The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

BALA Obituary. The death of Mr John Evans joiner, Berwyn-st rec-t (late of Hyshysfa), occurred on Good Friday after a rather painful illness. Mr Evans, who had filled the office of deacon at the Congregational Church for many years, was highly respected as a God fearing man and true Christian. He was a Sunday school teacher of long standing, faithful to his class and devoted to his work. A great gap has been caused through his death which cannot easily be filled. The funeral took place on Monday at Llanycil Church and was very large, the officiating ministers being the Revs Talwyn Phillips, B.D., Bala, and D Roberts, Llanuwchllyn. Disti ibution of Prizes.—On Tuesday evening a meeting was held at the National School to dis- tribute prizes to the children for attendance. Miss Jones, of Fronddel w, kindly distributed the prizes and expressed the remark that they should do all they could to prevent the closing of the school through the Education Act. The follow- ing children who had made over 400 attendances from August 1st, 1904. to July 31st, 1905, were awarded book prizes :-John Hugh Jones, 414 Walter Richards, 414 Horatio Williams, 413 Ethel Price, 413 Rowland H Davies, 113 Maggie Anne Jones, 412 Reginald Wheeler, 412 David T Roberts, 410; Join Owen Williams, 409 John R Jones, 409 Harry Speake, 406 Albert W Grainger and Evelyn Jones being awarded certificates. In the infants' department the following received prizes Willie J Jones, 414 Bertie Roberts, 412 John Llew Ellis, 407 Lewis Roberts, 409 Eleanor Richards, 407. The Diocesan Inspector repotted that notwithstanding many dlfficulties during the year, the religious instruction has not suffered. If anything, it is rather better than last year. The infant department is cer- taily better than I have ever seen it." The fol- lowing were the awards for religious knowledge: Willie J. Jones, Willie G. Williams, Hugh J. Ellis, Bobby Ellis, Frances Jones, Johnny Rob- erts, Gwennie Grainger, Eleanor Richards, Bertha Abraham, Mabel Roberts, Maggie Jones, Dora Williams, Jane C. Ingham, George O. Crump, Ernest P. Phillips, David J. Evans, Willie J. Ellis, Rowland H. Davies, Nancy C. Ingham, Ellen E. Evans, Amy Roberts, Gertie Roberts, Catherine Jones, Maggie A, Jones, Buddug Davies, Evelyn Jones, Myfanwy Williams, Bobby Jones, Robert H. Price, W. D. Fvans, David J. Roberts, Enoch O. Jones, W. H. Ellis, Ellen Ann Thomas, Agnes Roberts, Jane Humphreys, Llew Phillips, David M. Jones, J. H. Grainger, Harry Speake, Robert A. Grainger, Enid Price, Gwladys Smithies, Horatio Williams. The Inspector re- ported the religious knowledge very good dis- cipline and tone, excellent; repetition, very good and the School in regard to religious education as a whole very good. The cantata, Meriton Market," was excellently performed by the children who had been trained by Mr Jones, the headmaster, assisted by Misses Beatrice Jones and M. J. Roberts. Miss Sydney Ellis presided at the piano. The Rector, in expressing thanks to Miss Jones for distributing the prizes, sub- mitted the following to the meeting That we, the parents of children attending the National School, are grateful and approve of the manner in which the School has been carried on in the past and will do everything in our power to pre- vent the confiscation and closing of the School." Notwithstanding the presence of many Noncon- formist parents, the resolution was carried unani- mously. Presentation.—The railway staff assembled en masse at the Waiting Room on Tuesday evening to bid frewe I and God speed to Foreman Tom Ellis on the occasion of his leaving Bala to take up duties as stationmaster at Frongoch. Foreman Ellis is a highly-respected member of the local staff, and through his courtesy, willingness, and kindness has won for himself the respect and ad- miration of a large oircle of friends, not only among his fellow-workers, but in the town as well. His departure could not be allowed without his friends showing their appreciation of him by mak- ing him a presentation, and subscriptions ftowen in fram every direction. Dr Williams, in presenting Foreman Ellis with a handsome marble timepiece and a purse of gold, congratulated him upon his promotion to the position of stationmaster, and hoped he would continue to make progress. His removal from Bala would be an advantage to him and f mily. His sphere of influence was large and his duties numerous. He had shown great courtesy on all occasions during his stay in Bala and he was sure that would be continued at Frongoch. The intrinsic value of the timepiece they were present- ing him was not half what their feelings were toward him and if the purse of gold were a hundred times heavier than it was it could not show how great were their respect for him. The Doctor wished him a long and happy life and a prosperous one.—Foreman Ellis, who was greatly moved, said words failed him to express his gratitude to his fellow-workman for their handsome gift and to Dr Williams for his kind words. He had been used to look up to Dr Williams as a fellow-servant and whenever there was any trouble among their fam- ilies or among the staff they did not go to the Doctor professionally, but as a fellow-workman. I have always been happy at Bala, continued the speaker, but never so happy as during the past two years and I hope all of you will be as happy here as I have been. I thank you one and all trom the depths of my heart for your great kindness and if there is anything that I can do for you I am willing to do it.—Mr Speak said he had known Tom Ellis since he was a boy and was very proud of him and felt glad that his services had been re- cognised. Hi wished him every success.—Mr Rowland Williams felt glad of an opportunity of wishing his old friend God spapd. The loss of such a valuable man as Tom Ellis would be felt by the Temporance Union, because his influence had been the means of getting many of the staff to join. He had always found him to be a true friend and wished him a life of prosperity and happiness,— Mr Wild said he had known Tom Ellis for some years and had the greatest respect for him, because he was the first friend he met when he came to Bala a perfect stranger. Ever since the closest friendship had existed between them. He is well fitted for this post and he rejoiced in his promotion. -Mr Frank Sampson said he felt sorry in a way that they were losing Tom, as he had been a very faithful member of the Temperance Union, but he also rejoiced at this promotion -Mr D T Morgans remarked that what first drew his attention to Tom was when he saw him assising a poor family at the Junction many years ago. He had respected him ever since, He had been of great assistance to him on many occasions for he was a friend who could bA relied upon. He and Tom had been pulling in the same direction during the past months to further "he good cause they had in view and he hoped he would continue to do good to his fellow men.-Further remarks were made by Messrs Uwen, Granger, Jones, and Steve Davies. An interesting meeting was closed by singing "Auld Lang Syoe" and "Hen wlad by Nhadau." Temperance. -A temperance meeting was held at the C. M. Chapel Vestry on Saturday evening when addresses were delivered by Miss Jones, China, and the Revs W Pari Huwg, B. D., Dolgelley, and E Vaughan Humphreys, Barmouth. The County Schools.—The annual meeting of the Governors of the County Schools was held at the County Hall on Thursday under the presidency of Mr L Lloyd John, solicitor, Corwen. The Hon C. H. Wynn, Rug, was unanimously re-elected chair- man for the ensuing year and 8t H B Robertson vice-chairman. The Rev T T Phillips, B. D., and Miss Jones, Frondderw, were eleoted co-opted members. A discussion followed with referenoe to a communication received from the County Autho. rity to limit the age of candidates for entrance scholarship.—It was resolved to have the views of the elementary teacners on the matter. URBAN COUNCIL, Tuesday, April 10ch.—Pre- sent Councillors G Rees, J P (otalrman), R Evans (vice-chairman). R Lloyd Jones, Edward Jones Evan Jones, Daniel Roberts, J B Parry, J J Hughes, E J E aos, Messrs T R Dakin (deputy clerk), D R Roberts (aurveyor and in- spector). Medical Officer's Report.—Dr Williams, the medical officer, presented hid annu-il report for 1905, of which the following if a copy:- The population of the district (Bala urbau dntrict,) according to the last census is 1.544 and now remains practically the same. -Accord;ijg to the Regis-,rar's returns, there were curing the year t7 births—21 boys and 16 giris—giving an average of 239 per miile, as compared with 9 7 per mille in 1904, and 19'4 in 1903 During the same peiiod, there were 38 deaths—15 mates and 23 females— giving an av, rag, ol 24 6 per mille, as comp red with 21-3 per nuile in 1904 and 13 4 in 1903. There was an increase of 22 in the number of births and an increase of 5 in the number of deaths. Toere were 9 deaths of unfUr one year old, most of them from convul iotin and could not live. Tture were 2 deaths of over 1 yqr and und.r 5 no deaths of over 5 and undtr 15 no deaths of over 15 and under 25 11 deaths ot over 25 and under 65 16 deaths of over 65 and upwards. Of these 16, 11 were over 70 years oil, 6 of them being over 80, and one over 90. Tin r< w re 5 deaths during the year at the Union Workhou-e. There were no deaths due to ptwhiMs, 5 were due to heart disease, 8 to bronchitis and othbr chest diseases, 2 to cancer. There were 5 deaths of per- sons who did not belong to the district, making the actual number of deaths 33, and the actual average 21*3 per mille. The,e belonged to Llanfor, Llanuwchllyn, Anglesey, Llangollen, and L'auycil. An epidemic of measles broke out again the latter end of the year. The schools were closed for some time and the epidemic was cleared. Otherwise the district has been quite free from any contagious or infectious disease. Two or three dwelling houses have been completed during the year and every care taken to ensure proper ventilation and drainage. On the whole, the slaughter houses have been satisfactorily kept during the year, the refuse is carefully carted away and nothing offensive is allowed to remain there. The milk houses are all satisfactory with regard to cleanliness. The death rate is slightly higher this year than last, but on analysis we fiud that the larger proportion were among old people, and the infantile mortality was higher than usual, there being several cases of premature births and children dying wh-n a few hours old. On the whole the district had been free from any fatal diseases of a contagious nature. The water supply is again in very good order, the quality hefng excellent and the pressure generally being very good -Mr Edward Jones asked whether it was advisable for the reporters to publish the Medioal Officers report when the death rate was htgh. It had not been the custom to do so in the past, the death rate for the last two years being rather high. The Medical Officer' report had been submitted three months ago to the Sanitary Committee, and after three months it was submitted again to the Council, after being read an i discussed in that committee. He contended that the report ought to Have been discussed by the Council at the time and not referred to the Committee.-Mr R. Lloyd Jones said the report had been dealt with by the Sanitary Committee, who wanted to discuss the death rate before the Medical Officer's report was submitted to the Council and taken note of by the reporters. As to publishing the report, that was in the hands of the reporters. If it came before the Council it was public property as far as the reporters were concerned, and it was left to their discretion whether they cou'd omit anything from it they thought would be injurious to Bala. This report had already been registered and will appear in the blue books, where it will be open to criticism and the Cambrian News always criticises it.- Mr Evan Jones moved the adoption of the rep rt, Mr R. Evans, seconding, said that the Medical Officer's report during the last two y,ars, when the death rabe was high, had been reported in at least a dozen newspapers.—The motion was carried. A Scene.—Never since the discussion on the Maesyrhedydd-road a few years ago has anything approaching a see e been witnessed in the Council till the last meeting. Differences of opinions of course are likely to occur in nearly every council, and Bala Council has not been backward in that respect, but a scene was narrowly averted at their last meeting. Mr J J Hughes called the Council's attention to the prevalence of an epidemic of measles in Bala and said it had been imported from another town. This would not have happened had proper attention been given to it by those re- sponsible. He asked were they not responsible for the health of the town, and whether it was not possible to put an end to this shameful and careless neglect?—Mr R Lloyd Jones said if it were in their power he would be quite willing to bring an action against those persons. The Railway Company for instance could do so, and the managers of Bala County Schools, where the measles broke out, were guilty of neglect in not having taken precautions at, first but the schools had now been closed. -Mr R E, ans said that when the epidemic was more general in Bala than it was now, no attention was given it, except that the schools were closed but the children's meetings in chapel were held all the same. Notice had been sent to the girls at. tending the County School that they were not to return unless they had a medical certificate to show that they were free of the disease.—Mr J J Hughes proposed that the matter be referred to the Sanitary Committee and that the Clerk and Medical Officer be requested to attend the Com- mittee.—Mr Edward Jones I cannot understand why so much discussion should take place on a simple matter like this. It is like doing the work of the Medical Officer and Inspector.—Mr J J Hughes (warmly): There are some members pre. sent who have a father's feeling and who think of their children, and this matter is an important one. Is that not worth calling attention to?—Mr Edward Jones Has the proposer anything behind this ? Mr Hughes No, sir, nothing; but I am acting according to my convictions.—Mr E Jones It appears to me that he is in a bit of a temper. I am sure I will not call the Sanitary Committee to discuss this matter.—Mr Hughes I am not in a temper but surely I may express my views. Mr Jones has said that this matter shall not come before the Sanitary Committee. Mr Chairman, I ask you, if Mr Jones means that, what are we to do ?-Mr Edward Jones There is no reason why you should lose your temper to express your views and what I said was that I, as chairman of the Sanitary Committee, will not convene it.—Ulti- mately, Mr Hughes's proposition was carried, Mr Edward Jones being the only dissentient. The Fire Brigade.-Mr E J Evans submitted an estimate of the expenditure of equipping the members of the Fire Brigade and said it was high time something definite should be done. They had £20 as the result of the social held and af-ked the Council to vote another JE20 towards the ex- penditure. Mr Daniel Roberts said that the Council had already resolved not to supply the members f the Brigade with more than helmets and boots now but, accor ling to the report sub- mitted by Mr Evans, they were to be fully equipped.—After some disoussion, the matter was again deferred.