. Evans (Rhyl) and others. Rev M. F. Wynne is announced to preside, and a hearty welcome is extended to all.

CHRIST CHURCH LITERARY SOCIETY- New Year's Social. One of the most successful social evenings held in Prestatyn for some time past was that which took place in the Town Hall on Mon- day night, promoted by the above Literary Society. The Vicar presided over a large attendance and a most enjoyable evening was spent. The hall had been prettily decorated for the occasion, and the committee who carried out the details as regards the entertainment, refreshments, decorations, etc., left nothing to be desired, everything that was needed to ensure the success of the evening having been done. The first part of the programme consisted of an entertainment, and this was very highly appreciated, the items including pianoforte solos, Miss Richardson songs, Miss Roberts (Colwyn Bay), and Miss Coulthard; violin solos, Miss Sheffield (Rhyl); songs in English and Welsh, Rev Peter Jones (Rhyl) 'Cello solos, Mr Richardson; and recitation, Miss G. Selkirk, etc. The musical programme over, the company partook of refreshments which had been pre- pared by a committee of ladies, to whose credit it might be said that this portion was looked upon as by no means the least success- ful item in the evening's enjoyment. After refreshments came dancing, and it was surprising the number who took advantage of an opportunity to trip the light fantastic toe." Mrs Bradshaw and Miss Richardson presided at the piano, the duties of M.C. being carried out by Mr Tickle. The party broke up at midnight, all being I unanimous in voting the social a great success.

NOTABLE DAY AT TALACRE Silver Wedding Celebrations. 1 Presentations by Tenantry and Workmen. t < Sir Pyers & Lady Mostyn 'At Home' < A scene of unwonted festivity was witnessed 1 at Talacre Hall on Thursday, when, at the invitation of Sir Pyers and Lady Mostyn, a large company assembled to commemorate their recent silver wedding day. The weather was beautifully fine and mild, and interest was added to the occasion by the fact that extensive alterations and additions to this fine country seat, which had been in course of execution for the last twelve months, had jast been completed. A high wall has been removed and a very handsome addition made to the south front. This takes the form of a large conservatory, with balcony above, providing a new entrance to this very pleasant portion of the Sail, which will pro- bably be largely used. The workmen who have had the alterations in hand, in view of the present auspicious occasion, subscribed amongst themselves for the purpose of presenting Sir Pyers and Lady Mostyn with a token of their esteem and goodwill. This took the form of a very pretty silver double photograph frame, and at noon the men, headed by Mr Roger Profit, interviewed Sir Pyers and Lady Mostyn and made their presentation. Sir Pyers in accept- ing the gift remarked (referring to Mr Profit) that he was very pleased to have a servant who had been with his (Sir Pyers') father, and others who had been in his employ a long time. The masonry and woodwork of the new collonade spoke well for the efficiency of his workmen. At 1-30 a deputation of the Talacre tenants met at the Hall bent on a similar errand. The committee consisted of Messrs Edward Jones, Ty'n-y-morfa (senior tenant on the estate), W. Bulcock, J.P., Frank Jewell, Robt Whiteford, Rev E. Jones, Gronant, Messrs Bretherton, J. Gunstoue, T E Griffith Jones, A. LI. Owen, Wm Williams,Gwespyr, and Wm Williams, Llanasa. These were met by Sir Pyers, and, after a few introductory remarks by Mr Frank Jewell, Mr Ed. Jones made the tenants' presentation, which was in the form of a handsome solid silver tea service, in silk- lined case. We understand this was supplied by Mr W. Freeman, watchmaker and jeweller of Prestatyn. The inscription engraved on the case con- taining the tea service was as follows :— Presented to Sir Pyers and Latdy Mostyn by ¡he Talacre tenants, in commemoration of jbeir silver wedding, November 4th, 1905." Sir Pyers, on behalf of Lady Mostyn and iiimself, in an able speech, gracefully thanked the tenants for their substantial and handsome present, and gave reminiscences of the various occasions on which his tenantry bad similarly šiven to him tokens of their goodwill. The deputation afterwards lunched with the family and their distinguished guests, amongst whom were the Right Rev Bishop z3 Mostyn, Sir Thos Esmond, etc. At 3 o'clock tenants and friends to the number of several hundreds were entertained to tea in the new conservatory and numerous other rooms at the Hall. The services of Mrs Williams, Confectioner, of Rose Buildings, Prestatyn had been requisitioned to cater for the wants of the company,and her task-—by no means a light one-was accomplished with her usual completeness, the tables being laden with a profusion of good things. The assembly was described in the invitations as an At home." This was a most appropriate title, for Lady Mostyn exhibited great solicitude in attending to the wants of her guests, and Miss Mostyn was to be seen dispensing great platefuls of cake, etc., to the multitude. Both hosts and guests were in high spirits. Musical accompaniments were not forgotten for both during tea and afterwards in the moonlight the Gwespyr and District Brass Band, under the conductorshipof Mr John Jones, discoursed sweet strains on the balcony, between the intervals of which a favoured few were privileged to hear Master Charlie Mostyn manipulating his gramaphone. We understand that the tea, service was brought in use for the first time on this o occasion, Lady Mostyn herself giving instruc- tions to this effect. The various other silver wedding presents were also brought out, to the great admiration of the company.

Century Almanack. For the new year Mr Smallman has had published from his own design a very neat calendar, printed in two colours. Besides giving useful information, a pretty picture appears in the centre. One design, showing a photo of a Welsh harpist, has been secured by Mr R. Ewart Owen, meat purveyor, the picture entitled "Waiting" by Mr 0. H. Hughes, jeweller, and that of Dyserth Water7 fall by Miss Summerskill, fancy repository. Mr R. Owen, Kidderminster House, Ffynnon- groew, has also had one of the same series, entitled "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau." The calendar, which has had in addition to the above a good circulation in Rhyl and St. Asaph, was printed at the office of this paper.

Mr. Chamberlain's Moods. No one will deny that Mr Chamberlain leads the Conservatives to-day. His energy is surprising, but there are signs that he is not the man he was even 5 or 6 years ago. Whether the cause is that he is getting old, or is disappointed, it is hard to say. One thing, however, is clear: we find him in varying moods. One moment he is in a very angry mood at the attacks which are made upon him. and says During all the time I have been a politician I have been a cockshy for all my political opponents." Then he is in a merry mood and says that the present government, in spite of their boastings, will not have more success than the government under Mr Gladstone, but as my friend Mr Balfour said the other day we shall have a good deal of amusement." Then he is- in something like a jealous mood, and says the programme of Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman "was only our old friend the Newcastle Programme," and declares that he is still a Radical, but that those who call themselves Radicals now are more Conservative than the old Tories ever were.

Coming Legislation. Should the Liberals be returned to office with a substantial majority, the first great struggle in the next Parliament will be over the Education Question, and it is sincerely to be hoped that some settlement fair to both sides will be arrived at, which will provide for Bible teaching in the schools. The vast majority of the Welsh Nonconformists are in favour of this, as was shewn in the Con- ference held at Carnarvon on Tuesday. Y.

Home Rule. It is now quite clear from the utterances of the Liberal leaders that the next parliament, if the Liberal government still be in power, will not bring in any bill defiling with Irish government. Sir Edward Grey distinctly said so two or three days ago, and added that it would, be wrong to do so until they get a mandate from the country, which they cannot get at the pending election, as the issue to be fought will be on the fiscal question. Mr Lloyd-George said on Tuesday that some of the duties performed by the Local Government Board, the Education Depart- ment, and his own department—the Board of Trade—so far as Welsh questions are con- cerned will be transferred to a Central Welsh Board, elected for the purpose of dealing with Welsh matters. What is this but Home Utile for Wales? And after all it does not look such a terrible thing to grant the same thing to Ireland. Mr Wyndham did not think so" and Mr Balfour did not a year or two ago think so.

The Awakening of China. Two or three days ago I read of Army manoeuvres inChina on a large scale, in which the Chinese soldiery displayed qualities, in several important respects, fully equal to those of European armies, and one point in particular was noticed, namely, their cheerful submission to strict discipline. The officers exhibited a good knowledge of tactics. The chief drawback was equipment, but it will not be a very difficult matter to remedy this. I read in one of Wednesday's papers that probably the chief credit for spreading western ideas among the. governing classes in China is due to a Welshman (Mr Timothy Richards) who has been raised to the dignity of Man- darin, and has resided in China for 36 years.

Transvaal and Self-government. All will rejoice that the conduct of the- i Boers after the war has been so satisfactory that it is contemplated to concede to them > the right of self-government under the sup- 1 remacy of the Imperial Parliament. This is due, no doubt, chiefly to their leaders, Botha and Hoffmeyer. 1 }

Prestatyn Choral Society. Commencing this week the above Society intend holding practices in the Rehoboth Schoolroom at 8-30 p.m. every Sunday night in addition to the Wednesday night practices in the English Presbyterian School- room. All members are req-uested to make a special endeavour to attend all practices.

Mrs Herbert Lewis spoke at a meeting of ladies at the Liberal Club on Thursday, when arrangements were made in connection with the coming parlia- mentary campaign in this district.

BYGONES. Contributions to this column will be we comed and may be made direct to Mr T. Edwards, Brynteg, Chester, who invites residents and others to send any information relative to Prestatyn district which they may possess. AGRICULTURE (continued). DISEASES OF WHEAT. —The principal dis- eases were of two kinds smut and blight, or mildew, and were quite distinct in their nature and causes, and the opinions of our ancestors are as contradictory as can be ex- pected upon subjects so much involved inobscurity. The following were the methods adopted by different farmers to avoid disease. 1. Frequently changing seed. 2. Buying smutty grain for sowing and steeping it in a lye made of equal parts of common salt, rock alum, and nitre. 3. Sow the seed in its pure natural state. 4. Steeping the infected grain in a strong solution of arsenic, as the smut balls are filled with animalcule. 5. Wash repeatedly in pure water, as the poison which kills the animalcule, may also injure the vegetable principle in the grain. In 1801, a farmer tried the best seed he could get in the London Market (which proved to be grown in Flintshire !!) and it proved to be a failure. Not having enough to finish his field, he sowed his own diseased grain without any steeping whatever, judge of his surprise when he found the latter to produce sound grain. Smutted oats were called by the Welsh Ceirch llosg i.e. burnt oats. Bread which had a taste of mildew was called Bara Mall. The crop of 1804 was a lamentable instance of the effect of mildew, and was attributed to the cold rains which fell about the middle of August. Possibly this was caused by the warm July being suddenly succeeded by the chilling blasts. The seasonableness of a hot July was known to our ancestors, which gave rise to the rustic triad,- Tri pbeth a ffynna ar des, Gwenith, agwenyn, ames." (Three things that prosper during a hot summer—Wheat, bees, and acorn. Sowing early in autumn was recommended as a preventative of the mildew, in that the grain may have passed the critical period of taking infection during the shorter-nights and the fever weather of June or July. Mildew was more common in Southern than in Northern climates, and less frequent on the hills than in the vales. RYK. —Rye Was cultivated on a much largerRYK. scale in the 17th than in the 18th century";1'' ;t Brown, or common family bread, whether made of wheat alone, or of 9 mixture of wheat and barley, was called Bara-rbyg or Rye-bread; aud the finer kind of wheaten bread was called Baracanu-rhyg, or white rye-bread. These terms were very proper when first imposed when most of our ancestors' fermented bread was made of rye, and their unfermented bread was made of oatmeal. On a half-reduced fallow, where the farmer could not get a good crop of wheat he sowed meslin or mingled corn, formed by mixing with wheat a portion of rye, at the rate of from one-fourth to one half; this he contended was a way of guarding against a thin, weedy crop of wheat. Rye will grow when wheat will not, except on lands that have been repeatedly limed, for lime seemed to destroy the food of rye in the soil. II: ,I Another reason why the cultivation of rye was relinquished was because rye-straw is more insipid than that of any other grain, and the cattle preferred rushes and fern to it. It however had a good point: its great length and hardness of texture rendered it well adapted for covering stacks of hay or corn. WOODs.-Prior to the reigns of Edward I. and Henry III. the comot of Prestatyn was, below the hill, one vast forest. These having been taken down, left the soil in such a condition, which along with the other properties afore-mentioned, rendered the situation an ideal one for success in the production of grain. As time went on woods were newly planted and 100 3 ears ago we find Sir Edward Lloyd possessing 162 thousand trees on his estates. The woods of Bodrhyddan, at the time when Dean Shipley had his seat there, possessed trees of uncommon size considering their situation to be within three miles from the Western sea. The malignity of the winds might have been mitigated by the Isle of C, Angleseatothe West, and the Carnarvonshire hills to the South-West. Here were trees of forest oak twelve feet in circumference at the height of five feet; and sycamore, elm, and ash, of extraordinary bulk; Bay trees grew to an uncommon size of thirty feet, some u" sterns bearing nine branches, and measuring in circumference 33, 28, and 23 inches res- pectively. The peasants frequently chanted with the harp verses composed in celebration I. of notedgoaks. MiscELLANEous.-r-In the vicinities of lead and coal mines the farmers paid much atten- tion to breeding of horses. Lime for manuring the soil was usually burnt in sod-kilns. The expense of making the kiln, raising and carrying the stones, fuel, mixing the charred sods and lime, carrying out and spreading, amounted to £4 10/- to £5 per acre. (To be continued).