The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

ABERYSTWYTH. TOWN UOL^lJL*, xuesuay, January 16th. freawit •• Councillor V»m. xUoiuas, «x- r-ayor presiding; Aiclennan ire^r Jou^; i*«iyor, p vvilliam», Kob«rt rSE: ^wiu^sSS: and J- Barclay Jenkina; Messrs A. Hughes, town clerk; Hees Jones, borough 3»rreyor; Charles Massey, boroughl ao- Znntlnt; Dr Abraham Thomas medical oftoer, and James bvans, sanitary? or.. sdector. CORRESPODENCE. The Town Clerk said he had received acknowledgment from,. Mr J. J^lat- fer«noe to the decision of the Mesa*- iig to the obstruction of light at "Yv'fniams and White's t'civet which would hare hib 001 fte Town Clerk tad yiast-er with reference to the » *»& crnai,_ •BOTal of the,cal^ Post 0Sc" •eawMJourt by the The PostmasU- *rmefcs oyer the crossing- rubber General could ^>r^°^sy truoks would w •rerbaiTled with the riew of mitigating the The ^wh^^Postmfste^ ^lie^^iSi catod extension of hours for the reference tot m8_ conditions ™TP Jith th- extension will be granted ander ^hK.h was esfcended from eight were- if the i rat« would be 3s Hd m»tael^en o d^k the rate ,i, ail the morning paporg would be received in time, it was neœ83!try to go ber. No action was taken. ,> I Replyiiip-, to the Loca.1 Government Board's • ^l i to the position of the matter re- fftothe isolation hospital, the To £ i Oierk stated that the Council had sites be- i0Ur Barrett, hon. secretary of the• Aber- rk+wvth Tennis Club, wrote that J™" fi¡;twh Tenf lteI::t newspaper tht the Council proposed an(jn"e courts in the vicinity of tV ^wn and should like to know whether the courts would be let to the Club at an annua rental. If the courts were let, visitors will lie afforded an opportunity ot playing on them as heretofore on tho • On the proposition of Councillor Hough- ton, the matter was referred the public Works, Committee who he said had charge •? the laying out. T « Councillor Gibson —• I ndertakers. (Laughter.) .1 h The Herne Bay Unban Council having reeeiv-ed sufficient favourable replies to their circular letter, wrote that they were warranted to call a conference on sea de- fenee and asked that the Council should appoint delegates. The Town Clerk said he had shown the letter to the Mayor who was prepared to attend. Councillor Hopkins proposed that the Trwn Clerk and Mayor should attend. The ex-Mayor considered that the Major we-uld be sufficient. Councillor Hopkins—Two heids are bet- ter than one. (Laughter.) Councillor Williams—Not always. Councillor Hopkms- Yes, ainvavs. cJ, fert n2.°r requested to attend the The question of taking over the caution boards of the Cyclists' Tourists' Club was re- ferred to the Public Works Committee. The Lancashire and Sea Western Fisheries Board wrote that thev had communicated witn the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries with reference to the fisherv barometer which is now in the smokeroom of the Westminster Hocel under the charge of Mr Kenrick. The Department were willing to allow the baro- meter to remain in the town if it was placed in a convenient position and the Council were aeked to erect a suitable stand either at the Harbour or on the front. The communication was referred to the Public Works Committee. Referring to a letter from the Association of Municipal Corporations as to the election of members on the Council, the Town Clerk c &aid the Council had been a candidate on several occasions, but had not succeeded. He thought it was hardl" worth to become a candidate, at all events not at the present "me. The ex-Mayor—Too many olections on now. Mr Thomas Evans, Cambrian-street, wrote saying that the statement made at a pre- vious meeting that there was no leakage from the cistern at his house was not correct. The water not only destroyed the plaster, but ootild not help being injurious to health. Councillor Gibson pointed out the Surveyor was asked to make a visit and should like to know whether he had done so. The Surveyor stated he had not visited the premises, but had a renoit- from the Sanitary Inspector that the cause of complaint had been entirely removed on the part of Mr. Evans's neighbour inasmuch as a new con- nection had been made and the adjoining householder had nothing to do with the ma- ter n. It rested now on Mr Evans to remedy the cause of complaint. Replying to Councillor Williams, he said he could not interfere between two neigh- bours. The ex-Mayor suggested that the next door neighbour should authorise Mr Evans to take any steps he thought necessary. Mr F. Morgan—Let them settle it amongst themselves. The ex-Mayor saying that the Inspector might assist so as not to involve the Council in another law suit, his suggestion was adopted. FEAR v. MORGAN. The Town Clerk stated that the total amount of the bill in re Fear v Morgan as delivered was L468, of which £ 249 was for dis- bursements and J3188 for costs. The oosts had bean taxed and P,100 was "taken off which with L10 taxation fee allowed J3539 Os. lOd. to fee paid. Mr F. Morgan—What are the Council's oasts in the matter? The Town Clerk—I cannot tell you now. The matter was referred to the Law Com- mittee. MR. WILLIAMS AND MR. GIBSON. Mr Williams said if the Mayor had been present he intended ,caning attention to wliat took place at the previous meeting with re- ference to the charges made against him. Mr I Gibson withdrew, but there were certain com- ments made by Mr Gibson. senior, to which he was bound to call attention. Inasmuch as the Mayor was not present, however, he would defer it. They could not blow hot and cold. He honourably accepted Mr Gibson's apology, but there it was quite the reverse and he should have to mention the matter. It eould not be glided over in that way. ROFAWR. The report of the Harbour Committee, which stated that thev intended visiting Ro- fawr at an early date with a view to consider- ing the advisability of extending the deck- ing, now in course of completion, further northward, was adopted on the proposition I of Councillor Dough ton. PUBLIC WORKS. Alderman Peter Jones proposed the report of the Public Works Committee, which stated that plans of the Laboratory proposed to be erected by the College on the Buarth were examined and recommended for approval. Plans were submitted by Mr J. L. Evans of proposed warehouse at the rear of No 11. Great Darkgate-street and by Mrs Michael Evans, of a dwelling house proposed to be erected by her in Prospect-street. The Bor- ough Surveyor was instructed to. obtain fur- ther information from the applicants and to report to the Committee. The plan of a back kitchen proposed to be erected at the back of Miss Watkins's premises in Penmaesglas- road was recommended for approval subject to the approval of a specification by the Bor- oufh Surveyor. The olan of alterations pro- posed to be made by Mr G. Piers to the pre- mises formerly occupied by Mr Taylor, green- grocer, Terrace-road, was deferred until the Council meeting. The Medical Officer re- ported for the quarter that the number of births registered was 41 (21 males and 20 females) 'compared with 55 in the correspond. ing quarter of 1904 and 44 in the correspond- ing quarter of 1903. The birth rate was 20.5 per 1,000 of the population. Deaths num- bered 32 (including three at the workhouse) compared with 31 in the corresponding quar- ter of 1904 and 34 in the corresponding quar- ter of 1903-a rate of 16 per 1.000. The deaths included a visitor's child. There were -twelve deaths over 65 vears of age, four be- ing upwards of 80 and nine deaths of in- fants which indicated a high infant morta- litv. Six deaths were attributed to heart disease, six to bronchitis, and one each to I rlet'fever, whooping c:ugh, consumption. ;:iflneii7:1 A bov was notified as suf- • fer'ng from scarlet fever, but not of a severe type"and made, a good recovery Scarlet fever broke out in epidemic form and twenty-three cases were notified. Four eases occurred amongst inmates of one household, three in another and two in a third household. The epidemic was not of a severe type, but in the oase of one patient who died the disease was of a malignant nature. Nine of the patients were adults, which was a notable feature. i Two wera in millinery establishments, two I shop assistants, and two servant girls. Whatever the value of an isolation hospital might be in preventing the spread of infec- < tion, there could not be the slightest doubt j as to its value as a protection to the business man and lodging-house keeper of a town. The Inspector had served 69 notices. The common lodging houses were systematically inspected. All the premises were kept in a satisfactory state of cleanliness. Alderman Jones, referring to Mr Pier's plansj, said that as plans had been deposited a reply had to be given within a certain time giving grounds of disapproval. The Town Clerk said he had been making enquiries from parties he thought had pos- session of the deed* and found them in pos- session of someone else. He had not yet in- spected them, but would report to the next meeting. Mr Morgan asked if the Medical OffioeT could give an explanation in open Council with regard to a case of scarlet fever in Bridge-street where milk was sold in the house? He had told the Committee that he had no authority to meddle with the party. The Medical Officer replied that anybody suffering from an infectious disease dealing with a milk supply could be prosecuted. That, however, was the case of a milliner well iso- lated in a room upstairs and having nothing whatever to do with the milk supply or with any person dealing with it. Therefore, no legal steps oould be taken. The case was in his.own oare and he not only paid the usual visits but more than the usual visits up to twenty or thirty, for which he did not charge. The patient was kept in a small room of about 500 cubic feet of air, every precaution taken, kept well isolated for five weeks, with a sheet outside the cleor. and none of the family in attendance. In reply to the Chairman, the Town Clerk entirely agreed that the Medical Officer had done all that oould by law be done. The report was then adopted. Finance. The Finance Committee recommended the payment of the following accounts :—General district fund, L181 16s. lid. marketg and slaughter house, e4 13s 4d. water works, -013 OH. lOd; harbour fund. E44 10s. lOd.; Burial Board, £ 2 12s. paving loan, J31 10s. 6d.; and borough fund. £ 2 5s.; total £ 250 9s. 5d..The Committee recommended that the gardens in Smithfield-road should be re- let to the present tenants up to November next; that Mr. Evan Edwards's engagement in the Borough Accountants office should be continued until March 31st; and that the consideration of the taxation of land values should be deferred. The report was adopted. Miscellaneous. An application for renewal of leaise by Mrs Jones, of Pitville. and Lansdowne Houses, Queen's-road, was referred to the Firianoe Committee and it was agreed to receive on mortgage E450 to be devoted to the loan of Bl,100 for the erection of working men's houses. Mr. Richard Mathias, Cardiff, was re- appointed representative Governor of Cardiff College with the thanks of the Council for his past services. It was agreed to ask the sanction of the Local Government Board to the borrowing of P,60 for a groyne to be constructed near the Castle Point. General Purposes. The Town Clerk stated that the General Purposes Committee met on the 12th Janu- ary and recommended the re-appointment of Inspector Thomas Davies for next season on the same terms • that the question of provid- ing a band should be deferred pending a reply from the Improvement Company that tenders should be invited for 8,000 and 10,000 Sou- venirs, with as well as without advertise- ments that the shops and trades to which the Shop Hours Act should apply should be defined at the next meeting cf the Com- mittee that no lioence be granted after the season of 1906 to persons non-resident within the borough and no lioence be granted next season to persons outside the borough beyond what was granted last year: and that Mrs. Elizabeth James's letter as to cabstands should be deferred to a future meeting. The Chairman said he was in favour of re- ducing the number of lioences, but not in fa- vour of restricting the lioences to the borough. The report was adopted. MORE DISFIGUREMENT. Mr Davies, in the absence of Mr Daniel Thomas, moved that the northern-most tower or ruin on the Castle Grounds should be con- verted into a shelter. Mr Hopkins thought that Mr Harold Hughes's report should be carried out as to the entrance to the two towers and the matters were referred to the Works Commit- tee. PURCHASE OF GAS WORKS. The thirteenth subject on the agenda was to consider and (if thought fit) to pass a reso- lution requiring a poll of the electors with reference to the resolution put to the public meeting on the 10th January in favour of the promotion of the Bill authorizing the pur- chase at the Gas Works which resolution the ratepayers decided not to pass. The Town Clerk explained the reason for placing that notice on tho paper. After five ratepayers had conferred with the Committee of the Council, the ratepayers in publi<f meet- ing refused to pass the resolution authorizing practioally the continuance of the Bill in Par- liament for the acquisition of the gas works undertaking. As was pointed out at the meeting, however, there were 300 or 400 rate- payers present—-there might have been a little more or a little less—and over 1,800 bur- gesses in the town and, to provide for any possible application by ratepayers who were not present, he conferred with the Mayor, who agreed with him that it was desirable to place that notice on the agenda for considera. tion in that Council meeting so that if any- thing occurred between the date of the last meeting and the Council meeting, the Coun- cil would still be in a position, if it thought fit, to exercise it by having a poll of the town. It was only put on the agenda for the pur- pose of protecting that position, of retaining that position and it was for the Council to decide whether it would be prudent or nece.s- sa.ry to take a poll. Of course, he should re- mind the Council that the public meeting was fully adverse. The meeting was adjourned for further and full consideration. Five re- presentative ratepayers were appointed to confer with members of the Council and they all agreed that it was not desirable to promote the Bill any further. It was now for the Council to decide. He might say that he had had no outside application from any person or any ratepayer so the matter was practi- cally in the same pos'ticn as on the date of the meeting of ratepayers. Another reason for placing the notice on the agenda was this. The Corporation had given the Board of Trade an undertaking to promote that Bill within a stipulated time and if it was the Council's pleasure not to pass that resolution it would enable him to write to the Board of Trade and explain whv the Corporation did not proceed further in the matter. Mr Jenkins proposed that the Council should go on to the next subject on the I agenda. Mr Williams said before that subject was left he desired to make some remarks. The eleven members of the Council who knew no- thing of Mr Stevenson's report were placed in a very peculiar position with regad to that matter. He had taken no part in the gas works purchase from the beginning. He opposed it until the Council had a price given or until they were able to fix upon a price. But the Council started upon that Bill know- ing that* the Gas Company did not intend giving a price and the money which had since been spent without arriving at any issue had been absolutely wasted. He understood that the Council would ask for a price. He did not understand that the five members of the Committee intended leaving the matter with- out making an offer themselves. In Novem- ber of 1904 the matter was gone into- very fully with the view of opposing the Company's Order for additional capital of £ 20,000. Cer- tain steps were taken on the advice of the Town Clerk to oppose in order to cut down the capital. Mr SWenson was appointed expert adviser and he ottendenl committee meetings and made a statement. He believed all the members except himself were in fa- vour of proceeding on the lines suggested. He refused to vote until he had more infor- mation. On the 14th March a resolution was moved by Councillor Gibson, as chairman of the Finance Committee, that it was desirable in tie interests of the Corporation and the ratepayers of the borough that the under- taking of the Gas Company should be pur- ohased and that for that purpose the neces- sary steps should be taken to give effect to that resolution. Mr Morgan rose to a point of order and asked if what Mr Williams was speaking about wos before the meeting? Mr Williams said he was speaking on the notice on the agenda to explain their position as thev appeared in a ridiculous position, the whole'thing being dropped without bringing it to any issue. If the Council prooeeded again, they would have to spend the same amount of money. He maintained that the Council should have had clear issue by going into Mr Stevenon's report and making an offer to the Gas Company. Then if that was rejected the Council should have gone to a meeting of the ratepayers. His contention was that the Council had expended JB250 which had been simply wasted for no purpose what- ) ever, as the Council knew from the start that the, Gas Company did not intend giving a price. The Council had proceeded on those lines and had done nothing to elicit the true information. That was the point he had raised and he maintained that he was in per- fect order. Certain other steps were tasen and he would read statements made at that particular meeting. He did not want to deal with individuals. The Chairman of the Fi- nance Committee moved the resolution and made a eulogistic speech with reference to the Corporation taking action. No one raised any objection and the proposition was agreed to. The feeling was that the Committee should,, finding the Gas Company not pre- pared to give a price, have consulted their colleagues and made an offer. Some members had stated that they had fixed upon a price in their own minds. If that prioe was ac- cepted the whole thing should have been sub- mitted to the electors. The ratepayers were now no wiser. There was no idea in the Council of going to arbitration, but of endea- vouring to arrive at a prioe. The Act con- templated mutual agreement. He maintained strongly that the course taken should have been to have tried to agree to a price and failing to agree, the ratepayers should have been oon suited and then they would have been unanimous that the Council should not go to arbitration. It was only natural that the electors should ask to what purpose the Council had put Mr Stevenson's report? It had answtfkxl no purpose whatever. The ok ject of getting the report was to find a proper prica to offer for the concern. The C.unol had squandered the money without getting any result. He had confidence in the Com- mittee, but he never anticipated that they would have drifted into it in that way. He should like to ask the Town Clerk whether anything further could be done with the view I of asking the Company or whether the Whole expenditure was practically wasted. The Town Clerk replied that there was nothing to present the Corporation if they so decided to renew negotiations with the com- pany—either by making a formal proposal of a certain sum cr endeavour to get them to name a prioe. If that could be dorte of course all the work that had been done up to the present time might be utilised. If the Coun- cil made a provisional offer and that offer was accepted, the expenditure would not be con- siderable in getting the matter through and the Council would not lose what had been done up to the present stage. In order to put himself right with t-he Board of Trade, he should be authorized to explain why the Council decided not to proceed. He asked that he should bo so authorized. The Chairman asked someone to propose the rejection of the notice and that no further steps should be taken in the matter and Mr Williams proposed and Mr Morgan seconded it. Mr Gibson said there were a few remarks he wished to make. Mr Williams had been good enough to mention his name. As Chair- man of the Finance Committee last March he proposed a formal resolution which was handed to him, he supposed, because he hap- pened to be chairman of the Finance Com- mittee. In proposing that resolution, which was quite a formal matter, in order to enable the Corporation to open negotiations, he did not bind himself to purchase the gaa works and he did not think, in spite of Mr Wil- liams's remarks, that anybody thought he bound himself to purchase the gas works. There was one thing he would like to say. They had heard it said that it would have been just as well if they had made an offer them- selves to the Gas Company. Well, it was a well-known fact that the Corporation was ad-, I i _L- + + ,,1.-<>0 an Thev had also been told that- the £ 200, or £ 300■ aj- readv expended had been absolutely thrown away He did not think it had been ,Wn away. The position and knowledge it had given the Corporation was well worth t-K monerv The £ 200 or £ 300 the Council was supposed to have thrown wTth^what°theU^rporati(m would have to pav provided they went into arbItratiOn or dnfted imagine their drifting into mutual ment which would be muchjv-orse than om into arbitration and thought the ratepayers did very wisely when they retained in their handTon Wednesday night the power to deal with that matter at any future time The sum of £ 200 or £ 300 was neither h<ue no there If the Council went on negotiating and oame to some arrangement between this and nSl Norember he took ,t t he on they would have to face was the P"V° would have to pay for th« conce™- would would then be an unopposed Bill and wou not cost much. Was that not ;0. The Town Clerk-That is quite nght. Councillor Gibson said their I^sition quite clear. He had degreed from the first with the methods which hadbsen ployed in the matter. He thought that ivir C. 'M. Williams and the other members should have been inside the circle of know- ledge that was open to other members. He said again that it had been a great mistake that the Committee which dealt with the matter did not comprise everv member of the Council. Then they should not have in their hands a confidential document which even now some of the members knew nothing about. The Town Clerk said that in regard to Mr Gibson's stat-eme-nt as to the r,ouneTl being advised not to make an offer, he should sav that they were strongly advised on that point. In the then state of things, it wns nnde^ira-ble and unwise to make an offer of nv. price. The ox-MflyeT* thought it was.rrbt to sav i Mr Williams statecl, wron<?1v h", 1)Ç'¡;"v('\d. that the wwo p'Vre th" "^mrnenc^ment th^L the Ga-* Com- T'r-nhl not name ft rloo, Mr Willianis-I said that it was rumoured and stated. 'i'ne ex-Mayor said his view of the matter was nob so. He did not know when tha re- solution waa passed in Mar^h. to prooeed that the Company wero not Dropared to name a prioe. On the other .-and, he must entirely disagree with the statement that the resolution passed in the spring was a formal one. He took it to be a genuine, honest move with the view of taking over the Gas Works. Otherwise, he really would have done the liFETe he could to stop the ex- penditure Already incurred. The only re grettable incident was that the Coun cil were deprived of the months 'which would follow the public meeting to try and come to terms with the Company. He believed that much could have been done in that month and no further expense would be required. They were deprived of the advantage of that month against the strong advice of the Town Clerk. It was a sad thing that if the Council would proceed they would have to go through the same routine as before. He hoped all the mem- bers before the next meeting would think whether it wfas advisable to put a resolution on the agenda for the next meeting to con- sider their position with the Gas. Company. As chairman of the Public Liprht-w Committee, he should like to do something in the mat- ter. The town was badly lighted eppecir.l'fv the back streets. They ought to move in some way to have the stre'ts lin-lltc.rl with incandescent lamps something similar to South Marine-terrace. In addition to that the contract with the Flectri-i Light Com- pany would expire in about twelve months. The Council ought to try' and come to terms for a number of years with the Gas Com- pany or Electric Light Company, but before doing that it was their duty to know whether they had any chance of coming to terms wi\h the Gas Company' financially. They might oome to terms for five or ten years and the longer the contract possibly the better the terms. They ought to move in the matter with the view of improving the liehtinp- of the streets and if possible reducing tba ex- pense. They ought to know once for Pli whether it was possible or likely for th" Council to oome to terms with +! Gas Com- pany. He suggested a rrseln^ion for the next meeting authorising the C-onimitt-ee or the Council as a whole te fpp>r>5iph the ^om.o'Mi\-i privately. Th«+ first step in opinion. Fai'Ii"?* that, thev Ano-Vit. fo 1rr>fiv ivWrn thev stoor] with re"f(7 j 'n elertric liht, and Gas Company. '"Ynin-v' were ft a serious crisie, but befero "r-f'rlinN thÇ\ eiurht to know once for all "J, nopld b- 4,lone re^ardin^ fhe terms. Councillor Gibson pointed out that whe- ther the contract was for one or for twenty there was no difficultv. If the Council bought the Gas Works by mutual agreement, it. would take over all contracts including its own. The ex-Mayor—But we would have to pay the profits. Councillor Hopkins, referring to the ex- Mayor's remarks as to the lighting of the back streets said he had brought the mat- ter before the Council when chairman of the Public Lights Committee, but the ex- Mayor and somebody else turned it back. He had settled the price with the Gas Com- pany and had cheaper terms than were paid now and had incandescent lamps as well. but through the ex-Mayor nothing was passed because he was chairman of the com- mittee. Councillor Doughton—No, no. The ex-Mayor-It was beniiiq- the ques- tion of buying was on the tablfc. Alderman Jones said there was a clauw T, vesting powers of purchase bv agreement. As- suming for the pake or argument that the Committee might be able to come fo terms with the Company, would it not be in the power of the Local Government Bon >-d to Trs-nt the necessarvi power for borrowing without a private Act or provisional order? The Town CWV wd there fere powers in the Publi" Health Act given to 'he Local Government Board te, grant pract'eally what in most cases would be granted by an Act of Parliament. If he had notice of the question, he should have looked it up, but spoaking from recollection where there was an existing gas oompany in full work, he was afraid that a bill must be obtained, but he was not quite sure whether it could be got ovef by agreement. Alderman Jones, said the power of pur- chase was conferred upon the Council by an ancient act, but the question was whether it would necessitate promoting a bill. & The Town Clerk—I am afraid it would re- quire a bill, because a provisional agree- ment is only one detail. He thought it must be confirmed By a hill. Alderman Jonem said the mestion was v-hether the Council w<mld be able to pur- chase without incurring the s-rne expendi- ture. Th- Town Cterk-I am cfearlv of opinion that it would be neoessary to have a bill or provisional order. Councillor Gihn-It i, not -o much th" power to buy as the power to sell gag. The Town Clerk add that h- would be glad of an opportunity to look into the matter. The ex-Mayor suggested that a resolution should he placed on the agenda enabling the Corporation to come to an agreement with the Gas Company. If thev failed to oome to an agreement they must look elsewhere Mr Williams said he found that Mr Gibson did not move the, resolution as chairman of th- Finance Committee It was the report of a special meeting of the Council and because of the interest Mr Glh-m took in it he moved the resolution. He (Mr Williams) felt that they were going to purchase in earnest. If that w^s not so words were of no meaning. He wished to quote Mr Gibson's remarks when moving the resolution. Mr Gibson said: "T ('()n.t, -itN fbi- p*rtlcnls*r matter for,.qowe f,-w months and -hat has iei up to the pre. seat p**ition w#»the attempt nf the Company to in- flrea«« nearly douMe their capital withont adequate justification. We baye trIed to meet the Company in every way We have held scores of committee meet- ings and have had con-ultationq and I think that what has happened has driven in upon ua during the committee meetings and con- sulfations, the fact that our only course in the interest of the town is to take it-teps to buy the undertaking The town ban to /°.r Public lighting about £ 1,000 a year. hat if a hard fact we cannot get away from. As yon know, we bare tried in all ways to meet tha demands for public lighting made upon us demands which are becoming more serious every year. There are other problems we have to meet. One problem we are asked to face are the demands mane for lighting the back streets and roads leading ottt of the town. There is that other problem. the continual breakingup of the roods, which is a very serious thing and one we have always to deal with. The third problem is the high price 8** for cooking, heating, and industry. Our efforts have been directed more par- ticularly lately to see whether we could find a solu- tion for these problems amicably A* f»» Ska nnv ov. 3 perience goes, we hare rather failed, I therefore move this reroluMon. If the Corporation owned its | own «jas '^orks, it cot d wr# the public better and 3 any profits made would bj profits for the ratepayers. | In other way-, it wonld be a big gain if we had the 4 gas works in our own hands, "We already own the d water works We own the create* I land of the town and I think this is a step in tbp | right direction in moving for the purchased? the 2s i( works. As things a*e now we 8,,Z gas through the nose for suffering, if I mav nut it^n thtf I way. I feel that a town like Aberystwvth onlfct | to be in the handsflf any prirate company for J nl ] cessity like ga». pie purchase would be in the inter- ] est of every pow nwn u, the town and of every J business man. There would be no question of indi- { vidual interest. It would be in the interest of the i whole town. Seeing that the town is in i s present i position with reference to water supply and the Cor- J porate estate, I feel the purchase of the gas works to I b* one of the best thing* we can do. I do not want 1 te labour the matter further. The whole j question has been explained by the Town > TT Clerk and I move the adoption of the resolution" He (Mr W llliams) maintained that the whole I of the proceedings had been in the direction of taking early steps to purchase. Councillor Gibson complained that another matter had been borught in, but the ex-Mayor said that Mr Williams had the right to replv as he moved the resolution. Mr Williams-I simply quoted the speech. Councillor Giboon-iMy position is now as it was bet.oro and as it has always been. I am entirely in favour of purchasing the Gas Works, but I am not in favour of arbitration or of paying an exorbitant price. The reason for the original resolution was to cope with the notice given by the Gas Company that they were going to increase their capital by £ 20.000. That was felt to be a serious matter and these prooeedmgs were started to stop them rather than —— The ex-Mayor—You are going to make a speech ? Mr Gibson—Well, Mr Williams read my speech and I think it reads very well too (Laughter.) The ox-Mayor saying that Mr Williams had a right to reply and that Mr Gibson was fac- ing to make another speech, Mr Gibson said: "I bow to you, sir." fhe proposition was then carried to direct the Town Clerk to inform the Board of Trade that the Bill was abandoned. PROVENDER. Three tenders were received for the supply of provender and that of Mr T. W. Powell, which was the lowest was aoepted. RURAL COUNCIL, Mondayi January 15th. —Present: Rev John Davies," Taly- bont, ohairman; Messrs Evan Jones. J. E:. Raw, Ltaniihangel Upper; W. M ason, Llanoynfelin David James, J. Richards, Trefeirig; J. B. Morgan, Glanfread; John Jones, Capel Seion; .J Bonner, Llanafan W. Morris, Cyfcethjbrenin Joseph Parry, MelindwrJ. Pugh Lewis, Parcel Canol; Richard Thomas, Tirmynach; D. Morgan, Llanfihangel Lower; Edward Jones, Owm- rheidol; H. L. Thomas, Vaenor Upper; L. R. Lewis, Vaenor Lower ] David Jones, Llanbadarn Lowor; Daniel Morris, Llan- ilar; David Jones, Llanychaiarn W. T. Lewis ,Borth; fiugh Hughes, clerk; E. Llewellin, assistant olerk; James Hughes, inspector. Cwmystwyth Road. The County Surveyor wrote that owing to illhealth, he was unable to fix a date to meet the sub-Committee with regard to Cwm- ystwyth road, but hoped to do so in the course of a few days. Tre'rddol Water. The requisite number of ratepayers from the parish of Llancynfelin requested the Dis- trict Council to charge all rents in respect of Tre'rddol water supply unon the ™v._ sumers.—The request was granted on the proposition of Mr J. B. Morgan, seconded by Mr Richard Thomas.-Tho Inspector stated that he intended visiting the place during the week to examine the materials. & Dolypandy. Mr Joseph Parry presented tli, r< T> the Committee who inspecied, Dolypandy water supply and met the householders who were willing to contribute according to the ratabLe value or the gross estimate. The owner of the spring was prepared to grant the use of the source for an annual charge of Is only.—On the proposition Mr J. B. Morgan, seconded by Mr Richard Thomas the report was adopted and a vote of thanks was accorded the Rev. D. Morgans who had met the Council so generously.—The Clerk was instructed to prepare a lease from Mr. Morgans and an agreement with the house- holders. A Contentious Bridge. A number of farmers in the lower part of the parish of Llanfihangel-y-Creuddvn re- quested the Council as an impartial body to take into serious consideration the ,tit, .e, of the ford of the river Ceunant near Pendre, Llanfihangel-y-Creuddyn. Thev pointed out that there was continual traffic through the ford to fairs and markets to th'C' mill, and tPcoal an<3 Iime from Llanilar and' con- siderable inconvenience was experienced. The elope no both sides of the river were awkward and dangerous for heavy loads. The danger wns greater during wintry weather. An indefinite continuance of that state of things was a disgrace to anv auth- ority. On the grounds of justice and hum- amty they sincerely asked for erection or a bridge as soon as convenient. The pet itioii-was, iigned by David Williams, Mor- gan Evans, Thomas Evans, D. S. Evans, John Rowlands, David Lewis, Abrahafm Wright, Richard Evans, Margaret Hushes, Jacob Pugh, and Lewis Lewis.—Mr David Morgan thought the matter had been left in the hands of a committee appointed at the pre- vious meeting to select the best site for the bridge. It could not be raised now until the report of the committee was reoeived. He knew where the petition emanated from. A letter from the Vicar of Llanfihangel was read at the previous meeting which did not contain in all the truth. One thing which oould be proved to be untrue was the Vicar's statement that one member of the Parish Council attended the meeting purposely. That member who now lived at Tregaron had been absent on^e only from the Parish Council meetings.—It was agreed to defer the matter until the committee's report was received. Change of Government. Messrs Richard Thomas and n S. Thomas were asked to visit the road leading to (,Iarn,(-,h bogoh.ReplviiiRt to the Surveyor (Mr David Davies). the Clerk -t-stew-i that a notice prohibited the use of stone from the beach. The Surveyor stated that he was aware of one notice but he did not know that applied to both ftides. Perhaps t-ii could have it now with Lloyd-George at the Board of Trace. (Laaafter.) f '~> Inspector's Report. The Inspector reported having received several complaints as to the «tete of the water supply at Llanilar. Several improve- bents were necessary before the supply oould be free from pollution and sati:factorT in all respects. The committee which had con- trol of the supply expressed their willingness to carry out the improvements as soon as possible. At the request of the Borth Paro- omal Committee, he Tisitod new springs from which it was proposed to convey water to the reservoir. A fairly-good supply could be ob- tained from those springs, but before taW the work m hand, he suggested that ex-a vations should be carried out to ascertain the voiume of water and whether it would iustifv the expenditure -The report was adopted rv xt. ™ • In Committee. LJn Uhairma-n's su°rc)re8tifvn 1 t;on of the Taljfoont w.tTr sSi7 sidered m committee. con"