The Aberystwith Observer

ABERWYTH TOWN COUNCIL. I COUNCILLOR HOPKINS TECTURES HIS COLLEAGUES. Co %ep+I1C^'or Doughton, mayor, presided 7,0l'nai'y meeting of the Aberystwyth Vsd Unc^ at tlie Town Hall on lC°n|j morning. There were also present ■Peteif'r Houghton, ex-mayor, Aldermen \ni Ps and E p- Wynne, Councillors W. ^i|j„ as> Morgan, D. Thomas, K. Mori is, J. KuH' T" J- Samuel, G. Wilkinson, J. T. Ale les, 1. Hopkins, C. M. Williams, with ^ePutS IIuShes' town clerk, M. Hughes, c'ei'k> W. Simpson, assistant clerk, \e J2pes, surveyor, C. Massey, accountant, inspector, and R. Felix, rate jk^"EST WALES SANATORIUM. ^°Wn Clerk read a letter from Mr Evan poj* to the County Council, in which T04ioo lite-(I out that before the County Council W^nd financial aid to the West Wales JtecQSs.il,ni at Alltyuiynydd it would be that a petition should be sent to the .Unc'l by a District Council. Under a^°u Act of 1003 the County Council top^i? Power to make a grant providing the 1 a^ove referred to was followed out. etter was referred to the Finance ec\ and in the meantime the Town Praised to ascertain from Me Evans '°cial position of matters, j 4, STREET COLLECTIONS. jJi^iDrj Was read from Mr Robert Northey ipHlt a e approval of the Council to August ]%t f! /'Ie day fixed upon for making a vAnn„ 'ecti°n in aid of Dr Stephen's Homes. proved. tyclinjpVa Clerk also read a letter from the Wd a'J' *n which the Council were asked 5Pofts number of chairs for the annual Seet-eta,. !ere vvas also a letter from the hon. %m] y the Carnival fund, which is held KiJ *n the Infirmary, asking for .Got}.,1?,1} to make a street collection, "'Hop ty., Thomas proposed, and Coun- ^Uted '"tams seconded, that iiermission be Thomas asked what about the 0<wS .flection in aid of the Infirmary. >16 rC p ot' Da vies It depends if his interest Vst ye rtuapy is more than in the lifeboat. jlesia,!1' there was 10 infirmary collection. J'ioii-a'ter Bank Holiday is fixed as the day ,A: carnival. bee!- H°Pkins Is it right to encourage id 'n^* a P001" man or woman ,3 op <>^e streets you send them to prison for fistiC -^ays- We are not acting in a OOllla. spiri t by doing that. t, c 11 Thomas Didn't you have a ^on w'10a y°u were mayor ? Poo» Hopkins Yes but I did nots,top V^he ail(i send them to prison. 0tks rf^Grs were referred to the Public Committee. AwaG WEATHER REPORTS. Jtae e. el* vv.as read from the Meteorological ^Por^ c 08"mg particulars of how the weather ^ieif;XVere seut up to London for p10" next day. ■■tb^tiotffayot* ailcI Councillor Gibson called rennri!10- dcIay hl Pufcting up the <wpk «■,„ 1- ln the town, and the Town eer nn v irect°d to write of the Medical ..C0! tne matter. etor Hopkins But a doctor is a Ulltr, and he might bo miles away in the 1 &of wtleu the telegrams arrive. What are to do then ? le P- %e th lawn Clerk There is sure to be some- X(i bsence is no excuse. lie n,Him ? telegrams and ho ought to get \u6 1:0 Put them up. 141,A the iLDAllRAL" and THE 'GENERAL. t^ivAri 0wn Clerk reported that he had J°tter from Captain G. Fossett that the ollicers of the local 'O^rili ^Iu[lteers Ii:ui Pleasure in placing v^cii al1 at the disposal of the Town of the occasion of the forthcoming ■ai»j cfced +i -?^eet- The Town Clerk also "th ^!i' ^'L' Edward Parry Pryse, Bart., t t()\\r Edward P°well» of Nanteos, would (h atly vfir the tisliitilg waters on the estates heap^erS W'10 wawte(i «a day's fishing Hopkins That is for the for the officers (h1. Cibson The blue bloods you s CoC?8hter). $fop M013, Hopkins You are only prepar- 'v Adri- Marine Department (laughter). >aI. U11'ght bo here, but there is a (;o ^°ni'nS here too, and what are yon ■Ai J'ou t par.ofort,le General? I do not fi i ll'al f.Uehing upon that question. The rv^s ao- for the devil but the General Vi°ttQp5nllsk —at is General Booth. 'J! see + ()L' Williams: I think the Mayor that- "r Yos, jres. It is not before the •Qi tttieiii we have no noticeof the visit. I estion P.1' Hopkins It does belong to the °\vQ ") (joud stamping of feet and sit ^our can stamp your feet as much as a stian", ^°U aro ^cro 'n the name of f^eacons of chapels, but you are deaA 1^'lon when it comes to the point. b4 } WfDLSH NATIONAL SHOW. v,'as read from Mr L. T. Loveden <^cuih"0!;aI manager of the Welsh National ttof stating that the Council Sr!0vvat fe''ornmend the Society to hold the j, f.. 'Jer'ystwyth for 1908, but hoped at llro ^a^e, if the invitation was in e li]'' Ar^30 a Position to repeat it. fYa'Vor think that wo ought to isl novf° May°p t° vote for Aberystwyth as i meeting, and not vote for another A > did 3asfc time. ^bPoofy0r • werG 6 out of 8 for > and it was useless to go on. >.4 Wf BRYNymCr dingle. y waf? read from Mr E. J. Evans, •jjJ? Coy']-, '? W^ich he claimed damages against S)gitl c,u fpr a disturbance to a drain tli e Bur- -° Corporation workmen. t]>nnG,e,yo^ sai^ that there was no drain and draia anc^ rePlaced every- a« i t no damage was done. The men t0 011 All y f?and ifc- .tlnv°^ ^iarns Have you reported it e Su*f district Council? °ufiem yor No* th^getnpnf .^i'iiams As they made the rh^-OWn Oi i,lstance I think that "V Cnff6 should write to them. ^tksComS.Was referred to the Public San. mifctee, on the motion of Councillor *Th.e tISOLAtiox hospital. \t.Clerk reported that lie had asV,v ^rom Local Government ^eehee tn what had been done with i £ >s?Un<iil]nv. proposed Isolation Hospital. thiv!.11 io tho 138011 We find ourselves this +1 SUtnmer and nothing done. I T»wn ot ?ove:tl1 5'ear now- «taflal eommUf ls in the hands of a feotf6' and 1 Can °nly repIy by tlw St,fIere^lbson ^he ccmmittej seems to vi«ited fK lTm everlasting blight since a tlle t(?P of Tyhen. Councillor Morgan said that Councillor Daniel Thomas promised to bring in a report after that visit. Councillor Williams said that the committee I were taking steps. Councillor Hopkins No they are not. It I' is all talk and talk, nothing but talk and wind to blind the people. Some people seem to think they can do everything by talking, but it is all wind (laughter). Councillor W. Thomas Why don't those people who complain point out the sites if they have any. Alderman Wynne and Coun- cillor D. Thomas are doing their best. Councillor Hopkins I do not complain about Mr Wynne, he is doing his best. But there are others interfering, and it is all wind (laughter). The Ex-Mayor proposed that Councillor Hopkins be put on the committee, as be knew so much about sites. Councillor Hopkins No ;-I won't. Councillor W. Thomas Then it is all wind Councillor Williams Any member of the Council that is aware of any sites ought to mention them. ADVERTISING THE TOWN. The Council referred to the General Purposes Committee a letter received from Messrs Wills, Ltd., London agents for the who were sending down the Managing Director to confer with the Town Council as to advertising the town. The Town Clerk remarked that a marvellous amount of work had been done by the Company in Cornwall. A MORNING BAND. A petition, signed by a number of rate- payers whose names did not transpire, asked that the Council should arrange for a band to play on the Promenade in the mornings. Councillor Hopkins We have settled the programme for the season, and I don't think we ought to listen to these positions. There will be a band on the Pier, and if a man has a good ear he can enjoy the music 0:1 the Parade (laughter). Councillor E. Morris proposed that it be referred to the General Purposes Committee. Councillor Morgan pointed out that no provision had been made in the estimates for a morning band, and there was 501,700 not pre- pared for in the last estimate. Councillor Williams That statement is absolutely incorrect. There is not a penny which is not provided for, with JE600 balance at the end of the year. Councillor Morgan That too is incorrect. There are contingent liabilities amounting to XI,700 not provided for (No, no). The Mayor Mr Morris has moved that it go to the committee. Councillor W. Thomas What is the use of it. Councillor Williams I second. Councillor Gibson saw no objection to going beyond the estimate. That seemed to be the usual thing there. If the ratepayers required a morning band why let them have it. What was the use of talking about the estimates when they did not put down half their liabilities. Councillor Samuel was in favour of referring it to a committee, and this was agreed to. COONCILLOR HOPKINS AND THE LORDS. Mr Joseph Davies reported the result of the taxing of the costs in the recent parlia- mentary bill promotion, and said that a sum of £ 5 4s. Od. was struck off. The taxing of the costs in the Harbour and Gas Bills had not been taken in hand. Councillor flupisiis When does Morgan v. Fear go to the House of Lords ? Shall we be able to get it before the House is dissolved (laughter). I should like to have this question settled before we do away with the House of Lords (laughter). Mr Williams I thought you would suggest to do away with the House of Lords before the question was settled The Town Cierk said that there were only four appeals down in front of Morgan v. Fear, and he had no doubt that their case would be reached before the House was dissolved (more laughter). GENERAL BOOTH'S RECEPTION. Councillor Hopkins I propose that we ask the General Purposes Committee to consider the means and the best way of giving General Booth a reception. The Town Cierk I have no official intima- tion that he is coming. I understand that it, it is customary to inform localities, and in every case a most hearty reception has been given to him. Councillor Williams No doubt the Mayor will take the necessary steps. Councillor Gibson From what I can hear I think General Booth arranges his own recep- tion. THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. Councillor T. J. Samuel moved, and Coun- cillor Hopkins seconded, that the standing orders be suspended. This having been agreed to, Mr Samuel proceeded to move that the Council send in a formal application for the National Eisteddfod of 1909 to be held at Aberystwyth. A sum of £ 1,160 had been guaranteed, and more was to come, but the application had to be lodged a month before the National Eisteddfod meeting, which this year took place at Swansea. It would be necessary for a deputation to attend in support of the application. Councillor Hopkins seconded the proposal, and said he sang in the last Eisteddfod held there very many years ago (hear, hear and laughter). If they thought he was a rowdy I fellow sometimes, he could sing as much as any of them (bear, hear). The first Eistedd- fod paid hundreds of pounds of debt on the Eisteddfod funds and had a balance. Aber- ystwyth was the centre of Wales, education- ally and otherwise, and it was in fact Wales itself daughter). Councillor Morgan In making this applica- tion do we take any financial responsibility? Councillor Samuel None at all. Councillor W. Thomas Let it be clearly understood that we do not call upon the rates for a penny but it is the wish of the town that we should make that effort, and I hope that we shall succeed. PENMAESGLAS ROAD. This road which Councillor Hopkins informed the Council was the une in which he was born, bred, and married, had he said been badly cut up by a heavy loaded wagon going down it with a shoe under the wheel. The Town Clerk said that unless there was malicious damage there was no claim. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. Alderman Jones presented the report of the Public Works Committee which made the following recommendations—That tenders be invited for providing uniforms for the Sanitary Inspector, Water Works Inspector, and Harbour Master respectively, and that the selection of material and acceptance of tenders be delegated to Councillors C. M. Williams, Daniel Thomas, and J. T. Davies. That the proposed in- scription on the monument to the late Mr T. Lumley Davies be approved. That permission be given to Mr Fear to lay the foundation of his new houses in Bath street, subject to the work being completed without delay, and to no material being placed in the street, and that his application to be allowed to proceed with the building of the remainder of the house during the summer be not granted. That the amended plan of a new dwelling house submitted by Mr William Ellis be approved. That the plan of two new dwelling houses in Caradoc road, submitted by Mr D. G. Jones, be approved. That the plan of cable laying in King street and Laura place, I submitted by the Cbiswick Electricity Supply Corporation, Limited, be approved. The Borough Surveyor presented his report of the work done in the departments of the Town Gardener, Water Inspector, and Cemetery Superintendent respectively, during the past fortnight. An application by the Town Gardener for an increase of salary was con- sidered. Your Committee recommend that the application be not granted. Your Committee decided to visit the Cemetery at an early date. Instructions were given to the Borough Surveyor to report upon a, mean of improving the steps leading over the groyne at Craiglais el point. Referring to the application of the Town Gardener for an increase of salary, Councillor Gibson said that he called attention at the Committee to the fact that in addition to the town gardener and castle keeper a man was employed on the Castle to cut the grass. was employed on the Castle to cut the grass. He saw one of their officials one day talking ¡ for half an hour to visitors on the Castle, and he felt that something ought to be done. ¡ This was costing the town Z-200 a year—— Councillor Morgan £ 250. I Councillor Gibson Then we have hot houses and all sorts of things that seem quite I useless in my opinion. We can save £ 150 a year on this business if we give the contract to a local gardener who would do the work for £ 25. The Surveyor said that the extra man on I the Castle was only there because a lawn I mower was out of order. I Councillor Hopkins complained that two large trees overhanging some marble head- stones in the cemetery were discolouring the stones. Councillor Morgan referring to the road making experiment now being carried on in Bath street, said he never saw anything which lacked method like this work. There were five men tumbling overeach other at the work, and the ratepayers were complaining. It was too disgraceful to see the way the mason's spent their time on Corporation work. The fact of the matter was they spent 3s. to get 2s worth of work done. Councillor D. Thomas said that the men on the Castle had to be civil to visitors, when they asked questions. Councillor Gibson said that he had been in- formed that the experiment now being carried on in Bath street was the wrong method. The Surveyor said that the proper appli- ances to do this class of work, would cost Z.3,19, and what they were doing was only an experi- ment which he endeavoured to carry out most economically. He however would not advise the council to do any more work of that kind on the same lines, but instead, that it should be let by contract, to firms who did that class of work, and which could easily do a mile in a day (hear, hear). The report was then carried. MORE ABOUT THE ESTIMATES. Councillor Williams presented the report of the Finance Committee, which recommended for payment bills, etc., amounting to £ 445 Its. Od. The Committee also recommended that a cheque be signed for £ 30 in favour of the College for the Corporation Scholarships, &c. That a cheque be signed in favour of the Postmaster General for zL30 19s. lid., being the amount payable under the Council's guarantee. That the Town Clerk beauthorised to consult counsel in the matter of the es- tablishment of the new markets. That the remuneration to Mr Richard Felix for per- forming the duties of assistant overseer (f..r the half-year ending 29th September, 19^)7), under his temporary appointment, be fixed at £ 50, in addition to such amount as may be allowed by the revising barrister to the over- seers in the matter of the preparation, publi- cation, and revision of the municipal and Parli amentary list of voters. That permission be given to the collector of rates to insert a notice in the demand notes tint he win Id be in attendance at his office, No. 63, North parade, to receive rates, between the hours of 3 o'clock p.m. and G o'clock p.m. daily (Sundays excepted). That the draft lease of the Market Hall and premises, Market street, as altered by the Town Clerk, be approved of. Instruc- tions were given to the Borough Surveyor to confer with Mr Lewis Hopkins upon the terms of the proposed renewal of the lease of the Sheldon court premises, and to report to the next meeting-of the Committee. The time within which Mrs ivis required to carry out the conditions subject to which the lease of 3G, 38, 40, and 42, Portland street, were agreed to be renewed having expired, your Committee decided to visit the premises, with a view to reporting fresh terms. Your Com- mittee also decided to inspect the premises near the Drill Hall, Smithfield road, at an early date, with a view to reporting upon Mr Owen's application for a lease. Councillor Morgan remarked that no pro- vision had been made for the telephone pay- ment in the estimates. Councillor "Williams: Yes, there is £ 50 for contingencies. Councillor Morgan And you have £300 liabilities and you want £ ±00 for the reception of tho Fleet out of the Borough Fund. (Cries of order, order). Councillor Hopkins: Is this £ 30 for scholar- ships in the estimates ? Councillor Williams Yes. Councillor Gibson said that life was intoler- able in Terrace road, because people said that Cap, D ougb ton and Councillor Williams were shelving tho Market question, and did not intend to carry it out this summer. He did not see that they would gain anything by delay. Capt. Doughton argued that it would not be big enough, but it would be big enough until they filled it. That was the statement of the man in the street. Councillor Williams: We hear too much of the man in the street. I ask you for the name. Councillor Gibson Oh, no I don't know what you are going in for if I give names away. Councillor Hopkins: Is there any question as to what the Council aro going to do? People are blaming some members, and I do not think some members should be blamed, in order to clear others. Councillor Davies: One or two members persuaded me as chairman of the Markets Committee to leave it over and have a fresh start because time was going. Councillor Williams Let's have the name Councillor Davies: Councillor C. M. Wil- liams. Councillor Williams Now let us have the statement. Councillor Davies: You said, "look here Davies, don't push on with this, let's have a fresh start." Councillor Williams: Where was it? Councillor Morgan: At the committee I overheard it. Couueillor Williams We are not discussing it with the gentleman at the other end of the table. Councillor Davies: I asked the Town Clerk how long it would be, and he said July, and you said it would be better to leave it over to get it upon a proper footing. Councillor Williams Mr Hughes said that he hoped to get it ready within three weeks. Councillor Morgan; That is wrong, Mr Hughes said next meeting. Councillor Williams: I said that unless we can have it soon we shall not be able to put it into operation this summer, and that it was no use putting it into operation for the winter. Councillor Morgan: That is absolutely wrong. Councillor W. Thomas Is this chapter worthy of the Council. Councillors Davies and Williams and the Mayor were on their feet together, and Coun- cillor Morgan shouted that he gave Councillor Williams the lie direct. Councillor Williams I will not take the statement of a man who misrepresents every- thing. Mr Samuel Quite right! j Councillor Morgan You are caught any- way. Councillor Williams You are a flnp. bird Councillor Morgan Fine bird. — He never jumped down and nearly broke his neck. We I can talk about fine birds. Councillor Gibson called the Mayor s atten- tion to Councillor Williams's remarks con- cerning Councillor Morgan's veracity. Councillor Williams Yon started ib. We have had enough of this conduct. Yon ought to be man enough to give the names of those people. Councillor Gibson I will not. Yon go behind everybody's back. You have been shown up in your proper colours. You are a regular busybody. The Town Cleric said that the draft lease of the Market Hall had been returned for some slight modification, and he would bring it before them at the close of the meeting, and no doubt the lease would be signed this week. He would be in London on the following day, and he intended to have the market question put upon a perfectly sound basis, and to make it thoroughly effectual he would consult a specialist on the matter, and hoped to presen t something definite next week (hear, hear). Councillor Williams I appeal to the Town Clerk if the statement was not made. The Town Clerk It was. Councillor Morgan got up to speak, but the Mayor would not allow him to proceed. Councillor Morgan You allow Councillor Williams to make all sorts of statements and say that I make wrong statements. Councillor Williams was standing all this time, and Councillor Hopkins asked why the Mayor did not make all members sit down when another got up. The Mayor I try to, but they won't. Councillor Williams took his seat. Councillor Morgan said that Councillor Williams tackled Mr Davies privately about this when other business was going on. Councillor Williams: No, no it, is abso- lutely wrong and false. The Ex-Mayor My name has been men- tioned by Air Gibson. Councillor Williams Ask for the name. The Ex-Mayor No; I don't care for street talk. I will not take any notice of it. I want to get the market into proper shape, for I saw a hawker selling fruit 2d. a lh. cheaper in front of a tradesman's shop in Pier street. Councillor Gibson In mentioning your name I gave yon an opportunity of replying. The Ex-Mayor Yes, yes. The report was then adopted. FIRS BRIGADE. Councillor W. Thomas, presented a report of the Fire Brigade Committee. The Com- mittee recommended that three medals of the St. John's Ambu'anc-i Association be purchased, at a cost of 7s. Gd. each, for presentation to the three members of the Brigade who have recently passed the final examination of the Association. The Captain of the Fire Brigade attended and explained the advantages of the Clarniss Fire Extinguisher, and your Com- mittee recomnend that one be purchased, to- gether with one dozen charges," at an esti- mated cost of 35s. The Ex-M ayor wanted to put before the Council a cheaper fire extinguisher, and this aroused Councillor Hopkins, who said that they should get a cheap one for the meetings of the Council. Councillor W. Thomas complained of the interruptions, which he said were simply disgraceful. Councillor Gibson Do you want to breed a row. You are insulting to all intellect. Members were impatient of Council lor W. Thomas for taking so much time in presenting the report, and Councillor Gibson said be was too prosy. Councillor Wilkinson suggested that they should take the report as read. Councillor W. Thomas declined to proceed, and the Mayor made an appeal to him to go on. Councillor Gibson Yes pat him on the back a bit, Mr Mayor (laughter). The report was then carried. THE PUBLIC LIGHTS COMMITTEE. Councillor Win. Thomas presented the report of the Public Lights Committee, which re- commended that the uppermost lamp in Loveden J road be removod to the other side of the road- way. Your Committee considered the question of the lighting of the courts in the town, and also of the urinals, and the proposed altera- tions in the candle power of other lamps in several streets of the town, and recommend that the candle power of such lamps be that stated in the report in the possession of the Borough Surveyor. Your Committee visited Bath street, Corporation street, and Queen's road, and made the following recommenda- tioiis:Tii-,tt an additional lamp pillar be fixed opposite the entrance to the Belle Yue stables, and that the lamp fixed on a bracket in Corporation street be lit with a 50 candle power lamp. That the lamp in Bath street nearest to Terrace road be removed to a suit- able site opposite the entrance to the Arcade, and the lamp opposite Mona House, Bath street, be removed to a site on the same side as the English Methodist Chapel, and that a lamp pillar be fixed at the Queen's road end of the Public Baths, and the lantern on Dr. Harries stables be removed and fixed on such pillar. That two lamps, each of 60 candle power, bo substituted for three-light lanterns erected in Queen's road. Your Committee ordered that the lamp fixed on the premises of Mr Griffiths, cabinet maker, in Market street, be extinguished for one week from this date. The report was adopted. Z) BOAT INSPECTION. The Council accepted the resignation of the Ex-Mayor as one of tho final inspectors of boats and it was decided to leave it to the officials. The Council then went into committee.