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I THE RAILWAY CRISIS AT RUTHIN.
THE RAILWAY CRISIS AT RUTHIN. MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. GRAVE CHARGES AGAINST THE CON- TRACTOR AND THE ENGINEER. (FROM Ont REPORTER. On Tuesday, at noon, an ordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Ruthin and Cerrig-y-druidicn Railway was held at the Castle Hotel, for the general purposes of the undertak ng, and for the following further purposes, viz :—For the election of five Directors in the place of the existing Directors. For the election of an auditor in the place of H. P. Jones, who goes out of office by rotation. To recieve from the Directors- a statement as to the position of the Company with lefcrence to the existing contract for the construction of the line, and to consider and if thought fit, confirm the course which the Directors have taken in reference thereto, and to decide upon the further course to be pursued w^tk reference to the si;id contract and construction of the line, and in particular whether the said contract and all engagements connected there- with and binding on the Company should be determined, and stepis be taken to recover such shares, bonds, and moneys of the Company as have been issued, given, or paid in respect of work under the said contract, and upon what terms and whether any and what proceedings should be taken on the part of the Company, and against whom for the purpose of protecting the Company against loss in the matter of the said contract, or otherwise in respect of acts or defaults in con- nection therewith, and to empower the Directors to take the necessary steps for the above mentioned purposes or such of them as the Company shall see fit to approve, and for the completion of the line under a new contract, and for protecting the interest of the Company in the meantime. There were present Mr Charles Main- waring, Mr E. Tumour, Mr Wm. Lloyd, solicitor Mr James Black, Mr J. B. Fryer, Mr Wm. Simon, ftirJohn Jones, draper; Mr Wm. Green, Mr H. P. Joues, Mr J. J. Bancroft, Mr Bowlings (Lord Bagot's solicitor), Mr A. H. Davies, Mr Thomas Davies, Mr Isaac Williams, Mr John Morris, Mr Samuel Owen, Dr J. R. Jenkins, Mr J. LI. Thomas, Mr LJ. Adams, etc. Mr E. Tumour proposed, and Mr Wm. Lloyd seconded, that Mr Charles Mainwaring take the chair. Mr William Lloyd proposed, and Mr H. B. Jones seconded, that Mr John Jones, draper, be elected a director in place of John Simon, re- signed. Mr Adams read the following letter he had re- ceived from Mr Cornwallis West:- "It is with great regret that I find myself un- able to attend the meeting of shareholders of the Cerrig-y-druidion Railway Company. In common with my brother directors I lament the very un- satisfactory condition in which the Company is placed by the acts of persons in whom confidence had been placed, and had I been able to attend I should have strongly urged the meeting to agree to the recommendations to be laid before them in order that fresh arrangements may be made, likely to lead to a satisfactory solution of our present difficulties. The shareholders are no doubt fully alive to the many obstacles with which we have had to contend in consequence of the peculiar character of the original contract, the full force of which was I think hardly realised when agreed to last year. If, however, as may be hoped, this contract can be put an end to, owing to circumstances which have since arisen, I still think it possible that other means may be forth- coming at 1".0 distant day to carry on the work begun, and complete the line." Mr Adams then read the Directors' report, of which we extract the following :—" Your Directors regret that they are unable to report favourably upon the progress of the works, which has been arrested by circumstances which could not be foreseen or controlled. Soon after the commence- ment of the works differences arose between the contractor and the financial agent to whom he had given authority to receive all payments in his (the contractor's) account for work executed under the certificates of the Company's engineer, and the matter assumed such complications that, even now, supposing the contractor's claim to be a just one, it is not certain to whom the payment should be made. The amount of this claim is £3851, and it would, under ordinary circumstances, have appeared as a debt owing by the Company in the statement of accounts now presented to the meeting. Unfortunately, however, there arose strong reasons for doubt as to the accuracy of the certificates in question, and it was resolved that a competent engineer should be engaged to make a survey, and a report upon the works executed up to the 1st November last. With respect to this report your Directors regret to state that in comparison to the figures therein, shown with those of the engineer's certificates, exhibits dis- crepancies of so grave a character, that, in your interests, they feel bound to request your sanc- tion to take such steps, and make such arrange- ments, as they may be advised with reference to the contract." Mr Adams explained that in con- sequence of so few shareholders attending their past meetings, these meetings, under the act, were informal. It required the 1 -20th part of the share capital of the Company to be iepresented by 20 persons, who had paid all the calls on their shares, to constitute a legal meeting. However, by passing a resolution endorsing the proceedings of those meetings, ail past informalities would be made good. Mr William Lloyd: I have great pleasure in proposing that this meeting confirms all the past acts and proceedings of the Directors (hear, hear). The motion was carried unanimously. In rising to move the adoption of the Directors' report, the Chairman, who was received with ap- plause, said that he wished they had met under happier circumstances. That time last year they were full or buoyant hope that the line would do good to town and country (hear, hear). He was sorry to say these Hopes had been dispelled. With regard to the report they had just heard read, he suggested that it would be advisable for the Direc- tors to co-operate with two or three gentlemen representing the shareholders to take the matter in hand, and thoroughly investigate it. There were only two possibilities before them of getting the line made, and one was to spend as little of their money as possible. He begged to move the adoption of the report (applause). 0 This was carried unanimously, after which Mr Adams proceeded to read Mr Henry Robertson's report on the line, which stated in the first place that the contractor had taken no cross sections of the ground, as was usual. He was at a loss to understand how the engineer could have certified for 13,000 yards of rock cuttings, as a most careful examination of the ground only enabled him to certify for 580 yards. The total difference between the amount claimed by the contractor, and that shown by the report is about £8000, and among the items or discrepancy we may instance the following :-Earth.work, S8254 (according to Mr Robertson, orly £ 3519) accommodation, £ 140 (Mr Robertson, nil) viaducts, S50 (Mr Robert- son, nil) culverts and drains, £520 (Mr Robert- son, JE150) breast walls, tllO (Mr Robertson, X50) level crossings, X60 (Mr Rober tson, nil); sleepers, £ 200 \(Mr Robertson, nil); ballast, JE150 (Mr Robertson, nil) fencing, 6{ miles, £1147 (Mr Robertson, 3 miles, 12 chains, £577); superinten- dence, £820(Mr Robertson, 250). The total amount between the contractor's claim and the payments made was X3851. Mr Adams then read some correspondence be- tween himself and Mr Smith, the engineer, in which the former wrote: 'I am directed to en- close you a copy of Mr Henry Robertson's report, and to inform you that the charges against you are of so grave a character that the Directors have determined to suspend you." Mr Adams said he received no reply whatever to that letter, but shortly afterwards Messrs Louis and Edwards wroto to him stating that it was Mr Smith's intention to bring an action against the Company for salary due, and also for the reckless charges they had made against him. Mr H. P. Jones, as one of the auditors, said he found the Company's books perfectly straight. He advocated speedy action in the matter. Why leave things as they stood? Mr William Edwards hid heard the last "I" speaKer Diamea by the shareholders for signing the reports as auditor, but it must be borne in mind he did not sanction the reckless expenditure of money on the line. It Mr Smith proceeded with his action against them, they should prose- cute him in return for having done them out of £ 570 with the fencing. The posts were simply pruned branches, and the wire had not yet been filled in many places, but was lying on the ground. He would not give £100 for the whole lot (laugh- ter and applause). Mr J. B. Fryer: Mr Robertson's statement is entirely wrong. Why not have employed a thoroughly independent man to make the measurements? It is the most extraordinary statement I ever heard, and I am surprised I was not made aware of it before. Mr William Edwards called upon Mr David Humphreys, contractor, to say a few words about the 1300 yards of rock cuttings (laughter). Mr Humphreys I don't believe there is a single yard of solid rock from one end of the line to the other, and I should only like to have half the price for doing the work (applause). Mr Turnour was in favour of forming a com- mittee of the shareholders to work with the directors, and to set about investigating the charges against Mr Fryer and Mr Smith at once. Mr H. P. Jones having been re-elected auditor, Mr William Lloyd rose and proposed that the Committee of Shareholders should be formed of Dr Jenkins, Mr Bancroft, Mr William Green, Mr H. P. Jones, and Mr William Edwards. The first three gentlemen however declined, and the committee of investigation was finally made up of Mr William Edwards, Mr H. P. Jones, Mr Ed- ward Humphreys, Mr John Morris, and Mr A. Davies Mr Fryer said he would like to explain away the false impression about the rock that Mr Smith had measured. If they referred to the specifica- tions they would find two items, rock and soft earth." He asked Mr Humphreys Was it soft earth or not P" Mr Wiliiam Edwards: How many pounds of gun-powder were used, Mr Fryer? (loud laughter). Mr Humphreys It is certainly not hard rock. Mr Fryer I have only two items in my contract and it comes under the denomination of soft soil. Mr H. P. Jones: I know something about railway business, having been in it since I was 18 years of age, both in making and working, but of all the work I've ever seen this beats all (loud laughter). Mr Turnour: Well, gentlemen, the committee having been appointed to act in co-operation with the directors, I propose that they take such steps as they may consider desirable in the interests of the company, both as regards the contractor and the engineer (hear, hear). Mr John Morris contended that, as the works had only been in operation about six calendar months (and say 50 men were employed at £1 per week-and many of them were not paid that) the total cost of the line, so far, ought not to exceed £1300. Mr Mainwaring As we pad to make the line by schedule the cost was greater than if we had paid cash. The contractor was only paid JE10,000 in cash—the rest was paper. A discussion followed on the Statement of Accounts," which was presented to the meeting, after which Mr John Morris asked what was meant by a "permanent way?" He would refer the question to Mr Humphries. Mr Humphries I call it a road permanently laid down. Mr Mainwaring: That permanent way only exists in the fertile imagination of Mr Smith (laughter). Mr H. P. Jones: I ask Mr Fryer are there any rails laid down on any part of the line P There is some imitation of ballasting and sleepers-but I have never seen them (hear, hear). Mr Mainwaring referred to Mr Ex-Tumour's resolution that a committee of shareholders should be formed to take such steps as may be considered desirable in the interests of the company to in. vestigate the charges brought against the con- tractor and the engineer. This was seconded by Mr Samuel Owen, and carried unanimously. Mr Simon hoped the committee would see that less money was spent, and more work done before the next call. Mr Fryer May I ask who ordered Mr Robert- son to make this report, and what he was paid ? Mr Adams I may tell you, Mr Fryer, he was employed by the directors, as the original engineer of the works. Mr Fryer: And as regards the money he was paid-it is simply a matter of curiosity. Mr Adams: The amount we paid him was £ 85. Mr Fryer Any other promises in kind ? Mr Adams None whatever. Mr Fryer Any promises of omce ? Mr Adams None whatever. Mr Ex-Turnour: Really, gentlemen, I don't think it fair that the contractor should get up and make these gross insinuations. He is setting a thief to catch a thief." He apparently means to impute that tfle directors are guilty of so mean and contemplible an action as to bribe Mr Robert- son to make a false report (loud applause). We have always striven to do our duty by you, and to act honestly and fairly, and I don't think this meeting will sanction what Mr Fryer has said (loud applause), The meeting afterwards concluded with a vote of thanks to Mr Mainwaring for presiding.
LLANBERIS BOARD SCHOOLS.
LLANBERIS BOARD SCHOOLS. DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES, &c. On Friday, the 13th, the annual distribution of prizes to the children of the Dolb^fiarn Boys, Girls, and Infant Schools, took place. The meetings were held at the Concert Hall, Llanberis, at two o'clock ia the afternoon and six o'clock in the evening, over which Mr D. P. Williams, chairman of the Board, presided. There were present: Messrs G. D. Griffith, Thomas Edwards, W. P. Jones, and the Rev J. E. Owens, members of the board the Rev J. O. Jones, clerk of the Board; Mr D. W. Roberts, attendance officer, and most of the leading persons of the neighbourhood. In the afternoon meeting the children of the Infant School received prizes for attendance; and to the first, second, and third standards of the boys' and girls' departments certificates were given for passes, and prizes for good attendance. At the evening meeting, Home Lesson Looks were awarded to the fourth,fifth, and sixth standards as prizes for good attendance, and certificates for successful passes. The Concert Hall wa j crammed with parents and friends of education, several persons having failed admission. As usual an account was given of the work of the Board, and the position of the schools. The chairman called upon the Rev J. O. Jones, clerk of the Board, to read the reports and passes of last year, also, an account of the expenditure. The Rev J. 0. Jones then read to the meeting a most elaborate account of the state of the schools, having prepared a most careful comparative analysis with the previous year. The following being the leading points:- Boys' .Department.-Children on books 31st Oct., 1879,196. In average attendance, 157. Passes,70 per cent. Grants earned, L107 Is. Honours cer- tificates earned, 2. Seven children claimed medals, having attended every time the school was opened during the year. Government repJrt The school has passed on the whole a fair examination in the elementary subjects, though the result are very uneven." Girls' Departt)ten t. -Children on books 31st Oct., 1879, 157. Average attendance, 123. Passe., 79 percent. Grants earned,jE972a. One child claimed medal, having attended 437 times. Report, This school is in very good order, and has passed a good examination in the elementary subjects." Infants' .Departmtmt.-On books 31st October, 1879, 174; average attendance, 129 grants earned, j696 4s. One child claimed medal, having attended 426 times. Report: This school seems to have improved considerably since last year, and is evidently instructed with much care." The Chairman said that the object of the meet- ing was to present the children with prizes for good attendance as well as certificates for successful passes for the past year. Also, to give the parents an opportunity (such as they had had now for some time annually) of knowing the status of education in the parish. He might state on behalf of the School Board that their efforts duiing the past year to secure good attendance and efficient training of the children had been unabating, and they were happy to report that their labours had been crowned with considerable success. As regards the attend- ance of the children, there was no necessity to dwell upon this point, as the figures which the clerk had just read.would speak for themselves and he believed there were not many schools that could shew more satisfactory results. He attributed the cause of this chiefly to the enhanced value of education in the minds of the parents. As to the result of Her Majesty's Inspector's exam- ination, he thought it necessary to make a few remarks thereupon, as no doubt they had noticed from the report just read that there had been a falling off in the per centage of the passes since last year, particularly in the boys' department. It was only fbir towards Mr Williams, the master of the boys' department, that he should say that the staff of teachers during the past year had been rather weak, though satisfying the requirements of the code. The School Board had possibly been a little too economical in this instance, and ought to have supplied this school with another hand; however, this school had now a very strong and efficient staff. He be- lieved there had been a falling off in the efficiency of this department; but he had no hesitation in saying that the deterioration was not to the extent of fifteen per cent, as shewn in the report, by com- paring the same with the passes of the previous year. The report and passes of the girls department were most satisfactory, and he beieved this school would bear a favourable comparison with any girls' school in this district. The report of the Infant 0 School was also very encouraging. This school had made a very good progress, which reflected credit upon Miss Edwards, and he had no doubt under the management of the new mistress, Mis Davies, whom they all knew, and who had hads very considerable experience in the teach- ing of infants, this school would soon be one of the best in the country. They were aware that we had a fresh inspector again this year, Mr Bancroft, and he (the chair- man) could testify that the schools had been mott carefully examined, that gertleman having been employed nearly five days with tne three depart- ments. And it was evident from the minuteness of the report that he had taken great care to test the position of the various standards in each sub- ject. At the same time, possibly young inspectors especially, were too much inclined to examine with a view of finding out the defects of a school rather than its efficiency. lIe was of opinion that too much importance may be laid upon the Govern- ment examination, and that it was necessary in order to test the real value of the education imparted in a school, to visit and to examine such oftener than once a year. He thought it a great injustice that the merits of a teacher, the intelli- gence of the children, and-the labour of those who have the care of their education, should be judged and their doom settled upon this formal manner. He was far from deprecating the value of a fair Government examination, but he thought it was uofc a safe policy as all to rely entirely upon its issue. The attempt of a child to pass this examination, notwithstanding his efficiency, is open to much risk, and' as his fate for another year in respect oi the standard in which he is to be trained in is^generally settled, which is often a great haixiship to the child and parents, it is undoubtedly time that school managers should give this matter a serious consideration, and secure a safer mode of testing the efficiency of the child- ren under their care. This matter had engaged his attention, and he thought it was expedient that the schools should be examined every three months, or thereabouts, by a competent person. They were aware that they as a Board had done their best to visit the schools, and to examine the children as oiten as they could, but they found they were unable to do this as regular as they wished owing to other engage- ment?, and he thought it would have been very desirable if several School Boards in this district joined together and employed a practical person to act as inspector of their schools; to conduct periodical examinations, pay occasional visits and do such acts as the manager may con- sider conducive to the interest of their schools, and to repoyt to the respective Boards. This course would create very considerable activity amongst the teachers and scholars, would be the means of materially enhancing the progress of education; and the extra grants that would be gained by the increased passes would undoubtedly suffice to pay the salary of the inspector. Each School Board would thus be posted up during the year with the. position of their schools, and after the annual Government inspection would be better able to judge their conaition and how to arrange the classes for the ensuing year to the best advantage of the scholars. By this means the education given would be most thoroughly communicated, and the cramming too often resorted to before the inspec- tion would be averted. There was another section which they had the care of, namely, the pupil teachers, to whom the services of the inspector might be of considerable value. He thought he might be of very great assistance to themp by assisting the head teachers in conducting the quarterly examinations recently established, which are invaluable to prepare the students for their an- nual sittings. He further said that great activity had. prevailed at the schools since the Government inspection preparing for an examination to be conducted by tne Board next March. The Chairman then called upon Mr Thomas Ingham to address the meeting in reference to the portrait which was to be presented, that evening to Miss Edwards, late mistress of the Infant Depart- ment. Mr Ingham said that he felt happy to bear testimony to the readiness of the parents to sub- scribe to the fund raised &o as to present Miss Edwards with her portrait, which was an acknow- ledgement of the great care that she manifested in efficiently training the infants of this school for the space of three years. Miss Jones, of the Girls' School, then presented Miss Edwards with her portrait, to which she duly responded. Mr G. D. Griffith dwelt upon the importance of parents seeing that the child pays due regard to his home lesson. If this duty was carefully ad- ministered, the aspect of the school would soon be improved. He was of opinion that parents were i. too negligent in this respect. Mr Edwards pleaded for the assistance of the parents, and especially the mothers. He main- tained that the influence of the mother was very great, It behoved a mother to seriously reflect that the future of her child depends to a great measure upon the teaching rendered by her. A mother's influence extended to the school, the playground, and the general conduct of the child, through life. The Rev J. E. Owen said it would have been well to have had the opportunity of an interview with the parents apart from the children,.which would have been the means probably of securing a mutual co-operation. After dwelling upon the remarks already made he said it was a difficult matter to always keep a child under proper dis- cipline. Several parents found it to be so at home, and he feared the want of a proper chastisement at home caused the teachers of the schools extra trouble, and he hoped that the parents would assist the teachers and the board by insisting upon the due obedience of their children. Mr David Wilson Iiobexts gave a summary of the attendance of the children for the current year, which proved to be very unfavourably, and he urged upon the parents to be more faithful in seeing to the regular attendance of tneir children, now that the severity of the weather it was hoped is over. The Rev G. T. Parry read lines of poetry having reference to the presentation of Miss Edwards' portrait. Mr Michael S. Evans and Mr Robert Hughes (Alarch Gwyrfai), also read some very interesting verses dedicated to the School Board, which created considerable amusement. The Rev G. T. Parry then addressed the meet- ing, and urged the parents to take every advantage of the opportunities offered them to educate their children and to bear in mind that the child of the humblest in the land had now a chance of reach- ing an honourable position in the country. He then proposed a vote of thanks to the teachers as well as the School Board for their exertions in raising the status of education in the parish, and he believed that the education was exceptionally good, and believed great credit was due to the School Board, which must have been caused by a love towards the cause of education only. Mr Hugh Lewis warmly supported this motion, which was carried unanimously. The meeting was then brought to a close by singing the national anthem, "God save the Queen."
THE ANGLESEY CLERICAL SCANDAL.
THE ANGLESEY CLERICAL SCANDAL. In the Court of Arches on Wednesday, before Lord Penzance, the case of James v. the Rev. W. A. Roberts again came on, on a memorial presented by the defendant, who is vicar of a parish near Llandegfan, in Anglesey, praying for a mitigation of the suspension of three years on a charge of drunkenness. The suit had originally been instituted against Mr Roberts by the Bishop of Bangor. The evidence of one of the witnesses, a reporter, on the hearing, was to the effect that the defeudant was stupidly drunk on the night in question. The defendant, in his memorial, prayed that a suspension of three years from his benefice and income was not the usual punishment for a single act of misconduct, and mentioned several proceedings against criminous cleiks who had been suspended for a similar period for more serious matters. Alter hearing counsel, Lord Penzance said he took some blame to himself for not having stated, ao the time of giving judgment, all the rtasons there were for the heavy sentence he pro- nounced. The main object of the three years' suspension was that it should have a salutaryeftect on the offender to reform his habits before he returned to his sacred duties. It had;been sworn positively that Mr Roberts was drunk, and the fact had caused much scandal in the neighbour- hood, and it was a terrible thing to see a gentle- man holding the position of a clergyman swearing hi defence to a state of things which he (Lord Penzance) could not believe. There was nothing which had been urged to induce him to alter his views, and he must therefore adhere to the original sentence of three years' suspension, and he directed the judgment to be published on the doors of the defendant's church, on Sunday, the 29th instant.
[No title]
RUTHIN.—Mr W. C. Joyce begs to an- nounce that his new si op in St. Peter's- square will be opened in the course of a few days. B. 3785-o PARENTS with little feet to provide for should buy only Boots with Metal Tips, which never wear out at the toes. Sold by W. WILLIAMS, China House, Uangoed. x. 3729-tt
BUZZINGS FROM THE CLWYD YALE.
BUZZINGS FROM THE CLWYD YALE. BY WASP. THE REPRESENTATION OF DENBIGHSHIRE—THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF DR. PIERCE'S CANDIDATURE. -THE LATEST TORY DODGE.—MORE BUMBLEDOM AT ST ASAPH.—RABBIT COURSING AND OCCASIONAL LICENSES.—POLICE OFFICERS PUBLICLY CHARGED WITH DRUNKENNESS.— The most startling piece of political intelligence we have had in Denbighshire for a considerable time past is the announcement that Dr. Pierce has consented to contest the representation of the county at the forthcoming general election, in opposition to Sir Watkin Wynn and Mr Osborne Morgan. I confess that to me the sate- ment came as the greatest of surprises, and I placed not the slightest credence on it till I had made reliable inquiries. The result of these inquiries point to the fact that in certain circles the candidature of the worthy coroner has been discussed as a probability for about a month past. There is no doubt that Dr. Pierce has been asked to come out by influential electors," and I have ascertained that these gentlemen are pronounced Tories, who are not at all pleased with having as their representative in the House of Commons, Mr Osborne Morgan. So far as I can gather Dr. Pierce has not definitely acceded to the requests made to him, and his answers must have left a very indistinct impression on those who would like to overthrow Mr Morgan. As a surgeon of eminence, and a widely respected county gentleman, I entertain for Dr. Pierce sentiments of the deepest respect. So far as he has identified himself with politics I have always regarded him as a firm and true friend of the cause of Liberalism, but I doubt whether the most ardent of his friends would describe him as a politician in the way that a candidate for Parliamentary honours should be a politician. Dr. Pierce is undoubtedly immensely papular throughout the whole of Denbighshire, and his popularity is the well- earned reward of his d ie- o inguished services to suffering humanity through- )ut a long and honourable professional career. But he is not, strictly speaking, a politician, ilbeit he has hitherto allied himself with Liberal- sm. I cannot help thinking there is something sinister and unprincipled in the advances which iiave been made to him. Mr Osborne Morgan has at his back a well-disciplined army of attached and devoted adherents; he has also a multitude of inveterate political enemies who hate his attitude on the Burials question, and would scarcely scruple at anything which would cause him the loss of his seat. I strongly object to Dr. Pierce being made the catspaw of this designing section of Tory political partisans. They know of his great popularity among the farmers and working-class voters, and they wish to make use of it for the furtherance of their discreditable ends. I hope, and believe, their object will miserably fail of attainment. I am conscious of the feeling that should Dr. Pierce make an appeal to the constituency he would poll exceedingly well, if he did not actually succeed in getting returned; and I am equally certain that he has a larger number of friends in favour of his remaining in Denbighshire and giving them the continued benefit of his valuable professional services. On this question there should, and must be no division among the Liberals of the county. As their faithful re- presentative Mr Osborne Morgan will seek re- election it will be their bounden duty to vote for him to a man. Feelings of private friendship or gratitude to an eminent physician should not solely be allowed to weigh with voters when they have to make choice of a Parliamentary representative. On the eve of the struggle true Liberals will ask themselves Are the candidates before us capable of upholding, and will they uphold our principles?" and if this question cannot be satisfactorily answered by Dr. Pierce it will be their plain duty to vote for Mr Morgan. It would, indeed, be but an ill requital for Mr Morgan's past great services to the cause of Liberalism to unseat him at this memorable crisis in the history of the country-a crisis which calls for the closest union, the most per- fect unanimity, and necessitates the exercise of the wisest discrimination in the selection of members of Parliament who are pledged to strenuously oppose the infamous policy of our moribund Government. Ingratitude is not a failure of Denbighshire Liberals. There is an- other aspect of this question. I do not desire to see gentlemen returned to Parliament who are afflicted with cacacethes loquendi. There are too many of such already. But on the other hand members of Parliament should not only hold intelligent opinions on politics, but should be able intelligently to expound them. In the Daily News of Monday last there appeared an article commenting on the political fiasco at Southwark, from which I quote the following —"A Parliament in which everybody was re- solutely bent upon talking would probably not answer its purpose of doing useful work; but as the name of the institution implies, the first condition for a Parliamentary representative is that he should have the faculty of speech upon occasion. Unless a candidate can satisfy a con- stituency.that he possesses this faculty in sufficient measure, as well as discretion to use it in measure, his chances of success must be small." These are sentiments which I heartily endorse, and without intending any disrespect to Dr. Pierce or Sir Watkin Wynn, I submit that they will apply to the political pretentions of both. At his advanced age, and his extensive practice, Dr. Pierce can well afford to rest con- tent with the approbation of thousands of his countrymen. Incomparable with the lancet in hand, he will never shine in the troubled political arena. Politics have not been his study, and as one of his sincere admirers I trust he will reject the specious advice of political schemers who come to him in the false garb of disinterested friendship. Apropos to the foregoing, I should like to know if there is any. truth in the whispered rumour that the Tories intend to bring out Mr Charles Main- waring as a colleague with Sir Watkin. There is no mistaking the fact that there are Tories in the constituency who flatter themselves that they can return two candidates. If not, why this hubbub about Mr Peter Walker, another political nonentity? I have it on good authority that Mr Mainwaring is being coached up in contemporary politics in the event of a possible contingency. He must indeed be short-sighted who cannot see through the sham invitation to Dr. Pierce. The St. Asaph Board of Guardians have again brought prominently before the public the neces- sity tor a sweeping reform in the constitution of such bodies. Over twelve months since they adopted a proposal which had for its object the les- sening of the cost of the collection of the rates of the union. Hitherto the rates have been collected by sixteen assistant overseers at a cost of between X700 add JESOO annually. Mr E. W. Gee proposed the appointment of qualified collectors, three or four in number, in place of the overseers, and calculated that this would effect a saving of over J6300 a year. The Local Government Board sanc- tioned the proposed change provisionally, but owing to some legal circumlocution it was not per- mitted to come into force. Recently the central board wrote to ask the guardians to confirm their previous resolution. In the interval those relics of antiquity, the assistant overseers, have been most active in getting up opposition in the different parishes against the measure for their disestablishment and disendow ment, and they have been very successful. The board-room at the workhouse was literally crammed on Thursday in last week, when the question had to be finally de- termined. There were present ex-officio guardians, whose faces were unknown to the working mem- bers, and whose influence had been invoked by the distressed and terrified assistant-overseers. The result of the voting was the throwing out of the proposal, for which there voted only five members. It is useless to expect either retrench- ment or reform so long as the preposterous sys- tem prevails which allows magistrates to act as guardians simply because they belong to the army of the "great unpaid." These sleepr gentlemen let their land to the farmers who have to pay the rates. They, therefore, seldom trouble themselves to attend the board meetings, except when they have the opportunity of distributing patronage and favouritism, and of manifesting their own im- portance. In my opinion the time is coming when they will be relegated entirely to the obscurity from which they only now occasionally spring. I am not in favour of granting licenses to pub- licans to sell intoxicatirg drinks in fields where interested individuals have determined to hold such hideous carnivals as rabbit coursing and pigeon murdering matches. Such scenes are debasing and demoralizing, and ought not to be encouraged by magistrates. They are mostly resorted to by the lowest and most ignorant of the community, and the butchery there perpetrated is sickening to witness. One of these reprehensible gatherings was recently held at Denbigh, where rabbits, with- out the slightest chance of escape, were torn and mangled by gaunt mongrels that ought to have been shot; and pigeons, scarcely able to fly, were almost blown to pieces by the assembled" sports- men" (?) Not only were rabbits worried and pigeons butchered, but dogs and men fought like wild beasts. Afterwards the magistrates decided that occasional licenses should in future be granted only in petty sessions. How does their action contrast with a letter recently received by the magistrates' clerk at Southampton from the Home Secretary on the question of occasional licenses ? Mr Cross says:—"There is nothing in the statute to require the consent being given at a petty ses- sional court. It is sufficient if the consenting justice is one of the justices usually taking part in petty sessional business." This sets at rest the question as to the right of a single magistrate to grant an occasional license. I think it would have been better to not pass the resolution which the magistrates adopted. There is often a difficulty to get sumcient magistrates together for the hold- ing of a court. Would not the magistrates have been acting more wisely by recording their protest against the granting of these licenses at all ? The law evidently wants amending which permits magistrates, singly or collectively, to grant licenses to sell drink on rabbit coursing grounds. If licenses of this description are to be allowed on the occasion of the holding of bona fide athletic sports and the like, the line ought to be drawn somewhere, and a beginning might well be made with rabbit coursing. <If Last week, Mr Thomas Gee, the ex-mayor of Denbigh, in the public police court, openly charged two policemen with being drunk and disorderly in the street on the previous evening. He did this on hearsay evidence, according to his own show- ing, end in so doing, I think he acted very in- judiciously, to say the least of it. I am no advo- cate of drunkenness among police officers, but they, like anyone else, ought only to be con- demned on properly substantial evidence, and in accordance with a regular procedure. It is all very well for Mr Gee to describe an offence as a public one—all police cases, I take it, are public ones-but it is rather presumptuous on his pbrt to assume that he is the only individual in Denbigh who has at heart the care of the interests of the public. The vilest criminal in the dock can only be condemned on sworn evidence, properly taken before the megistrates. Police officers are men who don the blue cloth to earn their bread and butter, and the conduct of a magistrate who con- demns them openly on the hearsay evidence of a friend, and behind their backs flavours very strongly of fussy officiousness. A police court audience is not as a rule composed of the intelli- gent and law-abiding portion of the community. It is generally made up of idle loafers who have an antipathy against the police, and assemble out of a morbid or prurient curiosity. An oration delivered to such as these on hearsay evidence, and in defence of public interests," before the subject matter of complaint has been properly in. vestigated, is ill-timed and out of place. It is calculated to still further weaken public canfi- dence in our police officers, as it also reflects on the impartiality of an administrator of the law. Mr Gee may rest assured that any offences of this kind will be properly looked into, and the culprits will be adequately punished by Major Leadbetter, the active and intelligent chief constable of the county. This time the ex-mayor has clearly laid himself open to the charge of abusing the autho- rity vested in him by law by means which fairly comes within the category of devices ad c apt and u m vulgus.
ALDERMAN THOMAS GEE AND THE…
ALDERMAN THOMAS GEE AND THE DENBIGH POLICE. At the conclusion of the business at the borough petty sessions on Thursday, the 12th inst., Alderman Thomas Gee (the ex-mayor) said: There is one question which I think it is important that I should bring before you, and it is in con- nection with two of the officers of police in this town. It may be considered that this is a question which should be left between the superior officers and the superintsndent of police for the county, but as you, Mr Mayor, and this court are in a great measure responsible for the state of this town, I think it is important that I should state to you facts which transpired last night which should not be allowed to be dealt with privately, but should be brought publicly before this court. Be- tween eleven and twelve o'clock last night two persons who were quite sober came to my house- one came first and another came afterwards in the course of about ten minutes, and told me that two of the police officers were reeling drunk somewhere in Crown-lane or that neighbourhood. I was un- well myself, and was unable to go out, and I asked a person who was staying with me for the night would he go and satisfy himself about the correct- ness of the statement, and he went and returned, and said it was so. Those two officers were not only drunk, but they were causing a riot in the street, and there were a number of persons who were excited in consequence of their conduct. From that fact I asked the question as to whether they were in plain clothes, or whether they were in their usual dress, and I was assured that they were in their usual dress. Now from the time in which this occurred, of course they must have had drink in some of the public houses, and from the time in which this occurred I should fancy—it must have been very hard upon eleven-they must have been getting drink in these houses after time, and I think it is most important that public notice should be called to this fact inasmuch as not only does the public peace of the borough depend on our having policemen who can be trusted upon this point, but I think the character of those per- sons who keep their houses as they should do de- pends. There are persons who will not allow drink to be given to persons who are already in drink, and these persons suffer in character because there are a number of houses in the borough whose pro- prietors are not at all scrupulous upon this point, and who are ready to give persons who are in drink more than they should have. We have in this court asked the police some scores of times during the time I have had the honour of sitting here where drunken men charged with drunkenness obtain their drink, and the answer which we have got in almost every case was that they were unable to know where the men got it from. Now if a police officer is in the habit of going to a public- house to get. drink, and to be treated with drink, it is not to be expected that he will discharge his duties as he should de to the public and to his country, because he is in fact bribed with drink by persons who wish to commit this offence. For that reasan it is important that the police of this borough, and of any other borough, should be men who are thoroughly sober, and we as a bench of magistrates—this court-should call the attention of the superintendent of police for the county to this fact, and also lay this question before the public, so that irtie public may see how police officers in Denbigh conduct themselves. 0 f course, I have every respect for every police officer who conducts himself properly, but I think, on the other hand, we should not allow the interests of the public to be placed in the hands of people who are not at all scrupulous. For that reason I am not willing that the question shall be dealt with privately by the superintendent and these policemen, because it is a public offence, and it is not to be expected that any person will bring a charge against these policemen. Of course, I do not know that such a charge has been made, and it is not to be expected that any person will do so, but I think that we, as justices for the time being, should call attention to it, and endeavour to put the question in such a way as will protect the interests of the public, and protect the poor man also from being tempted to drink to excess, when he has had sufficient. With the view of securing this object I do not know that we can do better than call the attention of the superintendent of the police for the county to this matter. The Mayor: Who do you mean by the superin tendent ? Alderman Gee: The chief constable, so that there will be no repetition of this matter again. Mr Lloyd Williams (warmly): I think in reply to that I must make a few remarks. I do not know whom he alludes to, but whoever it may be I think the same justice should be extended to a policeman as is extended to other individuals (hear, hear). Mr Gee has mentioned all this on hearsay evidence, and if hearsay evidence is to go against a policeman I do not think it is a fair thing (hear, hear). I think he has also almost put it out of the possibility of the chief constable bringing these men up, whoever they may be. for being drunk and disorderly. Therefore, T think whatever is done this ought to have been left over till the next petty sessions, when we should have seen what action the chief constable would have taken. I think it most unfair to take the matter up in this way without giving the officers an op- portunity of defending themselves. Alderman Gee: The question will be investi- gated, but being a public offence I think it is nothing but right that the public.should know about it. Mr Lloyd Williams If your statement is true, I think it would have been more properly brought before the court by you or anybody else if it had not been noticed by the chief constables. Alderman Gee: We do not know what action he will take, but I wanted to put it in such a way that the chief constable would make an investiga- tion. Superintendent Tudge: Sergt. Vaughan has made a report to me which will be forwarded to the chief constable by the evening's post. The Mayor I was called last night and I went out. The complainant who came to me wished me to see for myself what state the men were in. I went and I did see them, and the complainant and myself with the men went with the sergeant of police into the office, and the statement was written down there and then. I think that before any public notice had been taken of this matter those statements should have been sent to the chief constable. The statements have been made, and they will be signed and sent oif with this evening's post. I quite agree with what Mr Gee said of the desirabilty of these men being of such a character that they cannot be charged with taking too much drink, but I do not think the subject ought to have been mentioned here to- day. Mr R. H. Roberts: As far as Mr Gee goes he refers to two officers, and as he has made a public statement I think it is but fair that the names of these officers should be given, so that no reflections or injustice should be cast against the other officers of the public. The Mayor I think it ought never to have been mentioned until the thing had been investigated. The matter would no doubt have been properly represented, and if we found that it was not then it would have been our duty to bring it before the public. The subject then dropped. The court was crowded during the discussion.