Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

LLANGOLLEN'S LITTLE LEAVEN. \VE are pleased, this week, to be able to state that information with which we supplied our readers six weeks ago, regarding contemplated additions to the Commission of the Peace for Denbighshire, has now been published through official sources. That we were able to make the announcement before the new Magistrates had themselves been made aware of their selection was due to a not unintelligent anticipation of events. The selections are admirable so far as they go—the regrettable feature is that they do not go far enough. By adding a Wesleyan, a Methodist, a Baptist and a Churchman to the list of County Magistrates, the Lord Chancellor, or his advisers, have displayed keen discernment and succeeded in pleasing all denominations whilst offending none. If political and sectarian considerations are to influence the appointments it is well that all sects and both parties should be treated alike. At the same time Justices of the Peace are appointed to administer the law and it is not reassuring to reflect that their con- nection with this or that place of worship, or the fact that they are Liberal or Tory, has any in- fluence in securing their selection. It is because we regard the Magistrate on the Bench as a legal administrator, pure and simple, that we recognize the Stipendiary as most effectively and suitably filling the magisterial position; and it is high time that the C, Stipendiary system was introduced into Denbighshire. So long as the present order of things prevails, however, it is well that no step should be neglected that is likely to add to its efficiency; and the more Llangollen men are added to theCommission of the Peace, the better, the wiser and the more en lightened will be the administration of Justice in the county. It is because we are convinced of this fact that we hail with pleasure the appoint- ment of four of the good men and true who will qualify at Wrexham to-day. The quality is all right, it could scarcely be better; but the I quantity is all wrong. Instead of four, eight appointments should have been made from Llan- gollen. There are too many "dead-heads" on the Commission of the Peace as it is—and in writing thus we do so with the deepest respect for the many able men who devote ungrudgingly of their time and talents to the performance of very onerous duties. At the same time it would be well if a "list of attendances" were regularly published to show the extent of practical responsibility which Denbighshire Magistrates realise. As a matter of fact there are a good many Magistrates who have not been seen on the Bench for years; and perhaps never will be seen there again. Not that the public suffer by their absence; but why were they appointed whilst men of sound business qualities, prepared to attend to the duties, are ignored ? We trust that Llangollen's little leaven may gradually leaven the whole lump.

PREPARE, FOR HARD TIMES. I A coHRESfONDENT, in another column, draws attention to a very important matter, viz., the necessity of steps*Joeing taken, with as little At present the .prfespect is far from being a cheerful one to lock forward to. There are practically no worksj capable of providing em- practically no worksj capable of providing em- ployment on a considerable scale, either in pro- gress or contemplation. Already the number of unemployed — deserving cases, who have families to support and desire work to secure the means of supporting them-is very large indeed and the number is being daily added to. Many of the sources of employment in the immediate vincity of the town, owing to the slackness of trade and through other causes, are turning men away everyday; thus closing what have, in years gone by, proved outlets towards relief when work was slack. Under these conditions it is incumbent upon those in authority to take the initiative in order to suggest means of bridging over the difficulty, and the correspondent very wisely suggests the necessity of taking time by the forelock, and not delaying action until the severe weather is upon us to accentuate the evils of the present conditions. A good many public and other improvements have been dis- cussed during the past year, the carrying forward of which will provide a considerable amount of employment. Let the advisability of pushing on with some of these without further delay be carefully considered. We know the argument will be advanced that the rates are high enough already, and that it would be suicidal, at the present time, to do anything that will tend to further increase them. We fully agree with this. At the same time, if the choice is to be made between an increase in the Urban Rate, in order to provide public improvements and supply employment that will enable the working men of the town to maintain their independence and pay their way, and an increase in the Poor Rate, that will do little for us but fill Corwen Castle and pauperise more people, we know which course sensible and right-minded readers will advocate.

THE EISTEDDFOD OF 1908. STEADY progress continues to be made at Llangollen with the work of perfecting the machinery that will be responsible for the success of the National Eisteddfod of 1908. The list of Sub-commiitees, chosen by the Selection Committee, which we felt justified in printing last week, was adopted without alteration. The wisdom of publishing the names of the Com- mittees, appointed subject to confirmation by the Executive, was questioned in certain quarters. We felt convinced, when we examined them, that there would be no alteration in the names chosen by the very competent Selection Com- mittee, and the result has completely justified our anticipations. It has been decided to em- power each of these Sub-committees to add to their number not more than five additional members from the Executive Committee, and also to co-opt Experts, to advise them upon the various matters with which they are appointed to deal, on the understanding that no Committee shall, when fully constituted, consist of more than twenty members, and that no member of the Executive shall serve upon more than two Sub-committees. These appear very reasonable provisions to have made, although we frankly confess that Sub-committees comprising twenty members cannot be said to err on the side of being too small. It is to be hoped that the powers of co-opting the services of experts in various matters will be wisely used. Effective progress along the most desirable lines is only likely to be achieved as a result of secur- ing the advice of men in a position to speak with authority and whose words are likely to carry weight regarding Literature, Art, Musical and other subjects. As we stated last week the very best, and only the very best, authorities possible should be asked to give their advice and sug- gestions. To write this much is by no means to suggest there is anything akin to weakness in the composition of any of the Committees it is to do no more than indicate the practise should be followed at Llangollen that has been followed at other places where Eisteddfodic successes have been achieved. That a wise choice has been made of a gentleman to dis- charge the onerous secretarial duties associated with the Eisteddfod we are fully convinced. Mr. E. D. Jones has peculiar qualifications for the position and as a capable organizer and effective worker he has been largely instrumental in establishing the Llangollen Agricultural Society upon a sound and satisfactory basis. It is no mean achievement to have done this; and his work ia connection with other musical festivals, of course upon a much smaller scale than "the National,"fully justified the Executive in arriving at the decision which they have come to. The machinery necessary to run the Eisteddfod is thus completed, or set upon approved lines that will lead to its completion and we shall soon have opportunities of judging how it will per- form its various functions. It will, of course, be some little time before it gets satisfactorily to work; everything cannot be expected to run smoothly all at once, there remain a good many difficulties and obstacles to be overcome but progress so far made in the direction of clearing the way, preparing the ground and marshalling the forces, justify the most optimistic predictions as to the ultimate result. ■»

LOCAL AND DISTRICT. Mr. Richard Jones of Pendinas, Caersws, and Mr. W. G. Dodd,lof Llangollen, were among the speakers at the Welsh National Convention at Car- diff last week. The meetings of the Town Band of Hope will commence next Saturday evening, at 6 30, in the Girls' Council School. Parents are earnestly requested to sand their children to the meetings. At a gathering of the Ladies' Sewing Meeting, at the English Wesleyan Church yesterday (Thurs- day), it was decided to have a sale of work in the Memorial Hall at Christmas. A hockey match was played at Llangollen on Thursday week between Llangollen and Shrews- bury. The ground was in a heavy, slippery con- dition, owing to the recent rains. Bourne was compelled to retire a few minutes after the start owing to having a nasty hit, and Elwell tempor- arily left for the same reason. Both teams made desperate efforts to score, but the game ended in a goalless draw. A concert was given at Glynceiriog last night week for the benefit of E. Glyn Edwards, Glyn. Mr. Samuel Davies, Carnarvon, presided, and Mr. T. E. Hughes, acted as conductor, and, notwith- standing the bad weather, there was a large audience. The artistes were Miss M. King-Sarah, Talvsarn. and Messrs David Ellis, Cefn, Hugh I At the Owen Glyndwr Hotel, Corwen, on Friday, of last week, Mr. R. R. Roberts, J.P. (Messrs. David Roberts & Son), conducted a sale of freehold properties with the following result :— Waenrydd, Llandrillo, a small farm of 28 acres, sold to Mr. Jones-Jarrett, Plasynfaerdre, at £ 585. The Mount, Berwyn, near Llangollen, a dwelling house and about 5 acres of land, to Mr. Joseph Hughes, Abbey-road, Llangollen, for £400. Messrs. Minshalls, Parry-Jones and Pugh, Oswestry, and Messrs. Minshall and Co., Llangollen, were solici- tors for the vendors. We havo received half-a-crown from Mrs. Sampson Smith, Llangollen Fechan, towards a fund which a correspondent suggested raising on behalf of John Davies, Queen-street, Llangollen, whose case was tried at the Petty Sessions a fort- night ago, and commented upon in last week's paper. ♦'

BIBLE SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE LLANGOLLEN AUXILIARY. The annual meeting of the Llangollen Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society was held in the English Wesleyan Church, on Tuesday, night, Mr. H. R. Olley, B.A., presiding over a large gathering. After a portion of scripture had been read by the Rev. S. J. Russell, and prayer by the Rev. J. S. Haworth, the Chairman delivered an im- pressive address upon the work of the Bible Society. Jaud the splendid work that it is achiev- ing in all parts of the world. Mr. R. R. Williams (hon. sec.) then presented his annual report which indicates that the Local Auxiliary continues to make steady progress. Mr. George S. Griffith then submitted a motion pledging the meeting to sus- tained efforts in support of the Society's work, and this was seconded by Mr. Ralph Darlington, F.R.G.S., supported in an eloquent speech by the Rev. D. Charles Edwards, M.A. (deputation from the Parent Society) and carried with app] ,n~a. Votes of thanks to the Chairman, collector? droa- tation choir and organist were accorded on the motion Mr. E. R. Parry, seconded by Mr. W. G. Dodd, and a collection amounting to £ 2 IGs. 4d. was taken on behalf of the Society. The Choir was ably conducted by Mr. J. H. Killingbeck. ♦

NEW DENBIGHSHIRE JUSTICES. TWENTY-SIX NEW MAGISTRATES FOUR FROM LLANGOLLEN. The following gentlemen have been placed on the commission at tha peace for Denbighshire, and will qualify at the Quarter Sessions to-day His Honour Judge Samuel Moss, Messrs. G. J. Findlay, Glan-yr-afon, Wrexham, F. A. Sturge, Coed Eva, Wrexham, Hammersley Heenan, Uwch- y-don, Old Colwyn, Charles Loftus Watkin Totten- dam, Carrog Issa, Glyndyfrdwy, E. W. Griffiths, Plas Newydd, Denbigh, Henry D. McLaren, M.P., Bodnant, Conway, Simon Jones, Grosvenor-road, Wrexham, John Rogers, Gorphwysfa, Wrexham, Joseph Smith, Plas Parciau, Old Colwyn, E. R Parry, 39, Castle-street, Llangollen, Humphrey Jonea, Canoldre, Llangollen, Robert Ellis, Llanty- silio Farm, Llangollen, Joseph Nanson, Pen-y-bryn Hall, Llangollen, Edward Mills, Plas Helig, Llanrwst, John Roberts, Clystyblaidd, Cerrigy- drudion, Corwen, John Roberts, Pentrevoelas, Bettwsycoed, Alfred T. Davies, 41, North John- street, Liverpool, and Brynhyfryd, Pontfadog, Dr. J. Kendrick Jones, Bronhaulog, Llanrhaiadr, Y.M., Messrs. J. Harrison Jones, Trefeirian, Denbigh, John Roberts, Plas Heaton Farm, Trefnant, R.S.O., W. J. Williams, Llanrwst, J. R. Williams, Llwyn Da Isaf, Pandy Tudor, Llanrwst, Thomas Jones, Plaa Cooh, Llanychan, Ruthin, and Henry Wil- liams, Plai-y-ward, Ruthin,

LLANGOLLEN FREE LIBRARY. INTERESTING CEREMONY: SPEECH BY SIR THEODORE MARTIN. An interesting ceremony took place in the Towlt- Hall Buildings, Llangollen, on Monday afternoony when the Public Library, that was formed twenty years ago by the efforts of Sir Theodore Martin and others interested in the intellectual advancement of the inhabitants of Llangollen, was formally trans- ferred to the Urban Council, who have adopted the Free Libraries Act, which came into operation in the town in July last. The proceedings commenced with a meeting in the Library where SirTheodoref as President, on behalf of the Trustees, and in accordance with a resolution passed by the body, formally handed over the Public Library to the Urban Council, Mr. W. B. Roberts, the Chairman, accepting the trust on behalf of the local authority in a brief speech. A move was then made from the Library-where the twenty volumes of the National Encyclopedia, given by Mr. Darlington to the Library, and the twelve volumes of the Gioydiionadur, acquired by the old Library Com- mittee, were displayed and admired-to the Reading Room where a portrait of Sir Theodore Martin, presented by Mr. R. Darlington, was unveiled by Mrs. E. Foulkes Jones. Mr. and Mrs. E. Foulkes Jones subsequently held a reception in the Town Hall; the catering for the refreshments being most effectively and efficiency carried out by Miss Winby, of the IIand Hotel. The guests were the Trustees, the Subscribers, the Members of the Urban District Council and Officers and Members of the County Council, the following being a list of those invited :-Capt. The Hon. and Mrs. Bast; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Jones, Glanafon Mr. and Mrs. P. H. Minshall; Mr. and Mrs. J. B Jagger, Bache Lssa; Mr. J. Pownall, Mount Pleasant; Capt. and Mrs. W. Bss", Ystrad; Mr, and Mrs. C. L. W. Tottenham, Carrog Issa Mr. and Mrs. R. Darlington The Rev. and Mrs. J. S. 1 Haworth Mr. and Mrs. E. Lloyd Edwards Mr* and Mrs. R. S. Richards Mr. and Mrs. C. Richards; Major and Mr?. Tottenham: Mr. Jaroetf Darlington, Black Park Mr. and Mrs. G. If, Robertson Miss Johnson, Deehurst; Mrs. Morgan. Plas Hafod Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, Dingle Misses Thomas, Llantysilio Hall Miss Williams (Ah Ithel), and Miss L. A. Williams Mrs. Roberts; Fronhyfryd Mrs. Sampson Smith Miss Barkers Glentworth Miss Hughes, Glanynys; Mr^ Meredith, River View Miss K. Hughes, Berwynfaf Miss M. "Davies, Ty Coch Mrs. and Misses Lloyd; AVern Tsa; Miss B. J. Salisbury, Vivod Mis? Minnie Davies Mr. W. Bethell Roberts Mr. Mrs. Joseph Nanson Mr. and Mrs. T. D. Coward; Mr. and Mrs. James Clarke Mr. and Blra. Barnett, Wynnstay Villa; Mr. and Miss H. -K- Olley Mr. and Mrs- J. Rowlands, Walton House Mr. R. Lloyd Hughes, Berwynfa; Mr. D. J. Jones. Moss Bank Mr. and Mrs. W. G. Dodd; Mr. and Mrs. T. Carno Jones Hev. and Mrs. S. J. Russell; Mr. and Mrs. P. J. Pace Mr. and Mrs. D, Jones. Advertiser Office Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Shaw Mise Winby, Hand Hotel Rev. and Mrs. L. D. Jenkins Rev. and Mrs. William Foulkea Mr. A. T. DavieS, Pontfadog Mr. and Mrs. H. Lewis, Cambrian Terrace Mr. and Mrs. E. Edwards, Ty'nywergloddi Rev. and Mrs. R. Jones-Williams Mr. John E., Jones, John-street; Mr. Daniel Jones, BerwjJ*" street Mr. J. R. Roberts, Meirion House 3irt Robert L'oyd, Brook-street; Mr. William Roberts, Brook-street; Master J. H. Hiram Davies Mast0 T. H. Rees, Gorphwysfa; Mr. Walter Willislv Mr. J. W. Davies, Ty Coch Master J. T. > Wynnstay Hotel; Mr, Owen Evans, RehobO Place Mr. Evan Edwards, Castle-street sq»ar Mr, J. LI. Hughes, Queen-street; Mr. and Mrs. R. Humphreys Mr. and Mrs. J. Hiram Davies; I Mr. and Mrs. E. Green Davies; Mr. and Mrs. ■ C. Davies Mr. W. Pencerdd Williams Dr. DrinK" water, Deo Villa Mr. and Mrs. J. W HugbeSr Bodnant; Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd, Glandwr Mr. and and Miss R. R. Williams Mr, Stephen iiowianas I Mr. and Mrs. T. Bushby; Hev.. J. Davies, Bodwen Villa: Mrs. Wood, Ty'nywern Mr. E- Lloyd Jones; Mr. E. J. Kirkby, Hafod issa Mr. Aveling Tanquery Mr. and Mrs. T. M. Rowlands t Dr. and Mrs. Williams, Minffordd Mr. S. Morton? Green Lodge; Dr. and Mrs. Freeth Mr. J-, Davies, Maesyrychain; Mr. and Mrs. D. DavieSI Cwmteg; Mr. R. E. Roberts, Meirion House )1t: and Mrs. E. R. Parry Mr. Trevor Lloyd Jones; Mr. E. H. Lloyd, Castle-street; Mr. and Mrs. phrey Jones Mr, E. M. Parry Jklr. and Mrs. H. Humphreys; Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Evans; 1\Irs. Morrall Jones Mr. and Mrs. R. LI. Baker Mr. :It. J. Roberts, Church-street Stores; Mr. W. Jonesr Bryntysilio Lodge Mr, D. Salisbury, Berwyn nIt. W. Evans, 3, Oak-street Mr. and Mrs. T. Chapel-street Mr. J, T. Moss, Berwyn Mr- Roberts, Council schools Master J. H, Humphry Greenfield Terrace; Mr. A. H. Matthews, Bridge' street; Mr. S. C. Diggory, Bridge-street; Mr. n: R. Jones, Ganoklre Mr. Roderick PhilhP^j Master J. Prydderch, Penybryn Cottage Mr. a0g Mrs. Allen Lettsome, Victoria Place; Mr. «. • Griffiths, Castle-street Mr. Ernest Jones, Market- street: Mr. J. Mansfield Price, Market-street; Dfr' James Williams, 1, Westbourne Terrace Mr. J. Lewis, Chapel-street Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Jones F Miss Bessie Jones, 1, Bsrwyn-street Mr. E- Jones, Council Schools and Mr. Hid H. Thomas. After the reception—which passed off with gie eclat—the proceeding assumed a more form character Mr. E. Foulkes Jones presiding over the meeting and being supported on the platforlJl. by Sir Theodore Martin, K.C.B., K C.Y.O., Mr- Ralph Darlington, F.R.G.S., Mr. W. G. Dodtt,. chairman of the Denbighshire Education CoIJ1- mittee; Mr. H. R. Olley (Llangollen Countt School)^ and Mr. Jas. Darlington (Chirk.) The proceedings commenced by Mr. E. Foulkes Jones stating that the Library was formerly carried on by a Committee of which he had been the Chairman for some years—in fact since the death of the late Mr. S. T. Jagger. Although the Library had been handed over to the town they all knew that the Council only had power to levy a penny rate which would hardly be sufficient to carry it on efficiently so that there would still be plenty of room for voluntary contributions. There was no doubt now that the Education of the rising §enera^?-c having been raised to a higher level pup 1 libraries would be still more re<i?ireia than ever, Public Libraries were the EC^?°-r of the people; and as such it was the duty to encouage and support them in every possible way recognizing that, by so doing, they we assisting in helping forward the great cause of Education that was so intimately associated wi the highest and the best interests of the m the country.—(Hear, hear.) They had with tn that day a great man who had risen to the hign position both in the legal profession and literature by self culture and he trusted many from that district would endeavor to to in hie footsteps and that the Council an<l g0 Committee would be able to assist them to a y by putting good books in the Library so that would be able to continue their studies after lea^eir school and, by perfecting and building up characters, to become good citizens, worthy 0 great inheritance which was their birthr a —(Cheers,)—As to the importance of sue institution as that, the fuller and c0in.P 0f development of whose utility was the occasio their meeting that day, there was little nee these days to say anything but he was he glad of the opportunity of congratulating rti people of Llangollen upon the important to step that was being taken.—(Applause.) e0< Mr. Ralph Darlington, who has been thehon- of the Library Bince its formation, was agr<j with loud cheers. He said that twenty at this autumn, the aoheme for a Public WW"