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BAN .u - : i' i 'UNOIL.

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BAN .u i' i 'UNOIL. WEDNESDAY.—present: Councillor H. Hughes (mayor), Aldermen D. Cameron, R. Langford Junes, T. Lewis; Councillors W. A. Foster, D. Williams, Dr H. Grey Edwards, P S Gregory, T. J. Williams, R. Davies, John, Williams (builder), W. Bayne and W. P. Matthews, together with Mr Rodway (de- puty-town clerk), Mr Smith Owen (borough accountant), and Mr Gill (surveyor). A parage OF ARMS. Councillor Richard Davies rose to call at- tention to a certain matter in the minutes of the last meeting which had reference to a request made to him to produce certain let- ters which had passed between him and the enmneer of the pier relating to the contract thereof. He had understood the request to mean letters -Councillor T. J. Wil- liams rose to a point of order, and said this was not the time to make explanations. If the minutes were incorrect, then Councillor Davies had a right.—Councillor R. Davies said that at the last meeting the mayor al- lowed Councillor T. J. Williams to make an explanation, and he craved the same indul- gence that evening. — The Mayor said he could proceed.—Councillor Davies then stated that at Dhe January meeting he had been asked to produce letters referring to the band stand on the pier, but another gentle- man wished to have another construction put to the request, and asked whether the chair- man of the pier committee had corre-spondad with the engineer otherwise than m commit_ -al course through the clerk of th1e tee, and then he (Councillor taunted and stigmatised when the letters appertaining to th Al<krman for trying to wriggle out of were be_ Thomas Lewis asked w j Williams most emphatically protested agamSt a.1lowmg Williams ro^e a p Williams was making a that Councillor T. • Williams again speech Lewis ask(S if protested- Alde^ wuld be allowed Councillor 1. J- w uu j Williams: This to reply- Cou ci order.—Councillor has been made upon Councillor R. Davies, and he ^making explanation on the question of the mm- _i\lderman Lewis: Will Councillor T. T Williams be allowed to reply ?—Councillor 4* J. Williams: I shall demand it.-Ald,er- man Lewis: And will that be in order?— -Councillor T. J. Williams: Certainly not.- Councillor Richard Davies, proceeding, said that he informed the council at the last meet- ing that he would take the advice of the town clerk as to the letters, and acting upon his advice, he had collected together the offi- -cial letters he had received from Mr Webster. As regards the official letters he sent to Mr Webster, he had copied them into his pri- vate copying-book, and he had been advised not to mutilate that book.—Councillor T. J. Williams Oh, yes, of course.—Councillor R. Davies, proceeding, said that if the council now or at any me wished to have copies or extracts from those letters, any acceptable official of the council could come to copy them at his office, but he could not allow his pri- vate letter-book to be taken out of his office. Theisle letters might have been of some in- terest when the pier was in course of con- struction, but now they were not, and the letters with regard to the pier generally had been of no interest for twelve months, they were simply in the same position as the en- velopes or tlhe blotting paper used at the same time-a means to an end5—and that was the construction of the pier. -Councillor T J Williams, in reply, said that if Coun- cillor Davies was in order, he surely would 'be in order. Firs" all, no-one present was exactly in a position to reply to the unex- pected speech which had been made by Coun- cillor Davies. If they had had any notice on the agenda that the matter was coming -on, they might have been able to refer 4* the minutes of January and February. But now, they had only the ipsi dixit of Mr Da- vies, which 'he (Councillor Williams) declined to accept. He had no speech ready for the benefit of the press, and he had not got up to speak for the benefit of the press, but to answer just a few of the statements made by Councillor Richard Davies in a speech which was. undoubtedly, except for the may- or's indiulgfence, completely out of order. Councillor Davies had referred to the au- thorised version of the minutes, but the au- thorised version surely was the one adopted unanimously by the council, and that was the version he (Councillor Williams) stated then to be correct, and was accepted as cor- rect If that version was not correct, there iU'plenty of time for Councillor Davies to protelb against it, but, he did not rise a single objection, nor did 'he make pro- lest. Councillor Daviss might kick as much as he liked, but they should have what was correct, Councillor Davies said that pro- mised to produce the correspondence relatin^ to the band stand, but fresh in the memory of all, and he (Coun cillor Williams) distinctly said that the word band stand never passed his lips during the previous discussion, and if that was not cor- Tect, why did not Councillor Davies get up and protest at the time. There was no refer- ence whatever to the bund stand, but to the pier undertaking altogether. He said now that he was advised by the town clerk what letters to give up, and what not to give up. They had Councillor Richard Davies's, state- ment for that. They had had previous state- ments—one printed and signed by Councillor Richard Davies, stating that the pier would not cost the town a single brass farthing. 'Councillor David Williams again rose to a point of order. -Councillor T. J. Williams "We all know how correct that statement has -proved to be, and we, therefore, know what .•reliance to place on the statements of Coun- cillor R. Davieis. With regard to the letters in which the town clerk -Councillor David Williams Really, Mr Mayor.—Coun- cillor T J. Williams: I am not going to be put down by Councillor David Williams. This is the third time he has interrupted me, V r" til Tint (roina to 'have it.—Alderman and I am not^ gom Williams, I ■ST—Keillor T'.J- tninK, is f xo.c c}iair, and I want I am m possession °i• <* Col^ciUm. David .your rubng, sir, whetntr T am „ Williams is to Williams I am iiLg t'a^Sof orde'r, and I claim a right to speak. I ask if Councillor 1- J- wu .liams is in order by indirectly i P falsehood to another member?—^ounciuor T. J. Williams: That is Councillor .uavia Williams's version. The authorised versi is not so, but as I put it. Proceeding, .said that Councillor Richard Davies h that the letters he wrote to different P3ffie had been entered in his own private letter- took, and now he (Councillor Williams) said distinctly, not for the benefit of the press, but in spite of the fact that tlhe press WAS represented at the meeting that this was the most important part of the discussion from beginning to the end. Here they had a gentleman, who was certainly the chair- man of a committee, but outside the commit- tee was all ordinary individual, who had no right whatever outside the committee more than any other member of the committee to correspond individually on behalf of the com- mittee without the full concurrence and sanc- tion of that committee, entering what should he public letters in his own private letter- book, which Was to be kept from the council, torn out or treated in any way he liked. He maintained, that every letter which Coun- cillor Richard Davies wrote as chairman of the pier committee was the property of the town, and lie would continue to maintain that, and lie knew he had the voice of the town with him in his contention. And, fur- ther, as far as he was concerned, he would not for two minutes think of giving up the idea of having every letter which had been written by Councillor R. Davies, or received by him, in connection with the pier under- taking—he would not rest until every letter had been produced. Councillor Davies had said that there were letters which were now of no interest, and had not been for twelve months. Those were his words. Were they of no interest ? They might be of great in- terest, and not only that, but of very great importance to the town. Was the business of the town council, and the most important part of it for the past three years, to be conducted by an individual simply at his own discretion!, without giving an account at all of any leitters which he had written? If this was allowed to go on, it was the most scandalous state of things in connection with public affairs in the town. These letters were of interest, and they were of import- ance. He knew something about them He bad not told them yet what he dud know, but he would say that if any member of this council connived with Councillor Richard Davies to suppress those letters, a terrible responsibility would rest upon tihem.-Alder- man Thomas Lewis hoped that in future they would be able to adopt all minutes. This scene only showed the result of going out of order in allowing Councillor Richard Da- vies to speak. The consequence was seen in these violent speeches. He assumed that all the letters lhad been handed over.—Coun- cillor T. J. Williams: Oh, nO.ICouncillor Richard Davies I have delivered all the offi- cial letters.—The incident then dropped. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE CORRE- SPONDENCE. Councillor T. J.. Williams, in accordance with notice, proposed, "That every official correspondence be conducted only through the town clerk, borough accountant, or the cleric of each committee, and that press co- pies of all such correspondence be laid in full beifore the council or the committee in due course." He believed that this would ap- peal to every member of the council as being a most natural and reasonable thing. He did not wislh to enter fully into the matter, and only wished to have a resolution passed which would make it quite certain that no- thing would take place in the future which would give rise to unpleasant discussions in the council.—'Alderman Cameron seconded. —Councillor Bayne said he objected on prin- ciple to the way in which Councillor Richard Davies had conducted the business of the pier committee, but ought they not to take it as a matter of fact that the correspondence should be conducted by the clerk, but that in particular cases the chairman might be deputed to do the work, and hand over the correspondence afterwards. — The Mayoi stated that Councillor Richard Davies did not conduct any correspondence without the authority of the committee.—Alderman T. Lewis said it was an unusual thing.—Coun- cillor Richard Davies said that a resolution was passed, on the motion of Alderman Tho- mas Lewis, with regard to the corresponcl- enoe of the pier commiittee.i —' Alderman Lewis That may be, but at the same time I say it is an unusual thing for the chairman to dondiuct correspondence instead of the clerk.—Councillor Grey Edwards thought it clerk. -Councillor Grey Edwards thought it would be unwise to tie their hands to a hard and fast rule in matters of this kind. Coun- cillor T. J. Williams had been connected with education, and had a special knowledge in that line, and if any question dealing with education were to arise, probably he might I be deputed to conduct certain correspondence which he might be able to do with greater success than anyone else but if they passed I this resolution, they could not avail them- selves of his services. He had never known a chairman, or any other member of a com- I. mittee, conducting correspondence without having first been asked to do so, for who would trouble himself with correspondence ? 1 Besides, correspondence was of no value un- less it was authorised by the council. A great deal had been said on this subject, and if he (Councillor Grey Edwards) had been in the same position as Councillor R. Davies, in matters pertaining to the construction of the I pier, he would feel very keenly the bitter attacks made upon him for communicating with the engineer. He 'had done this in I order to facilibate matters, and to avoid the I red tapeism which must of necessity occur if it had been left to the town clerk, who would be compelled to call a meeting of the committee after every meeting. He remem- bered Alderman Thomas Lewis saying in committee that he felt perfectly certain that I no-one would tiake, the trouble that Coun- cillor Davies had taken. It appeared as a check to the desire to serve the public for a man who had given so much time to the work to be attacked in such a merciless man- work to be attacked in such a merciless man- ner, and would be a deterrent to any man. Councillor Davies had no idea of keeping these letters, and they were all read in com- mittee, and acted upon.—Councillor Gregory said he would support the motion, in order to save a recurrence of such unpleasant scenes as they had witnessed that evening. However, to avoid such things as those men- tioned by Councillor Grey Edwards, a chair- man might be deputed, if the possessed spe- cial advantages, to dictate his letters to the clerk, who would write them officially, and keep a copy thereof in the official letter-book of the council. He could well understand the o-jection of Councillor Richard Davies to have his letter-book torn, but all this kind of thing could be saved if the motion be adopted. -Councillor Richard Davies said they might as well pass a ^resolution to pre- vent a m,ember of committee to speak of matters pertaining to a certain work as pass one to prevent him from writing letters upon I it. Some members might take great interest in certain work, and would probably take more notice of it than others, and he failed to see the reasonableness of binding a man so that he could' no- write about it. It had been said that it was unfortunate that letters had been copied into his private letter-book, but as a matter of fact no official letter-book was supplied to him, and he had been asked by the committee to write.—Alderman Tho- mas Lewis: But we expected those letters to be copied into the minutes of the com- rnittee.Councillor Richard Davies: They were very numerous, and really of no prac- tical use.—-Alderman T. Lewis: I think they are very important, and were of great help to us.—Councillor Davies: They are to be had any time you like to send anyone there c/W them (hear, hear).—.Councillor T. J. Williams said he was glad to hear that.— I. Councillor Davies: I said so before. Didn't you hear it lr-Councillor T. J. Williams: never heard it. —< Councillor Davies: Well, I said it ("Certainly"). Perhaps the j unfortunate part of the whole matter is that the work was completed so successfully. I cannot support the resolution, because I con- cannot support the resolution, because I con- i sider it is the duty of every member to do his best to further the work there is on hand, and even to speaik to a man on the road, if he considers he can further the work of the council, and the interest of the town, by doing so —Councillor W. P. Matthews sup- ported the motion, and said that all letters in connection with public affairs, should fee in the possession of the officials.-The Town Clerk said that he advised Mr Davies to re- tain all letters he had written in his private capacity. He had not seen a single letter, but had advised Councillor Davips generally. Qouncillor Matthews said .Vie same thing might aris3 again- if they did not pass this resolution. All public business should be done publicly and straightforwardly through the clerk; and if a member wished to say he could say it to the clerk.— Councillor David William, said he had no objection to the proposal, for it was so ob- that al' official correspondence shoSd be" conducted by the clerk but at the same time, be saw no objection to friend- ly correspondence between the chairman of the pier committee and the engineer. There might be some delicate matter which could be settled without the full weight of officialism I being attached to it. N otwitJhstanding every- thing tha-t had been said, he could not help thinking that this was a bit of a kick at Councillor Davies and Alderman Langford Jones in consequence of some correspondence they had conducted. It would be more manly if Councillor T. J. Williams, instead of using such strong expressions given in the emphatic way and delivered in 0 the most solemn tones, had told the council what he knew about these letters. Was it necessary to make a challenge, and ask him to tell what he knew of these serious things, and let him bring Councillor R. Davies to book if he was to be impeached before the council. Councillor Matthews replied that he was not supporting the motion as a kick to any- ene.-Councillor T. J. Williams replied that if he wished to kick, no one would have a doubt about it; and 'he would not be blamed for want of grit. With regard to the chal- lenge he took those up when he thought best, and not whenever any one desired to throw down the gauntlet. He did not de- sire to refer to anybody except Mr Richard Davies, and had no intention even to refer to him.-Councillor R. Davies: Is there any doubt as to any letter ? He would challenge any angel or any man that he had been honest in this case.—Councillor T. J. Wil- liams Am I to be interrupted in this way ? -The Mayor: There is rather a sad reflec- tion upon Mr Davies.—Councillor T. J. Wil- liams What is the reflection, Mr Mayor ?— Councillor David Williams: Keeping back correspondence.—Councillor R. Davies: And he knows something about them he says.- Councillor T. J. Williams: I did not inter- rupt Councillor Davies.—Councillor Davies Yes; several times..—Councillor T. J. Wil- liams then went on to reply and said that he had seen it reported that the pier had ex- ceeded the estimate by about £ 11,000. Was that a successful completion of the under- I taking?—Alderman T. Lewis submitted that the extra expense incurred in the construc- tion of the pier was absolutely necessary for the permanency of the pier. The most un- fortunate matter was the price of JMOOO paid for the land on the Anglesey side. The pier before long would pay its way directly as it was now doing indirectly (hear, 'hear).—Mr Bayne expressed surprise that the committee had not kept within their original estimates. It was said that the cost would not exceed £25,000, and now it had gone up to B40,000, which must hang like a millstone upon the ratepayers for years to come.—The motion was then put, and there voted for it, seven; and against, six. A LOW BIRTH RATE. Dr Langford Jones, in submitting the re- port of the sanitary committee, reported that the vital statistics for the month were:- Death rate, 15.96 per 1000; and birth rate, 10.92 per 1000. This was the lowest birth rate he could recollect, but there was some consolation in the fact that they were all males. LLANGAFFO. The clerk reported that the interview with Mr E. A. Neele, the District Superintendent of the L. and N.-W. R. Co., took place in the Council Chamber, at Bangor, on Wed- nesday, January 10th, when there was a large attendance of representatives from Anglesey in addition to the Bangor deputa- tion that a report appeared in the local papers, that he had since forwarded to Mr Neele a press copy of a letter published from Lord Boston approving the scheme, but that at present no reply had been received from the company as to the result of the applica- tion. tion. SCIENCE AND ART INSTITUTE, BANGOR. BANGOR. A memorial from the Bangor committee of the South Kensington Science and Art De» partmmt, signed by Col. the Hon. W. E. Sackville West, asking for a grant of £ 10 J from the Corporation, in aid of the Institute, was submitted, and the clerk having read the I Sections of the Technical Instruction Act, 1889, bearing upon the subject, it was, on the motion of Councillor T. J. Williams, se- I conded by Councillor W. Bayne, resolved that the request of the Institute be complied with, and a grant of JB10 made provided the council have the representation, Ac., in accordance I with the provisions of the Technical Instruc- tion Act, 1889. FINANCE COMMITTEE. I Dr H. Grey Edwards moved the adoption of the report of the finance committee, which stated that the collector had collected and I deposited with the treasurer the sum of ;S168816sld. There was due to the treasurer a sum of £10,042, and by him £ 5349.—The accountant reported that he had negotiated j a loan of £ 1000 at three per cent. ( £ 700 for waterworks purposes and R500 to replace a three and a half per cent, mortgage), and produced a bond for same, which was duly signed and ordered to be passed under the common seal of the council. Cheques I amounting to JB8666 were ordered to be paid.

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