The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

ABERYSTWYTH. THE LATE MR. THOMAS DAVIES.—A funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. W. Evans, on Sunday last, in the English Calvinistic Methodist Chapel. The pulpit was draped in black, and nearly all the members of the congregation wore mourning. OBITUARY.—Mr. Stanley Balcombe, the son of Mr. J. B. Balcombe, died in London at three o'clock on Monday afternoon, after a few days' illness. SALE OF THE AGENORIA.-N-lr. Thomas Collins an- nounces in our advertising columns to-day that he will sell, on Thursday, December Gth, the vessel Agenoria, which now lies in Aberystwyth Harbour after stranding. A ROUGH SEA.—On Thursday evening week the wind drove in a heavy sea, which broke with great force against the wall at the lower end of the Terrace. A large num- ber of the inhabitants of the town came down to see the great waves, and considerable anxiety was felt respecting the stability of the wall which bore the strain put upon it. THE NIGHT SCHOOL.—The night classes at the Board School are very successful. This week the attendance is over seventy, but, satisfactory as this number is, it might easily be made larger if employers of labour would take a little interest in the boys they employ. It is impossible to estimate the influence for good that may be exercised on a boy's after life by his going to a night school instead of contracting habits of intemperance and idleness. The special classes for shorthand, grammar, geography, and political economy, are kept up, and together with the short weekly lectures, assist in keeping up the interest of the pupils. About a hundred and thirty names are on the books. The promoters of-the-school are anxious it should maintain its efficiency. CHALYBEATE WATERS.—It is well known that the ruins of an old chalybeate well are to be found within the station yard, at the spot where Mr. Green usually lays down his water wheels. The mineral water is very good, and on analysis is shown to be among the best of the kingdom. A few gentlemen are trying to get this well restored, not with a view of making money, but in the hope of adding another attraction to the town. No doubt the Railway Company and the Corporation will assist in this effort. It is by attention to matters of this kind that Aberystwyth will be enabled to make good her claim to be the Queen of Welsh watering places. THE PUBLIC BATHS.—A meeting of the Directors of the Baths was held on Tuesday last, with Mr. Isaac Morgan, Brynymor. as chairman. Mr. Aldwinckle attended with amended plans, and they were finally agreed upon. It was resolved to advertise next week for tenders for the construction of the baths, either for the whole or for sections of the work. The plans and specifi- cations will be deposited for inspection of intending con- tractors on the 17th December, at the secretary's office in Baker-street. Fox HUNTING.—On Saturday last, Colonel Pryse's foxhounds met at Penprompren, the residence of Mr. J. M. Davies. After partaking of Mr. Davies's hospitality, the field undertook the work they had in hand, and the hounds were put on in an adjoining cover. In a short time a fine fox was found. He left the plantation and made straight for the well-known covers of Lodge Park, which he succeeded in reaching after a sharp run over the hilly land intervening. In the wood th" fox rounded on his puursuers once or twice, but at last was killed, after a run of more than fifteen miles. The members of the field who had managed to keep up with the hounds were enter- tained at Lodge Park by Mr. and Mrs. Fryer, and re- turned to their homes about seven o'clock in the evening. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 28.— Before David Roberts, Esq., Mavor, Aid. John Davies, Isaac Morgan, Esq., and J. W. Szlumper, Esq. p Drunk and Di-sorderTii.—.Tames Davies, Bridge-street, was charged with this offence on Monday night. Sergt. Evans proved the case, and said it was the second offence within the last twelve months. Fined 5s., and costs.— John Vaughan, a tramp from Machynlleth, was charged with being drunk and disorderly at Trefechan on Tuesday night. P.C. David Owen proved the case. Fined 2s. Gd:, and costs. School Board (I,(rses.-Aboiit half-a-dozen School Board cases, adjourned a fortnight ago. were down for hearing-, When called on the Clerk of the Board, Mr. J. W. Thomas, did not appear to prosecute.—Mr. Szlumper said if the Clerk did not think it worth his while to appear, and the School Board did nor, take the trouble to see they were properly represented, it was nothing more nor less than an insult to the magistrates to summon parents." The cases would have to be dismissed, and the Board were te blame, for it was not the fault of the magistrates if the School Board Clerk neglected to do his duty. RURAL SANITARY AUTHORITY, Nov. 26.—Pre- sent Colonel Philipps, chairman, Mr. H. C. Fryer, Mr. Morris Davies (ex-officio), Capt. John Paul, Mr. .T [1,mes Morgan, Mr. Griffith Morgan, Mr. David Jones. Mr. Hugh Hughes, clerk, Mr. J. Hughes, medical officer, Mr. Morris Jones, medical officer, I r. David Jones, inspector. Borth Water Supply.—Mr. Abraham Lewis and Capt. John Jones, members of the Borth Parochial Committee, attended the Board. It was stated that the Parochial Committee had held two meetings since the last meeting of the Rural Sanitary Authority. Notice had been given to Mr. George Lewis that the Parochial Committee would turn the old mill leetjinto its own course.—Mr. David Rees's election to serve on the Committee in the room of Mr. L. H. 0. Jones (resigned) was confirmed.-Notice had been served upon Mr. George Lewis, and an answer had been received protesting against the water which had been condemned being used. Opposition had been brought against the water being sent through the village of Borth in an open drain.—The Chairman said the first thing was to ask whether the water was polluted.—Mr. Fryer asked what object the Committee had in turning the water on.- The Inspector answered that the first object was to obtain an immediate supply of water, as all the supply on which the village formerly depended had been cut off. Secondly the water would be used for flushing purposes.—Mr. Lewis wished to know whether the leet water had ever been analysed, and was told by Mr. Fryer that ducks and animals stirred up the mud in a way that precluded the possibility of its being clean.—Mr. Lewis asked if Mr. Lewis wanted C40 a year to supply Borth with water, and Borth to find its own pipes, whether it would not be cheaper to'obtain water from Gwastrade.—The Inspector, who thought the leet water was good for every purpose except drinking, was followed by Mr. Lewis, who ex- pressed an opinion that the water could be kept cleaner now than ten years ago, when there was no power to pre- vent pollution.—Mr. Fryer thought that whatever was done the pollution would be considerable, as the river passed the not very clean village of Penybont.—Mr. Morris Davies said it appeared to him that whatever they did then it would resolve itself into waiting until the Local Government Board inspector or commissioner came down and defined the Borth district and the Committee had power to manage their own aff,-tirs.-A-fr. Lewis said he had forgotten to bring one letter in which Mr. G. Lewis expressed his willingness to arrange for a deputation t- be, met.—Mr. M. Davies expressed an opinion that if the mill leet were restored to its old course the cellars of the hotel would be filled with water.—Mr. Fryer said if the Railway Company had been called upon to give the leet free outlet by opening the pipes that would meet the requirements of the Committee. Some few of the pipes were broken, but they could be restored by a slight outlay. Captain Jones said that arrangement would not suit six or eight houses, whose occupants would have no access to the water.—Mr. Lewis said they wished to have the leet restored to the original course, but if the Company met them in a fair spirit, that was all they wanted.—Mr. Fryer pointed out that the Railway Com- pany in their Act of Parliament no doubt took power to divert the leet, and it was no use to make demands which could not be sustained.—The Chairman said that as Mr. George Owen was to meet the Committee, would it not be well to wait until after the meeting.—-Mr. Fryer pointed out that it would be necessary to have an inspector down after all, as it was not reasonable that the people at the top of the hill would consent to pay rates to supply Borth with water.—Mr. Morris Davies proposed that the supply of water for Bertha should be deferred for a month, and that in the mean time an inspector should be sent for to define the area of the Borth district.—Mr. Morris Davies advised the Parochial Committee to keep their backs up. All they could insist upon was that they should clear the pipes behind the Station, so that there should be a free now for the water to the north of the hotel, and keep the same in repair. This would answer all the need of Borth. —After some conversation, it was agreed to adjourn the matter, so that the Parochial Committee might, as Mr. Fryer put it, ask in real Welsh fashion for a good deal more than they expected, in order that they might obtain what they required. The Pollution of Rivers.—The Nuisance Inspector's report on the mines which pollute rivers and streams in the district was proceeded with. The rivers and streams dealt with were the Ystwytli, the Rheidol, the Olarach, and the Lerry. The mines on the Ystwyth which polluted the water by ore washing and solid matter were Red Rock Mine, Frongoch, Grogwinion, Level Fawr, Glogfach, Cwm- ystwth, West Cwmystwyth, and South Cwmystwyth. At none of these mines was anything done in the way of purifying the water which was not profitable. The Rheidol was polluted by the Goginan Mine, Level Fawr, West Esgair, Powell Consolidated, Cae Gynon, Ty Gwyn, West Esgair Lie, and Great West Van. There was also Tyn-y-fron, where there were two men working. The abandoned mines, where debris had been tipped into the rivers, would be a cause of pollution for many years. A flood came and took some of the stuff away from the base, and then there was a "slip" from the top ready for the next flood, and so on.—The Chairman said the report was a good one, and gave the Board all the information they wanted.—Mr. Fryer said the authorities would send down inspectors who would have to be satisfied, as the mines would have to hold certificates. -Captain John Paul said if all the intended action were taken it would shut up a lot of the mines. The report said the Clarach was polluted by the Bronfloyd, the Darren, South Darren, Court Grange, Great Darren, Cwm Erfin, Bwlch Consols, and Cwmsymlog. The Lerry by Lower Cwm Bach, Tanyrallt, and Blaenceulan.—Mr. Morris Davies asked if there was any known means sanctioned by authority for cleansing this lead matter. These mines might go to a great expense, and an inspector might come down and refuse to give certificates. He might say, This work will not do.° If you had only asked me I would have told you what was required. He would ask the Local Government if there was any plan for cleansing the water.—Mr. Fryer said each mine manager would be best able to tell how the water could be purified.—Captain Paul, who was referred to, said a long succession of slime pits would be necessary, and then for fish to live in it the water would have to be filtered.—Mr. Fryer then referred to the Prussian system, which Prof. Church reported upon. After passing into the pits the water flowed through wicker baskets filled with lime, or lime and charcoal mixed.—It was decided that all the mines should be served with notice, and that prompt action should be taken with new mines which commenced opera- tions. Water Supplies and Way and Mmns.—Aft=>r a conver- sation respecting the water supplies of certain villages, the discussion in reference to which was adjourned from the previous meeting in consequence of the absence of Mr. Fryer, it was decided still further to adjourn the dis- cussion owing to the continued wet weather, which made it impossible to say anything with certainty about scarcity of water. It was the opinion of the Board a well would have to be sunk for Penygarn.—Mr. Fryer thought it would be well to give the necessary notice to borrow j31,000 to carry out the works necessary at Borth and other places. Of course if they did not want the money they need not spend it, but if they did not give notice they would have difficulty in getting it.—The Chairman said Borth would require £500. The motion was agreed to. Re-Appointments.—The medical officers were re-ap- pointed. The Inspector was asked if he had anything to say respecting his reappointment, and he said his work had greatly increased. Borth Parochial Committee and the Rivers Pollution Act had greatly increased his work and expenses, but the remuneration was the same.—Mr. Fryer thought Borth Parochial Committee ought to pay the Inspector for his services. Mr. David Jones, Rest, was of opinion that before the salaries were raised some of the district ought to be benefited by the labours of the officers. Nothing had been done yet.—The Inspector thougbthe wasunderpaid, but accepted the re-appointment on the understanding he would make an application for some allowance towards his expenses. AUDIT OF THE SCHOOL BOARD ACCOUNTS. The audit of the accounts of this Board was adjourned from a prior (late until last Tuesday, the 27th Nov. At twelve o'clock, the time appointed for the audit to begin, there were present in the Board Room Messrs. W. W. Jones, the auditor, Lewis Williams, auditor's clerk, David Jones, Bradbury, and Peter Jones and R. D. Roberts. members of the Board. All the booics and vouchers had not arrived, neither had the clerk, Mr. J. W. Thomas. Messengers were sent up for him, and in about an hour's time, shortly before one o'clock, he appeared It was then found that both the treasurer's hook and the minute hook were missing, and messengers were again sent to Mr Thomas's office and to the bank to make a, search for the books. Another hour went bv and still they had not been found, finally, about 215, Mr. J. W. Thomas returned with the books, which had been discovered at the Town Hall, and the audit was then proceeded with. The ac- counts were passed after certain corrections had been mate and one or two items disallowed. Mr. Peter Jones and Mr. R. D. Roberts, proceeding under Article 24 of the General Order of the Local Government Board as to accounts of School Boards, made the following objec- tions :— 1. That the accounts of the Board were not made up and presented to the Board within a fortnight after the 29th of September, as required by the regulations. (Art. 12). II. That no notice had been published by the Clerk an- nouncing the date and place of the audit, as required by Art 14.. III. That whereas Art. 15 provides that the Clerk and the Managers, or their Treasurer, shall "three clear days before the day appointed for auditing the accounts, de- posit the said yearly statement of the accounts of the Board and of the schools provided by the Board, together with the books of account in the Boardroom or such other place as the Board may appoint, and shall permit the said statement and books of account to be inspected. examined, and copied by any ratepayer in the district," &c., the statements of accounts and books were not so deposited. IV. That the audit was not held at the place to which it was adjourned. It was adjourned to Machynlleth, and held at Aberystwyth. V. That the books of accounts were not properly kept. Art 2, sec. 3 requires that in the Petty Cash Book the items should be entered promptly and in the order of date. This was not done. VI. That the balance sheet (lid not accurately represent the position of the Board as regards finances, inasmuch as the sum of £ 95 odd interest and bank charges did not ap- near at all amongst the out-standing liabilities of the Board.