The North Wales Express

LLANDUDNO. PLOUGHING MATCH.-The second annual match came of on Saturday at the Ferry Farm, Llan- dudno Junction, and despite most unfavourable weather—rain falling heavily and almost inces- s intly—attracted a larga number of spectators. Tliere were 25 teams entered in the two classes. and the work on an average was remarkably good. The judges were Messrs W. Foulkes, Bron- fman, Llysfaen J. Edwards, Tynycoed, Eglwys- ?I y baeh and W. Thomas, Niwbwlch, Bangor, whose awards were—First Class 1, Owen Lewis, Fag- wyr, Llangefni; 2, David Davies. ploughman with Mr Owen Jones, Bryngosol, Conway 3, Pierce Morris, Croesau, Llansantffraid, Glan Conway; 4, Thomas Hughe Llan, Llanelian 5, Robert Jones, ploughman with Mr E. Elias, Gorswen.— Second Class: 1, Elias Jones, Plas Iwrog, Eglwys- kwh; 2, Moses Jones, Bwlch, Tywyn; 3, Robert Roberts. Gloddaeth-isa; 4, John Griffith, Glany- wern, Mochdre; 5, W. Owen, Ferry Farm, Llan- dudno Junction. Mr George Felton offered special prizes for the best teams on the ground, the judges being the Hon. Henry Mostyn, Mr Evans (Plastirion), and Mr Felton. The teams were thus placed—1, J. Foulkes, Hendre; 2, J. Pritchard, Glanywern; :3, J. Slias, Gorswen; 4, D. Phillips, Penrhyn. The arrangements were well carried out by a committee, of which Mr Charles Drover was the honorary secretary, the field stewards being Messrs D. Phillips, J. Foulkes, jun. J. Jones, Mostyn-st., Llandudno W. Jones, Bwlch; J. Thomas, Tanrallt; J. Owen, Ferry Farm; and Owen Pritchard, Glanywern. The annual dinner took place at the close of the ploughing, at the Ferry Farm Hotel. MARRIAGE OF THE HON. C. S. IRBY. The marriage of the Hon. Cecil Saumerez Irby (brother of Lord Boston) with Miss Florence Upton Cottrell Dormer was solemnised on Satur- day at St. Peter's, Eaton-square, London, the officiating clergy being the Revs. L. H. Bradford and T. H. Jones. The bride wore a dress of white satin, the bodice and bottom of the long plain skirt being exquisitely trimmed a wreath of orange blossoms, and a large veil fastened with diamond stars. She was attended by seven bridesmaids,—three of her sisters, two of the bridegroom's sisters, the Hon. Miss Saumerez, and Miss Anclei-soii-wlio were attired in white 8a,tin bodices made high, with a frill round the neck, over lace petticoats, long veils, and a wreath of myrtle nowers.—The best man was Captain Durham. The service was fully choral. The breakfast was at 4S, Albemarle-street, and in the afternoon the bride and bridegroom left for the Rivera. CHOICE IRISH ROLUKD BACON.—Both smoked and

CARNARVON. COUNTY S rssioxs.—On Saturday, before Capt. Wynn Griffith and other magistrates, Griffith John Hughes was fined 10s. and costs for ob- structing the highway at Llanrug. MARK MASONRY.—The annual installation in connection with the Elffin Lodge, 321, M.M., took place on Friday, in the lodgeroom of Carnarvon Castle, Bro. C. H. Rees being installed W.M. The I.P.M., Bro. T. L. D. Jones-Parry, M.P., P.P. G.S.W., after whose bardic name the lodge is de- signated. subsequently gave a banquet at the Royal Sportsman Hotel, a large party sitting down to the admirable catering of Mr and Mrs P ugli. THE INSTITUTE.-It is expected that Lord Aber- dare and Mr Mundella will be present at the formal opening of this institute, which is fixed to take place in April next. A public meeting to advocate the claims of the institute will soon be held. SCHOOL BOARD.—At Monday's monthly meeting, Mr W. P. Williams presiding, thirty applications were reported to have been received from certificated teachers for the vacant post in the boys' department. There were also four applications from ex-pupil teachers. Some discussion took place with reference to the desirableness of appointing two ex-pupil teachers instead of one certificated master, but eventu- ally the matter was deferred -It was decided that the Misses Parry and Davies, pupil teachers, should in future be paid at the rate of X21) each per annum. -The master (Mr J. D. Jones) reported that the result of the recent examination, so far as could be ascertained, was in every way satisfactory. HARBOUR TRUST.—The monthly meeting was held on Tuesday, Sir Llewelyn Turner presiding. A dis- cussion took place with reference to the lighting of the harbour.—Mr R. ap Hugh Williams said he ascer- tained that the price of gas was five shilling per thousand cubic feet, with ten per cent. for leakage. It was decided that the Harbour Committee should inquire whether gas was allowed to other large con- sumers at a cheaper rate and whether the trustees could come to similar terms. The receipts for Janu- ary showed a muck smaller return than that of the corresponding period of last year; but this was accounted for by bad weather,aud it was also explained that the return did not give actual earnings. THE schooner Annie,' of Liverpool, Henry Evans, Portdinorwic, master and owner, went aground on Beulas Rock in the Swillies, whilst coming down from Menai Bridge for Carnarvon, with a cargo of cement and whiting. She was towed off on Saturday with the assistance of a steamer and taken to Portdin- orwic. ON Sunday evening last, the Rev. D. J. Lewis, B.A., curate of St Mary's, preached his farewell sermon, prior to his departure for Llanddaniel, Anglesey. He selected as his text 2 Cor. xiii., 13th verse. It is reported that the Rev. Morris Roberts, formely curate in charge of Llanddyfnan will succeed Mr Lewis at Carnarvon. TOWN COUNCIL.—At Tuesday's monthly meeting, Alderman Lewis Lewis (the Mayor) presiding, the report of the Finance Committee showed that the sur- vevor of income tax had sent in a claim for rC 1,500 in respect of the £ 15,000 water rate, and the town clerk was requested to write to the surveyor for an explana- tion as to why the Corporation was charged income tax on waterworks.—There were several applicants for the post of keeper of the town slaughter-house, the one appointed being Mr John Hughes, Crown-street, who will be expected to devote his whole time to the duties of the office.—The Water Committee recom- mend the construction of a reservoir on Twthill Bach, in order to provide an ample supply on the Ysgubor Wen estate. It was decided that plans showing the proposed reservoir be prepared.-Dr Kirk complained that the Sanitary Committee in their reports to the general meetings did not specify the nuisances whioh had been abated. He thought the Council should know not only what nuisances it was proposed to abate, but also which had been attended to. Several members pointed out that in committee what Dr Kirk referred to received every attention but to enter into iiiinute details of every trivial nuisance would monopolise the whole time of the general meetings.- Dr Rees, the district medical officer of health, re- ported fully upon the sanitary state of Tan'rallt and Cadnant-place, and it was decided that measures be taken to have the recommendations of the officer carried out, and that all house owners who did not comply with the orders of the Corporation should be proceeded against -The Town Improvement Com- mittee recommended that a petition be forwarded to the proper authorities, with a view of having the control of the Carnarvon Castle vested in the Mayor (hear, hear).—Dr Kirk asked whether the town walls were included in the suggestion.— The Town Clerk: I am afraid that some of the towers of Towu-walls have become private property since many yeal s.-Councillor T. Williams: The walls were robbed from the town in the first instance.-Aldermall G. R. Rees thought it best to leave the castle, which was at present very well kept, in the hands of the present con- stables.—Alderman Thomas Williams dwelt at great length upon the benefits which would accrue to the town br transferring the custody of the castle to the mayor and corporation, who, he thought, could k." .'p it in as good a repair as at present.—Dr. Kirk proposed that the recom- mendation of the committee be carried out. aud this was seconded by Councillor J. Williams.—Alderman G. R. Rees moved a negative amendment, which, however, found no eeeonder, and the original motion was carried.— A committee of five members was appointed to draw out the necessary petition.—This being the first meeting of the Council since the coming of age of Prince Edward, it was decided, on the motion of the Mayor, that an address, congratulating him on the event, be presented by the Couucfl to his Royal Highness—the first Prince of Wales having beea boru within the Carnarvon Castle.-A com- mittee was appointed to draw out the address.—A nega- tive amendment, which, however, found no seconder, and the original motion was carried.—Mr Baldwin Latham, C. E., was appointed to co Ifer wib a committee of the Council touching the schcuie far extcadiug the water- works above the present intake.

CLEAN GRATES, NO DUST ON FURNITURE. &c.- Birkett's Black Lead when tried proves itself the best and cheapest. Birkett s City and County Supply 8tQrr.;s) Manyor,

LLANGEFNI. AGRICULTURAL CHEMISTRY LECTURES IN ANGLESEY. -Tho first of these lectures was delivered in Llangefni, on the 29th ult., by Dr. Dobbie, of the North Wales University College. Bangor. The audience consisted of about 80 of the most successful and influential farmers of the county. Mr R. Davies, M.P., occupied the chair, and after a few re.N.-irks introduced Dr. Dobbie to the meet ng. The audience paid marked attention to the learned lecturer's remarks, and accorded him a warm greeting both upon his introduc- tion and at the conclusion of his address. That the masterly address was duly appreciated became evideat from the questions put to 0. Dobbie (at his own request), and from the remarks of the farmers after the meeting was over. Mr W. C. Davies, of the Bangor College, who accompanied Dr. Dobbie, translated parts of his lecture into Welsh. The Executive Committee met at the Town Hall, Llangefni, at three p.m., yester- day (Thursday), for the purpose of selecting six farms in different parts of the county, upon which to make experiments under Dr. Dobbie's instructions. More than fifty members have already joined the class, and several others are expected to do so. A cordial vote of thanks to the chairman (who had promised a sub- scription of jEo 5s) and to the learned lecturer brought this very successful meeting t,) a close.

HOLYHEAD. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The fortnightly meeting of the Guardians of the Holyhead Union was held at the Workhouse at Valley, on Tuesday, those present being Messrs. Richard Williams, chairman (presiding), Owen Parry, vice-chairman, Major General Hughes, Rev. J. Richards, and II. Edwards, ex-officios, David Williams, Robert Gardner, Richard Lloyd, William Jones, Griffith J. Griffith, Thomas Owen, Robert Jones, Joseph Williams, William Riva, Owen Hughes, Owen Edwards, E. R. Owen, Rowland Jones, John Williams, Hugh Jones, J. Lloyd Griffith, Edward Owen, Owen Williams, Robert Roberts, and James E. Hughes (clerk). The House.—From the master's report it appeared that the number of inmates at present is 54 as com- pared with 84 at the corresponding period last year. Admitted during the fortnight, 2 discharged, 8 died, 1 tramps relieved, nil; children attended school, 18. Financial.-The clerk reported that the following amounts were distributed in out-door relief during the preceding fortnightIn Holyhead district, by James Lloyd, to 572 paupers, £ 112 8s. Decrease on corresponding period last year,—paupers, 170 relief, £ 10 5s. Aberffraw district, by Richard Parry, to 340 paupers, £62 is. Increase,—paupers, 37 relief, X2 19s. Bodedern district, by Robert Parry, to 276 paupers, JE55 17s. Decrease,—paupers, 7 relief, ,e22s. Distributed to 73 non-settled poor, X5 17s 6d. Balance in treasurer's hands, £1,140 4s 2d. Dietary Tables.—The clerk having read over the new dietary tables for the inmates of the workhouse, Mr Gardner proposed, and Mr J. Lloyd Griffith seconded, that a committee be appointed to revise the tables. The motion was carried unanimously. Tree Planting in Anglesey. — In pursuance of notice of motion, Mr Gardner referred to the letter which had been a short time since received from Lord Stanley, in which he asked the Guardians t support the Bill which he intends introducing to Parliament in favour of the exemption of the county of Anglesey from the provisions of the Rating Act 37 and 38 Yic. c. 54. He ("Mr Gardner) was of opinion that the planting of trees would be of great benefit to the farmers of Anglesey as a protection for cattle and crops, and was of opinion that having found that Lord Stanley was desirous of introducing improve- ments, he should have their cordial support. He pro- posed That in the interest of this union it is desirable that more shelter from sea winds should be provided to protect our cattle and other stock, as well as our crops and grasses, and that in the opinion of this Board plantations in Anglesey ought to be exempt from the Rating Act 37 and 3-^ Vic c. 54." Mr J. Lloyd Griffith, who spoke a, considerable length, seconded the motion, and pointed out that the registered average force of the wind at Holyhead is much greater than in any other part of England or Wales.—General Hughes supported the motion,stating that he had come to the Board that day for that express purpose, as he deemed that the want of plantations to protect the crops and stock from the harsh winds which prevailed was the great drawback to the County of Anglesey, which otherwise was one of the most delightful islands it had been his lot to see in the course of his life.—Mr Joseph Williams also spoke in favour of the motion. Mr O. Edwards, in moving "that plantations in Anglesey ought not to be exempt from the provisions of the Rating Act of 1874," said lie was not surprised at Mr J. Lloyd Griffith seconding Mr Gardner's motion, as of course he was interested in supporting Lord Stanley, he being his lordship's attorney.—Mr Griffith': Order, order. I demand that Mr Edwards withdraw that expression. I am not Lord Stanley's attorney, and even if I was, Mr Edwards had no right to use such language.—Aft«r some confusion and loud cries of withdraw," Mr Edwards was understood to say that he withdrew the objectionable expressions. In continuation, he stated there was another side to the question besides the one which had been shown up to them, and he was not sure if it was not the real reason of the movement. The planting of trees would increase the cover for game of all kinds, and this instead of improving matters for the farmer would only make them worse in the in- creased damage to their crops. The question having been put to the (ballot) vote the result was for Mr Gardner's motion eleven, for Mr Edwards' thirteen, the original motion being thus lost by two votes. Interment of Paupers.— Mr Gardner reported that the committee which had been appointed had visited Llanynghenedl Churchyard to ascertain what accom- modation existed there for the interment of paupers who died in the workhouse, and informed the Board that for an outlay of f7 1 Os burial accommodation could be provided for the next five years. The further consideration of the matter was deferred. SCHOOL BOARD.-The monthly meeting- of this Board was held in the Boardroom, on Tuesday last. those present being Capt. Cay, R.N. (chairman), Capt. John Jones, Mr Joseph Williams, and Mr William Evans (clerk). Financial.—The Clerk reported the ^expenditure for the past mouth as follows —Salaries Head teachers, JE22 18s 4d; pupil teachers, < £ 20 8s 8d: monitors, E7 10s. New porch at Llaingocli School as per contract, £ 21 (Is other bills, f9 Gs 8(1. Lhangoch School.—A report was read from Mr Wm. Williams, architect, in reference to the leaky condition of the roof of Llaingoch School, and the tender of Mr Robert Roberts, Llaingoch, for its repairs was accepted. Miscellaneous.—Edward Jones, late senior pupil teacher at the Park School, was appointed ex-pupil teacher at a salary of 10s per week.—Several persons appeared in answer to notices summoning them b3fore the Board for non-attendance of their children at school, and were variously dealt with. THE WRECK OF THE ADMIRAX MOORSOM.'—In con- nection with this disaster it gives us satisfaction to announce that a subscription has been started to assist the widow and six orphan children (one of whom is a cripple) of Mr William Abbott, the second officer of the steamer, who lost his life in the endeavour to crain the deck of the American ship, Santa Clara,' at the, time of the collision. The list is in the hands of Mr John H. Stammers, Marine Hotel, Holyhead, by whom subscriptions will be received. THUNDERSTORM.—On Monday nisht last, a very severe storm of thunder and lightning, accompanied by a heavy downfall of hailstones of very large size, passed over Holyhead. The storm was of shcrt duration, commencing about a quarter to eleven o'clock, and lasting for about twenty minutes. The hghtning flashes were very frequent and unusually vivid, but no reports of any damage have come to hand. DYNAMITE ALARMS.—Rumours are rife that the dynamitards are contemplating attempts upon the Holy- head Railway Terminus and Hotel, and upon the Britannia and Conway Tubular and Menai Suspension Bridges. The Railway Company have, consequently adopted extraordinary precautions, an increased number of detectives and watchers haviug been detailed to attend the steamers to and from Dublin and Grcenore. All trains ariving at Hoiyhcad are also closely watched, and the passengers and luggage are closely sautinised. It is stated that special detectives have b*eii posted oil the Conway and Tubular Bridges. The report that the miscreant O'Donovan liossa has been shotseeluzi to give all class of people here unmixed satisfaction.

INDIGENT lie police of Carnarvon- shire are to be complimented for the manner in which they have been able to detect vendors of indecent pamphlets. Only six weeks ago two persons were sent to gaol for distributing obscene prints in Carnar- von. I heir stock in trade, NUMBERING ABOUT copies, was seized and destroyed. A week Hc;u a M III was brought before the justices atBangor and lined. He had also in his possession OI.K)0 copies, WHICH WTUV ultimately destroyed. Last- Tuesdav, a man and a woman were charged at the Bangor" Police Court j! 11' a similar offence, and the male prisoner was SENTENCED to tlu'eo mouths' mipu^umuvnU

pale call and see at Birkett's City and Count;/ Supply Stores, Bangor. GIRL'S GOSSIP.—At the Prince's Cinderella, one of my partners told me that a new fashion in dancino- is about to be introduced into England. It is that in round dances your partner is only to have one turn with you, and then is to go off and secure someone els> for the next and so on. I have occasionally divided a waltz in a somewhat similar way; but I am not sure that I should approve of this new idea. What is to become of the plelsant practice of sitting out ? You can't possibly sit on th* st lirs Ol" in the conserva- tory with two men. Or is the wretched man sup- posed to divide his attention at the end of the dance with all the women with who n he has made the tour of the room ? Or, suppose that he has danced a valse with three girls, and that each of the three has had two or more partners for it, what kind of chaos would take place at the end of it ? Is each girl to be con- signed to a (possibly) unwilling chaperon, and are the delightful intervals between the dances to be spent by the sexes apart ? FRUIT FOR DESSERT.—Birkett's Stores have now received the bulk of their Christmas Fruit. They wish to draw attention to its superior quality.

we will hope, very soon now. Mr Mundella has promised to do his very best for us, as you know, and I am perfectly sure the Welsh members, one and all, will spare no effort in their power to spur on Mr Mun- della and the Government to redeem their promise, so as to secure the passing of the Intermediate Educ ttion Bill during the present session (hear, hear). Think of all the vexatious restrictions that beset us, the -Non conformists, 30 years ago Vanished, almost all of them. Think of the freedom and security of the ballot box (hear, hear). Think of the instalments we have had of good things in connection with our land and game laws (hear, hear). Certainly, the legislation of the past may well make us hopeful for the future. Besides this, the legislation that must occupy the new Parliament for a long time must run in lines that have long been laid down, only that the locomotive power of the parliamentary engine was not strong enough to draw the heavily-loaded trains along them. How often at these meetings, in past years, have we spoken of the local government and local taxation questions ? Then there is a land question—how that has been flittering backwards and forwards before our eyes. Then there is the Merchant Shipping Bill, No doubt, Mr Chamberlain made some blunders at first, but I must say, as a shipowner, that all my sympathies are with him in his object, which is solely the protection of the livea and comforts of our sailors (hear, hear). E-1 hen there is the disestablishment question (hear, hear). For many years all these questions have been throwing their shadows before them; but, as I said, Parliament has not been strong enough to cope with them, for one reason—because not strong enough to cope with the unruly element within itself. But when the new blood-the fresh energy of the new electorate and the newly-ma-de constituences-runs in its veins, we shall surely see a change. There will be thousands of fresh county ratepayers added to the registers pres- sing for the County Government Bill. Thousands and thousands of agricultural labourers, in addit'on to be farmers, will, after this, be pressing on for reform in the Land Laws and thousands of sailors in the towns and villages around our coasts, who, for the first time will be able to bring their personal influence to bear on matters so closely connected with their own interests. As to the disestablishment question, I don't know what the result will be in England, I must say, but as to Scotland and Wales, there can be no doubt but that the voice and influence of the thousands of new voters will be in favour of the speedy removal of the last and only barrier between us and the establishment of perfect religious equality in our land (cheers). It is surely certain that the House of Commons, so invigorated and inspired, will be strong enough for any and a'.l of this great work. I know I am taking for grauted that the next Parliament will be a Liberal one. Surely it must be so (hear, hear). All the good results of previous Reform Bills have been the work of the Liberal party. All these future questions I have just alluded to must be dealt with on Liberal prin- ciples, if they are to be dealt with wisely and well I am glad to know that the great object of the Reform Bill is not the triumph of the Liberal party, but the giving to the nation at large the power of expressing its opinion and of course we must be prepared to abide by the result. But I feel very confident that the remarkable election we look for next year will result throughout England, as I am sure it will in Wales, in a grand Liberal victory the more so as such a Liberal victorv will be a glorious triumph to Mr Gladstone, who, as Mr Trevelyan well said, has crowned his enormous services by conferring on his country what is nothing less than a new constitution, under which we can have in the future no unwise or unrighteous government, unless the nation itself prefers to be unwisely or unrighteously governed -a choice which I hope, by God's grace, this nation will never make (cheers). On the motion of the Rev. J. Hillier, seconded bv Mr Owen Thomas (Neuadd), a vote of confidence in Mr R. Davies, M.P., was unanimously passed. Mr W. Rathbone, M.P., who was very enthu uastically received, said When I was asked to attend the annual meeting of the Anglesey Liberal Association, I thought it would, like ours at Carnarvon, be a conversation where I should have the opportunity of congratulating you on having such an admirable representative as Mr Davies- (hear, hear)—and of expressing my obligations to him for all the wise counsel and instruction I have received from him in all that concerns the welfare aud interests of Wales since I became his colleague. But I find I am desired to •ay a few words on general politics, which I will try to do. and then pass to a subject on which I think we ought all to be up and doing. After further remarks. Mr Rathbone continued I cannot sit down without sav- ing a few words on the subject of education. It is for Wales at this moment the most pressing question of pras- tical politics (hear, hear). And you in Anglesey have shown that it is a question very near your hearts. It has been the farmers of Angfesey and the quarrymen of Car- narvonshire and Merionethshire that have established by your enthusiasm, which has spread to the rest of the com- munity, the University College of North Wales (hear, hear). True, it begins life with the most brilliant pro- mise. It has a splendid staff of professors; they are delighted with the raw material they have to work upon with the intelligence aud enthusiastic devotion to educa- tion of the students: they have convenient buildings and a laboratory such as few colleges anywhere possess. But —and it is a but"—we must remove if Wales is to take her place with Scotland and the other well-educated nations of the world. But we are without a proper sys- tem of intermediate schools duly to prepare our students for the universities, and, what is even more important, to give to that large class who cannot go to college-to the sons of our farmers, our tradesmen, and artisans the very backbone of the community-an education which will not only enable them to compete in the strug- gle of life with Scotchmen and with Englishmen, but will make life worth living by enabling them to enjoy something more than the meat which perishcth," and to contribute their share to the intellectual progress and happiness sf mankind (hear, heir). To give to Wales colleges without intermediate education is, in the words of the humourist, "to give a man ruffles when wanting a shirt" (hear. heir). The shirts we want, to complete our intellectual clothing, are intermediate schools. Yon ought to have them you can have them if you are true to yourselves, as I am sure you will be (cheers). Now. remember 1 have not seen the Government Welsh Inter- mediate Education Bill, but I have read and studied the report of the committee on higher and intermediate education in Wales, and from that report, and from the experience of the last two years. I think I can judge pretty well of what the promised Bill must be, and therefore what it will he. Do not let us Le under any mistake. Government cannot, and, if wise, they would not wish to give us a system of intermediate education without our doing our part Ne.ther Sir Hugh Owen nor any other true friend of Welsh education has ever proposed that they should. Unless we are prepared to deserve and to make possible Government assistance by effort and sacrifice of our own. Government assistance could not, and would not be given, and would not benefit us if it could. N% hat We, then, have to consider is, what can we do, what arc We willing and earnest to do, to obtain for ourselves that essential to a true, worthy, and noble national life -a good system of intermediate education ? I looked into the report of the elsh Education Committee. They state the resources which must be looked to for the support of intermediate education are—1, Endow- ments connected with the Principality 2, voluntary contributions; 3. a local rate; and 4, a parliamentary grant. Let me tell you plainly it is simply hopeless to rely singly on any of these. We shall require them ail and, in my opinion, we cannot hope to get any of them singly, but we can get each on condi- tion of obtaining the rest (hear, hear). Take the endowments. Wales is poor in endowments, but even the small endowments she has would do much if not lasted, as many of them are shamefully wasted and misapplied, if supple Lented by the other resources to which I have alluded. But we can only hope to get the consent of the defenders of vested interests, always so powerful in this country, if we can appeal to Patriotism by showing that by applying these endow- ments to their legitimate use we shall obtain for education not only the amount surrendered, but twi :e or three times as much from other sources (hear, hear). Then as to the rate. People are naturally afraid of a rate they remember that they were led to expect that the education rate could never exceed 6d in the pound, and that it thus exceeded in some instances many times that rate. We must take care that this cannot occur again. We must not be satistied with estimates and expectations we must secure by Act of Parliament that in no case the rate can or shall exceed the !,(I in pound which H Owen calculated, and I believe rightly Calculated would be sufficient. On that limit we must insist (hear, heir). But here agaiu I should be hopeless of carrying such a rate through Parliament without the inducement of contributions from the other sources recommended by the committee. Lord Emlyn, one of the committee, and who on educational matters is a good Liberal, appendel a memorandum to the report, in Which he says, concurring in the report generally. It would not in my opinion be just or reasonable that the burden of providing this fund should fall, even to a limited extent, on the county rate, unless a grant of equal amount were made in every case from the consoli- dated fund. But we must have such a grant, and with it, I trust, Lord Emlyn's support and that of his party (hear, hear). I utterly disbelieve that with such grant Wales or the country will be so unjust as to refuse to the most heavily taxed and rated and industrious classes of the community any share in the educational benefit of their votes, to which, I repeat, they are the heaviest contributors. For whom are the intermediate schools mainly required ? For the children of farmers, of tradesmen, of professional men, and of those children of the labouring class who show that exceptional genius, ability, or industry which fit them for better and moie prolonged education that our elementary schools afford (hear, hear). And who, I again ask, are the classes on whom the education and other rates fall with most crushing severity ? Why, on the farmers, the tradesmen, the professional men, the better paid class of artizans. Are they to have no share in that education which their sacrifices secure for the masses of the population P No one who knows Wales w.ll believe that ?he will be so unjust, so unscriptural as to muzzle the ox that treadeth out her intellectual grain. Well, then, we come to the Government grant, for I will take the voluntary contributions last, because of the objects to which they can be best applied, and for which, I believe, they will be more readily forthcoming (hear, hear). It is true a Government grant has never yet, except in Ireland, been given for intermediate education. I ne<er could see the justice of this, or why the most heavily-taxed and industrious class should be thus left out in the cold. But we need not argue thus, for Wales has a large pecuniary debt due her from the country, and she may fairly claim that it shall be applied to that branch of education in which it will benefit her most. The committee say in their report, and remember that report was drwn by an Englishman who, as the ablest of the Endowed Schools Commissioners, knew the whole statistics and facts of educational wants. They say— Wales alone of the four component parts of the United Kingdom has received no aid from the national purse towards the promotion of that higher education, which has so long and liberally been supported by contributions from the National Exchequer; and that now, in this eleventh hour, justice as well as policy requires that something should be done to re- dress the balance of past neglect as well as to provide future improvement" (hear, hear). Well, something I has been done, all honour to Mr Mundella and Mr Gladstone's Government, for the steps towards justice to Wales, taken in the grant to our colleges. But, without going back on the past, and ask for arrears, those grants are not in proportion to the £ 40,000 per annum given to Scotland (hear, hear). Owing to Welsh patriotism and liberality, they will prove enough to establish our colleges, and we now ask that the balance due to us may be devoted to intermediate education if we show by our efforts and sacrifices that we are anxious for it, worthy of it, and therefore that we shall use it well. If we do this, we shall not ask in vain (hear, hear). Then we come to voluntary con- tributions. The wealthy in Wales will, as they have done in the colleges, follow your lead in this matter. If you show you are in earnest, I am satisfied that ther will provide means as they have done in Liverpool to establish scholarships by which the boys of exceptional industry ani talent in the elementary schools can rise into the high schools, aid from the high schools into the colleges, so that the ladder of education will bj complete and, resting on the solid basis of our great masses of population, may afford to every class the means of enjoy in-lit. of t'n cultivation of their higher naturJ a:ri the brighter spirits of our race may go to and fro on it in th fulfilment of those nobler duties for which GFl has fitted and intended them (hear, hear). Let me tell you this, those poor boys who have already risen from our elementary schools into our higher schools are found at the top of the classes, and, I am assured by the masters, are not only among the choicest, but among the best and most truly gentlemanly boys in them. Well, now, do you like my prophesy of an Intermediate Education Bill if you give us a lead in the struggle to obtain it ? Organize committees and meetings, say in no doubtful tones that you are willing to do your share in effort lIld sacrifice, and ask Wales and every class in it to do :heirs. Remember Almighty power works on the iide of right. Whatever ought to be done can be done. We .say Wales ought to have a good system of inter- national education. Then Wales can have it—and wm Irc dttermined Wales shall have it (loud cheers). Mr J. R. Davies proposed, the Rev. R. Jones (Llan- llyfni) seconded, and Mr Thomas Jones (Menai Bridge) supported a vote of thanks to Mr Rathbone, M.P., ac- knowledging also the great services reudered by him to the cause of education in Wales. The motion having been Ulanimously agreed b, C tp- tiinVerney (Liberal candidate for Backs) proposed, and Mr L'wis Hughes (Amlwch) seconded, a vote of eon tidence in the Government. Mr Pennant Lloyd, in supporting the motion, dwelt upon the agricultural depression, which he considered was not so bad as many persons imagined. The resolution having been passed, the proceedings closed with the customary compliments to the chair- man, proposed by Mr R Davies, M.P., and seconded by It Williams (Amlwch). At the delegates' meeting, Mr Thomas Jones, Bryn Owen, Menai Bridge, was elected president of the association. Mr Hugh Lewis, although strongly pressed, declined to continue in office owing to the pressure of private business. Mr Owen Thomas, Neuadd, Cem- maes, and Mr Hugh Lewis were elected vice-presi- dents, and Mr Jones, Amlwch, honorary treasurer. The report presented by Mr W. Thomas showed that the last registration resulted in a large Liberal gain.