The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter

Carmarthen Town Council. THE RESIGNATION OF THE SURVEYOR. A BATTLE FOR SECRECY. THE REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE READ. THE ADVISABILITY OF A PROSECU- TION DISCUSSED. NO ACTION TO BE TAKEN. A special meeting of the Carmarthen Town Council was held at the Guildhall on Tuesday. The Mayor (Mr H. Brunei White) presided. There were also present:—Aldermen C. W. Jones, David Griffiths, E. A. Rogers, R. W. Richards, Councillors J. F. Morris, H. Tierney, A. Soppitt, John Lewis, Walter Spurrell, C. If. "W illiams, J. T. Lewis, William Evans, D. L. Jones, T. Daniel, D. Parcell Rees, W. YauglIan George, Walter Lloyd, T. E. Brigstocke, James John, W. V. H. Thomas, E. Colby Evans, the Town Clerk (Mr H. M. Thomas), and the Medical Otlicer (Dr W. Lewis Hughes). DEFEAT OF THE HCSHING-UP rOLICY. The Mayor said that the first business of the meeting, as they would see from the agenda, was "To receive the resignation of the Borough Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances, and to take such steps as are thought, necessary." In relation to that he would point out that the Council had a Finance Committee, which was, ao to speak, carved out of the Council. All the members of the Council had not, therefore, the same privilege of going into the accounts as those who were members of that committee. It appeared that the Finance Committee had met some short time ago, and a point arose upon some payments made by the Borough Surveyor in connection with the Corporation work. At that time the Finance Committee did nothing, but adjourned the case until a few days afterwards. A second adjournment was made, and at the last meeting the Committee came to the conclusion that there were four charges, at all events, of descrepancios in the accounts of the Surveyor which came before them, and which were not explained in a manner satisfactory to any of the members. He might tell them that they had witnesses who came before the Committee, and gave evidence as to certain facts. The Surveyor was present at the time, and had an opportunity of making any explanation which he thought fit. The result of the enquiry was not satisfactory to the members of the Finance Committee, which, at a meeting held the previous week drew up a report, which was approved of and agreed to be submitted to the Council. A resolution was attached to that report, and carried unanimously to the effect that in view of the grave circumstances embodied in that report, that the Committee recommend that the Surveyor bo asked to resign all the appointments which he held under the Cor- poration. He (tho Mayor) did not know whether it was the pleasuro of tho Council that that report should now be read by the Town Clerk. It was no secret that imme- diately after the opinion of the. Committee was notified by the Town Clerk to the Surveyor, the latter intimated his intention of resigning. They had now to decide whether that resignation should be accepted, and, if the report were read, whether any other action should be taken. Mr C. W. Jones, after a few preliminary remarks, said My own impression is that it is unnecessary to further go into tho matter. The reading of that report would occupy, I believe, at least an hour, and wo should not be any the wiser at the end than we are now, because you have given us in a very concise form, Mr Mayor, what your Committee did upon this day week. I get up this morning for the purpose of proposing that the resig- nation of the Town Surveyor be accepted. I do not think it will answer any good purpose that we should discuss the matter further than what I have already said—that wo should accept his resignation, and wo ought not, at the saiiie time, to forget that the officer whose resignation has been sent in has been a faithful servant of this Council for tho space of eleven years. During the whole of that time up until now not a single charge has been brought against him ofticially to this Council. Since last Monday I had a short conversation with the Town Surveyor and—whatever the facts of the case may be- he assured me that he was perfectly innocent of anything that was brought against him. I then asked him why it was that he did not give a denial to certain things that were said against him at the last meeting of the finance Committee. His answer was that he was in sueli bad health that he really scarcely knew what it was he said, and that he had only got up from bed that morning to come to this meeting. [ asked him if was medically attended. He said, yes, that Dr Williams had attended him, and had given him permission to attend the meeting, provided he did not remain there long. It is not necessary that I should say more. I propose that the resignation of the Town Surveyor be accepted. Mr* E. Colby Evans said he thought in justice to the Council the report which had been drawn by the Committee should be read to the Town Council. The Council could not possibly decide as to what steps it ought to take until it was fully informed of the facts. He, therefore, begged to propose that the whole report be react. Mr D. Parcell Rees seconded. Mr J. F. Morris said that after all that had been said in the town he thought that in justice to the Council, in justice to the Surveyor, and in justice to the ratepayers at large—whose servants the Council were -that the whole report should be read, and that the Council should como to their decision upon it. The Clerk said that the report contained evidence on certain charges which might prove to be of a criminal character. They could not shut their eyes to the fact that there was a possibility of proceedings being taken on these charges. It was not a proper thing to publish before-hand the evidence which would prejudice the hearing of a criminal charge. There was a difficulty about that. He should like them to thoroughly understand that in ordering the reports to be read, they were doing some- thing which was inconsistent with the order- ing of criminal proceedings afterwards. Mr J. F. Morris asked how they could possibly decide what to do until tliey had heard the report read. The Clerk taid his remarks referred to the reading of the report iu open meeting. He dared say tho facts were pretty well known publicly, but that was quite another thing from the Council making itself a party to the publication. Mr W. Vincent. H. Thomas asked tho members if they did not think the Council would bo quite justified in asking the members of the press to leave out any portion of tho report which, in the opinion of the Clerk, it would be inadvisablo to publish. Mr D. Parcell Rees 1 think it is a public thing, and a public matter altogether. Mr James John said he had not consulted with the Town Clerk but,before the latter had spoken lie had arrived at exactly the same conclusion as he had. In the event of a public prosecutiou being taken, he did not think that evidence should be published which would prejudice the case either one way or the other. He was quite as much in favour as anybody could be of the town being put in full possession of all the circumstances of the case but he did not see how in justice the whole case could be made public at the present stage. 0 The Mayor said that the suggestion was then that the representatives of the Press be asked to withdraw. The Clerk If it is the wish of the Council to order it. The tMayor said he would ask the gentlemen fof the Pi-ess"-and he would treat them as gel) Lleiticii- at, present not to publish verbatim the report which they would hear read. He did not ask them to leave the room. Mr Tierney said that in the event of any legal difficulty arising afterwards, the Press mighk get into trouble themselves through publishing certain things. The Council could not get themselves into trouble through anything they did in the matter. The Clerk said that was not the aspect of I the case to which he referred. If the Council published the evidence they would be putting themselves in the position of a public prosecutor prejudicing the case in which lie was to appear. MrV\\ alter Spurrell I think it is a very reasonable thing to ask the gentlemen of the Press to withdraw until the report is read. I beg to move that they be so asked. Mr J. F. Morris I think it is much better to leave it to.their discretion. I shall not be a party to asking them to withdraw. Mr Tierney said that if they asked the Press to withdraw, it would mean that they were going to do something which thoy ought not to do. If they were going to do nothing of the kind, they had better allow the Press to reman. Mr Walter Spurrell Havo you any control over them if they do remain ? The Clerk I should say you have not. The Mayor said he would not ask the reporters to withdraw, but lie would ask them not to take a note of the report which would be read. Mr Tierney said that the representatives present would have to consult others connected with their papers before they could give any pledge. Some of those present would have to consult people in Cardiff before they could come to a decision. The Clerk You had better ask them to withdraw, or leave them in at their own discretion. The Mayor: Does anybody second Mr Spurrell ? Nobody spoke. The Mayor Then you are all unanimous that the Press remain. Mr W V. Howell Thomas At the same time they should use their discretion as to what they should publish. The Clerk then read the REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. This report was of a most voluminous character; and the manner in which the evidence of the witnesses and the defence of the Surveyor on each count were recapitulated, reflected great credit on the judicial ability of the Town Clerk. William Thomas and Owen Elias had appeared before the first meeting of the Committee and Evan Thomas and William Joshua before the second. It was explained that each Corporation employee kept a weekly time-sheet, which he tilled up weekly and delivered to the Surveyor and which appeared to be in the nature of a bill delivered to the Corpora- tion for services rendered. The Surveyor also kept a "labourers' day-book," which contained the entries of a similar character. The men were paid on Friday by the Surveyor with money drawn from the Bank for that purpose. The four cases which were brought forward consisted of instances in which it was alleged that the Surveyor had entered on the lists certain amounts of money as paid, when, as a matter of fact they were not so paid. In the first case Evan Thomas alleged that during the week ending January Ilth, he had baen paid Us for a day and a half, which he had worked, whereas ISa appeared on the pay-list for this item The Surveyor, on the other hand, alleged that during the week ending January 7th, Evan Thomas had worked on the Friday, which had not been included in that week's accounts on account of the time at which they had been made up. The other half-day was explained by the drawing down of tome stones to Penllwyn Park during the same week by Evan Thomas-suother item which was omitted from the sheet during that week. These are both sides of the case. The Town Clerk's report recapitulated the evidence of the witnesses called very minutely, and referred to the fact that some sheets which had been called for in the course of the investigations had not been found, and could not be traced. The second case was that of William Joshua. 309 for five days haulage was entered as having been paid to him, but the payee averred he had only been paid 24s for four days. The signature, William Joshua," on the sheet was repudiated hy the alleged signatory. The Surveyor denied having written the name, but afterwards admitted he had done so, explaining his action by the fact that he had wanted to send the completed sheet back to the bank -where they aro kept as vouchers—and had not been able to see William Joshua, to pay him the money, and take his signature in time. The Surveyor's defence as to the extra day was similar to the explanation put forward by him in Case I. The third caso was with regard to Evan Evans, who, it was alleged, bad only been paid 12s for two days' work, whereas 18s was debitted against him for three days. The Surveyor, however, produced receipts for the 18?—12s from Evan Evans himself and lis from his wife. He explained that he had not had enough money to pay Evans at the right time, and had, therefore, paid him 12s at the time, and come up to the Whito Horse-where Evans lives-and paid his wife the other 6s. The receipts bore out this statement. The fourth allegation was that the Surveyor bad twice entered in the sheets two loads of manure." for which David Thomas had be-n paid. In the second ease, atter the words David Thomas," the explanation "at Collards," appeared to have been added in another ink. The Surveyor ex- plained that theso entries referred to two entirely different transactions. One David Thomas was the landlord of the Market House Inn, and the other he had distinguished as an emyloyeo of Mr C 0 Collard a, of the Queen's Hotel, because he did not know his address One sheet was signed David Thomas." and the other D R Thomas"— the latter being the name of the landlord of the Market IIouso Inn. The Surveyor also made the general defehce that the whole thing was a plot which had been formed against him by Evan Thomas, William Thomas, and others, because he had opposed the Corporation hauliers having an advance in the pay. As a result of their deliberations the Committee decided, having regard to the grave character of the charges made against the Surveyor, and his unsatisfactory replies thereto, they regret that they have no other alternative but to recommend that he be asked to resign all his offices under the Corporation." The Mayor That is the report we desire to lay before you to-day. Mr David Griffiths said lie understood that Evan Evans had called with the Town Clerk. Was tho latter satisfied that the statement of the Surveyor with regard to the matter was corrcct ? The Clerk said he could only tell then what Evan Evans had said. He said lie had only done two days work for the week ending January 21st, but that there was a day's pay coming to him for work he had done before. He admitted having been paid the 12s, and that the 6s had been paid to his wife. Mr J. F. Morris Has the Surveyor given you any explanation beyond what he has given to the Finance Committee ? The Clerk Of what ? Mr J. F. Morris Of the whole charge. The Clerk No I cannot say that he has. Mr J. F. Morris You have had no further explanation from him. The Clerk He said lie was not in a fit state to explain himself at the meeting. The only charge which he has admitted and fully justified is this one of Evan Evans. He is willing to come to this meeting if asked. I told him that there was no necessity to come unless he was sent for. Mr D. Parcell Rees I believe the charges are all simply for this year 'I The Mayor Yes, that is so. Mr C. \V. Jones Has tho Surveyor given you any explanation with regard to the chargo brought against him with respect to the case of Thomas Joshua. The Clerk He has told me something about it. I did not care to press him for an admission. I would rather not tax my memory with what he did say exactly. Mr E. A. Rogers May I ask what is the amount against the Surveyor altogether ? The Mayor I think that is immaterial. Mr.E. Colby Evans It is 21s. Mr Walter Lloyd I should like to know if the Surveyor could give us any explanation in Joshua's case. The Mayor I am afraid if we get him here we shall have to have Joshua in as well, and go through it all again. Mr E. A. Rogers I think we, as" members of the Council, should know all about it. Mr C. H. Williams You have heard! the report of the Finance Committee. Mr E. A. Rogers We have not heard his defence. Mr W. V. H.SThomas'QHis' defence is in this renort. Mr Soppitt He had an opportunity of defending himself before the Finance Committee. The Clerk Audi bv the direction of the Finance Committee, f gave him a copy of this report. Mr Soppitt": Considering the grave nature of theso charges, and the report of the com- mittee, we nave ourselves appointed to investigate them, I beg to second Mr C. W. Jones's proposal that the resignation of the Borough Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances be accepted. The Clerk then read the following letter from Mi\John Morgan, and which was dated February 15th :—" I beg to resign my offices as Borough Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances from the above date." The Mayor then put the motion to the meeting and it was decidedjunanimously 11 _16 to accept the resignation. WHAT "OTHER STEPS" ARE TO BE TAKEN ? Mr W. Y. II. Thomas: I think the next business is to consider what other steps shall be taken in this matter. I think this is a matter which should not be overlooked, but ought to be gone into very closely by us as representing the town. If we are recommen- ded by the Clerk that we have a case, a criminal prosecutiou should :be instituted. I am one of those thatjsthink an example should bo made of any official who deals dishonestly with the Council. I should suggest the Finance Committee decide, and 11 report agailf in regard to this to the Council as early as possible. Mr J. F. Morris T take it that the Town Clerk could give us his advice on that point now. Mr C. 11. Williams I think the Finance Committee have made a recommendation. It is for the Council to decide. Mr \V. Vincent Thomas There is no sugt':e fion in this report one way or the other. That is the reason why I suggest that something definite should be stated. Mr Tierney I have been eager that matters should come towards their present pass. I have been interested in the matter from the beginning. I say it subject to the correction of those who are better acquainted with legal matters than myself that it strikes me that our duty as Town Councillors is to protect tho interests of the ratepayers. I think wo have gone far enough to protect them from any present or prospective injury or loss, and that the question of criminal proceedings is a thing altogether outside our duty as Town Councillors. It may be part of our duty as citizens and members of society. I speak subject to the correction of those who know the law. Mr David Griffiths Whose duty is it to prosecute ? The Town Clerk said he did not agree with Mr Tierney. The Town Council was situated in this case like a private individual in relation to his servant. In cases of this kind, prosecutions were generally at the instance of the employer and were seldom taken up by the police authorities as matters that the public welfare required to be taken up. It would appear rather a matter for the Town Council at large to decide than one which should be left to the consideration of the police or the Watch Committee, for the lattar to recommend to the police It appeared to him to be a matter which lay outside the scope of the Watch Committee, but which came within the powers of the Council at large. Mr C. W. Jones asked to call attention to one remark which had been made by the Town Clerk at the beginning. If it were not so he was quite willing to admit that he was wrong; but he understood the Town Clerk to say that if the report was read there would be an end of criminal proceedings the evidence having gone forth to the public' The Clerk I said that the publication of this report was not desirable in the event of criminal proceedings being determined on. I said it was to some extent inconsistent with a prosecution. The Mayor What is is your suggestion, Mr Thomas ? To send it back to the Finance Committee ? Mr W. V. H. Thomas Yes to recommend again. Mr E. Colby Evans We have done our duty. We have laid the case before you; it is for you to decide. In coming to a decision you ought to consider this question—whether you are likely to get a conviction or not. Mr J. F. Morris This is a point upon which I should like to hear something more definite from Mr Thomas [the Town Clerk]. Mr W. H. V. Thomas: That is giving the opinion quite away to the Press. The Clerk; If it is your wish that I should advise the Council, I am quite prepared to do so. The Mayor asked the Press then to withdraw. They had heard several questions argued, but this matter was obviously not one which should be discussed in public. Mr C. W. Jones said that the Council was now in the position of a client consulting his solicitor as to what action he should take in a particular matter. Such a consultation was always held with closed doors. The Mayor's suggestion met with general acceptance, and the Press withdrew. As the Press woro leaving, tha Mayor said he would communicate the result of the consultation. FUTURE ARRANGEMENTS. When the Press were again re-admitted, tho mooting was found to be:diacussing how the vacancies just created could best be filled up. Mr J. F. Morris said that having regard to what had passed, he thought that it would most certainly be wise and expedient that the offices of the Borough Surveyor and Market Inspector and Inspector of Nuisances should be entirely distinct. He could not help thinking that the whole was too much to place on tho shoulders of one man. In the near future the work of the Borough Surveyor would become heavier and heavier, in consequence of the work entailed by the carrying out of the new water-scheme. It was, therefore, necessary that tho offices should be entirely distinct. He moved that the office of Surveyor should bo held by one person and those of Market Inspector and Inspector of Nuisances by another. Mr D Parccll Rces seconded. The Mayor "agreed that the office of Sanitary Inspector should be entirely separate, as it was a most important one. His idea was to have the three offices held by two men. His own idea was to have a good qualified Surveyor, and to have I another man who thoroughly understood I sanitary matters to act as Market Inspector and Inspector of Nuisances. t Mr J. F. Morris said he would alter his motion so that the three offices should be divided amongst the two men in the way 0 suggested by the Mayor. Mr C. W. Jones I should like to know whether at any time the office of Market Inspector has been held by the-Supt. of Police. The Clerk said he could not say. There was nothing, however, to prevent the Supt. of Police holding such an office. Mr John Lewis supported Mr J. F. Morris's proposition. The Clerk said that the work of Inspector of Nuisances was one which required some scientific knowledge,, and they would not get a man with that scientific knowledge for £60 or £70 or Cgo a year. He suggested whether it would not be better to appoint one man to both offices-a man who was highly qualified, who had passed the examination of the Local Government Board. Let that man be Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances, so that the responsibility for all the steps taken in the Sanitary Department would fall upon them. At the same time he might have a deputy to do the daily visiting and so fourth in regard to the sanitary work. Mr David Griffiths I think that is a good idea. Mr Walter Lloyd said that in Cardiff they had certificated Inspectors of Nuisances for 28s a week. Mr Tierney said that at Tcnby they had Mr Preece James, a certificated man, as Inspector of Nuisances. He did not know what the man was paid, but Carmarthen would certainly be able to pay as much as a small place like Tenby. Mr James John said that Mr Preece James held the offices of Borough Surveyor as well as of Sanitary Inspector in Tenby. Mr Walter Lloyd said that they could ge a certificated man for 30s a week. Theret were plenty of masons and others who had passed the Local Government Board examination. Mr James John moved that the suggestion of the Town Clerk be adopted. In regard to the amount of work which would have to be undertaken in regard to the laying of water-pipes, it was necessary that they should have a thoroughly competent man to give attention to the matter. They would re- quire a man who had had a good training in his profession; and they were not likely to have that man for such a small salary as they would be able to offer for the surveyorship alone. A man of that standing would be less accessible, and would more likely be no respecter of persons than the ordinary carpenter or mason who had passed the Local Government Board examination. At the same time, he could have an assistant to do the daily visiting. He remembered that when the office of Sanitary Inspector was conferred upon the Surveyor, Mr J. F. Morris made a point in his election address by pointing out that by so doing they were depriving one man of bread and giving another bread and cake. By adopting this suggestion, however, they would not be depriving any man of bread, as two men would be employed. They would also have a man to whom the town could look up as the Borough Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances. Mr David Griffiths seconded the motion of Mr John. I Mr John Lewis: Who would have the authority to appoint this man—the .Surveyor or the Council ? Mr James John The Council, I should say. Mr E. A. Rogers said that if such a man were allowed to have an apprentice, or a young man to instruct, it would be a great encouragement to him to come. Mr E. Colby Evans Allow him to have a pupil. Mr C. W. Jones said he hoped they were not going outside the town to appoint a stranger as Inspector of Nuisances when they had many men in the town who could do the work. The Inspector of Nuisances had a good deal to do with the Medical Officer of Health, and acted under his instructions. The duties had been well discharged by the same man in the past. Mr W. Vaughan George It proved most unfottunate for the town, and for everybody connected with it. The dutier of both were neglected. The town was never in a worse position than it was since the two appoint- ments were amalgamated. Mr William Evans I may say that the ratepayers are unanimous that we should not give the two to the same man. Mr James John said that the ratepayers could not be unanimous," as several now present thought differently. Mr W. V. H. Thomas Does Mr Evans speak for his own branch of the "town, or for the whole town ? The Mayor: I think he speaks for his own constituency. Mr A. Soppitt: WTe are all ratepayers here. Mr T. E. Brigstocke said he was in favour of the appointment of two men, but he should like to have a man who could work with the Surveyor in carrying out the duties of Inspecior of Nuisances. Mr Walter Lloyd Under whose control I is he—the Medical Officer or the Surveyor ? The Clerk: In some matters he has to follow the advice of the Medical Officcr, and in others of the Surveyor. Mr J. F. Morris said that now that the water scheme would have to be carried out, the Borough Surveyor would be fully employed, and it was not fair to add to his that of Inspector of Nuisances. Ou being put to the meeting there voted-. For amalgamating the offices <j For separating g Mr E. A. Rogers It has beeu suggested that we should employ an accountant- The Mayor Never mind what has been suggested. Let us decide first on what we have in hand. Mr James John Wo had better finish first about the Surveyor. Mr Walter Lloyd I move that a surveyor bo appointed at a salary of .£200. Mr C. W. Jones May we know what was the highest salary ever paid to the Borough 0 surveyor ? The Clerk £ 200. Mr C. W. Jones What The Clerk JE200. Mr E. Colby Evans • I know Mr Hutchins had E200 for some time. The Clerk He bad it for three or four years then it was reducod to XT20. Mr E. Colby Evans Reduced to get rid of him Mr Tierney suggested that the salary should not be mentioned in the advertisement. It was like naming prices when they were advertising for tenders. Mr James John asked what man would apply for the place without knowing what the salary was going to be. He moved that they appoint a man who was a civil engineer. Mr W. V. Howell-Thomas seconded. It was important to have a man who was a civil engineer. They would Hot get any man to I apply until he knew what salary he was going to get. Mr James John suggested that the salary should be one starting at f, ISO". He would suggest too that the man be not over 35 years of age. A man who was a civil engineer and was over 35 years of age and had not settled down into a hetter crib" than this could not be worth much. Mr C. W. Jones said he moved as an amendment that the salary be ^150. When the late Surveyor .was appointed they had applications from ever so many passed men and the salary offered then was only i oo. That was another argument against extra- vagance. In these days competition was getting keener and keener, and the chances were that they would have many more applications when they offered £ 15 o. Mr D. Parcell Rees seconded. Mr W. V. H. Thomas said he did not see that the applicants on the occasion referred to could have been such a grand lot. The Council of which Mr C. W. Jones was then a member, of course appointed the best man and the applicants, therefore, could not have been such a rosy lot. Mr Griffiths, the Railway Tavern, was the runner-up at the time. For that reason he did not think they could not have been a very bright lot (laughter). Mr C. W. Jones I remember the time he was unanimously appointed. Mr E. Colby Evans I beg your pardon he was not by one vote. Mr C. W. Jones Well, all but one vote. I am pretty near the mark. Mr Walter Lloyd His majority was only one vote (laughter). Mr C. W. Jones He was appointed. There is no doubt about that. The Council in those days was anxious to have a man who could handle a shovel or a spade. We had had another class of men before. That was the reason John Morgan was appointed. Mr Tierney You won't get a .good man on these terms— £ 150. Mr C. W. Jones: Let us try the experiment. Mr T. E. Brigstocke said that the Council would shoitly have to; carry out more expensive works than had been undertaken in Carmarthen for the last half century. He, thetefore, supported Mr John's amendment I that the salary be £130. On being put to the meeting there voted- For fixing the salary at £ 150 G £ 130 12 Mr E. Colby Evans I think it would be better to have the duties of Market Inspector carried out by the Superintendent of Police. He would have more power than a Surveyor. Mr David Griffiths suggested that the Inspector of Nuisances be .Market Inspector. Mr James John moved that the Surveyor be Market Inspector. This latter suggestion was adopted. Mr James John I hope you will include, "No canvassing allowed," in the advertisement. Tho Mayor Personally'or otherwise ? Mr James John Let us vote. for the ,men on their own merits. Mr W. Y. H. Thomas It is an awful nuisance this canvassing. It puts lots of people in very awkward positions. Mr C. W. Jones It ought to be added, Canvassing a disqualiifcation." THE TEMPORARY ARRANGEMENTS. Mr James John moved that Mr B. A. Lewis, the manager of the Gas Company—who is a qualified civil engineer—should act as surveyor during the interregnum." Mr C. W. Jones and Mr John LeNN-is-botli of whom are directors of the Company- supported the proposition, which was carried nan. con. Mr James John moved that Mr B. A. Lewis be paid three guineas a week for his services. This was agreed to. Mr James John With a request that the Gas Directors do not dock him that sum (laughter). Mr C. W. Jones They are too respectable i a class of people to do that. Mr J. F. Morris That is only one of Mr John's ghastly jokes. Mr John Lewis moved that Mr Alcwyn Evans be asked to pay the men in the mean- time, and that he be paid Zio for his services. Mr Alcwyn Evans was the only accountant they had. Mr W. Vaughan George seconded. Mr E. A. Rogers said they had been carrying on their business in a very loose way in the past. It would be more economical for the ratepayers if a man was appointed as accountant who would take upon himself the duty of paying the labourers, and of checking all the goods which came into the Corporation yard by the invoices. They had better have a good man to look into the finances of the Borongli. If such a person had been appointed, they would not have got into the difficulty in which they were now. Mr James John Hadn't we better decide first about the Inspector of Nuisances ? THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A SANITARY INSPECTOR. I Mr Walter Lloyd asked what were the qualifications of an Inspector of Nuisances ? Did the Local Government Board define them ? The Clerk said he had written to them on that subject, and had no reply. He did not think they would insist on a certificated man. Mr T. E. Brigstocke I think it is desirable he should know Welsh. Mr W. V. H. Thomas What; the Sanitary Inspector ? I don't think it is any more necessary than that the Surveyor should. Mr John Lewis What is the present salary. The Clerk £ ,65. Mr Walter Lloyd Half paid by the County Council. ¿ The Clerk The Local Government Board must first approve of the salary and the appointment. When they have approved, the County Couucil has no choice but to pay half. Mr D. Parcell Rees I think it ought to be £7°' Mr E. Colby Evans I propose that it be 80. Mr J. F. Morris And I propose that it be £ 75. Only two members voted for ;675. Eight members voted for each of the other two propositions. The Mayor gave his casting vote for jQ80, which was, therefore, agreed upon. It was also decided that applicants should be required to possess the certificate of the Local Government Board. It was left to the Town Clerk and the Mayor to draft the advertisements for the ¡ professional papers. THE MARKET INSPECTORSHIP. The Mayor said he hnd a petition from the butchers and weavers of the Carmarthen Market with regard to the claims of a certain candidate for the Market Inspectorship. The Council, however, would not hear the petition. GOOD NEWS FOR WATER CON- SUMERS IN CARMARTHEN. The Clerk said that Dr. Duprè had finally reported that having tested two samples of water from the springs at the Rock and Fountain, the same could be used in the storage reservoir without any special precautions (applause). NO PROSECUTION. We arc informed that the Council decided not to prosecute the Surveyor. THE NEXT MEETING. This will probably be held on March 8th the appointments will then in all likelihood be made.

» The Parish Council of Llauddarog, and the Carmarthen Rural District Council. To the .Editor of tho Carmarthen- Weekly Reporter. SIR,—In your last week's issue, a report of tho monthly meeting of the Council at the Shire Hall appeared, and it states that a letter was read from the Parish Council of Llanddarog asking the District Council to receive a deputation to speak with regard to tho condition of a certain road there, and that the deputation consisted of Mr Davies, Llwyubach Mr Jenkins, Llwynbrain; and Mr John Hughes, Mynachlog, and that the first-mentioned was the spokesman." In order that the ratepayers may thoroughly know the state of affairs it would be but fair to thoso whom it may concern to know- 1. Who wrote the letter referred to for the Parish Council of Llanddarog ? 2. Who appointed the aholù-ramed as a deputa- tion 1 Where ? When ? Aad by what authority this was done ? It is generally believed that there is not now a Parish Council in existence at Llanddarog, according to the meaning of the Local Government Act. If so, is it possible that a Star Chamber has been created in lieu thereof and hence the deputation. It would be well for the ratepayers of Llauddarog to be up and doing (as the elections of Parish and District Councils are uxed for the 4th of April), in order to get suitable persons to look after their interests and so avoid last year's blundeiings. Yours, &e., A KATErAYEll. February 21st, i898.

Kid welly "hips. ■ — [BY SPECTATOR.] The football match recently played at Llanelly between the Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire Police, excited some interest in Kidwelly from the fact that the former had the assistance of P.C. Thomas, our local constable. It wasn't his fault that the Pembroke men won. -:0:- Otice-igaiii it has become necessary to altar the date for holding the Reading Room concert. It is now definitely fixed for the 8th of March. From the number of tickets already disposed of, we confidently anticipate a bumper house. -:0:- We hear, on good authority, that Mr A. Stephens, The Arlais, wiil be a candidate at the forthcoming County Council election in opposition to Mr Holmes Stead, the sitting member. -o;- For the posts of Borough auditors, we understand there are three candidates viz., Mr L. Jones, chemist Mr D. O. Jones, Castle Board School and Mr J. E. Paton, Lady-street. The latter in conjunction with Mr George Redford, who has left the town, was auditor for the year just ended. If neither of the candidates withdraw, the selection will rest with the ratepayers, who will decide the matter in the usual way-bv ballot. J -:0:- 1 he appearance of frost and snow at the end of an unusally mild winter, niust surely be very unwelcome to those who have been busy gardening. Some few weeks ago we were admiring the early crops in some gardens. These are now nipt with the lagging rear of winter's frost," and the un- happy gardeners must admit they have been just a little "too previous." -)'- IN-c desire to expres our deepest sympathy with Alderman T. G. Anthony on the death of his only daughter, Diiys Gwendraetb, who succumbed to an attack of inflammation of the brain on Sunday last. The little one who was only eight years old, was a particularly bright and active child, and her presence will be sorely missed in the home, the chapel, and the school. -:0:- A piomiment Kidwellyite, in the person of Mr Thomas Morgan, Croft Cottage, has just been removed by the hand of Death. The deceased had been ailing for many months, and his demise cannot, therefore, be said to be unexpected. He was formerly Mayor of the town, and up to last November was an Alderman of the Borough. He was at the time of his death a member of the School Board, and during the whole of his long life he was a piilar of strength to the Calvinistic Methodist cause in the district. Verily, he was a good man.

What my Doctor Said. I know of nothing that will do you more good than a course of Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, l'ho Vegetable Tonic." 1 smiled incredulously when I heard him prescribe a Patent Medicine. He noted my surprise, and observed, It seems strange, does it not, to hear a medical man advising people to take the preparations of other people ? 1 am aware that many of these patent medicines do more barm than good, but I have no hesitation in recommending this. It is the best tonic that I know of, and can injure no one." As ft remedy for Weakness, Nervousness, Indigestion, Low Spirits, Sleeplessness, Chest Affections, it has no equal. If you feel listless, tired cut, without strength to do anything, and with little or no appetite, Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitten will speedily banish that listleseness, restore the appetite, and give renewed strength and vigour to the whole body. Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters, The Vegetable Tonic, is sold in bottles, at 2s. Ud. and 4s. Gd. each, and can be obtained from all chemists and patent medicine vendors, or, carriage free by parcel post, direct from the proprietors The Quinine Bitters Manufacturing Company Limited, South Wales.