The North Wales Express

BAD TRADE. THE honourable and frugal fraternity of ArigL-ulturalists have been credited from time immemorial with a capacity for grumbling, 0) and it must be confessed that they have done their best to maintain their reputation. At the present time, however, they are by no means isolated in this respect. Butchers, bakers, cabinet-makers, weavers, cotton-spin- ners, coal and iron merchants, shop-keepers and shipowners, all, by common consent, join iI' a universal dirge bewailing the bad times which prevail. Stagnation is and has been for some time past the order of the day, and the present outlook of matters in the world of commerce is not conducive to an optimistic view of things. The question which naturally arises is: What reason can we assign for the existing depression ? We know the effect, but, what is the cause ? The reply will depend 11 a great measure on the position and sur- roundings of the person who makes it. The ardent Tory will readily ascribe all the evils ile:H is heir to, io the continuance in power of a Liberal Ministry,—just as the farmers of old accounted for the existence of murrian in cattle by the presence of a elderly female in the neighbourhood, who, in the witching hours of night, might be seen speeding through the -1 silent air astride the orthodox broomstick. But it is rather unfortunate for the exponent of stupidity that the present bad times had their birth nnd!r the fostering care of the "late defunct Conservative Government." The patrician mind will seek to place the blame at the door of Trades Unionism; "things were never so bad before the organisation of the Working classes," is the reply, forgetting that Trades Unions were in existence long before 1870, and conveniently passing over the fact that ¡,he country, from 1870 to 75 enjoyed a period of unprecedented prosperity. The fact is, the present bad times are attributable to no particular cause but to a variety of contributory Ones. Comparisons may be odious, but we are clpt to judge by them, and the existing state of affairs, when compared with more prosperous tunes, no doubt appears deplorably bad. But are they really so ? The man who for years I has indulged in the questionable luxury of high living considers it a terrible deprivation to have to subsist on ordinary ,_ood. Those accustomed to an income of thousands per annum find it awkward to make both ends Meet when their yearly receipts can be counted hy hundreds. We are in the position of the bibulous individual who in the morning suffers from the effects of excessive potations on the previous night, or of the cow in the fable which got into the doveriielcl and fell a victim t) to an indiscreet indulgence. In 1870, two £ ?rea-. European powers exhausted their en- ergies and strangulated their commerce by a disastrous and sanguinary war. The manu- facturing industries and the general trade of both countries were completely disorganised. Great Britain had watched the struggle, and, when the end came, reaped a huge pecuniary harvest owing to the commercial weakness of her powerful neighbours. Trade in this country increased by leaps and bounds, middle men amassed fortunes. Working men earned abnormally high wages. Trade and commerce, or rather those engaged in it, went mad. Coal pits were sunk in almost every conceivable place. Ironworks increased apace. Tin plate mills grew like mushrooms, houses were built wit.h amazing rapidity. Ships were laid down by the hundreds ) hops and public-houses, Splendent with the glories of plate glass and ^lour,met the eye at every turn; the temporary 1 Nation was regarded as a permanent affair, a°d every one sought to increase the h production of the necessities of trade. he result was," over-production, and, 'ater on, stagnation. It has been -estimated by a competent authority that there are at present sufficient steamers built, after allowing for the annual loss, to meet the Requirements of the carrying trade fAr the next fiY(. years; and what is true regarding steam- sVos is proportionately applicable to other ^bi i^s. Trade is in the same position as the ttia.i who ate not wisely but too well. It needs a commercial aperient. Capitalists suffer more P''r,iaps than the labouring millions, though be.ivg 11 knows their lot is not particularly en- "V'la.de. A vast amount of money lays about the country in thcshap" of unproductive bricks a-¡ù mortar, and machinery. Trade follies of thib description meet the gaze in every part of the kingdom, and there they stand, lasting memorials of all overweening confidence in commercial infatuation, A more general know- ledge of tL?e principles of political economy might have obviated a great deal of this unwise speculation, and prevented capital from visit- ing a bourne from whence there is 110 return. P But as we have before intimateJ, unparaMed prosperity generally produces a species of spe- culative insanity, unreasoning avarice reigns supreme, and rational investment and political economy are relegated to a back seat. The passion for gain, 'ike the green-eyed monster Jealousy, grow-, by what it feeds on, and the result is disappointment and regret,occasion ed I by consequent commercial depression. Yet it ip possible that with all the prevailing gloom in the trading world, things might be even 0 w°rse than they are the darkest cloud boulder -:tùat flits across the wintry sky is reputed to bave a silvery lining. Wages are low, and em- ployment is difficult to obtain, but bread, the staff of life," as it has been appropriately Called, is marvellously cheap, thanks to the t abundant harvests in the corn-producing coun- tries of the world. Sugars are to be obtained 0 at unheard of quotations, and the other neces- saries of life, with perhaps the exception of butchers' meat, are proportionately reasonable 11l price. Rents are lower than they have been, and the working classes, those toiling miliions whose unwearied industry is the true secret of England's greatness, have of late years developed habits of thrift, consequent, we believe, on the spread of education, and many of them now dwell in their own little castles, built or purchased by means of the careful husbanding of their hard-earned sav- ings. The year is speedily drawing to a close, and trade does not usually revive in this put of the world with declining days. But, brighter hopes are gleaming in the dawn of the future. Colonisation :s busily going on in many parts of the world. New fields of labour arc open- ing to the sons of toil men and material will be required to carry on the work of civilization in distant lands t!,e demands on the home trade will increase, opring ere long will be upon us and as the bursting buds fill with fragrance the vernal air, and the music of feathered choristers echoes through wood and dell, let us hope that trade, taking its inspira- tion from nature, will throw off its present lethargy, revive with wonted energy, and fill with prosperity this and other lands.

Tin: Rev. Cdni Parry, D.D., who some years ago was nasi or of the Congregational Church, Bagillt, left Wales for America, where he joined the rfaptist com- munion. Last week he returned to the Priucipality, having accepted a call to the pastorate of the Baptist chapel, llolvwell, upon the duties of which he wil enter the. first Sunday in March. I)KATU OK TIIK RKV. JOHN JOVK.S, BUVNTKH, HKTH- KSDA.—The well-known minister --one of tic eldest in ronlleetiull with the Calvinistic Methodists ei Car- narvonshire -died at his residence ii'ueddi, Beth- esda, on Wednesday moruinafter a prolonged illness, in his seventy-seventh year, The interment, which will be public, will take p,aee at Llanllechid, at half-past: one o'clock, next Saturday afternoon, THE UNIVERSITY COLI.K'TU OF NbltTH W'^ES.— According to present arrangements the laboratories in connection with the chemical and physical depart- ments of the University College of Xorth Wales, at Bangor, will be publicly opened by Sir William Thomson, oa Monday. February 2nd. WATCH-NIGHT SKKVICES were held at Menai Baidge on Wednesday. Miss MARIAN WILLIAMS was engaged yesterday (Thursday) at Swansea in a performance of Dr. Parry's Nebuchadnezzar." PoitT PENRHYN.—Arrived Thomas, Roberts Med- way, Hughes Hector. Jones; Abbey, Hughes Thomas. Williamson; Darling, Jones Smelter, Thomas; Emily Helena, Hughes. Sailed: William Henry, Jones, Aber- deen Faith, Lvans, Londonderry Aledway, Hughes, Liverpool; Darling, Jones, do; Catherine, Hughes, Sil- loth. DKATII OF AX OLD B\ V.ORIAN it IS WITH regret that we have to record the death ot Mr Zechanas Roberts, which took place yesterday (Thursday) m n'n- ing at Caelleppa. The deceased, who was in his 71st. Tear, was born in Bangor, and, being of a quiet and genial nature, won the esteem of all who knew him. His sympathy with auything local was intense, and he, along with late Key. Samuel Roberts, was one of the first to form a Ship Insurance Society at Bangor, of which he was a direetor. lie was also a director of the Bangor and North Wales Building Society. Mr Roberts acted as collector of rates to the late Local board of Health for 20 years, but owing to jailing health he was obliged to relinquish the post a few years ago. In politics, he was a strong Conservative, and for mane years he proved an energetic local secre- tary to the Constitutional Association. The interment will take place at Glanadda Cemeterr. on Monday morning next, at eleven o'clock, aud will be of a semi- public character. THE DENBIGHSHIRE AXD FLINT'I'SHIKI; AGRICUL- TURAL SocmTY.—A meeting of the Finance Committee was held at the Black Lion Hotel. Mold. 011 Tuesday, Mr Scott Baukes in the chair. A protest by Mr ■Sturdly of Overton, against the prize for the best cheese, awarded at the last Ruthin Show to Mr James Jones, of Holt, being paid to him was referred to Mr Aston, of Hrassey Green, Cheshire, the question in dispute being whether a cheese 02 pound in weight, be made from the milk of seven cows, six. meals milk being used. A protest by Mr Williamson of Ruthin, against the prize for the best bull being paid to Mr Balfown of Rassett. was ruled out of order. With respect to the, finances, Mr Bellis reported that the arrears of subscriptions amounted to about £1\0, and that the balance at the Bank had been reduced during the year by nearly £ 200, and it was agreed to call the attention of the general meeting to the fact. The chairman gave notice that at the general meeting he would propose that the show should be held at four alternate towns, Ruthin and Denbigh being considered as one, so that the show might be held in the Vale of Clwyd every alternate year. instead of three years in succession as now. The reeult would be that the town rotation would be Wrexham, RhyL Mold, Denbigh or Ruthin.

APPALLING ACCIDENT IN NANTLLE VALE. A fearful and most appalling accident, resulting iuttedeath of seven men and seriously injuring the eighth, happened about eleven o'clock 011 the night of Monday last at the celebrated slate quarry known as Dorothea, in the Carnarvon quarry district. A stranger entering that which at one time must have been the beautiful Yale of Pantile, seven miles from Carnarvon, stretching from Peny- tjroes alongside Mynydd Mawr and other surround- ing mountains, would at first sight think that the slopes on either aide of the Vale consisted of two immense slate quarries, as the deep pits and the rubbish heaps appear one vast cluster without division. But on closer inspection it is soon dis- covered that there are at least, a dozen quarries belonging to, and worked by, different companies, of various nationalities. On the northern side of the Vale are the Cilgwyn, Pen'rorsedd, Vrou, Braich, and some others, each employing a large number of men. Lower down the Vale, and 00 almost flat, ground, Penybryn Dorothea, Cornwall, Talysarn, Cloddfa'rcoed, and Coedmadoc Quarries are worked; some of them employing from three to six hundred workmen. Of these, Dorothea, the quarry at which the accident happened, employs the largest number of men. On the south side of this quarry, and stretching along its length, is the large Nan tile Lake, fed by immense watersheds opening to the picturesque mountains surrounding the valley, and noted for abuudance of trout ot the best description. The land on which the quarry has been opened being almost flat, and not higher than the the quarry is worked in deep open pits, numbering perhaps half a dozen in all, connection between them at the bottom being kept up by means of levels. All the slate rock aud the rubbish are raised from The pits by means of chains laid from top to bottom the waggons con- taining the slate blocks and rubbish arc drawn along these chains by powerful engines fixed at the top. The volume of water finding its way to the quarry is pumped up by means of steam power and water wheels. Between the south side of the quarry an t the lake referred to, a strong tunnel has been driven many years ago, and filled with puddled clay to prevent water from the lake working its way to the quarry or pits, and on the top of this tunnel immense quantity of rubbish has been tipped, partly filling the lake, and no doubt confining its area, and thereby making the action of the water stronger when sudden falls of rain take place, which frequently happen in this mountainous district. ft would appear that the managers, who are skilful, practical men, apprehended a possibility, if not a probability, of the lake, at some future day, notwith- standing this dam, forcing itself into the quarry, for we are told they had lately been busy at work, con- structing another tunnel fill with clay for additional strength and protection. On Monday night, eight men descended about nine o'clock to work night- stem," in order to cleat the rubbish that was in the way of the quarrymen and state-makers working their bargains. The night was not dark, and the ie deep sink where the men worked was lit by means I of torch fire, such as is always used wheu night working is going on at slate quarries. As far as it cm be ascertained, it does not appear tha;, anything unusual happened until about eleven o'clock, when a fearful crash was heard along the neignbourhood, and before the men at the bottom of the pit could make their escape, seven of them appear to have been instantly buried under thousauds of tons of rock which was displaced and thrown down to the bottom of the pit by, it is supposed, the action of the water from the lake. On Tuesday, when the writer visited the place, thousands of people were going to and fro to the scene of the accident, andthewater from the lake was making its way to the pit in a strong volume. No doubt the managers will be able ultimately to check it, but doing this may take a considerable time, and until it is effected, and the sink, at the bottom of which the poor fellows who so fearfully met their death, is cleared of the rubbish, their bodies cannot be brought to the bank. All of them had wives and large young families depending upon them. The writer would respectfully venture to recommend the immediate canvassing of the surrounding quarries, towns, and neighbourhoods to assist the widows and orphans in this their great trouble and hour of need. nr T> 1»_L. 1A,.

IM PGR T ANT CAPTURE BY THE I CARNARVON" POLICE. On Wednesday, before Dr. J. Williams, two well- dressed men, giving the names of James Bellamy and Francis Cameron, were cbarged with obtaining goods under false pretences. The prisoners took lodg- ing?, at Constantine-terrace, and left without jpayiug tlni last week's rent. They were most careful to avoid the slightest observation, and 011 their de- parture the landlady, finding marks in their rooms encouraging the belief they had been engage 1 in the manufacture of counterfeit coin, gave informa- tion to the police. The result was that Major Clay- ton, the Chief-constable, placed a watch on the rooms, and on Saturday a leifccr from Dublin, as to &ai advertisement offering a certain article for sale, caused further investigation and a communication with the Manchester police as to the ownership of a portmanteau, which hid been sent from Carnarvon to be left until called for. On .M md.-iy night the two men called for the portmanteau, and were detained by the Manchester police, and hauded over to Police-sergeant Harris. IJpou them were found pawntickets relating to the disposal of watches, jewellery, and guns, pawned with Messrs. Green and G"uv ei-1 Sergeant, London-road, aud other Liverpool pa vnbrokers. There were als,) other letters showing that tile' prisoner answered adver- tisements in the nainu of Mrs Edwards," and obtained goods which were p.uvned for considerably less than the value.—Oa the application of Deputy-chief-countable Va.vie3, a week's reujaud was granted.

F 0 u T B A L L. MOUNTAIN ROVERS, BANGOR V. POKTDIX —Thi- match was played last Thursday, on the gre.ind of tl.c latter, and resulted in a victoi v for the iiuvert bv < to 1. PWLLHELI V. BANGOR. — Playe.l on the gr >"nd >.f Pie former on Thursday, and, after a very smart g.iue. ended in a win for .Pwllheli by 2 goals to 1. ^FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT AT CARNARVON.—On Friday, the third annual competitions, institute by the Carnarvon Colts, came off upon their grouud, at Pant, Carnarvon for eleven medals (silver, with gold centres). The wea- ther being tine. the attendance was the greatest ever seen at. these tournaments, fully 2090 spectators being present. Thanks to a committee of management and Mr hiskin, the secretary, the arrangements were all that coald be de- sired. Play commenced about ten o'clock, each tie occupy- ing about half-an-hour, with the exception of the final, which lasted one hour. First round First tie, Carnarvon Heroes (second eleven) beat Arvou Wanderers second tie. Carnarvon Athletic beat Bangor Athletic third tie, Car- narvon Heroes (first, eleven) beat Gloddaeth Kovers (Llaa- dudoo); f earth tie. Bang ir F.C. and Llandudno S. and A. C. scratched fifth tie, Liverpool Cambrian beat Bangor Athletic; Pwllheli F.C. a bye. Second round: First tie. Carnarvon Athletic v. Pwllheli a draw second tie, Liverpool C.tni'irian beat Carnarvon Heroes (second eleven), Heroes (first eleven) a bye. Third round: Liver- p" 11 Cambrian beat Carnarvon Athletic, Carnarvon Heroes (first el?vea) beating Pwllheli F.C. in the bye. In the ri ntl tie, the Liverpool Cambrian beat the Carnarvon Heroes (first eleven) by H goals to 1, the Liverpool men scoring for the local team the only goal they had. The Liverpudlians played an excellent game throughout, their passing being admirable. At the conclusion of the day's proceedings, the victors were presented with the medals amid ringing cheers. CONWAY TOWX CLUB V. ST. J.UIES',BA:GO[L.-Plavel at Conway last Saturday. After a hard and well-contested g.une, the Conwayites came off victorious by 2 goals to love. ST. J. 2ND ELEVEN V. BLUES, IFIRAKI, -riaved on the ground of the former, the Blues winning by 2 goals to nil. St. James' played two men short. VICTORIA F.C., BANGOR r. BETHESDA ROVE-IS.—This match was played at Bethcsd]. on Boxing Day. and re- sulted in a victory for the former by (> goals to nil. Teams- Victorh F.C. H. Roberts, goal; J. Owen and 1'. Williams, backs Rowlands (captain) and T. Francis. half-backs; W. Hughes, R. Jones, J. Thomas. O. R. Rowlands, H. O. Rowlands, and O. R. Williams, for- wards. Bethesda. Rovers: J. Elias, goal R. G. Roberts and E. Lewis, backs: E. Williams and J. Hughes, half- backs H. Pritchard, T. Lewis, T. Williams, E. Elias. IL Jones, and T. Elias (captain), forwards. STAFFORDSHIRE v. NORTH AVALES.—This match was played on Boxing Day at Stoke-on-Trent, and after a very pleasant though one-sided game, the home team won by 5 goals to nil. The winners played well toyman, and never allowed their opponents to approach their goal. Herseo. in goal for the losers, played exceedingly well, and if it had not been for his brilliant defence the score would have been much heavier. The spectators, to show their appreciation, carried him off the field. Teams — Staffordshire: Kent, goal; Newman and Cliffe, barks; S)nir,h..Sherratt. and Stephenson, half-backs Hunter, Shaw. Green. Tonks. and Roberts, forwards umpire. Mr Johr.son. North Wales: Heisee, goal; Willuiann and Griffiths, backs Griffiths, Jones, and Williams, half- backs Owen, Hassell, Hersee, Porter, and Williams, forwards. NORTH r. SmITH WALES.—This match, which was played on Boxing Day, on the Wrexham Racecoursc, was attended by some 1500 spectators. The match was a trial of strength between the north and south of the Principality preparatory to choosing the team to represent Wales in their international matches. The Southerners were the first to score. Wilding drawing first blood from a long kick after twenty minutes' play. The North men after this pulled themselves together, and pressed their opponents verv much, but could not force through the stubborn defence offered. At half-time the game was I to nil in favour of the visitors. In the second half. Wil- liams had a chance, and got the ball past Penlinodon, thus equalising matters. Shortly afterwards 1). Jones increase I the North score by a good shot; but Lloyd Jones, who has of late been doing duty for the Clapham Rovers, made the game even, and when time was called a splendid y-contested game resulted in a draw—two goals each. Teams—North: Wright (Rhvi), goal; W. Davies (Wrexhsm Olympic) and Thompson (Rhyl), backs Jones (Bangor). Vaughau (Rhyl). W. H. Thompsou (Rhvl). naif-backs Williams (Carnarvon), andVuughan (Rbyl), right wing: Lewis and C. Pattinson (Bangor), left wing; and 1). Jones (Bangor), centre. South Peu- Hmton (Wrexham Olympic), goal G. Thomas and Roberts, ditto, backs; Owens (Rhostyllon), Thatcher (Shrewsbury Castle Blues), and Burke (Wrexham Olym- pic). half-backs; Waters and Lloyd-Jones (Shrewsbury Castle Blues), right wing; Evton Jones and Sisson (Wrexham Olympic 1, left wing; and Wilding, ditto. centre. DKsr.iGUsniitK CHALLENGE Ct'P.—-Wrexham Crown beat Druids, who had only a weak team, by b goab to 1. BVMUOR V. BHAUMARI.S.—Played at Bangor on Satur- day, the home team winning by 11 goals (three disputed) to nil. ASTON VILLA V. NOETHWICH VICTORIA.—The Cheshire Cup holders met the famous Midlanders at Northwich on Monday, before 2000 spectators. Roberts and Foratsr plavod vice Price and Vaught.on for the Villa; whilst ROSJ played back for Northwich, in lieu of J. W- Hughes, who is still oil the disabled list. There was little wind whe:1 the Vilia kicked off, and some even play ensued. The Bruin; had an unproductive corner: then a rattling attack on the Villa goal ended by Denton sending the ball past Harvey. Ten minutes later some fine play by Turnbill and Lever secured a second goal for Northwich, Harvey being rushed through. At half-time the score W!ls—Northwich 2 and Aston Villa I. Oa changing ends the Villa forwards played splendidly, but the defence was equal to the occasion until Eh scorcd from the left, Hil- ditch badly missing the ball. A second goal was soon added, then A. Archie added a third with a fast low shot. The Victorias pulling themselves together, commenced a series of attacks on the Midland goal, and eventually Ilauk-iv. with a splendid shot from the right wing, mads thegunethreeall. Just after this Forster was charged by T.irubutt, and had to retire in the last six minutes. Eventually Aston Villa won a hard and fast game by 5 goals to :•». Simmonds, Hunter, Davis, and Whatety played well for Aston Villa; Lever, ilai.key. and W. n. HughesforNorthwich.

LLANDUDNO. INQI'IVST.—On Wednesday night week an inquest was held before Mr .1. H. Rolurts, on the body of John Kdward Williams, sou of Mr Commissioner B. Williams, who fell down a rock all the Orme's Head It was stated that two young men who first saw the deceased went away, and did not return to assist; but on being called they deposed that their master, Mr Owen, Pentreisa, told chem to attend to their work, and his son, Hugh Robert Owen, conveyed the deceased, who was insensible, home in his shandrv as carefully as possible. The eventually decided that there was nO blanw attached to anybody, and re- turned a verdict, of Accidental death."

AD'lLTFRATING ARTICLES OF FOOD IN DKNBIGJ IS 11 IRE. At the Rtltliiii l'olica Court, on Monday, William Hughes, Crown Inn, Llandegla, was cliargedby Superintendent Vaughan, with selling adulterated whiskey, on November 24th. A young "ad named •lames Pindlebury, was called and gave evidence as to his having purchased a pine of whiskay for twu shillings at the defendant's house, at the request of the prosecutor, and Superintendent. Vaughan said that having received the whiskey from the boy .James Pindlebury, he took it back t<> the public- house in question, sealed the bottle with the county seal and subsequently sent it to Chester to the county analyst who pronounced it to contain ..}.1 degrees over 2 and above the quantity of water allowed by the law. -Tlw defendant's wife, wlw appeared for her husbaud, said the wiskey was diluted by her little girl on a Sunday when she happened to he from home. Fined XL, and £1 7s 6d costs. Robert Jones, Shop Uchaf, Erryrys, Llanarmon, was charged by the same officer with selling coffee, on thf same date as above, con- tabling contrary to the Act of Parliament, thirty-two per cent. of chicory. Fvidence similar to that in the former case was adduced, and at the close of it the defendant said that he had received the article from J). Jones and Company, Red Cross-street, Liver- pool, and sold it in the same condition as lie had received it. It had been ordered as coffee and put. down in the invoice as such but after the visit of the officer he noticed there was 011 the box underneath, t he worrls "French, Coffee," and the word CAion/ The chairman said the bench believed he had done it in ignorance and would give, credit for the story lie had told. Fined IDs. and £ 1 Us Ud costs.—Henry Hughes, shopkeeper, Erryrys, was also charged with the same offence, alleged to have been coin- mitted on the same date. The case was identical with the preceding one. and the offence committed under the I same circumstances. Defendant was tiued LOsaud fjS Ud 1 COlts.

THE LIBERAL SITUATION IX CARNAR- VONSHIRE. To thi Editor of the OBSERVER AND'/ExPRESS. 5IK< It is well that this matter should 1>> taken no in v«.iu- e d.umns. and the letters tiirit have aiWvvd iuive been very in!-re-sting uud to t n.e purpose. ^But there is "a goo I deal t-. b> su;<! farther, and in my opinion tne fringe nn1y has been touched—there is need of going t yy ,'1;' and of a good deal of plain and straightforward speaking. iiWe have a s.wt ol Lib -rul As.eo, but the working it iias beeu ev unsatisfactory so far, and a subject ot com- plaint throughout the county. All the proceedings seem to be earned on by a few individuals, if it is not, indeed almost in the hands of a single individual. W how- ever, that a flood of n.w electors will be coming mg in, this system will very lively be swept aw ay It is rather annoying, b'ver. to find m impor tant crises we have still to bear ^ith it Tale for example the division of tlie count} I uncle.- stand that a good deal of correspondence has i.,„. w+wpen the chairman and the authorities upon this matter. but why has not the authorities upon tins J whoie party been consulted 1^ is tine that the matter was discussed only in a small meeting where there were three or four Gaination ough electors- worthy mdmduals to be sure, nobody would say anything d.srespe. tfnl of them in their proper place but was thvs tbe conclave to determine the boundary of the county. There is strength m a whole paity. but here is not much in a .few mdmduals, and I Jltmid not hirSlStt^-e?1^ ibis system of pro- °et"ain it bi-h time to organise for the future .1, W,. know well who the mam body ot will be,Md it » 5; knoivnwh-v, about the chyidms,' hiif enable us to put the organization on apiopei and substantial basis. There will be henceforth tliree divisions—the Boroughs, the North distnct and South district, and as a result there must evi- dently be threa separate associations, which p,i- haps may co-operate for registration purposes. But it seems likely that these associations will be more isolated in future than they were in the past, move especially as they cannot have a com- mon centre. The North centre evidently must be removed from Carnarvon to Bangor or Con ..ay; the South must of necessity be somewhere neuiei Pwllheli while Carnarvon may still be the centie of the Borough district. What steps are taken to start these organizations, and to put them on a proper basis ? No doubt it is expected that the old association will take the lead and call the deferent dis' -i^s to action. But nothing appears toliave been u vet done. If the present execu- tive do not do this, then something must be done independently. Can it be imagined that the old association is to go on the same lines as hereto- fore ? Nothing could be more absurd it would be exactly as if one committee had endeavoured to manage Carnarvon and Anglesey before. We must henceforth have three separate 01 gani/a- tions, and the sooner they are formed the better. A wain, the selection of candidates is a mat- ter that should be well considered, although it cannot be completed until the organization is formed. There are a few facts however. which appear to me to be worth ^nsid.-rmg m, For one thing, Mr Jones-L'arry s independent action is exciting no small amount of disatisfaction in the constituency. It, was expected that he would have placed himselt in the hands of the association with a view of making the best possible arrangements to ensure the return of Liberals for each of the divi- sions. His failure to do this and his support, of the independent action of Mr Pughe-Jones will, fear, have disastrous results upon Mr Jones-Parry s own candidature. In the next place, Mr Kathbone, I understand has intimated his intention to place himsel unreservedly in the hands of his constituents and take the district which would be best for the interests of the Liberal party. This is as it shoul 1 be and I have no doubt Mr Itathbone, whatever dis- triet he is chosen for, will have a safe seat. Mr I'up;']e- dones and Mr Morgan Lloyd have, 110 doubt, done more harm to themselves than to^ anybody else by their premature announcements. The electors will. no doubt judge them fairly when the time comes. Another matter is, that Mr John Roberts of Bangor appears to be the greatest favourite after Mr Rathbone. The electors of Carnarvonshire have for some time looked upon Mr Roberts as a sure candidate, and he is in every way fitted, whatever division would select him. The only danger ia for attempts to be made to form parties, or caucuses, but in these districts it is not a very great danger, for whoever will attempt it will very soon find his mistake, and when found will be very signally defeated. The electors of Carnarvonshire will not be won except by open and fair dealing. Let, therefore, tlie organisation be completed in each district, let those who wish to be candidates place them- selves in the hands of the representees, and abide I by the result, and I have no doubt we shall be able to arrive at a satisfactory result in the emL A RADICAL ELECTOR. -THE ANGLESEY QUARTER SESSIONS." To the Editor of the OBSKKVKU AND EXPRESS. —In your issue of last week, I find it reported that a meeting was held somewhere at Llangefni, in connection with the removal of the Quarter Sessions from Beaumaris, and it is re- ported in the said meeting that fifty vestries in Anglesey have passed resolutions in favour of tlu/removal. I should like to know how many of th, parishioners in each parish attended the said vestries, and unless there were more parish- s at ( I ve,, ioners present than usually attends vestries about tbe place I reside, then I say that the voice of the vestries is not the voice of the parishioners, if I am rightly informed. I understand that the average attendance at the vestries in Anglesey, Is from nine to twelve, and sometimes three or four. Surely the Llangefni agitators in that I case must not expect the magistrates of the .•ounty of Anglesey to take the voice of the vestries as being the voice of the parishoners at A RATEPAYER. IL, JUSTICES' JUSTICE. To the Eiliior of the OBSKVEH AND Exrurss: SIR,—In your strictures upon the strange ad- ministration of justice, as exemplified in two recent prosecutions for poaching at Carnarvon and Bangor, last week, you make tlie^following remark (commenting upon Mr Wvatt's alleged indiscreetness):—" Fortunately, however.there are among our magistrates a large number of gentle- men who would never wish to take any part what- ever in such cases as they are interested in, amongst them most conspiculously being Capt. Wynn Griffith. Llanfair Hall." I am at a loss to understand why that gentleman is singled out as an instance of conspicuous impartiality. If he retires when a ease in which he is personally interested is brought forward, he only does his duty. It is a maxim in law that a man cannot sit to try his own case; in fact, it would have been illegal had he attempted to do so. I do not wish to justify the conduct, of gentle- men whom you stigmatise as displaying want of goolI sense in deliberating upon a case in which his employer was the prosecutor. I only attribute it to want of experience. Perhaps a gentle hint from the clerk to the magistrates would have induced him to retire, but, in the name of commou sense, why should Mr Wynne-Griffith have been hoisted up as a noble ex unple of magisterial modesty ? You surely make a vit-tu" of necessity. Older and more honourable men do the s one. LorlI l'enrhyn, I venture to state, never sat in a e/is*: in which he was interested. Colonel Vincent Williams and the late Mr Bulkeley Hughes invariably retired whenever any action arose affecting the Bangor Water and Gas Company, of wllidl they were directors. However, I cannot refrain troill remarking that Mr Griffith, though he docs not thrust himself forward incases of poach ng mi his land, he does not exhibit any undue desire tJ it himself from the bench when any supposed 1 .i t r, lament ot the sacred laws which affect salmon an f jmemauts are heard of in this neighbourhood, and when be appears, some- how or other, fines and imprisonment do not appear to be curtailed either in amount or severity. We know the lesson administered to him and his brother magistrates by the Lord Chief Justice, when a trumpery case of trapping was un- necessarily brought before a jury at the a-sizes, and ho-v the cost of prosecution wa.s iisallowed. Not long ago two respectable v.mng men. in a sportive mood, took to boating 01 the Menai, and being unable to resist the t mptation. in an evil moment, jumped ashore, ad tried to shoot a rabbit in a field, near Llan- fair grounds. They were pounced upon by the keeper, and made to do penance- Both the young men and their parents offered ample apology to the squire, aud asked to be forgiven. But as this was considered an unwarrantable attack upon the rights of private property, they were summoned. Mr Gninth sat on the bench watch- ing other pistices justice," but did not take part in the cases, of course. He had the satis- faction of seeing these youths fined 4's and costs —this being the first offence. There, are other men sitting on the county bench here whose legal training is sadly deficient. Were tney to entrust the duties more to one who lins given a ofe-long study to the intricacies of the law. they would find more time to devot-* to their own pleasures and give less trouble and expense to their neigh- bours, who are constantly puzzled to know what justices' justice" means in these days.— Yours. kc.. JOHN JONES. Carnarvon, Dec. 26th. 1884. We did not mention Captain Wynn Griffith's name without good grounds for doing so. The expression made use of in our leading columns last week was the result of five years' observa- tion at the Carnarvon Court. We repeat again with no wish to undervalue the services or discretion of other county magistrates—that Captain Wynn Griffith is one of the most strictly just and impartial magistrates Hit- tiu" ou th > bench ill North Wales.—EP. N. w. 0. E.

DENBIGH. SUDDEN' DEATHS.—On (. iin<tmis Eve, th" Hee John Roberts. Fron terrace. form rly editor of the Banner, died suddenly. He had been out during the day, and after parMking of supp r. he suddenly fell forward and expired. The tueeral took place on Monday at Whitchurch. Previously there was a service at the Vrou Chapel, and addresses were given by the Revs. T. Gee. D. M. D.tvies. B. Hughes, K. done-. 11. Griffiths, H. Parrv, and others. On Sunday moruinu', Mary illiam*. wife of John Williams, died suddenly in bed. She hid been indisposed for some time. CnuiSTMAS FF.STIVITIK.S.—On Christmas evening, the usual literary and competitive meetings, in con- nection with llenllan-street Sunday School was held in the Drill Hill. Alderm:m E. F. Joues, presided. On Boxing Night, the employes, to the number of about twenty, of Mr 1. A. W. Edwards, partook of a Christmas supper, in the Foundry. Dr Pritchard, the medical atteudant, was present. On Christmas Day, Aiderniiin 1. J. Williams distributed Christmas cheer, consisting of Irish stew and sixpenny loaves of bread, to :3.)0 poor people, and 011 the same day, the committee recently established for the purpose distributed similar benevolence to :371) poor people. Mr Bow- dage, of Cotton Hall, having contributed fifteen cwt. of potatoes and 1,000 turnips. MUSICAL.—Mr Jenkins, Mus. Bac. (Cantab1:, held rehearsals, on Saturday and Sunday, in Capel Mawr, in preparation of a sacred festival to be given in March, by the Methodist Sunday Schools. a

13 irtbs, ^j.uTi.rac.'i, aa) Oatjw. KIRTH. DEw-On the 21 st Decent hoc, at Bryinuorfi. t mmarvou the wife of Mr Griffith Davies D.ov, of C ureg Br.ui Anglesey, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. JOVES—JOXBS—Dec. StJth. at the Baptist Chapel, Llan- fwrO;i. Ruthm. by the Rev. Isaac .lames, assisted by the Rev. W. T. Davies, Pandy'r Chapel. Mr Hugh Joties, Ty Brith, Pwll Glass, to Miss Li/.zic Jones, Tv'n y Caoau, Ruthin. WILLIAMS■—.IONKS—Dec. 17th, by licence, at the Registrar's Ollice. Llaurwst. Mr Robert Williams. Coed Gwydr, Trefrbv, sci of the bite Rev J. Williams, Cae Coch, to Mrs Jones. The Cottage. Couway. DEATHS. Coor-Dce. 10th, at Beaumaris, age 1 72 years. Mrs Coot, widow of the laic Edward Coot, both for many years faithful servants with Sir Richard Bulkeley's family at Baron Hill. J0nES—Dec. 26th. at Ambrose-street. Hirael. Bangor, aged 20 years, Catherine, daughter of Mr Thomas Jones. ROBEHTS On the 1st inst.. at Thomas' Sipiare, Bangor, Mr Zecharias Roberts, late rate collector of the Bangor Local Board, aged 70 years.

EISTEDDFODIC LITERARY MEETING AT CONWAY. On Christmas Day this town was roused fo more activity than usual, owing to the presence of a meet- ing of this description. i)t. R. Arthur Richard was the president for the day, and the Rev. I. Evans 1 Cyndelvn), conductor Mr J. P. Griffiths being the accompanist. Mr illiam -Jones of Ren- maenmawr gave a song entitle i Y Cymi-o dewr" in fine style, and was appended Mr Robert Davies (Eos Cynwy) rendered The Friar "t Orders (.rcy admirably, and was accorded a hearty welcome to the town of his nativity. Competition ill writing a melody by ear, "Ton a geoir ar y pryd was very interesting and fraught with straiue coincidences, and Mr Daniel Thomas (Idwal) came off successful. Only one candidate offered for the pianoforte solo competition, and he a youth of about 12 years, son of Mr -J. Spinther -lames of Llandudno. Tne prize was awarded him on the score of exceptional merit. There was a prolonged adjudication on the verses to the "Transfiguration," and an appirentlv young man took the honour, stvbng himself loan ap loan." Mr C. Cvnwal Jones and Miss Harriet Hughes exemplified to perfection how skilful musicians can grasp the salient points of good pro- ductions, whenever place 1 in their charge. The short recitation Cyflafan y gwir brought to the fore several youngsters, out ot whom John Wesley Hughes proved the victor. IWK parties contested the prize for the better rendering of the duet •'Xeith cin Hior." Mr John Jones. Wesleyan choir leader, and Miss Ellen -Jones. Lower (rate- street, were adjudged the wiuneis. The sonnets on the bier (elor) were unusually prolific, mid the prize was awarded Mr Edward Evans of Llauereh. Preparations were now made for the choral com- petition, the selection being Cydgan yr Angyl- ion. by Miss J. F. Williams. Two choirs only had entered for this event, both of lie Tabernacle Choir and the United Choir. After mature deliberation the adjudication was deli- vered by Mr Davies. National Schools. HllyJ, iu favour of the United Choir, at which a murmur of dissatisfaction was distinctly audible in the hall, but it passed away without any unseemly scenes, and we think Mr Davies must have dealt justly; at all ove-nts he was quit coua.1 to the oc Msion. Eos Cynwy gave a song in a manner which elicited a storm of applause. At the evening meeting, at six o'clock. Eos n 11 Cynwy gave the song Hearts of O ik, and Miss Hopson followed, and her delicacy of owution fully anticipated the repeated calls- of om->v. to which she responded. Mrs Elias Huglcs. Colwyn Bay, was the best essayist (Ill the su'-tjeet. y Priololdeb o feddu Gwybodaeth o Ddaear- yddiawth Gwlad Canaan, er iawn ddeall yr Ysgrvthyrau." Singing at first sight, best, John Wesley Hughes, "ilaae.sydd" had sub- mitted the best poem. For the best remieriog of the solo, Deigryn ar fedd fy niam. 'lis, Bella Jones succeeded. Recitation, Pwn ar gefn yr awen," John Wesley first, and Llewelyn Evans took the second priz?. Mr John Jon.-s w u awar.ied I the prize for-singing a bass solo. The su cc.ful choir at this point performed Cydgai. yr Aug.vl- ion(The Angels' Chorus), assisted by several members of other ciioirs. Mr Robe a 1 hivics saug "The British Liol," in Ids uMially tine style, when the e-t e lit of the evening r.tme off. iz.f choral competion on the anthem. "Ala \vr a h fo idol yw,th we I (I', 0, Arglwv d 1 D-iuw. h time the Tabernacle choir won, and it NV ircee, ) satisfaction. The entertainir nt s- mo iintel l y j singiug the National Anthem. '1 he proceed* of both meetings realised about H3o.

prevent further complications, we would urge upon them the advisibility of their meeting together at the earliest possible date to decide upon the best candidate for the new seat. There will thus be no surprise, we shall get accustomed to our leaders before the struggle commences, and we shall know how C, to put off all pretenders.