Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald and North and South Wales Independent

PAUPERISM IN WALES. JUS, urii. >h i.mfN ANNUAL REPORT. Mr F. T. Bircham, the Local Government inspector for Wales and Monmouthshire, in his repoit for 1893-4, says: — The increase in pauperism which I had to report last year in Wales ajid Monmouthshire has icontinued to augment steadily through the year just closed. This increase is mainly confined to those unions containing a mining or manufacturing population, as distinct from tho agricultural unions, in which the pauper- ism has remained fairly Stationary; and it cannot be matter for any surprise when the state of some of the staple industries of the district is taken into account. The tinplate trade, for instance, has never perhaps passed through a worse year than the one just ended, while the iron and steel works for the most part can scarcely claim any brighter record. Part of the North Wales district was affec- ted by the general coal Strike—especially the ■union of Wrexham. But the guardians did not find it necessary to adopt. any special measures, and the total amount of extra out- door relief on account of thu strike amounted to but i:119, distributed to 216 people. The nunubers in the workhouse were about 30 or 40 more than in ordinary times. Public sympathy with the colliers was, I am in- formed:, very strong in this district, large funds being collected on their behalf, and soup kifcbeiis established in many places. At the Itlios, in lluaboii, free permission was given to the COJIK):S to work some coal a few feet below the surface, and it is estimated that coa-l to the value, of between. B2000 and! JE5000 was thus obtained, and sold by the men. Had it not .been for such assistance there can be no doubt that considerable addi- tional out-door relief WvruJdl have been incurred. The union of Holywell was Affected to a slight degree only, as few of the pits in that union wore closed on account of the strike, but considerable distress occurred from the closing of ironworks, owing to scarcity of fuel; this was, however, met by charity, voluntary subscriptions, esc., and no increase in rate relitr resulted. The slate quarries -of North Wales, Carnar- Yonsh'ire, and Merionethshire were pretty re- gularly at work throughout thc< year though, in one instance, at the Lleclrwedd quarries, there was a strike which lasted four months. However, during that time there was no application for relief to the guardians of the Festiniog Un on made by any of the men on strike, who iiumlbertnl about 400, some find- ing work elsewhere, others being aided by subscriptions, and a few belonging bo the .North Wales Quarrymen's Union, who re- ceived 10s weekly out of their fund. The depression in agriculture throughout Wales was, if anything, even worse tha.n in 1892 the redly low price of stock being supplemented by the prolonged drought and much scarcity of keep. Tho pauper list, how- ever, forms no "kilometer of the ups and dewtt-s (-if in AVaIes. A high nor- mal rate uf pauperism exists in most of ihe agricultural unmns. but being confined to old people, and widows with families, is neither lessened when prices are good, nor sensibly increased however bad the tunes may be. The number of paupers in the district was 88 follows:—December, 1893, 6969 indoor, 49.978 ou'door, total 56,947; December, 1892. 6594 indoor, 47,919 outdoor, -total 54,513, showing an increase of 2434, or nearly 5 per cent. The population, according to census 1891, was—South Wales and Mon- llmutlu;hirt' 1,325,046; North Wales, 466,869. This gives a pxeenfc pauperism per- cejitage on population — South WaLes and Monmouthshire 2.9, North Wales 3.8. The number of vagrants relieved in Wales and Monmouthshire continued to show a consider- able increase on previous years. During the coal strike there were also further additional numbers relieved, but these have since de- clined considerably. It was my duty in 1892 to bring to the notice, especially 'uf the iNorth Wales unions, the serious increase in vagrancy, and that the fact of want of uniformity of tioatment, and of means of exacting proper discipline anti performance of task work, in any opinion, demanded their serious consideration. In the spring of 18y3 a conference of the North Wales unions was held at Rhyl on the sub- ject, when it was unanimously resolved to recommend the different 'boards of guardians to adopt uniformity of treatment with respect to vagrants, and ,HS far as possible to carry out the provisions of the Act of 1882. Of course this entailed on most of the unions concerned the construction of proper accom- modation both for sleeping and labour pur- poses, a:rd I am glad to be able to say that these 'necessary improvements are in most instances now being carried out. A strong opinion was ah*> expressed at tha* conference that some 'better classification of vagrants should be adopted, whereby bona-fide work- men should be Allowed to leave, betimes to search for w*orlc, a stricter course being pur- sued'with the professional clas->- jLhere is a good deal to Ikj said in favour or tins view, but discx-imi.uation is by no means an easy matter for either the master of a nor'house or the local police. A .suggestive instance of this occurred in one of the unions _ii 31ia- Wales during the past year. The master Of the workhouse had for some time noticed a 'la-r^e Incresse in the number of young able- bodied men amongst the vagrants relieved, ttiid reported the fact to the guardians that tliev were not, in his opinion, vagrants of the ordinary piofessional class, ¡but really men out of work, and in search of work. Upon til's It local timber merchant told him that he had work for 50 men stripping lbi-rii and moving timber, and that he would give wages of 5s 6d a dav if the waster could send him such men as he described. Within ten days he was able to 50 men orders to worl;" at the tiiusoer vard, which was but a little over a mils distant from the workhouse. Of those 50 men only three turned up at the yard, and these three did not finish out one day's work.

RKTIREMKXT OF HWFA MON.—On Sunday, the Rev Rowland Williams (If wÜ Moil), the Archdruid of Wales, informed the Congregational churches under his care at Llangollen and Trevor that he would close his ministry there in May next. His resigna- tion was accepted with regret by the churches. The venerable- bard stated that he was ex- periencing the "often infirmities'' of ad- vanced life, and after a ministry of forty-fom rears was unable to perform the numerous duties of a pastoral charge. Mr Williams was ordained to the niiiiistry at Bagillt, Flint- shire, and 1.as ministered successfully at Brymbo and Vv rexham, Bethesda, Arvon Fetter-lane, London; Ll-uieveliymedd, Angle- sey and Llangollen. .A liory e-ml-rt in my home ha died

DISESTABLISHING-" THE CARNARVON UNION. THE ANGLESEY PARISHES AGITAT- ING. On Friday night, a meeting of the parish- loners of Llaniclan, Lla-ngeinweti, Newbor- ough, Llangaffo, and Llanfairynycwmwd—the Anglesey parishes forming a part of the Car- narvon Union—was held at the Board School, Liangeimven, under thetllreRidency of Mr, Owen, llliyddgaer, chairman of the Dwyran district council. The Chairman explained that the meeting had been convened for the 11 purposio of considering the advisability of dissolving the Anglesey parishes from the Car- narvon Union. The respective parish coun- o.ls had held meetings to consider the ques- tion, and had passed resolutions on the mat- ter. For the last 20 years the question of; d.ssoiving the Anglesey portion of the union from the other had been a topic of much speculation and argument, and the consensus of opiniol1 seemed to 00 favourable to the dissolution. 'His short .eccperience as a guar- d-aii went to endorse that feeling. He (the chairman) held a return in his hand show- ing how much. eaoh parish contributed to the common fund, and what they received in re- turn. From those statistics the Anglesey parishes paid more by E155 than they re- ceived. Another important factor in the matter was tha.t at the end of the year 1894 they had paid only one rate. The reason was tliat the parishes of Clvnnog, Llariibeblig, and Llaaillyfni, were quarrelling with each other. That quarrel cost the union in solici- tor g foes albout £300. Besides that, they had paid JE120 as interest on overdraft at the bank, and that simply because the above named parishes were at loggerheads about the assessment. In January the arrears of the union was £5546, but the quota of the Angle- sey parishes had almost- been paid. Then, there was the question of costs incurred with the revaluing time alfter time of the union— some £ 3000, it was stated in 20 years—and they were as far as ever from having an assessment that would satisfy all. They in Anglesey had to subs -libe1 their quota to- wards that exp-ndiiture. Taking everything into consideration, especially the fact that they had only one pauper in the workhouse at the present time, that the out-relief had advanced of late £ 20 a week, and that they had to suffer owing to heavy arrears of calls from the Carnarvonshire parishes, he was thoroughly convinced; that a separation would be most beneficial to them in every respect. Mr Richard Owen, Tynypwil, Llangaffo, observed that the Anglesey portion of the union received aibout JB28 a week in out- relief from the common fund. The district paid about the eighth part of the rates. To receive j528 meant the seventh part. In other words, they had received P,3 7s 6d more than thetir portion. If they had only that aspect to look at the question it would be better to retain the union. But there was another side to the matter. The Carnarvonshire parishes were very slow in meeting their calls. The Anglesey parishes i owed some time ago B421, as compared with £ 9000 for the Carnarvonshire parishes. Of course, that sum was to come in by the 25th of March, 1895. But if Ca>iimrvon&hrre had paid li'leej --riglesey there (would! hare been no over-draft on the bank. Instead of paying int-erest they 'would have had a balance in hand. And to pay an interest at the rate of LS per cent on the overdraft they had had lately meant £ 300 a year. That was a large sum to IJa.'V, because of the slow way the Car- narvonshire oarishes were meeting their calls. Acc.ording to his argument that they were paying the eighth portion of the rates, they had a right to have eleven inmates in the workhouse. As it was, they had only one. Consequently, taking an inmate to cost only 4s, it meant that they paid £ 2 weekly for what they got no return. Having referred to the assessment question and the number of appeals, and costs, the speaker felt conscien- tiously convinced that to dissolve the connec- tion: would be by far the best. Mr T. W. Roberts, Brynsiencyn, said that from statistics which he had before him only 30 pc-r-sous from Anglesey had been inmates of th • workhouse during the last six yearn They learnt from the iiewsjKipars and tlie drift of p,i!»!'c opinion tliat the time was fast ap- proaching when workhouses would be done v with. Bangor bad adopted the board- ii'.g out system for tlhc children, while Car- narvon were now sending the children to the tovn schools. Reference had been made to the fact that they had only one inmate in the workhouse. That one cost them in Anglesey Z, ) a year. Taking that sum and the £128 paid by the County Council towards the pay- ment of the staff, etc., it was evident that tho benefit to them as parishes wouui be some hundreds of pounds by dissolving the union. Mr O. Jeffrys Jones, Newborough, main- tained that it was the assessment question that confused everything, and although they had tho union valued and re-valued time after time, they were none the better off in the end. The reason was W.'L f^v to seek, because the property in the i- es dif- fered very much. In Aiu;io.ey it was all farms and land, while in Carnarvonshire they had their forms, land, houses, and special properties. It would be much easier to have a!l assessment in. Anglesey that would be likely to be fair and equitable to all, but In CarnairvonShire it was almost impossible to pi case tlie parties. Hence the appeals and th o hewvy costs. Ml- Jones, Treifaji, concurred m the views which had been expressed, and oibserved that sooner the dissolution was brought about the better for Anglesey. Mr Robert Hughes, chairman of the Llan- idan parish council, as well as the chairman of the Llangaffo andLlangeiinwen parish councils, submitted resolutions which had been nn- animously passed by the respective councils in favour of dissolving ihe union. Captain Roberts, chairman of the New- borough parish council, said that they were not very cleAr upon the question. They could not realise where they were going. Whether they intended to have a small union of. their own or either to join the Valley union, or have one union for the whole county. They had decided to abide- by the major ty of that meeting. Mr Griintli, ciremist, Brynsiencvn, main- tiinr-d that with the contribution of the Coun- tv Council, 'to dissolve would' be a financial benefit of i:400 a year to the Anglesey par- ishesi.. Mr William Pritchard observed that with an experience of 25 years he could safely say that it wa.s the assessment question that was at the bottom of all the disagreement. The respective calls made by the Llanerchymedd and the Valley unions were Is 6d and Is 8d, while that of the Carnarvon union was 2s 4d. W:Y there should be so much difference lie was at a loss to know. It would .be better for tnem to be joined in one union as a county. bur, personally, he would far prefer to be made into a small union of themselves. Captain W. H. Owen, Plas Penrliyn, coun- selled patience and moderation, before taking any definite step. Mr G:, J. Roberts, Trefarthen, said that if the statistics which had been submitted to the meetng wore correct, ifc would b# better for thm to dissolve. But the danger was that th,y were not looking at both sides. It sfjue-k him as very strange that the Anglesey parishes of the Bangor and Beaumaris union were doing their very utmost to maintain their connection with that union, while the Carnarvonshire parishes of the same union were doing theiutbest'to have ii dissolved. In the C-rnarvon union it was the reverse. He eO" \1 not conceive any reason for it. He- c iu.se matters had been rather unfavourable -e of late, they must not be frightened. It was bevrer even to quarrel, if by that means more justice and fa'rplay could be attained. Refer- en e had beeai made that two parishes were j < ;rrelling, and that caused expense. It was I o"I --< But-, rather, a feeling amongst the fanners and the landlords that ihe houses I nvere assessed too low. They should also beair in miucllthd it was an advantage to all union to have special properties such as quarries, Ira 'ways, slate factories, eic., to be assessed, Hvl it not been for them their rates would lh;o been much higher. He was travelling vvoh the Government inspector, who looked an the unions, the other day, and his opin- nbout this dissolution ques'tion was that it niilfi be a pity for the Anglesey parishes .1. house was the best and most comfortable he visited. Much had been said that there were only one inmate in tho house -A- present, but they could not speak of the future. There was a feeling extant for making the work- houses more of a.home ft,>i- tlxu honest, deserv- ing poor who were compelled to take refuge therein, and if that took place, it would be far better for their poor people to go there than to live in the houses and hovels which they witnessed in the. villages. He, believed that rather than pass any resolution that night, they should take time to consider the 'matter, because oiiee, they had dissolvent, there would be no chance for them to go back. The Carnarvonshire parishes did not caM whether ihey dissolved or siot. Mr Roberts, Gwydryn, maintained that such a vast difference existed bekween the properties in the two counties that it -was impossible to have an equitable assessment, He moved a committee be appointed to communicate with the Local Government Board, as to what. would be their ire«ponsi- oiiity in case they dissolved from the Car- narvonshire parishes. Whether they would have to build a workhouse of their own, or could they send paupers to the Carnarvon workhouse. Mr O. J. Jones seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Oldlfiekl, schoolmaster, Llangaffo, was elected secretary. The committee appointed were G. J. Roberts, Trefarthen Pierce, Trefer- wydd; Williams, Taldrwst; R. Hughes, y Voel; Jones, Taahirion; Captain Roberts, N ewborough; Captain Jones, Baron Hill; Capta'n W, H. Owen, Messrs Jones, Cefn- maesoglan Griffith, chemist, Brynsiencvn Williams, ireasapn; Thomas, Cae Cach O. J. Jone«s, J. W. Roberts, Owens, Rhvdd- gaar; Richard Owen, and Jones, Treifan.

LLEYN AND EIFIONYDD BUILDING SOCIETY. Tile annual meeting of this society was held on Wednesday, there being a large attend- ance. In tlie absence of the president (Mr Edward Jones, J.P.), the Rev John Hughes, Edeyrn, was elected to preside. The minutes of last year's meeting were read. The Rev John Hughes proposed that the balance sheet for the past year should be ap- proved. He remarked that all who had read the accounts carefully would consider that they were in a favourable condition, and that they had made excellent business in the face of the present depression of trade. There Tiere let. out on property nearly J55500, and the fact that more than B1750 had been sub- scribed during such a great period of depres- eion spoke greaitly of the stability of the society in the opinion of the country. There has ibeen a decrease of JE7500 in the with- drawals, which placed the total of the with- drawals under J55000 for the year, being a proof of their flourishing condition. It should be borne in mind that a groat number of farms came into the market during the last two years, and many of their most faith- ful members had bought tiieir homesteads, and were compelled to withdraw their shares to pay for the same. It would be seen that they owed the bank J65658 6s, and for the benefit of the society they had made arrange- ments with the bank, and to meet the de- mands of the shareholders referred' to many of those who had given notice of withdrawal had recalled the same, so that the notices on their books had greatly decreased. The houses which had lapsed into possession of tHe society had been sold without loss. They also welcomed, an auditor appointed by th. Act, of Parliament. i The adoption of the accounts was seconded by Captain Jones, and this was agreed to. Mr Edward Jones, J.P., and the R»v H. Hughes were re-elected directors. The Rev John Hughes proposed that the interest for ¡the year should be B4 10s per cent. He, had spoken to several of the chief memlbexis, and they agreed that to pay C4 10s was the (wisest course, and have a good reserve.—In reply to Mr D. Williams, it was stated that the> profits would1 enable them to pay five per cent. Mr S. Roberts seconded the motion. Per- sonally, he would' have preferred seeing fou>r. per cent paid, and' hold in hand a good re- serve. The Secretary said he also advocated four per cent, as he believed the stability of the society rested upon a good reseirve, but he was in a minority. Mr W. Jlones (Ffestinfab), sympathised with what was sa-id by the secretany, but ftill he thought it better to pay 4-t this time as proposed, as lie, thought with such a good balance they should encourage the share- holders. After othea* remarks, the payment of £4 10s interest per cent was unanimously agreed to. Mr R. W. Jones proposed that the money withdrawn or sums for which notice of with- drawal had been given should beer interest at £ 2 10s per cent. At Ihe same time he con- gratulated the society upon the interest every individual member seemed to take in its affairs. Mr William Williams BecondoedJ the motion. Mr E. R. Jonefc did not consider the motion would eleal fairly with those who were oom- pelled to withdraw, as they were as fal'thful as any, only circumstances forced them to withdraw. It was stated li.at if any person recalled their notices of withdrawal they would be pnid the full interest if they sent in the recall before the xiterest was made out. The Chairman again referred to the ap- pointment of a public auditor under the Act, which the directors heartily welcomed.. Captain Jones did not believe they wanted an audit till the end of the year, as they had perfect) confidence in Mr O. N. Jones, tlie permanent aueiitor. On the motion of Captain Joiieis, seconded by Mr K Roberts, Mr It. R. fc&ythe, Carnar- von, was appointed an auditor under the Act, and that Mr O. X. Jones rennain a permanent auditor. Mr S. proposed, and Mr E. R. Jones seconded, that a new valuation of the property should be made at the end of this quarter, and the ordinary audit at the end of the year.—Captain Jones opposed this as being superfluous.—Mr William Jones (Ffes- tinfalo, said this was an important question, but lie questioned whether they required a revaluation now. It was agreed, on the motion of Mr J. E. Jones, seconded by Mr R. W. Jones, and supported by Captain Jones, that the direc- tors made a valuation, as they thought best by the end of the quarter. A vote of thanks was passed to the direc- tors, and this 'was acknowledged by the chair- man and the Rev H. Hughes.—A vote of thanks was also passed to the secretary and his assistants, and the secretary acknow- ledged. It was suggested that public meetings in connection with this society should b0 held at Fcstiniog and the Vale of Nantlle. It was reported that the profits of Vne society, including the reserve fund, amounted to £6311 3s 7d, and the future profits io £34,255, making a total above the liabilities of £ 40,537. It was announced that the interest would be paid as usual on tho third Wednesday in February. A few verbal alterations were made in the society's rules.

)GWi"lX L [STRICT COUNCIL. — A meeting of this council was held on Friday at Bangor workhouse, Mr T. Roberts (Aber) presiding. It was decided to take over the maintenance of the turnpike roads at the date t; decided upon. The question of dividing the district was discussed, and left in abeyance pending an adjourned meeting to be held at Tiirmdoeai. A GREAT HORSE SALE.—We have pleasure ill calling our readers' attention to j the great North Wales March Horse Sales to bo held at Wrexham on March 13th, 14tli, and 15th, for light horses anel March 19th, 20th, and 21st for heavy horses. £ 64 is given in prizes. Lists and all jiartieulars from the proprietor, Mr Fiank Lloyd. The entries I close on Thursday next as per announcement I in another column.

What t' e»e 8poile<l nvv!« ;.re cMise 1 by vtvfsitf-r p»- j HI bu -v?. L L~~b tivi* «l

[DEATH AND FUNERAL OF ALDERMAN R. HUGHES. All the public bodies in Holyhead, and several in the county, when they will pas's le^.Mlutiotns in appreciation, of the ser- vices of the late Mr Richard Hughes, C.A. On the evening prior to his interment the following resolution Was proposed at the urban district council by Councillor J. Hall, and seconded by Councillor W. S. Ow-em: "That this council has heard with deep regret of the death of Alderman. Richard Hughes, member of the council for tike South C-eaitral Ward, and wishes to place on record its high uppreciation of his sterling character and un- flinching honesty of purpose. For many years he has been identified with eveiy public movement in the town, and! was always looked upon as a trusted adviser. Although suffer- ing from an unfortunate defect in his sight, it was compensated for by his remarkable memory, and he had acquired a vast fund of information on public affairs, which he was ever ready to place at the disposal o. iiis col- Jeagues. he was purely unselfish in all his actions, and he ungrudgingly used his great abilitv for the furtherance of the welfare of his fellow-townspeople." The resolution was parsed with great unanimity. On Wednesday evening, at the Hyfrydle Debating Society, of which the deceased was a member, the Rev John Hughes, president, moved that the so- ciety record its deep sensoe of the loss which they had sustained by the death of Alderman Richard Hughes, who had been a prominent and faithful member of the society since its formation, aiii, had always evinced the most active interest in the welfare of the society. The x-esolution wias seconded by Mr R. H. Williams, in an impressive speech, and was supported) by Mr Eleazer W.lliams, and on the motion being submitted io the meeting, i: (was carried unanimously, but with evidence of sorrow at the loss sustained by the society, as the deceased was a very keen debater, and frequently tooK a leading part in the introduc- tion of subjects for controversy.

THE FUNERAL. On Wednesday afternoon the funeral left the residence of the deceased, 5, Tower- gardens, at 2 p.m., with great punctuality, the cvtuse of which it may be presumed was a wish expressed by him, as in all his engage- ments he was i<eanarkable for his punctuality. A brief service was conducted at the house by the Rev Owen Hughes (C.M.). The mourn- ful procession was headed by the local minis- ters of ail denominations, followed by the deacons of the various Calvinistic Methodist Chinches in the vicinity. After them came the public bodies- of the locality, including members of the County Council, urban dis- trict council, school boaid, etc., with their respective officers and employees. Following the representatives of the public bodies was a vast concourse of people, the funeral being of a public character. Deceased was 57 years of age, and was interred in the Nonconformist portion of the Ma&shyfryd Cemetery. The service in the chapel was conducted by the Rev Owen Hughes, who paid a high tribute to the worth of the deceased in church and public life. The following assisted in the service: Revs R. M. Jones, M.A., and Lewis Owen (W.). At the graveside the Revs Richard Lloyd, of Klngsland, and Owen Wil- liams (Bethel), conducted the service in a very impressive manner. The funeral ar- rangements weme earned out by Mr Robert Roberts, joiner, Cybi Place, in a satisfactory manner, the coffin being an oak one, with well-finished brass mountings.

GWYRFAI DISTRICT COUNCIL. ThQ monthly meeting of this council took- place on Satrmlav, under the presidency of Mr J. 0. Hughes, J.P. PLACE OF MEETING.—It was decided to rtrfuse the terms offered by the County Council for holding the meetings of the coun- cil at the County Hall, and to ire-engage the magistrates' room for that purpose ROADSIDE WASTE AND COMMONS.— A circular was submitted from the Local Government Board with regard to roadside waste and commons.—-The consideration of the same was deferred to a futrd'e meeting. PARISH ROADS.—On the recommenda- tion of the parish roads committee, it was decided to take over the parish roads on the 31st inst., without making any inquiries into their present position. ROADS INSPECTORS.—Mr H. Meander Jones moved', and Mr Grffith, LIanti-ug, seconded, that the recommendation of the majority of the parish roads committee that a road surveyor be appointed for each parish and that the present arrangements with rre- ilpecl to the sanitary question remain as they are be adopted.—(Mr Bevan Ellis moved as an amendment, and Mir T. W. Williams se- conded, that one or two surveyors be ap- pointed for the whole district.—Upon being put to the meeting, the motion was declared oairrVd by 15 to 10 votes. THE QUESTION OF SALARIES.—The parish road committee recommended that the salaries of the respective surveyors for the different parishes be as follows —Bettws Gar- men and Waenfawr J310 Llanfaglan £5; Llan- dwrog, £ 16 Llainvnda, £ 10; Clynnog, £ 12 Llanllyfni £ 8; Llanrug a; Llanfairisgacr £5; Llanberis JB5 Llanddeiniolen £ 16 total £ 95.—On the motion of Mr D. P. Williams, se- conded by Mr T. Closs, the recommendation was referred back to the committee with a request for them to submit a scheme to the council, by which the roads would be uni- formlv kept in the future. THE LLANBERLS WATER AND GAS COMPANY.—A letter was read from Messrs Barber and' Co., and the Board of Trade, with respect to the objections of the council to the grant ng of a provisional order to the promoters of the above company.—The letter of the former was the only one read, and ik was as follows:—We iiotlec, in the ob- jections which the Gwyrfai district council have addressed to the Board of Trade a ftetement that the district council are pre- pared to purchase the gas and waiter works. We were previously unaware that any local authority desired to purchase the gasworks. But as to the water Works, a clause (56) had by our clients instructions been inserted in the draft order, which clause embodied what we ore. ndv'sed was considered just and reason- able in a case similar to this. Our object in writing, is, first, to ask you to kindly draw the attention of your council and their respon- sible advisers to this clause, and to enquire whether if its provisions weise extended to the gas works it would form a basis on which our clients of the local authority might come to a settlement, and if not, what are the con- ditions which the district council would con- Rider fa-ir and reasonable.—Tlie Clerk ob- served that; he did not know whether he rightly understood them that they intended to include the gas works.—Mr D. P. Wil- liams and others: No.—The Clerk: Then it is nw mlsiake. It of no consequeuice.—Mr H. i ,a!: r*v We did not resolve to buy the works.—Several members No.—Mr Closs Is it not possible for the parish council to buy the works ?-The Clerk Yet;, now but Mr Morris Owen -tells you that you cannot for ten years after the oider is granted if the company wish.—Mr D. P. Williams said that the matter was so complicated that it would bet impossible for them to go into it ihat day. He moved that the clerk consult Mr Morris (h-en with a view of having counsel's opinion on certain clauses of the order.—The Rev J. Miiclireth HecH moved tIlHi a com- mltree of three be appointed to consider the question, with full power to act.—Mr Closs seconded.—Tlie amendment was agreed to.— Mr H. Pnrry: Who is to pay all this ex- j pense?—Mr D. P. Williams: Oh! we will pay it honourably. Mr Parry.—Mr Party I don't know, indeed. I havo had my fingers burnt once already, and I do not want to have it repeated.—Mr D. P. Williams ¡;¡:¡j 1 that they had applied! to the Lojnl Government Board to have Llanberis declared a special district. Consequently, the expense would fall upeui them.—Messrs D. P. Williams, J. H. Bodvel-Roberts, and Closs were appo'nted a committee.

EUPTUCB CTJ»:-ED operator.. Ail who wish to gAt ;i<i r.f R'1U.UTP r,nd Tmp^s phouM SERCL to '{r S. ,I. SJIFKBWAV, "cr-in f*'p! ciil'st, 61, Chancery Lntl". r^>r^o»i. arvl 21: viug Street, b aachesteit for his Book.poet free

THE LATE REV DR BRISCOE, HOLYHEAD This week it is our painful duty to record the death uf the Rev Chancellor T. Briscoe. D.D., of Holyhead. wlio patsed aw.v at an eail\ hour on Saturday morning. For some time past his recovery had been despaired of and his death was daily if ijot hourly ex- pecte-d by the residents of the localitv where rl n! if!ab?ure;l fo1 "early 40 years, the Chancellor had a long and painful ill- ness, but looked forward to his approaching dissolution with resignation. His natural eheerfulnass of spirit remained to the Jast Jus conversations being mainly in the ver- the time of his decease he was in his 82nd year. He was appointed incumbent of Holvhead in tlie year 1857 and wa-s also a Ciiau'cellor of Bangor Cathedral. He succeeded in the nicumbency the Rev Charles Williams, B D who died Principal of Jesus College, Oxford: At the time of his appointment he held the degree of B.D., but subsequentiv had the degree of D D. confen-ed upon him. His knowledge of languages was very extensive, and he was well known as an able Greek and Hebrew isciiolar. His translation of several of the Old Testament books into the Welsh language have commanded much attention and obtained a wide circulation, in conse- quence of their scholarly and accurate ren- derings of the original. His most recent translation was tint of the New Testament from the onginal into Welsh, which has been much commented on in the Welsh press. His Christian disposition towards those who were in need of help from sickness and poverty is familiar to all in and around Holyhead Indeed, his benevolence and liberality towards all objects, especially those of a local char- acter, was worthy of much praise and emula- rion by those who possess the ability to act in like manner. His interest in education jyas most intense, if not bordering on pecu- liarity. His presence in tlie National Schools was as regular as any of the staff, where he daily taught a class of girls. In storm or sun- shine lie could be seen wending his way re- gularly between the Parsonage House and the National Schools, and the youngsters formed a deep attachment to him. Of late his in disposition prevented him from attending oil foot, but as long as his health would allow he was driven there in a covered conveyance remaining for half-an-hour or longer ;¡S oc- casion might demand. At one time the parish of Holyhead was an incumbency with a perpetual curacy, hav- ing but a small income, and continued a per- petual euracy till it, with many others, some few years ago, was made by an Act of Parlia- ment (commonly known as the Bishop of Ox- ford s Act) into a vicarage. During the life- time of the Rev Chancellor Briscoe, the living was worth about J3700 a year, but it will now become a rectory without any connection with Jesus College, Oxford. In consequence if the living becoming smaller, the rev gentle- man offeredconditionally to endow it with about £10,000, but some degree of uncer- tainty prevails as to whether this arrange- ment will now be carried out. St. Seiriol's Church, commonly known in • ™ the "evW cWh' wae erected A • UireeJ,ea™ before his appointment to the living. The ancient church of St Cybi was restored in 1879, at a cost of £6000, four thousand of this sum being contributed by ohe late Hon W. 0. Stanley, the remaining two thousands, besides other gifts, being raised from other sources. This ancient church is said by some writers to kave been first erected in 660 A.D. One important feature in connection with the restoration of this church kept in view by the committee was the preservation of all the architectural designs of the time of Henry III. In con- nection with the restoration of this tirirch the rev chancellor was a most important factor. Recently he placed an organ in this sacred edifice. He also oontributed freely of his means tmvards the rebuilding of the National Schools, whieh are a credit to the locality. He was the first chairman of the Holyhead School Board, and did much valu- able service in the formation of the schools. The rev gentleman was at one time a justice of the peace for the eounty of Anglesey, but for reasons of his own retired from that posi- tion. He was a moderate Churchman, and was strongly opposed to the Puseyites. Hib ministrations Avere very acceptable, and he will be held in kind and affectionate remem- brance not orly by adherents of the Estab- lished Church, but by all classes of the com- munitv. The rev chancellor has been assisted in his pulpit and pastoral duties by two curates, the present curates being the Revs Robert Price, B.A., and James Jones. Last Sunday evening, at Bethel (W.), the pulpit was occupied by Councillor W. S. OAVCII, who alluded to the deaths of the Rev H. M. Rateliffe, Alderman Richard Hughes, and the Rev Chancellor Briscoe, the hitter being described as most liberal in his views and one of the greatest scholars of the age- Tlie following particulars of the deceased are found in the Clergy List: —Briscoe Tho- mas—Holyhead Vicarage, Anglesev, Jesus College, Oxford, B.A. (1st class Lit-Hum), 1833: M.A., 1836; B.D., 1843; D.D., 1868; Deacon, 18.55; priest, 1837, Oxon, vicar of Holyhead, Diocese of Bangor, 1857. Patron Jesus College, Oxford. Tithe rent- charge approx. £ 613; fees, £39;, other sources, £ 401; gross income, 24Q with six acres of glebe and house. Population, 9029. Surrogate Diocese Bangor, 1858; Chancellor of Bangor Cathedral, 1877; Fellow of Jesus College, Oxford, 1834-59; tutor, 1835 to 1839 and 1843-57; curate of Henllan, Denbigh, 1839-1840 proctor for D. and C. of Bangor, 1880-85. Translator of Ellendorfs 1st Petrus und Rom. and Bischof der Romischden Kirche gewescent, 1851; from the Hebrew into Welsh of the Prophet Isaiah, 1853; the Book of Job, 1854; the Book of Psalms and Pro- verbs, 1855. THE FUNERAL. The cortege left the parsonage house at 2 p.m., on Wednesday. The funeral was of a public character, and was very largely at- tended. The clergymen of tlie Diocese of Bangor present were very numerous, and in- eluded Bishop Lloyd, Archdeacon Pryce, Rev Mr Watts, late H.M.I. of Schools; RCA\S E. W. Davies, Llanerchymedd; John Hop- kins, Rhoscolyn Lewis Jones, St. Ann's, Bangor; Anwyl Roberts, Cae'rgeiiiog; R. Pryce, Bodedern — Owens (curate), Robert Price, B.A., James Jones (curate), Lloyd Jones, M.A., Criccieth; — Williams, &c., &c. Ainong others present were the medical attendant, Dr O. T. Williams, and Messrs J. Lloyd' Griffith, M.A., and Theophilus Roberts (churchwardens). The relatives included a sinter of the decevised, and a nephew, Rev Mr Briscoe. The funeral was also attended by ministers of all denomina- tions, ajid all classes of the community were represented. The children of the National Schools, headed by their respective teachers, taking their place in the mournful proces- sion. The streets were lined with spectatois, and tho old church and St. Seiriol's church- yard were filled with the general public. The funeral procession pioceeded to St. Cy bis Church, where an Impressive service was conducted by the Rev Archdeacon Pryce, assisted by the Rev Robert Price, B.A. The Lord Bishop of Bangor conducted the service at St. Serial's. A number of appropriate hymns were sung and the "Dead March" in 'Saul,' was played by Mr Robert Parry, or- ganist of rSfc. Cybi's Church. An along the route were indications of the esteem in whieh the vliaoeased gentleman was held, the blinds ba ng drawn, and ihe trad'es- men's Gratters up. Mr William Williams, Tanyrefail, was the undertaker, and carried out the arrangements most satisfactorily, It is reported iliat the deceases! left £ 10.000 to the. poor and needy of Holyhead, and that • tha money is to be administer*! by three Churchmen ajaUi three .Nonconformists as trustees. Tho Rev Robert Prict and Mr Theophilus Roberts, aro the vxeeutors under the will.

Pale-f,.ccci c'-i^ wn show they He not getting what theyfrt>m food. ueeri'tcotts Emubioa t-> <-i-nch than- give their s stems str ngt: nil" >i:< t, lh..tt) on the rond t:>i JicaHhy er<yi.h ,\V>"V "I ohi'di-flfl need such a fund hs Scott's EjiUlSl"a A>h.lc they are yoking. It prove: ts I rirliptR an/i othf y p ^8)

DEATH OF DOWAGER LADY STANLEY OF ALDERLEY. We j\yret' to annotmce the de^tli of the Drnvager Lady Stanler of Ald-.r'ii-e. which oc- curred at her iiouse, 40, Dever-stree'- London, on Saturday last. With her o.ie <i :he f<># reimaining liguree which linked 1- with the life of the past century has uV.pr>ear*d. There- musst be few now living v-h.) w t« :.re- sent a*- sue was bot,h the coieKie' n snd the bilee of her Majesty, fewer still who were alive at the jubilee of George li v. i 0 -were I presented to George IY-; or lo :he wid.fw of the Young Pretender. Lady Scanley had completed her 87: h year, having been boni on December 21, 1807. at Halifax, Nova Scotia. Her father, the 13th Lord Dinon, had raised a. regiment in the hope of taking part in the C-oiitiixuia! Avars, but had been ordered by Pitt to Amer'ca. Returning to England in 1814, Lord Dillon was induced by motives of economy to aeside at Florence, theti occupied by Austrian troops. H s daughter's education, was entrusted (says the "Times") to a French lady of such violent Republican principles that her pupil used afterwards to declare that it was only her own strength of character Avhich prevent-ed her from becoming a Tory out of disgust. But her Liberal sympathies must have been pro- nounced1 at an early age, for she obtained much popularity among the Italians by de- clining to dance with the Austrian < fficere, I who, as she regretfully admitted, waltzed much better than the Italians. It was here that she attended the weekly receptions of the Countess of Albany, widow of the Young Pretender, and of the poet Alfieri. In lok-u, beiore she was 19, she married Mr Edward Stanley, the eldest son of S'r John Stanley, and in the following year came to England. Her husband entered Parlia- ment in 1831 as member for the "rotten" borough of Hixidon, in Wiltshire, and became secretary to Lord Durham, who, with Lord John Russell, Lord Duncannon, and Sir .Ta». r Graham, formed the committee of four who dtrafted the Reform Bill of 1832. During the next year Mr Stanley became under-secretary for the Colonies, and he was successively under-secretary for the Home Department, whip of the pariv, pay ma s te- r-gen er al, under- secretary of Foreign Affairs, vice-president of the Board of Trade, president of the same Board, and Postmaster-General. His father having been 'laiSed to tho peerage in 1839 as Baron Stanley of Alderley. he was himself called to Hie House of Lords, in the lifetime «f his father, as Baron Eddi&bury. in 1848, and two years later succeeded to the title of Stanley of Alderley. He died in 1869. From her arrival in England until almost the day of her death—>bat is, for a period of about 68 years—Lady Stanley maintained an active interest in every political question of her time. In 1840 Lord Palmers ton described iter as "S otre Clhef d'Etat Major" to Mons. Guizot, who gives an interesting account of a reception at h-ec house when, apjwrently for the first time, O'Connell met socially his chief political opponents. Always a very ardent- Liberal, having, as she said, no patience w'th those Tories," she, like so many others, was yet unable to follow Mr Gladstone, for whom she had a strong personal liking, on the subject of Home Rule. She was among those who opened her house for the .reception of the Ulster delegates who came to attend the great meeting at the- Albert Hall in 1893, and, though then in her ninth decade, she attended, not only that meeting, but the de- bates in the House of Commons on the last Home Rule Bill. To the last she was a consistent Radical, according to the definition of that term accepted in her youth, her car- dinal principle being' a steady opposition to State interference with the individual. But Lady Stanley's keen interest in poll- tical questions was by no means the most striking side of hear character. Brought into coarbaet from her youth with the best in- ieQlects of the time, possessed with an active curiosity to extract from anyone whatever he could teach, tolerant of everything but dul- ness, and endowed with a singularly retentive memory, she gathered from her 70 years of active life and study inexhaustible materials to feed a naturally very qu'ck intelligence. Her long friendship with Carlyle, begun in 1630, last-ed uninterruptedly for 50 years until his death, and influenced one side of her character as the teachings of F. D. Maurice did the other. Bu't she was perpetually adding to her knowledge, there was no book of any note 011 any possible subject that she was not one of the firsfc to order, and the casua.7 visitor found her equally ready to dis- cuss Mr Oonway on the Himalayas, Mr Kidd on Social [Evolution, or Professor Ramsay on the new element. Quite recently, after study- ing the question of the Pamirs, she said, If I were only ten years younger I would go there myself and be able to understand it better." On one df the last visits paid her by Mr Gladstone, when the ex-Premier en- deavoured to turn the subject of conA-ersation from the dangerous one of politics to a recent novel, she is reported to have said, Don't let's talk of novels leave them for your oM age, as 1 do." In educational matters Lady Stanley took a deep interest. She was one of the original members of the council of Queen's College in the dawn of the movement more than 50 years ago. r-he was active in the promotion of the Girls' Public Day School Company and in the foundation of Glrton. And she did much in the last 25 years for the more recent development of women's education, but she was always generously anxious to assign the crediu t.o others, and a few days before her death only congratulated herself that perhaps her name had been of some use to them. Active to the last, in spite of her age and of the weather, she had been out three times in the last ten days, once to see a window given by her son to a church, once to hear Mr Lilly's lecture on her old friend Carlyle, and once to attend the weekly meeting of the Girls' Public Day School Company. Lady Stanley had twelve children, eight of who-in, including the present Lord Stanley, z, of Penrlios, Anglesey, Mr Lyulph Stanley, and Lady Carlisle, survive her, and about 80 grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral took place at Alderley on Wed- nesday, at a quarteT to th-iee in the afternoon.

SUICIDE OF A FARMER.—An inquem was held oil Friday on the- body of Richard Thomas, a farmer living at Penisarwaen. Llanddeiniolen. The deceased had been in R despondent state of mind for some weeks, and on Tnursday he hanged himself in an outbuilding. The jury found that he com- mitted suieide whilst temporarily insane.

RS |j j| if I y (t/ .jijl WEAK BACKS are re- [ lieved and generally cured /ij |P by the use of LL Vlasters. I They sustp.ln the part where fyi applied, and are warming, m soothing, comforting in the m |W highest degree. UseforBron- W jW chilis, Lumbago, Rheuma- W iC/) tisni, and wherever and w whenever pain is felt. Cyf ||pJ Of a: I Chemists from 7/7* to 22J6 each Q æ '8 A Homocea A V Touches the SPOT for Y A 11 Y Vy'TH all its disagreeable accoo j A paniments, includingthatawful q Y irritation that makes one feel as if | Q one would scratch one's self to Q Y pieces. ¥ | Homocea | 0 Comes in and instantly touches the O 1 spot, and where one has rot been I 0 able to sleep for nights, refreshing 0 1 and balmy sleep comes as Nature's 1 Y greatest aid. HOMOCEA and sleep v A working together. With good food h Y and proper diet, HOMOCEA works a ¥ A perfect cure. Sold by all chemists, A is. i^d. and 2s. 9d. per box. iS'in lu Lbndudno oy Oeorge Hrook, Cbemi'it.. ij The Safest and Surest Pro I teetor against Fevers, Small-Pvx, L: Cholera, Diphtheria, and other M- fectious Diseases. Disinfectant » (Non-Poisonous) 1ZAL is much more easily distributed through water thaD carbolic acid, and is so cheap Gat sinks, traps, W.e. '5, draiD5, gutters, &e., c be tlt,heè at trifling cost, a a/6 bottle making 30 gallons of strong reliable disinfectant. -ry IZAL is in entirely ne* discovery t K* (not a coal-tar product). 4 Bottles at xs., ss. 6d., and 4s. 6d. also in + Gallon Tins at loS. A sample bottle or tin sent I carriage paid in the United Kin¡:1cm for pc.sta] •» order. Sole Manufacturers, NEWTON, CHAMBERS AND Co., Ltd., THORNCLIFFE, SHEFFIELD; 19, Great George Street, S.W.; Tborncliffe House, 331, Gray's Inn Road, London, W.C. IZAL PREPARATIONS. Izal Toilet Soap—Of Chemists, 6d. per it jr. Promotes a healthy and supplt ski*. Iz" Medical Soap—is. fer box. A powerful £ tui n. tlu treatment tif skin diun..<n Izal Household and Laundry Soap-A /><ni*cr- ful Disinfecting Soap—the best for Hard Water, 14. 1" Ib, + tl Ixal Cream—An antiseptic emollient for the sJçi, us tuÑs u. Izal Ointment—Excellent for burns, scalds, chapped hands, and chilblains, IS. f) £ d. per jot. Lg. Izal Lozenges—Admirable for sort throat, &*(. r is. l%d. per box. 0 izal Smelling Salts—Cure and relieve Inflw*s.L. *| Cold in the head, &*c u. i%d. pir bottle. J » ♦ NANTLLt, \\T. QJBIFFITM DA VIFS, BILLPOSTER, TOWN CIUER. AND BILL DISTRIBUTOR, PEN YGHOES, 1U; O. BillpoøtiDa for the neigh ncmrtiood ■ • ;•?' s: most reasonable terms. And «ui ircitirs p unc"<ai iy And carefully executed. y "7 1'1.1.8 PONTYPRlùD, RHON1>DA V'ALi^Y AND EAST GLAMORGAN BILb-POSi !«Q COMPANY, LIMITED; MjLHAGKa—T. Po. !.RWIS. OY1SK 160 STATI Ui ione m ths <J»8t Advsrtjsmg m t <r-• Ci—■ MILL STREET, PONTYPRIDD, S.W,\LES GOLD MEDAL, HEALTH EXHIBITlON. "Retained who,n aI. other Foods are rejected, It is inval u",bIe. -LoNDON MFDtcAt. FOOD INFANTS INVAUDS ANDTHE^ACEB. Benger's Food is sold m TINS by Chemists, &c., Everywhere. ^9? { I fsURE FITS And m prcve this to you, ifyou are laterestcxi, l vou a bottle of my remedy, for not}iir jr: so thai; ou may have the chance to try it before pHyintf out any money, be- ceuse I have every confidence in my rcnie^v n^a. I am sure a trial ol it will soon convince y(ll.: of c terliaj merit. 1 have made a life-long study ot ftte. 1: or Falling Sickness, and when 1 say CURE de 1 r. can merely to slop them for a time, and then h.:v< re- turn again but a radical CURE. Because o; ,s nave failed to relieve yoa, is not a good reason v r. hould continue to sufler. Send 3d. for carru;gc 01 1" vuUsc, iniotiiais. aad free bottle of I'Jedicine rran v IT. Kfl fipnY 98 EMDSLEiGW v i'ltWS. t. riUQTj2B' ••ty-.o*? sf.w. TGE GREAT K HV-JiPT. f € 1 fft » i F.r C'-UT. RHEUMATISM. SCJATICV: LUM. l,A(.io. Ni-.U;\ALUlA. Tht Er.cruciwFam tt. ua cziy roiitved, aad CLiirc., m i1¡¡,y" by I' llxfrsc celtbjul'-d Pills. saio, Held by jtii Clitjuiifclfi .t Is Ifl II" p.tr: box. >-