The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

ABERYSTWYTH. PETTY SESSIONS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 14TH. —Before R. J. Jones, Esq. (in the chair), J D Perrott, Esq. Transfer.—Mr J' Walter Burrow3 applied for the temporary transfer licence of the St George's Hotel. —The application was granted. Adulteration of Milk.-David L Doughton, Hen- gwm, Clarach, farmer, was charged by Superin- tendent Phillips with selling milk with four per cent of added water to the prejudice of the pur- chaser on the 5th September.—Mr Arthur Hughes appeared for the defendant.-P.S. Jones said he met the defendant's servant selling milk in North- parade. H purchased a pint of fresh milk, at the same time telling him it would be sent to the Public Analyst to be analysed. He then divided it into three parts. He sent one to the Analyst, one to defendant, and one to Superintendent Phillips, which he ..CiW produced.—The Bench in view of the milk being so near the standard, dismissed the case. Alleged Perjury. -Elizabeth Morgan, Cefnfyches, Llanbadara Fawr, spinster, was changed by William Morgan, Cefnfyches, Llanbadarn Fawr, farmer, with committing wilful perjury at Aberyst- wyth on 28th „ August.—Mr Stanley Griffith Jones appeared for the prosecution and Mr Arthur Hughes for the defence.—Mr Stanley Griffith Jones applied for an adjournment of the case, and Mr Arthur Hughes strenously opposed it.—The Bench said the case was a serious charge and if poseible should be heard that day.—The Clerk suggested that the prosecution should withdraw and issue another summons.—Mr Stanley Griffith Jones said he would adopt that course and the case was with- drawn for another summons to be issued. BANKRUPTCY EXAMINATION.3, On Saturday morning, October 11th, the public examination in bankruptcy of Samuel Glithero, licensed victualler, Bank Vaults, New-street, Aber- ystwytb, was held at the Town Hall, before the Official Receiver, Mr Thomas Thomas, Carmarthen. Debtor's statement of accounts was as follows Liabilites, 95W 4a 2d expected to rank, £495 Os lOd assets. E103 16s lOd. The alleged causes of failure were bad trade and two months' illness. In his observations on the case, the Official Receiver stated that the debtor commenced business in September, 1891, with a capital of £150. In December, 1896, he filed his petition, and his liabilities then amounted to 996179 2d, and his assets f562 6s 4d. He had kept no books of account, but admitted that he was aware of his insolvency about three months ago, when a writ was served on him at the iostance of one of his principal creditors. He subsequently made an offer of five shillings in the E, which was not ac- cepted. The present liabilities were principally for goods supplied. No profit had been made during the last three years and the deficiency account was estimated at £ 402 0s lOd. In reply to the Official Receiver, debtor stated that his answers at the preliminary examination were cor- rect with the exception that his capital was fl50 and not 91,150 when he commenced business. —Further examined, debtor said that when he filed his petition in 1896 he was interested in mortgaged property at Manchester which was sold for town improvements and he received between £600 and £ 700.—Is it a fact that all of it has now gone ? Yes.—Isn't that a dreadful state of affairs ? Yes, it is. But I was not to blame.—But you were the manager and had control of everything ? My wife was a great drinker, sir.—Your wife could never have drunk in three years all that money? No; there were other expesnes and nothing coming in to meet them.—How much do you consider you lost by your wife's habits ? At least E400 since I filed before.—Could you not prevent that ? I tried many ways.—There's a gentleman in town who could vouch for it.—Why didn't you put her out and maintain her elsewhere-?—I offered her 10s per week, but she replied, "I'll see you in the Workhouse first.—Have you no means of ascertaining what your total receipts were?—No only bills.-Don't you consider you are very much to blame for this, because you had a lesson at your former bank. ruptcy ?-I am not ;capable of doing it, air.-Have you not been extravagant ?-No, I am certain of it. —There has been a great deal of talking about your Sunday driving. How could you afford to do that !-I have not been out more than twice this year. I think I have a right to have a drive on Sunday.—But you have no right to spend your creditor's money. It is reported to me also that you are very liberal in treating at pubic houses 1- I admit that.—How do you justify yourself ?-I never thought of thfs coming on, sir.—Are you sure all the money you received has gone?-Not a penny left, sir, if I were to go to my grave this minute.— What about your own habits ?—I never got intoxi- cated, and was only drunk once on Christmas eve, 1857. I have never smoked since.—I am glad to hear that. You are an example to others. But you do not appear to have done anything to reduce your expenses ?-I have done everything I could. The bulk of the profit was consumed by my wife. —Can you furnish any better deficiency accounts ? -No sir.—Is it true that two cheques you re- ceived from Messrs James and Co. were hardly sufficient to pay an over-draft on the bank ?-It was not sufficient.-On December 8th, you in- structed your solicitor to pay 5s in the E.-Yes. I thought I had a friend ready to purchase my assets.—You hold your premises on a lease ?—Yes it will expire next May, and there is nine years to follow.—You have sub-let a portion of your pre- mises ?-Yee, to my step-son, and there's rent due to me now. -By Mr W.:P. Owen (bankrupt's solicitor) There has been nothing against the house.—The Official Receiver said it was an un- satisfactory case and must be adjourned till Tuesday, November llth.

ABERYSTWYTH SHOW. A well-attended meeting of the members of the North Cardiganshire Agricultural Society was held on Monday afternoon at the Lion Royal Hotel, Aberystwyth, under the presidency of Mr Vaughan Davies, M.P. POSITION OF THE SOCIETY. In his opening remarks, the CHAIRMAN said that for the second year their position was an excellent one financially. There was a surplus of £ 213 13s 3d, and this good result he attributed to the splendid management and to the sense of the Committee holding the show early and throwing open so many classes. He had no doubt that the Aberystwyth show would be second to none in Wales before ong. Mr LEWIS PRYSE, general manager of the society, said last year's subscriptions were 950 leap, but there was an increase of f50 in gate money. Owing to the lack of local entries, there was a loss of over E36, and the subscriptions from the locality bad also fallen. He believed something should be done to improve the local subscriptions or lessen the local classes. -Compared with the balance sheet3 of the old shows, the present one stood very favourable in the old days the highest balance was only E28. The CHAIRMAN said they should seriously con- sider what to do with regard to local classes. Although the Society's object was to support the agricultural interests of the neighbourhood, they should not sacrifice the whole show for that purpose. The question could be discussed further in the alteration of the rulec. On the motion of Mr R J Loxdale, the balance sheet was adopted. ALTERATION OF RULES. The CHAIRMAN said that he and Mr Lewis Pryse bad examined the rules with a view of making some alterations. After some discussion,the follow. ing alterations were madeRule 2, add words and shall be held is August 4 and 5, "to others than tenant farmers membership subscription shall be one guinea instead of 108 6d, and to be Eaid not later than June 1st"; 17 Entry form must e accompanied with entrance fee otherwise it will not be valid ;a ubstitute for Rules 22 and 23—"No {>rize shall be given in any class unless there are at east three entries. In the event of a class being cancelled, the entry fee will be returned six days before the show." The annual general meeting for the election of officers will be held on the first Monday in Janu- ary. MR LEWIS PRYSE REWARDED. The CHAIRMAN moved that the sum of E25 out of the funds of the Society should be presented to Mr Lewis Pryae as an appreciation of the way he carried out the duties of honorary manager for the past two years. There was a very unanimous feel- ing he said that if anybody deserved anything from the Society, it was Mr Pryse. (Applause.) He had carried out his duties worthily without any 1 kind of friction, and he had been able to please I everybody. This was a matter of congratulation to him and the Society. I Mr EVAN RICHARDS, Penuwch. seconded. The Treasurer was formally instructed to for- ward the cheque.

RATEPAYERS' ASSOCIA- I TION. LAME AND IMPOTENT CONCLUSIONS. On Tuesday evening the winter meetings of the Ratepayers' Association were commenced at the New Market Hall, under the presidency of Mr T W Powell, the president. There was a good attend- ance and several non-members were present. The PRESIDENT, referring to the non-members present, said the notice convening the meeting I might have been misleading, but that was a meeting of the Ratepayers' Association. He therefore in- vited those who were not members to join, other- wise it was not competent for them to remain, that being a meeting of the Ratepayers' Association. The President, however, signified his intention of taking the voice of the meeting whether non. members should be allowed to remain in the room or not. Three non-members signified their intention of becoming members, whereupon the others without waiting for the voice of the meeting, left the room in a body. Mr D J LEwis, Great Darkgate-street, and others, afterwards reopened the question, thinking that ratepayers ought to be allowed to attend one meeting in order to sample the Association, as it were, in order to see if it would suit them to become members. It was replied that ratepayers had an opportunity of doing that by the reports which appeared in the papers of the Association's pro- ceedings, and eventually it was decided that none but members shall be allowed to attend the meeting. The PRESIDENT then proceeded to read the minutes, which contained the information that a committee of the Association had been appointed to look into the assessments of the town and country districts of the union. The Committee recommended that those who intended appealing against assessment to Quarter Sessions to unite and co-operate in order to present a united case and that the members of the Committee should en- deavour to obtain a list of houses in the country districts inadequately assessed in comparison with houses in the town. The Committee had :met (continued the President) and action bad been taken by some people who felt aggrieved by the assessment, and the appeal would be heard at Quarter Sessions. The matter had been considered and those people had been induced to go on. THE HEALTH OF THE TOWN. The PRESIDENT then called on Mr John Jones, coachbuilder, to move a proposition of which he had given notice on the agenda concerning the health of the town. Mr JONES asked the sympathy of the members in dealing with the matter, as he had taken on a big job for a man not used to public speaking. Opening a parcel of papers and notes, Mr Jones, quoting from the Book of Revelations, said And the books were opened," to which Mr Ruirus WILLIAMS rejoined, "That is the Cambrian News, not a book." Mr JONES, continuing, said he could not trust himself so bad to write what he had to say, on which a MEMBER remarked, 11 Big preachers always do that. "I The PRESIDENT then announced that he had a letter from Mr Gibson, sen (who was not present) and he and Mr Rufus Williams could not quite agree whether a portion of the letter referring to the subject under consideration should be read at that stage or not. He might say, however, that Mr Gibson in his letter gave a valid reason for his absence. Mr FRED MORGAN asked if Mr Jones was going to propose a proposition or read a paper ? Mr JONES replied that he was going to move a proposition. Un the proposition of Mr RICHARD EDWARDS, it was agreed that the letter should not be read until Mr Jones had brought forward his proposi- tion. Mr JONES, proceeding, said his proposition was, "That this Association is of opinion that the articles published in a local newspaper concern- ing the health of our town are not only detri- mental to the interests of Aberystwyth and cause great loss of trade to townspeople, but are not consistent with the true state of affairs." Before he discussed the proposition, he desired to say a few words on points which had been given him since the subject appeared on the agenda. Friends told him that it was only a local piper circulating only in a portion of Wales excepting when it was sent to friends who had left home, and therefore could not affect visitors. To some extent, he had agreed with that remark, but it should be remem- bered that there were in South Wales alone hun- ireds of people directly or indirectly connected with the district of Aberystwyth whom they were glad to welcome into the town as visitors. When they found a local paper announcing the presence Jf contagious diseases, those people abstained frnm going to Aberystwyth as he could prove by his own notice, and was it not a fact that when articles ap- peared at the opening of the season, visitors saw them and rival places on the Coast circulated them ? It might be asked What right has that Society to interfere with what is said in this paper ?" To that he replied that the Society had the same right to criticise the paper as to criticise the Council. He was not not there to defend the Council. He knew that the Council had left undone some things it ought to have done and had done some t,hings it ought not to have done and that there was not much health in it and be intended referring to those things hereafter. He was there to show that since the Terrace-road lease dispute, in which the Council took an active part, the paper had played a rob Peter to pay Paul policy. To put it plainly, that paper had been spiting the Council Mr RtFUS WILLIAMS asked Mr Jones to keep to the point. His remarks did not refer at all to the health of the town. Mr JONES replied that he was coming to that subject. Good sound criticism, he added, was healthy but he could not believe in the sincerity of the articles he was going to produce. Well, he 1 had a paper for June, 1902, in which was an article about children being done to death. It referred to the average length of life which had been increased in the country trom forty to forty-seven years and said that much of it was due to reduced infant mortality. Children were not as recklessly done to death as they used to be, but still the mortality all over the country was very heavy. At Aberyst- wyth there were some horrible dens, but that town, as most people knew, was governed by a council delightfully ignorant of its own condition. That (continued the speaker) made him turn back to 1899, when the paper said there was a building in the town at the present time where children were done to death. The Association would re- collect the circumstances. The Council took it in hand Mr RICHARD EDWARDS—We don't all read. We lon't all remember the circumstances. Mr JONES-Do you want it read ? Mr EDWARDS—Yes, if you want to make a case )f it. (Laughter.) Mr FRED MORGAN—Where was that taid ? At iome public meeting ? Mr JONES-It was said at a public meeting. rhis is the report. Mr EDWARDS, Prudential, having called atten- tion to the fact that there was a large number of ratepayers outside who wanted to know if they could come in without becoming members, Mr D. J. LEWIS thought they ought to be allowed to come in as ratepayers for one meeting, hut Mr DAVID LLOYD said it was a meeting of the Ratepayers' Association and not a public meeting, and the PRESIDENT said the matter had been already decided. Mr JONES, proceeding with his speech, said the Council took the matter up immediately and the Town Clerk was instructed to write to the paper for finformation, but was refused it. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals saw the report in the South Wales Daily News, and sent an inspector, who came to Aberystwyth, saw the Superintendent of Police as well as Mr Gibson. Mr Gibson refused to give information as would lead the Inspector to the building. The Inspector, however, visited the lowest places in the town and reported that Mr Gibson could or would not tell him what building he referred to, but made a statement that he did not refer to any particular house but to tramp children who bad been done to death by being fed on whisky and sour milk and that the children were now dead and buried. Mr RICHARD EDWARDS did not think that Mr Jones helped his case by going round about. He ought to come more to the point. The PRESIDENT—Mr Jones has explained that it was in a public speech. Mr EDWARDS-But we do not want to come here and listen to things out of order. Mr JONlts-I am only showing that the charge is false. Mr EDWARDS-I believe it is too personal a matter. If you deal with the principle it would be a good thing but it is a personal matter as far as I can see. The PRESIDENT—You had better go on, Mr Jones, and give us a few pithy instances if you can. Mr JONES, continuing, said the inspector reported that he was surprised to see the clean state of all the houses in the lowest parts of the town and wished all other towns could show the same state of things. The matter came before the Council and the Council passed a vote of censure. When, he added, a charge like that was made against a town and an officer of the Society giving a flat denial, it looked very bad that a paper should attempt to bring down a town into a state of filth. Mr FRED MORGAN—What is the date of the report ? The PRESIDENT—The paper is dated 1899. Mr FRED MORGAN—Oh, that is very antiquated. Let us have something up to date. Give us some- thing in 1902 or thereabouts. (Laughter.) Mr NeRTHEY also thought the remarks unworthy of the Association—raking up old muck of years ago. If they could not do better than that they had better break up the Association altogether. The PRESIDENT—We have had enough of that. Better go on to the next point. Mr JONEd said the next point had regard to the isolated" hospital and he would refer to an article entitled Who will Speak ?" Mr FRED MORGAN—Give us the date of that ? Mr JONES-This is 1901, so you see I am coming aD. Mr FRED MORGAN-SO is Christmas. (Laugh -1 ter.) Mr JONES, continuing, eaid the article was named Who will Speak" in which the writer dealt with the subject in such an "insinuative" way, as to make people think there was something very wrong in the town. He had a letter from a gentle- man who hadlseen the paper saying he would be very glad if the writer would speak out plainly. Me FRED MORGAN-Read us the letter. (Cries of Order.") Mr T. fl. EDWARDS (to Mr Morgan)—Who is ruling this meeting, Mr Chairman ? Mr JONES read the letter which said the article gave a strong suspicion that there was contagious or infectious disease in the town and, in ignorance, the public would most likely believe the worst. It 1 would be more politic to make a plain statement to allay any undue apprehension. The correspondent! had visited Aberystwyth for many years and brought friends, but should not advise his friends to go unless it was pointed out to him that there was nothing of a serious nature existing at Aber- ystwyth. What he complained of in the article, continued the speaker, was that half a truth was worse than a lie. It would have been better to have put it plain and not to have put it in that insinuative way; and in his opinion it was done for another object. The next matter was the out-door stable. He was, added the speaker, sorry to see Mr Morgan disturbing him. The PRESIDENT—Mr Morgan is quiet now. Mr Jones, continuing, said the out-door stable was referred to in nearly every issue of the paper. Mr RICHARDS, carver, Little Darkgate-street, said that was a matter for the Council to deal with and not the Ratepayers' Association. Mr JONES, continuing, said that when the Cambrian News first referred to the outdoor stable in North Parade, he thought it was Mr Phillips's place-not that there was a nuisance there, but because he was the only one who had a stable in North Parade, He turned a great deal amongst visitors, and he had been asked by visitors more than once, Where is this filthy outdoor stable here ?" and he took the visitors right up to the carriage stand to see. He was sure the meeting would agree that there was no filth at all there, and in the squares of London and large towns where the richest lived, cab stands were placed for the convenience of the public. The stand on North Parade was a convenience. Where could there be a better place ? It was against his interests as a car proprietor to have a stand across his door, but he was standing on principle. The stand was not a nuisance, and was in a better place than in Bath-street or Railway-terrace, which were not one-third of the width of North Parade. There, again, he believed the articles were not written for the sake of the thing itself but for a motive. The PRESIDENT.—I must call your attention Mr Jones to the subject which is detrimenental to the interests of Aberystwyth." Do not imply or impute motives. Mr JONES, continuing, said the next matter had regard to articles on the ventilation shaft in Queen's-road. Now Mr Morgan, added the speaker, you are groaning now. (Laughter). Mr: T. H. EDWARDS objected strongly, and asked whether personal remarks were in order ? The PRESIDENT asked Mr. Jones to proceed without personal remarks. Mr JONES went on to refer to an article headed An Ignorant Town Council," in which it said that the Council was ignorant of the broken ventilation shaft in Queen's- road, and had no conception that sewer gas blown into bedrooms was inimical to health and so forth. The questiou he wanted to ask, he added, was, whether it was true or not that the ventilation shaft was in connection with the main sewer ? Mr T. H. EDWARDs-Better ask the Surveyor. I do not think the Chairman can answer. Mr Jo.Es.-And I do not ask you either. (Laughter). Mr EDWARDS.—These questions put to the meeting are nothing else than a farce. It is all very well to be smart and to give repartee. Why should the question be asked us ? How do we know where the ventilation shaft is connected ? The PRESIDENT—Let Mr Jones go cn. Mr J OHES- The question is whether the ventila- tion shaft is connected with the main, and if it was not A MEMBER—It ought to be. (Laughter.) Mr JONES added if it was not connected, then the fact that it was broken and the end uncovered was not detrimental to anybody. He had strong authority for saying that the shaft was discon- nected and was now connected with the Hostel ventilation shaft, and in that sense the shaft which was broken was not in connection with the sewer. Mr FRED MORGAN—May I tell you that you are wrong in your facts ? Mr JONES- I have as strong authority as you have for saying what I say. Mr FRED MORGAN-Very well. I will give you my authority afterwards. Mr JONES then complained of the disorderly state of the meeting but the CHAIRMAN thought the meeting was very sympathetic with Mr Jones. Mr RICHARD EDWARDS thought Mr Jones had better now leave the subject, and Mr JONES said he would then leave the proposition in the hands of the meeting. After a pause, Mr RUFUS WILLIAMS said he would second the proposition for the sake of dis- cussion. Mr CHRIS TAYLOR, Hotel 24, moved an amend. ment that the meeting go on to the next subject, and a Member seconded it. Mr FRED MORGAN sai 1 the object of Mr Jones was to condemn Mr Gibson. With regard to the Queon's-road ventilation shaft, the fact of the matter was that the shaft was broken and remained broken for two years and when Mr Gibson called attention to it Corporation men were sent to stop up the broken end. Mr John Jenkins could con- firm the statement that the shaft was connected with the main. Mr RUFUS WILLIAMS said with regard to the out-door stable, he did not live in North-parade, but he thought the residents had a grievance. The stand ought to be flagged and channelled so that it could be properly flushed and cleaned. Mr ISAAC HOPKINS thought the Association should hear what Mr Gibson had said in his letter. The PRESIDENT read the letter from Mr Gibson which said that as the way he conducted the Cambrian News was down for discussion, he thought it would be well for him not to be present at the meeting, partly that he might not hamper discussion andfpartly because he never defended himself be- fore anyone for the way he conducted the paper. If he had been present (continued the letter) he should have asked the Association to condemn the Council's proposal to erect the urinal behind the Hostel. If erected, he added, it would give an excuse for people loitering about the Hostel that they were either going to or coming from the urinal. Mr DAVID LLOYD, Portland-street, looked at the matter from this standpoint. The Council was I ending the ratepayers' money in advertising J Aberystwyth as a health resort and as a place for all the world to come to, and for any individual or any authority to run the place down was not con- sistent with the interests of the ratepayers of the town. Therefore he thought that what Mr Jones had tried to show was quite consistent with that standpoint. Any person speaking unfavourably of the town was not a friend of the town. Mr SILVANUS LEWIS—What if what is said is true ? Mr DAVID LLOYD-That is another matter. Mr SILVANUS LEWIs-Then you are afraid of the truth. Mr DAVID LLOYD replied that many truths were wiser not stated. Inasmuch as the ratepayers' money went to advertise the town, and they be- lieved the sanitary condition of the town was not in such a way as was sometimes described, he was not a friend of the town to run the town down in the season. Mr RICHARD EDWARDS thought if Mr Gibson felt that defects could be remedied by exposing them, he was only doing what was right in writing to ex- pose them. The Association knew that there were a great many things in the town requiring remedy in order to make the place more attractive to visitors. Visitors were he backbone of Aberyst- wyth, and Aberystwyth ought to study them in order to induce them to come in greater number. By pointing out the defects as Mr Gibson did in the Cambrian News, the defects were remedied one after the other. They must all admit that and they must all admit also that there was a lot of things requiring to be done better than advertising the town and leaving the defects to remain. Aber- ystwyth would advertise itself if things were properly done. It would be well if the Town Council went to see Southport to see how Southport paid attention to public matters. The Council there provided shelters, public conveniences, and made everything almost perfect, and if Aberyst- wyth Council did the same, he believed it would be the best advertisement that Aberystwyth could have. It would be far better than spending the rates in advertisements and allowing the defects to remain. Mr T. H. EDWARDS laid he was very much struck by the fact that the seconder of the pro- position should get up and support what had appeared in the paper about the stand in North- parade being a nuisance because the stand was not properly constructed. He supported the amend- ment because if they hid the power and could curtail the liberty of the Press, they would be do- ing a great injustice. By calling attention to them, the Press got nuisances and things detri- mental to health and success remedied. The Association would be doing no good service by condemning any paper published in Aberystwyth. Mr RICHARDS, carver, said the Council was the proper body to remedy the defects referred to and proposed that the matter should be referred to that body. The President inviting further discussion, Mr T. H. EDWARDS proposed and Mr PEARCE, plasterer, j seconded that the question be now put. Mr JONES asking for the right of reply, Mr T. H. EDWARDS observed, The usual three minutes, Mr Chairman." Mr JONES complained that he quite saw that things were cut and dried; and the CHAIRMAN asked that the remark should be withdrawn, as everyone had spoken without bias. Dr HARRIES referred to a remark said to have been made by Gladstone when someone in an in- terrupted meeting complained of the length of his remarks and told him to shut up-" If I had not the idle opposition from your jaw, I should have shut up an hour ago." Dr Harries thought it would have been the same that night with Mr Edwards. (Laughter.) Mr T. H. EDWARDS-I suppose Dr Harries is quite in order ? Dr HARRIES—Mr Edwards is now confirming what I contend. (Laughter,) Mr EDWARDs-And Dr Harries has followed my example. (Renewed laughter.) Mr JONES thanked Dr Harries for his remarks. (Laughter.) Replying, he said he did not see any- thing in Mr Richard Edwards's remark about Southport. Southport was an old place. Aberyst- wyth was a glowing place. (Laughter.) Aberyst- wyth could not do everything at once. No place in the United Kingdom bad advanced in such a short time as Aberystwyth had advanced. (Laugh- ter, 44 Yes," and "No.") What he condemned in the articles was that he did not think they were a bit more spiteful than they were unreal. He did not believe the articles were sincere. They were written with an ulterior motive and had not in view the wellbeing and advancement of the town. He knew there were things wanted doing, but things were going on very well and he did not be- lieve in things being thrown before people to mis- lead them. With regard to the ventilation shaft, Mr John Jenkins was in his company and told him very different to Mr Morgans's statement. (Laugh- ter.) Mr Lewis Bearne also told him that the shaft was as right as rain. (Laughter.) All he wanted to say in conclusion was that the articles had not a sincere motive. The PRESIDENT saylngjthat it was a question of the policy of the paper, and that Mr Jones should not im pute motives took a show of hands, when, twenty voted for the amendment to proceed to the next business and one or two only against. THE SECRETARYSHIP. Mr D J. LEWIS asked who was responsible for the issue of the handbills convening the meeting which had led ratepayers to the conclusion that the meeting was open ? The PRESIDENT replied that he would take the responsibility, but it would be seen that the hand- bills stated it was a meeting of the Ratepayers' Association. The Association knew that it had no secretary. Mr Llewellin had r esigned, and it was for the Association to appoint someone in his place. He had Mr Llewellin's resignation with his reasons for resignation. He, however, thought there was no necessity for going into the reasons, but might proceed to consider how best to fill the vacancy. Would the Association ad. vertise, or leave the appointment to the ex- ecutive ? In reply to Mr T. H. Edwards, it was stated that the salary of the Secretary was JE5 5s. Mr WILLIAMS and Dr HARRIES thought the letter of resignation should be read, Dr HARRIER observing that Mr Llewellin might be a man of very delicate feeling'like himself (Or Harries), and the Association should know where he had been touched in order next time to appoint a bulldog. (Laughter.) The PRESIDENT then read Mr Llewellin's letter which was as follows :—" I beg formally to tender my resignation of the secretaryship of the Associa- tion. I joined the Association, as did a number of other ratepayers, with a sincere desire to do what was possible by enquiry, discussion, and full but fair criticism of current topics of interest to the rate- payers and the action of public bodies in relation thereto. It took me a very short time to make me sus- pect, and my suspicion was followed by conviction, that there were in the Association members who joined apparently for the purpose of airing their own personal grievances, real or imaginary, but principally imaginary, and who, to attain their selfish ends, did not hesitate and were allowed to attack individuals and public bodies in, to use a mild term, a most unjustifiable manner. The result is that as far as its existence for the advance- ment of the best interest of the town is concerned, the Association, in my opinion, might as well cease to exist. Holding this opinion, therefore I cannot consistently continue to act as secretary." The President added that the letter was read at the executive and the resignation was accepted. He very much regretted that Mr Llewellin should see fit to sever his connection with the Association. Of course they did not agree with Mr Llewellin's re- marks. At the same time, the resignation was a moral for all of them thoueh they could not agree with the contents of the letter. Dr HARRIES thought the Association ought to pass a vote of thanks to Mr Llewellin for what he had done and for his kind advice. (Laughter.) He proposed that. Mr RUFUS WILLIAMS seconded, the vote of thanks. The PRES DENT said the Association could not but feel indebted to Mr Llewellin. He had gone through an immense amouut of work in organising the Association, and it was felt that he should be paid some remuneration. The sum of two guineas was suggested. Mr FRED MORGAN supposed the remuneration would make up for the vote of thanks, and Dr HARRIES said it would be a secondary consideration. He would add the two guineas to the vote of thanks, not as payment for his services, but for the advice. (Laughter.) Mr FRED MORGAN seconded Dr Harries's pro- position, which was agreed to, and the Executive was requested to take steps to fill the vacancy. THE COUNCIL'S GRANTS. Mr FRED MORGAN then brought before the Association the subject of the Council's grants to golf clubs, ping-pong tournaments, as well as grants to the College. He thought it high time that the Association should take steps with regard to the action of the Council in making grants to various objects out of the public moneys of the town. He found that last year E30 had been voted to the Golf Club and R,13 13!J this year, though the Golf Club was a body of men who could afford to pay for their pastime and should not ask the ratepayers to pay for it, who included the poorest of the poor. The Council had also voted a twenty-five guinea cup, which which really cost ;E14-(Iaughter)-for competi- tion in a ping-pong tournament. The principle was the same whether it was £ 14 or £ 1,400. The fact of the matter was that the Council in making those grants were making totally-illegal grants. They were going on in the face of the rate- payers of the town who, so far, were very com- plaisant and said nothing about it, and as long as the ratepayers said nothing about it, the Council would go on making those illegal grants. He thought, however, that that Association should now say that the grants should cease. The grants had risen from f4 4s in 1891 to f,35 4s in 1895, f49 149 in 1900, and on to 493 in 1901, an increase of fifty per cent, and he supposed when the rate- payers got last year's abstract of accounts, it would be seen that the grants had now reached EISO. That being so, the Association should put its foot down and adopt some means of stop- ping those grants. The sums he had quoted did not include the cost of enter- tainments of Cbautauquans and others, and grants made to the College. What he understood was that the Hostel was a private affair, but he had been looking through an old abstract and found that f400 had been given to the Hostel, which was then understood to be a public affair and attached to the College. It appeared, however, that it was a private aflair, and had a perfect right, as was stated at the last meeting of the Council, to oompet6 with ratepayers in running a boarding house during the vacation. Nevertheless the Town Council gave 9400 besides letting the Hostel people have the land for nothing. Now it was intended making a further grant to the College of a site on the new promenade, near the Castle grounds That land cost the town between EI,500 and 92,000, the extra cost entailed by the deviation in order to provide the site which was to be given to the College. Mr WILLIAMS said that was not so. He only wished to say that because it was not correct. A MEMBER pointed out that an opportunity would be given after Mr Morgan had finished for corrections. Mr WILLIAMS replied that he could not allow the statement to be made when he knew it was not true. Mr FRED MORGAN, continuing, said it was a funny thing about the wall altogether. The devi- ation of the wall was first of all agreed to and then the College applied for the land secured by the deviation. The argument for deviation was "What a splendid place you will then have for the town," and then the College came down and applied for it, and the Council said Oh yes, we will give it to you and when the Town Council was asked why they should give the land for nothing, they re- plied that the College had never asked for it for nothing. He said that the extra cost of the wall caused by the deviation was between £1,500 and £ 2,000. Mr WILLIAMS—Not to give the piece of land to the College. Mr FRED MORGAN said it was a piece of sophristy to say that it would not be the cost of the gift to the College. The land was to be given to the College and it was all very fine for some members of the Council to say it did not cost the town anything because the Council had already agreed to divert the walling. It should not be for- gotten that members of the Council were big people in the College Council and must have known that the thing was being carried on and why not bring it before the ratepayers ? (Cheers.) They knew what was the intention of the College and it was not honest and was absolutely incorrect to say that the wall was not going to cost f.1,500 in order to provide a site for the College. He therefore thought it time that the ratepayers who were interested in that matter and the other matters to which he had referred should put their feet down against those illegal grants. (Cheers.) A committee should be appointed to try and devise means for bringing the Council to its proper bearings with regard to those grants. Tha ratepayers should approach the Board of Trade, seeing that the Council had not the courage to face the ratepayers. They funked going to the ratepayers who, he thought, would not agree to the grant. He wished every success to the College, but not at the ex- pense of the ratepayers. He opposed it on principle and would fight it on principle. It was not right that a public body should give public money to individuals or to any set of individuals. He therefore proposed that a committee should he appointed or that it should be represented at the Board cf Trade enquiry that the ratepayers were not agreeable to what the Council had done. (Cheers.) Mr RICHARD EDWARDS commended Mr Morgan's spirit in opposing the illegal subscriptions of the Council, and he thought it wise to protest against a continuance of the practice. They must not blame the Golf Club, the College, or the ping-pong people for receiving the money, but the Council forgiving it. The Council represented the ratepayers and should therefore look after the ratepayers' money. If it was the Council's own money or their own property, there could be no objection to their giving it away, but it was not right for them to give other people's money or pro- perty away. The Council would give it away if they had the power. It was only right that the ratepayers should have a voice in the matter and he was glad that an enquiry would be held. At any rate, there was a lot of things to be considered before it was done, as an extension of the College in that direction would enclose an open space and spoil a good deal of the view from the Castle. Mr D. J. LEWIS said it might ba thought from what was said that night that the Council came from some distant country who posed as leaders of the town, forgetful of the fact that they were placed ia their position by the rate- payers. The Association ought to Thave a little sympathy with the Council. He believed the Council acted on right motives, though liable to err, and might ask the ratepayers where they had been so long before going to their assist- ance. The ratepayers bad been shutting their eyes or looking at things contentedly for years, and now only were making their grievances known. The Council might be wise in granting money to some things and wrong in others. He believed that the ping-pong tournament was the best advertisement the town had this year. He did not know why the players of golf should not support themselves, and he did not think it right to vote money to the Football Club, which took money at the gates and should be self-supporting. He thought they should take a more lenient view of the Council and not always harrass them and blame them for what they were doing. Mr T. H. EDWARDS thought gate money was no reason why the Football Club should not have a grant, as the golf and ping-pong clubs charged sub- scriptions for membership. Money given to foot- ball by the Council was money well spent. When Aberystwyth won the Welsh Cup it was the best advertisement the town could have, and the golf links was one of the finest things to attract visitors. Mr RUFUS WILLIAMS did not like the impression to go abroad that Aberystwyth Council was more extravagant or less hospitable than other councils. It was customary for councilsjto give receptions to visitors, to entertain and welcome them. He should like to feel that Aberystwyth Council was not so bad a lot as the meeting wanted to make itself believe they were. Private tradesmen gave sub. scriptions in order to encourage movements which might not directly benefit the tradesmen who gave, out which benefit ed the community. Person- ally he felt that the Council were not much over- stepping the bounds. They gave £10 10s to the Agricultural Society. He should like to see the Council give 920 to it, for the Society benefited agriculture and what benefited farmers also bene- fited the community of Aberystwyth. He did not think the Council was so heinous after all. If the Association could strengthen the hands of the Council and sometimes stay their hands it was their duty to do so. Mr WILLIAMS did not consider the Association the province in which he should discuss matters very much. He had been a member of the Associa- tion since the commencement, but he had not said a single word, feeling that that was not the proper place. He had joined as a ratepayer, thinking that public matters would be discussed in:a friendly way. That evening, however, he thought it his duty to give a correct version of the granting of the land to the College referred to by Mr Fred Morgan. If he undetatood Mr Morgan cerrectly, he said that the Council had gone to the expense of £ 1,500 or £ 2,000 with the view of being in a position to grant that piece of land to the College. He demurred to that statement and said it was not the fact. He was sure the Association was anxious to know the exact truth of the matter. Having regard to the width of the new parade, which was to be about thirty-six feet, the Council thought it would be too narrow to join on with the Marine- parade and having regatd to the fact that there was to be a fine entrance from the Castle, it was decided that the portion adjoining the College should be widened down to the Terrace. That was even before the College spoke about the land. When the Council of the College applied for the site, it bad been practically decided that the promenade should be widened. Shortly after, a committee met on the spot and decided to widen beyond the vacant spot opposite St Michael's to fifty feet. It had nothing whatever to do with the College. The Council would have widened the whole of it if the College had never applied for it. The resolution passed by the Council was clear and there should be no attempt to colour the matter or mislead the public. The resolution was passed, as far as the Corporation was concerned, to grant the land to the College provided the Council had the sanction of the necessary authorities, which meant the sanction of the Board of Trade and the ratepayers of Aberystwyth. The Council took every precaution to put that in. Another state- ment made by Mr Morgan was that the Council had made a grant to the Hostel 3f 9400 and had given the site. Mr FRED MORGAN—NO, the statement was that they gave the site cheap. Mr WILLIAMS-What is cheap ? Let us have a clear statement. (Hear, hear.) Mr FRED MORGAN-Go on. Mr WILLIAMS-I do not want to go on in any kind of way. I want facts. Mr RED MORGAN-My statement as regards the Hostel site is that it was sold at less than the value of the site in the market. Mr WILLIAMS replied that Mr Morgan never taid that. He said the Council gave JE400 and the site, and that was absolutely false. Absolutely no foundation for it. He appealed to Dr Harries. The site had been open from time immemorial. The Corporation had done nothing for the College up to that time. The Hostel at first was to be a small affair and was made larger when it was seen that the Council would give the site. That was agreed to unanimously at a meeting of ratepayers. The Local Government Board asksd that the site should be valued and it was valued at JE550. The Local Government Board demurred to several points raised by the Cor- poration, and the Corporation felt that some enemy of the town,lhad been behind the scene corresponding with the Local Government Boarl, but had not been able to find out who it was. At one time the Local Government Board were favourable to a grant of the site, and it was pointed out that as the Corporation were lessors of the bulk of the town; it was to their interest to have the site built upon in order to enhance the value of the town. The site was valued at £ 550. The money was paid by the College and the Council handed back £400, keeping 9150. The Hostel was built, and the vacant space between the houses afterward taken up and built upon. With regard to the Council, were not the members of the Council ratepayers ? The Council was com- posed of some of the largest ratepayers in the town, and whatever grants were made the members had to bear their proportion. Dr HARRIES, in justice to Mr Williams, endorsed what he said. Mr FRED MORGAN said he knew that the Hostel site was valued Pot JE550 and was surprised that Mr Williams should work up a passion over it. Dr HARRIES added that he thought, according to Mr Williams's remarks about the widening of the promenade, that the Council had stultified themselves, for they thought the promenade too narrow, then agreed to widen it, and then made a grant of the site to the College, thereby reducing the promenade to its original width. It was therefore to be concluded that the £ 1,500 or £2,000, the extra cost of the promenade, would be thrown away as far aa the object of the Council in widen- ing of the promenade was concerned, besides making the place as unpresentable as it could possibly be by building upon it. Mr WILLIAMS said that the width of the parade opposite particular spot was 45 feet. From the point round it was only 36 feet. The PRESIDENT understood that the Council wanted the sweep. Dr HARRIES-But now they do away with the sweep by building over it. Could anyone tell him the tvidth of the College building? A MEMBER—Eighty feet by fifty. Dr HARRIEs-Then how much will there be left ? (Cheers.) Mr WILLIAMS replied that the piece was never intended to be a part of the Promenade and Mr FRED MORGAN asked if it was intended to put a urinal on it ? The PRESIDENT thought the Association under- rated the importance of the College to the town. They were giving it a site worth E20,000, it would not be doing too much for the institution. Mr FRED MORGAN, replying, said it was a pure inadvertence if he said the Council gave L400 and the site. The question was whether the Council was right in subsidising a private institution which competed with the ratepayers of the town. He proposed that the Association should protest against the system of grants made by the Council which were illegal in their nature. The PRESIDENT asked if there was lany seconder and there was no response. Dr HARRIES thought every man in the room would second a proposal that no illegal grants should be made. Whether there were illegal grants he did not know. Mr FRED MORGAN said the Town Clerk would say that they were illegal if the Council asked him. The PRESIDENT thought the Association had then better leave the matter alone, having had a healthy discussion. The Association then separated.

SCHOOL BOARD. A meeting of the School Board was held on Tuesday evening, at the Board School, when there were present: Mr William Thomas (chairman), Professor Edward Edwards, MrsJGriffiths, Mr T. B. Hall, and Prebendary Williams, with R. J. Roberts (clerk), D. Lloyd (attendance officer), and the Headmaster. Miscellaneous bills having been passed, the Clerk read a letter from Mr J. E. Parry, who applied for an increase of salary, having been in the service of the Board for three years, during which time he had acquired a considerable amount of experience. The CHAIRMAN said the usual thing was to get it put on the agenda for the next meeting, when the application could be considered. This was ultimately agreed to. The CHAIRMAN aaid with regard to the precept, he had seen Mr Atwood that day and they were no" in a hurry. The Chairman explained that the money came from the poor rates and is handed over to the credit of the Council and again forwarded to the Board. He thought it advisable that the matter should be considered at the next meeting. In reply to Prebendary Williams, the CHAIRMAN said the Board stands very well financially. He added that the free grants would come to their rescue and that would carry them on until the 25th March. The Board never stood better with the bank than at the present time. The Rev Prebendary WILLIAMS said they wanted a statement of the probable expenditure and receipts. The Clerk would perhaps get it. The CLERK said he would procure the statement. It was then understood that the question of precept would be considered at the next meeting. The CLEiK called attention to repairs which required attending to and was given power to see them carried out. The Attendance Officer read a list of attendances at the various schools, which was as follows:—Board School, boys', 917; girls', 91*4; infants, 83'4; under five, 76*5. National School, boys', 88 "5 girls, 83 jnfants', 86"5; under five, 70. Penparkau School, 79.'

LLANA^TH SCHOOL BOARD.—The ordinary monthly meetin g of the Llanarth School Board was held on jTuesday afternoon at the Board room. There were present Mr Rees Rles, Tycoch. in the chair Miss Lewis, Tyddpyndu Messrs T Thomas, Greengrove; David Evans, Nantygwndy; J Davies, Sunny Hill, and Captain Lloyd, Ffoaffin. -Several bills for repairs, &c., and the salaries for the quarter were paid.- The attendance at the schools was on the whole very poorly §and some parents :who defied the Board, have been served with notice to attend the next meeting. The misunderstanding betwee n the Board and Mr J Jones, late master of Llwyn- dafydd School, was amicably settled, the Board having decided to pay the sum in 'dispute.—Miss Dinah Jones, cf Capel Cynon, applied for the post of assistant teacher at Llanarth School, but she declined to accept the post at the salary offered by the Board.—The matter :will come up for settle- ment at the next meeting, when also a complaint re ceived from Mydroilyn will be investigated.

BALA. LITEARRY SOCIETY.-The winter meetings of the Independent Chapel Literary Society were com- menced last Thursday evening when, through the kindness of Mr J R Jordan, solicitor, all the members of the Society were entertained to an excel ent coffee supper. After having done justice to the good things, the tables were cleared and a meeting was held under the presidency of Dr Williams, Tawelfan, when songs, duetts, etc, were given by the following Mrs T Rowlands, Misses Bella Jones, Grace Anne Pugb, A C Lloyd, Jane Ellis, and Mr John Lloyd. In the competition for the best reading of a piece without any steps, the prize was carried by Miss Eliza Rhys, and for naming a dozen of the chief bards of Wales, the prize was given to Mr Thomas Jones. For the best englyn on Llyn Tegid," Mr Edward Jones Evans was awarded the prize. During the meeting, appropriate addresses were given by the Chairman, Messrs John Parry, Glantegid, and John Evans, Berwyn -street. -On the motion of Mr John Jones, Tegid House, seconded by Mr Moses Roberts, a cordial vote of thanks was accorded to Mr J R Jordan for his great kindness in inviting the members to such an excellent repast.—Mr Jordan suitably acknowledged and said he wished to pro- pose a vote of thanks to the ladies who had so kindly taken the trouble to prepare the supper and also to all those who had taken part in the meet- ing.—Mr R Davies, North and South Wales Bank, seconded the proposition. An enjoyable evening was brought to a close with the singng of a con- gregational hymn.

Jocal anb pstrict. METALS.—Lead quiet—s«ft foreign, £10 15s to S10 16s 3d English, Ell Is 3d. Spelter easier G.O.Bs 219 5s to 919 7s 6d special brands C19 7s 6d to X19 10s. The Marquis and Marchioness of Londonderry will arrive at Londonderry House this week from Wynyard Park, Stockton-on-Tees. .'RECEIVING ORDER.—Robert S. Bennion, 7, North Parade, Aberystwyth, fancy goods dealer Mr George Wightwick Rendel, brother of Lord Rendel, and of the late Mr Hamilton Owen Rendel of Elswich, a Director of Armstrongs, died on Thursday night at! Broadlands, Sandown, Isle of Wight, at the age of sixty-nine, only a little more than three weeks after his brother Hamilton, Mr George Rendel was the second son of the late Mr James Meadows Rendel, an eminent civil engineer. He was educated at Harrow, and joined Sir Wil- liam Armstrong's firm at Elswick as managing partner of the Elswiok Ordance Works in 1858, directing the same with Captain Noble for nearly a quarter of a century. In March, 1883, he was prevailed upon to accept the position of pro- fessional Civil Lore1 of the Admiralty, but resigned it in 1885. Mr Rendel, like his brothers, was a Director of Sir W G Armstrong, Mitchell, and Co. CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS.—Approximate return of traffic receipts for the week ending October 12th, 1902: Miles open, 250. Passengers, parcels, &c., £ 3,386 merchandise, minerals, and live stock, £ 3,154; total for the week, f 6,540 aggregate from commencement of half-year, £118,847. Actual traffic receipts for th6 corresponding week last year: Miles open. 250. Passengers, parcels, &c., 93,271; merchandise, minerals and live stock, 93,129 total for the week, £6,400; aggre- gate from commencement of half year, 9122,209. Increase for the week Passengers, parcels, &c, £ 115; merchandise, minerals, &c, 925, Total for the week. £140. :Aggregate decrease Passengers, parcels, &c» £ 2,440; merchandise, minerals, ic, £ 895; aggregate from commencement of half year, 93,335.

ABERAYRON. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 15TH.-Present: Messrs A LI Rees (chairman) Thomas Davies (vice-chairman) Mrs Bennatt Jones, Aberayron Messrs John Jones and D Jones, Llanfair Trefeglwys G Griffiths, J C Jones, Llanarth J W Davies, Cydplwyf United James Williams, Dihewid J M Howell, Henfynyw Upper W Evans and A L Thomas, relieving officers; E Evans, master B C Jones, clerk. The House.-Number of inmates, 16 last year corresponding period, 14. Vagrants relieved during the fortnight, 65 last year corresponding period. 53. v 6 A Return of Casuals Relieved. Tbe Master pre. sented a return which he had collected at the in- stigation of Mr D. M. Rowlands, representing the number of casuals relieved at each of the following worhouses during the twelve months ended Sep- tember last Machynlleth, 1,880 Newcastle Emlyn, 1,654 Aberayron, 1,434; Lampeter 1267; Aberystwyth, 1,196 Tregaron, 973 Cardigan, 51. During the above period Aberystwyth de- tained 580 for two nights. Cardigan Workhouse only took in six people at a time. Any number- above this are sent to the lodging-houses, which will account for the smallness of the number relieved. The Guardians and Dr Evans.-A complaint having beea made by Mr James Williams, that Dr Evans, as vaccination officer, did not fulfil engage- ments made by himself with people at Dihewid, (Mr Williams had given particulars), the Clerk was instructed to write to Dr Evans for his explanation. The following letter was read in reply Park House, New Quay, Cardiganshire, October 13th, 1902. To the Clerk of the Guardians of the Aber- ayron UnioD. Dear Sir,-In reply to the com- plaint made by Mr James Williams, guardian, re- specting my failure on one or two occasions lately to keep my vaccination appointments with some casea in the parish of Dihewid, I beg to inform the Board of Guardians that I much regret it, but that it unavoidably arose owing to my being detained by other casas on the road there, so that it became too late to visit the Dihewid cases on those days, these cases being ten miles or more from me, aud some of them scattered in inaccessible places. Under those circumstances, it is difficult before- hand to know how much one can accomplish in a journey. I am happy to say that all the cases in the parish of Dihewid have since been successfully- vaccinated and inspected by me. Trusting this explanation may prove satisfactory.—Yours faith. fully, THOMAS EVANS, public vaccinator." -Mr- John Jones spoke strongly against accepting the explanation. It appeared to him that the letter did not satisfactorily account for the failure of the officer to attend on more than one occasion and his conduct implied that some business was relatively more important than theirs.-It was finally re- solved that such delinquencies will not be over- looked in future. A Bill for a Coffin.—Mr Ernest Lloyd asked for permission to pay 253 for a coffin for one of the Aberayron non-settled poor. The party had not gone to the Lampeter Union Contractor for the coffin.-It was resolved to pay the bill. Out-relief Relinquished.—Mr John Jones said that Anue Lloyd, in his parish, relinquished her out-relief.-Alr J. M. Howell said that Gwen Jones, Pontbrenmydir, relinquished her out-relief. .Miscellaneous. -Tom Evans, Ffosffin, who has been an inmate of the House for some months, asked to have his out-relief re-granted and if possible to give a sum of money in advance to enable him to carry on his old work of selling herrings.—On the motion of Mr J. C. Jones, seconded by Mr J. M. Howell, it was decided to grant him a loan of 20s in lieu of out-relief for one month.—Mr Dan James was advised to invoke the assistance of the justices to enable him to obtain a warrant to have his tools restored from his daughter. -Margaret Evans, Llwydlo, applied for advice to enable her to claim an allowance from a transfer appointed in an agreement en- tered into between her and the father of her third illegitimate child.—Mr A. L. Thomas re- ported that Mariah Rees (or Davies) of New Quay had no means of her own to pay for her change of air and diet at the Workhouse.—Eliza Jones of Rock-street, New Quay, another visitor to the Workhouse, had returned to her husband. RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL, WEDNESDAY OCTOBER IITH,-Pre,,e,2t Mr John M Howell: (chairman), and the other Rural District councillors named above. Carrmpondence.-A letter was read from the Cil- cennin parish councillors, urging the councillors to take over the Orfaddu road. It was resolved to wait the report of the new surveyor.-A letter was read from Dr Douglas Reid sending cards and collecting books for the work connected with the prevention of '.the causes of tuberculosis, and regretting his inability to lecture at Aberayron. The New Surveyors.—Mr Rhys Rhys and Mr Jenkin Jenkins appeared at the Council for the first time. The Chairman addressing them said that they were not foremen only. A far greater responsibility rested in them to advise the Council when parish councils and other applicants appealed to the Council to take over new roads, when diplomatic work had to be transacted by them with landlords in respect of disputed rights, and occupiers in respect of overhanging fences, and many other matters of a kindred character. The Council locked to them for Bound advice based upon a spot knowledge of all the facts and details. Much depended upon the spirit in which they would tackle their work. The work expected from them ought to be far worth more than 935 per annum and he hoped they would so execute their duties as to show they appreciated the responsibility and importance of their office, and deepen the sense of the importance of the office of the Surveyor in the minds of the ratepayers. If they did he believed they would be justified in coming to the councillors who sat there (they might have been gone) to ask them to remunerate them in a way that was commensurate with the excellent work he hoped they would be doing.—Mr T. Davies said that he hoped they would im- mediately proceed to measure the stone heaps, for the poor people had had nothing for stone breaking since May. He would further tell Mr Rhys Rhys and he advised him to take care of the roads of Cydplwyf. (Laughter.)— Mr J C Jones said that if the new Surveyors wished to have a quiet beginning they would have to see that the hedges and fences were kept down. The season for that was approaching and he warned them that he would keep a sharp eye on the matter.—On the motion of Mr J C Jones,fseconded by Mr James Williams, it was resolved that the Clerk be asked to bring under the notice of the new Surveyoia, all arreirs of work which required their attention. Inspector's Report.-The Inspector's report was considered and dealt with clause by clause. It was resolved to give final notice to the owner of Crygie- isaf to repair the house. Three cases of 'scarlatina. had been notified at Pantyryn, Llansilio. The other matters were of the ordinary character. Decrease in Population. —The Relieving Officer of Llansilio said that during the last quarter the number of deaths in his district was twenty-five, births twenty.

CILCENNIN SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION. Yesterday at four o'clock was the last day and hour at which to send in nomination papers in this election. Only tt.ree nominations.were received by the Returning Officer, namely Mr Jenkin Rees, Blaenywaun Richard Jones, Bwlchydwr, and Mr EvAn Evans, Perthyllwydon, who were declared duly elected. Upon these three will now devote the duty of electing the remaining two members of the Board.

TREGARON. FLOODS.—Owing to the very heavy rain which has fallen during the past few days, the rivers Brenig and Tivy have been greatly flooded. This will render it most difficult to carry a further supply of peat out of the bog for a considerable time. Large tracts of meadow along the banks of the Tivy have been com- pletely covered by the swollen river. Fortunately all the crops had been secured before the flood came this year. PARISH ÇOUNCIL. A meeting of the Caron-is: Clawdd Parish Council was held on Friday eveninflr last, presided over by Mr Thomas Evans, Albion- House, chairman. There was also present Messrs David Thomas, Cambrian House; E. C. Evans. Chapel-street; E. Isaac Davies, Pantsheriff Thomas Rees, platelayer; Stephen Hughes, Doldre: M. J. Davies, North-end E. J. Evans, Bradford House E. OK U Camerfawr; and Miss Jenkins, clerk. On behalf of the Public Footpaths Committee, Mr f Evans said the instructions of the Council relative to the Argoed footpath had not been carried out owing to the Committee's inability to secure the services of a man to do the work. They desired further instructions concerning the repairs of the Tanyrallt-Crytau Footbridge and were reminded that the Council had placed the matter entirely at the discretion of the Committee.—It was subsequently decided to visit the place on Monday, the Committee being authorised to proceed with the necessary repairs at once.—It was also reported that the restoration of Derlwyn Footbridge had been obstructed for the present year by the swollen condition of the river Tivy, it being impossible to lay down the foundation of the proposed new support wall. They were, how. ever, instructed to make an effort to prevent the structure from being carried by the winter floods.- Instructions were also given for taking down the public seats and get them safely stored over the winter.—Mr E. Isaac Davies was in favour of leaving them out and argued strongly that they would be as serviceable in winter as they were in summer, but was not prepared to move a resolution to that effect.—Mr Stephen Hughes gave notice of motion for the next meeting, that the Clerk be instructed to call the urgent, attention to the dangerous condition of the river embankment at Glangro, Doldre.—Notice of motion was also given by Mr David Thomas, that he would call the attention of the Council to the dirty condition of the footpath leading from the Wesleyan Chapel to High-street, Doldre, and move a resolution thereon.-Mr E. H. Bebb said he had beed told by a fellow-ratepayer that no rat68 were levied upon certain lands in the parish, to wit, Waun, Trawscoed, and Llwyngwynau Common, both in the township of Blaenaeron. He would move for information on the subject at the next meeting.—Mr E. J. Evans, who is one of the overseers for this year, was asked to investigate the matter by that time.—Cheques were signed in payment of Dills for repairing lamps, seats, &?.