The Weekly News and Visitors' Chronicle for Colwyn Bay Colwyn Llandrillo Conway Deganwy and Neighbourhood

[In no case are we responsible for the opinions expressed in this column.] To the Editor of "The Weekly News." THE COWLYD SCHEME. Siit, I am not in the Cabinet—the Cabinet is a Unit a would-be sarcastic peroration in a great spaech, on a memorable-to-the-gallery-speaking occasion Was there not in the year 1895 a remark- able Cabinet of a self-constitutt-d "Unit in reference to the secret negotiations, with the "Woods and Forests and the L. & N. W. Railway Co. i-e the Foreshore P And was there not the strictest seeresy imposed by the Unit as to his movements and the information be required previous to his London visits ? The actions of the" ,Unit," were afterwards endorsed heartily by the Council,—by myself emphatically, amongst others. But I will repeat the question of the great orator "Unit," "How long is this Empire to last"? Whose Empire is here alluded-to,-his own ?— Apparently, there are grave misgivings, in, as Shakespeare says, in King Henry IV," Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown." In reference to the public meeting held in the Public Hall on the 27th ult., I will only remark that I might and ought to have had private notice given me of the deliberately prepared intention to make a bitter attack upon me as Chairman of the Cowlyd Water Board,—ordinary "Civility" would have dic- tated that, Courtesy I could not expect. I am, however,glad that even the ordinary "Civility" under such circumstances, of asking me toattend the' meeting, was not extended to me, as I thus escaped having the well-known stock-in-trade exclamations of "Shame and Scandalous hurled at my poor head by hair-brained non-entities. I have already publicly admitted, and I have again now no hesitation whatever in repeating ( and, if ymu like, emphasising the admission) that uSa'vt)idable mistakes have been made by the Cowlyd lWater Board,—and what Board in England during its existence,—or what individual, however sage, during his life-time,—has not made mistakes ?-Coe forth, sir, whoever you may be —But I will take upon my own shonlders, and they are pretty broad, the whole responsibility from the officials (well competent, how- ever, to take care of their own fair reputation-cetiolly —nay libellously—maligned and that too in their absence). But, notwithstanding this, I shall ever contend that the whole Board is equally with myself responsible for any and all mistakes that have been made, or long ago they should have repudiated my leadership, as some are now seeking to do,—to sink the ship, and save themselves for popularity's sake," according to Mr John Roberts in his able letter. I cannot imagine anything more contemptibly mean than the base, but far-reaching, innuendo,—" There is only half the truth come to light this morning: the whole truth will have to come to light." All I ask is, that the charges of irregularities or perhaps even something worst, as insinuated against ^E^jJi^theofficials, be formulated against us in a »In^^mjP|itforward manner, and I say fearlessly ■fchall be'f>rep*red to meet them—but none of your ^Kerable stabs in the dark !—I challenge once again ■be most searching Enquiry by any Government' I will finish my alrendy too long letter by avowing my fixed purpose, in spite of all objurgations, to stick P_ inanfully to, and not scuttle, the Big Ship— The Cowlyd Lake Water Board "—until I am displaced by a direct vote of want of confidence by the crew, which I do not for one moment anticipate or fear, or until I am ejected by the petty intrigue of some officer of the Ship's Crew. I am not going to retire from the Captaincy till the Scheme is completed,-a Scheme which I am convinced will, lotwithstanding- its past drawbacks, prove to be a grand success and a lasting benefit to Colwyn Bay and the surrounding District (Municipal and Rural) and I will add the cheapest and niost efficient water-supply in Pngland. I have, attached to my name, Venables-Williams" ,two mottoes,-iine (Latino Venabalia Vinco, Artglice "I conquer in the Chase;" the other (Welsh) Cadarn a'r Cyfrwys," Anglice Astute or (as some interpret 'it) btrong and Crafty" Of course, it is a matter of opinion as to my being entitled to the Welsh one, but at any tate t strictly adhere to the Latin one, as I intend to Conquer all the difficulties, which are, I am glad to think, rapidly vanishing into thin air.- Yours etc., WM. VENABI.KS-WII.I.IAMS, Chairman of the Cowlyd Water Board. The Vicarage, Colwyn Bay, January 6th, 1896. THE COLWYN BAY RATEPAYERS' MEETING. SIR,-Mr John Roberts, no doubt smarting under the general condemnation passed upon his disgraceful conduct at the above meeting, seeks to cover himself by making another att. ick upon me in your last issue. I am now reluctant to continue any controversy with a man who could descend so low in face of a Public Meeting. Still, Mr R iberts can boast of being a prominent Public Man, whose, utterances, I suppose, still call for some attention. liut I feel assured that the next time Mr Roberts appeals for support as one who wishes to promote Higher Grade Education and the Higher Life, he will find himself in a different position than he now occupies, especially after his very choice expres-ions at the above meeting. He boasts of his experience and knowledge of L)cLl Government, how he has to set me right at our Coun- cil Board, and act generally a* the guide, philosopher and friend to the District. Well, Sir, the Public miy take his proceedings at the ibove meeting as a sample of his proceedings at our Council B nd, the bulk of which can be guaranteed as good as the sample. Could any Lawyer at the meeting construe anything intelligible from his statements, and could Billings- gate furnish a mill willing to follow his ex unple in the matter of behaviour ? He charges me with wanting to turn our Council into a Debating Class not a very serious charge this, for not many think there is too much discussion.— There is far too much obstruction. The Cowlyd Scheme would hive been all the better for more dis- cussion, more free speech, ",nil more publicity. The Irishman had a parrot who was no talker but a beggar to think; Mr Roberts would like I suppose, a Council of Silent Members, with himself at the head as the First-born among the Brethren. Then Mr Roberts talks about his big stake in the place and his many interests and my little stake. Strange remarks these, for an advanced Radical. To me such references have more the ring of despotic Ahab's sneer when he said And art thou he that troubleth Israel." A man's many interests, Sir, are, not always identical with the public good, an 1 I suppose there is a possi- bility of me having a desire to look after the public interests, since, as Mr Roberts says, I have none of my own to look after. I challenge Mr Roberts for proof as to my motions being irregular, and take my stand on the reports and the Council's minutes. There is one motion, however, I deeply regret and that is the proposition of mine on wnich. Mr Roberts was elected Vice-Chairman, I thought him a suitable man, but made a mistake. Another charge is that of ruining this grand Water Scheme and ruining Colwyn Bay. There is none who knows better than Mr Roberts that the Cowlyd Scheme, though it may not ruin us yet, will very much exhaust our resources, and hinder for years to come the proper development and improvement of the District. You must face the matter, he says. Well we know we must soon face the cost. You cannot get the money back, so whats the use of bothering," is another argument. This, Sir, is the most pitiable humiliating argument I ever heard, coming as it does from Councillors and Magistrates. What a convenient plea this for men say of the Jabez Balfour stamp, and for all our crimi- nals. Since we cannot undo the past, let us open our prison doors and cease to punish crime. No, Sir, such a plea cannot be accepted, for the public can only be protected in the future by visiting judgment on past wrong doing, and the day we cease to do that, will be the day of no judgment. I will not treap-iss further on your space, except to say that the torrent of abuse Mr Roberts charges me with showering on him, consisted chiefly in the words used by me that he had tried to throw dust in the eyes of the people re the Cowlyd Scheme I adhere to that, and for my justification I call attention to the way he has op- posed my efforts to get information, and to the mis- leading statements he has continually made respecting the Cowlyd Scheme.—I am, Sir, yours truly, Idsall House, Colwyn Bay, J. BLUD. Jan. 7th, 1896. THE RATEPAYERS' MEETING AT THE PUBLIC HALL. FACT VERSUS FABLE. Mr Charles E. Weaver, of Clairville, Woodland Road, Colwyn Bay, has sent us the subjoined letter, which he has headed as above:- giFi—Truth and falsehood are words not without meaning, and those who were present at the meeting held on the 27th nit. could no doubt judge whether I spoke the truth in saying (and this main point y. ,u did not make extant, although you had a resuin,;¿ of what I said forwarded to you) the quantity as well as the quallity of water supplied last summer had not been satisfactory, and that such a^requisite of exis- tence had been at times found off just when most needed for sanitary, flushing, and domestic purpoa09. Weil, I may have erred in rising toitest against the delay in giving us a full and pump of water, and our only having a "make-shift s,ly, for which we ratepayers have dearly to pay. Your report adds ink and some litjioison to this cup. I consider such defects in supphd to do with the inconveniences caused by the grecielay in com- pletion of the Scheme the ratepayers e called upon to discuss. Now, when the genial Oman politely asked me whether (while describing tjuality of the water) it was to the question, there I it shuffling of feet by a section of the audience, antis amusing to find your reporter has shaded this into Cries and "Hooting." News is app mr thought by some to want flavour if it has nthe pepper of malice in it. Vour reporter uses hi-vilege without reserve. His allusions are no doubeant to throw discredit on me, if not 011 the entineeting. Mine is no careless ear, and yet "the" cries" were unheard, and I should say no right-ded man would indulge in them. These noises coumly have fallen on a reporter's brain, disturbed the ap patting thought that his report would be the better for a little embellishment. His sense proportion, too, differs very much from mine, a-thtt of others well qualified to judge, when touts down the number present at the meeting at n 30—60. If he had put it at from 60-120, he woihave been near the mark. I am reported as mg unsurpassed instead of sparse in one sentence,! this materially alters its meaning. The >only genuine outcry what raised when Councilman J. Roberts iprossfysulted fellow- Councillor suffering from an innty, who was then delivering a good speech in condettion of the, entire Water Scheme. Does you represative really mean to say he had-left before t!lat spe and the personal and almost brutal interruptionot mentioned in your report) was made ? I forward copy of this letter fie Chairman of the meeting. I have already shovthe letter to the Chairman of the Local Board,10 had called the meeting and wasipresent all there he fully agrees with what\is written in this coanication, while he is also aware it is intended for pication. If your columns are open hear both sides' uninfluenced by clique or so-ed Cabinet," you will insert this. The issue at sent is with you.— Truly yours, E. WEAVEB. Colwyn Bay, 6th January, 1896 We now append the resum vvfiieli Mr Weaver refers, and leave it to those our readers who were present to judge whether ourpresentativo did not report with substantial accey the proceedings until he left the Hall, and, in tjicular, whether the report is not substantially a :e correct version of what took place while Mr Wer was in possession of the meeting, than the follog resume — Mr Weaver, a new ratepr, appeared a little nervous on rising for thirst time to say he knew little of the details of tScheme beyund what, was published in the tyeekNews dated the 13th December. It had been menied to him that, when a public meeting was calleo quietly discuss the town affairs, there was apitl lukewarmness, and a sparse attendance but if te was a likelihood of a bit of a lark, or in case of a tidy or some rowdyism, the Hall would be craaiui! Judging, however, from the large number now sent, he had hopes that each would bear goodwill, l listen to the speakers without tolerating anythingiorderly. The question they had to notice, was thelonveniences caused by delay in completion, and t the cost to the rate. P LYers. A still more impott point was the quality and quantity of the watenpplied. He should say most hoarding and lodginouse keepers like to be clean and have things nicftit to them and the rate- payers generally, a good aiy of wdot,r must be had. On some occasions last sea, the water was off' jnst at a perijd when most ned for sanitary, flushing, and domestic purposes- e quality ..f the water, the first requisite of exhee, hiod sometimes been found much discoloured en delivered at his own private house." THE POLICE fl) THE PUBLIC. Slit -Having been P'nt at the Conway Police Court, on Monday last, in three or four men were charged with being (irunk and disorderly, (b) assaulting the police, a(c) resisting the police 111 the execution of ljheir y; and it having come out in the evidence that, ahugh P.C. Parry (20) was in a scuffle with a man, trowd around him did not assist in taking the bner into custody, it struck me that the present an opportune moment to acquaint the publio » the fact that refusing to assist a constable is a dictable offence, and is not tried summarily (thall at a Petty Sessions, but at either the Quarter jiions or Assizes). Stone's Justice's Manual" i&t" Everv person present is bound to assist 14 charged" (that is, called upon) by a constabl tnd the refusal to d ) so is an indictable ■misdertiewt, punishable by fine or im- prisonment. or bofhwhich no summary remedy has been provided." would be well ft,r the Conway people to read, nrarlj^rn, and inwardly digest this gratuitous informati.Yours truly, "LOCSYN." LLANDUDN EISTEDDFOD ART DYART,NIENT. SIR,—Judging fh ihe report of the proceedings of tIe Kisteddfod hettive Committee, in your issue of December 27th 't ttere seems to be a consider- able difference officii with regard to Dr. Bold Williams's appartly very reasonable proposals. Hovever, it is to 'holfcd that, despite these draw- bacCg5 the Art Eibi^ion will prove an all-round re»ord," and that wll be so carried-out as to win the approval eveif gUih a fierce criti, as Professor Heikomer. Manjjreaii ago, on the occasion of an "Esteddfod Goiin^" being held in a Conway Valey town containg,bout one-fourth of the normal win,er population' LIFidu,ino,an Art sub-Committee waaformed in colexi(i with a Competitive and Loan Artj;xhibition. [attvs looked gloomy at first, but, tha¡ks to the kiines of local artists, gentry, etc., the; managed toet "igether a very jjood collection of 'rowings, an a- erv creditable little museum. Besrieg loctil exlbit, they had on exhibition speci- merg of sir J%unReynolds, Lady Rowlandson, Dai^y senior, AHrei von Bremen, Bonnington. and m try other celetllott artists. The Exhibition was not held in th Isteddfod field. Although the Eis^fhifod itsof us a comparative failure for reaSjns which IQU be explained, our small sub- Conlllittee was ibl to hand over to the Executive Conmittee a baia,n after paying all expenses, and reti-ning all thexhibits safely. Surely such a fl°uishin<T towt, Llandudno need not fear the reslt of such all idertaking, and I sincerely hope tha matters wIll rht themselves eventually. With regi-d to the pfiz offered, the Welsh (and particul- aristic Welsh.ba) exhibitors—many of whom have hadfew- of the jvtantages of artists from across the "Br(jer,"—d» >t seem to be very generously treae'l, for thqp,r Welsh artist has very little chance in ke 4 open (isses. It is a pity that a few more clse" prizve not offered, but it is to be hoped tha' soine kinif-disposed lovers of Art will step in andnilke up fkhe deficiency. Professor Herkomer, in ls answer/the Secretary of the proposed New- port gistQdrd of 1897, accepting the post of AdJdicator the Arts Department, says Do not allo. opellnmp)tition. It must remain with We;brnon,'fcc. It is a pity his ide is could not be ctrled out this matter to a certain extent. A.oloisi for trespassing on your vtlauable spaij Youcruly, AIOVER OF WELSH ART AND SCENERY. Lla\.tfst, J. 6th, 1896. A "OMPTITIVE CHOIR FOR CONWAY. SB,^Tlquestion has often been asked why not hav Cotetitive Choir in our borough ? I think thai ,,ow suitable for such a Choir, the National Bistjjdfoceing in our neighbourhood, and it would be fftind see Conway coming in for a share of niukloill hors. I understand that we have now in ourtoidst very able Conductor who has been very suciigssfun an adjoining town,-why not try and ind\ce hito form a Choir for the second choral com- petition. earnestly trust that a move in this direc- tion will once be taken. BASSO PRIMO. ColwaJanuary 4th, 1896. HA\'E,OCAL AUTHORITIES A RIGHT TO [NRFERE WITH GAS COMPANIES? S n,-learn that a part of my letter of the 23rd ult.\fiitaitted through an accident after it left my haltl. jle first portion of the last paragraph should rea{ iisllows (and not as it appeared); I should thiik it copying of these few Clauses from the Act, iaough to show that we were in order, but it was a ty on the Council to see that the Gas Com- pany doing what the Act calls on them to do. WhgsutY, I would like to ask, is it, if it is not the Licihthority's ? We all know how deep and loud the cof the Ratepayers of Colwyn Bay has been (and 1 is) against the way our roads have been cut- up anave been left to be repaired at the ratepayers' expe; and also against the bad illuminating power of thas often. The cause of this, in my opinion, is the lect of our Local Authority in not appointing a garter to report the quality of the gas supplied, but haps they are to be excused, as it was the rule witle late Local Board to v,)te, no matter whether or nt was a question in which they had an interest at Se, and then, having five (if not six) out of the twa numbers Gas Compmy Directors and a good friend or two, it was useless to attempt it I don't accuse the Directors of working for their own interest on the Board, but if neglecting to perform certain duties imposed on the Company, when some of those ilcties were being performed by tlie Boar i, and at the expense of the ratepayers instead of the shareholders. With these advantages for years, it is no wonder the Company has prospered. So I beg to ask the Rate- payers of this District to be cautious and consider whether this is the right time to buy the gas-works when it has become imperative on the Gas Company to spend a large amount of money to re-plant and extend their Works," Ac., &c. I should also like to reiterate the necessity for caution coupled with prompt action in dealing with the question whether to buy the Gas Company out or not -Yours, W. DAVIES. Glyndwr, Colwyn Bay, J tnuay 4t 1, 1896. GLANCONWAY NATIONAL SCHOOLS. Str,-It gave me great pleasure to see the report of t^e concert that the children of the Glanconway iMational Schools gave on the 26th of December last. The Schoolmaster deserves great praise for the manner he has trained the children, but the children deserve greater praise f i- performing their parts in such a splendid style they have been the means of giving some hundreds of people in the neighbourhood of Glanconway great joy and pleasure, making the old to forget his pains and to feel as young as ever,—and 'that not only for the one night mentioned (Dec. 26th), but for the two following nights also (Dec. 27th and 28th), and I atit-sure, Mr hiditor, these two nights are well worth mentioning also, for the children, after having worked so hard and so well for three nights, deserve praise for their work, and why not, then. pay them their due the same as other workers, or le*; them know how much were the takings, and where did the money go to, for these children have been compelled to pay for their education up to October, last. This is the feeling of both the Ciiurchnj^tTand the Non- conformists who were paying for admission to this concert these three nights therefore, if the concert is to be a success for the future, it is right that the public should know the particulars.—Yours very truly, ONE INTERESTED.

North Wales &Musicians. On Monday, December 23rd, a meeting of the North Wales Section of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, of which Mr C. Morton Bailev, Mus. Bac., F.R.C.O., is the President for the year, was held at the Imperial Hotel, Colwyn Bay. Mr T. Westlake Morgan, Bang-or Cathedral, the Hon- orary Secretary of the Section, stated application had been made, to the various County Councils in North Wales, tor the establishment of musical institutions. Amongst others present were Mr Llewelyn Jones, Choirmaster of St Catherine's Church, Colwyn Mr C. Mellowdew Lees, .Convvav and Mrs Powlson, Colwyn Bay. The business was formal.

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