Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c. We shall deem it a favour at all times to receive short notices of any local occurrences at which we may not happen to be present. Having to go to press early on Thursday night, our readers will oblige by forwarding their communications as early as pos- sible, and advertisements must be received not later than Twelve o'clock on Thursday noon. We beg to inform our readers that our columns are for the benefit of all, but at the same time we must remind them that we cannot undertake to insert any communication whatever unless authenticated by the real name and address of the writer; neither can we undertake to return manuscripts if rejected. Poetry intended for this paper should be addressed to Mr. Thomas Jones (Taliesin o Eifion), Llangollen; and all other communications to the Editor of the Advertiser, Llangollen. Letters to the Editor ought to be in hand as early as possible in the week, and we cannot guarantee the insertion of any lengthy correspondence if received later than Tuesday morning. LLEW MACHNO, MAUD, AND ROLl ARAN.-We are sorry that we are obliged to leave out your com- positions until a futhur issue. A MODEL CHURCH OF ENGLAND PARISH shall appear next week.

POST OFFICE. Morning despatch for London and all provincial tcwns and foreign at 10 10 a.m. In the evening,letters for London, Ruabon, Dolgelley, Bala, Wrexham, Chester, and all parts of the kingdom, and foreign parts can be posted until 8 5 p.m. with an additiona 1 pinny stamp, until 8 15 p.m. Newspapers until 7 20 p.m.; Wilh an extra half-penny stamp, until 8 15 p.m. On Sunday: the letter-boxes are closed at 7 55 p.m. Letters, newspapers, &c., for Corwen and Bala oti be posted until 10 p.m. Letters can be registered until 7 35 p.m.; double feE until 8 5 p.m. On Sundays the office is closed for the day at 10 0 am. There are two day deliveries; the former commeioes at 1 0 a.m., and the latter at 2 15 p.m. Letters!arriving by the Corwenmail, at 8 55p.m., arc deliv- ered the following morning. Postal Telegraph Office.-Open from 8 0 a.m. to 8 ) p.m. On Sundays from 8 0 a.m. to 10 0 a.m. "Savings Bank open from 9 0 a.m. until 6 0 p.m. OnSatur- days from 9 0 a.m. to 8 0 p.m. Money Orders are issued and paid from 9 0 a.m. until 6 0 p.m. On Saturdays until 8 0 p.m. The office is situate in Bridge-street-Mr. W. H. Davies, postmaster.

THE DENBIGH REREDOS DISPUTE appears to be drawing near a settlement. The church building committee held a meeting on Friday, at which a communication was received ;rom the arbitrators-Dr. Stephens for the bifhop, and Dr. Deane for the committee; stating that they have fully considered the case presented to them respecting the alleged illegality of the reredos, and they have arrived at a decision thereon, and are prepared with their avard immediately some minor legal formalities lave been settled. It is thought in Denbigh that the decision will be favourable to the rertdos The result is awaited with considerable anxiety A CABINET MAKER, named Wainwrght, I carrying on business in the Brompton-roac, on Friday complained to the Westminster police magistrate that he was continually beinganwi.Yec11 by persons taunting him with being related to I the brothers Wainwright, of Whitechapel. As I he was in no way connected with them, this was calculated to be of great injury to iim. Mr. Arnold said he did not see how he could assist the applicant: but if any one molested him in the street, process could of course be issued. In a case heard at the Soutlivmrk Police-court, a new term of opprobrium ojune to light, a cabman, who had a quarrel with a policeman, having called him a bit and a Wainwright pupil." I THE POST OFFICES have given notic I the end of this year they will cease to t news to hotels public-houses at pre The Act of Parliament under which news is supplied authorises its transmission at press rates to newspapers, clubs, and news-rooms, and the privilege seems to have been extended to public-houses and hotels solely from the fact that these places were supplied with sporting news by the intelligence department of the old telegraph companies. The action taken by the Post Office will be a serious inconvenience to some first-class hotels, which have been in the habit of taking general news for their reading- rooms, but it will chiefly be felt by the sporting community who have thronged public-houses for the purpose of seeing the betting telegrams and results of races. The stoppage of these telegrams to public-houses will probably lead to the establishment of news-rooms, where not only sporting but general news will be obtainable. THE OTHER DAY at an agricultural meeting at Exeter, a letter was read from the Railway Clearing House, stating that all the companies had determined to withdraw the reduced rates previously applied to stock and implements sent to agricultural shows. Instead of being taken back free, they would now be charged full rates both going and returning, except in case of unsold stock, which would be taken back, at the owner's risk, at half the usual charge. THE PRINCE OF WALES arrived at Bombay on Monday in the Serapis. He was received on landing by the principal military and civil officials of the Indian Government and by upwards of 70 native princes and chiefs. A brilliant procession was formed to the Govern- ment House. A Bombay telegram states that the dense masses of people of all classes, who crowded every standing place on the route, were very enthusiastic in their greeting to their royal visitor. A TELEGRAM from Penang states that all the rajahs of Perak are suspected of complicity in the murder of Mr. Birch. The Malays were beseiging the British residency. The troops despatched from Penang had arrived at Perak, and a conflict appeared to be imminent, for the Sultan Ismail was collecting a large force to expel the British from the territory. In order that the position of affairs may be better understood, it should be explained that a year or two ago there were two claimants to the sultanship of Perak, Ismail and Abdullah. The consequence was great disorder,the followers of the rivals for sovereignty ravaging the property of their opponents, and not hesitating at murder. To put an end to this lawlessness, Sir Andrew Clarke, the then governor of the Straits Settlements, assembled the Perak rajahs, heard their views on the question of succession, and decided that Abdullah was the rightful heir to the sultanship. The chiefs of the state acquiesced in Sir Andrew Clarke's decision, and in January, 1874, signed an agreement to acknowledge Abdullah as their Sultan. Ismail, however, was allowed to retain the title of Sultan Muda, with a pension and a small territory assigned to him. The rajahs, it seems, have now broken their engage- ment, and are in league with Ismail to place him on the throne. The body of Mr. Birch has been recovered. In an attempt by troops of the 10th regiment to take a Malay stockade, one officer was killed,another severely wounded, and a third, with eight of the rank I and file, was slightly wounded. A general 0 outbreak in the Malay Peninsula is feared, and troops from Hong Kong have been telegraphed for. A FEW MONTHS AGO the town of Llangollen was visited by Mr. Robert Griffiths, the inde- fatigable secretary of the Tonic Sol-fa College, London. During his sojourn here, he delivered a very interesting lecture on the Tonic Sol-fa Method, at the close of which, he proposed that Professor Davies, of the Baptist College, this town, should throw open his College tonic sol-fa class to the town. He did so, and com- menced teaching 130 pupils about four months ago. The class has been conducted with much success, and we are glad to announce that no less than forty pupils have taken their elementary certificates twenty-four their intermediate; and eight their member's. The closing concert of this society will be held this (Friday) evening, when a very interesting programme of miscellaneous music will be gone through, sight-tests will be sung by the whole choir. Humming accompaniments and other choral effects quite new to the town will be given, S. G. Fell, Esq., will preside, distribute the tests, and present the certificates. The conductor of the concert well deserves the patronage of the whole town, especially, when it is remembered that his labours have been entirely gratuitous. We, therefore, hope that the sympathies of the town will be forthcoming on Friday evening (this day) in the shape of a full house. OUR OBITUARY of to-day contains the name of another well-known and respected native of our little town—Mr. Thomas Jones, formerly of Barbadoes, and late of Greville Place, St. John's Wood, London. Mr. Jones and a portion of his family about seven months ago, went over to the island of St. Lucia, where he had some sugar estates and other property. Early last month he had a severe attack of illness; and on Saturday last, a telegram was received from his second son, who was with him in the island, announcing his decease, but giving no particulars. Mr. Jones, was a man of keen intellect, of thorough business habits, and of a kind generous heart. He will be greatly missed by many beyond the circle of his own immediate relations. During his long active life he was the means of placing many a poor but trust-worthy youth in situations of of usefulness and comfort, and also of cheering the heart of many a poor aged widow. His house in [Barbadoes, was always open to the missionaries of different denominations; and the poor oppressed slaves found in him a true friend at a time when only a few Europeans abroad took the least interest in them. His memory will be long revered in the West I Indies as well as at home.

THE SCHOOL BOARD.-A BYE-LAW WANTED. The School Board system has now become one of the established institutions of the country, and most of us have arrived at a settled conclusion as to its merits. A general idea seems to have per- vaded the community that education ought to be thorough, if it is worth having at all. Small and inefficient "Dame schools," are getting rapidly extinguished in the villages, and superior masters and mistresses are eagerly sought after in the towns. Education, too, has received a new dignity in the municipal authority of the School Boards in some places, this is the chief result, and no other change is noticeable except that the expenses, are met by a contribution levied on all ratepayers alike, and not begged from the "willing horse" as under the old system this however, is not satisfactory, for the machinery of the School Board ought also, to increase the efficiency of the work, that is, those things which were done by the managers of British and National schools ought not only to be done, but to be better done, under the present system from the keeping of the accounts, to the cleaning of the rooms, and the arrangements for receiving and dismissing, as well as teaching the children, all ought to be in "a more excellent way," tantamount, to the superiority of the municipal over the voluntary system. In some of the school districts, more especially over the border, the modus operandi in- stead of being improved, is actually deteriorated, and that, not on account of any fault of the law, but through the clumsiness of administration some of the Board members know more about turnips, or perhaps Turkish bonds," than they do of school requirements, and being chosen for local influence or wealth, and not suitability, manage to do no little bungling. It often happens that instead of a kindly disposed manager, or perhaps a clergyman, having to do with signing drafts upon the treasurer for the schoolmaster's salary, and other expenses, such work is done by a stiff-necked man of no feeling, who may be one of the clerks in the secretary's office. The various articles required from local tradesmen are not ordered from the friends of the school in the hope of securing a subscription—all that is finished now, and is very properly below the dignity of the Board, whose assistant clerk transfers his patron- age according to his whim, and succeeds pretty well in annoying everybody, and especially, in snubbing the hard worked masters and mistresses. Then add to this, the severity and harshness of a School Board attendance officer, who takes care to be as harsh and unkind as possible to poor people who are scarcely able to send their children from home, owing to adversity and poverty, and whose first word is about "fine" and "summons" when he visits families which send no children to school. This unpleasantness of the administration, has in many a town, made the School Board ob- noxious, where a little common sense and a slight exercise of forbearance would have preserved a cordial popularity. We are glad to be able to congratulate the Llangollen Board, as one which has been wisely steered clear of most of these petty evils which have swamped the popularity of other Boards. There can be no doubt, but that the schools under the Llangollen Board are better managed by the Board, than they ever were by the managers who had to depend upon voluntary subscriptions, in which many of the wealthier townspeople refused to join and in addition to this, the Board has economically arranged for new and commodious schoolrooms these things have been done well. We would however, urge that there is one item lacking from the mead of praise the Board has not done its duty in getting the children to school.; the rooms of the town schools are not filled, yet there are many children never sent to school in Garth and Vron, this is more palpable still. Truly, the Board has sent a begging letter asking parents. will they kindly relieve them from the trouble and anxiety of compelling children to go to school. We do not see the dignity of government by begging circulars, as without a bye-law, the board cannot compel parents to send their children to school. Why should they then, send circulars to the parents ? The managers of the National school, and the Vicar, have quite as much right to send such circulars as the Board has, and we think such requests to parents should have come jointly from the managers of all the schools—if the Board was afraid of acting as a legal authority. Ine cry comes from Church conferences, from Nonconformist unions, and from managers of schools where there are no School Boards, that compulsion" is | becoming necessary. Many towns are desirous I of having School Boards merely for the sake of Q compulsion. But here is the Llangollen School Board with authority -to frame a compulsory bye- law—afraid of exercising its right! A compulsory law would increase the school fees, and by main- taining a regular attendance, increase the government grant—but the Board seems to be quite content, and though by obtaining more "pence" and more "grant" less would be needed from the rates; they are satisfied with not doing that which was put forth as the principal work for which a School Board was needed The objection has been urged that they had better try conciliation first. By all means, but first of all, get the right to enforce what you at first ask for as a request. The Board will not be compelled to summon any one after having the compulsory bye-law in cases of special hardship, they would indulgently restrain severe proceedings. We trust the Llangollen Board will maintain its high character by at once making arrangements for a compulsory bye-law. If they still linger, we would suggest that the children of the various Board Schools be taught something conveying the sentiment:— "Ye earful souls fresh courage take" So that they might vociferously serenade the authorities at their next Board meeting. It is really too bad, that children should be allowed, through the neglect of parents, and the further neglect of the Board, to grow up out of school years without the benefits of education. We say that the parents are to blame, equally is the Board to blame, and the responsibility is shared by them. We shudder to think of those who may become waifs and strays, and perhaps prisoners and criminals, because of the want of education, resulting from the apathy of the Board in this matter. Having secured the bye-law, we are sure they will not slip into the mistake of securing a harsh and inhuman attendance officer. A proper and kindly administration of the law has never failed to be appreciated and to prevent ill-will. We hope the programme laid before the Board at their first election,and on the strength of which the majority were returned, will be faithfully carried out, for we are convinced the chief item was A compulsory bye-law." The experience of Germany proves, that the existence of such a bye-law would have a moral influence, before a single summons was issued.

LOCAL & DISTRICT NEWS. LLANGOLLEN. CALL.-We understand that Mr. D. F. Roberts, of Memorial College, Brecon (son of Mr. Peter Roberts, of this town), has accepted a cordial invitation to the pastorate of the English Congregational Church, Neath, Glamorganshire. OPENING OF THE LLANGOLLEN WORKINGMEN'S INSTITUTE.—The above institute, established by and under the control of the Llangollen Good Templars, was opened on Monday evening last, by means of a public meeting, which was held in the Presbyterian Mission Room (under the Insti- tute room), Brook-street. The chair was taken at a quarter-past seven, by the president of the Institute—the Rev. John Morris, Independent minister. The proceedings were opened by a solo, Who will care for mother now," by Mr. Richard Jones, which was followed by the hymn Hold the fort by the audience. The chairman then explained the object of the institution, viz., the cultivation and advancement of the moral and religious intellect of the working classes, and urged for their support in the movement. The song Dowch at y Ceidwad was next given by a juvenile choir, under the conductorship of Mr. John Jones, Ceryg-y-llan. Then followed an address by Mr. Thomas Kenrick Jones, who spoke in high terms of the good which will follow the labours of the Institute if successfully carried out. Mr. Richard Jones then gave another solo, entitled '• Mother, I'm thinking of you." Mr. J. Morris, Greenfield-terrace, followed with an address, after which the choir sang Yn y man," and after a few words from Mr. Thomas Edwards, and a congregational hymn,the rev.chairman terminated the meeting by a prayer.-The room will be opened each evening (excepting Thursdays and the first Monday in every month, when it will closed) at seven o'ciock, and will be closed at 9-30 every night exclusive of Saturday, when it will be left open until 10 p.m. The weekly fee of admission is ltd. On Monday evenings, reading and shorthand classes will be held; on Tuesday, geography and writing; on Wednesday, Welsh grammar; on Friday, Biblical subjects and arithmatic, and on Saturday a paper on politics will be read. POPULAR ENTERTAINMENTS.—The second of a series of these entertainments was held at the Assembly Rooms, on Friday evening last, when a good programme was again creditably gone through. Mr. Thomas Attwell, as will be seen from the programme which is subjoined, favoured the audience with two songs, and executed them so well, that notwithstanding a rule made to the contrary by the committee, an encore in each instance was insisted upon, when he gave the Complaints," and Sarah Walker." The read- ing by Master H. W. Jones, Regent-street, also elicited much applause, as also did the song and chorus by Mr. Thomas Hughes and the part-song by Mr. Henry Hughes and party, which was most precisely rendered. Miss Jennie Davies with her usual generousity accompanied most of the songs on the piano. The chair was occupied by Capt. J. C. Best, R.N., Plas-yn-Vivod, who, after a few appropriate remarks, proceeded with the programme:—Pianoforte solo, "The harp that once," Miss Jennie Davies song, "By the sad sea waves," Miss Roberts, Chainbridge Inn; song, "Friend of the brave," Colonel Salt; reading, Casabianca," Master H. W. Jones; song, Let me like a soldier fall," Mr. Stanhope Bull; song Susan's Sunday out," Mr. T. Attwell; song and chorus, Cymru lan, gwlad y gan," Mr. Thomas Hughes, Berwyn-street; song, "The English- man," Mr. Hiram Davies; song, Hen ffon fy nain," Mr. Jenkins; song by Miss Roberts song, "The Maid of Llangollen," Mr. Cyrus Watkin; song, "Tom Bowling," Col. Salt; song, Cwyn y bachgen du," Mr. E. Jones; song, Old mother Gom," Mr. Attwell; part-song, "Let the hills resound," Mr. H. Hughes and party; finale, "God save the Queen.The attendance was very good, and it is gratifying to observe that the entertain- ments are so well patronized by the leading gentry of the neigbourhood. An eucellent pro- gramme has been arranged for the next entertain- ment, and Colonel Tottenham, Plas Berwyn, has kindly consented to preside. POSTAL CHANGES.—We beg to call the attention of our readers to the important alterations in the despatch of letters from Llangollen, as we inti- mated some weeks ago would be the case, the time of posting has been altered from 7-50 p.m. to 8-5 p.m., and with an additional penny stamp from 8-5 to 8-15 p.m. On Sundays, a very considerable difference will be observed upon reference to our Local Directory, instead of 7 p.m. as heretofore, we have now the privilege of posting until 7-55 p.m. This our readers will probably know, means an additional Sunday train, which leaves Dolgelley at 6-40, calling at all stations (with the exception of Saltney) between Dolgelley and Chester. With all deference to the feelings of Rthose whom it may concern, "practically railway omeials,&c.,we must acknowledge as much as we deprecate Sunday travelling, that this will be an immense boon to visitors during the summer months. We are informed that the Post Office contemplate making other changes in reply to representations made by Mr. Davies, Postmaster of Llangollen, which we believe will be officially announced in the course of a few days. The following changes have been already approved of: -The sub. post office at Llansantfraid Glyn Ceiriog is to be made a money order office, and a sub. office is to be established at Tregeiriog. Improvements effecting the town are under con- sideration, the nature of which will be communi- cated to the public shortly. HOUSEWARMING DINNER. — The well-known hostelry, the Bridge-end Inn, close to the railway station, has recently come into the occupation of Mr. Davies, who has for many years been in the employ of the Great Western Railway Company. in various capacities, and more recently as their agent at Ty-coch, near Chirk. Mrs. Davies being well known in the town as a neice of the former tenant, with whom she resided for many years, a desire was manifested by her friends that Mr. and Mrs. Davies's entering upon the business should be made an occasion for the manifestation of the good wishes of the public towards them in their capacity of host and hostess, and accordingly a public dinner was held on Thursday evening, Nov. 4th, in the large club room attached to the house. About 130 tickets were sold, and about one hundred attended, among whom were the principal tradesmen, farmers, &c., of the town and neighbourhood. The cooking and waiting of the dinner left nothing to be desired, and Mr. and Mrs. Davies are to be congratulated upon the complete success of their first speculation in catering for so large a number. After the removal of the cloth, Mr. Attwell, the chairman, and Mr. Davies, vice-chairman, conducted the rest of the meeting in a most happy and agreeable manner. A large number of capital songs were given during the evening. The toast of the evening, Success to the host and hostess," was drunk with great warmth and heartiness, and Mr. Davies suitably responded. In point of number, this was the largest public dinner held in Llangollen for many years. WINTRY WEATHER has at last set in. On Mon- day there was a bitter cold wind with showers of hail. On Tuesday morning, for the first time this season, hard frost prevailed. At two o'clock rain a,nd sleet descended, and a little later it began snowing, and continued so for hours, the moun- tains still wearing their white mantle. Last winter snow first fell in this part of the country on the 11th of November, which was two days later than on the present occasion. THE RAINFALL, at Plas Berwyn, during the month of October, amounted to 7 inches -52 parts. FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.—The foot and mouth disease is fast dying out in the Llangollen District; it only exists now in fourteen places in.the Vale. Two fresh outbreaks were reported this week. Those recently attacked have the disease much lighter than when it first appeared, owing perhaps, to the coldness of the weather. The disease now chiefly exists among sheep. LOCAL BOARD, Thursday, November 4th.— Present: Mr. S. G. Fell (chairman), Captain J. C. Best, R.N., Messrs. Edward Roberts, William Jones, S. Hughes, Thomas Hughes, George Roberts, Peter Davies (susveyor), and Charles W. Richards (deputy-clerk). The county Bridges.—The Chairman said he had been in conversation with Mr. Lloyd Williams, county architect, respecting the small allowance made to the Board for keeping in repair the Dee Bridge, Bacha Mill Bridge, and Felin Hen Bridge. Last year about X14 had been spent upon the Dee Bridge alone, and their present arrangement with the county only entitled them to an allowance of 17 a year. The result of that conversation had been that the magistrates had considered the case at the Quarter Sessions, and a letter from Mr. Williams was now put in and read offering to increase the allowance to Y.12 a year. After some consideration, the offer was accepted. Scraping the Water Mains.-It was resolved, in answer to a letter from Mr. Smith, surveyor of Oswestry, that that gentleman be requested to complete the scraping of the water mains at the earliest opportunity. Use of Assembly Room for Local Objects.A letter from the Secretaries of the Popular Entertainments was read requesting to know whether the Board would be disposed to hire the room at a tariff a little below the usual one. It was remarked that the matter had been fully discussed by the Committee of Works, and it was thought advisable that the Board should adhere strictly to the tariff they had laid down, viz., 15s. a night, and that if any deducation was to be made, it should be considered at the end of the season. A general desire was expressed by the members to encourage rather than retard the efforts of this Committee, but after considerable discussion, the decision of the Works Coiiimittee was ultimatelv confirmed. was ultimately confirmed. Letting a portion of the Market Ilall.-It was agreed that the space occupied by a row of stalls, which are not in use, at the south end of the market hall, should be let to Mr. W. A. Thomas, stationer, on a seven years' lease, at £10 per annum, on condition that Mr. Thomas undertook to erect the necessary partition, placing a window in the end facing the street, &c. Mr. Thomas was called into the room, and on the terms' being stated to him, agreed to accept them. Dangerous Places.—Mr. George Roberts called the atention of the Board to the dangerous state of the road leading from the bridge to the Llangollen mill. This thoroughfare, Mr. Roberts said. was in a most disgraceful and dangerous condition. The wall between it and the river had nearly all tumbled down, and if the Board had no power to remedy it, he could not see what the Board was good for.—Mr. Thomas Hughes remarked that the Board had compelled the owners of property in several parts of the town to see to the sajety of the roads near their premises, but he (Mr. Hughes) could not help thinking that this place was more dangerous than any of them.—The Chairman said that Mr. Dickin had received notice to repair the wall, but had not done so. Mr. Roberts ultimately moved, and the Chairman seconded, that a proper wall be built along this road and that the cost of the same be charged to Mr. Dickin. & Water Supply at Bache lsaf-An Agreement drawn out conjointly by Mr. Tanqueray, Peny- bryn, and J Mr. Smith, Bache Isaf, was laid before the Board for signature, in reference to the supply of water to a tank placed near Bache Isaf new culvert. The agreement laid down a condition that the Board took the water on sufferance from Messrs. Smith and Tanqueray, and as the members understood this to involve a question of right of water, the Surveyor was instructed to confer further with these gentlemen upon the subject as the Board could not entertain the matter in its present form. The Ruabon Road.-The disgraceful state of the Llangollen and Ruabon turnpike road was brought under consideration, and a considerable discussion took place as to whether the Com- missioners should be indicted, so that they might be compelled to put it in a proper state of repair. It was explained that the ultimate effect of such a course would be to throw the expense upon the whole of the parish whereas if left to November of next year the Board would have to remedy that portion of the road within their district. The general opinion prevailing among the members was that the sooner it was done the better, but as the matter was considered of great importance, it was adjourned for a fortnight for further consideration. The John-street Lamp.-An amount of 10s. was allowed to the Surveyor for lighting the lamp in John-street during the last winter. HOLYWELL. THE SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION.- This election took place on Saturday, November 6th. Polling was carried on vigorously from nine a.m. until four P-M-, and notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, 1350 voters polled. The result was made known about seven o'clock, as follows Q7PVFNS' Hughes, 487—being a majority of *OR the nonconformist canditate. The successful candidate was lustily cheered, and was escorted to the railway station by many | hundreds of his supporters.