The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

EDITOIIIAL NOTES. Bread and cheese on an empty stomach was the unavailing excuse of a coachman who was charged with drunkenness whilst driving voters to the poll in London on Saturday. He was fined ten shillings. The forthcoming election of Guardians of the poor for the town of Aberystwyth will be of interest chiefly to the officials. This may not be clear now, but it will be clear enough later on, as we shall be able to show. At the Aberystwyth Town Council on Tues- day the question arose whether a sub-lessee could obtain a renewal of his lease. The Council agreed that he could. There is only one case in Aberystwyth where a sub-lessee has been refused a renewal of a lease, and our readers know where that premises is situated. « The anniversary of ST. DAVID was celebrated as usual at Aberystwyth by a dinner at the Talbot Hotel. As usual, Dr T. D. HARRIES made a speech. Anybody who wants to see whether Dr HARRIES grows wiser, or otherwise, with the lapse of time can read what he said. We have paid him the terrible compliment of reporting what he said. ♦ Mr DAVID DA VIES, Llandinam, willshortly come of age. We wonder if he knows how truly great a man his grandfather was. Some day, perhaps, he may be the member of Parliament for Cardiganshire. We should like to see him in his grandfather's place just as we are pleased to see Mr OSMOND WILLIAMS most worthily filling his father's place as the Liberal representative of Merionethshire. w It is suggested that to meet the cost of the war, necessaries of life should be retaxed- bread, sugar, and tea. Let the Government try it and there will be revolution. The poor at present pay very little taxation, and do not care how national affairs are mismanaged. Put a tax on bread and see what will happen. The Government is manned by fools, but they have more sense than to try this experiment. At Aberystwyth, last Saturday, there were three contests for seats in the County Council. For the fourth seat Mr D. C. ROBERTS was returned unopposed. Mr R. J. JON-Fs has defeated Mr ROBERT DOUGHTON. For the other two seats the old members were returned. Nobody, with one exception, will miss Mr ROBERT DOUGHTON. It is of no public importance whether Mr R. J. JONES or Mr DOUGHTON goes to the County Council. The County Council itself is of no importance, as at present constituted. It does nothing except a little private log-rolling. # Miners are beginning to question whether legislative restrictions on their hours of labour would be beneficial. We see no way to progress but the passing of a large number of restrictive Acts of Parliament so that people may learn that, after all, freedom is the only way to any progress that is worth having. By all means pass an Eight Hours Bill and any other Bill that fools think will get rid of men's right to do wrong if they please. When restrictive legislation has failed then reasonable methods may have a chance. ♦ ♦ The papers say that the attitude of the Pen- rhyn quarrymen is firm. Why not? It is also said that there are only about two hundred not employed. Why these paragraphs are invented it is difficult to say, as they cannot assist the men, and they are of no use to Lord PENRHYN. There are people who have schemes for the settlement of the dispute — London newspaper men but nobody wants their schemes. The men know how to settle the dispute when they are tired of it. It is not a dispute between the men and the employer, but between the Unionists and the non • • Unionists. • One of the most important, but not yet adequately recognized, educational movements of the age is what is known as University Extension. A good deal of University ex- tension work is being done in the United Kingdom, and just at present the movement is growing rapidly in Austria, under the direction of the University of Vienna. It seems to us that under the University Ex- tension system the whole of the edt cational forces, machinery, and requirements could be consolidated to the great advantage of the country. We have for some time contemplated publishing a series of articles on the subject, but they have been pushed aside by topics of greater local interest. • Mr D. A. THOMAS, M.P., made a speech on Monday at Aberdare. He said he had no doubt whatever that he would be able to work cordially with Mr KEIR HARDIE, his colleague. By the way, has Mr PRITCHARD MORGAN gone back to China ? Mr D. A. THOMAS said that he did not think a great deal of the Welsh Liberal party. Nor do we. But, as he said, it did good work in the days of the late Mr HENRY RICHARD and Lord RENDEL. There are, as Mr D. A. THOMAS knows perfectly well, too many head men in the Welsh Liberal party. Almost every one of them wants something for himself. Lord RENDEL ought to be the titular head of the Welsh Liberal party to-day, but national jealousy was too strong for him. There is a titular head, we believe, but the body is wagged by its tail. We do not know, how it is, but although Mr D. A. THOMAS al- ways impresses us as one of the strongest Welsh representatives in the House of Commons, he does not reach the thing that always appears to be within his grasp. As BROWNING says, 11 wantiiig is what." Perhaps it is only the times that are out of joint. We expect some- thing from him. Mr LLOYD GEORGE has already become a figure in imperial politics. We do not seem to know Mr BRYN ROBERTS, whom Mr D. A. THOMAS ranks high. At the Aberystwyth Council on Tuesday an application was made to erect a weir over the river Sheidol. If that application is granted the town will be seriously endangered. What is wanted is that the river should be deepened some feet all the way from Penybont bridge. A weir would shallow the river, and it is too shallow already. • «- DE WET has escaped. Of course. The best thing we can do is to conclude the South African war as soon as possible and persuade DE WET to be the Commander-in-Chief at any salary up to a million a year that he will accept. What could do more to inspirit the Boers than the revelations of General WOLSELEY? We believe that this war, after all, will save more money than it has cost. The revelations of incapacity are simply in- credible. The axe-grinders who had to do with the late Mr T. E. ELLIS'S memorial have blundered the whole scheme in their miserable selfish- ness and inordinate vanity and ignorance. We kept clear of it, for we knew that each man had his own axe in the shape of a scheme ready to be ground at the cost of the memorial fund. The muddle is com- plete, and humiliating as complete. It is a wonder the Committee did not put up a shilling wooden cross at the head of Mr ELLIS'S grave and devote the remainder of the fund to a scheme for distributing gold medals to deserving Welsh patriots! Why not refer the whole subject to be discussed at Llandrindod next September ? On Wednesday last, Mr A. CULSHAW, architect, 3, Union Court, Liverpool, gave his award in an Aberystwyth arbitration case. The claim was brought by Mr W. H. TRUSOOTT, Terrace-road, against Mrs WHITE and Messrs OWENS BROTHERS, builders. The case had been pending a long time. A sum of £50 had been paid into Court. The ARBITRATOR'S award was for ;M), so that the defendants will get back £20 and the applicant will have to pay the costs. No award has given greater satisfaction in the town for many years. Everybody feels perfectly satisfied that a wiser award could not have been made. It is some- times wise to settle with your opponent whilst you are in the way with him. At last the war has reached the people whose only feelings are in their pocket. A further demand of more than £ 58.000,000 is resulting in bitter cries from the blood and glory people. The great Jingo song never now gets beyond We don't want to fight." Humanity may not yet be staggered, but the British taxpayer is perfectly staggered. He never meant the bluster to cost well on to two hundred million pounds. 0, dear no He intended to double up the Boers and to take the country and make plain to an admiring and awe-struck world that GOD intends these nations to possess all the desir- able portions of the earth. We do not think any worse-or better-of war than we thought eighteen months ago. Perhaps the most con- temptible thing from the beginning until now is the attempt of people to take taxable articles out of bond so as to evade increased duties. 0, patriotism is a grand thing when you look it squarely in the face with the brag off. Lord WOLSELEY in the House of Lords, on Monday, made a statement which ought to be the ruin of the Conservative Government. He practically told the country that the manage- ment of the army is a game of chance. In fact there is no management. The Government were no more prepared to go to war than to go to heaven, and the whole thing was bungled through anyhow. The chastened sorrow of the Conservative papers is beautiful to see, and dead silence prevails in the Jingo camp. This country is not supposed to have a standing army, and Lord WOLSELEY has proved that it would have been a good thing for this country if there had been no army. We have, as yet, only had the beginning of the hideous muddle which has cost fifteen thousand lives and a hundred and fifty million pounds. The Liberals are out of this mess entirely-clean out of it. What a fools' paradise we do live in to be sure, and how happy we are in it! ♦ • At a recent meeting of the Associated Guild of Registries for Servants it was stated in a speech by Mr C. S. LOCH, of the Charity Organisation Society, that there are now one million seven hundred thousand domestic servants in the country. The average money wages of servants appears to be about R16 a year, or equal to something like sixteen shillings a week. Many servants receive far more than £ 16 a year. The demand for household workers increases with the growth of the population and wealth of the country. It is clear that an industry that counts one million seven hundred thousand workers is not to be despised. What the servant needs is special training. Every housekeeper seems to think that somebody else ought to train her servants for her. This is not how men of business act. Every crafts- man brings up youths to his craft. There is no work that might be more pleasant than household work if the servile element in it could be abolished, as it will have to be abolished. In the Yarmouth murder case the LORD CHIEF JUSTICE, in his summing up, said, "A great deal had been said in the course of the case on the conduct of the daily press. The "jury would agree with him that nothing could be more revolting, nothing could be more foreign to our idea of British justice than that a man should be tried and con- demned by the press before he had been heard. It was their duty to see that no injury was done to the case of the prisoner by the conduct of the press." Some of our critics are always asking us to try men. It would have been quite right for the newspapers to say that a murder had been committed, but it was not right that they should try and condemn BENNETT. We say, and we stick to it, that children are done to death in the dis- trict where this paper circulates, but we refuse to try individuals. We refuse to give instances. It is for the legally-constituted authorities to find the cases, and the offenders must be tried in the regular way, as at Llanbadarn last week, and not by us in these columns. week, and not by us in these columns. We say without hesitation that the town of Aberystwyth is mismanaged — there is abundant evidence of it everywhere-but it is not for us to accuse this man or that of illegal acts. Let those who are privileged bring the wrong home. We have only to do with the evil. Let the representatives of the ratepayers deal with the wrongdoers. The Yarmouth murderer has been tried and condemned by the legally-appointed authorities, but it was not for the newspapers to try and con- demn him. Their duty was only to call attention to the murder. The daily papers say that there is a consider- able amount of privation in the Bethesda district, many of the old hands formerly employed at the quarries being only intermittently instead of constantly employed as labourers. The trade of the district has suffered severely, Bangor being nearly, if not quite, as deeply affected as Bethesda in this respect. The past few days have witnessed another development of the situation, a number of slate merchants, usually regarded as regular customers of the Penrhyn Quarries, being now forced to seek their supplies else- where. A tentative agreement has been arrived at between these and the proprietors of certain quarries in the Nantlle Vale by which orders will be placed in those quarries if there be not before the end of the present month some prospect of an immediate re- opening of the Penrhyn Quarries. It is stated that an essential condition of this agreement is that orders now placed at Nantlle will be continued for a specified period even should the Penrhyn Quarries hereafter be reopened. Of course the slate trade will leave Bangor if the quarries remain closed. We do not under- stand people who act as if everybody was going to suspend their business because the Penrhyn quarries were closed. Who prepares these paragraphs for the daily papers? They are obviously not prepared in the interests of Lord PENRHYN, and they certainly do not advance the cause of the men. It would be very interesting to know how the paragraph we have given originated. The Machynlleth Guardians are said to be moving in respect to a nuisance that is too foul to be dealt with plainly in these columns. The time will come when the fruits of that nuisance will be reaped. We cannot deal with it adequately until then, and then we certainly will not mince matters. w • Last week, at Llanbadarn Petty Sessions, EVAN JEREMIAH JONES was sent to prison for four months for cruelty to his children. The case was a sad one. There are more of them, but they are difficult to deal with and can only be dealt with in the regular way. We could not try EVAN JEREMIAH JONES in these columns, nor could the Aberystwyth Town Council try him as they desired to try somebody not long ago for saying that these cases exist in the district. The muddle of the South African War must be terrible or the late COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF and the heads of the Government would not be in fierce conflict. The simple fact is that the Government have murdered fifteen thousand soldiers and wasted a hundred and fifty or two hundred millions of money, and sooner or later the people will insist on knowing who is to blame. Now then, let us have something smart about the flag of old England, and that sort of thing don't you know! O, how hideous is the whole ghastly performance. It is murder, neither more nor less, and our own children are the victims. On Tuesday night about a score of Irish members of Parliament refused to leave the House when a division was called. In the end about fifty policemen had to carry the greater number out after fierce struggles. The recalcitrant members said that money votes to the extent of about seventeen millions had been passed without Irish members having been allowed to be heard. The incident is called dis- graceful and all the rest of it, but it is very difficult to say whether this sort of incident does not tend to make the Government chary of limiting the power of members who, for any real power they possess, might as well be at home as in the House of Commons. Members complain that they have no chance of legislating, as their time is taken by the Government. If the Irish members do nothing else they show the remainder of the members that if they were so disposed it would be impossible to take their time and to prevent legislation. We have been assured scores of times by members of Parliament that they are absolutely powerless in the House of Commons. The Irish make an effective protest against this powerlessness, whatever else may be said about them. The other day when the University College of Wales was asking for help to start a Marine Laboratory we said that the right course was to start the laboratory and then ask for help. Here is information from a newspaper The Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries Committee have arranged a "collection of specimens illustrating the "scientific and administrative work of the "Committee at the Marine Laboratory, Peel, near Barrow-in-Furness, under the charge of "iVr Andrew Scott, their analytical chemist. The exhibition is open to the general public "every week day from ten o'clock, until March 15th, when it will be closed to make way "for the fishermen's classes. The classes are 11 intended to improve the knowledge of Lancashire fishermen, and each man will "receive £ 5 to cover his expenses for a fort- night. The exhibition will be re-opened after "the classes are concluded, on April 30th, and will then remain on view until further "notice." As we have stated scores of times, what the College has to do is to provide what is necessary and then to ask for help. This is what Owen's College, Manchester, does. The Aberystwyth College should not expect associa- tions, or governments or individuals to join in trying experiments. What is wanted at the Aberystwyth College is courage, business in- sight and capacity, and frank recognition of conditions. Any help we give the College has to be given by main force as we are giving it now.

BARMOUTH CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOUR.—A meeting of the Christian Endeavour Society of Caersalem Church was held last week, the Rev Gwynoro Davies pre- siding, when a piper was read on the Celebrities of Wales by Mr Chas. Jones. STORM. — On Friday aftet noon a g-Ale of consider- able dimensions blew in this district. Some win- dows were smashed and on the road leading to the Panorama Walk, the verandah of Lady Legge's bungalow was blown down bringing with it the two chimneys. COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTION. The County Council election took place on Saturday. The only contest in the immediate district was at Llanab-r, where the result was as follows Owen Jones, Bontddu, 68 K P. Jones, Llwyndu, 38; Bennet Williams, Parcel, 16. VISITORS.—The town appears to be increasing in popularity as a winter resort. There are now several parties staying on the Marine-terrace, Porkillglon.terrace, and other parts of th* town. The weather has not been ideal on the whole, but there hhve been occasional spells of fiae, sunny weathfcr. SUNDAY SCHOOL EXAMINATION.— Last Sunday the annual examination of the MeihodUt Sunday schools of the district was held at Caersalem Chapel. The examiners were Mr Martin Williams, Mr David Jones (Dyffryn), and Mr Griffith Thomas (Penrallt, Llanfair). The examination was held a month sooner than usual, but the candidates are believed to have done very well. MARRIAGE.—The marriage took place at Pwllheli on Thursday of last week of Mr John Williams, Cambrian House, Barmjuth, and Miss Matilda Jane Roberts, Chester House, Pwllheli. The ceremony was performed at the Penian Independent Chapel, Pwllheli, by the Rev. J. J. Jones, B.A., in the presence of Mr Griffith, registrar. The bride was given away by her father. The bridesmaid was Miss Roberts, sister of the bride, and Mr Morris Jones, Barmouth, acted as best man. At the conclusion of the cere- mony a reception was given at the house of the hride's parents to which about twenty guests were invited. The guests were afterwards driven in a charabanc to Nevin and back. The newly married couple left by the eleven train,foliver- pool to spend their honeymoon. Numerous pre- sents were received by Mr and Mrs Williams from friende at Barmouth and Pwllheli. COUNTY SCPOOL.-A meeting of the Managers of the County School was held on Monday afternoon, Mr W. J. Morris presiding There were also pre- sent Mr Lewis Lewis, the Rev D. Evans, M.A.. Dr D. A. Hughes, the Rev Z. Mather, Mr Hugh Evans, Mrs Wynne Williams, the Rev D. Davies, Mexsrs John Davies, and John Evans, with Mr J. Lloyd, clerk, and Mr F. D. Jones, headmaster. A vote of condolence with the Headmaster in a recent family bereavement was passed. The Chairman was asked to confer with the Architect in reference to the dampness in the school walls and the repairing of the kitchen range. Mrs Gwynoro Davies and Miss Evans, 2, Porkington. terrace, were appointed school visitors for the next month. THE NEW RATE.—A special meeting of the Urban District Council was held on Tuesday afternoon for the putpose of deciding upon a new rate. Mr H. Wynne Williams presided, and there were also present Messrs E. Richards, J. Richards, D E Davies, Edward Williams. William Owen, B. J. Allsop, Evan Jones, and T. Abrahams, with Mr Owen Jones, acting clerk, and Mr John Adams, surveyor.—The estimate had been before the General Purposef4 and the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee in their report stated that unless the General Purposes Committee could not see their way to reduce their estimate they could not recommend the Council to levy a rate under five shillings.—The Clerk read the estimate, which showed that there was a deficit in estimated receipts from all sources last year of £200. The other chief items were—sewerage £40, water supply, 950 main road, £610; other roads f65 scavenging, &c., £ 200; public lighting, £ 135; instal- ments aud interest on Joans, £ 2.292 16s 6d; ditto pro- posed loans, £ 20 salaries, C250 establishment charges, 9250. The chief deductions from these w.-re-Amouat cf water rate, 91,000; repayment by the County Council of moiety of the salaries, £ 37 ditto of 'noiety cf maintenance of main roads, £ 610; water ratef, &c., JE140. The total sum to be raised by means of a general and district rate was 92,683 3s 6d. The Clerk said a 4s 6d rate would produce 92,586 I2s. —Mr Abraham remarked that if it had not been for the dispute with the County Council over the mainteiaaxjce of main roads the rate would only be 4s 3d or even less.—Mr William Owen observed tl at several new houses I would be occupied soon after the beginning of the financial year, and Mr D. E. Davies, who is one of the overseers, paid the nett ratable value of new houses which had already been taken was £450. This was without counting houses which had been built but had not yet been let.-It was pointed out that f20 had been provided in the estimate for a claim in respect of an accident to a motor car and as six months had elapsed and no claim had been made, it was decided to eliminate this amount, on the proposition of Mr Alleop.-In view of Mr D. E. Davies's statement and the deduction of thts sum it was then considered that a 4s 6d rate would be sufficient.—Mr Abraham: How about the f610 due from the County Council. Are we sure of gettingl that ?-Mr Allsop We. must have that matter settled as soon as possible Mr Allsop then proposed that a 4s 6d rate be made. Mr Edward Williams seconded the proposition and it was agreed to unanimouslv.—Mr Allsop With a little diplomacy we shall pull through all right.—A water rate of 2i as hereto- fore was also agreed ,upon.—Mr Allsop remarked that it would be a great disappointment to some persons who had prophesied that the general aud district rate would be 6i 6d this time.—Mr Abraham said they were indebted to Mr Davies for the information he had given them.—Mr Davies said there was an item of JC66 which could have hen deducted but it was better to leave it in so as to be on the safe side. PERSONAL. — On Tuesday last Mr G. Lloyd Williams, Marine House, left for London en route for South Africa. Mr Williams had been engaged tin serve in the drapery business at Duban under a London firm. Being ane of the most popular young men in the to n, his friends took advantage of his departure, combined with the anniversary of St. David's Day, to hold a banquet at the Marine Hotel in his honour. 0?er forty partook of a most excellent dinner prepared by Miss Davies fcr the occasion. The chair was taken by Dr D. A. Hughes, and the vice-chair by Mr R. Jones, North aud South Wales Bank. In the course of the evening a presentation was made to Mr Williams by the President on behalf of a number of friends of a cigarette and match boxes, solid silver, beautifully engraved. In presenting this momento, the President assured the ree-pent hat he has tho very best wishes of his comrades for his success in the fnture. He hoped that out of that beautiful case he would eDj-iy many a cigarette nnder the southern sun while his recollec- tions would fly back to the kind friends who had given it. Mr Williams very suitably acknowledged the gift-though it was evident he was labouring under a feeling that threatened at every sentence to overcome him. He said that the good feeling shown him, both in words and action, quite astounded him, for he failed to know what be hud ever done to deserve it all. He was glad, how ever, to think that he left his native pl-ce with no illfeeling towards anyone and he did not think any fcuch fueling was feit towards him. If Pp ireci, he would long rememb, r their kiud wishes and actions and if ever any one of them came to South Africa and came across him, he hnpeci to have a bun in the cupboard and he assured them that nothing would give him so much delight as to share it. (This expression was leedvpd with ring- ing cheers because all present know Mr Williams' kind nature). He is one of the foremost athletes of the town and has won several prizes as a cyclist, as a member of footbball team, and as captain of the Cycling Club. One of the toasts of the evening was Sports and Pasttime." This toast was entrusted to Mr D. Oswald Davies, who treated the subject with the ability of an experienced partisan in manly sports. -Mr J. Jones responding paid a tribute to the assistance rendered by Mr E. Buckley and Major T. W. Best in organising field sports at different times, and also to the active part taken by Mr G. Ll. Williams in carrying out the arrange- ments.—The Vice-President aho responded to the toast, and spoke at length upon the advantages of participating in manual exercises, giving incidents i f daring deeds on the South African battlefields, done by footballers and golfers.—" The Guest of the evening" was given by Mr. Crump, who enumerated the past exploits of Mr Wittia-ns on the sporting field and t,rAck.-The Guest's suitable response was received with a hearty rendering of "He's a jolly good fellow."—A recitation was given by Mr Rose, and the following contributed to the musical programme :—Mr D. Oswald Davies, Mr E. M. Evans, Mr Edward Davies, Mr W. Bull and Mr H. E. Williams. Mr W. Williams pre- sided at the piano. The handsome cases for presen- tation were procured from Mr P. G. Owen, jeweller. The usual vote of thanks to the Hostess and others, especially Mr Merton and Mr Crump, who so successfully carried out the arrangements, brought a very enjoyable evening to a close by the sInging of the National Anthem —On Sunday, Mr Williams was further presented by the Wes- leyan Sunday School with a handsomely-bound Bible, while his teacher, Mr J. Jones, and his colleagues in the Sunday School class presented him with four beautiful volumes of the English and Welsh poets. On Sunday evening, touching refer- ences were made to his departure and kind advice given by the Pastor (the Rev D. Jones) and elders of his Church. RATEPAYER'S MEETING.—A meeting of the rate- payers was held at the Board School on Monday, 4th March. under the auspices of the Ratepayers Union, Mr William Griffith, chairman of the union, presiding. Mr J. Pryce Jones, a member of the executive, being called upon to explain the object of the meeting, stated that at the last meeting of theUnion four candidates were unanimously elected j as the Union candidates for the four vacant seats on the Urban District Council. Subsequently, however, the Rev Gwynoro Davies-who was one of the candidates—expressed himself reluctant to cause an election as the Union's candidate, in face of treachery practised by the Union at the last election. Consequently the executive of the Union had met and written to Mr Davies and asked for a definite assurance that he would stand. A letter was read which amounted practically to the same thing as conveyed in the rev. gentleman's speech upon the previous occasion, viz that he would pledge himself to the Union on condition that the members of the Union would pledge themselves individual'y to act faithful to their pnnciples. -Councillor Evan Jones said that this pltdge was included in the rules of the Union, beyond which they could not go.—The Chairman said that he concluded from the Rev G. Davies' speech and letter that he intended to come forward as a candidate. The Union had already given their pledge to the four and he thought their best policy was to adhere to that pledge, come what may.—Councillor William Owen said he felt much sympathy with Mr Davies in this juncture when he recollected what happent.d last year. Mr Hugh Evans had been one of the very best members that ever sat on their Board. He spared neither time nor expense in serving the ratepayers. He was the chosen candidate of the Union and yet at the election he was superseded by a non-unionist. It was better for the Union to be half its numerical strength than harbour treacherous members on its rolls. Mr G. Williams, Marine-road, asked if the Union was strong enough to assure the return of its chosen candidates ?— The Chairman replied that if he joined (as every ratepayer ought to join) the Union would be the stronger by one. -Mr Griffith Edwards explained that the fact of one Union candidate failing to secure a seat at the last election was not a logical conclusion that any member had played fa'se, as the majority of the ratepayers after all were non-unionists.—Capt Evans asked what expense would be incurred by an election, and was answered from £10 to £ 15.—Mr James considered there was much ado about nothing. All they could do was to stick to their rules, and if any member was known to break Rule 14, let him be expelled. He did not see that the Union could do more than had already been done. -Councillor Evan Richards, another of the four candidates, assured the meeting that since he had been elected he would stand or fall in by the Union, and if the Union was true to itself he saw no possibility of an outsider securing a seat on the Council.—Councillor D. E. Davies assured the meet- ing that to attend faithfully and diligently to the duties incurred meant much loss of time and a certain amount of sacrifice, especially for a man in business, for by being true to the principles and best interest of the ratepayers one often had to act antagonistically to the feelings of a friend or best customer. Therefore he was not in the least anxious to be re-elected and they were at perfect liberty that evening to elect another in his place. On the other hand, however, if they wished him to represent them he would stand an election with pleasure through thick and thin. He assured all present that during his three years of office he had done what he could in their interest and would con- tinue to do so as long as he represented them.—Mr Davies explained that notwithstanding the improvements carried out of late years, the] Council still had power to borrow a much larger sum. -Mr W. J. Morris remarked that they would be sure to do so, when Mr Davies pertly retorted that perhaps they were now paying off debts incurred by Mr Morris and his colleagues in the past. Mr Davies said that probably the rate which they were about to make would be as near as possible as follows —General and district rate, 4s 61, and water rate, 2s. Over £ 40 had been saved in keep ing their own horses in the past year. He very much hoped that in the near future they would see the boundary of the district extended so that those who brought their produce into the town and in other ways benefited by living close to Barmouth would have to bear a part of tie burden. -Mr W. J. Morris, J.P., proposed and Mr Robert Griffith seconded that the Union pledge itself to the re-election of the four retiring members and this was carried unanimously.—The next business was the nominating of candidates for the seven vacant seats on the School Board. It was an- nounced that the Rev Z. Mather did not seek re- election and, as only one of the present school board members (Mr W. J. Morris) was a member of the Union, it was resolved that the Secretary should write to each one asking then to become members of the Union and also to ask them if they would leave their case in the hands of the Union with the object of avoiding a contest.—Mr D. Oswald Davies and Mr Ellis Pugh Jones, both members of the Union, were named in addition to the six present members who are candidates fnr re-election, with the power of adding any further names at the next meeting.

METALS—Lead was an erratic market—Spanish was first paid at £ 14 2s 6d for a small quantit., but realised as low as C13 12a 6d, subsequent traB: saction passing at E14, with sellers over at the close; English, about £ I4I2 6d.—Spelter dull G.O.B.'s, £17 5a, sellers special brands, £17 15s.

PENNAJU. OBITUARY.—We regret to have to record the death of Mts Elizabeth Evans, Cwrt, at the ripe age of eighty-five years. She was the wife of the late Mr Evan Evans of Glegyrogwen and mother to Mrs John Rees, Yoys, and Mrs Ann Rees, Glan- Iniorfa. She was buried at Towyn week last Wednesday, the Rev O. E. Williams officiating at the house and the Rev Titus Lewis at the grave. LITERARY SOCIETY.—A literary meeting in con- nection with Pennal and Bryniau C.M. Sunday Schools was held on St David's Day in the chapel, The leader was Mr Ifor Jones, and the musical adjudicator, was Mr H. S. Roberts, Corris. The winners were-R. Jones, Penrhynbach, essay on regeneration; A. M Evans, and Sarah Jones, equal for first, and Mary Davids and W. James, Esgair, equal for second for essay on John the Evangelist by competitors above 20 E. Maurice Williams, J. D Davies and T James for competitors under 16 Edith Jane Rees, Ynys, and A. Price Rees, Ynys, equil first; A. M. Evans, second, and W. Jam,s third for best an- swers by competitors under 21 and Daniel D. Jones, E. M. Williams, and J. D. Evans, for under 16; Edward Jones, Cyllellog and D. James for written examination on the history of Jesus Christ; Gwilym Dyfi for memorial verses to the late Rev Robert Oxen, Pennal Pennal Choir of twelve led by Mr T. R. Jones won against the Bryniau Choir in singing Cor C»ersale*i D. T Jones, Lilly Owen, and Annie Latham for trio T. K. Jones and T. John for duet; Susannah Jones fcr solo; J. Rowland Morgans, Machynlleth, for tenersolo W. James, Maethlon, and T. John, equal for bars solo; M. Jane Davies and Catherine Jones equal first; and Kite Rees second for solo by children under 16 E. M. Williams for recitation, Neb ond Iesu Anniel Williams and Arthur O. Williams equal for r citation by children under 10; Ethelwyn M. Will:ams and D. T. Pugh equal for answers and D. James for answers both on the Holwyddovey Annie Williams and A. O. Williams equal for answers on Rhodd Mam; Ethelwyn M. Williams, Catherine Jones, Penrhynbach, and D. T. Pugh, for children who narrate best in Society after hearing the sermon, from December to February R. J on6 for the best potato basket; and Mary Jones, Cyllellog, and M. Owen Maetblon, for the bst stockings. The judgts were the Revs O. K. Williams, Brynawel D. James, Llanegryn R* R. Williams. Towyn R. H. Watkins, Bryncrug Mews Rowland Humphreys, Taiiit-wyddion; J. T. Parry, Esgairweddan Edward Rowland, Shop y Bont John J. Rowland", Marchlyn David Evans, Gwtrniato H. A. Jon s, Gwyndy Robert H. Evans, Gwerniago; Richerd Rees. Shop y Gwrt; Owen Jones, Owyndy; Richard Jones, Graiandy and Miss Williams, RhydgaledjMr Hugh Jones, Graiandy, acted as secretary.

PENLLWYN. THE POST OFFICE.—After many years of waiting it is now certain that the post office at this place will be extended on the 1st of April next for money order and saving- bank business. The people of the neighbourhoods of Penllwyn, Cap--I Madog, Part of Goginau, Cwmrhediol, Capel Seion, and that part from Love's Grove to Tynllidiard will derive much advantage when this matter is accom- plished.

mparts attb A, thtetics. HOCKEY. DR. WILLIAMS' SCHOOL, DOLGELLKY V. THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR GIRLS, ABERYSTWYTH. Played on the Intermediate School ground, kindly lent for the occasion on St. David's Day. The weather was rather unfavourable, the ground being decidedly slippery. A fair sprinkling of spectat ra watched the game with much interest. The Dolgelley team were handicapped by the absence of their Captain. They wore white tam'o'shanters and blouses with black ties and skirts with green and white rosettes, while the High School wore light and dark blue costumes. The visitors played down the hill during the first half and looked as if they were going to give a good account of themselves, tcoring a well-earned goal twenty minutes after tile start of the play. This roused both teams, most of the play for the rest ot the half being in mid-field, however, neither side getting very dangerous. In the second half the High School put considerably more dash into their play and had drawn level before the game was ten minutes old. After this they continued to have the best of the matter, adding four more goals, the game finally ending five to one in favour of Aber- ystwyth. The Dolgelley team were playing their first match, and though in the second half a beaten team played up pluckily and cheerfully to the very end. Several members of the team showed very good form at times and as a whole they should do well with further experience. The High School were slow in getting on the ball in the first half, I but woke up to some purpose later on. The for- wards led by their captain on the inside-left put much dash in'o their play and combined well at times. The back division all did fairly well, the centre-half putting in a great deal of useful work. The teams were as follows :—High School For- wards, D. White, Miss Dalley (captain), D. Lloyd- Jones, Irene White, M. Turle half-backs, M. Walker, W. Smith, A. Mac Call backs, D. Thomas, A. Grant goal, Miss Marles Thomas. Dr, Williams' School Forwards, M. Jones, E. Smalley, B. Smalley, M. Griffith, A. Samuel half-backs, H. Banbury, A. Jones, Miss A. M. Jones backs, Miss Turner, R. Waring goal, Miss Titley.

IS THERE TERRORISM? LORD PENRHYN says, and nobody will dare to question the statement, that there are hundreds of the men who used to be em- ployed in the quarries who are anxious to ork, but who dare not return to work. They were not, Lord PENRHYN said, afraid I of him: they were not afraid of Mr YOUNG. They were afraid of an unseen tyranny I which they knew very well existed among them. We all know what the tyranny is. It is the tyranny that call? a man blackleg who is not a Trades Unionist. The tyranny that has no faith in prin- ciples that is not bucked by brute force. ileii h we a righL-nobody questions the tight—to belong to Trades Unious, but QUght im n who do not desire to belong to Trades Ui • ioiiS to be torced to belong to them or starve 1 We know quite well "'hat the force is that hinders the laotti,-sda quarrymen from returning to Work. We know when and how the force started, and until it is made clear Once for all that the Bethesda quarries Ore not to be dominated by outsiders there will be no lasting peace. It is nOt Lord PENRHYN who prevents the ltlen from joining the Union, and it is now perfectly clear to men of evpn les than average intelligence that it, is not "ny sentimental grievance that keeps the ^en from work, but sheer terror of a Power that depends on force and starv- ation for success. On Sturday last Mr :BURT, M.P., said at Coventry that Trades Unions are essentially fighting bodies. "e do not object to their fighting, but el 0 Ught they to fight the workmen 2 It c lbity be true that working men n tnU8t fight. We have no objection to their el fighting, but ought they not to allow those" who do not agree with their! principles and methods to live? If work-1 ltlg men have a mind to adopt coercive Measures against themselves well and Rood, but is it right that hundreds of tnen should be afraid to work lest they 4hould become the victims of a force 'gainst which individually they cannot ^ccerssfully contend ? We have nothing Whatever to say against the gospel of !3 6 lQail1 force as long as it comes into the ()peu and avows itself. Freedom may be n utter delusion and the Trades Unionist ^ay be perfectly justified in compelling to starve who are so constituted as to imaguie that they have, I). right to r!1 their daily bread by honest labour Tjen if they are not Trade U nionists. R BURT says that all the leaders of I, the Trade Union movement have, under <« acl verse conditionr, done all that was 'I Possible to conciliate and reconcile the I, c°nfHct\ng interests of capital and I, labour, and endeavoured to substitute II the arbirrament of reason for the stupid «, atld cruel arbitrament of force in the Vj^pe strike* and lock-outs." Will r fcuRT tell Wales why the stupid aUd cruel arbitrament of force" should J^ail fu, Bethesda 1 Lord PENRHYN has Ejected to Trade Unionists working quarries. Why should Trades f ni0'usts object to those who are not Unionists working there1? It was 0 1 ^0llSht some years ago that Lord PENRHYN's ^ies were a most suitable field for trying r })(J;:rlInents in something far more im- tb arit to the advanced Labour advocates is an. lUp,re Trades Unionism. That scheme ^UU°W hopeless and lias been abandoned. iis ^re Trades Unionism. That scheme the struggle goes on as to whether the non-Unionists shall be driven from the quarries or be forced into the Union. Lord PENRHYN says they shall neither be driven from the quarries nor be forced into the Union as a condition of work- ing in the quarries, and so comes the deadlock. Let Mr BURT say the con- ciliatory word in this instance. He may have said it. We know how little in- fluence the conciliatory word has when men are on the war-path. We ourselves have been accused of every possible offence because of the attitude we have taken up in this matter. And yet it, will not make a farthing difference to us whether the quarries are worked or not, or whether Bangor is successful or not, or whether Lord PENRHYN prevails or not. or whether the Quarrymen's Union is successful or not. There are many aspects of Trades Unionism as wrong as wrong can be, but whatever may be the present aspect of the Bethesda dispute, there was something more than Trades Unionism at the bottom of the dispute at the start. We know something about Trades Unions— something about their use and abuse. There is no reason whatever why Unionists and non-Unionists should not work together on quite friendly terms. We are not now going to argue that question, however. The Trades Unions think that it is wise to keep the quarries closed. Very well, let them keep the quarries closed. More lesions than one will be quickly learnt now the United Kingdom knows that they are kept closed not by the wilfulness, or stupidity, or greed, or ill-temper of Lord PENRHYN, but in obedience to the dictation of the Trades Unions, who wish to force a large num- ber of honest, intelligent men into the ranks of Trades Unionists against their own will and judgment. Lord PENRHYN said nothing on Friday about surrender. There is nothing to surrender. The quarries are open and the men can return to work when they are ready to return—that is, when they are no longer afraid of whatever it is they are afraid of. The complicated issues of last October have been greatly simplified. Six months have done a great d-.al to enable the public to judge whether or not Lord PENRHYN is the tyrant he was repre- sented to be, and whether Mr YOUNG is the born foe of the defenceless quarryman. The Trades Unionists say that the quarries shall not be worked, except under certain conditions. Hun- dreds of men believe t,hat if they went to work they would be molested. The Trades Unionists have their own way and must have their way until either they change their minds, or until the quarrymen who are willing to work put the alleged terrorism to the test. It may be that nobody would attempt to hinder the quarrymen who went to work, and that the whole story of terrorism has no more real existence than the Builth tiger or Lord PENRIIYN'S imaginary rejoicing in the sufferings of L his workmen. Let an emphatic assurance of this kind be given by the Trades Unions and then we shall see how the matter really stands. There is a great opportunity for Mr BURT if he is able to take it, but we know how cautious the representative of workmen has to be. He must walk warily or he may be accused of having sold the workmen's cause to their enemy for even less than a mess of pottage.

CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS COMPANY. The seventy-fourth half-yearly meeting of the Cambrian Railways Compiny was held in London on Wednesday of last week under the presidency of Mr Humphreys Owen, M.P. In the course of his speech, the CHAIRMAN said the receipts of the Company showed an increase of £5,608 and the expenditure an increase of £ 7,9S5. Included in th., expenditure for the half- year, £ 1,06S was spent on Scafell and Doughty bridges, and the Cnigydon bridge at Aberdovey had been substantially built of iron. A new crossing-place had been provided at Talerddig at fl,153 to facilitate summer traffic the renewal of the line with heavy materials had cost £2,731, and strengthening Bar- mouth Bridge was charged with £ 3,200. The sum of £ 3,177 had been spent in additional cattle waggons and f448 had been spent on new machinery at the shops, it being found that the Company could build more economically than purchase. Two new locomotives were being built for the summer traffic, they being the first locomotives turned out of the Company's shops. The estimates of further expenditure included £ 4,000 for extension of works at Oswestry £1,500 for strengthening the per- manent way with heavier material and £ 2,500 towards Barmouth Bridge. The receipts showed a satisfactory increase. There was a slight decrease from first-class passengers, but that was more than made up by £2,606 increase in second-class and thongh third-class passengers showed a reduction of 20,061, the revenue was increased by £829, showing that the passengers travelled longer distances and were mainly tourists. There was an increase in parcels and mails, but merchandise gave a df crease of £ 2,262, due principally to the decrease in materials for Birmingham waterworks. Live stock showed an increase of £1,398 and minerals, 1:1,068. Coal had cost £5.614 more, the average price being 14¡0-69d per ton against 10/2 06d in 1899. The traffic expenses showed an increase of £ 1,883. of which f.1,054 was for wages. The total working expenses for the half- year amounted to L-114,214 and the total traffic receipts 1;] 74 024, leaving a balance of ;E64,8161 which, with the balance from the previous half- year, made a total of £ 75,071. The Company was thus able to ray the full interest on A B and C debenture stock for the half-year. etc., full four per cent. interest for the twelve months on the D stock and to eirry forward £ 2,169. The adoption of the report, moved by the Chair- man, having heen seconded by Mr Bailey Hawkins, Mr Bryant moved that the L. and N. W. should first be approached, then the Midland, and next the G. W. should be approached in view of the purchase of the railway. Mr EDWARD POWELL seconded the proposition and thought if the directors increased facility for travelling, both shareholders and public would benefit. Let them take the case of Aberystwyth which was one of the most important places on the Cambrian Railways. Even twenty or thirty years ago, Aberystwyth was one of the largest watering places'in Wales, but now during the twenty-four hours, only three trains left London for Aberyst- wyth. One left at 10 o'clock at night, another 5-15 a.m., and another one at 10-15 a.m., and practically Aberystwyth was served by one train, for leaving out the 10-15 a.m., a passenger would have to travel all night or get up at four o'clock in the morning. There were three trains to London from Aberystwyth and one was a night train. He desired to remind them that places like Rhyl, Llan- dudno, places without the attractions of Aberyst- wyth, had an immense number of trains. When this was pointed out to the officials of the Cam- brian, they replied that the places on the north had more traffic, but he would now take Penmaeo- ma'" r, which was not so important as Aberystwyth. What did they find at Penmaenmawr? They found that six trains ran to and from London each day. How, then, conld they expect Aberystwyth to flourish when served in this manoer ? The CHAIRMAN, replying, said as to the com- parison of Rhyl and Llandudno with Aberystwyth, the former places were on the main Hue. The L. and N. W. were quadrupling the lihe, and were thus enabled to give conveniences to comparatively small stations, and he only wished they had a place half as good as Penmaenmawr on the Cam- brian line. The report was then adopted, and the mover anJ seconder only voted in favour of trying to sell the undertaking. A proposal to confirm the Bill now bcfure Parliament was agreed to. and the meeting separated on a vote of thauks to the Chairman.

MAYOR for his speech. It explains so much and makes all the rest so easy. The elements decay the seats, or the iron railings, or a groin, or some wooden fenc- ing. The Corporation looks on pitiful, hut helpless. It cannot compete with the elements, and the whole thing is allowed to rot and fester and decay until the sun and the wind come in and do what is necessary Somebody goes and cuts the streets up. There are resolutions on the Corporation hooks that the streets shall be repaired by the Corporation officials, after notice, and the cost charged to those who do the damage. Far be it from us to try and hold the Corporation to its own resolutions. It may depend entiiely upon who offends whether a re- solutior. is carried or not. Perhaps the Corporation cannot compete with those who set its resolutions at defiance any more than it can compete with the elements. We are so sorry that we have expected from the Corporation more than it could do. We have been labour- ing under the illusion that it was part of the ordinary work of the Corporation to see that the streets of the (own were not ankle-deep in mud and that when the Gas Company, or the Electric Lighting Company, or owners of privave houses opened the streets for any purpose, it was the duty of the Corpora- tion, not only to see that the streets were promptly made good again, but that they r, in were made good at the cost of the proper people. Perhaps some of the rate- payers of the town have been labouring under a similar illusion. Well, we are all wrong-utterly and completely wrong. If it rains we must put up with muddy streets if it does not rain, but blows, we must put up with flying dust if the sea throws up pebbles on the Parade, or the boatmen put their boats there, or the ground sinks, we must try and be content. These things are more or less caused by the elements, and the Aberyst- wyth Corporation cannot compete with the elements. According to the MAYOR'S theory the Aberystwyth Corporation is of very little use, but the members of it are quite satisfied with themselves and we hope the ratepayers will try to be equally satisfied with them. We apologise to the members of the Aberystwyth Cor- poration. We have for years done them the cruel injustice of presuming that they were intended to be of some use. We now discover that the very things we thought they ought to do are left to the element". It seems to us that under the circumstances we might have been en- lightened tooner. Why has the in- ability of the Corporation to compete with the elements been kept secret so long ? Why were the ratepayers not informed that the Corporation is power- less to compete with companies and others who tear up the streets and leave them all hills and hollows It is just possible that the ratepayers may not agree with the doctrine of the Corporation's utter irresponsibility and incompetency, but we shaH see. Now we understand I tin Penparke rubbish, the Town Hall disorder, the Smithfield-road raggedness, the Plascrug road quagmire, and many another muddle. The Corporation turns tail at the elements. Look, for instance, at the miserable condition of the fence on the land owned by the town-the Flats. The whole thing is in ruins, but this is the work of the elements—and boys. If the Corporation cannot com- pete with the elements it certainly ought not to be expected to compete with beys. We suggest, and trust that tn' the bulk of the ratepayers will agree "With us, that the Corporation, after being put out of its misery, should be Wrapped carefully in cotton wool, enclosed in glass cases, and sent forthwith to the University College of Wales Museum labelled Ancient village survivals."