The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

DOLGELLEY AND THE COUNTY COUNCIL. WHETHER the Dolgel!ey Council have a good claim against the County Council or not is a matter that could only be settled by a trial. The County Council must feel that they have a good defence against the claim or it would have been met, unless this is one of those un- fortunate instances in which the rural and the urban elements in County Councils come into conflict. There is a good deal at stake besides the money, 5 and we are not sure that for the sake of the future it would not be wise to abstain from arbitration, even if the chances of victory were great. A public meeting is always more or less of a lottery, and it is scarcely fair for members of local bodies, who have all the means of forming careful judgments before them, to submit a complicated case to a meeting of ratepayers and ask for their decision. A public meeting is not a body that can balance evidence. There seemed to be a disposition on Tuesday to discuss the matter quite reasonably, and we have no doubt the ratepayers will concur in whatever the, Council thinks is best. The only point that requires care is to see that the Council does not drift into an undesir- able position. Whatever is done should be done deliberately. Mr W. R. WILLIAMS we think was wise in with- drawing his resolution. If the ratepayers want to express their opinion let them call a public meeting, or sign a memorial, or send a deputation to the Council. There are plenty of ways of letting the Council know what the rate- payers think, but it is hardly the duty of the Council to ask the ratepayers for their opinion at this late stage of the proceedings.

BACK TO THE LAND. NOTHING is more comic than the Cockney land reformer. He estimates land accord- ing to its value within a few hundred' yards of the Bank of England, and talks about ground-rents based on the rates for building sites in Fleet-street. He has an idea that if be could get a hundred acres of land at a rent of a pound an acre he could make money rapidly, and he does not see at all why all sorts of industries and crafts, which now do not exist in rural districts, could not be started and made to pay forthwith. He cannot be made to realiz-1 that the three counties of Cardiganshire, Merionethshire, and Montgomeryshire do not average much more than sixty thousand inhabitants each, although the combined acreage of the three counties is above a million and a half. Ic is almost impossible to persuade the Cockney land reformer that the whole annual turnover of a farmer is on!y about three times his rent, which in the case of a tenant on a farm of a hundred acres at a pound an acre would mean a total turnover of about J6300 a year. £ 100 of this goes in rent, Y,100 or less in labour, and £100 in maintenance and other outgoings. In unfavourable seasons this modest turnover is not realized and debt is incurred. The farmer should have a capital of from fifteen to twenty pounds an acre, but as a rule he has nothing like this amount, and he is poor--often very poor. Labourers for the most part live iu small, damp, un- healthy cottages, which are approached by bad roads or no roods at all. They have no company, no outlook but the workhouse, and so they migrate to the towns and become colliers, carters, rail- way workers, policemen-anything that will give them social life and relieve them from grinding poverty and depres- sing monotony. The Cockney iand reformer cannot be persuaded that there are a score of reasons why the farn: labourer migrates to towns. His family urge him, the difficulty of finding remunerative work for his children presses upon him, the dreariness of his life tells upon him the chances of the town lure him; the scrutiny to which he is subjected acts upon him the higher wages attract him. Then, like other human beings, he is; eager to get rid of the ills he has even if he flles to others he knows not of. There is no way in which the people can get back to the land. There is really nothing for them to do, and there is nowhere for them to live if there was work for them. It does not pay to grow grain, and the railways have put the rural [producer at a disadvantage in all sorts of ways with his competitors in different parts of the world. Town councils neg- lect markets. Landowners take no interest in them, and farmers, of course, just ttke things as they come, or as they do not come, and so life drifts. Thp most likely way of increasing rural prosperity is by developing villages. The day" of solitary cottages on farms is over. If landowners combined together and encouraged village development many of the difficulties which now seem to be insuperable would vanish. Then the local tailor, dressmaker, cobbler, and, perhaps, weaver, carver, florist, egg mer- chant, fowl dealer, fruit collector, might establish themselves. Difficulties about sanitation, education, water supplies, social life, houses, and trades would not be so difficult if villages were enlarged. Life would be brighter and the people would not be as willing to go away as they are now. If villages were developed it would be far easier for landlords to enter into agricultural businesses—bee-keeping, flower-growing, butter-making, and many others. There is no reason why land- owners should not enter into agricultural businesses and fight the railway com- panies and the Post Office for greater and more reasonable facilities than are now possessed. It is no use telling a labourer who is living in a damp, miser- able cottage that he should do some- thing to improve his miserable condition. His 6 reply is that he intends doing some- thing, and that something is to go away to the town and get work. He goe, and ultimately sends for his family. Once away, it is practically impossible for him to return. Besides, he does not want to return, nor do any of his family wish to return. There is, how- ever, in every town a considerable num- ber of people who would like to live in the country if landowners were willing to sell land for building sites. These people, who are fairly well off, would be centres for village growth. Unhappily, landowners are reluctant to sell sites. They do not want to see rural popu- lation increase in their respective neigh- bourhoods. The depopulation of the rural districts is the direct result of conditions partly due to railways, partly due to the policy of landowners, partly due to the development of the factory system in towns and to the growth of the towns themselves, and partly due to the unrest of the rural workers, who prefer the chances of towns to the monotony of the country, with nothing at the end of it but the workhouse. The movement of the population from rural districts to small towns and from small towns to larger ones is in obedience to laws that are not easily perceived or controlled. Cockney remedies cannot be applied, in- deed it is not yet settled that the movement of the people from the rural districts is an evil.

WHArr PARLIAMENT WILL DO. NEY-T Thursday, January 16th, Parliament will be re-opened. The war is still going on and the prospects of the taxpayer are anything but bright. The reformer's plight is worse than the taxpayer's, for the taxpayer when he has paid is free, but the reformer's way is blocked and he has no remedy. It may be taken for granted that nothing, or next to nothing, in the way of serious legislation will be attempted. The Opposition is nor. stronger, but weaker if anything, than when Parliament adjourned last autumn. Lord ROSEBKRY has added doubt to con- fusion, and the Liberal Jingo is now nor. sure whether he is a Liberal Imperialist or an Imperialist Conservative. It does not really matter which. He is a sort of twicer" any way, and is of no good to anybody. The masses of the people in the country are as divided as the political parties, and the Govern- ment will not be slow to discover that legislation is not demanded, and that increased debt will be more welcome than additional taxation. The debt will have to be paid some time, but why do to- day what can be put off until to-morrow when somebody else may be responsible ? The Liberals have not gained in numbers, or strength, or unity. They have no policy and far too many leaders of a sort. The Irish members will return to the House of Commons embittered, and will insist on teHing the story of meui- bers imprisoned for far less than 'happened at Birmingham, but then Birmingham is diffrent Just at present public opinion is silenced in this country and is not provided with material for judgment from Africa. The Government is helpless. It can neither defeat ttiel Boers nor make ppace with them, and I owing to the unparalleled weakness of the Liberals cannot either leave office or be driven out of it. There never was such a deadlock. The masses of the people are quite indifferent both as to the war and the dearth of legislation. The war has not brought any great suffering to the people. Food is cheap. Work is fairly plentiful, and the demand for men in the army keeps wages up. There have been more than twenty thousand deaths, but spread among the millions of the people twenty thousand deaths are not many. There never was such a war, perhaps, that cost so much in men and money and caused so little feeling in the country. Except a few people who are called traitors to their country, nobody wants peace, and the Government have only to assert that they are going to spend another hundred millions and to raise another hundred thousand men to create a furore of enthusiasm. The bes-ioa will be taken up by endless discussions on all sorts of questions per- taining to the war and the army and ways and means and Ireland, and then in the early autumn will come the prorogation. Besides, there must come a time when Lord KITCHENER will have bagged" the last Boer, and when the desolation of the Transvaal will be com- plete. or ai-e the "mishaps" and victories and baggings" to go on for ever ? The Liberals are as much to blame as the Conservatives both for the war and for the degrada- tion of the: House of Commons. We have the word of Lord ROSEBERY for the fact that when he was Prime Minister his Government undertook re- sponsibilities which they never intended to m^et, and there was no real life behind their dummy measures. For many years the Liberals have been willing and eager to tak office without power in order to secure places and honours. There has been no real life in the Liberal party for the last twenty years. The Irish members have been in earnest, and are in earnest now, but when was Sir WILLIAM HARCOURT in earnest we should like to know, and who believes in the "arneetness of Lord ROSEBERY or Mr ASQUITH 7 Sir HENRY CAMPBELL-BAN- NERMAN is a very honest, respectable politician, but he is not in earnest. He was put into his place as a stop-gap, iind it would be unfair to expect more from him. Lord ROSEBERY tried at Chesterfield to ascertain whether the Liberals in the country are ready for a sort of mongrel ministry—a cross between Lord SALISBURY, Lord ROSEBERY, and Mr CHAMBERLAIN. The country has made no response whatever. They are perfectly indifferent, and ould as soon have Sir HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN as anybody Wales is as politically dead as any other part of the United Kingdom. In its heart it is in favour of the war, but abstains from say- ing anything. Mr LLOYD-GEORGE has c Z5 spoken out bravely, but there is not a great deal of enthusiasm in favour of peace even in Wales. We do not blame Nonconformist Wales for her tacit approval of the war, and only refer to it as an indication of the profound apathy which has fallen upon the whole country in reference to the great principle of peace which fifty years ago was not left to ignoble silence. It will be interesting when Parliament meets to see how the time is frittered away, as it was frittered away last year. The Government is hAlp- less, and has to be content to drift in the forlorn hope that something will turn up in South Africa to bring the war to a close. It is doubtful whether anything will happen, but whenever the miserable conflict ends we must be pre- pared to hear a great deal about the right and might of England. We wish t, 15 we could see any sign of awakening in the country from the political deadness; which has so long prevailed. We do not despair. We are not even without hope. What we fear is that the country will have to pay for her apathy and for her disregard of her highest duties and responsibilities. The policy of the Government is the policy of the pot-shop and the street corner, and political arguments are broken windows and street rowdyism. The masses have been vested with political power, and there will be no further advance until the people have learnt wisdom by their own bitter ex- perience. At present it seems as if war would not come home to them. The Government is secure of its majority, and the people of the country do not care enough about anything to ask what is done or left undone in the House of Commons.

EDITORIAL NOTES. Large profits are being made at the old Clogau gold mine in Merionethshire. There is great activity at other mines in the district. Pwllheli is trying to get Lord RoSEBERY to open the new Town Hall. There is nothing like aiming high. Pwllheli knows a thing or two. On January 1st, at Pwllheli, a drunkard pleaded with the magistrates for lenient treat- ment on the ground that it was his first offence this year and would be his last. He was fined 5s_and costs. A Liverpool woman has been fined forty shillings and costs for sending a child under fourteen years of age for beer. The publican refus d to serve the child. » Mr THOMAS HUGHES, clerk to the Corwen Board of Guardians and Llangollen District Council, died on Tuesday. He had held his Corwen office for thirty-three years and was one of the best-known officials in North Wales. • At the last meeting of the Lampeter Council the MAYOR asked whether it was advisable to prosecute alleged breakers of the by-laws? We will ask a question. If those who break the by-laws are not prosecuted, what is the use of having by-laws? • The Standard in a leading article on Tuesday said: We do not, of course, assume that Lord ROSEBERY will supersede Sir HENRY CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN in the affections of those for whom Mr MORLEY or Mr LLOYD- GEORGE represent the ideal type of the Radical captain." Thus Mr LLOYD-GEORGE is brought among the leaders of first rank. We expect that Wales will discover this new political leader after a while. i I One day last week a Southwark coroner's jury was kept waiting more than three- quarters of an hour for the Coroner. They proceeded to fine him nve pounds. This was ineffective as they could not enforce payment. They should have agreed to go home and force him to summon another jury. There is a very ugly name indeed for people who rob other people of their time in this way. There is no part of the United Kingdom where unpunc- tuality is more common than in Wales. « The South Wales Daily News is quite hurt that Mr LLOYD-GEORGE, at Bristol, should have called the slaughter in the South African war murder. It is murder. Did our contemporary ever hear the quotation, One murder makes a "villain, millions a hero." Because two nations agree to go to war it does not follow that the premeditated slaughter is not murder. It is, in our opinion, the worst form of murder, for it often has not even the excuse of passion. We wish our contemporary's great scrupulous- ness would find its way into some of the nastier kinds of its reports. This week it has just revelled in police court filth. « Mr LLOYD-GEORGE at the risk of his life attended a meeting at Bristol on Monday night. There can be no question that Mr LLOYD-GEORGE is vindicating the right of the people of this country to hold public meetings. A London paper has attacked Mr LLOYO- GEORGE very violently, and says he is not worth public notice. Of course not. We have observed during a long journalistic life that it is not until a man is not worth notice that the London papers begin to abuse him I We think we begin to see as a result of Mr LLOYD- GEORGE'S meetings the beginnings of a true national Liberalism. The Bristol meeting passed off quietly and successfully. The police meant business, and the roughs knew it. Mr JOHN REDMOND says that he hopes that Lord-ROSEBERY will rally round him all the Liberal Imperialists, who are not Liberals at all, and will lead the ragged regiment out of the Liberal party so that he and Mr CHAMBER- LAIN may form a coalition government of some sort. There can be no question that the true Liberals of the country are as doubtful of Lord ROSEBERY now, and with as good reason, as they were doubtful of Mr CHAMBERLAIN when he made his fatal mistake of going over to the Conservatives. A clean slate is not much of a rallying point. The Liberal creed includes more than that, as Lord ROSEBERY has already discovered. There is no policy in the Chesterfield speech, which has nearly as little in it as his slate has on it. Dr AKED is one of the ablest ministers in Liverpool. He is in favour of peace, and like a true man is not afraid to say so. The Jingoes of Liverpool, like their brethren in Birmingham, do not like free speech, so on Sunday night they broke the windows of his house, and would have probably killed him if they had got hold of him. We do not think that any given individual would have know- ingly harmed him, but a crowd will do what the individuals would deplore. There are thousands upon thousands of men and women in this country whom no terrorism will deter from expressing their opinions. Dr AKED will not be bluffed or beaten into silence. Nor will any of those who hold free speech to be of higher value than their physical life. The only brave men who call this country home are not in South Africa. w It is an odd thing that even the Government of Canada does not seem to realize that it is possible to prepare the way for immigrants. Roads are needed to make population possible, and wherever there is a small settlement all those things are needed which would be found in a town if every inhabitant left it and took with him all that belongs to him. It is said that during the year just closed Canada reached the highest mark in her progress hitherto attained. Compared with ten years ago, her exports have just doubled. And yet immigrants are left to fight their own way in est ablishing towns. If Canada spent a portion of its growing,revenue in preparing the country for settlement, work could be offered to men and the population would rapidly increase. We know how authorities resent being told that their ways are not perfect, but it is clear that a great deal could be done that is not done to make the country habitable. It is not enough that grants of land should be made. People need roads, banks, police, schools, postal facilities, railways, water supplies, and many other thing. t Mr CHAMBERLAIN talks about our retaining markets, and we all know that one great excuse for war is that war is supposed to secure markets. The Statistical Abstract of the wealth and trade of the Colonial Possessions and dominions of the United Kingdom, which was issued on Saturday, shows that a very large proportion of the trade of our colonial possessions goes to other countries than ours. In the case of Western Australia, where we appear to the best advantage, our part is only between a third and a half, or zC2,225,746 out of a total of £ 5,962,178. When we look to the figures for New South Wales, the position of the Mother Country in relation to her rivals is worse. Out of a total of £ 27,561,071 the amount under the head of the United Kingdom is but 99,928,117, or only a third. So it seems we do the fighting and go to the expense and other people do the trade and get the profit. We may fight for ages, but those people will do the trade who can serve the people best. It will take a lot of trading with Africa to repay the two hundred millions we have spent there, to say nothing of the twenty-five thousand lives we have lost, and the number of our customers we have killed it • There has been a great deal of talk about a Welsh Museum. The Western Mail says that when the subject comes before the Duke of DEVONSHIRE he will, no doubt, ask whether 11 Wales has as yet agreed upon the question "of a capital or not." We do not think that the DUKE will ask any such foolish question, but if he does he will not suggest that Cardiff should be the capital. The best thing would be to include Cheshire, Shropshire, Cornwall, and Monmouth in Wales, and to make Shrewsbury the capital. As for the Welsh Museum, which has no more to do with the capital than Goodwin Sands have to do with Tenterden steeple, there are three university colleges in Wales. The Welsh Mqseum should be divided among them. At present the University College at Aberystwyth is the only college-that has buildings and a nxed place nf abode. Cardiff College is only a congeries of tin sheds, and Bangor College does not know whether it is going to remain at Bangor or not. If the Aberystwyth College were not terrified at its own success, and if, it were in the hands of men of mind and action, a museum would be built while Cardiff is trying to decide what to do with its tin sheds and Bangor is settling whether it will go to Wrexham or Carnarvon or Rhyl. It seems to be quite impossible to get to know who ordered the Aberystwyth Corpor- ation cheques to be taken from Mr GIBSON and sent to London. We quite understand why Mr WILLIAMS should ask the question. He seems to have made a very special point of Mr GIBSON'S business. The thoroughly open way in which the Dol- gelley MEDICAL OFFICER has dealt with sani- tary matters in the town and with sickness is telling to the advantage of the place. Again the report is that the public health is satis- factory, and the whole of the inhabitants can have full confidence in the statement. it » It was agreed at the Aberystwyth Town Council that the road behind the Hostel should be metalled. This road has been cut up mainly by one person. Ought not that person to pay? The Council have great tenderness towards some individuals. Why this tenderness? Does not somebody know? » The Home Office has decided not to hold an enquiry into the Birmingham riot on the occasion of Mr LLOYD-GEORGE'S visit. Well, the Government will hear something about the meeting after Parliament meets. It would be serious to have to condemn the Jingo news- papers and perhaps take action against them! Does anybody know why the Aberystwyth Town Council allows the road behind the Hostel to be cut up ? We are told a gate is going to be put across it, but when ? Why did not the authorities at once put an end to the trespass ? This is a very easy conun- drum. We know the answer. The very cheap talk about extending the borough of Aberystwyth has ceased since we called attention to the blatancy. The extension of the borough would probably cost the rate- payers a great deal more than it would bring in. Still, what has become of the subject ? A good deal of cheap credit has been got out of it, and we should like the ratepayers to know why it is hanging fire in this way. Machynlleth is grappling with the primitive sanitary arrangements of the town. There is a good deal to do, but it is being done. The SURVEYOR does not seem to quite realize the need for thoroughness. People in these days understand that filth spells sickness and death. Machynlleth is one of the prettiest towns in the whole of the district, and we think is destined to become one of the most important. Houses that cannot be drained are not fit for human habitation. The question whether the Aberystwyth Coun- cil should meet fortnightly or monthly was raised on Tuesday. The best thing would be to meet quarterly. Nothing is done at the meetings. There was no sense, for instance, in submitting any question respecting the widen- ing of Terrace-road to a committee. The ques- tion should have been settled off-hand in favour of the widening. Why did not the Council refer the question of monthly meetings to a bommittee ? A young man, aged twenty-nine, who had only been married a week, was charged on Tuesday, in London, with embezzling ROO from his employers. He had lost the whole sum in betting. The MAGISTRATE said it was the saddest case that had ever come before hiri, and he would give the matter his most careful consideration. There is a good deal of local gambling-far more than is suspected. The gambler is always either a rogue or a fool, and often both. He wants something for nothing, and does not care how he gets it, or from whom. The LORD CHANCELLOR wants to know why local magistrates do not act. The reason is obvious. As a rule they do not enjoy poking their noses into other people's business, and they do not like to inflict fines and imprison- ment upon the erring ones. All they want is the honour, and that soon palls. Of course it is very useful to be a magistrate if you have a friend^—or an enemy, or if you are a busy- body, but otherwise the office is a rather un- pleasant one. The best way to get a large and regular attendance of magistrates is to see that there is a certain sort of case at every meeting. ft The Aberystwyth Lifeboat Committee is to consider the idiotic system of firing rockets to call the men together. We know it is of very little use saying anything to the Lifeboat Committee, for it seems to sanction the breaking of the Lifeboat Association rules and there is an end of the whole thing, it seems to us. If life is ever lost through divided counsels in the lifeboat, the Committee will be as much to blame as anybody. The hideous lifeboat slip is a greater injury to the town every year than the lifeboat at Aberystwyth has done good during the past quarter of a century. The rocket firing is one of the craziest things that ever sane men were gulity of, but we have no doubt it will be continued. When the Aberystwyth Town Council went to inspect Portland-road on Tuesday we wonder if they noticed the trucks which are left week after*week and month after month in the road. Some day there will be an accident and then the ratepayers will have to pay. Portland-road is in a pitiful state, but so is the town generally. The other day at the corner of Pier-street and the Parade there was a leakage of water. The Corporation workmen opened the road to deal with the leakage. The road has been left anyhow. This is what happens all over the town, but nobody seems to care. The work of the town is in a lamentable state. Why not appoint some more assistant sur- veyors and inspectors ? The SURVEYOR'S statement about the horse roller must be taken with a large grain of salt. All the roads used to be made with horse rollers The reason why the Jingoes are so howling mad whenever an advocate of peace speaks is quite intelligible. When the war started it was generally understood that it was to be a sort of six weeks' shooting picnic, with medals at the end of it, and banquets and a great deal of see the conquering heroes come," and all that sort of thing. Now the war has run into the third year the Jingoes have given over laughing at those who said war was a serious thing, and have begun to swear and throw stones and to generally misbehave themselves. After a while they will cool down, and in the end they will ask the peace advocates to bring the war to a close. War is not a picnic, after all, and reveals all sorts of unpleasant mishaps." But why should the Jingoes get so angry ? They are having all their own way, and in a few weeks will probably see the income tax further increased. We never be- lieved in war. No, not as far back as 1854, which was before the Jingo was christened. He was alive, then, but went under another name.

PENRHYN TROUBLE. The Baugor magistrates were engaged until late on Tuesday night in iavestigating thirty-one charges of riot brought by the police agaiust strikers. In some instances defendants were hound over to keep the peace and pay the costs, but the majirity of cases were adjourned. There have been no further disturbances. WORK AT THE QUARRIES. Notwithstanding the disgraceful riots at Bethesda, the number of workmen employed at the quarry continues to increase, in fact, thirty went in during last month, and since that thirteen more have returned to work. During the lecent night riots, the house where the two hard-working district nurses lodge, was twice attacked some of the stones thrown through the windows are stated to have fallen on their beds. At another house, seventeen pounds weight of stones and other missiles were thrown through the windowm, and nearly every pane of glass was smashed. Owing to the presence of a large number of extra police and military force, the district is now very much quieter. Th quarryman who was so brutally attacked on Christmas Day, necessitating his admission to the hospital, haa resumed work, and others are applying for work daily. Two stoker boys and one day labourer have left the quarry to join their relatives in South Wales.

WHITE GLOVES.—There were no cases before the I DOLGELLEY. Magistrates on Tuesday. This is a good beginning for the new year. APPOINTMENT.—Mr E. Griffith, Brynadda, has been appointed clerk to the local commissioners of income tax, a post which became vacant owing to Mr H. R. Tones leaving Dolgelley for Wimbledon. THE W ATCHNIGHT. Watchnight services were* held at the Wesleyan Chapel under the presidency of Rev D. Thomas, the pastor. The conductor was the Kev W. Parri Huws, B.D. The devotional service was conducted by Mr W. M. Jones and the following programme was gone through Congre- gational hymn and prayer address, the Conductor chorus, Beth yw'r Uflc- rn Ebenezer Choir solo," My Hope is in -.he Ever- lasting," Mr G. Jones (Gutyn Elvion); song, H Gyda r W&wr." Miss L. C. Meredith sone, Y Bugail," Mr W. Roberts solo, "I will Extol Thee," Mrs Eivion Jones; trio, < Duw Bydd Drugarog," Mr and Mrs Eivion Jones and Mr H M. Ellis; song, Remem braace," Miss May Williams; duet, "Mae Cymru'n Barod ar yr W £ s," Messrs W. Roberts and H. M. Eliis con- gregational hymn, "Sandon song, Y Dyddiau Gynt," Mrs Eivion Jones; song, Dream of Paradise," Mr H. M. Ellis; duet, "Canaf i'r Arglwydd," Mr and Mrs Eivion Jones song, Miss Bertha Jones chorus, Yr Udgorn a Gan EbeDezcr Choir song, Y Ddinas Sanctaidd," Mr G. Jones (Gutya Eivion); song, "Yr Arglwydd yw fy Mugail," Mrs Eiviou Jones address by the Chairman congregational hymn, Crugvhar The accompanists were Messrs John Roberts and D. R. Meredith. SCHOOL BOARD, THURSDAY, JANUARY 2ND.— Present Messrs William Hugbes (in tne cllair), R. Guthrie Jones, John Price, Richard Burnett, Wi;li,m Allen, William T. Lloyd (acting clerk), and Ellis Williams (attendance officer). Report of the Visiting Committee.-Mr John Price reported that he and Mr R. Barnett visited the L-lawrdref School and found the attendauce very low. He was of opinion that the scho-il registers ought to be marked even if there be only one scholar present.—The Chairman said th-co ie allowed the Managers to send the children home if they considered that their health was endangered by having got wet in coming. If, however, children were kept in school, the register must lie marked no matter how small the attendance was. The Hoard vi ai of opinion that something ought to b« done to secure better attendance. There Wtre no reports from the Dolgelley and Brithdir schools —A claim was considered for 5* for extras on account of the cooking classes by the cleaner wf the Infant School —The claim was disallowed, the members considering that the contracted salary covered everything. Attendance Officer's Report -Mr Ellis Williams read his monthly report, which showed that the attendance was lower than usual. The attendance at the Girls'School had gone flown about fifuea, although the number on the books was cnly two less than last year.—Mr W. Allen considered that something ought to be done to keep the attendance up. The teachers mast take interest in their schools and the soliolar.The Attendance Officer was asked to do his best in future months. The Signature oj Cheques.— Mr WillLtm Allen said that Miss Pritchard had given notice termin- ating her engagement with the Board on the 6h of December. He, however, found that the Chairman (Mr W. Hughes) and Vice-Chairman (Mr R. Guthrie Jones) and Mr Richard Barnett had signed a cheque for her full salary up to December 20th. He considered that signing cheques out of the Board was illegal and against the influence of the Board.-The Chairman said the cheque, signed by two members, was brought to him to be signed. He was himself rather surprised to see the cheque, and wished to know why it was not presented for signature at the last meeting.—Mr R. Guthrie Jones said Mias Pritchard attended the school up to the 20th of December to mark the register, and he considered that her salary ought to be paid for her services. Miss Pritchard had been a good servant to the Board for a good many years, and in his opinion the Board ought to be proud of the chance of paying her up to Christmas holidays. tChe-rq.) —Mr W. Al!en said he was told that the register was marked by Miss Annie Lloyd and not by Miss Pritchard. He was not against paying Miss Pritchsrd, but against the practice of signing cheques on t of the Board. On his proposition, it was unanimously passed that no cheque be Binned in future out of the Board meeting. Increase of Salary.—The application for an in- crease of salary by Annie Lloyd and Cissie Oen was deferred for consideration by the Staff Com- mittee. Pupil Teachers' Scheme.-The Board considered the scheme drawn out by a special committee of the Mt-rioneth County Governing Body for the instructions of pupil teachers at the county ^chords. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL, TUESDAY, JAN. 7TH. —Present: Mr John Edwards, chairman, presiding; Messrs E. Wynne Williams. R. Richards, Ellis Williams, Robert Davies, David Meredith, William Hughes, Dr John Jones, and W R. Williams; with Mr R. Barnett, acting clerk and Mr E. R. Jones, rate collector. THE STATION. A letter was read from Mr Grant, of the Great Western Railway Company, stating that the Council would be notified of the next visit of the Company's Engineer to Dolgelley with a view to their meeting him to dicuss the entrance to the Station. FLOODING Mr Richard Richards brought up the report of the Committee which was appointed to report upon the streamlets which fl iw on to the Council's roads after heavy rains at CloJwyn. The Com- mittee recommended that a channel be constructed to divert the water. Mr O. D. Roberts saw the reasonableness cf the remedy proposed and said he would carry it out, but in order to insure ils being done, it would bs well if the Council were to carry the work out themselves. It would save the Council a lot of money spent on the road.-Dr John Jones proposed that the Committee be -Lu authorised to carry the work out. Though it was outside the district, it would be money spent in effecting a saving in money spent on the roads within the district.—Mr Ellis Williams seconded the proposition.—After a protracted discussion, the proposition was agreed to. HEALTH OF THE DISTRICT. The Medical Officer reported that no infectiojs disease had been notified to him during the past fortnight and the health of the district was other- wise satisfactory. THE WATER SUPPLY. It was decided to consider the question of taking over the water supply in committee. THE DISPUTE WITH THE COUNTY COUNCIL. The next matter on the agenda was the question of going into arbitration to decide the dispute with the County Council with reference to the mainten- ance of main roads.—The Chairman said some of the ratepayers were afraid that the Council were going to land the town in an enormous expense. Person- ally, he believed the Council had a good case, but if thHe was a consensus of opinion in favour of eliciting the view of the ratepayers, he would be quite willing to do so. He believed that was the right course to pursue when there was a strong public feeling on any question.—Dr John Jones said a good many persons had spoken to him about the matter and said they were afraid the Council would land the town in great expense. He failed to see, himself, how there could be much expense. However, the Council had already re- solved to go in for arbitration. Was it. not too late to withdraw ?-The Clerk said the Council could yet withdraw.Mr R. Richards: For how long is the arrangement which the County Council offer to make operative?—The Clerk For three years.—Mr Richards And that period is nearly at an end now ?—The Clerk said a. little over a year remained.—Mr Richards Do you think the County Council is so unreasonable that if we fall in now they would not re-consider it next time ?-Dr John Jones thought if they could show that they had actually spent more the last three years than was given, then the County Council would re-con- sider the amount. He was sorry that they should have that dispute. As the Chairman of the County Council had said, it was like civil war for two public bodies to have a dis- pute of that kind. He did not say that the Council was entirely to blame, in fact he thought the County Council was more to blame. Personally, he would like very much to see a settlement arrived at.—The Chairman The question is not whether we go in for arbitration or not, but whether we have a public meeting.-Dr John Jones I do not see the use of having a public meeting if the Council have already decided.—Mr David Meredith asked how much the Council would lose by accepting the terms of the County Counoil ?-The Clerk said there was a difference of about f230 for the three years between what the County Council offered and the amount which the Council bad and would expend on the roads.—Mr Richard Richards We must remember that we pay rates to the County Council. -The Chairman said he believed conscientiously that the Council were right in their claim and that therefore the matter ought to go to arbitration. He would not like to take the responsibility of relinbuishing that jE230 which he believed the ratepayers of Dolgelley were fully entitled to. If the ratepayers themselves took the responsibility, ail well and good. He was not against having a public meeting.—Dr John Jones You speak as if we are certain of winning. If we were only certain of getting hundred pounds more, I should be for goivg On.-The Chairman I said that I myself believed we had a good case, and I should not like to take the responsibility of accepting whatever.the County Council like to offer us.—Mr W. R. Williams As we are ratepayers of the county as well, we would have to pay if the County Council lest. The Clerk As to that, I -have ascertained that we pay here fl60 a year to the County Council as our share towards the main roads. If we only get £140, the remainder goes to pay for the main- tenaace of roads in other districts.-Mr W. R. Williams proposed that a public msetinc' be held -Mr Ellis Williams seconded.-Mr John Jont asked whether they thought they would get the true voice of the meeting by means of a public meeting ? They had never managed to do it in the past. He thought a house-io-houue canvass would be more effective means of getting to know the opinion of the ratepayers.—Mr W. a. Williams for some reason or other then withdrew his propo- sition and uu resolution was passed. — The Oouneil then resolved into committee.

ORlCOIJiTH. NEW YEAR'S DAY.-To the delight uf all chil- Jren. the weather dnring the morning was favour- able to t.ie scramble" for good things distributed by shopkeepers who annnally give oranges, sweets, etc., for the children's pleasure. The shops in the centre of High street attracted the largest numbers, the crowd of youngstfrs appearing to have an ex ra. g ,od time of it outside Stanley Stores (Messrs John Hughes and Co). At Berea the annual social ga hering and tea t ook ph.ee in the Schoolroom in the afternoon, followed at night by the usual open and popular entertainment. Mr Wm Williams (Manchester House) wAs the chair- man. The programme was of the usual miscel- laneous character nd included solos, citietts, etc., by popular local artistes. Children of either sex and of almost all ages aleo contributed to the even- 'ng's entertainment and acquitted themselves in their resn. ctivp parts very creditably WATCHNIGHT —The annual supper and enter- tainment on N, w Year's eve in connection with the Wesleyan Churoh took place as uk;utl on the last night (,f the old year. Despite the wet weather, the tables in the schoolroom were well patronized and the miscellaneous entertainment that followed w*8 as popular ais ever. The chair. man was Mr J. T. Jones, Parciau, who, as was announcd bt-for* the close of th« prcceed:ogg, generously contributed 910 t wards reducing the deht on the new buildings. The programme in- cluded selections of vocal and iiia, In mr-ntal music, r. citations, etc., and at intervals the meeting was nddre^aed by the Chairman, the R-v Rhys Jones (the minister of the Chapel), and others. The several solos and duetts contributed by Megan Llechid (Miss Parry, Bethesda), Miss Pattie May Roberts, and air Festin Jones were highly ap- preciated, as also were the recitations of Mr Wm. Owen of Manches-er, a winner of numerous prizes at eisteddfodau. Several local amateurs were also well received and the performance of the choral selection entitled "A Bydd Arwycidion" by a mixed choir, under the conductorship of Mr Reet M. William-, was very creditable. Mr G. C. OLifield, wh" was the a'.eompanis played the Halleluj-ih Chorus," and the proc t'd iog closed at midnight by h.s piaying the Dead M rch, which was followed by a prayer. NEW YEAR'S EVE.-The yepr 1902 as ushered in by the usual clanging of bolls and the perambu. lating of the main thoroughfares by crowds of youths, whose vocal propensities were far from being of the agreeable and musical kinc1 favoured by the group of young men who sang in the streets in the early morning on C ristmas Day. It is satisfactory to note, however, that although there were fewer police on duty, the rowdyism, which a few years ago was reguarly prevalent for two or three hours during the close cf one year and the openirg of another, is still on the decline and what shouting and other noises were indulged in on this occasion were, luckily, of a comparatively short duration, the inclement weather no doubt dampi og the ardcur of even the worst offenders. There was less, too, of the wilful damage practised in years gone by, although the old habic of removing and carrying away gates was in somo cases again resorted to. The prac- tice, however, of recklessly ruoning over the churchyards- for the purpose of violently ringing the Church hells certainly ought to be stopped, especially as the habit shows not only an entire absence of respect for what has been described as God's acre," but the dating wickedness of the offenders is increasing to such an extent that severe measures will have to be taken to put a stop to the mischief. Not only was there reck- less pulling and dragging at the bell chains, but wilful damage was dune and steps are being taken to find out the culprits, against whom it is in- tended to take legal proceedings. With this last exception, there was, on the whole, little cause tor general complaint.

PORTMADOC PRAYER MEETINGS.—Simultaneous prayer meet ings are being held nightly this week at all the Nonconformist chapels. It has been the custom for many years to hold services of this nature in the beginning of each year. THE PASSION FOR PLFASURE. -Ia the course of his sermon on Sunday night, the Rev R. Mon Hughes, paster of Eberezf r Wesleyan Chapel, dwelt upon the increase in the passion for pleasure during the last twenty-five years. Sports now occupied a greater place in the life of the nation than it had ever done. This passion demonstrated itself in Portmadoc more especially in relation to football, and he protested against this absorption in sport. So eagerlwere yc ung men to get the latest footbill news that they actually went in quest of the Sunday papers oa the Sabbath. He thought it was high time for the chnrches and chapels to unite in curbing this excessive fondness for sport. DINNER.—On New Year's night the Guild of Bellringer8 of St. John's Church sat down at the Qeeen's Hotel to a complimentary dinner, excel- lently catered, given by Mr F. S. Percival. The Guild, which is worked on scientific lines, has made remarkable progress during th" pist year, the ringing drawing encomiums from visitors competent to judge. The Vic"r, who L the chair- man of the Guild, presided and Mr M. T. Morris, the trainer, was present. Songs and selections on the handbells were given after dinr-tr, and the health of Mr Percival was drunk with enthusiasm The health of the Vicar aid Mr Morriu was aiso honoured. C.M. SUNDAY SCHOOLS.—The cyfarfod ysgo.ion for the Tremadoc district took place on Sunday at Garth Chapel. Mr F. Buckingham presided The children were catechised in the morning by the Rev G. Parry, Borthygest, in St. John.—The delegates afterwards met in conference.—The Chairman, in his address, gave statistics showing that there had been a substantial increase in the attendance at all the schools in the district during the pMfc year, This was attributed to the direct apfMd Bade to the indifferent one* of, well as to regulni al)sentees.-It was announced í.I¡; the annual lamination would take place in March and the delegates were requested to u ge their respective schools to forward schedules giving particulars as to candidates early next ino ILitl).- Reference was made to the absence of representa- tives from that district at the conference of the Cyfarfod Misol Sunday School Committee and it was stated that it was due to notices of meeting of the latter not being sent until the day the Committee met.-Mr J. Davies announced that the addresses delivered at the Sunday School demonstration in August were being published in book form.—There being considerable difference of opinion in rogard to the proposed alterations relative to the constitution of the cyfarfod ysgol, the matter was left in abeyance. Mr Parry catechised the adults in the afrer- noon on the 17th chapter of St John.- -In the evening the Rev J. J. Roberts (iolo Caernarfon) preached.

GOGINAN. EISTEDDFOD.—Oa Christmas Day a successful eisteddfod was held under the presidency of Alderman E. H. Jonathan and the conductorship of the Rev Moses Davies. There were large audiences. The secretaries were Messrs David Davies and Richard Rowlands. The following were the competitions and the results :—Recitation for children under 14, Mary Jane Morris, Goginan solo for children underf 12, R L Davies, Goginan best hazel stick, Lemuel Edwards, Penllwyn solo for youths under 16, R L Davies, Goginan; best englyn, Rev J D Evans, Goginan; tenor solo, W Jenkins, Penparke; quartette, Mr Arthur Jenkins, Aberystwyth, and party pair of d'oyleys, Mrs W M Davies, Goginan con. tralto solo, Miss Bessie Jtimes, Cwmerfin recita- tion, The Accident," divided between A Davies. Pontycymer, and W Morris, Penllwyn; aud octette, D M Edwards, Aberystwyth, and party. In the evening the eisteddfod was Dresiderl over hv T the Rev J D Evans in the absence of Councillor J P Thomas, Aberystwyth, and conducted by the Rev T Mason Jones, Trisant, The following results were obtained :—Recitation. W Morris, Penllwyn solo for girls under sixteen, Edith Olwen Lewis, Goginan; soprano solo, Mary Winifred Parry Aberystwyth best address, Thomas Morris! Goginan pair of stockings, Mrs Mary A Jones, Goginan composition of a tune, D M Edwards, AbeTyStwyth girls' party, Goginan party led by Mrs Jonathaa. essay, A J P.erce, Penllwyn duett, divided between two competitors pen- Thol' rLleW Le™9' P°nterwyd oration, Ihomas James, Cwmerfin baritone solo, .Josiah Mason; letter, Llew J Lewis, Ponterwyd male party, J M Evans, Aberystwyth, and party ode, Rev D Evans chief choial competition, "Y Blodeuyn Olaf," Bryniau Choir, led by Mr John James, Cwmerfin, and two Aberystwyth choirs led by Mr John Williams and by Mr John Harries, competed, the prize being £10 and a baton given by Mr Davies, monumental mason. The baton was awarded to Mr Harries and the prize to Mr Williams's Choir.

CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.—Approximate return of traffic receipts for the week ending 5th January, 1902: Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, &c., E2,571 merchandise, minerals, and live stook, C2,418 total for the week, 94,989 aggregate from commencement of half-year, £ 3,371. Actual traffic receipts for the corresponding week last year: Miles open. 250. Passengers, parcels, &c., 92,581; merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £ 2,433; total for the week, £ 5,014 aggre- gate from commencement of half-year, £ 3,380. Decrease for the week, passengers, parcels, etc., 910; merchandise, minerals, .and live stock, fl5 total for the week, £25. Aggregate decrease; aggregate from commencement of half-year, 99-

then he addressed in sickening twaddle about conciliation The country has been told over and over again by the Union leaders that there was no fear of dis- turbance, that the men who have left the quarries are peace-loving, religious Inen who would rather suffer anything j _han resort to violence and disorder. **hen on a former occasion extra police and the military were sent for the act ^a8 represented as an outrage on the fair of peace-loving Wales. The Union eaders said that they only wished to Protest against the injustice of Lord ENRHYN and the wrong-doing of his ^ANAGER. No evidence was ever fought forward of Lord PENRHYN'S ^justice or of the wrong-doing of Mr OUNG. The lies published about them aily make concession or even negotiation ilb PO-ssible. The peace-loving nature of the Jurymen seems to have vanished and 6 military have had to be called in to Prevent violence against the workmen are not members of the Union. The Qion has Lever been able to count upon the men. It was thought they could 6 driven into the Union by holding union n c eetiugs jn t^e qUarry This form of ^ERCION was stopped by Lord PENRHYN. Ove window smashing and other forms of b olence, all with the same end, have eeQ stopped by the military. The j/°ceedings the Paat days have e clear to everybody who is not qopele881y prejudiced that the quarrel is t a quarrel of the men against Lord F.l'iRIIYN or Mr YOUNG, but is a qllarrel as we have all along asserted, ^ai°st non-union men by the Union ]a^D- The trouble would not have for a, month if it had not been the officials, who have lost nothing Suffered nothing by all the misery <L Pa8t: year« Their reputation on the prolongation of dis- banCe j £ cou}^ have prevented the of the military they would have I bethesda in the hollow of their hands, I ^ey were wisely not listened to, and Jj>v°e> on the whole has been maintained. Wf1 ra08t reckless of the men's era realized that if any organized in empt were made against the workmen 4 Sen the quarries there would have been f^l|0,la loss of life. It has now been tbe Y demonstrated both to the men in in ^Uarriea and to the men who believe tW- Use force against their fellows c°st ^eace be maintained at any aiid ,he r'ght of men t0 work oj be interfered with. The mask be Quarryrnen's Union has had to jg thrown away, The battle is not H0NUST Lord PKNRIIYN, but against the quarrymen. To the anger of I!LR ^ON officials, Lord PENRHYN and «tfe ^°DXG wisely went through the Of Of n-tliescU without molestation *fe ny hostile demonstration. The men incensed against Lord PENRHYN, OR ^ave been worked up against each t0 their own great loss and leaders have counted nS that Lord PENRHYN and the 0r^tii § wou'd be atraid. The on y Wo!exhibiteJ, however, was by these who oj'y shrank at l*sb from carrying what them ca led the new fashionable arflusement of violence to extremes. V, ^r,i'-n officials have not only failed at oo'^da, but they have taught the L that the Unions are prepared to sheer brute iorce and terrorism K compel men to enter them. Vj e.n after they have coerced their I>S tbey will be conciliatory! I by little the clouds of ) ^^Presentation have been cleared away the hibour question, and at last PeRblic see th,t it is not Lord Qitinu N, Or Air YOUNG, or any con- Con b' O Work, or the question of ^"Uorjjt *f 1Cri' that is protested against or lo Cor hul' the rioht of thp unionists the non-unionists to join them er tlley wish to join them or not. ^P^eches delivered on Saturday of the usual sort. Once rjJ' W9S practically asserted that 'p'' combinatioa is refused by tQ E:FIIHYN, and once more we give (i,e scandalous assertion. We e> a ] °tle our It, st to follow up each At *e will foil ow them up to the end. there was a general tendency Lo,'d PENRHYN, but it is now v'ctjtlls "a1- he and the men are the j^rc-oa a system that resorts to J the most unscrupulous sort, °°k at^ the men can do i? to the fac's for themselves and to j j Lheir own judgmen'. Let them, S,ariCfJ> ask themselves what they if Lord PENRHYN said about 0(lt T sa^ falsely in their name *>rd PENRHYN.