The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

BALA Eisteddfod.—A treeing of the general committee j of Bala Eisteddfod was held at the Victoria Hall on Friday evening undpr the presidency of Mr Edwin Roberts, N. P. Bank. It was unanimously re- solved to hold an eisteddfod on Whit Monday, and Mr J. Parry, Glantegid, was re elf cted chairman of the general committee Mr Ed¡,tar Erano, N. P. Bank, treasurer; and Mr R. Evans, Seren" Office, secretary Cyfarfo 1 Misot-The annual meetings of the East Merioneth M,,thod;s!a were held at Tegid Chapel on Monday. TtieFd-Y, and Wednesday. Monday and part of Tuesday were devoted to busi- ness matters, and on Tuesday evening the Revs. J. Morgan Jones. Orripydruidion aud R Jones, Rhnp, preached to a large congregation. The preachers on Wednesday were the Rev-, W Williams, Glyn- dyfrdwy John WiHin-ms, Priiceo Rra l, Liver- pool R. Jones, Rhos Henlyn Owen, Dinmael; anrt John Jones, Lhndrillo, Success-Mis8 Susannah Jonl's. youngest daugh- ter of the Rev Moses Jones, Mount Cottage, has been promoted night superintendent at Burnley Infirmary.

THE RICHARD WILSON MEMORIAL UNVEILING CEREMONY AT PENEGOES. ARCHDEACON OF MERIONETH ON ART AND PURITANISM. About twelve months ago his Honour Judge William Evans, of the Mid Wales Circuit of County Courts, who possesses a valuable col- lection of paintings at his home at Llanid- loes, finding that there "was no memorial to Richard Wilson, R.A.. the great landscape painter of the eighteenth century, at his birthpa.ce at Penegoes near Machynlleth, in- timated his desire to bear the cost of a mural tablet if permission was obtained for its erection in the Church of Penegoes. The Rector (the Rev D Roberts) willingly as- sented and the tablet having been erected, it was formally unveiled on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a large con- gregation. His Honour Judge Wm Evans was unfortunately unable to attend; but there were present Archdeacon Williams of Merioneth; the Rev D Roberts and Mrs Roberts, Penegoes Rectory the Rev Llew- elyn Williams, Machynlleth Rectory; the Rev. R. J. Edwards, Mrs Edwards, and Lieut. Edwards, Corris; Major Bonsall and Mrs Bonsall, Galltyllan; Mr and Mrs Bradwell, Dolguog; Mr David Evans, registrar of Mach- vnlleth County Court: Miss Griffiths, late Rectory'; Mr Blessley, Miss Howell, Aber- dovey Mr Herbert. Morris Machynlleth; and others. The evening service was taken by the Rev. R. J. Edwards, the rector, and Archdeacon Williams, and in the course of it the me- morial tablet, which is of marble let into the northern wall of the nave, was gratefully unveiled by Mrs Bonsall, of Galltyllan. The inscription read:- To the Memorv of RICHARD WILSON, R.A., a great artist. Born at Penegoes Rectory A.D. 1713. Died at Llanferres, Denbighshire, A.D. 1782. From the few facts available compiled by the Rector, it appears that Wilson's life is the common tale of unappreciat-ed genius during the painter's lifetime. Homer living begged his bread— Seven cities begged Homer dead. Wilson's works made no apneal to the more vulgar emotions; but his true position as one of our greatest landscape painters is becoming more widely recognized. Robertson, in his "Great Painters of Christendom," says- I "Like John Gibson, the famous sculptor, the ft ret and one of the greatest of our landscape painters was a Welshman, whose taste, un- rortunatelv was far in advance of his time and the beauty of whose works scarcely re- ceived adequate appreciation until our own." Richard Wilson was born in 1713 or 1714 at Penegoes Rectory. He revealed an early taste for drawing and. attracting the notice of Sir George Wynne he was placed by him under Thomas Wright. of London, a portrait painter. Up to 1749 Wilson was engaged in painting portraits and among the portraits he painted was that of the young prince who became George III. In 1749. Wilson visited Italy in the same year as Sir Joshua Reynolds went there, and in 1755 he returned to Eng- land. While in Italy Wilson painted a land- scape, which was so much admired by scape, which was so much admired by Zuccarelli. the fashionable landscape painter of the time, that induood Wilson to de- vote more attention to landscape work. In 1768 Wilson became with Sir Joshua Reynolds and Gainsborough one of the first members of the Royal Academv. His art, however, had nothing that met the public taste and in 1776 he had to accept the post of librarian of the R'ayal Academy as a means of living. In 178Q, after a life of hardship, he retired to his native Wales where at Llanferres, in Den- bighshire, he died two years afterward. His brother had left him a legacy which freed him from pecuniary difficulties before his death. The tradition goes that when his, needs were greatest, he would, to meet the pressure of the moment, place on the tap- room table a lump of coal and setting thereon a quart pot and seating himself in front, would proceed with the easy confidence of a master and produce a classic landscape. At any rate. he often repeated a favourite sub- ject or view. Sir Watkin W. Wynn possessed' several specimens of the painter's genius. His Llangollen Bridge and his Vale of Llangollen are veritable scenes transferred to canvass through the mind of a poet. There are several paintings of his also in the Diploma Gallery of the Royal Academy. One of his admirers has written of him- Wilson's art Will hold its empire o'er my heart. By Britain left' in poverty to pine But honest Wilson, never mind Immortal praises thou shalt find. Judge William Evans writing to the Reetor in presenting the tablet^, savs, For myself, I shall be satisfied if the contemplation of the tablet will inspire the youth of your parish and perhaps of Wales with the feeling and conviction that all noble and sincere Work must live in spite of neglect and long-deferred appreciation." Speaking from near the pulpit, the Arch- deacon of Merioneth said he felt, though it was a pleasure always to go into Montgomery- shire, the county of his choice though not of birth, that he went there on that ooeasion somewhat under false pretences because he was expected to speak of a man whom, he was ashamed to have to say, he knew verji little. The first thing that seemed to be certain about Richard Wilson Was that he was born at the Rectory at Penegoes and, it was presumed, was the son of one who ministered to their forefathers in that parish in spiritual things. He had asked the Rector if he had found any entry in the Register. There seemed to, be some doubt whether Wilson was born in 1'713 or 1714. He was born in one or other of those years and it was pretty certain he was born at Penegoes. If go, it, was very fitting that a great artist should have been born in that lovely spot. He could not help thinking as Tie looked back from -e Rectory that day on the mountains swelling to the north, now the young artist might have dwelt on those fine rolling hills and have learnt under God's guidance the value of the great gift in which he excelled—the gift of perspective. It was very fitting that a great artist should have been cradled among those beautiful environ- ments. No man oouid-be a great artist un- less he felt that nature was God's nature and beauty God's gift. It was also fitting that his mortal remains should lie in the beautiful country churchyard at Llanferres. The sectond reflection that had struck him in thinking over the subject was that Wilson Was the son of a country parson. How many great men had oountrv parsonages given to Wales and to England? It. would be diffi- cult to number them. One's thoughts re- curred to the hero, the centenarv of whose great victory at Trafalgar Great Britain had iust celebrated. Nelson was given to the State by a small country parsonage. Cecil Rhodes, a great benefactor of modern times. was born and "bred in a small,, quiet, humble country vicarage and it was not beyond the mark to say that Tennvson. the great poet of the last century, was the son of a parson. Richard Wilson was a great man. Perhaps he was not appreciated in his time because] great men like great, mountains could only be appreciated from a far distance. The third thought which occurred to him was that Wilson was the symbol of a great truth which artist,; recognized, that the Church had al- ways been the mother and the, inspirer of all that was best and noblest and most uplift- ing in art. The Church had always been the m'slther and the patroness and the guar- dian of a;rt,. When about thirty-four or, thirty-five vears of age. Richard Wilson went to Italy, the home of the great never-dying works of the devoted children of the Church— Reub-ens, Murilleo, Angelo, Leonardi da Venci, and many others. They all drew their inspiration from the faith of the Church. And was it not strange or. rather, was it not to be expected that art flourished or lan- guished just as the Church flourished and languished ? When was it that art began to revive in this country? He supposed it was at the beginning of the last century when Sir Walter Scott, as historians told them. gave his first great impetus to what was called the Oxford movement,, a movement which began at Oxford and spread its influence all over the Kingdom. Then it was that art in all its branches began to revive; that, Scott delineated art in fiction, Wordsworth in poetry, and great painters in nature. Art, he feared, had not flourished much in Wales during the past t".o centuries. Why Tas that? Was it not because for the past two centuries Wales had been passing through n. dark mist, a depres-ing mist of Puritanism ? There were, he admitted, many good points in Puritanism but the atmosphere of Puri- t'antism was the thick, dark. depnssing at- mosphere of the charnel house. There was o life in it; no brightness in it. Now, thank God, he thought that Wales was being freed fr'G!m the mist of Puritanism and was brgTnning to set its feet on the delectable mountains of brightness find joy and stretch- ing out before her on all sides were the glories of the eternal Creato". He did not know I what that church of Penegoes might have been 200 years ago. Probably it was a very plain, simple, unartistie buildl-- of four walls only; and he could well picture the boy Richard Wilson, with his divine instinct of art, looking round the Church and longing for the time when with the revival of church fife there should again be a revival of true art and had there not been a revival in church life during the past fifty or sixty years, in the equipment of the sanctuary in the ser- vices, and in everything connected with reli- gion ? The faith of the church-the incar- nation of Christ—that was the fountain head of all artistfc tlspiration, the motive force of Dcre, Holman Hunt, and other great artists too numerous tJI mention. They knew little about Richard Wilson. Thev knew he started his artistic career as a portrait painter, and some collector might find in nooks and corners of that locality some portrait of his. When thirty-four or thirty-five years of age he was drawn to Italy, the land of art, and there came in contact with two master arti,stF,-Vir- neti and ZucherelIi-who at nce saw that he had the real thing in him and recommended him to study landscape painting which he pa- tiently followed for years. Wilson was not an artist who looked for quick results. From 1749 to 1755 he studied landscape painting in Italy and then, having mastered the art, he returned to England and for a time, they were toldc his pictures had a fairly good sale. Gradually, however, patronage fell from him— his pictures, which were now beyond the price of money, would not sell and he became so poor as to have to live for vears in a garret on the verge of starvation. The story was a very pathetic one. At last the Royal AcademYl of which he was one of the original members with Sir Joshua Reynolds and Gainsborough took pitv on him and made him librarian at; salary of L60 a year. That salary, low as it was. kept the wolf from the door. He went on painting bravely until 1780, two years only before his death. Then the sum shone out again for him* for his brother had left him a little property in the parish of Llanferres. He lived there in per- fect peace and happiness for two years and then his soul passed away to the God who had given it. In a letter received on the previous day f,rom an Oxford professor who had made a particular studv of Richard Wil- son's paintings, the writer said thev were characterised by two things. His was supreme mastery of the aerial tone and in the expression of space, of perspective, there was no artist who had surpassed him. There were several of his paintings at Wynnstay and in the National Gallery; but his two greatest pictures were those of Niobe. painted in 1760, and a vieiw of Rome. Though he was born at Penegoes 200 years ago, and had been long dead and gone, it was pleasant and fitting that there should be that memorial of him and that they should assem- ble to hear about his life and work for the reverent appreciation of the dead was one of the noblest instincts of human nature. He feared Welshmen did not always realize that for there were still many great Welshmen who had yet no memorial. The reverent appre- ciation of the dead was one of the things that kept society noble and pure. That the memorial should be erected in God's house was a recognition that the great gift that Richard Wilson possessed was the gift of God, the giver of every good and perfect gift, and that it should be dedicated to His Glory and the service of mankind. The Rev. R. J. Edwards expressed the thanks of the parish and all present to those who had inspired the movement to erect the 'memorial and who went to the trouble and expense of erecting it in Richard Wilson's birthplaoe. Judge William Evans had been known to him for a great number of years as a conniseur afid a true Welshman, a Welshman who was not onlv a patriot, but a lover of art. Hitherto Welshmen in so far as they had expressed art in music, and literature rather than in painting; but he was pleased to observe that the eisteddfod was now encouraging other forms of art than those of music and poetry. The ceremony was concluded,by singing 0 God, our help in ages past," and by the pronouncing of the benediction by Archdeacon Williams.

IpKal atlb prstrict Receiving Orders.—Samuel Davies Jones, Werndriw Lodge, near Lampeter. Cardigan- shire, late draper, grocer and ironmonger; John Davies, 11, Bridge-street, Aberystwyth, grocer. Metals—Dead dull—soft foreign spot quoted £ 16 10s. to JE16 lls 3d.. English L16 17s 6d. Spelter quiet—G.O.B. from R,28 2s. 6d. spe- cials £28 12s. 6d. A Kerry, the property of Mr Roberts, Blaengader, gave birth to twins last Monday.

THE PLAS MACHYNLLETH HARRIERS will neet Monday, Jan. 22 id Maesteran Time-JO.30 Thursday, Jsn. 25th Cwmllcwy Tun- —10-30 THE PLAS MACHYNLLETH HOUNDS will mert Tuesday, JaD. 23rd Ctrmere Time-11 0 FridaN,, Jan. 26th CaecMnftch Time-80 THE NEUADDFAWR FOXHOUNDS WILL MEET Monday, January 22ud Pantdefi&id 1030. Thureday, January, 25th Moydyn Fawr, 10.30

EDITORIAL-NOTES Mr. DAVID DAVIES for Montgomeryshire and Mr ÛfiMONDWILLUHS for Merionethshire, have been returned without opposition. | The iCotaservative candidate for Chelsea Put out the following poster: Vote for II WHITMORE and dam the flowing tide." The flowing tide washed WHITMOKE out and a Liberal got in by 629 votes. He is now more disposed than ever to dam the flowing tide. The Conservative newspapers are desper- ately afraid of what they call LLOYD- GEORGEISM. The Liberal candidate for the Carnarvon Boroughs is getting on. LLOYD- GEORGEISM means progress, retrenchment, Peace, and reform. There is room for a good deal of it. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN the other day described Mr. LLOYD-GEOHGE as. a subordinate member of the Government. A little later on in the same speech he described Mr. LLOYD- '?EORGE as a prominent member of the Cab- Inet! This is JOSEPH all over and shows How very angry he is. The death rate for the qualrter at Aberyst- wyth was high, namely, twenty per thousand: of the population. The MEDICAL OFFICER, dees all that he is able tb do, but is not backed up by the Council. A Bridge-street case was satisfactorily explained in the present state °f tlhe law. The Local Government Board "wants to "know you know about the Aberystwyth Iso- Illation HOSlpTtal," and'have been told that the Town Council have sites before them! There will be a summer outbreak of contagi- ous disease in the end and then the Town Council will "get to know you know." The delay promises to be ruinous to the rate- 'Payers. Mr CHAMBERLAIN has told a Wolverhampton audience that he would decline to accept the "ecult of the General Election as the country's decision on the fiscal question. And what flatter will it make to anybody whether Mr. CHAMBERLAIN accepts the country's decision or Hot? It was a fly on a chariot wheel that IBaid, "gee what a. dust we make." « • • The election in the Carnarvon Boroughs is more likely to be a demonstration on behalf 1 of all Wales by LLOYD-GEORGE'S constituents than a contest between the two political par- ties. It is felt by Conservatives as well as Liberals that the local political element has largely dropped out and that the national element may well be emphasised. Two of the most astounding results of the Actions on Saturday were the victory of Mr WINSTON CHITRCHIEL, Liberal, over Mr. W. JOYNSON HICKS, Conservafive, by 1,241 and 'the defeat of Mr. A. J. BALFOUR, the late Prime Minister, by Mr M. T. G. HORRIDGE, by 1;980. These two results struck the Conserva- 'tive party with dismay. The Liberal net åins on Saturday were twenty-two. They ,are now more than A-hundred. -a. « « MI-. LLOYD-GEORGE said at a recent meeting that he wishes women had votes, for if they ,h;kd -hesays.there would not be A tarja reform- fir left in the land. There seems to he only one thing now necessary in order to secure the ,enfranchisement of women, and that is, that Women themselves should cease to be such ^°ols as to work for candidates who are op- to their political existence. Mr. KT.T.TK J. GRIFFITH is Dot one of the Wisest of politicians. He wants a mandate in e middle of a general .election about Welsh -disestablishment. We have often tried to think well of him, but he,gets himself hidden -behind his own self-importance, and all we, find after a strict search is a good deal of v«<nityi. Assurances have been given, .but he wants a mandate-andsomethin,g else. Air. DÁYID DA VIES addressed a meeting in; support of his candidature at Llanbrynmair ,the other day and said thaf as far as he was concerned as a landlord he would give every facility for his tenants, if they felt inclined, to buy their farms and become ■freeholders. The probabilities are that ten- ets do not want to be freeholders when they -have rich and generous landlords. Somebody has been asking for a second LLOYD-GEORGE. No sooner said than dome. At Nevernfl on Monday, Master RICHARD OYD-GEOGE was present and the audience insisted on a speech- He complied and was a-s much to the point as he well could be. lie said: "I ask you to return my father II neAt Saturday." We think they will and, perhaps, some day, they will return Master RICHARD LLOYD-GEORGE. The Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Company, who were summoned at Salford for allowing dense smoke to be emitted from one of the Company's locomotive engines, were fined forty shillings and costs. The Company had been fined previously, for the sameoffence. The servants of the Company were to blame, hut the Company had to pay. There are offences of this kind all over the district and the sufferers appear to have no remedy except by making complaints against rail- Way servants. « The Conservative papers are in a most hope- Jess condition. The "Western Mail" is Positively dumb. The "Liverpool Courier" is abject. We assure our contemporaries that the situation, bad as it is for them, is really not without a glimmer of light. They must take courage and next time they are in the ascendant be moderate. These things happen, like death, to the righteous and the unrighteous! We are trying to be as sorry as possible for our opponents and hope they will bear up like men. At Pwllheli, on Tuesday night, Mr. JOHN E. GREAVES, lord lieutenant of the county, a prominent Liberal Unionist and Free I Trader, presided at one of Mr. LLOYD- GEORGE'S meetings. Our readers know how highly Mr. GREAVEB is estimated in the whole of the district. The people fully ap- preciate his action. This is the sort of cour- age that saves the nations. The speech of Mr. GREAVES was full of sound commercial and philosophic reasoning. He paid a tri- bute to Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE as a. fellow- countryman and appealed to all the electors of the constituency, without respect for or- dinary party distinctions, to support him as 't Free Trader and a Welsh Nationalist. We think they will do it. The Towyn and Aberdcvey Council have no grounds for congratulating themselves on the condition of their district as regards the Public health. Deaths are recorded which the MEDICAL OFFICER thinks could have been pre- vented. This in itself is a very serious state of things. There is nothing new to say. The People do not mind being dene to death and we have said all we can say. The INSPECTOR repOrtOOl that he had several times requested the removal of a heap of old clothes in sacks which had been laid for six months in a rotten state at the back of a house in Towyn, but so far without avail. Who is to blame for this deplorable state of things? Surely action of the most drastic kind ought to have been taken long ago. Ah, well, a few municipal murders more or less are, perhaps,, of no consequence in a profoundly religious coun- try! h. Mr. LLOTD-GEORGE'.s. address to the elec- tors will -be,found on another page. He has l-emeanberoo. retioence. One of the results of the Liberal victory which is now assured, will be the recovery of the thirty millions which. Africa owes to this country. Mr HAROLD Cox, who has won a seat for Liberalism at 'Preston, is a son of the late Judge HOMERSHAM COX, who for years pre- sided over the county courts in the Aberyst- wyth district. There are no lies which the Western Mail" has not told in order to misrepresent Mr. VAUGHAN DA VIES, the Liberal candidate for I Cardiganshire. The great thing is for the voters to go to the poll. The Liberal danger is that victory may be too much taken for granted. We see in the numerous Conservative de- feats the country's passionate condemnation of the shameful war in South Africa.. Will there be an immense reduction of armaments ? The time has come when war should cease. This w^yuld save a thousand millions a year and hundreds of thousands of lives. There is not a better or more successful agricultural society in Wales than that of Merionethshire. There is a balance on the right side. The show this year will be held at Towyn. The balance in hand is not as large as we would like to see It. "When the election is over, this and other subjects will obtain attention. Number one of the new London Liberal paper, "Tlie Tribune, was a wonderful pro- duction. It says a good deal for newspapers that the new paper has been accorded a very cardial welcome by almost all the newspapers in the country. The venture means hundreds of thousands of pounds. The depressed state of the Western Mail" is pitiful to see. It has not been able to raise a single yell of triumph since the elections began. The gre..athope-o. vain one—is that Mr. VAUGHAN DAVIES may be beaten in Car- diganshire. If Liberal Cardiganshire fell out of the present triumphal march of Liberalism to victory it would be astounding. At the Aberrystwyth Town Council on Tues- day, Mr C. M. WILLIAMS, with that lack of accuracy and non-observance of absolute fair- ness which are so distressing, said that he had accepted an apology from Mr. GIBSON. NO apology was ever made by Mr GIBSON, but we suppose that is a detail. It is this sort of loose and inaccurate way of speaking by Mr. C. M. WILLIAMS that provokes regrettable scenes in the Council. We are not going to boast about the as- tounding Liberal victories. Restraint is wise even in victory. We hope the Liberals will be true to high national ideals. Let Liberals everywhere be courteous, moderate, and sym- pathetic. Our opponents, who arc losing, are as honest- as we are. The Conservative news- papers are so glad that one Liberal seat has been won We have never believed in the utter wickedness of our political opponents. Life is bard enough to the poor without having to eat taxed bread. Let every elector remember this and vote against protection which is a devilish scheme for forcing even children to pay taxation. Cardiganshire will surely not vote for protection. Let no local issue obscure the imperial question. VAUGHAN DA VIES stands for Liberalism in Cardiganshire* and LLOYD-GEORGE for more than Liberalism in the Carnarvon Boroughs. The weather during the week has been very wintry. There have been heavy falls of rain, fierce winds, storms of hail and snow, and intense cold. Day after day the outlook has been gloomy and there are wide areas of land under water. Any arrears in the water supply have been more than made up. Farmers would be glad of a spell of dry weather, as it is impossible at present to do anything on the land. Mr. MORGAN-RICHARDSON, at Aberystwyth, on Monday, referred to this paper and its op- position to the agricultural scheme which, in our opinion, destroyed the Cardiganshire Agricultural Show. Mr MORGAN-RICHARDSON objected to the new show because it would always be held at Aberystwyth. We objected to it because it would be removed from Aber- ystwyth, and we still object to it on that ground. We, do not beli-eve that anything can compensate the farmers of Cardiganshire for the destruction of their county society. Mrs. FAWCETT is beginning to realize that if women are to be enfranchised they must go into the battle without their best bibs and tuckers—in short, they must, fight. Men are not going to give women a political vote for a smile, or even a kiss. The women who want political privileges must fight for them, even if they disarrange their fringe 1 This has been our doctrine for forty years, and we are glad to see that women who thought they could win political battles by singing hymns and 9 smiling are beginning to see that they must fight like men if they want to possess the privileges of men. It is reported in the papers that the EMPEROR of Russia is in favour of another; rt-xnference on behalf of universal peace. We are not going to scoff at him. There can be no question that if the nations of Europe were so disposed they could save hundreds of millions a year, but it is a curious thing that the EMPEROR of Russia, who went to war with Japan and was well beaten, who has threat- ened India by way of Persia, !>nrJ who has swallowed many nations, should be the advo- cate of peace and goodwill. There will be no peace until the people themselves see that armies are a means of tyranny and that war is the main source of poverty and misery. Mr JOHN BURNS says that he is in favour of the abolition of the House of Lords. Then he must be in favour of peers being elected to sit in the House of Commons. Peers in the House of Commons would be more danger- ous than where they are. What is needed is that the House of Lords should be brought into accord with the opinion of the day. Abolition of the House of Lords would bring disaster to the House of Commons. Reform of the House of Lords would mean to give it greater strength. What is needed is a new system by which the PREMIER would be able together a House of "L-irds of two or ILl' three hundred members mainly of the same political faith as the majority of the House of Commons. » V The culminating point in public interest in the general election has been passed. The Liberals are to have a majority: that is set- tled and now the only question is as to the strength of the majority. Prot-ection is dead for another generation, but the battle will most likely have to be fought again. The Established Church is doomed. There will be an end once for all of denominational inter- ferencs with elementary education. The great addition of labour members to the House of Commons means a change in the relationship of political parties. All sorts of social and in- dustrial probems will have to be dealt with and the political battles of the future for many' years to come will probably be battles between socialism and individualism. The Cardiff Conservatives have got another unwelcome GUEST. The "Liberals would not have FLANNERY. The Western Mail is, speechless.. Viscount OASTLEREAGH has won Maidstone for the Conservatives. This 'is the seoond Conservative win. There have been a hun- dred and five Conservative losses. It is expected that Mr J omrn CHAMBERLAIN I will resign his seat in Birmingham so that Mr A. J. BALFOUR, the rejected of Manchester, may have a walk over! m,

MACHYNLLETH Rural District Council.—A meeting of the Council waa held on Wednesday. Mr Rich- ard Hughes, vice-chairman, occupied the chair. -k-efnkm-yddgrug load. The question of taking over this road was further con- sidered and adjourned till the next meeting. There being certain questions requiring to be cleared up, the Clerk was directed in the meantime to communicate with Mr Griffith 'ludor Jones on the subject. THE AGRICULTURAI SHOW. A meeting of subscribers toward the Mach- ynlleth Show was held at the Vane Hall on Wednesday afternoon. There were present Colonel Norton, Messrs Richard Gillart, M E Francis, F M Campbell, T Carruth-eria, D C Davies, D E R Griffith, T Davies, R Jones (veterinary surgeon), J G JenKins, David Lewis, F1 A Rees, and T Parsons, secretary. On the proposition of Mr T. Carruthers, seconded by Colonel Norton, Mr Richard Gillart was voted to the chair- In reading the statement of accounts, the treasurer. Mr J G Jenkins, stated that the receipts totali-ed;CW5 8s 7d. The gate money amounted to B105 6s 9d and the balance in hand was £ 13 19s 3d. Referring to the de- crease in the gate money compared with the previous year, Mr Jenkins stated that it could be accounted for by the change of time at which shilling tickets were received. The time had been changed from two to three o'clock and instead of receiving Is 6d as previously, they only received Is. The statement was adopted and it was decided that the amount outstanding in the i cf late Secretary's hands should be paid over to him in recognition of his services for four months after the period of his secretaryship had expired. On the proposition of Mr T Carruthers, Mr Layton was appointed auditor and vote of thanks accorded the officials and judges for their services. The date of next vear's show was fixed for August 29th. Lord Herbert Vane Tempest was elected president and. Colonel Norton, Major Barry Taunton, Major J J Bonsall, Mr R C Anwyi. Major H E Bonsall, Mr F M Campbell, Mr C R Kenyon, Mr F W Stable, Mr T W Bonsall. Morben; Mr David Davies, Llandinam; Mr E Giilart and Mr D E R Griffith were appointed vice-presidents. Mr J G Jenkins proposed the -election of Mr Richard Gillart as chairman of the Com- mittee for the ensuing year and Colonel Norton seconded the proposition. Mr Gillart stated that he would have to decline the honour. He thought a ehange would be better and did not believe in mono- polising a position of that kind. Mr D C Dav-ieo It has been proposed and seconded. Mr F M Oampbell hoped that Mr Gillart would reconsider his decision. Mr Gillart signified his intention of not reconsidering his decision and proposed Col. Norton as chairman. Mr F M Campbell seconded th" proposition. Colonel Norton remarked that he would en- deavour to carry out his duties to the best of his ability and applied to Mr'tJillart for his assistance. The proposition was unanimously carried. Mr David Lewis proposed that the Trea- surer should be reappointed, but Mr Jenkins declined. It. was eventually agreed, on his proposition, to appoint Mr D E R Griffith, who consented to act jointly v-ith Mr Gillart Mr T Parsons was reappointed eretary and twenty subscribers appointed a Working Com- mittee. BOARD OF GUARDIANS, We Jncylny, Jan- uary 17th.—Present: Messrs E. M. J.ues chairman; Richard Gillart, Do;¡, d GHlnrt, Richard Morgan, D Evans, J Edr.ar.is (Penegoes); H Jones, M E Francis, Mrs. Thomas, Messrs Rufus Owen. John Hughes Edward Jones, J Evans, Daniel Davies, Richard Hughes, D Morgan, acting cierk; and John Jones, master. Household Intelligence.—The Master re- ported that Messrs E M Jones. Richard Gillart, Mrs Thomas and the Rev Idris Jones assisted at the Christmas dinner: .tlr Gillart Mr David Evans, and Mrs Thomas presented the inmates with oranges; and Mrs Bonsall presented the inmates with tct.s. During the month, 169 vagrants had been relieved, as compared with 275 relieved last year.— Votes of thanks were accorded those who had contributed to the Workhouse festivities. Salaries.—The Montgomeryshire County Council wrote enclosing a chegue for P,460 8s 9d grant due for the repayment of salaries. Healthy.—The Clerk read a letter from Mr Richard Wood regarding the "\vment of maintenance arrears which stated that ther03 was no necessity for him to send a certificate of his health. His health was good, for which he thanked God. (Laughter) He wished he could thank rr for having work. (Renewed laughter.) The letter in- cluded a promise to pav and ended "With best regards," etc. (Laughter.)—The Clerk was directed to again write. I

REPRESENTATION OF MERIONETH LIBERAL MEMBER RETURNED UNOPPOSED. Mr G. H. Ellis, the high sheriff, sat at the Town Hall, Harlech, on Tuesday, to receive nominations of candidates for the parliamen- tary seat of Merioneth. He was accompanied by the Under Sheriff (Mr J Charles Hughes). As expected the only candidate was the retiring Liberal member, Mr A. Osmond Wil- liams, who consequently- enters Pariament for the second time without a contest. Mr Wil- liams, who was present punctually at noon, was accompanied by Mrs. Williams. Among the Liberals present were: Mr Wm. Owen, Biaenau Festiniog, president of the County Liberal Association; Mr R. uutnne Jones seoretarv ot the LIberal Asso- ciation and agent to Mr Osmond Williams; Mr Haydn Jones, Towyn Dr John Jones, Dolgel- ley; Mr R. T Jones. Penrhyiideudraetb Mr. John Davies, Dyffryn; Messrs John Evans, Martin Williams, Hugh Evans, and John Jones, Barmouth; Daniel Jones, and Louis Jones, Harlech. As many as twenty-three nomination papers were handed in. The paper first presented was from Glanypwll, Blaenau Festinicg, the names thereon being as follows:— Proposer Mr W P Evans; seconder, Mr Lewis Jenkins- assentors, Messrs Hugh Jones, Medical Hall; Wm J. Roberts. Church-street; John R Evans, Cromwell-street; John Nathaniel Edwards, Berlin House; Wm Jones, 8, Leeds-treet; T. Williams, Leeds-street; W Lloyd, 4, Leeds-street; Rd Williams, 17, Church-street; and Wm. Owen, Plasweunydd. The proposers and seconders in the other twenty-two cases were:-— Abercorris, Messrs Morris Thomas and Rhys Owen. Aberdovey, Messrs Wm Jones and E. L. Rowlands. Abergynolwyn, Messrs Ellis and W. R. Lewis. Bala, Messrs Evan Jones and John Parry. Barmouth, Messrs Hugh Evans and John Evans. Corwen, Messrs R. D. Roberts and W. Foulkes Jones. Dinas Mawddwy,, Messrs R E Davies and Wm Humphreys. Dolgelley (2), Mr R Wynn Williams and Dr John Jones, Messrs Edward Griffith and Wm. Hughes. Dyffryn, Messrs John Davies and J R Jones. Glyndyfrdwy, Messrs David Edwards, Brynteg. and Humphrey Dd Davies. Harlech, Dr R T Jones and Mr Robert; Richards. Llandderfel, Messrs Thomas Jones and Ro., bert Thomas. Llandrillo, Messrs Robert Evans and Owen: Evans. Llanegryn and Llwyngwril. the Rev E Trevor Evans and Mr R. Foulkes Jones. Llanfachreth, Messrs Griffith Price and Ro- bert Davies. Llanfrothen, the Rev W R Jones and Mr James Ephraim. Llanuwchllyn, Messrs Owen Morgan Ed- wards and W. E. Morris. Pennal, Messrs Richard Rees and Wm. Davies. Tanygrisiau, Mr W. W. Morris and the Rev John. Towyn, Messrs Samuel Edmunds and J. W ynn Williams. A nomination paper from Penrhyndeu- draeth was signed by the ten oldest electees in the parish. The combined age of the sig- natories is 754 years, all except one being sep- tuagenarians. The proposer, Mr Evan Evans, Adwyddu, is eighty-four years of age. The seconder was Mr T. W. Jones and the assentors were: Messrs Evan Davies, Wm. Williams, Wm. Vaughan Rd Williams, Daniel R Jones, Morgan Jones (Llanfrothen), David Owen, and John Gwyndud Jones. Mr A. Osmond Williams, who was vocifer- ously cheered, in a brief speech returned thanks for the honour once more conferred upon him. Amid laughter he paid tribute to the sound common sense and courtesy shown by the Tories of Merioneth. Alluding to the sweeping victories at the polls, he said they exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the Liberal prophets. He doubted whether there was anything in the history of politics to equal this election. The Home Rule bogey trotted out by the Tories had availed them no more than the protectionist proposals. (Ap- plause.) The country had responded admir- ably and splendidly to the great appeal of the present Prime Minister at the Albyt Hall. It was an appeal for a large and definite policy of social reconstruction, an appeal for the principle of popular control—the nation's wel- fare rather class interests. It was an ap- peal to the old England with its high tradi- tions of simplicity, religion and righteousness against that new sinister England with its never satisfied greed and its wor- ship of wealth. Yes, it was an appeal against that evil trinity—militarism, protec- tion, and extravagance—and, for an alterna- tive, upon which alone was founded the last- ing security of nations—peace, retrenchment, and reform. (Cheers.) The cobwebs and the nightmares of the last ten years were being swept away. It was like a return to sanity after a period of fever accompanying a ravag- ing disease. (Cheers.) » =

TOWYN Prayer Meetings.—It has been the custom of the Nonconformists of this town to hold prayer meetings at their several places of worship every evening for the second week in the new year. The meetings were held this yea,r with more than ordinary success and are being continued on some nights in the week. „ „ Golf Club.—It is satisfactory to find that the financial position of this club at the end of the second year is in a very satisfactory state. The number of members has increased considerably and subscriptions have increased in proportion. A feature in connection with the Cfub is that mechanics take such great. interest in their branch of it. The prospects of support from outside are encouraging. Manv nf them have noticed with satisfaction the great improvements to the links during the year ended 31st September last. Merionethshire Agricultural Society.- Ine report that Mr E. M. Roberts, the secre- tary of this Society, has resigned his office. has caused deep regret in this district where very keen inteiest is taken in everything that affects the Society. It is well known that the show when held at Towyn is always highlv successful. Much of its success is due to the General Secretary who for many years has had the support and hearty ca-operation of Mr Robert Roberts, Rhvdygarnedd, the local secretary and of an energetic local com- mittee. It is felt that the future success of the Society will to a very great extent depend upon the abilit.-vi and experience of the new general secretary. CRBAN COUNCIL, Friday, January 12ti1: —Present: Councillors J. Gem rouydcl Jones,, chairman; E. L. Rowlands, W • Jones-Hughes, D. Edwards. John Rees, Gwilytn Williams, John Roberts, Robert Pugh, Meredith Jones, Henry Evans, Cap- tain Enoch Lewis, A. Tomims, J. tlaeth- lon James, J. D. LaÚmer. Messrs R. Barnett, clerk; R. P. Morgan, sur- veyor; Edward Williams, inspector; and Dr E. Lewys-Lloyd, medical offioer. Gas and Streets. The Secretary of the Gas Company wrote that the Manager at Towyn explained with reference to a complaint, made by the Coun- cil that it was the first for twelve months. It was denied that the re-instatement of the stieets had been neglected. With reference to the use of the crowbar to defect leakage, he pointed out that the damage done was considerably less than would be occasioned by cutting up the road at each pipe joint. lie assured the Council that it was the Com- pany's desire to do all that was possible to prevent damage to the roads and their anxiety was to have them properly rein- stated.—Replying to Mr Rowlands, the Surveyor stated that lie had explained the objection to the use of crowbars to the Man- ager, namely, that it endangered tne mains, but hitherto no damage had been made. The Company had repaired the parts he had complained of.-It was agreed to accept the Company's assurances.—Replying to Mr. Rowlands, the Clerk said no letter was re- ceived with regard to the extension of the gas mains in Aberdovey.—Mr Henry, Evans considered that it was important there should be security of sufficient consumers.- The Clerk said the Company no doubt re- quired safe returns for their iiiirestment.- The matter was deferred until a formal communication was received from the Com- pany. Inspector's Report. The Inspector reported having se*rer,"] times requested the removal of a heap of old clothes in sacks which had been laid for six months in a rotten state at the back of a house in Towyn, but so far without avail. The drains at the National School, Aber- dovey, had been examined and the defects made good. He found nothing to complain of in the slaughter houses of the district.— It was ncTM-ed to serve a notice in respect of the "ol' cfos." Towyn* The Towyn Committee reported having resolved that the golf links could not be leg- ally put on the rates. The promenade ques- tion was again considered and the Com- mittee's decision was to be referred to later on. The tender of Mr Gillart for selling old materials from the main road sidewalks was accepted. Plans of alterations to No. 4, Church-street were approved. During the month damage had been done by the traction engine to several culverts and new covers had to be put in. Repairs were needed to the roofs of Rhydyronen cottages.—Mr. Pugh thought too much fuss was made of The traction engines. He did not believe thev1 made so much damage.-The Surveyor stated that he simply wished to make a re- 1 £ J-"L _n- 4- VFV >-«T ooru 01 Llltf xtrpaii 1li w -tai j Evans the Clerk said if there was extra- ordinary daniage a claim could be sent.— The matter was deferred.—On Mr Pugh's proposition, it was agreed to repair the roofs, of Rhydyronen cottages. Akerdovev'. The Aberdovey Committee directed the Surveyor to ascertain if the fire hose was long enough to reach the furthest houses in Hopeland New-road. The drains at National School should be tested with a view to find out where the leakage was and when the weather permitted the main drain above Bwlchgwyn should be opened and re- paired. It was resolved to examine the Bwlchgwyn agreement and the agreement in regard to the diversion of the highway near the Reservoir and that the Surveyor be informed of the works necessarv at Bwlch- gwyn. The land around the old reservoir should not be further let. Mr Rowlands and the Surveyor were asked to see Mr Thomas. Tynewydd, in regard to the land. The Cambrian Railways Engineer had agreed to have the proposed new wall in Glandovey1-terrace five feet high from the road surface, that if excavations were suit- able for ballast the Company would take it away or if not it should t>e deposited on the other side of the rails, the large gate near the wharf should be hung on the other side, and that the new wall should be ten feet from the surface of existing wall hy the post of gate next Bodfor-terraec.-Tlw in report was adopted and replying to Captain Lewis, the -Surveyor said the drains at Hill Side had been made to his satisfaction. Rural Ward. The Rural Ward Committee reported hav- ing accepted the offer of Mr -kioraham Wil- liams to give pipes for the surface water near Dyffrvta gate, the Council to do the labour. The Bishop of Bangor's bailiff had offered to give pipes for the surface water near Panteidal Lodge, but subsequently withdrew it and one drain onlv had been made. A quantity of macadam had been prepared for the roads and the Surveyor suggested that it would be desirable to ar- range for a steam roller at an early date. Mr Evans, Dolaugwyti, had consented to widen the dangerous and narrow place on the main road adjoining his property, but the Surveyor did not think it would to fair to do so out of the sum allocated for the maintenance of the surface of main roads. The owners of Dolgoch were requested to put the fence near Pontypwll in order. At a,^a^er the question of widening the main road near Bryngarreglwyd was left in abeyance until repues were received from owners of land in other places where it was proposed to widen main roads —The report was adopted, and on the proposition of Mr Jones-Hughes, it was .->~reed to ad- vertise for tenders for the supply of a steam roller —TNth regard to the surface Tit, .Jf whieh M**ared to bt situated both m the ALerdovev and rural matte' Jr u 1? R1es suggested that the matter should be referred to the Aberdovev it° w^ tte matter was left where TO. I, Statistics. Medical Offioer having stated that the measles epidemic was still raging, presented his annual vital statistics. The^ pSpulat^a of lirt^ R«e Was 3>890> the number of h i lat* the "umber 64 and the rate 16.7. Under one th«r ° tage,'1 n"mber of deaths was 10 and the rate 113.6. In the Towyn ward the population was 1,757, births numbered 54 221 £ deaths 37, and the rate ■b' lbe Q^tlx rat« was the highest for some years. There were five deaths undex one year of age and the rate was 92.6. In Aberdovey (population 1,146). the number of births was M and the rate 209, deaths num- bered 17 and the rate 14.9, deaths under one year of age 4, and the rate 166.6. The in- fantile mortality at Aberdovey had not been so high for some years and it was regarded af+vthe W of the sanitation of the place, a though he did not quite concur in thaA Jn^the rui:al ward (population I'l I' numbered 10 and the rate 8.5, deaths 11 and the rate 9.3, while under one year of age one only had died. The total number of infectious cases was 305, 158 of persons from five to fifteen jears and 100 from one to five years. Of those cases. 83 werw at Aberdovey, 73 in the rural ward and 149 in Towyn Ward. There were sixty-five causes of death, 37 at Towvn, 17 at Aber- dovey and 11 in the rural ward. Three fatal caaes of measles had occurred and two from complications of measles. He urged upon the Council the desirabiiitv of issuing pamphlets dealing with the DToper treatment of infectious diseases. If the Council did not move, they could only expect a repetition of the outbreak.—A discussion followed, during which the Medical Offioer stated that there were not many cases which had not been noti- fied as the result of warnings which had been issued.—Mr Jones-Hughes feared that the no- tification had not been properly carried out at Aberdovey and Mr Hy Evans said that one case had been taken in the train.—Mr John Rees did not think there was sufficient force in the notification unless some proceedings followed for non-compliance with the require- ments. A bill for £ 30 was to be paid that day in respect of certificateft and he ques- tioned whether there WAS fin IWKIT !VA tioned whether there wa Sin IWKIT !VA turn. The Medical Officer pointed out. that notification enabled the officers to find out, cases and take the necessary precautions. Mr John Roberts said that notwithstanding improvements which had been carried out the statistics seemed to show a worse state of affairs.- The Medical Officer said that in- fection could undoubtedly be prevented from spreading if notified at the outset.—Mr. Pugh referred to a councilor who allowed one- of his children to sleep with another child who was suffering foom measles in order that both should have the disease together and save further trouble, but the child escaped the infection. (Laughter.)—The Chairman: I think we are speaking rather wildly, cais anything be done? — The Medical Officer though it was a serious thing that there should have been three deaths which might have been prevented.—Mr. Rowlands gave notice to consider the notification question at the next meeting.—It was agreed, on the proposition of Mr. James Hughes, seoonded by Mr. Rees, to print the annual report of the Medical Officer who is asked to prepare a draft pamphlet dealing with the prevention of infectious diseases. Financial. The Finance Committee reported having « balance in hand of £1,417 10s 6d. Pay- ment* were ordered amounting to P,389 16s Id, leaving a balance, together with the balanoe- on the loans account of £1,301 15s. 4d. Main Roads. The County Council having offered to con- tinue the main roads contract at JD850 a year, it was agreed after a discussion i. oommittee to accept the offer conditionally' upon a contribution being made to the widening of the main road at Glandovey- terrace, Aberdovey.