The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

THE AWAKENING OF WALES (No. 4.) THE POLITICAL UPHEAVAL. IN no part of the United Kingdom were the people more readv than the people of Wales for taking an active and intelligent part in public life when the Reform Bill of 1867 was passed. That measure enfran- chised the male householder and as far as men were concerned did away with the cry that taxation without representation is tyranny." Until the passing of the Reform Bill of 1867 political! power was almost entirely in the hands of landowners and other rich men. They were the only people who could afford the enormous cost of election contests. Small farmers, skilled workmen, and labourers, had no voice in the election of Members of Par liament, and those tenant farmers who had votes were afraid to record them against their landlords, as the Ballot Act did not come into operation until 1872. The elec- tion of 1868 showed that in Wales there were men who dared to vote against their landlords and there were consequently evictions which forcibly demonstrated the necessity for the protection which secret voting gives. The wellJknown case of Mr JAMES JONES'S eviction in North Car- diganshire is not yet forgotten and was greatly used at the time to secure the pro- tection of the ballot for the voters who had been enfranchised. It was at a great meeting held in Liver- pool in the early part of 1868 that a reso- lution was passed approving of the for- mation of a Welsh Reform Association, which it was hoped would enable the Liberals of Wales to avail themselves of the Reform Act of the previous year. Mr HEXRY RICHARD was one of the chief speakers at the Liverpool meeting and in the course of his speech, reported in this paper, said He could not convey any adequate impression of the deep sense he felt of the unworthy, humiliating— he was almost going to say degraded- "condition of their beloved country, as respected its political representation, for they must not disguise from them- i selves that at this moment WTales was not represented at all' in the House of Commons. There was no doubt in his mind that if they took the matter up in earnest in the course of a few years they might revolutionise the whole representation of North Wales." Mr OSBORXE MORGAN, Mr THOMAS GEE, Mr MORGAN LLOYD, Dr EDWARDS of Bala, nirid many others spoke. In a very few months not only the renresentation of North Wales, but South Wales also was revolutionised. It is a notable fact that Merionethshire was the first county in Wales to respond to the resolution passed at the Liverpool gathering of Welsh delegates, and the honour belongs to Corns of holding tll(' first meeting to consider what action should be taken in view of the dissolu- tion of Parliament." The attendance was numerous and the proceedings were highly enthusiastic. The names of several persons were canvassed as eligible representatives in the reformed Parlia- ment, but the feeling of the meeting with- out one dissentient, was in favour of requesting cur old champion, Mr DAVID WILLIAMS, of Castell Deudraeth, again "to contest the seat." The report in our issue of June 20th, 1868, goes on to express the hope that other places in Merionethshire will follow the example of Corris and it was resolved to send out circulars to the leading Liberals through- out the county inviting their co-operation. The other parts of Merionethshire were as much alive as Corris and in a short time enthusiastic meetings were held at Aber- dovey, Towyn, Dolgelley, Harlech, Fes- tiniog, Bala, Corwen, and elsewhere. At every meeting the name of Mr. DAVID YY ILLIAMS, the father of the present Liberal Member, was received with accla- mation and he was unanimously and en- thusiastically adopted. In a leading article in this paper of, June 20th, 1868, we said Ever since the Reform Bill of 1832 the seat for ■' Merionethshire has been held by a Tory, but the Liberals 'have always chafed under what they could not help feeling to be the disgrace and injustice of send- ing to Parliament a Conservative mem- ber from a constituency of Liberal Dis- senters. In 1836, Sir WILLIAM WYXXE, of Maesnewydd, disputed the seat, in the Liberal interest, with Mr. RICHARDS, of Caerynwch, but the former only polled 150 to 501 for the latter. Mr Ricii- "ARDS remained in Parliament till his "death when Mr WYXXE, of Peniarth, was returned unopposed and sat till "the general election in 1859. Then another contest took place between Mr NVYNNE and Mr DAVID WILLIAMS who was only beaten by 389 to 351. Again in 1865 the field was disputed, Mr. WILLIAMS appearing once more as the Liberal candidate, Mr. W. M. WYNNE as the Conservative." Mr WYNNE suc- ceeded, though by a slightly smaller majority than his father's, the numbers being 610 to 579. Towyn, of course, was "Mr. WYNNE'S stronghold, for the "WYNNES of Peniarth are popular and deserve to be so." They are still as popular as ever. The organisation of Merionethshire proceeded rapidly and be- fore the day of nomination Mr. W. R. M. WYNNE retired and Mr. D. WILLIAMS was returned unopposed. In Carnarvonshire, in Denbighshire, in Cardiganshire, and in many other parts < .I of Wales, the struggle of the nevdy-en- i franchised electors for Liberal representa- tives went on with extraordinary vigour. In 1865 Mr. DAVID DAVIES, Llandinam, unsuccessfully contested Cardiganshire. The whole Principality was thoroughly awake. The Liberal victories at the election in December were great. Lib- erals were returned for Anglesey, Beau- maris, Brecknock, Cardiganshire, Car- marthenshire, Carnarvonshire, Cardigan, Cardiff, Carmarthen, Cairnarvon, Den- bighshire, Denbigh, Flint, Flintshire, Z, 21 Glamorganshire (2), Haverfordwest, Merionethshire, Montgomery, Merthyr, (2), Radnor, and Swansea. Ten Conser- vatives in all were returned. The pol- itical awakening of Wales was indeed complete and there can be no doubt that the voice of WTales had been effectively raised on behalf of the Disestablishment of the Irish Church. It was felt by many that Wales had reached political high water mark, and it was feared that there would be a serious falling away of the Liberal tide ait the next general election. It was hard to believe that the wonderful victories of 1868 were only a beginning and anyone who had predicted that in 1906 there would not be a single Conser- vative representative in Parliament from Waleis or- Monmouthslhire would have been laughed at as a Liberal fanatic. If in addition he had said that a future Lib- eral member for the Carnarvon Boroughs would be a Cabinet minister he would probably have been deemed to be hope- lessly insane. How Mr. STUART RENDEL (now Lord RENDEL) subsequently wrested Montgomeryshire from the Conservatives is a fascinaiting story, not so much iden- Z7, tified witih the political awakehincr of Wales as with its subsequent political development which is full of stories almost too extraordinary to be credited in what is supposed to be the dull region of pol- itics. Nonconformist Wales was too de- lighted with an election which had sent Mr. HENRY RICHARD, Mr. E. OSBORNE MORGAN, Mr E. M. RICHARDS, and Mr DILLWYN to the House of Commons to trouble itself about the personal appoint- ments in the Government. When the new Government was formed with Mr. GLADSTONE as Prime Minister Wales was, of course), quite unrepresented. The President of the Board of Trade was Mr. JOHN BRIGHT. The time had not yet come for the full results to be reaped of the great victories which had been achieved. There was nobody like Mr. LLbYD-GEORGE or Mr JOHN BURNS in the Cabinet of 1868. The temptation is great to deal with the changes which subse- quently brought local men like Mr. T. E. ELLIS, Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE, Mr. ELLIS JONES GRIFFITH, and others into prom- inence. They had, however, nothing to do with the political awakening of Wales, but they were among the results of that awakening. The Ballot and the Corrupt Practices Acts of 1881 and 1883 purified and' cheapened elections which are still too corrupt and too costly. There is great need of a further political awaken- ing of the people who are, alas, too prone Z, to look at the Local Member of Parliament as a person to be bled by the needy and the greedy—and who ought to pay for the privilege of serving the people. (To be continued.)

-u_ EDITORIAL NOTES Ought not the claims of Aberystwyth to be impressed upon the Gorsedd for the Eis- teddfod to be held at Aberystwyth in 1908 ? There is the sum of at leastl a thousand pounds to be guaranteed, but that is, we suppose, an insignificant detail. Lord HUGH CECIL, in a recent speech, said that the Church of England is not estab- lished byf law. Later on in the same speech he asked if any person would be the better if the Church were disendowed? If the Church is not established how can it be dis- established ? It is expected in Canada, that after pro- viding for the home requirements there will be quite 100 million bushels of wheat for ex- port. The area of and under cultivation in Canada is rapidly increasing and more emi- grants are going out there every year. "• 1 The Hammersmith magistrates have ailjtourned fcummonses against passive re- sisters for six months owing to the decision of the Court of Appeal in the West Riding of Yorkshire case. The whole education situation has been altered for the timg being by the decision that denominational teach- ing in non-provided schools cannot be paid for out of the rates. I The London "Daily Chronicle" published on Monday' last a report of the launch of the new lifeboat at Aberystwyth on the previous Friday. This was somewhat late as we pub- lished an account on Friday, evening, a couple of hours after the dreary proceedings were over! ir. EVAN ROBERTS is hoiding a mission at Llanjdirindod. The usual excitement is found at the meetings which are continued to late hours. It is doubtful whether Mr. EVAN ROBERTS will be able to bear the strain. » The first passenger train was run from Ruabon to Bala at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, the 31st of December, 1867. Mr W. R. M. WYNNE, of Peniarth, was one of the party. The train arrived at IDaila at 10.30 a.m. and its appearance. was loudly, cheered by a large number of inhabitants. At a luncheon it was stated that in a few months the line would be opened to Dolgelley. Lord HUGH CECIL may congratulate him- self on having contributed, by his silly speech, towards the great success of the Liberal can- didate, Mr E G. HEMMERDE, who has won by a majority of 2,791. The figures are- Mr HEMMERDE (L), 5,917; Major A. GRIFFITH BOSCAWEN (C), 3,126. At the last contested election in 1897 the Liberal won by, 2,327 v.otes. There is not much consolation in this result for the Conservatives. The County Councils of Wales will not be slow to take advantage of the judgment of the Court of Appeal in the West Riding education case. The Welshpool District Education Com- mittee has already moved. It was decidell on Monday by seven votes to five to recom- mend only the payment of such sums as were due for the time occupied in giving secular instruction. The resolution stated that if salaries were paid in fuil members would run the risk of being surcharged. Some sensible women are angry that fools of men laugh ati their reasonable claims for political enfranchisement and revile them. We know from an old book how certain people that passed byi reviled and wagged their heads. We ask women what is the male idiot to do if he is not allowed to laugh at justice and revile reasonable ness. Thfc most serious thing about women's claim for enfranchisement is that many women work for men who are pledged to keep women in political subjection. The annoyance of barking dogs on the beach at Aberystwyth is very great and it seems to be beyond the power of the authori- I ties to control it. A beach officer at Hun- stanton was recently instructed by the Coun- cil to stop the dogs from barking and; creating a nuisance on the beach and sea front. The officer has tendered his resignation. He says he is unable to satisfactorily carry out the duties imposed upon him. The officer en- trusted with this duty at, Aberystwyth—if there is one—need not trouble himself to re- sign. All he need do is to just (let the, dogs go on barking. < There are about one million one hundred and forty-one thousand paupers in the United Kingdom. It is said that they cost about, fifteen millions of pounds a year. A great deal of this outlay is spent on the upkeep of workhouses and the payment of officials. The whole system of the relief of the poor is greatly in need of reform, but how reform is to be achieved is a. question that has not yet been seriously fyackled. The decent poor ought not to be in work- houses; children ought not to be in work- houses; the able-bodied and lazy ought not to be in workhouses. The subject is forcing itself upon the attention of the people. There is nothing more creditable to the police than the way officers frequently speak out in favour of accused persons. At the Liverpool Assizes, Mr. Justice KENNEDY said that Detective-Sergeant MOORE had brought to the notice of the Court everything which would tell in favour of an accused person. The police perform no useful or more "creditable function," added his lordship, "than when, in addition to their duties of "detecting crime and arresting offenders, they bring to the knowledge of the Court all re- liable information in favour of the prisoners "that can be secured." The main object of the police is not to obtain convictions, but magistrates should always be very careful not to discredit the police when they are trying to preserve order. What may be the final result of the de- cision of the Court of Appeal in the West Riding case as to the cost of religious edu- cation in non-provided elementary" schools is of little consequence. Denominational teaching is not going to be paid for out of the rates and whether that result is obtained by an Act of Parliament or by a judicial judgment in a law case is not worth troub- ling about. The Church of England is greatly disturbed by the decision of the Court of Appeal and there is now a good deal of t;alk about compromise. We say again what we have said many times before, that we wouM pay for the teaching of any- body's religion to their own children. What the Church of England wants-and that is the sore point-is to force children into Church of England schools and to pre- sume that all those who do not withdraw the,ir children are willing that they should be taught Church of England denomina- tionailism. Nothing can be done for some time about the Court of Appeal's decision in the Yorkshire case, but there may be a further appeal to the House of Lords. There is foolish talk among the Conservatives about the Education Bill being dropped. The Bill will not be dropped. Even if the question settled by the Court of Appeal stands, there are many others which are not deailt with except by the Bill. Nonconformist Wales is not. disturbed, but the ecclesiastics are sorely troubled. At the last meeting of the Carnarvon Town Council a letter was read from Lady TURNER stating that the articles which for- merly comprised the old museum and pos- sessed by the late Sir LLEWELYN TURNER, formerly constable of Carnarvon Castle, would be handed over to the Corporation if a proper place for their location were pro- vided. The gift was accepted and a com- mittee was appointed to make suitable pro- vision for the articles. There was a conver- sation about the suggested restoration of the castle, but nobody seemed to know anything. Alderman R. PARRY said that if they could prevail upon the Government to make better provisions for the preservation and upkeep of the Castile, they should not allow any opportunity to pass that might bring about the desired! results. There was no covering to the towers and wate- consequently trickled down to the foundations. It seems to us that the people of Carnarvon do not believe in themselves, br in their Castle, or in the possibility of its restoration and the removal of whatever is objeciionabe in its precincts. There is a welcome movement in reference to the old castles of Wales and no amount of money spent in restoring Carnarvon Castle and removing from its vicinity what- ever is objectionable would be wasted. We I believe that Sir JOHN PrLESTON will achieve I more than is at present believed to be pos- sible, J The condition of Russia is most alarming. Murders are frequent and there is serious and widespread unrest. Sedition is rife I everywhere and the armyi and navy are not free from it. It is said that great sensation has been caused in Cumberland by, the suicide at Aber- ystwyth of Dr JAMES ALTHAM, M.B., M.S., aged fiftyi, of Ber beck House, Penrith. The inquest was held before Mr. JOHN EVANS, coroner, on Monday evening. The CHAIRMAN of the Cambrian Railways Company says that the roads in Wales are terrible. This statement can be taken for what it is worth seeing that the Company has two motor cars running in the neighbourhood of Pwllheli and are answering admirably. There are a great many motor cars running successfully up and down the hills of Wales just now. Lord HUGH CECIL has written a letter deal- ing with the judgment of the Court of Ap- peal in the West Riding education case, in which he suggests that the "proper remedy "for passive resistance is passive resistance." What he means is that when Nonconformists resort to passive resistance it is wicked, but that if the Church of England resorted to passive resistance it would be virtuous. We understand. < It was stated by) the CLERK at the last meeting of the Machynlleth Council thai? there had been no quorum at the Streets Committee, the Fairs and Markets Commit- tee, the Footpaths Committee, and the Clock Tower Committee. And yet in. the face of this apathy the people wonder why the town ,does not make more rapid progress. < < At the last meeting of the Machynlleth Town Council the CLERK stated that he had written to the Montgomery Council drawing their attention to the inconvenience caused by the-Ro-oding of the river Dovey, but had re- ceived no reply. This is the sort of neglect and lack of courtesy that justifies riot, rebel- lion, and revolution. What are the people to do in order to obtain necessary reforms and fmprovements ? WTiat will Portmadoc do about the stench from the Harbour ? Something effective should be done without delay. It is not for the rate- payers to settle this matter, but it should be settled-it must be settled, and meetings should be held until final deci- sions are reached. There is no calamity, as yet, but calamity impends. This is not a case for bickering, but. for honest, outspoken plain dealing. < < We do not believe in the diamond-finding voyage of the Xema. Of course, if the vessel comes back with a few hundred tons of dia- monds (not black ones) there will be a slump in precious stones and we shall hear more of those who are "rich beyond the dreams of "avarice." In the meantime we take these diamonds with a very large grain of saH and a'bstain from speculating. » » There is an easy remedy for the shabby way Welsh elementary teachers are treated, namely, to fake situations in England. Welsh teachers are among the best in the United Kingdom and there need be no diffi- culty in obtaining satisfactory employment. A spell of work in England will count to the advantage of the teachers when the terms are good enough to induce them to return. A good deal of rain has fallen during the week. Some of the showers have been re- markably heavy'. It almost seems as if they had heard at the weather office that the Aber- ystwyth Corporation trusts to the elements for keeping the streets fairly clean. Pas- tures have benefited by the rain and the denuded water supplies in rural districts have been replenished. There never were so many' visitors in the district. The Cambrian Rail- way returns, we are glad to see, show a sub- stantial increase over the receipts of last year. The neglected road, or watercourse, lead- ing from Llanbadarn to the Waun has evi- dently had /somebody pottering about it since -we called attention to it last week. A quantity of soil-soil, mind you-has been placed in the deep water ruts. Sawdust or paper (shavings would have 'been equallyi effective. Any farmer or other person who met with an accident on that road owing to its neglected and dangerous condition would most likely be able to obtain heavy damages from the responsible authority'. The water courses are completely blocked and there are deep and dangerous "dishes" in the road. The responsible authority would have no defence against any action as the neglect is flagrant and notorious. That the people who have to use the road should put up with its present condition is greatly1 to their discredit and shows plainly how diffi- cult it is to obtain efficiency in the manage- ment of public affairs. This road must be put into proper order, but we suppose the responsible authority will do its utmost to avoid efficiency. There is said to have been a decrease of thirty per cent in the value of public house property during the past three years in the Midland centres. One reason for this de- cline is that some years ago the value of public house property was unduly inflated. There are many other reasons for the decline in value. The drinking habits of the people have greatly changed during the past years. There may be not much less drinking, but there is far less drunkenness. Again, lighter beers are consumed. Further, in these days working men dress differently and the small public house has no use for itself. Forty or fifty years ago there were as many kinds of beer as there were public houses. In these days the beer is practically the same. There are only three or four sorts. Breweries are discovering that they are keeping open large numbers of unprofitable houses. One of the c-rea-t niiistak,-6 of lidence->ho]fders is that they have not marched with the times. The licensed house should have become something much more than a mere drinking shop. Three of the truck traders on the Prom- enade at Aberystwyth were fined on Wednes- day ten shillings each and costs. The Magis- trates said that that kind of work must be stopped. We are glad, and the town gener- all;Y1 will be glad, that the Magistrates are resolved to put an end to a system that is not only a source of annoyance to visitors, but is a great wrong to tradesmen who pay rents and rates. It is to be hoped that the impertinent and persistent obstructors who trust to their repeated offences for immunity will not be allowed to succeed and thus de- feat the police and the magistrates. The whole question is whether these obstructors or the local authorities are to prevail. It is most important that the Parade should be kept free from all sorts of obstructions. If any of those who have been already fined dis- regard the warnings they have had it is to be hoped they will receive the full penalty. The action ry"¡ the pqlice and the magistrates gives great satisfaction in the town. There should, of course, be no exceptions. Notwithstanding the fines on Wednesday morning the truck traders were as busy' as ever in the after- noon. Evidently nothing but very drastic treatment will put a stop to the evil. I At the last meeting of the Aberystwyth Dis- trict Education Committee Mr C M WILLIAMS told the Rev. MASON JONES that he had not stayed till the close of a previously held Education Committee and said that he ought to have been there to do his duty whether it was unpleasant or pleasanti. No body 1 could have blamed the Rev. MASON JONES if he had protested vehemently; and forcibly against the remarks of Mr C. M. WILLIAMS who has no right whatever to set himself up as the judge of other people's sense of duty. This is the sort of thing that breeds dis- turbances.

LAMPETER Wedding—At the Registry Office, Lampe- ter, on Friday, by Mr T LI Evans, registrar, in the presence of Mr John Lloyd, deputy superintendent registrar, the marriage was so.enmized between Mr David Williams, farmer, Blaenwern, Ljlanfairc'lydogan, and Miss Elizabeth Evans, of the same address. Railway Facilities—The Great Western Railway Company have abolished the excur- sions to Aberystwyth which were run on two daj's of the week at Is 9d, and are running trips on four days instead at a fare of 2s 6d. flie Is 9d trips were well patronised by the 1 trvvn and district- and the news or their discontinuance was re 'eived with universal disappointment. Sacred Concert.—A sacred concert in con- nection with the Choral Union, was held at the Memorial Hall on Sunday evening. There was a large number of persons present. The T Rev H Rosser, B.A.. curate of St Peter's Church, presided. The proceedings were of a high order and the singing was very much appreciated. Appended is the programme:- Pianoforte solo, Miss Mary Jones, Bryn-road song, "Arm, Arm ye Brave," Mr Arthur Ed- wads; song, "The Heavenly Song," Miss Jones, Brynteg; song. "(Be thou faithful unto death," Mr Emrys Morris; song. "There is a green hill far away," Miss A J Edwards, DQl- wen Coron Qyfiawnder," the" Choir, led by Mr W Hefin Williams; song, "Abide with me." Miss M J Price; song, "Vision off the Cross," Mr J B Williams, Drover's-road; song "Light and Darkness," Miss Annie Hughes; song, "Lead, Kindly Light," Mr D B WiJ- iiams; anthem, "Bendigedig Fyddo Arglwydd Dduw Israel," the Choir, led by Mr W Hefin Williams. Rainfall—The records of rainfall taken at Falcondale by' Mr Wm Taylor show that for the first sixteen days in June no rain fell. From the 17th to the 30th rain fell every day with the exception of the 20th, 21st, and 30th, the total being 2.99 inches. The 53rd part of an inch fell on the 17th. 79th on the 24th, 70th on the 28th, and 54th on the 29th. In July 1.46 inch was recorded on thir- teen days out of the thirty-one. The high- est record was on the 19th when the 30th part of an inch fell. On other days 0.12 fell on the 2nd. 0.11 on the 13th, 0.26 on the 14th, 0.23 on the 27th, and 0.13 on the 31st.

COMPETITIVE CONCERT. The second of the annual musicaj and elocutional competitive concerts was held in the Memorial Hall on Wednesday. The weather, although very showery in the morn- ing, turned out fine. The afternoon meeting was presided over by* the Mayor. The pro- ceedings in the afternoon were the prelim- inary tests for the concert to be held in the evening and there was a fairly good attend- ance in the hall. There was a number of entries in the competitions and the competi- tors were duly weeded out by the adjudicator, Mr Harry Evans, F.R.C.O., who went through his work to the satisfaction of all. The adjudicators of the recitations were Prof Lorimer Thomas, S.D.C., the Rev Eli Evans, Llanfair; and Mr D F Lloyd, who also gave every satisfaction. This year, instead of a champion class open either to ma)e or female voices, as was the case last year, separate prizes were given to the different sexes. This was considered an improvement, and'no doubt made the work of the adjudicator easier. There was also a change for the better in the competitions for reciters. Instead of a cer- tain piece being set, the competitors had to select their own pieces. This suited the and:. once much better, as it is often very tiring for an audience to listen to about half a dozen persons reciting the same piece. The evening meeting was presided over by Mr J L LloyJ, town clerk, and the lall W¡; til!<'J to the ut- most by a quiet and appreciative audience. The competitions were keen throughout and music of a very high order was listened to. The adjudicator expressed himself as entirely opposed to the form of these competitive con- certs, where the singers could sing whatever piece they liked. The result was that com- petitors always sang the same pieces and did not take the trouble to learn new ones and thereby turn the talent they possessed to good use. He would have to adjudicate according to the piece chosen bv each singer, the re- sources he had, and the use he made of those resaurces. The first item on the programme was a champion solo open to boys under f^teeii. Thomas John Evans, Blaenttecliau 1. Lloyd, Carmarthen, and J. Partridge, Abertillery, entered on the stage. The adjudicator awarded the prize to Mr. T. Lloyd who sang "With Verdure Clad," and who is a pupil or Mr. P. R. Daniel,A.R.C.O., Carmarthen. Champion solo, open to girl's under fifteen. -Four ieise-iitered the stage, having passed the test, viz.: Misses May Watts, Morriston; Grace Parry, Abertillery Nancy Beal, Hafod, Swansea; and Maggie Davies, Llan^lly- adjudicator in awarding the prize to Miss Nancy Beal (who sanrr The Better Land ) said it was very wrong of teachers to teach children to sing as if thev" were thirty or forty years old. This little girl had sung quite naturally as befits a chld.. Open champion recitation, competitors to select their own piece.—Mr. Tom 'nomas. Cross* Hands, Llandebie; Mr. J. Brv'thonfab James. Pennarke Mr. Amos Jones, Llane.ly and Miss E. L. Warrington, Aberystwyth. emerged from the test. The prize was awarded to Mr Amos Jones who recited "The Women of Mumble s Head." Champion solo, open to tenor, baritone, and bass vocalists.—Out of eight competitors, four came on the stage from the preliminary test. They were Messrs Aneurin Edward Treorky; T. Doughton, Ebbw Vale; W. H. Protheroe, Lianelly and W. J. Samuel. Swansea. Tlie adjudicator awarded the prize to Mr. W. H. Protheroe who sang "How vain is man." Champion solo, open to soprano, mezzo- soprano, and contralto vocalists.—There was vem, beautiful singing in this competition. "NII F.S Rose Jones Aberystwyth; Miss Tvdfil (Brown. Llanilar; Madame Thomas. L1 a nelly: and Miss Mosejey, Abertille ry, came out on the stage. The adjudi- cator commented upon the excellent vocal powers of all the competit ors. He had, how- ever, no hesitation in awarding the prize to Madame Thomas who had sang Ernani wonderfully well. The audience demanded a solo from Madame Thomas and she gave Adei-vii Pur." For the best rendering of "Y Blodeuyn Olaf" by a party not less than twenty! and not more than thirty in number.—Great interest was taken in this competition, the three choirs competing being local ones. They! were "Music Lovers," led by Mr. F. D. Lewis, [Malta Villa; "Brorideify Party," led by Mr W. Hevin Wiljiams; and "Excelsior Party," Ted by Mr. A. E. Edwards. The adjudicator thanked the committee for choosing such a piece. It was one of the purest pearls in I Welsh music and was composed by" one of the best Welsh composers. The three choirs had sung well, but he had no hesitation in award- ing the prize to "Music Lovers," led by Mr. T. D. Lewis. The usual votes of thanks were passed and responded to. "Hen WJad f Nhadau and "God Save the King" were sung, the solos being taken by Madame Thomas. The concert was a success in every way and great praise is due to those responsible. Mr David Llovd. I.S.M., Tonypandy (in the much-regretted absence, through a bereave- ment. of Mr T D Edwards, I.S.M., Ponty- pridd), acted as. accompanist. The committee appointed to carry the thing through con- sisted of Alderman Charles Evans (mayor), Alderman Timothy Richards, Councillors Ehys Hughes, D. F. Lloyd, and D. H. Evans, Mr. W. Her in Williams, and Mr..Tames T. Meg- gicks. Councillor D. F. Llovd also fijied the post of treasurer. The committee was fortu- nate in securing as hon sec the services of Mr. William Lewis, O.M.. Arfryn, who worked indeOatigably, and to whom the great- est praise is duo. He arso conducted the after- noon and evening meetings in an able and judicial way.

A new railway from New York to Chicago has been projected at a cost of £ 50.000,000. There has been a hailstorm at Verviers. a town in the Belgian province of Liege. Some of the hailatonea were lilour pounds in weight.

MACHYNLLETH Show Committee.—A meeting o. the Show Committee was held at Vane Hall on Wed- nesday, there being present Cqlonel Norton, chairman; Messrs M E Francis, F -It Camp- bell, R W Henry, Evans, E Hughes, Jones, D Lewis, and T Parsons, secretary.— The Chairman asked if they were to have "one or two. judges this year and it %tis resolved to have- one and it was decided to secure the services of Mr T Jones, Brynllywarch Kerry. --A letter was read from Miss Rees, Paris House, Machynlleth, isking the Committee to provide the refrt*>b- ment tent on the field and it was decided to Jeave it to the Finance Committee. The other matters before the committee consisted of revising the schedule of prizes. Meeting..—A public meeting was held at Graig Schoolroom, the chairman being Mr D R Morgan. Mr J D Rees spoke on the doings of Parliament during the past session. The attendance- was small owing to. want of announcement. Addresses were also given by the Revs E Wnion Evans, Fred Davies, Idris Jcnes. B.D., and others. Mr David Davies's Hounds.—Mir Davies came down by mail train on M' -nday morn- ing with his pack of otter hounds and com- menced hunting near Dovey Bridge, but owing to the state of the river, conse- quent on the heavy rain on Sunday and Mon- day morning, the hunt had to be abandoned at an early houtr. Maengwyn Church.—The Rev D Cunllo Davies ip recovering from his illness and wiil soon be aole to resume his duties. Graig Church.—The Rev Mr and Mn Jo/si ah Jones aie spending few weeks at Dylife. If this beautiful place was more widely advertised, there would be a rush 01 visitors to the spot from which Plynlimon, Bugeilvn, Nantyliyn. Esgair Foehnant, Glaslyn, and Pennant could easily be reached.. Assessment Committee. At meeting of the Assessment Committee was held on Wednesday, Mr Edward Hughes, presiding. Mr, Edmund Gillart appeared on behalf of Lord Herbert Vane Tempest in respect of h\5 objection to the assessment of the Dcvey fishery. The assessment was, reduced in ac- cordance with the term/s of the lease granted by Sir Watlun to his Lordship. F -hilig.-ni,e- Dovey is in excellent con- dition flor fishing and a good nunlber of rods aj-e daily in the river and doing well. Obituary. — On Sunday morning Mrs Lumley (coal merchant) received a cablegram from America containing the s.ad news of the death of her daughter. Nurse Catherine Lumley, who was on a visit to this country. Hie deepest sympathy is extended to Mrs Lumley (who is in a delicate state of health). Miss Mary Lumley and brothers in their sad sudden bereavement.

TREGARON Com Harvest.—The lead in this district has, this year been taken in the corn harvest by Miss Owen, Penyrallt Farm. The Footbridge. lp to the present nothing has been done to remedy the dan- gerous condition in which the footbridge leading from Chapel-street to Doldre is in. Anniversary Service^.—On Sunday last the pulpit of the Bwlchgwynt C.M. Chapel was occupied by the Revs Stephen George, B.A., Llandrindod, and S Prytheneh, Lon- oon. Both pfieachers delivered powerful and timely sermons to large congregations. Mir George is a native of Tregaron, he feeing the son of Mr and Mrs George, Penddol. Successes at Shbnvis-—Mr C. W. Powell, of Brynygog, who is well known in this district as a horse breeder, was very successful at the showp held" in the district during the past fortnight. At LLanilar, he took away six first prizes and also at the Welsh National Show held at Aberystwyth was successful in getting one fia-st,, oiie second, aiiTl seve.raft thirds. At the Horticultural Show held at Aberayron last week, Mr E Williams, Ystrad Fa.Tm, succeeded in carrying away three firsts, four seconds, and three thirds in garden produce, while Mr David Thomas, Cambrian House, had also first prize in leeks, the white of wliich were about eighteen inches fcng, three seconds, and two thirds. Miss Nelly Lloyd, Penybont, the sixteen- year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs Roderick Lloyd, iroad surveyor, succeeded in taking the medal offered at the Welsh National Show for butter making open to all Wales, and also the first prize in the class which was open to residents in those counties that con- tributed towards the competiiton. Parish Council.—The ordinary meeting of Caron-is Clawdd Parish Council was held at the National School.00111 on Friday evening, August 10th. The members present were Mesprsi Rees Jones, chairman; E Isaac Davies, Pantsheriff; M J Davies, North-end John Jones, W aunlawr. S Jones, Bryn Teify; and Miss Anne Jenkins olerk. It is understood that nothing had fceen done by the Seats Committee to the seat near the Poplars and alsoo that the Paths' Com- mittee had done nothing to the Blaencaron footbridge. The Chairman and others had been consulting the District Council Road Surveyor (Ml- Morgan Jones) 111 connection with the Tregaron footbridge who promised to repair it tbe next day, but nothing had been done.-On the proposition of Mr Rees Jones, seconded by Mr John Jones, it was resolved that the Parish Meeting should be held on September' 14th at six o'clock.

NEW QUAY Sports.—In the athk?tio sports held 01 Wednesday evening in connection with the New Quay Regatta, the list of events were as followsi:—100 yards flat, 1, S Jones, Llan- geler; 2, Arden Daviee, New Quay. Bicycle race (slowest), 1, D Williams, Vel- indre. High jump, 1, S Jjiies; 2. M Jones, Llangeli (four feejt nine inches). Sack race (under sixteen years), 1, GranviHe Davies, New Quay; 2, D LVans; 3, W James. Half mile (scratch), 1, S Jones, Liangelen; 2, Arden Davies, New Quay. Sack race (open), 1, Iienaeiis Jones; 2, Herby Rees, New Quay. Four hundred yards (scratch), 1, S Jones, Llangeler 2, A Davies. New Quay. Obstacle race, 1, F Webb, New Quay; 2, Wheeler, Cardigan. Three-legged race, 1, S Jones, Llangeler, and friend; 2, Cerdin and rsed Evna;, Llandys- sul. The sports ended at 8.65. and there was a good attendance. The Coastguard who, had dressed themselves as downs, created roars of laughter. Owing to ad." pute between the "ritimrose" and the Coastguards, a second race was run on Wed- nesday when the Coastguards won by few lengths.. Great excitement prevailed.

LLANON Sharks in the Bay.—Some sailors working on shore saw last week a big shark proceed- ing in the direction of Aberayron. in an Earthquake. From the "Daily Ledger," Taooma, South America, we find that the" Kidaitou," commanded by Cap- tain Tom Jones, Talarfor, Llanon, exper- ienced the effects of an earthquake while staying in the harbour of Junin, Chiloe Isliand, last November,. The Captain and his crew were thrown out of their berths by the seismic disturbances. The sea boiled,. the ship rolled, and the sailors feaned their ship would be swamped by a tidal wave. During their stay in South American ports, the ships commanded by Captam Jones have- had very many earthquakes, but this was the severest. Clouds of dust and stones rolled down the hillsides. It was choppier than a hurricane, the motion being much quicker. Howeveri, in a time everything passed away and. neither ship ntor men sustained injury. Obituary.—Mrs Jones, Aeron Villa, wife of the late, Captain Jones, died last week from decay and was buried cn Saturday at the LJansantffraed Church. The Rev. D. Lewis,, vica,r, officiated at the Bouse and was assisted by the Rev D P Morgans, Omia. Tlie deceased left behind four, sons, the youngest being seventeen years of age.

The Marchioness of Londoihiei-ry, is one of the ladies who has promised to sell at the stalls of the Royal Irish Industries Associa- tion at their autumn sale, to be held under the patronage of the King and Queen at the Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool, on October 31 and November 1 and 2. It is officially announced by the Great Western Railway that the new Fishguard and RcssCare route will he opened on August 30. Viscount Ca-F.tlereagh and Captain Harold Brassey have taken the deer forest of Kin- loch, near Tongue, in Sutherland. Metals—Lead firm-—soft foreign so,Id at £ 17, and £ 17 Is 3d sellers. English, £ 17 6s 3d. Spelter st,PR(IN--G.6.B. -C27 Kellers near and! buyers forward special. £ 27 5s. A movement has been started with the ob- ject of presenting Sir John Pulton wstn a testimonial in recognition of his services to his oountrymen. The proposal has already met with hearty support from inflietititit persons.

ways Company was probably right in his suggestion that the coming of the Great [Western to Aberystwyth may do good rather than harm to the Cambrian, for the Cambrian has quite as much summer traffic as it can deal with. There is one way that the Cambrian certainly will be advantaged by the coming of the Great Western to Aberystwyth, namely, in be- ing able to extort better arrangements from the London and North Western Bind Great Western where those com- panies touch the Cambrian at different places. For instance, the miserable train arrangements on the London and North Western line between Shrewsbury and Welshpool have done more to give the Cambrian line a bad name than all the Cambrian's own defects put together ,The popularity of this part of Wales is steadily increasing and if something could y Z, be done to arrest the migration of popu- lation, which has been going on for forty years" or more, the transference of the Cambrian line to one of the large com- panies might become feasible. There is not ia better district than this part of Wales in the United Kingdom for winter visitors if the railway accommodation were more satisfactory during the nine months of the year not at present counted as the season for visitors. There are great possibilities all up and down the coast, but those possibilities cannot be devel- oped without capital, nor can a bargain I be made as long as the original share- holders want to sell wlvu is worthless for a good round sum of money. The Cambrian cannot be hawked b()11t on sale. What the Great Western wi' ac- complish at Aberystwyth remains to be seen. There can be no doubt that tht London and North Western will keep itself wel'l posted in all that goes on. Already it has been shown by the Great Western that large numbers of people can be brought to Aberystwyth from South Wales who under the old arrange- ments could not reach that place. Aber- ytwyth is growing, and will continue to grow. Aberdovey, Towyn, Barmouth, Criccieth, Pwllheli, Dolgelley, and other places are capable of great development in many directions, and no doubt the Cambrian Company would do far more than is done if it were not for financial stress, coupKed with heavy and often un- fair handicapping by the large companies. One of the most reassuring evidences of the improved position of the Cambrian Railways is the fact that the Great Western has taken over the Man- chester and Milford in order to reach Aberystwyth. The policy of the Cam- brian is, of course, to do all that can be done to still further increase the success of the line. That there is talk of amalga- mation, or purchase, or leasing is an un- doubted sign of progress. In these days projects ripen rapidly; that which was barely possible yesterday is probable to- day and becomes inevitable to-morrow. As the CHAIRMAN said, the directors are correcting the mistakes of the past. Those mistakes were numerous and serious. Whatever may be the future of the line, there can be no question that the future is full of promise, for trade in Eng- land is already improving- and the work of managing the line will be easier as the growing importance of tliis district is more fullty realized by the great companies who used to ignore it and did their utmost to make the means for reaching it as scanty as possible.