The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

ABERYSTWYTH. 1 BOARD OF GUARDIANS, MONDAY, DECEMBER ISTH.-Present: Mr David Morgan, Llanfihangel Upper, chairman, presiding Mr W. A. Miller, vice-chairman; Messrs Hugh Hughes, G.jFossett Roberts, B. E. Morgan, T. E. Salmon, Edwin Morris, and the Rev T. A. Penry, Aberystwyth the Rev John Davies and Mr Edward Jones, Ceulanymaesmawr Messrs Lewis Richards and John Morgan, Cwmrheidol Thomas Jen- kins and William Morris, Cyfoethybrenin Richard James, Henllys; Thomas Powell, Llan- fihangel Upper E. J. Evans, Llangwyryfon Daniel Morris and David Edwards, Llamlar John Jones, Llanmefenydd Charles Davies, Llanychaiarn Thomas Jam?s, Trefeirig Richard Thomas, Tirymynach and William Hughes, Vaenor Upper. Statistics. -Out relief administered during the past fortnight, Aberystwyth district pjr Mr T. Vaughan, f47 12s to 158 paupers corresponding period laat year, JE46 17s 4d to 165 paupers. II ar district, per Mr Joseph Morgan, £ 59 Os to 157 paupers last year corresponding p riod, 942 10,1 to 137 paupers. Llanfihangel district, per Mr J. J. Hughs, f39 12a to 148 paupers correspond- ing period, f51 5s to 186 paupers. Number of in- mates in the House, 47 last year, 67. Number of vagrants relieved during the p'st fortnight, 31 corresponding period last year, 32. Boarding Out of Chilclren.-Tie Boarding-out Committee wrote suggesting the addition of Mrs Evans, The Vicarage, Llanrhystyd Mrs Lewis. Salem Villa, Bow Street; and Mra Jones, Post Office, Devil's Bridge, to the members of the Boarding-out Committee.—The suggestion was adopted. Salaries oj Relieving Officers The Local Government Board wrote agreeing to the r -ar- rangement of the salaries of the relieving officers, according to which Mr Joseph Morgan w. uld re- ceive 160 a year and Mr J. J. Hughes f55 a year. Workhouse Appointment.-Mr Salmon asked the Clerk whether a reply had been received from the Local Government Board in regard to the de- cision of the Board with reference to the appoint- ment of assistant master for the House ?—The Clerk No, nothing at all yet. Had Made a Votv.-An old woman appeared before the Board and said pathetically that she did not drink now. She had not drank for a month.— The Chairman That is because you have no money, perhaps.—Applicant Oh, no, sir. I could be treated to as much as I like, sir, but I re fuse it. (Laughter.) It is a pity that I should be suffering for want of food when I have a ion who is in a good position.—The Clerk But he has eight children.—Applicant Ten, sir, but they are all prown-up and are earning money. -Tlie Chair- man Will you come to the House for the winter ? —Applicant I had rather not, bir. I am expect- ing my daughter home soon from London and I would not like it to be thrown into her face that her mother was in the Workhouse. I made a vow when I was fourteen years of age that I would never go to the Vvcrkhouse and if I knew I would have a weakness for drink, I would have made a vow never to touch that, but I never thought of that. (Laughter.)—It was agreed to grant appli- cant balf-a-crown a week for a month in order to give her a trial, she being told that if sne gave way again to her unfortunate weakness for drink, she would have to come to the House. TOWN COUNCIL, TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19TH.- Present: The Mayor, presiding; Councillor D. C. Roberts, ex-mayor; Aldermen Peter Jones, W. H. Palmer, and Thomas Doughton Coun- cillors Robert Doughton, E. P. Wynne, R. Peake, Isaac Hopkins, Evan Hugh James, J. P. Thomas, and T. E. Salmon; Messrs Charles Massey, acting clerk Rees Jones, borough sur- veyor and H L. Evans, borough accountant. SCIENCE AND ART. A letter was read from Mr R. J. Roberts, clerk to the School B ard, saying that at an ordinary meeting of the Technical Instruction Committee the report of the Science and Art Department's Inspector was considered in reference to the science and art classes and the Committee wished to point out to the Council the urgent need of mere suitable premises for giving instructions in this department. The matter was referred to the Finaoce Com- mittee. A letter was read from the County Clerk for- warding a resolution of the County Council with reference to Town Hall improvements, saying that the County Council was prepared to off r a fair contribution, the amount to be hereafter deter- mined, towards the projected improvements ot the south wing ot the Town Hall, provided that such improvements include the provision of a committee room not less capacious than the present one, a county office, and strong room, the plans with estimate of cost being submitt d to the County Council for approval. The MAYOR said in order to expedite matters, he had asked Mr Morgan, the architect, to amend the plans prepared so as to comply with the wishes of the County Council and to make the alteration har- monize with the whole in the best way pos,ible. He believed that he was doing that work so that it might be submitted to the next meeting of the County Council. He had every reason to believe that the County Council would co operate with the Town Council in order to greatly improve the south wing of the building. In reply to Mr Salmon, the Mayor said the plans would be first laid before the Town Council. Mr PEAKE hoped that would not delay the en- quiry and the MAYOR replied that the consent of the County Council must be obtained as they were owners of the south wing. ELECTRIC LIGHTING. The Clerk read a letter from the Board of Trade with reference to the Aberystwyth Electric Lighting Order, 1892, and asking the Council's observations on the enclosed description of an amended system proposed to be adopted by the undertakers for the supp!y of energy. The description was as follows A continuous cur. rent direct supply at a cons'ant pressure not exceeding 440 volts across the outer conductors of a three-wire system, the intermediate conductor being, with the approval of the Board of Trade, con- nected with parth at the generating station, but insulated at all other parts. The mains will be triple concentric or, in some cases, three separate conductors, lead-sovered, steel armoured, and laid direct in the ground." The letter was referred to the Public L:ghts Com- mittee. SEWERAGE, TOWN HALL. AND PROMENADE. The Clerk read a letter from the Local Govern- ment Board of the 6th December stating that that body would be willing to include the matters to which the Town Clerk referred within the scope of the inquiry already promised if the applications in question (which should be made separately) were submitted at once. Plana and estimates of the cost of the works should he forwarded accompanied by the resolution of the Council. The MAYOR said the matter was in hand and the Council could not proceed more rapidly. The Architect was preparing the Town Hall plans and the Surveyor was proceeding with plans and estimate for sewer extension. POULTRY SHOW. It was agreed to subscribe C3 3s to the poultry show which Mr Robert Doughton said was large and interesting. FINANCE. Alderman Palmer brought up the report of the Finance Committee which stated that the Com- mittee had visited ten properties for which renewals were sought. The Committee recommended that Mrs Ann Richards, Cambrian-street, be allowed t3 the end of July, 1901, and Mr teake till May, 1901, to complete alterations to premises under re- newals, the Corporation thereby arranging that the work shall not be gone on with during the summer season. The Committee likewise recommended the granting of leases of pieces of land onSmithifeld-road for dwellings for Mr David Morgan, Messrs Owen Bros., and Mr J. A. Jones, all at a frontage of 2/6. The question of site and ratable value scales for .1. Pnnnw'l meeting to the Committee was considered and deterred. The Borought Accountant was inst, ucted to prepare a statement in detailj of the charges for renewal in each case and that a copy be furnished to each member of the Committee. The agreement for a lease to Mrs Urania Doughton of a piece of laud at the corner of Terrace-road and Railway- terrace was approved of. The Committee recom- mend that so far as may be necef-sary in order to deal with the present case and that the common seal may be affixed to the said agreement at the next meeting of the Council, the Committee recom- mend that the resolution of the Council, passed on the 1st March, 1898, be rescinded so far as the same applies to this case. The lease to Mr T. E. Salmon of a piece of ground fronting Railway- terrace, formerly part of Cae Charles, was sub. mitted and approved of. An application by Mr Lewis Bearne to the Council to be accep ed as lessee in the place of Mr J. D. Belham was con sidered. The Committee recommend that subject to a proper assignment of any interest therein by the personal representatives of the late Mr J. D. Belham, Mr Lewis Bearne be accepted as lessee of the premises comprised in the agreement for a 1. ase of premises in South-road, dated 6th Septem- ber, 1898, in lieu of the late Mr Belham. Mr SALMON said he wanted site as well as ratable valae terms given in each ca-e so that each appli- cant might have full information. The MAYOR said the scale would be produced by the next meeting and then the matter could be fully discussed. PUBLIC WORKS. Alderman Peter Jones brought up the report of the Public Works Committee approving several plans and it was stated that the Misses Owen, Mr James Rowe, and Mr John Davies, Cambrian-street, agreed to alterations suggested by the Surveyor. THE HARBOUR. The Harbour Committee reported that the Borough Accountant presented a statement of arrears of rent and harbour dues made up t ) date showing the amount due to the Corpora'ion. The arrears of harbour dues, iucluding £41 16.. 8d due from the general and district rate fund, was 953 17s and the arrears of rent, including £ 14 10s due from tne Corporation, jE38 10s 9d. The report was adopted. GENERAL PURPOSES. The General Purposes Committee recommended the engagement of Mr Gilbert Rogers's minstrel troupe on payment by him (,f 170 and that £ 50 should be voted for advertising the town during the spring months. The Clerk read a letter from Mr Collins regretting that the General Purposes Committee recommended that the permit which had been given for seven years should not be continued, as he had always done his best to engage good taient and steady and sober artistes. With regard to Mr Rogers's state- ment about advertising Aberystwyth from a public stage, he tock that for what it was worth, for no manager would hear of such a thing as it was against all rules of the theatrical profession to address an audience. He (Mr Collins) had done all in his power to advertise the town by giving the visitors a good sound entertainment. Before leaving Aberystwyth last season ho mad- arrange- ment to rent ground for entertainments and had already engaged clever artistes so should be com- pelled to fulfil his engagement whether he obtained the Council's permit or not. Mr WYNNE, moving the adoption of the report, said the Committee had gone fully into the nattfr of the minstrels and determined to give Mr Rogers a turn this year. Mr J. P. THOMAS seconded the proposition and it was unanimously agreed to. In reply to Mr Peake, Mr WYNNE snid the Com- mittee wanted to advertise early in the year io order to bsgin the season at Easter if possible instead of at Whitsuntide. The recommendation wa9 adopted. MRS DOUGHTON'S LEASE. The eleventh subject on the paper was to authorise the Mayor to affix the Corporation 'seal to an agreement tor a lease to Mrs Urania Doughton of a piece of land occupied by her at the corner of Railway-terrace and Terrace -oad at an annual rent of 2 6d and vj annual ground rent of f3 63 4d. The terms aud conditions were—Original grant, October, 180S years unexpired, 13; front- age in Terrace-road 4, half fr utage in Railway- terrace at 3s, less oae-eighth for surrender of five feet in Terrace-road to the Corporation total annual payment, jE3 8s 10 I five feet along the Terrace-road front to be surrendered to the Cor- poration for widening the s,r,-et plans to be approved by the Council; and the budding to be completed by May, 1901. In reply to Mr Peake, the MAYOR stated that the site was included in Alderman David Roberta's application. Mr Roberts had terms from the Cor- poration, but did not take up the lease and the same terms were now quoted for Mrs Doughton as Mr Roberts had then. Mr WYNNE having seconded the adoption of the report, Mr SALMON moved that the Mayor should not put the Corporation seal to the deed. He moved that in order to be consistent with what had been done with regard to all other applicants in that street. In 1894 the application for that lease was made and not taken up and in 1898 the Council confirmed a recommendation by the Finance Committee that all terms quoted before the 1st January, 1896, and not taken up should be withdrawn. There were no fewer than five or six lessees in Terrace-road who made an applica- tion in 1893 and 1894, but did not take up the leases and therefore had to make a fresh applica- tion. He therefore did not see why that resolution should be rescinded for one applicant. If the Council did so, they would do an injustice to Mr Thomas Davies for two houses. Mr Thomas Hall, Mr Thomas Morris, and two or three more, all of whom had to make fresh applica- tions. Mr Thomas Morris applied in 1893 and in 1894, but the Council would not graut his applica- tion in consequence of that resolution. If the Council granted that agreement for a lease that day it would be giving Mrs Doughton 928. The MAYOR said he should like to point out that the fine must be paid from the dating of the agree- ment of the lease. Mr SALMON replied that he was aware of that; but he still said it would make a difference in the fine. The MAYOR said it would work out in seventy- five years the same. Mr SALMON added that the ground rent worked out at £1 6s less. It would be an advantage to have the street widened, but he wanted all appli- cants treated alike. It was said that the Council were giving money away and robbing the rate- payers. They were distinctly robbing the rate- payers of that amount and it was not fair to the others. If the Council granted that lease, he did not see the consistency iu refusing to renew the lease for Mr Gibson. There was a resolution passed in 1893 cancelling terms given before 1896, there being present at the Council meeting Messrs John Jenkins (mayor), Robert Doughton, R. J. Jones, E. P. Wynne, D. C. Roberts, and C. M. William (chairman of the Finance Committee). They passed the resolution and now wanted it rescinded in order to grant a concession to one applicant and for a place in the best position in the town. There were thirty applicants whose cames were down in the list of cancelled terms. The MAYOR said the name of Mr David Roberts was not included in that list in respect of what was now Mrs Doughton's prcperty. Mr SALMON thought no advantage should be taken of that error. He only wanted to be con- sistent and to treat all alike. He therefore moved that the seal should not be affixed. Alderman PALMER said he would second the amendment, thinking the Council should not take advantage of Mr Roberts's name not being down in the list of cancelled terms. He thought the matter wanted further consideration and that it should bi referred back to the Committee. Mr PEAKE thought there had been some mistake with regard to that matter. Mr Roberts made applica fcion for renewal and his name was not down in thp list. Shovld the Council give a privilege to any applicant simply because of an omission on the p-Lrt ot the officials? He did not say he should oppose the granting of the same basis and terms, but a new application should be made for the renewal. It should be done in a regular way. Mr HOPKINS supported it because of the way the Council acted towards him. Mr PEAKE-Oh, never mind that. Air HOPKINS said the Council made him apply afresh. The same law ought to be applied to every one. Mr D. C. ROBERTS said that even taking Mr Peake's view, he did not see why the Council should not rescind the resolution when the Council felt clearly that there really was no difference. Mr Peake stated that he was quite prepared to offer the same terms. That b ing an, it sef'med to him that it was simply delaying a matter on a technical point and he could not see any reason why the Council should not pass it that day. He always objected to delay a thing on technical grounds. He was not, as the Council knew, strongly in favour of cancelling the terms, though he did not wish to get away from th3 action the Council took on that occasion. He felt in cases of applicants who had already come before the Council that they should be treatt d on the same terms as everybody else aod that if changes were made they should apply to fresh applicants. Mr Salmon had drawn attention to the amount paid. The Council knew that there was really no difference becau-e according to the scile the thing was worked out in such a way that it came to the same thing at the end of seventy-five years. If the Council granted the lease dated from that day it would be certainly a larger amount, but the lease would go on for a longer period. AT ROBERT DOUGHTON thought, after the state- ments made, it would be wise to delay the matter for a week or two longer. He was sure Mrs Doughton would be the last person to take any ad- vantage. Mr PEAKE said he did not vote for the amend- ment on the basis of finance as argued by Mr I Salmon as he did not think there was anything in it. Mr D. C. ROBERTS—There is nothing. Aldc.rman PETER JONES said the Council would recollect that that piece of land A as embraced in an application by Mr David Roberts for the re- newal of the lease of a larger piece The original plan, he believed, contemplated covering the en- tire area. The improvement to the Commercial was carried out, but not to the present piece ..nd, as the Council did not give any notice with regard to the present piece that the terms wer cancelled, he thought it only reasonable that the Council should carry into effect the con- ditions then laid down. Mr Hall's name had been mentioned but his terms were identical according to frontage with the terms laid down in the present application and there could be no idea of injustice bfctween the applicants. The lease would start from 1894 and having to pay down the sum which had accumulated since then would work out actuarily the same as if the lease was granted from the present; time. They were all desirous of effect ing an improvement in that particular part of the town. In that instance there was practically no structure upon the site. There was only a shed upon it and the Council were desirous of seeing a substantial structure in its place. The question of ratable value could not arise in that case as it was only a wooden structure with a corrugated rjof Mr SALMON replied that it had been said by the ex-Mayer and Alderman Jones that it made no difference in the actual amount. The ground rent at the present time would be f4 4s instead of 9"3 8s. If the structure was built at the time, the town would have had a ratable value of about JE25 a year instead of a few pounds. The amount received in rates sine 1894 would be f6 or 97 a year. He did not think it doing justice to other applicants whose terms were cancelled and they had to apply afresh. Mr THOMAS DOUGHTON said that no time was mentioned for building in 1894 and the MAYOR said that was so. Five then voted for the amendment not to affix the seal and six for the proposition to affix the seal to the agreement for a lease. THE M. & M. The twelfth subject on the agenda being to ap- point a commit ee to report upon the M. & M. Railway Company's application to Parliament for a Bill, the CLERK said it would not be necessary to trouble any committee as the Bill had been with- drawn. SCHOOL BOARD. It was agreed to issue a precept on the overseers for f350 for School Board expenses. THE HARBOUR SEWER CUTLET. The fourteenth subject on the agenda was as follows Cou cillor R. J. Jones will move That it is desirable that the Council avail them selves of the opportunity given by the Local Gov- ernment Board in their letter to the Town Clerk dated the 6th December, to include within the • cope of the inquiry already promised by the Board the inquiry iuto the proposed extension of the main sewer, aDd that the necessary instructions be given for the completion of the plans, specifications, and estimate of the costs of the proposed works in connection there- with, and that the same be at the earliest possible date submitted to the Council for their approval. That the Town Clerk be instructed to apply to the Local Government Board on behalf of the Council for their sanction to the loan required for the purposes of the extension of the main sewer." Mr D. C. ROBERT? said he had not b en asked by Mr Jones to move the proposition in his absence, but he was prepared to do so if the Council would allow him. Alderman PETER JONES thought it would be putting the cart before the horse to pass that resolution before the plans and estimate were sub- mitted to and approved by the Council. The MAYOR said the Surveyor had been asked by resolution to prepare plans and estimates and lay them before a coirmittee of the whole Council. The Surveyor would have them ready in a fortnight, and until they were submitted it wou!d not be wise to pass that resolution. Mr D. C. ROREKTS asked that the matter might be deferred but the MAYOR said Mr Jones could again plac it on the agenda. The SURVEYOR saying the plans and estimate would be rrady in a fortnight, the Council rose.

PRESENTATION TO MR KILVINGTON. On Friday evening a meeting of subscribers was held at St. David's Club in Market-street to pres-nt Mr T. KilvingtoB, formerly stationmaster at PwJl- heli and Aberystwyth and now traffic canvasser at Abery.-twyth for the M. & M. Railway Company, with a cheque for £1;)0. The Mayor presided and the room was full, Mr Vaughan Davies, M P. for the county, the managers of the three bank-, town councillors and magistrates, and many of the principal tradesmen of the town being among the company. The MAYOR said it give him pleasure to bp present at that gathering called to show their appreciation of Mr Kilvington. It was no part oi hit business to go into the-m-itter- of the particuiar time that Mr Kilvington retired from occupying the position of stationmaster at Aberystwyth, but he was sure when it took place the town showed keen sympathy with him—(hear, hear)-and when the movement was initiated to show in a tangible way that sympathy, the collectors were everywhere met with spontaneous promises, with the resu!t that something like E150 had been subscribed. (Applause.) That spoke well for the high esteem and regard with which Mr Kilvington was held by his fellow-townsmen. Perhaps a stronger proof than that was the fact that in June or July thr employees of the Cambrian and the M. & M, pre- sented Mr Kilvington with a handsome testimonial. That to him spoke volumes, for it testified to the regard and high esteem the workmen felt who had been under him for so many years. (Cheers.) Mr VAUGHAN DAVIES, on being called upon to make the presentation, said when the secretary of that movement asked him to be there he under- stood that he was to meet a very small number and that he was not expected to make a great speech. When, however, he saw so large a num- ber present, testifying by their presence to their high appreciation of the services of Mr Kilvii gton. he thought he might call attention to what was often lost sight of and that was the work done by the railway servants and the railways of this coun'ry. Without either they would not be the great nation they were. (Hear, hear.) Figures were very stupid things hut if he quoted one or two it would show prominently what he meant and how grate- ful the British public should be for the great con- venience afforded and the courtesy shown it by rail ways and railway servant*. There was no less than thirty-five millions of pounds paid by passengers carried annually on the ailways and the number carried in 1898 was no fewer than £ 1,062.000,000. The goods traffic amounted to over forty nine millions of pounds, the minerals carried was 267 million of tons, and general merchandise 100 million of tons. The paid-up capital was £ 1,134,000,000. (Cheers). All that traffic and all that money were placed in the hands of the railway servants of this country and he thought they would say that such a trust was an enormous one, that the way it was observed was perfectly marvellous, and that the kindness and consideration which was almost invariably shown to the large number of passengers was remarkable. (Cheers.) Whenever they met with any difficulty in travelling they got out of temper and rushed open-mouthed to the stationmaster. He feared that ho had often tried the temper of station- masters, but he generally found that they hit him back rather hard by their courtesy. (Laughter and cheers.) He durst say he could go rather farther back than the majority present in personal knowledge of railway communication. He could recollect when the nearest fetation to Aberystwyth on the north was Shrewsbury and Glou- cester and Carmarthen the nearest on the south and when the intervening distance had to be travelled by coach. He did Dot think they had the most expeditious mode of railway travelling at the present time, but it was considerably better than in the old coaching days. (Laughter.) Of course he could recollect when the Cambrian Railway was firat brought to Aber- ystwyth and having been travelling over the line very frequently siace, it was but simple justice to the officials to say that they were most civil and most obliging and he could safely say that in twenty years' experience of Mr Kilvington as stationmaster at Aberystwyth—though no one had tried him more than he had done-never once had he found him discourteous, but always a desire on hie part to do the best he could for any passenger or anyone brought into connection with the Com- pany. (Applause.) On one occasion MrKilvington tolit him he had given extra work between the London and North-Western and the Cambrian to about thirty clerks over an account, but even then Mr Kilvington was as civil and obliging as he could be. (Hear. hear.) When Mr Kilvington was leaving the Cambrian, he (the hon. speaker) told an official of the Company that he did not care what any individual said of Mr Kilvington behind his back that he should like that individual to come forward and say what he had to say in his face, and if that was done, he (Mr Davies) would be ready to go into the box and take his oath before any judge in the world that for twenty yeare he had always found Mr Kilvington an obliging and honest and competent servant of that Company and always able to carry out the duties of his office. (Hear, hear.) He was glad to find thai those sentiments had been echoed so splendidly by the town and neighbourhood of Aber- ystwyth. He doubted whether any Etitioninast-r in the Principality could have ev. ked such sym- pathy, such kindly feeling as Mr Kilvington had evoked. (Cheers.) It w as not a large sum that had been collected. That was, of course, a great mark of esteem, but there was a greater mark of esteem and that was the kindly spirit shown towards the collectors in collecting the money. Money was all very well, hut kindly reeling and sympathy were a great deal more valuable than all the money in the world and he was sure in handing over the cheque I to Mr Kilvington he would look at it in the same light inasmuch as it represented the kindly spirit and sympathy he had shown during his twenty or twenty-one years' service in Aberystwyth. The list of subscribers was a thing of which any man should be proud of. (Cheers.) The Mayor had spoken of the working men having marked their apprecia- tion of Mr Kilvington's companionship. He used the word companionship for he knew that many of tne workmen regarded him more as a companion and friend than as a master. (Cheers.) There was still another compliment paid Mr Kilvington that must not be lost sight of. If he (the speaker) had been asked a few months ago whether the Corporation of Aberystwyth could have passed a unanimous vote on any subject under the sun he should have doubted it. (Laughter.) He did not wish to tie rude to the Mayor and Corporation of Aber- ystwyth, but he would have doubted it. When, however, the question of Mr Kilvington's remain- ing stationmaster of Aberystwyth came up the Town Council of Aberystwyth passed a unanimous vote of sympathy with him coupled with the hope that he would be retained. (Cheers.) The hon. gentleman then handed a cheque for fl50 to Mr Kilviugton accompanied by the following ad dress Aberystwyth, 14th December, IsyiJ. To TOM KILVINGTON, ESQ. Dear sir,—After a service with the Cambrian Railway Company exteudingover twenty-sixyears,it was with great regret that your many friends in Aberystwyth and the neighbourhood heard that you were severing your con- nection with that Company, and as some acknowledgment of their appreciation of the able and courteous discharge of your important and responsible duties as station- master at Aberystwyth for so many years past, they ask you to accept the enclosed cheque for £]50 with their heartiest wishes for your future success. On behalf of ourselves and the subscribers to the testimonial wkose names are appended.—We are, sincerely yours, R. J. JONES, f J. \VATKINS, JUN., > Hon. Sees. D. M. DAVIES, J D. M. DAVIES, ) J. DENSTON PEILROTT, hon. treasurer. Mr KILVINGTON, acknowledging the presentation, said—Mr Mayor, Mr Vaughan Davies, ladies and gentlemen,—It is utterly impossible for me to find words to express my deep sense of gratitude for the handsome testimonial you have presented to me. As Mr Vaughan Davies has ably remarked, the sum is a very handsome one, but I appreciate your kindness and hearty good wisheB far more than I do the money. (Hear, hear.) After a service ot five and twenty years with the Cambrian Railways, of course I found it a deep and heavy wrench to leave old associations, and I am sure you will be glad to find that in my present situation I am very happy and contented. I hope if things go on as they have done, they will be still more so. (Cheers.) I have m"de my home amongst you and I have found such true and loyal friends that it will be not my fault if I do not end my days with you. (Cheers.) I cannot say more, gentlemen but I thank you heartily. (Applause.) Mr A. J. HUGHES, the town clerk, proposed and Mr D. C. ROBERTS, ex-mayor, seconded a vote of thanks to the Hon. Secretaries and the Hon. Treasurer, and the vote was suitably acknowledged by Mr JOHN WATKINS, one of the secretaries, and by Mr J. DENSTONE PERROTT, the treasurer. Mr JOHN MORGAN, the Larches, proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, and Mr HUGH HUGHES proposed and Mr JOHN WATKINS seconded a vote of thanks to Mr Vaugnan Davies for attend- ing and making the presentation and the votes having been acknowledged, the meeting separated.

COLLEGE FABIAN SOCIETY, ADDRESS BY MR G. BERNARD SHAW. On Saturday evening Mr G. Bernard Shaw delivered an address on Socialism and the Uuivcr- sities" before the members of the College Fabiac Society and others. Professor Herford, D.Litt., took the chair and was supported by Mr R. Scott Williams, the hon. secretary of the Society. There -was a fairly-large attendance of students and pro- fessors. In the course of his address, Mr BERNARD SHAW said if he were asked by a young man or woman of exceptional intelligence what was the greatest danger ahead he should say education. By educa- tion he meant the efforts made to prepare young people for the business of their after lives. It was his business to make the audience think and no man who was altogether fair and just ever made people think. Let him try to clear away some of the cant surrounding the subject of education. The treatment by grown up people of their juniors was actuated by two motives. The juniors' delight in noise and violent exercise-(Iaugliter)-mde them a terror to grown-up people and there was a conspiracy amongst those people to frame a number of rules, not designed in the interests of the young people, but designed to keep them quiet. flaugh- ter and cheers by the students.) He saw by that cheer that the students had observed that fact for themselves. (Renewed laughter and cheers.) The school was primarily a place to which parents sent children in order to get them out of the way holidays were looked forward to with dread and their end with relief. (Laughter.) Therefore any- thing put before young people under the guise of education they should look upon with suspicion and <lsk whether it was for their bent-fit or some- body elxe's benefit. (Laughter.) There was a c rtain amount of religious persecution practised in I the name of education. The majority of people who beat children did so simply because they liked beating children. (Laughter and cheers.) All those things could be put up with, but there was one thing he could not stand and that was the formation of character. Never let them allow their charactt-r to be formed. The progress of the world depended upon the y unger generation being a step in advance of the older generation and if the young allowed their charact rs to be formed by their elders they would not be a at-p in advance. Every sort of education woich was not technical education was hostile to education. All education which was lik-ly to be of any value and likely to do no harm was technical education and yet a distinction had grown up between technical educaLi n and university educa- tion. William Moiris used to say that he never had any difficulty in getting technically-skilled work- men in the factory where he turned out his remark- able art products. One could always teacfi technical work because it was pleasant work. But what he did complain of was want of general culture. There people had a distinction which imposed upon people. People said that university education gave them that culture It was thereby implied toat university education was non-technical education. That he denied. University educa- tion in its origin was the most technic d education one could imagine, but now a university faugnt the obsolete technique of an obsolete profession as if it set itself nowadays to teach men how to use the crossbow. Classic teaching, which played so large a part in university education. originally as a most technical thing. In mediaeval times, classics was the technique of literature because all books then were written in Latin. But when books became to be written in English, why did not the Latin;st perish fntn off he face of !he (arth like the maker or the cross- bow ? Because the Latinist then assumed the posi- ti n of the grairmaiian and the logician, the one pretending that he could teach people how to write and the other that he could teach people how to think. When it soon became apparent that many of the studies were usele ss, the Latinists fell back up m the pretence that the studies trained the- mind and that Latin was the key to other languages which he found to be a complete falsehood. (Laughter.) If students were called upon to undertake studies becau e they were trdioua, let them ask the pro- fessors to appiy that principle to themselves, sug- gesting to the professor who had a distinct classical miud to turn his attention to mathematics because that would train his mind or to the logician that he should learn to play the piano though he had no idea of music. (Laughter.) He believed that mathematics represented a certain form of lunacy. (Renewed laughter.) Be reject d all those pretences and mentioned as a matter of fact that he had known a large number of persons who had enjoyed at Oxford or Cambridge the most extreme form of education and yet were neither logicians nor thinkers. (Laughter.) Going on to enquire how that sort of education still continued, Mr Shaw referred to the upheaval of the trading classes in the seventeenth century resulting in the fortification and increase of the idle classes who received rent and interest. The members of that class were called gentlemen and the demand in England for gentlemen had been universal. The workman wanted a gentleman for his employer because he ceuld get more out of him the soldier wanted a gentleman for his officer, and the shop- keeper wanted a gentleman for his customer because he could cheat him. (Laughter.) The manufacturer wanted his son to get into society. but as the son in the secrecy of his closet was bound to acknowledge that he was very much like other men, he was sent to a university to get the stamp of a gentleman and to learn how to do nothing gracefully. Therefore university education con- tinued. (Laughter and hear, hear.) The one point of university education which had something to say for itself was that it contained the elements of communal life which distinguished the student honourably from the man who had merely the career of an ordinary English home. (Hear.) The supersession of the small capitalists by highly- c*pitaliz?d joint stock companies resulted in a rush iuto the professions and on to the stock exchange, while the members of the middle class who were formerly independent were going into the ranks of those who earned wages by becoming employees of the large companies. Politically, the middle cla s, formerly opposed to trade unionism, were now throwing in their lot with the proletariat, or wage-earning class. The effect on education would be the destruction of the university college. There would still be the idle class living on rent and interest, but that class would be too small to keep up a national type of education. It was only by the support of the middle class that the thing had been kept up so long. Immediately the middle class said, We must have another type of education," the whole thing would be changed. (Cheers.) The change was already taking place. The old barren classical education was giving way to a demand for educa- tion in modern languages and science. (Hear, hear.) That change was shown in their university at Aberystwyth-(applause)-aud made it different from those of Oxford and Cambridge. It was, however, more strikingly seen in American univer- sity education where all modern mechanical sub- jects were taught and where even the more abstract subjects were brought into relation with the mechanical problems which civilization had raised, with the result that a party of American gentlemen educated at a university approached a practical question in a very different way to that in which it would be approached by a party of English gentlemen. (Hear, hear.) Further, there was au- other way in which education would be insisted upon. If they took a man who came from a university in America, or Germany, or England who was qualified to draw a large salary from a big industrial company, there still remained one curious deficiency in his education. They would find that he had never been educated in his duties as a citizen. Further, a working man should be taught in school trades unionism, how it affected him, what strike pay was, and what a strike is. He ought to be educated in his position. If they were going to have their large towns growing and their empire growing and they were to become intolerant of small communities, it could only be carried on successfully in so far as those who conducted them were citizens technically educated as citizens and not educated by newspapers written by people who were as ignorant as their readers. (Laughter and cheers.) Dr Herford having spoken, Principal ROBERTS moved and Miss BODKIN seconded a vote of thanks to Mr Bernard Shaw and a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.

cath of At Joktt Mf Eirly on Monday morning one of the oldest and most respected of the inhabitants of Aberystwyth died in the person of Mr John Watkins. J.P., wine and spirit merchant, North-parade. Mr Watkins, who was in his eighty-fourth year, had been ailing for three or four days and had been attended by Dr Rowland. On Sunday it was thought that he was quite recovered, but about six o'clock on Mon- day morning it was found that he had passed away in his sleep, the cause of death being failure of the heart's action. The town heard the news with great regret, for Alderman John Watkins had taken honourable part in the public life of the town for a quarter of a century and was respected for his unostentatious character and genial personal qualities. The deceased belonged to an Aberystwyth family which can trace its members back for many generations. He was a grandson of John Wil- liams, the owner of the Twenty Tons," who lived more than a century and a half ago. Mr John Williams was a seafaring man aa his ancestors had been for generations before him. His son William, better known then as William Shon William, when a young man between twenty and twenty-five years of age, desiring to build a ship of his own, went over to Radnorshire, where ('¡¡.k timber was obtained in those days tor shipbuilding at Abrr- ysiwyt'n, and there became enamoured of the daughter of Beili Einicn. The young woman's parents refusing to consent to the marriage, the young couple got married without it and when in course of time the ship was built, man and wife navigaterl her as his parents had been doing before them. Some four or five years afterward when the young people were setting out from the port of Aberystwyth with their child, they hailed the old people in the Twenty Tons" and, as bad weather wasanticipated, the child wastransferred over to his grandpareuts and brought home. During the night the young people's new ship was lost and with it young Williams and his wife, and their bodies, ultimately washed up on the Merioneth shore, were buried in the little churchyard at Llandanwg in Ardudwy. Notwithstanding the sad fate of his parents, William Shon William became a sea captain. He married Mary Roderick who also belouged to one of the oldest families in the town. He, in turn, was succeeded by his sons, John Williams, William Williams, and Thomas Williams, all ot whom became captains. Mr John Williams was master of the "Lively" and of the "Neptune." He married the eldest daughter of the late Mr William Edward, tailor and draper, Bridge-street. Captain William Williams, aud second son of William Shon William, married a daughter of Mr John Davies, of the Golden Lion, Great Darkgate- street. Captain Thomas Williams, third son, married the daughter of the late Mr John Jones, Glanleri, Borth. He was the master of the sloop Eunice" which was lost with her er, w off the coast of Ireland in 1842. The issue of Captain Thomas Williams's marriage where three daughters and two sons, the sons being Mr W. T. Williams, formerly of Sydenham House, and Mr John Williams. There w. re also two daughters born to William Shon William. Elizabeth married Captain Richard Watkins, master of the Ann and Betsy" and had issue Richard, formerly draper of Aberystwyth,and John whojbecame captainjof the Lovely Lass" and afterward Alderman John Watkins, now deceased. Otner children of William Shon William were Elizabeth who married the late Mr Edward Morgan, draper, Market-street Ann, who became the wife of Mr John Morice, North-parade James, who became curate of L'anddeinol and Mary who married Mr John Williams, mercer, Bridge-street, a native".of Lledrod. The only two grand children surviving of the daughter of Beili Einion are Mr W T. Williams and Miss Margaret WIlliams of Pcrtmadoc. Alderman John Watkins was born on October 2nd, 1816, and was therefore in his eighty-fourth year at the time of his death. He was, as has been shown,the second son of Capt. RicSfrd Watkins of the sloop" Ann and Betsy" of the port of Aber- ystwyth. He went to sea at a very early age in his father's ship and when he came to man's estate a fine schooner, called the Lovely Lass," was built for him by the late Mr John Evans, ship- builder, father of Mr John Ff. Evans, formerly of Laura-place. Alderman John Watkins married his cousin, Elizabeth, daughter of Captain John Jones, Rock House, Marine-terrace, by whom he had issue nine children including James, who died at the age of seventeen, Mr John Watkins now carrying on the wine merchant's business in North- parade and formerly member of the Town Council, Mias Watkins, and Mr William Watkins, solicitor and registrar ;of the Newtown County Court. Two daughters—Mary Jane and Ann Jones Watkins—died several years ago in whose memory their father a short time ago presented to Trinity Church a valuable communion service. Mis Watkins predeceased her husband between four or j nve years ago. After trading coast and foreign for many years in the Lovely Lass," Mr Watkins in September, 1848, went into partnership with his father-in-law, the late Captain John Jones, in the wine and spirit merchant business in North-parade, following Mr Evan Jones of the" Ardent." They succeeded in building up one of the most properou3 businesses in town which is continued to-day. Aberystwyth, in Mr Watkins's younger days being a busy shipping port, Mr Watkins established the earliest shipping insurance society in the town. It had Mr John Ff. Evans for its secretary and the ealls on it were so small that in a few years it had the large capital of £ 200,000. Mr Watkins was a staunch Churchman and Conservative though he never obtruded his opinions on anyone. In the late Dean Phillips's time, he became churchwarden of St. Michaeis and after the building of Holy Trinity Church, he took a great interest in the affairs of that church, con- tributing largely to the building fund. He was one of the trustees of the National School. He was put on the commission of the peace for the borough in February, 1S76. He was fir*t returned to the Council in Novemh r. 18GB- He was returned third on the poll out of a list of candi- dates who are now all deceased. The poll was as follows :—John Davies, Pier-street, 27S vote., Richard Morris, 276 John Watkins, 272 John Rees, Pier-street, 236 J. J. Atwood, 192; Edward Rowlands, :chemist, 120 and C. Riie Williams, 74. He was elected alderman in 1873, Eerveo the office of mayor from November, 1875, to November, 1877, and retired from the Council in November, 1S86. Since then Mr Watkins took no very active part in public life though he continued to take interest in public affairs and on one occasion rendered the Council valuable help in regard to the preservation of the beach. Though his personal associations and interests might have influenced him in forming another opinion, it was his strong opinion, based on life-long experience, that it was highly dangerous to cart sand and gravel from the Terrace beach, and having formed that opinion,he did not hesitate to express it and in that way greatly assicted the Couacil in issuing the prohibitory order. ° At the Borough Petty Sessions on Wednesday morning, the Mayor said it as his regrettable duty to remind the Bench of the fact that one of their oldest colleagues, Ivlr John Watkins, had been called hence. He was the senior magistrate in the borough, hav- ing been appointed in 1S76. Mr Watkins was not very active in attending to his magisterial duties it was true, but he was highly respected by his colleagues and in other departments of public life Mr Watkins had taken a prominent part. He was at one time a member of the Town Council and was mayor of the town during the years 1875 and 1876, retiring in 1886, having given twenty years to the service of his native town. He was sure they would be carrying out the wishes of all their fedow magistrates in instructing the Clerk to send a vote of condolence to the bereaved family Mr Watkins was eighty-four years of age. He was one of the oldest in the town and he (the Mayor) wassure no one once more respected in Aberystwyth during the whole of his career.—The Clerk (Mr Hu h Hughes) was instructed to send a lettet expressing the condolence of the Bench to deceased's family Toe body was interred at the Cemetsry yesterday norning, the funeral being private. The chief nourucrs were Mr and Mrs John Watkins, .1isé fVatkins, and Mr and Mrs W. Watkins, Mr and VIrs W. J. Watkins, Cartrefle Miss Mary Watkins, Terrace Dr and Mrs Rowlands, Pier- itreet, and Mr W. T. Williams, South-terrace. The officiating clergy were the Ven Archdeacon Prwther e, the Rev Prebendary Williams, and the Rev Mr Footman. Wreaths were sent by members of the family, Mr W. J. Waekins, the Rev Prebendary Williams, Miss Watkins, 53; Terrace, the Misses Osmotherly, t3 Miss James. 50 Mrs Davies, Miss Jonej, Laura- place Dr and Mrs Rowlands, Mrs Joseph Davies, Laura-place, and othera.

YSBYTTY YSTWYIIT. OBITUARY.—On Sunday, the 10th of December, there passed a vay from this place a very prominent figure in the person of Mrs Jane Hughes, Ysgoldy. She had attained the ripe age of ninety-three. She was the relict of Mr John Hughes, Pantydai,. The interment took place the following Thursday at Eglwy8newydd. LO,NGP.VITY.-Ysbytty Ystwyth is noted for the longevity of its inhabitants. Among the hills ot Logelas, hale and hearty as a school girl is Mr Margaret Rees, better kncwn as Peggi Rees, who is on the verge of surviving ninety-seven winters, and to all appearance bids fair to make good strides into the coming century. GENEROSITY.—Mr John Rees, Graigwen, vice- chairman of the Ysbytty Ystwyth School Board, has rtccved again this year a cheque to be distri- buted among the poor of this parish from Mr Cnarles B. Bdnnet's, of the Ooregum Gold Mining Co., Mysore. India, and formerly of Penffynon, Ysbytiy Ystwyth. The recipients are very thankful to the generous donor, who has shown in .her directions that the welfare and interest of hi- native parish are very close to his heart. SCHOOL BOARD.-A special meeting of the Board was held on December 16th. Present: Dr Morgan, chairman Messrs T. Hughes, Thomas Lewis, John Jones, D. W. Jenkins, head teacher; William Jones, attendance officer, and T. Morgan, clerk. The attendance list was examined and showed that the average attendance of the infants was very low owing to the severe weather of the past weeks. The attendance of the other children was fairly good, except the usual well known defaulters. The Board decided not to take any legal proceedings at present, because of the near approach of the Christ- mas holidays, but decided to rigorously enforce their attendance in the future.—Mr Tom Jenkins, Pontrhydygroes, was appointed to supply the school with coal.-Mr Jenkins, the head teacher, inforn,ed the Board of his intention to hold a concert on the 28th of this month towards providing tea and prizes for the children. Cheques were signed for the quarterly salaries aud other payments.

WESTERN SEA FISHERIES COMMITTEE. The quarterly meeting of the Western Sea Fisheries Committee was held at the Police Station, Barmouth, on Tuesday, when there weie present: Mr H. Bonsall (Aberystwyth) ,chairmjn, Mr Edmund Buckley, Alderman Lewis Lewis. Dr Lister, Messrs John Evaus, C.C., and Evan Jones (Barmouth), J. Jones Morris (Carnarvon), Humphrey Rowlands (Aberdovey), William Watkins (Criccieth), R. Casson (clerk), and the bailiffs. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The first business was the election of chairman for the ensuing year. Alderman LEWIS LEWIS proposed and Mr JOHN EYAS seconded the re-election of Mr Bonsall as chairman. The proposition was unanimously agreed to. The CHAIRMAN thanked the Board for re-electing him and said he took his re-election as an indica- tion that they thought he had done his best to discharge the duties of the chair during the past year. A SUGGESTION. Mr JONES MORRIS asked whether copies of the minutes were distributed among the members ? The CHAIRMAN said this was not done, though it might perhaps be advisable. Mr JONF-S MORRIS said it would be well that members, could see what was done at each meeting. If a member lost one meeting and he received a copy of the minutes, he would be able to follow the pr ceedings. The CLERK said the matter was discussed before but on the ground of expense and in view of the tact that the newspapers published fairly-full re- p: rts of the proceedings, it was decided not to print copies of the minutes. The CHAIRMAN said the Cambrian News published full reports of the mettings and he did not know whether it would be advisable to go into this expense. Ou the suggestion of Alderman LEWIS LEWIS, it was agreed not to do anything in the matter at present. THE REGULATIONS. The fishery officers brought in reports containing recommendations as to numbers of notice boards required to be posted up in the various districts and the best way of putting them up. On the proposition of Alderman LEWIS, it was dfcided that the bailiffs should put the notices up on their visits to the various districts and that: the police be asked to see that they were not interfered with. It was also agreed, on the motion of Mr JONES MORRIS, that the Committee should procure fif y notice boards of their own to avoid any troublet with other owners of boards. CO-OPERATION OF BAILIFFS. A letter was read from the Carnarvon Board of Conservators asking the Committee to direct their officer stationed at Pwllheli to co-operate with their Bailiff in suppressing illegal fishing at the mouths of the rivers where they feared a good deal of salmon were caught. Mr JONES MORRIS proposed that the officer b instructed to co-operate with the Conservators' Bailiff, The Committee might want similar assist- ance fr^m the Board of Conservators, Alderman LEWIS LEWIS took it that the Board of Conservators would make some remuneration to the officer and Mr PRITCHARD said he had a, very large district to supervise already. He looked after the river's mouth now. Mr JONES MORRIS—That is all that is wanted of you. He thought the question of remunerating the officer could very well be left until they saw what amount of work this would entail. Mr ROBERT JONES, water bailiff, said he had been co-operating with the salmon bailiffs for years and he had never been remunerated. If one was paid for this work, he thought all should. Alderman LEWIS LEWlS-I should like to know whose authority Mr Robert Jones has had for doing this ? I do not recollect that any application has been made by the Board of Conservators for his district. Mr JOHN EVANS-I have been a member fcr some years and I do not remember hearing such an application. Mr R IFPT JONES said the Clerk had many times mentioned the fact to the Committee that he was measuring the salmon nets. T» e CHAIRMAN said he personally felt very glad that such co-operation had been given. It showed the right spirit. He thought there should be more co-operation between boards of conservators and nea fishery authorities than was the case now. Mr JOXES MORRIS called attention to a section of the Act stating that the Committee's bailiffs could call upon the officers of the Board to assist them and the officers of the Board upon those of the Com- mittee. He wished to add a rider to his proposi- tion to the effect that the attention of the Carnar- von Board of Conservators be caPed to that section and that they be asked to instruct their bailiff to assist the Committee's bailiff. Alderman LEWIS LEWIS seconded the proposi- tion, believing that there should be some re'urn made by the Board of Conservators to the Com- mittee. The preposition was then agreed to, the question of making any remuneration to Pritchard being deferred. THE PROPOSED AMALGAMATION. The CLERK stated that an inquiry touching the proposed amalgamation with the Lancashire Sea Fishery district had been held at Carnarvon, the Committee being represented at it by the Chairman and himself. Another inquiry concerning the matter had been held at Liverpool which the Chair- man did not consider it necessary for any repre- sentative of that Committee to attend. FINANCE. The CLERK stated that the Finance Committee met that morning when the Clerk presented a balance sheet which showed that the balance in hand at the beginning of the year was fl4 Os Id. The Committee recommended the issuing of a pre- cept for E130 to cover expenses during tne coming year and JE60 officers' salaries. BAILIFFS' REPORTS. DEVELOPMENT OF MUSSEL FISUINO. Richard Davies, bailiff for th-* southern divi- sion,statpd in his report tha' the value of fish landed during the year was E314 less than previous year. S.,le fishing had been better, £128'g worth more being ciuglit. The herring fishing at Aberystwyth had been better, there being an increase of jE250 in the value of fish sold, but the mackerel fishing had been worse and there as a decrease of 1:289 in the sale as compared with the previous year. In the ssde of overfish there i'ad be-n a decrease of £ 17S. At Aberdovey the herring fishing was much IwttfT, hut the mussel in.?us rv had been wane, the decrease io the sale oeing £ 89. Only abut forty shillings' worth was .btiined during November. He had been trying to induce tho fishermen to cu'tivate this branch of fishing, but they were not willing to do so, as any- one W "0 hall rlnt incurred any outlay would have thti right to raise the mussels and reap the benefit. They akd the Committee to vote fifty shillings to be -pent for this object on the Dovey. At present many were anxious to farm if the C-'mmittee could prot- ct them. Between Llanrhys'yd ami Cardigan herring ifsning had been almost a fadure. Mackerel fiihing had tiot been up to the maik on account of he light winds. Trawl fishing bad to be elinquished for the t-ame reasou. Fishermen t-ported the ground to be well stocked. The i-.ck e beds in the district; had niver been in such a. I urUhing condition. Prawns were more plentiful han usual, but shrimps were very scarce. Crabs LnJ lobsters were more pl-iitiful and of better s'zes. :Ie had taken the bearings of a trawler suspected )f being within 'he limits and would report the natter after getting the name. The following were .he approximate values of fish landed during the ear: Aberystwyth, £ 2,162; New Q ay, £611; .Nrdigan, £ 25; Ab-rportn, £ 130; Llangranog, E15 Llan n, £ 40 Bnrth, JESS Aberdovey, £ 390 lowyu, £ 20; Tonfanau, £ 10; Llwyngwril, £ 241 rre'rddol aud Ynyslas (cockle ), £ 200 Llwyn- wfil to Cemmaes Head, £65; Llanrhystyd to Aber-yron (periwinkles), 1:225 Aberdovey (mu-^els), £51; total, £4.320, as compared with £ 4,006 last year. The report of the Bai, iff for the northern district was exceptionally favourable, the fishing on the whole having been better than it had been for year, In Carnarvon Bay, soles and other prime fish were more plen tiful tnan the oldest fisherman could renumb r David Pritchard, biiliff for the middle district, reported that no Hoylake trawlers had visited Cardigan Bay the last quarter, as they did very well mi their own grounds. Their absence allowed the fishing grounds to be re-stocked, and soles were reported to be more numerous than they had been for many years. Local trawlers had done remark- ably well, taking into consideration the stormy weather, light winds, and long spells of calms that prevailed. The crab and iobster fishing had been g od. Mackerel and loug-line fishing had been very good all along the coast. Mussel fishermen had been earning at Barmouth and Portmadoc as much as twelve shillings each per day at times. He found a great percentage of under-sized mussels sent away from Portmadoc and found the beach strewn with refuse and small mussels left by fisher- men. Had complained to the fishermen of this state of things. There was a great fall off in muss I fishing at Barmouth, owing partly to the young mussels not being removed to advantageous places to grow and to beds helow the bridge being; taken up iast yt-ar in which mussels only reached m ;rket.ible sizes every three years. If shifted to above the bridge and to suitable places, they would be marketable every nine (r twelve months. This branch of fishing could be more than doubled if m ans were 'aken to re-stock beds and form new bi-dn ar. oiffrnnt places along the coast. This would give employment to many people during the winter months. He was glad to report that h rrings tad re-appeared in great shoals in Pwll- heli hay after being absent for a period of fourteen •>r fifteen years Good catches were also made at Barmouth, Portmadoc, Criccieth, Nevin, and Fortiidinllain, and good prices were obtained. He expected that herring fishing would be carried on next year in Cardigan Bay on a large scale, as most of the fi3h had already spawned in the bay. The approximate values of fish caught during the year were as follows B-rmouth, t276 (mussels, £ 126); Portmadoc, jE568 (mussels, £ 50S) Criccieth, JE15 Pwllheli, £2,615 18s 8d; Neiiu and Porthdin- llaiu. L782 total, £ 4,153 18, 8d. The CHAIRMAN said the reports were very en- couraging. They found that local fishermen had been giving assistance to tne fishery officers in all the districts. The value of the fishing had in- creased year by year since the formation of that Committee. He had gone through the rough esti- mate of the value of the fish caught in the district during the year and it must have been over £ 12,000. Probably it was much more than that. From the statistics that had been given to the officers in the central and southern di-triita ap- proximately £ S,000's worth had been caught. He would say that the fish caught in the northern dis- tr ct would be a great deal mere than £ 4,000's worth. Mr ROBERT JONES—Sure to be more than that. The CHAIRMAN, proceeding, said they might well say that the small amount of E250 given to them y the county councils each year towards their expenses was, considering that the annual yield w«s over E12,000, very well expended and that they r chived a very good re urn for the money. That. Committee carried on its work in a qjiet manner, but he couid not help expressing the opinion that they were rendering valoaole service both to their own counties and to the large populations of Eng- land and the members must f-ei that they were recompensed for the labour and discomfort in at- tending te meetings. There wore directions in which improvements could he carried out. For in- stance, thH mussel industry in B rmou h and Aber- dovey was capable of gre% improvement at very !ittl cost. The officers without exception deserved the highest praise. Alderman LEWIS LEWIS said mussel fishing at Barmouth could be made a very profitable business. It was almost all profit. In the year 1898 he pre- vailed upm the fishermsn to remove toe young mussel and to replenish the beds that hud been nearly worked out, and as a result during that year over ninety t ns of mussels were sent fr m Bar- mouth to the various markets bringing in, he believed, uver £360. This year, he was sorry to say, the mussel men h id been either too cons- rvative or too 1 izy to re stock the beds >lLd now w re reaping the benefit of that, only 31 tons having be,-a taken. When Nli- Murray came dovn here he informed him (Mr Lewis) that the Committee had the power under an Act recently passed to gran an amount towards replenishing mussel he.;s. He therefore moved that the Committee should vote a sum of 1:2 JOs to be used uuder the supervision of the bai:iff in the removal of mussels to "dvantageous spots in the estuary and the replenishing of the beds. Mr JOHN EVANS seconded the proposition which was carried. On the proposition of Mr LISTER, seconded by Mr EDMUND BUCKLEY, it was agreed to grant the amount rt commended by the bailiff in order to replenish the mussel beds at Aberdovey.

AN EXPLANATORY CATECHISM. 1. What is Gw;llJrn-:a-s' Quinine Bitters ? An excellent vegetable Rem dy, pre par d in the most skilful and scientific manner, and containing the active princi pIes of thoseplants gen-rally acknow- ledged to be the best remedial agen's, aod to possess the most healing and curative properties. It is now extensively used in many countries, and everywhere acknowledged as the Best Tonic Remedy known. 2. What does it contain ? Quinine and the active principles of the following well-known herbs Sarsarpailla, Saffron, G ntian, Lavender, Burdock, and Daudelion, scientifically prepared, and in such happy propor ions as to form a Tonic Bitters positively unequalled. 3. What is its action ? It assists and promotes Digestion, s'rength^ns the Nerves and Muscles, purifies the Blood, enliv, ns the Spirits, and removes all Obstructions aad Im- purities in the Human Body. It gives ton' to the whole system. It strengthens and f .rt ties those part'j which have been weakened by Disease, and are consequently more liable to Cold:? and unlieilthful influences. It has gained the Highest Recom- mendations as the B ;st Family Medicine and a remedy for every kind of Weakness I ?I 3. What Diseases is it specially recommended Jor ■ Influenza, and the after effects of an attack of Influenza, Indigestion, Chest Affdons, and Diseases of the Liver in all their various forms, Ne uralgia and all Nervous Disorders, Depression of Spirits, General Weakuess, Loss of Appetite, Sleeplessness. 5. J Iu < patients confine themselves within doors when using it ? No the working man need not abstain from his labour the mother from her household duties, or the child be kept from school while using it. 6. is there any difficulty in procuring it ? There need be none, as it can be obtained of a!l Chemists and Patent Medicine Vendors, IT will be forwarded direct by the Proprietors, carriage free. on receipt of stamps. It is sold in bottl, s 2. 9d and 4s 6d each. Beware of Imitations. See the name, Gwilym Evans," on Label, Stamp and Bottle. Sole Propiietors Quinine Bitters Manufacturing Company, Limited, Llanelly, South Wales.