The North Wales Express

The Return Home if Local Volunteers. ENTHUSIASTIC PEM-ONSTRATTON,S. On Thursday, Friday, -and Saturday there were demonstrations in various parts of North Wales to welcome home the service oompany of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers who had been engaged in the war in South Africa. Arriving at Southampton on Thursday morning, the company were at nijrbfc the guests of the Mayor and Corpora- tion of Wrexham at a banquet given in their honour. His urorship, in extending to Captain Keene and his men a hearty wel- come, said that they all felt sure that the prestige of the British Army and the fame of the old 23rd Royal Welsh had not suf- fered in their hands, and that they had proved themselves nobly worthy of that brave and gallant regiment (pheers). Captain Keene, in responding, gave a short outline of the company's doings in South Africa during the fifteen months they were cm service. They marched close upon 1,000 miles, sometimes on half rations, with clothing very often worn out and thread- bare. Of the 113 men who went out, fif- teen died in South Africa,, and over fifty had been invalided home. Captain Keene paid a splendid tribute to the unswerving loyalty, courage, and devotion of the men under his command. Xieutenant Atherley- Jones, Lieutenant Bamford, and Lieuten- ant Maurice Griffiths, who was mentioned in despatches "for gallantry, also spoke briefly. CARNARVON. The Carnarvon men were timed to reach Carnarvon from Wrexham shortly before eight o'clock on Friday night, and the in- habitants turned out in great force to give them a reception. It so happened, how- ever, that they travelled by a relief train, and arrived at the railway station about a quarter past seven, some time'be- fore the appearance of the Deputy-Mayor and Corporation .and the local Volunteers and their band to escort them through the town to the Drill Hall. When it became Known that- the men were actually in the station there was great anxiety shown by the crowd to catch a glimpse of them and cheer after cheer was raised. Some few minutes before the time appointed for the arrival of the ordinary train by which it was thought the men would travel, the Carnarvon Companies of the 3rd V.B. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, ooIDwanded bv Captains J. Williams and W. Lloyd Grif- fith, and their band ("conducted by Mr Ayres), and the members of the Town Council, &c., gathered in the station yard, and no sooner had the men, four in number, emerged from the station than they were greeted with loud and con- tinned ch-N.S. Hearty grips of the hand were exchanged, and the scene became an affecting one. The Deputy- Mayor having addressed <a few words of welcome to the men,who were sunburnt and bore traces of their long marches, a pro- cession was formed. A signal was given for a, start, and at a swinging step the ha-nd led the way, playing "March of the Men of Harlech." Crowds of people lined the streets, which had been gaily decorated, &nd the heroes of the evening, who, of course, were the centre of attraction, were accorded at most enthusiastic reception. Many of the shops, offices, &c., had! their points of vantage filled, and above them floated national flags. Outside the Drill Hall an immense crowd had .gathered, and "here the cheering was renewed with great vigour. Inside the hall there was a large audience anxious to witness fhe presenta- tion to the men of gold medals in com- memoration of their patriotic services. On the platform, in addition to members of the Town Council, were General Sir Husrh Rowlands, V.C., the distinguished soldier and Crimean veteran, the Rev J. W. Wynne Jones, M.A. (Vicar), &0. The proceedings -at the Drill Hall were conducted by the Deputy-Mayor, who said that he had great pleasure in extending a welcome to their fellow-townsmen who had just come home from South Africa (hear, hear). He felt sure that he wais spealring the mind of everyone present when he said that he was very frlad indeed to see these youngs men among them once toore (cheers). Captain John Williams endorsed the re- marks made by the Deputy-Mayor as to the pleasure it gave them all to see their comrades back aj?;ain .(hear, hear). He said that with the Carnarvon men had come the Llandudno and Holyhead Volunteers who had been in South Africa, and he felt sure that there was quite as good a wel- -come for them as for the local men cheers). I The Vicar remarked that he considered it a great honour to be called upon to speak on that occasion. Whatever people might say against the soldiers it must -e-ertainly be said of them that they had shed their blood for their country (hear, hear) —and he had not failed to emphasise this in the men's absence from home. He asked the men not to do anything that would give their enemies a chance of saying any- thing derogatory of them (hear, hear). Mr J. R. Pritchard s'aid that they had all been greatly interested in the doings of the Volunteers during the campaign. They had won for themselves a name for bravery by the manner in which they bad endured sufferings and hardships, and, he -should liko to say pointedly, by the humane *way in which they had treated the enemy (cheers). The speaker referred to the pre- sence of General Rowlands, and said that it reminded some of them of the great recep- tion which was accorded the General in the town after the Crimean -war, when he was dragged through the streets to his home in T/lanrug. Mr Richard Thomas observed that there was gladness in the town because those heroic young men had come back to their friends and their families. Their absence in South Africa had been a time of sad- ness to many. He hoped that they would take the advice of the Vicar to be hon- ourable in all their dealings, as they had nobly done their duty to the country and Empire (hear, hear). The Deputy-Mayor referred to the part, taken by ladies in the campaign, and said that he did not know what soldiers would have done but for the comfort pro- vided for them by the nurses (hear, hear). He was glad to say that one of these ladies belonged to Carnarvon, namely Miss Williams. Porthyraur (cheers). General Rowlands then presented gold medals, on behalf of the town. to the fol- lowing: Mi.sis Williams, Porthyraur; Privates G. Jones, W. Tilling, G. Langton, Percy Evans, G. Willitims, H. Hughes, J. Williams, and Corporal Vaughan. The last four had returned home some time ago. The medals, which were supplied by Messrs Humphrey Williams and Son. jewellers, Carnarvon, bore the arms of the borough 0,11 one sido and on the other a suitable inscription. To each recipient the General spoke a few appropriate words, and subse- quently. addressing the audience generally, be said that he could assure them that it gave him the greatest possible gratifica- tion to be there that, night. He could not j i-'c^omesaf upon anything done in Soutl]. Africa, became those young fellows who had just returned would shut him up in a minute (laughter). But he 'had read the newspapers, and had found that the sol- diers had been in tight corners; they had gone through a great deal of suffering. The* Voliuirteers, Militia, and Auxiliary forces had by their conduct in the cam- paign won the admiration of all; they had fought side by side with the regulars and had held their own (cheers). The National Anthem having been sung the proceedings terminated. A PUBLIC DEMONSTRATION. Saturday was a memorable day in the history of the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. It was the day appointed to give a public welcome to the 35 men who had returned from South Africa. The weather was' brilliant, and the town, which was crowded with people, presented a bright and animated aspect, being gay with flags and d'ecorations. Shortly after noon the battalion, which oomprises companies drawn from Port- mad oe, Pwllheli, Dolgelley, Carnarvon, Holyhead, Llanrrvst, Conway, Llandudno, Penygroes, Llanberis, and Penmaenmawr, altogether numbering about 700, paraded in the Castle, in command of Col. C. H. Rees, whose eonnecticn with the battalion as its commanding officer expires this month. Headed by the massed bands of Carnarvon, Holyhead, and Penmaenmawr, Mr Ayres conducting, the Volunteers marched to Christ Church, the bells of which rang out "Home, sweet home." Nome but Volun- teers were admitted into the sacred edifice, which was soon filled with men in red coats and khaki. The service, which was con- ducted by the Vicar (the Rev J. W. Wynne, Jones, M.A.), opened with the singing of i the well-known hymn "0 God, our help in ages past," and' after prayer a short address was delivered by the Bishop of Bangor, who based his remarks on Psalm 140, 7 "0 God the Lord, the strength of my salvaAion, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle." In the course of his discourse his lordship observed that there were two ways in which people generally talked of the army. There were those who regarded the army as an honourable profession, and that a man when he became a soldier stood a chance of becoming also a better man, and that discipline and mixing up with other men would teach him Christian virtues. Such, he thought, were the opinion and feeling of those assembled in that sacred building, as' well as the majority of the people of this country. There were, how- ever, many who held a, different opinion. They knew what was said and' written by some when a battalion of the territorial regiment marched through the lengtn ana breadth of Wales, and what was also said during the South African war. These people talked as if the army were & school of vice, and that a man when he enlisted degenerated and became a blackguard. There being these two opinions the men who had returned home would necessarily be watched—they would be marked men by those who loved the soldiers, and also by those who would be o.nly to glad to find a stone to throw at them. When they were on outpost or picket duty in South Africa the safety of their comrades was entrusted to their care, and now when, they were re- turned to the peaceable duties of home something more precious than the lives of .their comrades were in their keeping, viz., their own honour and good name. The service concluded with the singing.of "God save the King." Afterwards the men .marched to Castle square, where a stand had been erected for the accommodation of officers' wives .and other ladies. The men in khaki were called! forward, and each was presented with a silver matchbox, bearing the crest of the battalion as a souvenir. Their names are—Privates Percy Evans, G. Jones, George Langton, and W. G. Til- ling, Carnarvon; J. T. Arnold, R. Jones, P. J. Lewis, and R. Williams, Portmadoc; L. A. Griffith, A. Helstrip, E. Moore, F. W. Parry, and G. Williams, Llandudno; J. D. Jarvis and R. Morris, Llanrwst; W. A. Atkinson, R. Burnell, R. O. Jones, J. Lewis, and O. Williams, Holyhead; Cor- poral J. H. Vaughan, Private H. Hughes, G. Williams, and John Williams, Carnar- von W. Thorpe and S. Williams, Port- madoc Sergeant-Instructor Hunt, Pri- vates J. Jones, E. Williams, and R. E. Wil- liams, Conway; F. Mercy, Llandudno; O. B. Simms, Llanrwst; S. Ball, G. F. Mo- Ilroy, and R. F. Mcllroy, Holyhead. Each man as he approached! the stand was ac- corded! a most hearty reception, General Sir Hugh Rowlands being among the spectators. The presen- tation was marked by one pathetic incident. When the name of Private Lewis. Holyhead, was called, a hush fell upon has comrades, which spread to the body of the crowd) as it became known that poor Lewis had died on his way home. Addressing the men, the Lord-Lieuten- ant (Mr Greaves), who attended as hon. colonel of the battalion, said that they ( were assembled to celebrate a memorable ana unprecedented event in the history of the battalion, an event which, he believed, would be looked back upon with pleasure and pride. They were present to welcome their brave comrades home from the most trying and arduous campaign ever known in the annals of the British army, and the wel- come extended to them was so enthusiastic because they had cheerfully and bravely encountered all the hardships which were inseparable from such a campaign. They were honoured because their pluck and patriotism prompted them to place their lives at the disposal of their country in Ler hour of need. All were proud of the part they had taken in a great struggle for liberty and justice, a struggle which had brought out the best tradts of the British character, and which had knit the Empire together in a way which a hundred years of diplomatic effort would have failed to ac- complish (beer, hear). Whatever might be the result of the campaign, it had im- measurably raised the status of the volun- teers, who wc-e now acknowledged to be an indispensabi branch of the British .army, and there were signs that the volunteers would be treated with greater considera- tion and liberality. The country was un- der an obligation: to the volunteers, both from the mother country and the colonies, for having demonstrated to the world the immense reserve of power that the Empire now possessed; but what they were more proud of was the manner in which their troops had behaved, for even the enemies of this country had acknow- ledged that both in battle and in the hour of danger the British soldiers were no less than heroes (cheers). In conclusion he asked the gathering around him to show their appreciation bv giving the men three hearty cheers, and the request was readily complied with. Subsequently the battalion went through a few military movements in the Park, snd thence nwirched to the Pavilion, where a substantial dinner awaited them. On the floor of the building were arranged eleven tables, one for e>a.cb company, together with I an additional table in the middle, cnlled "The South Africa Table." which was re- served for the "men in khaki." The tables r/ere ooiisiruefced W Mr R. J. Davids, who, by a device, of his own, was a.Mo to dispense entirely with naiK with too result that the tables coald be put up or taken dswn with ease and promptness. The. platform and the! galleries were crowded with spectators, who were admitted) by ticket. The Pavilions was very artistically decorated with 1lags, bannerettes, &c., :the work of decoration 1 being entrusted tc. Mr Thomas Jones, cu,s- todian of the Conservative Grab, who was g assisted by a number of Naval Reserve men. E The ( general arrangements for the dinner, which passed off without a. hitch, thanks to the excellent catering of Quarter-Master Armstrong, »twere in the hands of Mr J. H. Rees, cashier of the Old Bank. The cook-1 ing was done by the regimental cooks, while Mr Elien, of the Royal Hotel, made and bailed 100 plum puddings. The following ladies attended at the Various kbles;- 1 South African Table: Mrs C. H. Pvees and Mrs D. H. Joixe^, i Hamer, Wawn, Williams, E. Williams, Jones-Ro-i berts, K. J. Jones. | First Table: Mrs J. H. Rees, Mrs Brocklebank, Mrs George Omen, Mrs Bowen Jones, Mrs A. K. Me uies, Mrs Mathews, Misses Brocklebank, and Miss E. Q Brocklebank. B Second Table: Mrs Whiskin, Mrs W. Hughes, Mrs Jackson, Misses Hughes, E. Hughes, M. Edwards, Owen, and G. Owen. Third Tablie: Mrs Parry, Castle street; § Mrs, E. Evans, Misses Parry, L. Evans,! Kerruish, Crowther, Hilda Griffith, andl Owen. g Fourth Table: Mrs Armstrong, Mrs R. O. Roberts, Mrs Nath. Roberts, Mrs R. E. §j Evans, Mrs J. Evans, Mrs Griffith, Misses § Pugh and Hamer. j| Fifth 'Table: Misses Morris, E. Morris, 1 and W. Morris, Bronmenai; Misses Han Williams, M. Williams, Capon, and Milly Williams, and Mrs Fraser. j| Sixth Table Misses Cousins, Eryldon; || B. Cousins, Williamson, Jones, E. Jones, ji N. Jones, M. Williams, and K. Pritchard. Seventh Table:* Mrs J. M. Owen, The Anchorage; Mrs Trevor Owen, Mrs W. M. | Roberts, and Misses Thomas, Jones, V. | Davies, Jones, and! Ames. | Eighth Table: Mrs B. Newton, Ingle- » side; Misses M. Newton, Sally Roberts, | Clayton, Menzies, E. Menzies, A. Thomas, | and Mrs Mostyn Roberts. jjg Ninth Table; Misses L. Rees, A. Rees, B. Rees, Plas Brereton; Mrs L. R. Thomas, jji Misses Williams, N. Rees, and M. Watkin Roberts. || Tenth Table: Mrs Llewelyn Jones, Sf g- ontium road South; Miss Pritch ard; Mist es || Pritchard, Tower House; Laura Pritchard, ||j Jones, Evans, and Mrs Dand. if The following gentlemen also assisted — Messrs J. Fletcher; R. P. Williams, Ship a:nd Castle Hotel; David Evans, "Purf square; J. Crispin, J. Issard Davies, J. R. Williams, C. Wawn, T. M. Lloyd, E^an Evans, Bowen Jones, J. Menzies, H. Voyd, -Carteir, J. mien, W. Brocklebank; M. T. Morris, J. R. Morgan, Prince of Wales] Hotel-; J. R. Hughes, North roetd; Thomas! Jones, Tanybryn; G. F. Jackson, Old! Bank; H. W. Roberts, North roadj Glenigj Jones, Willie Jones, B. Newton, J5. Ro- berts, Glandwr; D. T. Edwards, John Ed- wards, Axvania Ernie Jones, Noel Robson, C. Howard, Custom House; M. E. Nee, Trevor Owen, J. M. Owen, Dr Fraser, Messrs R. W. Newton, Edward Parry, builder; William Paynter, Alwynne Car- ter, W. M. Roberts, A. Williamson, North road; and David Thomas, Bryngwyn. Before the men separated about 700 pipes and half-ounces of tobacco, supplied by Captain Tom Williams, Bangor street, were distributee among them. It should be stated that the whole of the expense was defrayed by the battalion. PORTMADOC, If the "send off" to the Portmadoc Vol- unteers, last February twelve month, was a memorable affair, it wap surpassed by the "welcome home" accorded the men on Sat- urday. The whole town was gay with de- corations. The Cambrian Railwaymen had erected an arch by the station gates, and had put up thereon words expressive of their kindliest thoughts. A large arch reached over the road between the Sportsman Hotel and Lower High street Post Office, and on the cross beam were the words "Welcome Home." The Fountain opposite the Police Station was made to appear like white marble, with the "Red Dragon" and "R.W.F." painted thereon. Spanning the street from Messrs Davies and Sons' shop to the other side was a beautiful arch, with the words "Croesaw Calon" painted en a white ground. Thg appearance of High? street from Parkl square was exceedingly picturesque. At the Volunteer head- quarters was another .splendid arch giving a. "Welcome Home to our Comrades." There were other beautiful arches near the Conservative Club, London Tea Warehouse, &c. The town was never better decorated. The Volunteers, commanded hy Captain J. R. Prichard, left Portmadoc, on Satur- day morning foT Carnarvon to meet the men—Privates J. Thomas Arnold, P. J. Lewis, Robert Jones, and Robert Williams. Early in the afternoon a telegram came from Captain Prichard to Mr W. H. Evans, the active secretary of the Reception Com- mittee, saying that he had seen the men and that they looked well. The Pwllheli Volunteers also went to Carnarvon, and all of them took part in the reception pro- ceeding at that place. At 7.30 the men, accompanied by the two companies of Vol- unteers, arrived at Portmadoc. The sta- tion, the approaches, and the highroads were crowded with people. The moment the train came in and the men made their appearance, and after the sound of fog signals had ceased, the vast concourse hailed the young heroes with "Hurrahs!" They were received by Dr Jones Morris. vice-chairman of the Council, on behalf of the town (the Chairman being unable to be present). A huge procession was formed by Captain Prichard, assisted by Captain Freeman, in command of the Pwllheli Vol- unteers, and headed by the Beddgelert and the Portmadoc Volunteer Bands, marched to Tremadoc, there being in the proces- sion Oddfellows, Foresters, members of the Council, and others. At Tremadoc there was a splendid arch, with "Welcome Home to our Bobs" on it, the wording re- ferring to Bob Jones a.nd Bob Williams, native,g of Tremadoc, who were returning from South Africa. The men had a magni- ficent reception. The buve procession then returned to Portmadoc, the en- thusiasm of the people being unbounded. When the procession reached the Town Hall, Captain Pritchard called for a wel- come chepr to the men from Portmadoc, and the request was at once complied with. The march was afterwards resumed, and all the streets were paraded, and the bands plaved. There was a public supper at the Town Halt, followed by a concert, under the presidenev of Dr Jones Morris. Miss Paull had cha.r;<« of the catering, assipted hu n Ifirve number of voting lpdi^. :Mi<:s M. C. Williams, Miss Puttie May Roberts, Mr Ezra. Lewis i blow Eifion). Mr R. Llew- elvn Evans, and »tliers, took part in the concert. Miss Cric-. and Mr R. E. Jones were the ancompa-Ui^ts. Master T. TT, .Tonas. Penrhyn, recited. Lieutenant- E. nowen Jonas, ínrskr, who Iatel\ returnee* f-om South Africa. ?'.fs IlJsO in tho Pr0ocs- -on. Mrs Cnptaiu Prichard presented| r ,d. of thr re en silver mate- box axB a mement 1 I HOLYHEAD. Holyhead was on. Tuesday evening en fete, when many thousands of the inhabit-! e ants had turned out to give a reception to seven members of the H. Company of the [ 3rd Volunteer Battalion Royal Welsh Fusi-J liers on their return from service in South' | Africa. The proceedings commenced withi a short service at the St. Cybi^Church, when | the company, under Captain W. H. I Edwards, J,P., Lieutenant Rice R. Wil-j jf liams, Surge -Lieutenant Hughes, andj (Sergeant-Inst: ctor Oush, attended, thej ^church being crowded. Subsequently the s company marched to the Marine square, j where an open-air demonstration was held, 'presided over by Mr W. D. Jones, J.P., [chairman of the Holyhead District Council, (who refered to the gallant and noble ser- vices rendered "by the Welsh Volunteers in South Africa. Twenty-one members from Holyhead 'had volunteered to go out, and they were glad to welcome seven of them j back, but it was with deep regret that they [remembered that one of the party, John [Lewis, 'had died on the return voyage. An ■ illuminated address was presented to Capt- ain Edwards, and a sold memento to each I of the men.—The Uishop having addressed ,the crowd, the Volunteers and the members of the Urban Council and others repaired to the tbe London and North Western .Railway Hotel, where they were enter- tained at dinner by Captain Edwards. It is with profound regret that we an- nounce the death of Alderman W. J. Wil- iams (Mayor of Carnarvon), which took place at his residence, Gwynfa, North road, on Monday morning. Mn Williams had been confined to the house for some weeks suffering from an incurable and insidious disease, but even so late as Sunday he was able to leave his bedroom, and in the fore- noon he saw a number of friends to whom 8 he remarked that he felt better. Later in 8 the day, however, he began to suffer pain, and went to bed from which he never rose again. He was hopeful almost to the last that he would recover, and on Saturday, at the annual meeting of tbe Carnarvon Board of Guardians, of which he was chair- man last year, a letter was read from him returning thanks to the guardians for thei expression of sympathy and "wishing to be with them soon." A similar communic tion from him was read at the last meeting of the Carnarvon Town Council, and it was plain that he was altogether ignorant off the dangerous character of the disease.from which he suffered, — cancer of the liver. Mr. Williams was a gentleman of splendi physique, and it is sad to reflect that he is no more. The first intimation given to the spublic that his health was giving way was at the time of the death of Queen Victoria. 8 As chairman of the Board of Guardians it j devolved upon him to propose a vote off condolence with the Royal family in their bereavement, and whilst moving the resolu- tion he completely broke down and request- ed the clerk to read the proposition, add- ing that he felt very unwell. Some thre months ago a marked change was notice- able in his appearance, and he went to Llandudno for a change of air. He re- turned to Carnarvon and resumed his duties, and not only did he preside oven the proceedings at the police court, but took part in the deliberations of the C-oun cil, which held special sittings to conside the Baptist street improvement scheme. I' was evident, however, that his health had been undermined, and he was forced to relinquish all work, public and private. He went a second time to Llandudno, where lie stayed a few days, returning home without having benefited in the least. His com plete confinement to the house followed, and it was only on one or two occasions that he was ablei to take a drive into the country, But though unable to leave his residence he continued to take the greatest interest in local affairs. The news of his death was re- ceived with deep grief throughout the town. The shutters of places of business were half-drawn, and flags were hung at half-mast on the Guild Hall, the Reform and Conservative Clubs, and other build- ings. Mr. Williams occupied a prominent place in the public life of the town. He was twice mayor of the borough, being elected for the second year in succession in November last, and as councillor and alder- man he had for many years been regarded as one of the soundest and most trusted members of the Town Council. He was an excellent chairman of the Finance Com mittee of the Corporation, and it will not be an easy matter to find a successor who will exercise the same care and foresight in dealing with matters of finance. Mr. Wil- liams was born at Bethesda in 1839. and at! an early age worked at the Penrhyn Quarry. He devoted his scanty leisure toj study, and with such excellent results that, though at 18 he knew no English, three years later he won his Queen's Scholarship,! and entered Bangor Normal College, where! he went through the ordinary two years'! course, securing at the close of his college course, securing at the close of his college course the Government certificate as an ele- mentary schoolmaster. His first and only school appointment was the head-master- ship of Bethel British School, near Car- narvon, which he held for 14 years, only re-|j linquishing it to undertake the duties ofl secretary to the North Wales Quarry men" si Union. He filled the latter post for about ^0 years, resigning in 1897, shortly afterl he termination of the last lock-out at thel Penrhyn Quarries. That struggle, it mav be stated, was brought to an end as the re-f suit of negotiations opened by Mr. WiI-§ hams, on the one hand, and Mr. H. LloydB arter, a member of Lord Penriivn s firm ofl solicitors, on the other. In 1877 Mr. Wi/J iams qualified as an accountant, being! f\^ted in the following year a member ofl he Society of Chartered Accountants ofj| J^reat Britain and Ireland, and up to thea line of his death he carried on business inB tnat capacity at Carnarvon. He visitedg insula and the United States in on« oeiiaIf of the Quarry-men's Union, and onaj 's' return he presented a valuable report^ 2^ the slate quarries of those countries.g afterwards gave evidence before trcfl ioval Commission on Labour, and ijis cx-J Pc;'1 ^nviedge of quarrying natters *<>■ Iimpressed the authorities that he was shortly afterwards offered a seat on the Special Quarry Commission which inquired into the state of the quarrying industry throughout the kingdom. It was only on Saturday last that a successor to his Wor- ship as chairman of the Carnarvon Board of Guardians was lected, and it is only a month since that he retired from the presi- dency of the Carnarvon Free Church Coun- cil. He was also a member of the Carnar- von Governing Body under the Welsh In- termediate Education Act. A staunch Nonconformist, he had always been promin- throughout the kingdom. It was only on Saturday last that a successor to his Wor- ship as chairman of the Carnarvon Board of Guardians was lected, and it is only a month since that he retired from the presi- dency of the Carnarvon Free Church Coun- cil. He was also a member of the Carnar- von Governing Body under the Welsh In- termediate Education Act. A staunch Nonconformist, he had always been promin- ently identified with the public movements and institutions of his denomination — the Welsh Congregationalists. He held the office of deacon and of secretary to the Salem Welsh Congregational Church; auditor to the Welsh Congregational Union local secretary to the London Mis- sionary Society treasurer to the North Wales Congregational Theological College, and similar positions of trust. His staunch Nonconformity was naturally allied to a robust Liberalism. His services in var- ious capacities to the Liberal party can hardly be over-estimated. As secretary to the Carnarvon Liberal Club and the Car- narvon Liberal Association, he has necessar- ily had to play a prominent part in the hotly-contested elections which have of re- cent years made the Carnarvon Boroughs notorious. As secretary to the South Car- narvonshire Liberal Association, and as Parliamentary agent to Mr. Bryn Roberts, M.P., he had been the means of maintain- ing at a high degree of efficiency the party organisation in the southern part of the county. He always represented the Lib- eral party in the Registration Courts for South Carnarvonshire and the Southern Boroughs. Compelled thus to be in the very forefront of all political contests in the county, he secured and retained, never- theless, the esteem and confidence of his political opponents than whom none more readily declare that strong partisan as he was he never sacrificed principle to party. Few public men have succeeded in winning the universal respect and esteem of all sects and parties of friends and foes which Mr. Williams undoubtedly enjoyed to the very hour of his death. Beyond this, too, his private benefactions, and deeds of perr sonal; kindness unknown to any but the recipients, and unsuspected by even his in- timate friends, are now beginning to be known. He leaves a widow, four sons, and a daughter, and a very large circle of friends to mourn his loss. The funeral will friends to mourn his loss. The funeral will take place at Bethel, to-day (Thursday afternoon), the funeral cortege, public for men only, being timed to leave the resid- ence at 1.30., when all the public bodies of the town will be officially represented. A short service wTll be held at Salem Chapel, terminating about 2.45.