The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

WELSH POLITICAL POLICY. EVIDENCE is rapidly accumulating that it is impossible for any Welsh Liberal Member of Parliament to play the part either of dictator or rebel as these parts are played by certain Irish Members. The Welsh people are too keen politicians to be deluded on the one hand or to be ignored on the other. Wales is well supplied with rews- papers, and every question is dealt with so thoroughly that in the end broad fundamental truths are reached, and specious arguments are seen through and rightly estimated. The Llandrindod politicians with Mr BERIAH GWYNFE EVANS at their head, are laughed at. What is called the Welsh National Federation, whose object Mr LLOYD GEORGE says is to secure a united Wales," is only one of a succession of so-called national" Councils, Leagues, Association?, and Federations—a ghostly host that quickly come and go like cloud shadows on the Welsh mountains. Mr LLOYD GEORGE, last week, at Denbigh addressed a meeting, and said it was a "source of some pleasure to him to be able to rise in a meeting in which the English element was not strong enough to prevent him from speaking." The audience laughed because it saw the humour of the situation beneath its petty provincialism. Englishmen in Wales are generally greater and more enthusiastic nationalists than Welshmen, and the inexplicable effort of Mr LLOYD GEORGE to represent English residents in Wales as thwarting Welsh aspirations is so ludicrous that his hearers cannot believe he is in earnest, and they laughed heartily at the notion. Mr D. A. THOMAS, M.P., whose temperate speech putting his views on the situation we publish this week, and Mr BRYN OBRTS, M.P., are both Welshmen, and it is against them that Mr LLOYD GEQIHSE and Mr HERBERT LEWIS are apparently at war. It is noteworthy that the question Mr LLOYD GEORGE has succeeded in raising is laot whether Englishmen in Wales should be politically boycotted, but whether Mr LLOYD GEORGE himself is fit to be a political leader, and the tendency is towards the con- clusion that he is not fit. His country- men like to hear him make a speech because he makes a good speech. They like to hear him talk -about the score of Welsh Liberal Members in the House of Commons resisting the stolid iSaxon phalanx, because it shows pluck, however much it reveals lack of proportion. They enjoy his abuse of the English resident, because it pleases they and don't hurt he," but they have no feeling against the English resident., who is as much the friend of Wales as Mr LLOYD GEORGE himaelf, and has received far less recognition for his services. Lord RENDEL is an Englishman who, in 1880, came to fight a great battle in Wales for Welshmen. Lord RENDEL won, and for more than ten years rendered services to Wales, greater than the rank and file have any conception of. He taught the Welsh Members how to wield influence, and how to achieve results that were national in the face of difficulties that were personal, and often spiteful. Lord RENDEL is in need of no praise, or vindication, or support from us; but we feel at a time like this that it is necessary his great and peculiar services should be recognised. We know some- thing of what he had to put up with from would-be leaders who cannot lead, and from ambitious legislators who cannot legislate. As soon as his re- straining, conciliating, consolidating in- fluence was removed, the war of the pigmies began, and the Wel-h poll-tical atoms flew apart into senseless antagonism. Our present object is to extract from the present conflict, in which the Liberal rank and file have no permanent or real interest, what grains of comfort it seems to us to afford. In the first place, it has been made abundantly clear during the past few months that Wales is too intelligent and too well educated politically for any of the Welsh Members to play the part that it is possible for the Irish Members to play. Wales will havo no Parnell, or Redmond, or Healy. Wales will have representatives and leaders, but not dictators. Wales" knows her own mind, and in ways that not one of the other three nations knows its mind. In the dissensions of the past few months nothing has been made clearer than that the mind of Wales is fixed definitely and permanently upon Disestablishment. Home Rule is desired, but the political intelligence of Wales sees clearly that Home Rule for Wales cannot precede Rome Rule for Ireland and Scotland, and no amount of eloquence can persuade Wales to give second place to Disestab- lishment. Another fact that has emerged from the dissensions is that the only way in which the political life of Wales can find united and adequate expression is by each constituency taking its own organization into its own hands. This is what Merionethshire has done most effectively for many years, and this is what other counties and boroughs in Wales are beginning to see must be done. It is not our object to belaud Merioneth- shire, but we may say that the organiza- tion in Merionethshire is so complete that the results of a contest are practi- cally known before the poll is taken. Mr T. E. ELLIS might do good service just now to Welsh Liberalism by makiog 15 known the system of the Merioneshshire association. It is a system of common sense, mutual forbearance, and general co- operation. In that county there is no difficulty about funds, and no danger of a Conservative candidate succeeding. When the constituencies are well or- ganized a National Council would grow out of the local associations as naturally as civil life grows out of family life, and as national life grows out of civic life. What the constituencies have to remember is that a National Council is only re- quired in order that in crises Wales may move unitedly on lines agreed upon. In normal times the National Council would have nothing to do. The con- vention mongers no doubt want to constitute themselves the Welsh nation, after the manner of the Tooley Street tailors, who styled themselves We, the "people of England." Wales sees all this quite plainly, and, consequently, first one constituency and then another wisely declares its intention to stand aside from the miserable strife and to allow the patriots" to tight out their personal rivalries among themselves, until, like the Kilkenny cats, there is nothing left of them but their tails. In our opinion the whole squabble resolves itself into the question, Who shall rule 1" We believe that the rank arid file of the people understand that this is the question, and notwithstanding the fact that certain Welsh Members of Parliament are en- gaged as writers on English and Welsh n newspapers, we are confident that before the present Government appeals to the country Wales will have taken the exact measure of the men who speak in her name on their own behalf and without regard to her highest interests. Order is being slowly evolved from the Welsh political tangle, and in our estimation Mr. D. A. THOMAS'S speech is temperate and on right lines. What can it matter to us or to nineteen-twentieth? of the inhabitants of Wales who drives or leads the Welsh LiBeral Parliamentary team ?

EDlTOltlAL NOTES. It will be seea in another part of the paper that in case Aberystwyth is fixed upon for the installation of the PRINCE of WALES as Chancellor of the Welsh University, the Town Council have resolved to make handsome provision for his reception. England does a large trade with Germany. Some clever people are urging that nobody should buy anything made in Germany. If this advice is followed then Germany will not buy our goods and we shall have cut off our nose to spite our face. In another column we publish an abstract of a paper on agricultural co-operation. It is true that there is a wide margin between the prices obtained by farmers for their produce and the price paid for it by consumers. What is wapted is that the landowners in each district should assist farmers to form societies for the sale of produce to consumers. If the Conservative Government is going to do nothing else it is going to prove to farmers that they will have to help themselves, as it is impossible for the Government, however willing, to help what is unquestionably the greatest industry of the country. The Bishop cf NORWICH, in a letter on the Armenian question, says that national jealousies hinder the stoppage of the massacres. He has issued a special prayer on the subject for the ehuiches in the diocese. It is quite true that uational jealousies hinder the stoppage of the massacres, and it is England that blocks the way. Prayer or no prayer, England is not going to forsake her brutal policy. How many blood- stained, tat ered regimental colours are there hung up in Norwich cathedral ? Docs not the Church of England pretend that GOD takes sides in war, and are not prayers said that we may overcome our enemies ? Let us clear our minds of cant. Last week Sir EDWARD CLARKE, M.P., made the presentation on the occasion of the distribu- tion of prizes and certificates in connection with the City and Guilds of London Institute for the advancement of technical education. In the course of his address he eaid that they "OoQght to remember that there are mechanical opera- tions which no sort of education would iill- prove. No amount of education would make a man drive a furrow straight, acquire that sweep of the brush which denoted a valuable painter of a wooden sorfaee, or enable a rustic to build a good wall with loose stones. An immense amount of money was being wasted on technical education in this country. It was a misfortune that through & parliamentary ac- cident a few years ago sums of money were put at the disposal of bodies which had no experience of how to deal with them, to be sp-nt ou technical education. He was afraid that a great deal of that money was being lasted at the present time." The need for skill in handicrafts is not less but greater than ever it was. What is called technical education is the academic notion of teaching somebody to do w hat nobody can do without actual practice, as Sir EIHVARD CLARKE plainly put h. The man who can make a shoe, or a saddle, or a door, or bind a book, or plough a field, or set a posting bill, is the master of an art. The man who cannot do any of these things but can tell some- body how they ought to be done is a technical instructor or a technical scholar. Up to the present time technical instruction is given in the wrong places. One of the London papers has published the Treaty of Hunkiar-Iskelese of 1833 between Russia and Turkey. The treaty begins "In the name of Almighty GOD." The Divine Being, however, is nowhere as regards names. The Russian EMPEROR is described as "His Imperial "Majesty the most High and most Mighty "Emperor and Autocrat of All the Rusftatt" The SULTAN is described as His HighneAs the "most High and most Mighty Emperor of th.. I Ottomans." The CREATOR of heaven and earth is always represented as assisting the most High and most Mighty Emperors and Autocrats in their wholesale robberies, murders, and out- rages! Mr EDWARD DAVIES, Llandinam, has been writing strong common sense about light rail- ways. We publish his letter in another part of the paper. Light railways, which do not necessarily mean narrow-guage railways, are essential to the development of agricultural districts. Mr DAVIES takes it for granted that these railways are to be constructed as roads are constructed, not as paying con- cerns, but for the general convenience and benefit of everybody. The present Govern- ment might confer preat advantages upon the whole country by making light railways possible, and by making the use of horseless carriages practicable. Wales requires light railways as urgently as any part of the United Kingdom. *> Some time ago a movement was made in the Aberystwyth Town Council, we think by Mr C. M. WILLIAMS, in the direction of extending the boundaries of the borough. Many houses have been -erected outside the borough boundaries. They receive many advantages which they do not pay for. We do not remember why the subject was dropped, but there can be no reason why the movement should not be revivei and the boundaries extended. The town of Aberyst- I wyth gives value to the land and houses in the vicinity, and there is no reason why they should not be rated. To the south the borough extends a considerable distance, while to the north it does not include all the town. The extension of the boundaries is a work that ought to be carried through as quickly as possible. The Synod of the Presbyterian Church of England have issued a protest against gambling and say that every endeavour should be made to educate public opinion, and that the laws against gambling should be enforced, especially upon the Urge offenders, and that we should also strenuously support the movement for pro- hibiting the use of the Post Office, the telegraph, and the Press for spreading the infection. The evil attending the publication of betting news has attained to such gigantic proportions that private action, however heroic, seems inadequate. We find that the churches are as ready as any- body to make profit" by gambling, and the Synod's protest against raffling at chapel bazaars is certainly needed. A desire to get something for nothing is at the root of gambling, and that debire is almost universal. ♦ The daily papers announce in leaded type that on Wednesday week Mr RICHARD PUGH, the overlooker of the Moelcroesau Gold Mine, which is being worked by Mr HUDSON, came across a large quantity of gold in the above mine. bdr PUGH, whose experience in gold mining is confined to his own native county, was fortunate in finding gold in con- siderable quantities in Gwynfynydd Mine during the time he had it under his control, but "according to his testimony, his discovery beats the record, and in his opinion will give a great impetus to the search for the precious metal in the county." We like the way the fore. going announcement is worded, namely, that the discovery will give a great impetus to the search for the precious metal in the county." We agree that the search may become general and intense, but what about the finds? • There is more talk now about settling inter- national disputes without resorting to war than there has been for many years, but w wish it were more generally understood that arbitration is a poor and insufficient remedy. At Bourne- mouth the Federation of Free Churches has passed a resolution in favour of arbitration, and "supports a scheme for the establishment of a permanent Board of Arbitration for the settle- ment of any disputes that might hereafter arise betweeia the two English-speaking nations of England and America." What we want, first of all, is an International Parliament to make law for the nations, then an International Court of Law to try cases, and then Inter- national Police to enfore decisions, and then dis- armament would follow. In Dr JOHNSON'S life of CHARLES FREDERICK, king of Prussia, we are told that that monarch asked Why should not personal quarrelB be submitted to judges, as well as questions of possessions; and why should not a congress be appointed for the general good of mankind, as well as for so 4, many purposes of less importance ?" A hundred and fifty years have passed since these questions were asked, and they are still being asked. Cardinal VAUGHAJT also thinks that tribunals of arbitration should be established. The Corn Market Hall, Aberystwyth, still threatens to fall. Last week some extraordinary evidence was given at the Coroner's inquiry into the circumstances of the Burnley chimney acci- dent of three weeks ago by which three lives were lost. Shopkeepers and householders from near the scene of the disaster testified that the chimney, which had been out of use for many years, had been for a long time in a dilapidated and highly dangerous condition. Complaint-" were repeatedly made to the owner of the pro- perty and the agent, but nothing was done to make the chimney secure. The agent declared, in answer to one eomplainfc, that the chimney was site enough, and that the outcry was due to the "softness" of the people living round about; while the owner told one tenant that he could leave if he was afraid of the chimney falling, as another tenant could easily be found. The inquiry was adjourned in order that an in. spection might be made of the foundations of the chimney, the owners suggesting that the accident was not due to any defect in the structure, but to the foundations having given way. The CORONER, while agreeing to the ad- journment, remarked that the chimney had evidently been "utterly rotten for years." Are we to have a repetition of the Burnley acci- dent at Aberystwyth ? ♦ It is satisfactory to find that the advantage of learning handicrafts is spreading. Last week Sir JOHN BRUNNER, M.P., distributed the prizes and certificates to the students of the Northwioh Science and Art Classes. He said that his "lengthy experience of business in this country enabled him to assure every boy and girl studying at those classes that there was hardly a trade from one end of the country to the other in which there was not a fortune to be made by a man or woman who knew all that there was to be known about a trade. He "regretted to say, and he said it without fear of contradiction, that in very large measure the trades of this eotintry, whether trades of ",distribution or trades of manufacture, were managed by people who knew very little about them. The number of great businesses that were in the hands of men who 4eared more "about foxhunting, shooting, and fishing than "about their business was very large. If one "looked round, it seemed as if it were the "ambition of well-to-do people in this country to bring their children up, not to busiaess, but to sport. He could assure every student that "there was a great deal of prosperity—an open "road te fortune-to any one who studied a -trade to as to know more about it than his neighbour." The strange thing is that youths who obtain a good education never learn trades, while youths who learn trades fail to get a good education. What Sir JOHN BRUNNER says is true. Most men are ashamed of owning that they have learnt a trade and can earn & living by ft. Our advice to the young is to learn to co something—to make something. This is Sir JOHN BRPNNER'S advice also. Tile sanitary condition of Corwen does not appear to be all that it ought to he, and it is time that matters should be attended to even at the risk of spending a little money. We know how delay is dear to local governing bodies. We shall have something to say about Corwen and its public works and conveniences in future issues. • ♦ Out of an estimated population of 125,000 persons it was found that only 15.000 were in attendance at all the places of worship in Bol- ton when a census was taken the other Sunday evening. This state of affairs is deemed to be so unsatisfactory that Mr THOMAS WALKER, a Wesleyan layman, has offered the sum of £5,000 towards ttie building of a large mission hall for evangelisation purposes. It is not mission rooms that ogranized religion is short of, but sympathy with the every-day life and every-day troubles of the people. When religion is divorced from the life of the people it languishes and dits. For, after all, religion is only a theory of life. When Hill the churches realize this fact ?

All letters must be written on one side of the paper and accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, btØ as a guarantee of good faith.

THE DOLGELLEY ROAD. SIR,—I desire, through the medium of your columns, to call attention to the miserable condi- tion of the public roads converging to and from the town of Dolgelley. I am constantly informed that the wear and tear of our public roads and thorough- fares is caused by some exceptional or extraordi- nary traffic; but assuming that to be the case, it is a very poor excuse indeed as the expenses of re- pairing highways by reason of damage so caused can be recovered summarily from any person by whose order such traffic has been conducted. The management and maintenance of our public roads devolves on three separate authorities at the pre- sent time, viz (1) The County Council (2) the Urban District Council of Dolgelley, and (3) the Rural District Council. With respect to the main roads, the Main Roads Committee of the County Council have adopted a system of dividing the main roads of the county into separate sec ions, each of which is under the control of a district surveyor who is responsible to and under the control of the Chief Surveyor. This system has not been in operation for a year and. therefore, perhaps it has not had a fair trial, but the effect of it seems to me to be that the roads are irregularly patched here and there, and the work is good or bad according to the practical experience of the District Surveyor under whose control a secfiou of the road may happen to fall. The Urban Council, I know, struggle to cope with a difficulty which is not of their own creation, but rises from inadequate means of repairing roads. I With respect to the public highways not being main roads, the Rural District Council does not appear to have any system at all. A few old men are to be casually met w ith here and there heaping on metal insufficiently broken and probably in the wrong place, so that when any real traffic takes place deep, stoney ruts are formed instead of a smooth, hard, level surface. However, under whatever management the public roads fall, it must be conceded that the condition of our Dolgelley roaos were never in a worse state than they are at present. I hear universal com- plaints in the neighbourhood to that effect. That good macadam roads can be constructed we know from the condition of our great coach roads before they were disturnpiked. If too much metal insufficiently broken up is not put on at one time. and if the roads are properly picked with an axe beforehand, and if with excep- tional very.short lengths the whole width of the road is not covered at once,the ordinary traffic will soon do the necessary rolling even without the modern app'iance of a steam roller. Economy in labour might also be effected in put- ting the broken metal on to the roads direct from a cart. In conclusion, perhaps the authorities I have named will forgive me for calling attention to a grievance which I feel confident they will use their best endeavours to remedy for the s ike of those who travel on wheels."—Yours, &c. C.E.ME. DOVEY FISHERY BOARD. SIR, -I have read your article in the last edition of the Cambrian News in reference to the resolution passed at the last meeting of the absve-named Fishery Board, the effect of which you seem to imply would be to give the poachers a free hand." However" skilful and unscrupulous the poacher may be and notwithstanding your assertion that "he is as keen a sportsman as the best of the licence holders," I beg to draw your attention to the fact that there are still some limits to be placed on the exercise of his (so-called) sporting proclivi- ties in this respect, viz., by certain provisions of the Salmon Fishery Act, 1865, sec. 35 of which says that, Any person fishing in a fishery district with rod and line for salmon without a proper licence shall be liable to a penalty of not less than double the amount to be paid for the requisite licence and not exceeding five pounds." Section 36 of the same Act imposes a penalty of not exceed- ing twenty pounds on persons fishing at weirs or with nets without a proper licence. These provisions of the Salmon Fishery Act, 1865, were extended to trout and char by the Freshwater Fisheries Act, 1878, and it is to be regretted that the provisions of the Act were not taken advantage of by the Fishery Board,and trout licences issued. There are other provisions of the Salmon Fisheries Acts against offences of fishing with lights and spears, taking or destroying unclean salmon, disturbing salmon when spawning, to which I have not referred, my object being to demonstrate that no person can fish for salmon in waters within the jurisdiction of the Board without the requisite licence. I desire to point ont the provision of the above Fishery Acts to liparian owners and others in the district,expressing an earnest hope that before they venture to grant permission to anyone to fish by ticket or otherwise in their waters, the holding of a salmon licence is a condition precedent to such permission being granted. In the absence of water bailiffs this is the only means by which the taking out of a licence can in future be enforced.— Yours, &c., Dolserau, Jan. 25th, 189S. C.E.M.E. THE COLLECTION OF LOCAL RATES. Sm,-l t has often surprised me that the Guardians or overseers of the poor or other local authorities cannot institute some more satisfactory mode of collecting their rates than that which now exists. My residence and land is situated in two pirishes within the union of Dolgelley. The col- lectors in both parishes are small farmers, one of whom is resident in the parish for which he collects, 'he other lives somewhere up in the mountains re- mote from his sphere of operations. Both are illiterate and wholly unable to afford any explana- tion which may be required of them by the rate- payer. I will give an instance. One day last week a printed demand rote was left at my residence by one of these worthy rustics accompanied with a letter which I here reproduce verbatim et litera- tim :— Aberserw, Saturday. Dear Sir,- If you place I want them to-day at Dol- gelley. I am your friend, D. GRIFFITH." The demand note contained blank spaces for the particulars to be filled in under the separate heads of poor rate, county rate, school attendance, highway rate, and allowances to the owner, not one of which particulars was supplied, all the worthy man wanted, and all be could explain, was the rudely-scrawled total wi,ich he applied for on the very day on which he presented the demand note. Well, as he had walked some distance down from his mountain farm and had to walk five miles further on to Dolgelley, I had not the heart to say Call again and meanwhile I will check your figures," so he got his money there and then. I have no doubt the total WM correct, but the system of collection is unsatisfactory, for the rate- payer ought to have a reasonable opportunity of ascertaining and verifying the items of the demand. Then, of course, there is a commission to be paid to these worthy automatons who walk round with the demand notes. Why cannot the Clerk to the Guardians, or other proper authority, post the demand notes direct to the ratepayer, giving him, say, a week's notice during which he can eathfy himself that all is correct and can then make the payment direct to the officer and to save the com- mission. C.R.W. NEW QUAY. SIR,—Will you kindly allow me a small space in your paper to draw the attention of the New Quay Urban District Council to the loss likely to be caused to the ratepayers in allowing a landowner to encroach on public property. I refer to the parish mad leading from Rhiw Francis to Maen-y- groes through the Gido Valley, a distance of about half-a-mile. This road has been gated in and made into a mere footpath. Does the Council think it il dealing properly with the ratepayers in allowing this ? Even if the road had become obsolete, no landowner should for that reason be allowed to take possession of it. When a light railway con- oeota New Quay with the outer world the road will become a valuable piece of public gronnd, but the representatives of the people are apathetic. It is to be hoped the matter will be attended to in the interests of the public without delay.— You re, etc., RATEPAYER. WHAT THE SEA CASTS UP. SIR, -During the recent heavy weather the sub-terranean forests of sea weed appear to have suffered severely. Splendid specimens of various kinds of this weed have been cast up on the shores all along the coast from Towyn to Aberdovey. The high tides have carried it fairly to the foot of the sand hills where it now lies embedded in the sand, and forms a fertile bed of which the marram grass, or land- winner, is not slow to take advantage and is thus enabled to advance its barrier slowly but success- fully against the encroachment of the sea. Those who knew the coast between Neptune Hall-road and the far end of Penllyn Marsh forty years ago will remember that there was hardly any of this grass growing, and none of the sandhills which have now assumed such vast proportions and extend the whole length between the fore-mentioned points. Some ten or twelve years ago the sea used to sweep over the beach near the land, drainage pipes and the outfall used to be choked, and the marshes often flooded. Some groynes were constructed by Mr Pryse Hughes, f-urveyor to the Local Board of Health, and many were the jokes passed at his expense especially by the farmers who scorned the idea that groynes laid at right angles to the sea would prevent its advances. The result of the work, however, has changed the whole aspect of that part of the beach over which sea made such savage incursions. It is now as hign, if not higher, than any point of the foreshore within half a mile on either side of it, but the works which effected this marvellous change appear to suffer I from the hand of time. The marram grass prevents the high winds from blowing away the sands, but it is,though hardy, a shy plant and more frequently than not, dies if it is cut. There prevails a custom among some farmers of mowing the grass for thatching ..purposes and with disastrous results. Many years ago a farmer to the north of Towyn im- ported from the highlands of Scotland a breed of cattle which fed and thrived on the grass, but the grass, to a very large extent, died, and has never regained the strength and abundance of former years. This should be a lesson to those interested in preventing the encroachment of the sea The owners of the land should certainly put a stop to the wanton destruction of the grass and are sure to reap a harvest of flood and destruction if they fail to do so.—Yours truly, SEASIDE WANDERER. COUNTY COUNCILS AND THE ISSUING OF STOCK. SlR,—I beg to make a suggestion to the Merion- ethshire County Council which, I think, would be of substantial benefit to the county, namely, to take advantage of their position as a large corporate body to obtain money on the most favourable terms possible for the purpose of lending to district and parish councils, school boards, &c., within the county. The Middlesex County Council have just adopted a recommendation of the Finance Com- mittee that the Council should obtain powers to create county stock for such a purpose. A county council could issue stock at 21 or 29: per cent, and lend to district councils and ether local bodies at, say, 3 per cent, which is less than loans can be obtained from the Government. In my own town one of the public bodies has just borrowed E900 at E4 per i cent, which is certainly an extravagant ra.'e of interest, and £ 2,000 will soon be required for other works. I commend my suggestion to the attention of the County Council.—I am, etc., J, 27th January, 1896.

POKTMADOO. THE FOOTBALL CLUB.—On Saturday last the Portmadoc Football Club paid a visit to Llaurwst to play the latter club a friendly game. The weather was wet and the ground in very bad con- dition. At the onclusiou of a rough game the results were as follows :-Portinadoc, one goal, seven injured Llanwrst, one goal, none injured. APPOINTMENT. —Mr Morley Hughes, who for some time past has been clerk at the North and South Wales Bank in this "town, has received an appointment to the Chilian Bank and left this town on Saturday last. During the time he has been resident here he made many friends who, while re- gretting his departure, trust that the promotion will be io every way to his advantage. Mr Hughes is the son of the Rev Hugh Hughes (W.) of Car- narvon. THE FLOWER SHOW.—At the last meeting of the Committee of the Flower Show a balance sheet was presented, from which it appeared that there is now but a very small balance in hand, and it was resolved to hold a further meeting for the purpose of considering what saving could be effectea in the expenditure. The receipts at the gates at the last show were under JE35, whilst at the first two shows the receipts were over E70. The fact is that the novelty of the show has worn off, and the only way to make it a success is to add to it some enteitain- ment which will be an attraction to those who are not horticultural enthusiasts.

CRICCIETH. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL.-A meeting of the members of the Council was held last Satur- day, Mr R. Thomas, presiding, fourteen members were present. Accounts.-Cheques in piyment of bills, &c., amounting to £ 136 5s lid were signed. The pay- ments included the following:—Wages, £ 13 Ss JOd; public lighting (including five new lamps and iron posts) EIS 16s 3d improvements at Town Hall, EIS 7s lOd new safe, f7 13s; engineers' bill for services in connection with building sites, culvert, &c,. near eeiapiled, Ell 5s. Esplanade—Loan for Improvements, &-c.-Plans and estimate for proposed groyne to pro ect the Esplanade were submitted to the meeting by Mr Thomas Robert?, C.E.-Mr J. W. Robert p.u posed that application for sanction to borrow it sum of 1:600 to carry out the work be made.—Mr Wm. Williams [seconded.—An amendment, that the matter be adjourned for twelve months, was pro- posed by Mr John Rowlands and seconded by the Rev W. B. Marks.—The Council divided and five members voted for the amendment and nine for the original motion.—The Chairman expressed surprise to find a difference of opinion in the Council having all along been under the impressi n that the feeling was general in favour of carrying out the work.— Mr O. T, Williams suggested that the Chairman should appeal to the members to be unanimous on the qu-stioa, but Mr Burnell objected on the ground that it would be a bad precedent in view of the fact that a similar difference of opinion would probaMy be found when the question of protecting the cliff near Abereistedd came to be decided.—In answer to a question by the Rev W. B. Mat ks, tue Assistant Clerk stated that the loan vi ould be re- paid by yearly instalments of principal and in- terest, and in answer to further questions of h{.w much and what rate per cent., was informed that these matters would depend upon arrange- ments to be made when the question (,f negotiation for the loan came to be decided.—A prop: sition by Dr Davies, seconded by Mr Rob rt Roberts to apply for sanction to a loan of f,110 for works carried out in connection with the seoVer outfall at Abereistedd was agreed to, as also was a simila proposition by Mr William Williams in respect of a loan of jE55 for improvements carried out at the Town Hall. Water Supply.-Before discussiug the question of the proposed purchase of the riccitth works, Mr O. T. Williams rose to propose that the question be discussed in committee, stating, among other reasons that particulars, which at the previous meeting he had requested should not be published were afterwards given by the Pres-.—Mr Buimll could not agree that the press h"d divulged any- thiug that the previous spetker had asked to l e suppressed, and for his part he was opposed to in- formation being kept back from the public other than particulars which common sense convinced them would tell against the interests of the rate- payers if published while negotiations we e pending. —Several members expressed theins-elves Ls equally desirous of giving the ratepayers as much informa- tion as could in fairness, at this stage of the ques- tion, be conveyed through the medium of the press Oa the discussion of the water question bi-iny resumed the reporters left.—The Chairman reported that in accordance with a resolution passed at tne lasc meeting members of the Council met the Direct/Irs of the Criccieth Water Company on :he previous Saturday to discuss the question of the proposed purchase by the Council "f the cvmp<ny't> reservoirs aud works. After discussing toe subject at some length, the oiirectors cons;uted to re-c n- sider the question of terms, and their r- ply, by letter, would now be read to the Council.—Fr >m what can hj gathertd it appears that the company wrote to the effect that they could not s< ether way to further reduce their terms —A p discussion seems to have taken place in the COUDJll on the question ot purchase. find ultimate y a pro- position to the effect that a letter iegrettinp the Council's inability to accept the company ott-r and requesting them to again re consider the question, was passed. Surveyor's Report.-The Surveyor reported on the question of buildingplots at Maes Tyi.y,l,lu^; applied for by Mr Robert Roberts, bui der, an other matters relating to building iu that part of the district.—Mr Roberts s application was, aft. r some discussion, referied to the B.,il iing Com- mittee to report. A further lettt r fri m Mr W B C Jones in reference to proposed nw r ss Maes Tynygellhesg was r^ad and ih» matt-r was adjourned to the nexu meeting to enable Mr W B C Jones to attend. Miscellaneous.—A. letter was read from th- Secretary of the Cambrian Railways, Mr C S Dennis, rlcceding to the Council's Bppi cati n t" continue the running of a train fr, m P,, Illieli to Oriccieth and Portmadoc on Wednesday afternoons between one and two o'clock, ar.d it .tat; ;Iuall;- mously resolved tha. a letter of thanks be "cnt io the Company for their prompt attention.—A Idtel was read from the Western Sea Fisheries Com- mittee asking the Council to pass a resoiu'i n similar to resolutions now being passed by o hei, public bodies in favour of the expenses connect d with the fisheries being borne by all the counties ins'ead of by a f^w only as at re- present, and a resolution to that effect wa- d. —A letter was read from Mr T P, Wi-nd of ti "Star Miustrels," Manchester, stating that he would bring a nigger troupe to Criccieth for the season commencing about Whit-week, if the Council would allow him to have the sole right of performing in the place.—It was decided that the Cierk reply and state that the Council could not t;rant such permission.—The question of the charge t> be made to the Criccieth Brass Band for the uee ODtl °f the rooms at the Town Hall was con- i ant^ OQ ProPosiLion of Dr Davies it was decided to charge for lights only, the use of the room to be granted free of charge.

ABERAYKON. C'T' A VISITOR. -The Venerable Archdeacon Griffiths is paying one of hie frequent visits to Aberayron. THE VICAR OF HENFVNVW.—The Rev J. M. Griffiths. late vicar of Llanfihangel Geneu'rglyn, took up his resi- dence at the Vicarage, Aberayron, last week. His furniture was removed on Wednesday, the 15th January m five waggons drawn by fifteen horses, all of which were gratuitously given by his old neighbours. On Mon- day last, January 19tb, Mr Griffiths delivered his first sermon to his new charge in English at Trinity Church Aberayron, and made feeling references to the late vicar' the Rev W. O. Edwards, B.D. At 2-30 at the Parish Church of Henfynyw Mr Griffiths read himself in by reading the 39 articles and by making the usual declara- tion. PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22XD.—Before Mr H. T. Evans (in the chair), Mr Morgan Evans, Mr D. Thomas, Mr John M. Howell, and the Rev J. M. Griffiths. Dog License.-David Davies, Morfa, Llanarth, farmer, was charged by P.C. John Evans, Llanarth, with keeping a dog without a license on the 9th December last.—Fined 7s 6d including costs. An Unlawful Lottery.—John Jenkin Rees, Church- street, New Quay, was charged by P.C. James Lewis with unlawfully and knowingly suffer to be exercised, kept, opened, and exposed to be played by numbers and figures, and by other contrivances, a certain lottery not then authorized by Parliament, to wit a lottery for a certain pier glass in a workshop at New Quay on the 15th January. Robert Price, labourer, Glyngoleu: William H. Jones, painter, Elmford House; John Owen Davief, draper, Cambrian House John Owen, inspector of nuisances, Queen-street, and Lewis Jones, master mariner, Church-street, were severally charged with and assisting the said John Jenkin Rees.— u j t?les ^ew's sa'd that on the day in question, he heard the bellman announcing that the draw for the pier glass was to take place that afternoon. He went to the place where the draw was held about three p.m. He saw a wheel turned, and cards with numbers taken out. This was done by the same individual three times, and the numbers were added up.—Mr John Owen Davies, on behalf of himself and the other defendants, said they did not knowingly offend. They had not the slightest idea that they were acting in such a way as to break the law, or they would not nave taken part in it. Their only desire was to help Air Kees.—J. Owen Davies, being informed that he was at liberty to put any questions to the Constable, asked if the tickets were sold about the town and country for quite a month previous to the day of the draw, And why, if he knew their action to be illegal, did he not warn them not to commit a breach of the law ? —The Constable: I did not know of the affair until I heard the bellman announce it on the day it took place, and therefore I could not warn you, and as I could not do more than give my opiman it was hardly proper for me to warn you. Mr Davies But if you had given a doubt as to the legality of the pro- ceedings, do you not think that you should tell us and put us on our guard?— The Constable replied that he could not take the responsibility of stopping the lottery, for if he was wrong on the question of legality, he might have been sued for damages.—Mr Davies Is it not truej that you warned people who did not go to the lottery that those who were engaged in the proceedings were within the grip of the law, whilst to those who were participa- tors in the transactions you said nothing?—The Con- stable I showed the section of the Act to Mr Hughes, master of the Grammar School, and intimated that I be- lieved they were contravening the Act.—Mr J. M. Howell Are we to understand that you swear that notwithstanding the fact that the tickets were publicly sold during the month previous to the day, you never heard anything about, the matter till the day arrived ?-Tb.e Con- stable I swear I knew nothing of it till the day on which the draw took place.-The Bench said that they were of opinion that a breach of the law had been committed-that all games of chance were a species of gambling. Believing that all the defendants had unwittingly taken part in the proceedings described the summonses would be dismissed and the costs re- mitted. Still the police had acted properly in taking out the summonses. Trespass .n Starch of Game-Evan Nathan Jones, Tymawr, Oilcenin, charged ThomaIDavies, labourer, Parky- bedw, Ciliau Aeron, with trepassing in the day time in search of game on Ffyoondafolog lands over which Mr Bland, Tymawr, had the right of shooting.-The defendant required to know why he was summoned by complainant and what right he had to do so.—Mr Morgan Evans remarked that he thought the complainant should come there with proof that they held the rights of the game on tbe lands in question.-The summons was dismissed complairiLanl to pay costs.—Evan Thomas, game keeper, Tymawr, charged Daniel Jones, Brynmanbach, with trespassing in the day time in search of game on lands in the parish of Cilcenin, fined 10s and costs.-Ernest Aylward, of Monachdy, chnrged the aforesaid Daniel Jones with trespassing in pursuit of game in the day-time in the parish of Llanbadarn Tre- feglwys. Fined 10". and costs-The Bench warned Daniel Jones that knowing that it was his wife and children who were made to suffer by his frequent appearances before them for trespassing in search of game, they would, if brought before them again and found guilty, send him to gaol with- out the option of a fir,e.-Ernest Aylward also charged William Evans, labourer, Cwmmarch, Cilcennin, with trespassing in search of game near Monachdy. Defendant put in a permit from Daniel Morgan, Rhiwlas, but defendant admitted that when found by David Jones, Tyhetter, who acted for Mr Aylward, he was not on the field occupied by Daniel Morgan. Fined 10s. and costs.-Elias Davies, acting 011 behalf of the owners of Blaenbedw, Liarartb, charged James Jones, clerk, Giifachyrheda cottage, Llanina, and Daniel Jones, labourer, 3, Frances-street, New Quay, with trespassing in pursuit of game upon the Blacnbedw lands on the 30th November.-The former was lined 10s. and costs, and the latter 5s. including costs. Assault. -:Evan Thomas Evans, 10, Greenland-terrace, Aberayron, charged Jenkin E. Morgans, Thomas Morgans, and Evan Morgans, of 9, Greenland Terrace, Aberayron, with assaulting him at Greenfield-terrace on the 18th January. Mr T. Pugh, solicitor, appeared for complainant, and Mr W. P. Owen for defendants.—Evan Thomas Evans, of Greenland- terrace, said on the 18th January he was going home about 10 o'clock in the evening. When near his own home and abreast of the door of defendants, Jenkin Evan Morgan and Thom.s Morgans came out of the ditch, one going to the left of him and the other to the right of him. Thomas Morgans pinioned his arms behind and invited his brother, Jenkin E. Morgan to go at him now." At Calcutta there had been a quarrel between him and Jenkin Morgan. He was mate, and Jenkin Morgan was one of the hands in his vessel. He had given information which led to the punishment of Jenkin Morgans for insubordination and drunkeituess -Jenkin Morgans thereupon produced his discharge which was that of "very good.In cross-examination by Mr W. P. Owen, com- plainant denied that he bad ordered seven Aberayron boys to wash down the decks at Calcutta on Sunday, but only to wet the decks, and that they had refused.—Anne Maria Evans Eliza Mary Morgan, sisters of the compl-iinant, arid David Evans, Aeron Belle," father of complainant, also gave evidence in support of the charge.—The Bench decided to hear the cross summons before giving judgement.— Jenkin E. Morgan, aforesaid, charged Eva.n Thomas Evans, aforesaid, with assaulting him at Greenland-terrace, Aber- ayron, on the date named.—Jenkin Evan Morgan said that at Calcutta Evan Thomas Evans ordered him to wash the decks morning and evening on Sunday which he refused. Evan Thomas Evans got him into prison for seven days for that. When out of gaol he was called into the cabin by Evan T. E\ ans to settle, when he (E. T. Evans) dealt him a blow, rendering him insensible. He lay under the table for two hours, and when he got up he was covered with blood. On the present occasion he and his brothe." Thomas were cominp down the road from the direction of Ffosrfin, having been sending a friend. As they neared their own house Evan Thomas Evans came up between them. He (Jenkin Morgan) remarked, Halloa, are you going to play the same game here as at Calcutta?' Theil a. ecuflle followed. -Thomas Morgan, brother of last witness, gave corroborative evidence, both denying that they were the aggressors -The Chairman, iu giving the decision of the Bench, said this quarrel commenced at Calcutta, and after the parties returned home it had developed into a family quarrel. The three young men, J. E. Morgan, T. Morgan, and E. T. Evans, would be bound over in their own several recognizances in the sum of £5 each to keep the peace for six morit hs.-Mr Morgan Evans remarked that such quarrels were a disgrace and he hoped that the parties would take a lesson from the present proceedings. Special Lice lists.—Special licenses were granted to D. Evans, Meyrick Arms, Cribin, and Thomas Evans, Cross Hands, Llanarth. to sell intoxicating drinks, at Capel St. Silin Fair on the 7th February. School Board Case.-William Edwards, mason, Tynant, Llanbadarn Trefeglwys, was fined 5s and costs for neglecting to send his child f,) school.—D. J-nes, attendance officer, of the Llansantffraid Board, prosecuted. The defendant, he said, had been fined at previous court for a similar offence. RECEPTION OF THE VICAR OF HENFYNYW. The churchwardens anr. members of the Hen- fynyw and Trinity Churches accorded a hearty reception '0 the Rev J. M. Griffiths, Mrs Griffiths, and family on Thursday, January 23rd, by means of a soiree held at the National Schoolroom, to %i hieb all the members of bo, h chureli-s and those who attend the Welsh service at the National Schoolroom as well as the day scholars were invited A special invitation was extended to the clergymen of the rural deanery. A mmptnous tea had been provided, and a large number of th,- ladics of rinity Church gave their personal services, a number too numerous to give a complete list of the names, but those who performed the most onerous dtiti, a were Mr- Munro Hughes, the Misses Lloyd (Ll saeron), and the Misses Davies (London Hnuse). Ai er tea, under the presidency of Mr T). G. Munro Hughes, churchwarden of Trinity Church, w rds of elcorle were spoken by the Revs D. Richards, vicar of Llans.,Iil; T M. Willi aras, vicar of Lhmarth; D. "'1. Davies, curate of Llanddewi Aherarth, who also represented his Re Mor, the Rev Morgan Evans, rural dean and rector of Lla?'ddewi Aberarth. absent owing to tbe serious .11- ess of his brother the Rev R. Williams, vicar of LI*naeron; Mr John Davies, London H use, Euperin.ndent of Trinity Sunday School; Optam Abranam Jones, churchwarden of Hen- fynyw Mr John Joms, choirmaster; and Mr T. PaVlfS, L'inpton House; and the Chairmau, churchwardens. Most of the speakers referred in appteci tive and regretful terms, to the life and w. rk o< tiihir late Vicar, and the Chairman men- t oned that it v. as his illtntion to open a subscrip- tion with the view of commemorating his name. —The Kev j# \i# G, iffiths acknowledged tli.. greetings in a felicitous epeech. He referred to the very fri<-udly relationship w ish existed between him and his late par. ishioners, and to the the many clo e connections which had been broken by his departure from them and he hoped that his relations with the people of his n-w care wou'd be equally cordial. He hoped to do the kst •* ork he wes capable of among, not only for the Church, but for the community in o^(3 • ° A lit arty vot- of thanks to the ladies who had ffu lv ft corat- d th; room and had served at the t h es wl;s "lded on th-. motion of the Chair- man, cecond 1 by Mr Griffith, vicar. A i enfct-r ainment was e mmened at half-past se en o'clock, Mr Munro Hughes again presiditg. S ngs w. re given by Mi-s Mary Jaiat, Joues, 4, Alb n-fquare MilS Pugh, Faikmawr Miss Kate Jours 32, Albm-:quare a- d M ss Agtt-s Davies, L-,i.dou House (Llinos Anon). The songs v. HC interspersed wi h dialogues, relations, and eLc,lúl;S by tbe Drum and Fife Rand, and a glee and ou:-rtet e by pat.es. The ace-' mpafiist-4 '.vere Miss Davies, Lo. don House; Polly Miss Maud Jones, ial Stores, arid Miss D.v ies, Tanyfri n Villa. T. ¡.. proceedings were char. ctPrhed by much Z 2.1 and < n'br^asr. and the singi, g (';orl have the Quo n '-losed the doings of a busy and en- j vable <fti-rr.oo: and which seemed to augur well f"r t: e fu urp.

AN ABBRYSTW YTH IMPROVEMENT. WE are glad 10 find that an effort is being made to puichase the prop-rty of Mr DAVID EVANS in order to widen Mill- street. We believe that Mr EVANS be reasonable, and it is to be hoped that the Council will be able to effect this most necessary improvement. Mill- street is one of the busiest street in the town during the summer months, owing to the heavy traffic to Devils Bridge. It is true that all th work required cannot be done by buying these house", but the Council can only do what it is possible to do, and it should not be forgotten that the town possesses a large estate and that an improvemeut of this kind will add to the beauty anj value of the whole town. We wish it may he found that the ground can be obtained. Aberystwyth is more deficient in itq approaches than iri any othfr respect. A good piece of work was done years ago in Mill-street, and if the present improvement can be effected we believe the whole town will be pleased and benefited. If this opportunity is lose the improvement will not be Hgain possible except at a prohibitive outlay.

THE PEHIIJS OF WORKEliS. AGAIN this week between fifty and sixty men have been slain by an explosion in one of the coalpits of South Wales. If the explosion had happened an hour later the deaths might hav.) been counted by hundreds instead of by scores. Disasters of this magnitude strike the imagination and appal the senses. The dead workers we can say nothing about. They have passed through the ordeal that no living creature can escape. We cannot even be sorry for them as for the women and children who are bereaved. The currents of their lives were altered in a moment. The generosity of the people will be stimulated by the whole- sale nature of the calamity, and destitu- tion would not have been possible even if the men had not made that provision for themselves which they had made. As usual, the disaster was illuminated by heart-stirring acts of daring courage in searching the deathly pits and rescuing those who had escaped the tiery blast and the stifling after-damp. There is nothing grander in the annals of these nations than the calm, fearless facing of dea: h which is common among the industrial popula- tion, as every colliery accident makes abundantly clear.. There is also, we k ow, a good deal of recklessness, which often brings about fatal results, but if workers on railways, and in forges, quarries, and mines were as cautiou3 and regandful of their lives as they are urg< d to be, they probably could nor, do their work at all. A s. arching investigation will be made in order to arrive at the cause of last Monday's explosion, but it is not likely that much moie will be learnt than has been learnt from similar accidents in times past. Many of the conditions of under- ground work are obscure. The mou them- selves are strongly averse to regulations which are intended to prevent what the men do not believe can be prevented by the regulations. It is not only in the coal mints of the south that life is lost. We question whether in the slate quarries of North Wales the percentage of life lost in proportion to the number employed is not greater than in coal muies. Owing to the fact that men from the rural districts go to work in the slate quarries of the north and the coal mines of the south calamities like that of Monday are felt far and wide, and deep anxiety is experienced by thousands after the first flash of dire- ful intelligence until the disaster has been localized and its extent has been ascertained. One of the victims of thf Tylorstown explosion is from Penllwyn, near Aberystwyth. Other men from '.he district were employed at the pits, but had not descended when the accident happened. What science can do to re- duce the frequency of these dis sters is done. The law as to working and management is strict, but nothing can prevent breaches of the law either from carelessness or cupidity. Working men frequently and unnecessarily imperii their lives and, what is worse, the lives of others owing to what may be called contempt for that danger which, alas, is one of the ever-present conditions of their daily toil. Many of those who had been stricken down were rescued by the prompt action of their fellow workmen, but the tale of death is still heavy and every death means more suffering and misery than is easily realized.