The Cambrian News and Merionethshire Standard

f Merioneth County i Council. 4 j MATERNITY AND CHILD WELFARE. ELECTION OF CORONER. I WATER POWER IN WALES. I WELSH HOME RULE. Merioneth County Council met at Dolgelley On Thursday, present Councilior R. C. Anwyl, chairman; Councillor L. J. Davies, vice-chair- man-, Aldermen T. Martin Williams, Wm. Owen, Dr. John Jones, Wm. Hughes, Robert -Evans, E. D. Jones, and W. Hughes Jones; Councillors T. Lloyd Jones, Corwen; Sir H. B. Boebrtison, Llandrillo; Robert Hughes, Llany- cil; R. T. Vaughan, Llanfor; Hugh Meredith Jones, Llandderfel; E. A. Williams and Rees Morgan, Dolgelley; John Roberts, Barmouth; Wm. Evans, Llanaber; David Jones, Abercorris; itite Rev. R. T. Phillips, Cyntal; D. White Phil- lips, Maenofferen; Dr. Rd. Jones, Cwmorthin; K. W. Vaughan, Maentwrog; Joseph Hum- phreys, Penrhyn; John Owen, Talsarnau; Ed. jGriffiths, Harlech; J. Maethlon James, and Meredith Jones, Towyn; and E. L. Rowlands, Abprdovey; Messrs. David Breese, county clerk; I Or E. Lewys Lloyd, medical officer; R. Barnett, treasurer, and E. Vaughton, surveyor. The Late Coroner. j The Chairman proposed a vote of condolence irtth the widow of Mr. R. O. Jones, late -coroner for the county, which was agreed to by fhe Council upstand ng. Food and Drugs. The County Analyst reported having analysed three samples of milk during the quarter of which one sample was found to be 2! per cent. deficient in non-fatty solids. Mai Roads. Mr Meredith Jones brought up the report of the Main Roads Committee and said that all eJdennen on the Committee were present at e committee meeting, but out of fourteen eounollors three only were present. The Com- mittee recommended that Mr. Kettle should be asked to carry out his original offer within three months. Towyn Urban Council wrote asking that Mr Kettle should be called on to remove a fence which was erected subject to his planting trees and erecting a fountain. The -Committee also recommended that as from August 5th the wages of road foremen and road section men should be increased to 2s 6d a week and that the salary of the County "Surveyor should be increased from C232 to JE300 lper annum, plus an allowance in respect of the apkeep of hI.s motor car of JE25 per annum as from the 30th September. The Clerk and Sur- veyor were authorised to take all necessary Steps to abate nuisances on rural main roads caused by the deposit of rubbish or materials by unauthorised persons. The Surveyor in his report stated that with the exception of a few Sections subject to heavy timber haulage, urban main roads were in good order and the rural main roects on the whole were in satisfactory erder. There were, however, still some sections impossible to keep up to standard owing to ) 'Continual timber haulage. Roads between Dol- gelley and Ganllwyd, Pennal and Dovey Bridge and those in Dinas Mawddwy district had im- proved; but he feared the county was in for serious damage to the road between Pant- perthoe- and Dovey Bridge where timber haul- age Tiad been started by traction engines. Ex- pend'ture with the contractors during the quarter was again much below the estimate, amounting t8 £615 13s. only aga;nst £1,090 19s. lOd. estimated, which was accounted for in sofne measure by the difficulty in obtaining labour. At different times during the quarter lie had released a number of roadmen to assist in the harvest and should continue to do so whenever they could be spared. Mr. Robert. Evans asked how many roadmen were in the employ of the Council and how many had been released for the harvest? The Surveyor replied that twenty-two were Working in the harvest last week out of about fiftv employees. The Clerk read a letter from the Workers Union asking that an advance of 10s. per week

The Great Skin Cure. EBUBDEN'S S.R. v SKIN OINTMENT. IT WILL CURE Itching after one application destroys every form of Ecaema; heals R" Wounds and Sores; acts like a charm on Bad s; is infallible for Piles; prevents Cuts fron- fettering will cure Ringworm in a few • .removes the riuwt obstinate En;- and ItJcurvy. Boxes. 3d. !»• 1 ''>•■■—Agents: For Aberystwyth Wynne and Son. Chemists. 'Pier-street; l'ortmadoc, M. E. Morris: Blaenan Feetiniog, J Lloyd ;,inf. Pwllheli, R. 0 Griffith- MachvnHeth Mr Arthur: Dolgelley B. and G- WillUm. R4 SCIENTIFIC SIGHT-TESTING. | R. G. OWEN, F.S.M.C,I-o CERTIFIED OPTICIAN, LLANRWST, May be consulted at Buckley's Temper- ance, Portmadoc, every Third Friday in the Month. ——————— Hours—11 to 6. -:0. F We have a choice selection of Gold and Silver Novelties displayed, and an inspection Is cordially invited. j K. Bonner Thomas & Sons, JEWELLERS, 4, Bank Place. PORTMADOC (2 doort from G.P.O.)

When Your Head Aches TAKE A DOSE OF EASINE. EASINE is the safest, quickest, and most reliable HEADACHE CURE known. Millions sold, and thousands of testi- monials received. Should there be any difficulty In getting EASINE from your chemist or grocer, send a P.O. for Is. for 15 doses, or four penny stamps for three trial doses, to HUGH JONES M.P.S., F.S.M.G., THE MEDICAL trALL. BLAENAU FESTINIOG. I mommompon nARRY & Sons, pA R. & S o n s, ) CUMBERS, Queen's Building., Blaenau FeitinioS HOT AND COLD W A TIIR FITTERS, SANITARY ENGINEERS. ESTIMATES GiVaN FOR fl55CTWO LI&^ffi?o$!ELBPHONB Best class of work only executed. =TO Complete Stock of Electrical and Hot Water Fittings AND Modern Sanitary Appliances. "Afraid We Shou1d Lose Him." Sple r, d. d CUle of DISEASED HIP ,=: after undergoing three without. success. Our portrait ie of Newman, of 26, Fonthill Road, Finsbury Park, London, N., whose mother writ8: My sou from rliseased J right hip, and was in and out of W s c^>" hospital for 18 months he was ? 80 ba.d.we were afraid we should JT lose him. After undergoing ,ii'Vi three operations—which did N v him no good—we decided to try N your world-fauicd Clarke's Blood ■ -v Mixture. After taking the first v. Av bottle we noticed an improve f,> ment in him> so -ve kept it up, th*^ hort6 opinion never have been if he lia-A gone through that tlerl ible in hospital. Every hod y we meet U1arvels how he got mill, and we are always Jtlad to say iÐ Is Blood Mixture that cured him." Vdiiffavovci from Bad Legs. Abscesses. Ulcere. Glandular Swellings, Piles. 3?. UH6rerS Eczem i, Boils. Pimples, Sores, Eruptions. Rheumatism, Sciatica, Gout, or kindred complaint* should realise that ^01 ions, ointments. Suv can buX iftve temporary relief To be sur* of a cure, complete ahd lasting the_ blood. must be^orouRh y cleansed of the impure waste matter, the true cause of all such trouble. Clarke iiiooi Mixture quickly a t .cks. overcomes and expels the impurities from the bloodI, that • wny so many remarkable euros stand to its credit. Pleasant take a"^Tire^ni? »wD SKE ingr<*dien's. Of all Chemists and Stores, 2s 91. per bottle. ASK FOR AND THAT YOU GET Clarke's Blood Mixture Everybody's Blood rurifler." -:=:c.r.<ltr;O;C-==.i. .o..r- Telephone—33, Portmadoc: 5. Bala. EVAN JONES & SONS English and Foreign TIMBER AND COAL MERCHANTS, SAW MH.LS, PORTMADOC, and at BALA. BUILDING TIMBER.—Red and White Deals, Planed Boards, Pitch Pine, Mouldings, etc. WHEELWRIGHT'S TIMBER.-Spokes, Shafts, Felloes, Barrow, Cart, aiez other timbet sawn to requirements. QUARRY TIMBER.—Sleepers, Crane Poles, Waggon Frames, rr4 Ae. QUICK DELIVERY OF GOODS ALL ALONG THE FRONTIER ————————— OF (-Ii-RnTr- A VPAV I Guaranteed at the Lowest Market Prices. Flour, Feeding Stuffs and Offals always in stock. The Portmadoc Flour Mills Co., PORTMADOC. Tel. 14 Tel. Address: "Millers," Portmadoc. Telephone No. 13.. STEAM SAW MILLS, PORTMADOC. J. OWAIN HUGHES -Late 1111011115 PanT)> Timber Merchant, Has a Large Stock of Timber, Doors, Windows, Sashes, and Frames suitable for BUILDERS and CONTRACTORS. Timber Sawn for Customers. Stock of Building and Fire Bricks, Laths, Tiles, Etc. 10 armounce that he has acquired the Old-Established Business of Messrs ELIZABETH OWEN and SONS, TIMBER MERCHANTS, Etc., Portmadoc, which he intends in future conducting in conjunction with his present business. Telegrams: "Richards, Llanbedr." Tel.: No. 4. ESTABLISHED 1840. Cambrian Coast, Coal, Lime, Bricks; & Cement. Best House, Steam, Anthracite, and Smithy Coals. Furnace and Gas Coke. Sanitae., Pipes. Building and Agricultural Liiiie. Agents for J. B. White Bros. Cement. RICHARDS BROS., Pensarn, Uanbedr, R.S.O. Also at HARLECH. d778 'Phone: 32. CHARLES HUGHES & SONS, THE GARAGE, PORTMADOC ef Mil) STOCK: Dunlop Tyreg, Petrol. Lubricating Oil, ic. Cars Overhauled Flanders CM to seat 5."Swly painted, second-hand Ralli Car and spring Cart. BUY EARLY Prices are rising rapidly. WE HAVE SMART SELECTION OF VELOUR HATS & WINTER COATS. STYLE WITH ECONOMY. BAIRD, PORTMADOC Artificial Teeth, ON VULCANITE, DENTAL ALLOY, and GOLD M FINEST QUALITY. ALL PRICES. Mr. Williams, CARMON HOUSE, CLAN-Y PWLL, Festiniog, LLANRWST: Tuesdays and Fair Days, at Comet Stores, Station Road, PENRHYNDEUDRAETH: Thursdays, at Mrs. Roberts, Market Square (opposite Griffin Hotel), 2 to 8. PORTMADOC: Friday, Mr. Hughes. Photo- grapher (opposite New Post Office), 11, to 5. TRAWSFYNYDD: Ist and 3rd Saturday, Mr. W. M. Morris, Draper Clifton House, 3 to 6. a23 All Kinds of Ropes, Paints, and Requisites for Ships and Yachts always in stock. SHIP BISCUITS MADE TO ORDER. Telephone: No. 16 WILLIAM MORRIS & Co. SHIP CHANDLERS and IRONMONGERS, PORTMADOC. Royal & Commercial Hotel PORTMADOC. FAMILY and COMMERCIAL HOTEL. Centrally situated. Recommended by Motor Union and Auto Cycle L. Garage. Billiards. Bus meets all Trains. I Under Entirely New Management. Mrs. HARRISON Proprietress. Tel.: No. 29. J. THOMAS (Late J. Roberts), J HICH STREET, PORTMADOC, I FISH AND POULTRY MERCHANT, LICENSED GAME DEALER. All kinds of Fish in Season. Poultry always in Stock. Ice supplied. Orders promptly i attended to. c27 M. E. MORRIS, CHEMIST, 73, HICH STREET, PORTMADOC. INVALID AN. TOILET REQUISITES. d75 PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIALS. ————— THE ————— SPORTSMAN HOTEL, PORTMADOC. FIRST CLASS FAMILY AND COMMERCIAL HOTEL. Under new Management. Situate close to Station and near to all places of interest. Every Accommodation. Posting in all its branches. Tel.: No. 15. 1 Proprietress, Miss JONES. LLOYD & SONS, PRINTERS, DOOKSELLERS, STATIONERS, 125, HIGH STREET, PORTMADOC, Have an Excellent Stock of ACCOUNT BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS, ACCOUNTS, OFFICE UTENSIJ.8, and FILES, COPYING LETTER BOOKS, Etc., etc. AGENT FOR GOSS'S WARE. "in r mm TO WHIR Prevent Loss in all your Stock by using Morris Evans' Horse, Sheep and Cattle Oil. Full instructions with every Bottle. The change of food generally mean& A DECREASE IN. THE ^IILIEC but by dosing your Cattle with Morris -Evans' Horse. Sheep and Cattle Oil you prevent this Decrease. During the coming months by continually using Morris Evans' Horse, Sheep and Cattle Oil you can keep Your Stock Healthy in Stomach and Body. A HEALTHY Cow MEANS MORE MILK. Morris Evans' Horse, Sheep and Cattle Oil in Bottle6 .£1 2s., 11/ 5/6, 2/9, and 1/8. m Morris Evans' Household Oil in Bottles, 3/- and 1/3. Grocers and Chemists, or direct for above prices from:- MORRIS EV\NS and Co., The Manufactory, FESTINIOG. N. Wales. |f "SUBSTITUTION" | The matter of substitution is one of interest and importance in these stirring days. Among various special meanings attached to the term, we H may consider one or two bearing upon the question of health. An ailing H < person will welcome as a pleasing proposition the idea of Good Health H J, being "substituted for Ill-health. As a matter of fact this is the kind of H substitution which has been taking place for many years put.' Thanks R to the wide and increasing use of Beecham's Pills, conditions of Ill-health U are constantly being removed; conditions of Good Health are constantly H taking their place. This is a fact—an actual experience to which ■ thousands of men and women, all over the world, will bear glad and y willing testimony. A satisfactory substitution scheme" «o far as matters of health are concerned is the adoption of Beecham'') Pills as a m Family Medicine. All who are ailing and anxious to be well will* certainly derive considerable benifit from a course of BEECHAJVIg ¡ PIL>L>J3 [i^i^ ^^Soi/d everywhere in toxw, labelled la-5d and

should be made to the Council's roadmen because of increased cost of living and previous low wages paid. The Surveyor said as far as he was aware three or four only of the Council's men were members of the Union and, in repiy to a ques- tion, added that they had not gone on strike. There were tilree men only below '45 years of age and he thought the majority would be tktween 55 and 65. In reply to Mr. Joseph Humphreys, the Surveyor added that the pre- sent rate of wages was El plus 5s. and the re- commended increase that day would make a total of 27s. 6d. Dr. Rd. Jones, referring to a proposition to refer the Union letter to the Roads Committee, said events moved rapidly nowadays and thought three months was too long a period to wait before a repiy was given and proposed that the letter should be referred to a special committee to reply without delay. Mr Wm. Owen said what puzzled him was that if three or four men only were members of the Union how could the winter of the letter; on behalf of the Union be said to represent ail the workmen. The whole body of workmen evidently had not authorised him to write. He did not think three months too long before a reply was given. Mr Robert Evans thought the Clerk should write acknowledging receipt of the letter. The Clerk said he had already done so. He suggested that he shouldatiow write giving the recommendation of the Committee of an in- crease and saying that the Committee would consider the letter and that the Surveyor should be authorised to take what steps might be necessary in the meantime. The suggestions were adopted to refer the latter, to the Committee and to inform the writer of that day's increase of wages. The other portions of the report were adopted. Finance. Mr Maethlon James brought up the Finance Committee's report and gave the financial posi- tion of the Council by which it appeared that the registration of electors cost £ 1,350. The Committee reported that the Local Govern- ment Board approved the estimate of 2700 for administering the Pensions Act for the year fend ng next March. The Clerk was directed to write to unions .in arrear with countv calls and urge immediate payment. The County" Rating Committee was asked to enquire into the assessment of special properties in certain parishes with a view to having them included in the valuation for county rate purposes. The Committee recommended that a county coroner should be appointed on the same terms as here- tofore. A sub-committee had conferred with Festiniog overseers and their solicitor on their anplication for repayment or allowance from future of sums lost to the parish owing to reductions in the valuation lists through ap- peals by individuals. The sub-committee re- commended that "n allowance of 2750 should be made in full settlement of all cla;ms by the ov-r-pers in respect of county rates levied up t/i 21st March, 1918. on the express condition that all current rates and arrears of calls to Unp Count" Council should be paid before the 31 March. 1919. Mr Maethlon James said the sub-committee onoe thought of printing on the agenda the 'ensrt-hy correspondence in the Festiniog matter so that councillors might know all the facts which induced the committee to make its re- commendation. but was deterred bv the cost e ririntinsr. If. however, afiy member wished the correspondence could he read. The Com- mittee attached g-reat importance to the fulfil- ment of the conditions as to pVyment of arrears. Festiniog that day was in arrPRr wit, payment of county calls and it seriously liandi- c"nne¡} the Council. Fest'niog. however, faith- fully promised to plav up if the Council idnnforl the Committee's recommendation. which he moved. Dr. John Jones seconded the proposition and hoped the liberal arrangement would be carried out faithfully and willingly. In reply to Mr Robert Evans, Mr. Maethlon James said the £ 750 would be allowed off what was due by Festin'og to the Council. Mr Joseph Humphreys asked if it was likely that Festiniog would pay all current rates and call arrears before next March? The Chairman said that would be what was called a condition precedent and Mr Maethlon James said the offer to allow B750 was made w:thout prejudice to a demand for the full amount if the condition was not fulfilled. Dr. John Jones said payment would dep(,i," on Festiniog levying an adequate ratr mcb hitherto it had not done. Mr. Maethlon -Tarr > said the overseers prom- ised that if the present rate was found inade- quate they would make a supplementary rate. The recommendation was adopted as well, as the Finance Committee's report. Mr. Wm. Owen thought it high time that members of the County Council should be paid for attending the meetings. (Hear, hear, and laughter) As that was a body under a Gov- ernment department he did not see why they should give their services for nothing and Dav "e increased railway fares in iaddition, especi- ally as members of other public bodies under the Government were now paid. The Chairman thought it a matter of general interest, but felt that notice ought to have been given. Mr Wm. Owen—It only struck me to-day. The Chairman—It has struck many of us a long time. Mr Wm. Owen said that members of some phblic bod es were not only paid travelling ex- penses but were allowed subsistence as well. The war had done a great deal of good in many respects and the payment of members of county councils should be included. He suff- er ps ted that the Clerk should ask the Local Government Board to make arrangements for the payment of members. The Clerk said county councils were formed under the Local Government Act of 1880 and nn Act would have to be passed before present ^r-angementc could be departed from. Mr White Phillips suggested that other councils should be asked to co-operate, but th- C'erk said other counc:ls had moved in the samo direction as well as the Councils Associa- tion. IC'a,o. It was agreed to ask Mr Haydn Jones, M.P., to support the movement. Maternity and Child Welfare. On prooeea.ng to consider the provisions of the Maternity and Child Welfare Act, 1918, the Clerk explained that one of the first duties under the Act was to appoint a committee who would be responsible for the whole work in the county. The present committee was a sub- committee of the Public Health Committee. Two-thirds of the Maternity and Child Welfare Committee must be members of the Council and of others from outa-de at least two must be. women. The Chairman said Sir Arthur Newsholme, j principal medical officer of the Local Govern- ment Board, had done the Council the honour of attending the meeting and he was sure it was the members' desire to hear him say a few words. Sir Arthur wsholme, who was received with cheers, said his reason for coin.ng into Merioneth was to make himself acquainted with the difficulties of carrying out the provisions of the Act in a sparsely-populated county and he was glad to be able to inform the Council that largely through the assistance and courtesy of the medical men and especially of the- Medical Officer of Health he had been able to collect a large'amount of information which would ba useful in dealing with the difficulties in that as well as other counties. The work already done in the county was admirable. He was at first somewhat doubtful of the possibilities of the ch id centres such as had been started ïn Mer- ioneth and felt that with the difficulties of tra- veiling they would not work well. The result, of his visit to Festiniog and inspection of the admirable work done there b: Dr. Rd. Jones had changed his mind. He saw Dr. Rd. Jones interview a large number of mothers who attended wtth their babies and recognised that the bringing them into touch with the doctors and nurses and with each other created a spirit of emulation that resulted in bringing- their children in the best possible condition and mak- ing a good show and Ln raising th. standard of health of mothers and babies. He intended vkiting other centres. When one got good work started one wanted more of it done and his re- marks would be in that direction. He therefore urged the importance of continuing the work between the ages of one and five when the children would come under school clinics and so- link.ng up every stage from birth upwards. A good deal of infantile disease needed detection through the mothers. The matter of .breast- feeding was rather apt to be neglected. He hoped the Committee would be able to add to its present activities ante-natal treatment by which advice would be given to mothers to pre- vent complications and enable them to sucKte their babies instead of resorting to bottle- feeding. Under the Notification of Births Act still-born batiies had to be notified. He found that it was done up to a certain extent only. It was a delicate matter; but lie approved the admirable suggestion of Dr. Lewys Lloyd that the work should be done by the County Medi- cal Officer who should personally have a talk with medical men engaged bo discover if tinere was any preventative cause and so diminish the number of still-born births. With regard to the health of mothers Merioneth had no hos-" pitals and it was a question wnether one or two beds should not be reserved in Liverpool* where special complications m ght be attended to. He believed it would save the life of many mothers. Again if health visiting was to be done well there should be an increase of health visitors in four or five districts. At present there was one health visitor who had the assistance of district nurses. It was multifarious work and if the visitors had to attend to children up to five and help in maternity cases aadition nurses would be needed. All those things could be carried out at a relative small expenditure of money which would be repaid by the results Without reflecting on them, district nurses were necessarily less highly trained for visiting work than whole-time health visitors; but it was advisable that they should be brought more up to the health visitor standard and he sug- gested the advisability of quarterly confer- ences with the County Medical Officer at con- venient centres on matters connected with hygiene and nursing. The Local Government Board would pay half travelling expenses. Many health visitors also, had a difficulty in getting suitable literature. A small expendi- ture on books and magazines bearing upon their work_and put in circulation would tend to bring up their standard. Those things meant a lot of additional work for the Medical Officer and Superintendent Health Visitor and one of the suggestions he should make in his official letter to the Board was that the Council should provide the Medical Officer with a clerk in order to enable him to devote more time to his work in the county. He was glad to be able to say that he could go back to London and quote Mer'oneth as having done excellent work not- withstanding difficulties of travelling. He con- gratulated the Committee on its chairman (Dr. John Jones) and Medical Officer of Health of whom he formed a high opinion. (Cheers.) The Chairman thanked Dr. Newsholme for his interesting address and said the improve- ment which had taken place in the county was coincident with the apointment of the Medical Îfficer of Health. Dr. John Jones said when Dr. Newsholme's report was received the Committee would give it serious attention. It was the wish of the Committee to do whatever it could to decreagfe the death rate and increase the birth rate. (Hear, hear, and a laugh.) Merioneth was a poor county of low ratable value, but it could "boast of natural healthy conditions and good seenery. On the appointment of a committee two pro- posals were made. Mr White Phillips pointed out that some thirty ladies in the county had taken an active interest in the work and the Clerk advised that their services could be re- tained on a sub-committee. It. was eventually decided to appoint the Public Health Com- mittee with power to appoint a Maternity and Child Welfare Sub-Committee. Representatives. Mernbei-s were re-appointed to represent the Council on the University College of Wales Farm Comm.ttee and on the Dee Conservators, Mr T. Lloyd Jones, Corwen, being subst-tuted t for Mr. R. D. Roberts as conservator. Mr. Wright, Llanbedr, was appointed Dovey- Glaslyn conservator in the place of the late Mr R. O. Jones. Llwyngwril. A letter was read from Mr W. Lloyd, clerk to Llangelyniu Council, asking whether there would be a County Council election next March. If so it was suggested that the nomination of a member to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Council.or Wynne might be deferred. The Clerk stated that it had been decided that there was to be no County Council election in March; and the matter was adjourned to the next meeting. Water i\>wer. Mr White Phillips reported that at the pre- vious meeting members were appointed to attend a conference at Bangor of County Councils and the Welsh National Reconstruction Association to consider the safeguarding of the interests of the Principality in rivers and lakes and the development of water power resources. He and r Wm. Owen attended the conference in July when resolutions were come to to approve in inciple the proposals for the organisation and control of the production of electric power con- tained in the report of the Board of Trade Committee on electric power supply the chief recommendations of which were (a) that a-new body cailed the Electricity Commissioners should be set up to which should be transferred exist- ing powers relating to the supply of electricity of the Board of Trade and Local Government Board, etc., to whom large additional powers should be given for regulating and encouraging ,18 generation and distribution of electricity (b) that the Commissfioners should subject to an appeal to Parliament in certain cases, have general control over generation and distribu- tion; (c) that the existing system under which electricity is separately generated for small areas should be abolished; (d) that the Com- missioners should, after local enquiries, divide the United Kingdom into districts technically suitable for the economical generation and dis- tribution (e) that in each electrical district a District Electricity Board should be set up which should purchase ail generating stations of auth- orised distributors whether local authorities, companies, or power companies; (f) that the District Electricity Board should be responsible by themselves or their lessees for the future generation of electricity in their district and for the establishment of new generating sta- tions and proper systems for the main trans- nssion of electricity in their district; (g) that existing electrical undertakers should, if they so desire, retain their power of distributing electricity within their local areas, but should purchase electricity in bulk from the District E^ ctricity Board or their lessees, due provision being made for controlling the profits of dis- tributors so as to ensure a cheap supply of electricity to consumers; (h) that District Elec- tr;city Boards; should make no divisible profits; (i) that District Electricity Boards should be -¡- financed, in whole or in part, -by funds raised with Government assistance except where it is shown to be desirable and practicable to finance the Boards locally; (j) that largely-extended powers shoufd be granted for, inter alia. the use of overhead wires, wayleaves, and acquisition of water rights. The conference, added Mr White Phillips, approved in principle the proposals for the organisation and control of the pro- duction of electric power contained in the re- port of the Board of Trade Committee on electric power supply; and approved of the specific recommendations contained in the sum- mary (page 17 of the report) with the substi- tution in paragragh (e) of the words "with power to" for the words, "which should"; that Forth Wales should be constitute4 a district under the scheme; that the water power of North Wales should be available primarily for use in the district and for the development of its industries and in particular agriculture; that tlif Water Power Resources Committee (Board of Trade) be asked to receive a deputation of four members of the North Wales Branch of the Reconstruction Associat:oa and one mem- ber from each of the North Wales County Coun- cils; and that steps should be taken to safe- niard the use of the major water powers of North Wales pending the carrying out of the recommendations of the Board of Trade report en electric supply. On the proposition of Mr Martin Williams the report was adopted. County- Coronerahip. 11 having been decided to proceed to appoint- ment of a coroner without advertising the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. R. Q. Jones, Mr. Wm. Owen proposed the appointment of Mr Guthrie Jones, Dolgelley, who for seventeen years had been deputy coroner and had dis- charged-the-duties to the satisfaction of every- body coriCerned. Mr Martin Williams seconded the proposition and said'most of the members of the Council had experience of the pare, courtesy, and efficiency with which Mr Guthrie Jones had discharged his duties. The Clerk produced the writ "de coronatori eligendo" which required that a coroner shall be "a fit person having such land in fee whereof he may answer to 1JJ.! manner of people" and stated that Mr GdpEm Jones was so qualified. In reply to Mr E. L. Rowlands, the Clerk sa d the remuneration was C140 in- cluding travelling and other e^enses except the payment of witnesses. N The appointment of Mr GilRirie Jones was agreed to unanimously and the newly-appointed Coroner submitted name of Mr E. Jones, Fest- iniog, as deputy coroner, which was approved. He thanked the Council for the appointment and said he highly appreciated the honour and the Council's confidance-in him. Mr Robert Evans remarked that the coroner- ship was more important and responsible than heretofore-as inquests could now be held with- out juries. National Kitchens. A letter was read relating to the establish- ment of national kitchens for which a loan could be obtained free of interest and repaid by in- stalments. The Clerk explained that rural and urban councils had power as well as the County Council to establish kitchens. Dr. Richard Jones said it was a very import- ant subject and hoped urban and rural coun- cils would take it up seriously. Festiniog was moving in the matter. The movement was im- portant in the matters of fuel. cooking, and rationing. On the proposition of Mr Kobfrt Evans, sec- onded by Mr White Phillips, tlo establishment of kitchens was left to the district councils. Mr. E. L. Rowlands said the danger was that the district councils would not -recognise the importance of the subject. It had been twice discussed by Towyn Urban Council. The subject was of so vital an importance that it was ad- visable that someone should go round the county and urge the establishment of kitehens. Mr Wm. Owen said that Mrs Wheldon Jones from the Ministry of Food was going through the county to see the thing through. University Education. A letter was read from Mr Mortimer Angus, registrar of the Welsh University, relative to the levy of a penny rate for universitjy educa- tion in Wales and asking the Council to ap- point representatives to a conference at Shrews- bury. The letter having been referred to the Educa- tion Committee, Mr White Phillips said there was likely to be trouble in that matter. He was in London when a deputation waited on the Prime Minister. These wao an attempt, by Glamorganshire that when the rate was levied I a certain sum should be ear-marked for that county, leaving the remainder for the rest of Wales. The Prime Minister, however, was in favour of pooling the total for the general benefit of Wales. There was therefore going to be a tussle over the matter. Welsh Memorial Association. Carnarvonshire County Council invited Mer- ioneth to appoint five representatives to attend a conference of North Wales Councils respect- ing financial and other affairs affecting the workJing of the Welsh Memorial Association. Dr. Richard Jones said he should like to call attention to one or two things in the Association's report in the hands of the Coun- cil that day. The totsd^annual expenditure was nearly P,100,000 out or which £ 347 only was utilised for educational purposes. Bank inter- est and interest on loans amounted to £ 5,359. Over twelve per cent of the cases treated could not be traced. The sum of £ 2,000 only was granted by the Treasury for the treatment by the Association of discharged sailors and soldiers. When salaries were 25 per cent. of the total expenditure and E21,000 was paid to other in- stitutions for the treatmentof pfctients it tended to convince him that something was radically wrong. He proposed that representatives to the conference should be appointed. Dr. John Jones seconded thst proposition which was agreed to and Drs. Richard Jones, John .Tones. Xewvs Lloyd, and- the Chairman and Vice-Chairman were appointed.- War Pensions Committee. A letter was read from Merioneth Insurance Committee and the Association of Friendly Roc:eties protesting against non-representation on the Committee. The Clerk said lie had ex- plained that the County Council was not re- sponsible for saying what bodies should be re- presented or for fixing the total number of re- presentatives. At present the numb?r was com- plete. Mr White PhiLips said the number was limi- ted to thirty-one and the Insurance Committee was directly and indirectly represented. Alter- ation of the law was contemplated. Dr. John Jones said the letter could be borne I in ntind when there was a vacancy. Home Rule for Wales. A letter was read from the Executive Com- mittee appointed-.by the Welsh National Con- ference on self-government for Wales, asking Merioneth to. approve the principle and asking I for the appointment of representatives in readi- ness for a national .conference to safeguard the interests of Wales. Dr. John Jones balieved the time had arrived for autonomy for WTaies to obviate the cost and de;ay of going to London for measures affecting Welsh affairs. The question, however, at pre- sent was one of representation of the different parts of Wales. He had attended Welsh confer- ences relative to the setting up of a Welsh National Education Council when Glamorgan representatives insisted on representation on the Council being elected on the basis of popu- lation and ratable value. For his part he would rather continue to be governed from London than from Cardiff which had no sympathy with Welsh national aspirations. He had spoken at the conferences and was not listened to and subsequently a South Wales paper stated that Merioneth was engaged in boiling eggs for visitors and washing their dirty clothes. If the people of South Wales were going to take popu- lation and ratable value as the basis of repre- sentation on the future Weish governing body Welsh home rule would be wrecked. He wished Mr Wm. Owen had been at the conference. He was there by himself and what he said was not listened to. The Church had acted in a wiser manner in giving equal representation to North 'and South Wales. That was 4 P-e righl pirit. He .bel.eved in appointing delegates to go to the confererce and tell t.he representa'.ives of Sou tli Wales what was thought of them. )11' Martin Williams believed it would be waste of money to send representatives. Even if fifty were sent they would have no effeet. It was agreed to appoint Dr. John Jones, Mr White Phill-ps, and the Vice-Chairman. Comrades of War. Mr. W. M. Owen, secretary of Merioneth Comrades of the Great War, wrote asking the Council to give preference in appointments to discharged soldiers, and the Local Government Board wrote that Mr. Hayes Fisher was wholly in sympathy with it. N Mr. Wiliam Owen proposed that a reply should be Sent to the Comrades' letter that the Council was not only in sympathy with that object but had acted on it. Every body would give preference and it had already been done. The Chairman said the Council was in full sympathy but had few appointments to make.. Small Holdings. On a resolution from Gloucestershire Council asking for greater facilities for the acquisition of small holdings, Mr. White Phillips said there were six Merioneth discharged soldiers who had been trained in market gardening. One desired to have three or five acres near Bar- mouth where he could put his knowledge into effect. He hoped the Small Holdings Com- mittee would take the matter up. The Clerk said the provision of allotments came within the province of the local councils; but Mr. White Phillips said two men trained at Madryn desired small holdings. The matter was referred to the Small Hold- ings Committee with a request to give it serious attention. Economy. Letters were read urging economy in the use of fuel and paper and suggesting the sending away of old books, etc., for re-pulping. A suggestion was also made respecting the print- ing of the agenda; but the Council thought it was already put in concise form and that no useful purpose would be served in discontinuing the printing of thê agenda altogether.