The Aberystwith Observer

THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS PROMISES. It is not only with the Liberals and Non- conformists of Wales that the Government have broken faith. Their repudiation of the pledge to bring- in a Disestablishment z Bill next Session is a serious blow to their Welsh supporters it is true; so serious, in fact, that Mr. Lloyd-George's endeavour to salve the wound with a fresh promise is having' but little effect. The talk of another revolt, and the formation of a separate party composed of Welsh Liberals is grow- ing louder and louder, but we doubt if the Liberal Party in the Principality have the courage to cut themselves adrift from the Government. Still the putting back of Disestablishment is a distinct breach of promise, and an instance of the instability and incompetance of the Government. Both breach of promise and principle are involved in the Government's attitude towards the ingenious Parliamentary device for stopping debate, motion, or Bills, by what is known as the blocking system. When the members 0L the Government, were in opposition they denounced and derided the blocking system, but they did nothing to alter it when they took office. Three months ago the matter was forced on their attention by a "shocking example," and they then accepted a resoln- tion against it and gave oueof their numerous promises. Yet nothing has been done. When Lord Robert Cecil recalled attention to it, by another shocking example, the promise or undertaking was explained away, and the Prime Minister was, with extreme reluctance, persuaded to entertain the idea of a Select Committee on the subject. It is true that the blocking system, or something like it, is a necessity, as the present Govern- ment has discovered. But this does not excuse the reckless and unprincipled way in which it has been dealt with, It is not more reckless and unprincipled than the case of the beer contract for the Navy. This con- tract was given to Meux's Brewery, in which Lord Tweeduiouth, the First Lord of the Admiralty, is one of the largest proprietors. No one questions Lord Twoedmouth's in- tegrity, but the Government is placed in a painfully awkward position, by reason of its L I denunciation of the late Government for giving contracts to a company in which a Minister held some shares. We are quite ready to believe that Lord Tweedmouth knew nothing at all of the transaction, and if he is placed in an ambiguous position it is due to the past action of his colleagues, which has rendered it necessary to draw a comparison between their preaching in opposition and their practice in office. Their failure to deal with this matter is another breach of promise, and one might go on ennumerating them. They are, how- ever, so well known that it is unnecessary, and the effect in the country is becoming more and more noticeable. In the next few weeks there is every probability that the bye elections will give us an indication sufficiently plain, even for the members of the Government to observe it, because, whilst they were talking themselves hoarse about ending the House of Lords, they were at the same time in the very act of making four new Peers, and thus stultifying their own words. Two bye elections follow as a result, and the electors will thus have an opportunity of expressing au opinion on the inconsistency.

NOTES. Cardiganshire has newl to be proud of the honour of Knighthood conferred upon one of her most brilliant sons in the person of Sir John P Rhys, M.A LL D., D.Litt., principal of Jesus College, Oxford. At the age of 19, after serving an apprenticeship of four years at the British school, Penliwyn, he left his native county for Bangor Normal College, and just 42 years ago he matriculated as a commoner of Jesus College, Oxford. Since then he has attained to great honours in the world of literature and as a Celtic scholar, his name is honoured in every country. One of his most recent excursions in connection with education was a visit to Pittsburg on the occasion of the opening of the new C irnegie Institution in that city. The new chemical laboratory erected on the Buarth MawT, at Aberystwyth, at a, cost of over < £ 20,000, is receiving the internal fittings, and the date of opening has been provisionally fixed for October 25th. That will be the usual period for holding the annual meeting of the Court of Governors of the College," and it is hoped to arrange a programme befitting the importance of the event, and in which some of the leading Welsh and English educationists will take part. The new buildings have been erected at the expense of the Plas Dinam family, and adds one more to the many debts which Wales and Aber- ystwyth in particular owes to the benevolence of the Davies family. ¡ It is not at all unlikely that there will be a general election in the spring. In some quarters an earlier date is mentioned, but as Parliament will adjourn on August 14th to next February it is highly improbable that the Liberal party will come to the country before next year. It is there- fore essential that the Conservative and Unionist party should take" steps to get their ranks into fig-hting trim. The next "Radical battle cry will be down with the House of Lords. That feat accom- plished there will be no limit to the schemes of the Liberals and Socialists for dismembering the Empire, and so it becomes doubly necessary that a great effort should be made to reclaim the seats lost by the Conservative Party at the last General Election. The meeting- of the Aberystwyth Rural Council on Monday was more than usually lengthy, and severab interesting it, tt ter,, were de dt with. The need for a proper and adequate supply of water fit Tslybont was again brought to the notice of the Council by the Inspector, who reported that two new houses in the village were unprovided with water, and could nor, therefore be certified for occupation. Mr John D vies, one of the'representatives of the district, complained that in bringing these cises forward the Inspector had shown favoured treat- ment, as, lie Enid, there were other houses in the village that had been occupied without certificates being granted in respect to them. It appears that the villagers are unfortunately at variance, and there is a great deal of needless feeling and jealousy regarding the treatment of local matters. But- the inspector firmly denied that he had anything to do with the squabble between the opposing factions, and his explanation that the report on these particular houses was made to bring forward the need for a water supply was accepted. It is certainly high time the District Council took the question in hand. For something like ten to twelve years the ratepayers of Talybont have pleaded for a good supply of water, but have pleaded in vain. Until this reasonable demand is met, there will always be difficulties in regard to the housing conditions in the village. An insufficiency of water is at the root of most sanitary evils, and the duty of the local authority in this matter is plain. Another matter which occupied the attention of the Rural District Council was the state of the slaughter houses in the district. Even in districts where the supervision of the Sanitary Inspector is keen and searching, and the regula- tions adopted are strictly enforced, if necessary by law, the conditions under which animals are slaughtered are often not above reproach. But in the Aberystwyth district, where the supervision might be improved and the bye-laws more rigidly applied, we should imagine the conditions are such as to constitute a serious menace to the general public health. All sorts of buildings are used for slaughtering purposes, and any butcher or farmer can slaughter whether he be licensed or not. If the reports are to be believed there is very little attempt at cleansing the buildings used, and in some cases it is said offal of every description is allowed to accumulate indefinitely. It is a state of things that, to put it mildly, is highly objectionable and undesirable, and we are glad the Council have asked for a list of butchers using slaughter houses in the'district, with a view to putting the regulations in opera- tion. The question should not be lost sight of in the meantime. What is the use of framing bye- laws if there is no intention of enforcing them ? 1 The state of cow.sheds and dairies is another matter which vitally concerns the public health. As in the case of the slaughter houses these are also unregistered, and, except for occasional visits of inspection, practically uncontrolled. We are told by the Medical Officers in their reports that many of the cow sheds are insanitary, badly ventilated, and badly drained. We need ha.rdly say that the surroundings of the milch cow, and the vow itself, should be kept clean. The effect- of a foul environment is seen in the tubarealae disease, which attacks a large percentage of cows, and causes consequent impurity of the milk with its risks of contamination. Indeed, milk drawm from a cow suffering from tuberculosis is not only unfit for human consumption, but unfit for pigs. Then the dairies where the milk is stored and separated are often unclean and untidy. Usually they form a sort of general store room, and it ix for this reason that the Medical Officers S"iJc strongly condemn the present arrangements. It is a pity that the Cardigan Volunteer Artillery will not, as wo announced last weekr participate in the forthcoming celebrations afc Cardiff on the occasion of the visit of the King1 and Queen. There would have been something" peculiarly fitting in the representation of th corps at the festivities. For one thing, it was the? first Volunteer battalion to be established in the King's reign, and their presence on this occasion- would have been most appropriate But the War Office has refused to allow any official grant tc? meet the expenses that would be entailed, and. however much the officers of the Artillery desire to see their corps represented, financial reasons preclude them from accepting the hoxion?; of lining the route." The proceedings at the Town Council on Tues- day were less acrimonious, though members appeared reluctant to depart from the usual methods of procedure which have placed tha town in an unenviable position. Councillor Hop- kins enlivened the proceedings at the outset, an(I pressed for information as to the reception to bet accorded General Booth on his visit to the town. That veteran worker will, we feel sure, be received with all due honour when he pays his promised visit. It is gratifying to note that Sir Edwani Pryse and Powell, of Nanteos, will affordtho- officers of the fleet every opportunity of enjoying; a day's sport on their fishing waters. The pro- gramme of the town for entertaining the officers and men of the fleet has not yet been completetf.. but it is intended to make the reception, worthy of Aberystwyth and of the country. We have tar note with regret that nothing yet has been settled with regard to a site for the proposed Isolt-tioaf Hospital. We are convinced that the Council is fully alive to the urgency of the ques ion, and the? necessity of pressing the matter on without any further delay. The difficulty of securing a suitable: site stands in the way, and this is receiving that attention of the Committee The question of opening the market for street hawkers came before* the Council, and we are glad to learn from tha Town Clerk that the final stage in the completaort of the necessary legal documents will be reachecE in the course of the next week.

ABERYSTWYTH NEWS. SALB OF PUOPRHTY.—Mr H. Meroditfe o fie red for At the Lion Royal HofctI, 011. Wednesday afternoon, the freehold residence.. Quebec Villa," Llanbadarn. The auctioneer stated that the estimated rent was £ 45 peer aunum. The bidding commenced at < £ 50# and by bids of JE50 it soon reached JE963, andL after two bids of cB25 it went up to £ 950, at which price it was knocked down to Mrs* James, 15, Portland street. The auctioneer said that the leasehold property, D, Soutfc Marino terrace, which was to have beem olTcrcd for sale that afternoon had been dis- posed of by private treaty to Mr Georga Davis, the present tenant, which announce- ment was received with cheers. TEIPY SALMON.—Anglers are having splendid sport on the Teify this season's run of sal moor being exceptionally good. Alderman David Roberts, The Brewery, who was fishing last; week at, Liandyssul got four nice salmon. The fish are in splendid condition, and average 101b to 131b. Ocu NE',V STORY. — We publish to-day the first instalment of a new story from the pen of that ever popular and versatile writer, Mrs L" T. Meade. The story is entitled '• The Secret; Terrorand concerns the career of art ordinary high-class English girl, who although. surrounded by every luxury, is virtually at prisoner at the hands of an uncle. Strong colour is worked into the story, which is full of action and movement, and holds the- reader to the iast. The authoress's books ara. the most-read in the Free Library, and the. new story is sure to be a favourite with onr: readers. FURNITURE.—Now is the time to have VOITF Furniture neatly Repaired, Polished and Upholstered by H C RICHARDS, 2 Little Darkgate street. Furniture Carved. Jobb- ing Work done. Established 1892. SHOEING CONTEST.- -In the open shoeing class for hunters held at the Royal Agri- cultural Show, Lincoln, last Wednesday, Mr T. E. Lewis, shoeing smith, of this town, was placed reserve and highly commended. THE PIEI PAVILION. — Next week "The Silver Moons," a variety company of higbt class artistes, are announced to appear at that Pier Pavilion. PETTY SESSIONS.—The sessions were held oil Wednesday, before Mr Robert Doughton" mayor, Messrs R. J. Jones, W. J. Watkins, C M. Williams, George Davis, William Thomasr and Capt. Doughton.—Richard Richards, 12 Ruth street Bargoed, was ordered to con tributes Is. 6d. a week, for the maintenance of his mother.—Mr T. J. Samuel appeared for C, riffitbi Beechcy, 117 Primrose street, Tonypandy, who was charged by the Guardians with refusing to pay £ 7 lis. Ge1. arrears for the maintenance of his father and mother, and the case was adjourned for a week.—H. O. James, 7 Farm roid, Pontlottyn, who owed £ G 14s. Gd. for the maintenance of his mother, was ordered topa-y 15s. a week.-Charles Harcourt, "Gwalia," North parade, was fined 2s. Gd. for allowing the chimney to be on fi re.-A number of school cases were disposed of.

BORTH. THE DRAINAGE QUESTION.—At the Rural Council meeting on Wednesday a letter was read from the Local Government Board respecting the proposed scheme for the sewerage disposage at Borth, and asking whato was the present position of the matter. The Clerk was instructed to reply that the Council had the matter under consideration. A Missions to Seamen Church and institute is to be erected at Rochester for the use of British and foreign crews on the Medway- Towards the zC4,000 required for this pnrposo a "Kentish Churchwoman" has contributed x- 1,000.

BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. No charge is made for ordinary announce- ments, but Is. is charged for any addition- BIRTHS. MORGAN.—June 23th, the wife of Mr Morgaff Morgan, Morfa, Llanrhystyd, of a son. .T ONF s. J nne 27th, the wife of Mr Evan Jcuc* Tanyreglwys, Llanrlivstyd of a son. DEATHS. JONES.—June 24th, at Aeron House, 13ort6i John Jones, mariner, aged 49 years. JONES.—June 24th, at Pen pompren-ue!i$# Talybont, Mary Jones, aged 85 years. _d