Rhyl Journal

LOCAL NOTES. It is but a few weeks since the Rhyl Jouncil decided to reject a report by the toad Committee in favour of protecting the astern End of the district against the io- oads of the sea. The action of the Council ,n that occasion was open to criticism, as t is clear to anyone who has walked to he end of Marine Drive a dozen times past twe months that unless ;lJn\:b;n: is quickly itone in the shape of ;ea-defence works the boundary of the sand- lills wiU be ?way. We give the 'Jouncillors, one a id ill, credit for realising he importance of carrying out defence work*, and the cause of delay appears to be df-eirc on tne part of several Councillors to jet private owners to contribute towards the f).:J If g'-ui'-nsea who own property in that n< ighbourhood care to give money for this pu. pose, all well and good, but there t I tin hw to compel t>em to erect works ivhii :> are y direct! v to prevent a public rnad from being undermined. Whether the èonlvil v well advised in adopting the Mari' e Dri/e at the time that was done is a Tjattei entirely outside the question. The fact stires the Council l the face that they have adopted it as a public highway, and "It] y ihev a-t under an obligation to repair it. W venture to say also that they arc in dmy bound, for the sake of the of lihyl. to secure and maintain for the use of residents and visitors as much 10 of the sandhills as is possible. It is clear that during the. ust two years many tons of 5 i -) gsr.dbai'.ks have > ?en washed into the sea, and every high tldearries away a large quantity. talk cf de" tie work until a large sche .jo hois been foroiulated is to beg the fiae^ ion, ar, no memo r of the Council can v r< > :sly tiiink of advocating the carrying jt of defence works along the whole of the oastern C'a iro:J[ at a cost which is estimated at £ 20, ■>00. No doubt works of a per- manent character will have to be constructed sctce time, but at present the only part which requires vg*"rtt attention is that portion IP-1 »n" tho sche ne submitted to the Cor.ucii 00 Monday. Year after year the JLoati Committee sperd many pounds in burying faggotstree branches on the ore, but operations ot that character c a -rly serve a temporary purpose, and the moutY now being spebt in that way would the princpa. and interest on the loan necessary for the const uction of permanent •vorks, We hope that thoH gentlemen who so persistently opposed te West Promenade Extension are now satisfied. The Local Government Board h: /e at last sanctioned ne io-in for the We-7k- but the town is to t) saddled with about iiBuoo more than was originally intended, and the ratepayers hiivo to thank the position for it. The Council ha*e certainly decided upon an aim >st new departure with regard to the works at tbo West L .i. Finding that the routracto: to w .otn tr ey had offered the lwJctakiog could no do the work for the P: C fiist giVèa, iod Jising that there was a difference of i ? -,o "v between the Town Surveyor's estimate and that of the contrac- tor the Council have decided to carry out the extension of tne D;omenade nnder the direction of a Sub-O oimittee. We hope that the new departure will prove a success, .ond that ^npioyment will be found for local workmen. We believe that a few years ago tbe Concil carried 0:; extensive repairs to the service reservoir 3t -^lascoed in a success- it 1 insurer, and at a reasonable cost. A esident clerk of wor s was engaged, and w'jole of the service reservoir was tn^oughly overhauled, eh ct on d Urhta District Councillors „ii Gu .rdu :5 has b -en fixed to take place .1 Monday. April 4th. Rhyl is now divided j. t0 Wards, both for 'he purposes of the iiardiar-s' dect:on ar;i that of the Urban restrict Council. Three Guardians are to be 'lected fnr sacil wa the retiring members ,)t»i:;f Mr ^erks, Mr Mary Jones (Foryd), >fr 'hcob Tones, Mr W Wynne, Mr R Llew .s M Voyj i (¡oes, Mrs J Roberts 'llytrydle), Mr J H Eniaand Mr P Mostyn Williams, I* IS ihat two of the ladies no* re-otectif n, and possibly two of jv Guardiaus. Mrs Robt Jones J'j decided to stard fc-i the South Ward and ill, no be ro-elected, as she is said 5*r,ve proved bersi-if painstaking GuardiaD, ■ o: king quietly a r. ong -he poor, and making crself acquainted wit; their needs. Like .5 Evans, ot Ahcigele, Mrs Jones was I decided 4cquisHii a to the Board. The nominations dose on Thursday next, and the papers have to be delivered at Mr Grimsley's office at St Asapb. The nominations for the Urban District Council also take place on Thursday, and the papers are required to be in the hands of the Town Clerk not later than 12 o'clock noon on that day. Tho retiring members are as follows East Ward—Messrs S Perks and J Bayliss; West Ward—Messrs D Griffiths and H A Tilby; South Ward- Messrs Jos Williams (Gas) and Jos Williams (Alexandra Hotel). We believe that an effort will be made to introduce politics into this election, and already several candidates have been suggested by the wirepnllers at the Liberal Club. Indeed, it is said that they have doomed every independent member who retires at this election, and that they are to be replaced by members of the Upper House Billiard Institute. At last the Chief Constable has issued notices )hat steps will be taken to enforce the selling of bread by weight. The docu- m en testates that the Act will be rigidly enforced within this county." The points to which attention is chiefly directed is the selling of bread by weight, either in a shop or from carts, and adulteration. The fines for offences vary from £2 to f20

RHYL URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. THE SEA DEFENCES IN THE EAST END-ANOTHER LENGTHY DISCUSSION. SANCTION TO THE WEST PROMENADE EXTENSION WORKS. A special meeting of the Rbyl Urban District Council was held on Monday afternoon for the purpose of dealing with a report of the Road Committee as to the sea defences of the eastern foreshore. Mr JOB Williams, J.P.. (Alexandra Hotel), occupied the chair, and Mr J H Ellis the vice-chair. The following Councillors were also presentCapt E W KeatiBge, Dr Girdlestone, Messrs D Griffiths, J Bayliss, P Mostyn Williams, A L Clews, S Perks, W Williams, Jos Williams (Gas), D Evans, H A Tilby, A Maltby, E P Jones, Robt Jones, A Rowlands (Town Clerk(, Robt Haghes (Town Surveyor), and R J Hughes (Sanitary Inspector). The Sea Defences of the Eastern Foreshore. The Road and Foreshore Committee reported that the Town Clerk had written to the owners of property abutting on the Marine Drive, asking whether they would be prepared to contribute towards the cost of the proposed sea defence works, as Capt E W Keatinge, who oWQS property on the boundary of the district, had offered to build a sea wall for a distance of 60 feet in front of his land. In reply Mr Robt Phillips suggested a conference of the owners with the Committee, while Messrs Palethorpe, Hubert head, Oliver George, and E W Keatinge expressed unwillingness to contribute towards the cost, Mr A L Clews offered to give £10, and Mr Pulleyne, solicitor, wrote to the effect that the trustees of the New Rhyl Estate were preven- ted by law from expending anything or joining in the scheme. The Committee by seven votes to one passed the following resolution :—"That having ascertained the views of the owners, as desired by the Council, this Committee again recommends—That the plan of proposed works for the defence of the foreshore at the East end of the Marine Drive, with a Promenade of 20ft wide, be approved, and that application be made to the Local Gov- ernment Board for sanction to borrow £1,500 to defray the cost of the works, repayable over a period of 50 years or such other period as the Board may grant." The Chairman proposed, and the Vice- Chairman seconded that the report of the Committee be adopted. The Town Clerk read the letters. Mr Palethorpe in his communication commented on the fact that if the Council did not protect the sandhills they would be losing a valuable piece of property which it would be impossible to replace. He also expressed his willingness to contribute towards the cost of the works as a ratepayer. Mr Hubert O'Grady said he would hold the Council responsible should they allow the road to be undermined and so damage his property. Mr Oliver George urged the Council to pay attention at once to the question of providing an additional reservoir, as it was of more immediate importance than sea defence works, although as a ratepayer he was prepared to contribute his quota to the cost. Capt. E. W. Keatinge pointed out that the Council were liable for the preservation of the coast defences, inasmuch as they had purchased the foreshore. Mr Perks said he had an amendment to propose. He failed to realise that the replies they had received from the owners of property justified them in proceeding with the work. He admitted that technically only one or two owners were immediately affected, but at the same time he realized that there were others who would be seriously affected if the danger they apprehended was real. He hoped that they would not undertake the work until they had the co-operation of those owners of the property known as the Ffrith, because they were bound to be seriously affected by any encroachment of the sea. He did not think that there was any immediate hurry for the defence works. Of course there was damage going on, but they did not anticipate any heavy gales. He proposed that the matter be deferred until the adjoining owners were prepared to contribute towards the cost of carrying out the works. Mr Clews seconded. He disagreed with the Road Committee, and thought thatj they had approached the question from a wrong point of view. They had really approached the owners with a mind made up that the town would supply the whole of the money. The owners had taken a limit from the Committee. He thought that the Council should have told the owners plainly that they could not go on with the work unless they received a contribution. Mr P. Mostyn Williams said he was one of those who took sides with Mr Clews at the last Council meeting. He still advocated that the owners should contribute. At the last meeting he had mentioned that he considered that before very long it would be necessary to have a complete scheme of sea defence work from the site of the old Hospital- to the end of the Marine Drive. Also that similar works would have to be proceeded with in an easterly direc- tion beyond the boundary. He believed that two owners of property only were immediately affected by the present works. Mr Oliver Georgehad a frontage of about 25 yards, and Capt. Keatinge had 175 yards. The former apparently under some misapprehension de- clined to contribute, and spoke of other v i WaS said that the Rhuddlan Marsh Embankment Trustees should do the work, but he submitted that that authority had nothing to do with it. With regard to Capt Keatmge it was said that he wis pre- pared to contribute towards the sea defences by building a wall to the east of the district which would cost a large sum of money It was said that the 200 yards to be erected bv the Council would cost £.1000, so that it could be estimated that each lineal yard would cost jEo. That being so Capt. Keatinge would have to spend at least £300 on sea defence works. That was a handsome sum to give and was more in proportion taking all things into consideration than the owners of property were giving. At the recent inquiry a great deal was said about the movement of the gravel and the expert evidence was to the effect that an accumulation of gravel to the west of the proposed new works had a tendency to force the current against the weak points to the east. The more they defended the western coast the more necessary it would be to defend the eastern. He accepted the proposed works as an instalment of a larger scheme, and he would vote for it. Mr Joseph WilliamsJ (Gas) expressed the opinion that the tendency had been to rush the work as if the end of the world was next week < or the week afterwards. He did not think that there was really any immediate danger, but if there was any it was to the eastward, ] and the owners of the Ffrith should see to it. Mr Maltby I should be sorry to see the sea come in there and get down to Vale road. Mr Jos. Williams (Gas) added that he re- presented the South Ward, and was as anxious as Mr Maltby to protect the town. He was told that if they protected this place that they would only be making the other side weaker. He thought that they should wait until they had a definite reply from Mr Salt and the trustees of the late Colonel Warren. Captain Keatinge said he thought that if any member said that there was no danger to the east coast likely to occur was equal to saying that he had no knowledge of his duties. He could have produced a numerously signed petition in support of the work being pro- ceeded with as being an absolutely useful undertaking. To say that Mr Perks was in a minority upon that question was quite true, and no one could accuse that gentleman of being a progressive pioneer of Rhyl. Mr Perks replied that there was no immedi- ate danger, as no great erosion had taken place for some time. Mr D. Evans said that he had visited the East end occasionally, and he failed to see that there was any immediate danger. By spending £100 they could effectually protect the place, and instead of spending £1,500 on part of a scheme it would be better to wait and go in for a big scheme, as they would probably have to spend £20,000 in making a Promenade from the present finish to the extreme end of the district, thereby securing for Rhyl the finest promenade in the United Kingdom. To spend £1,500 now was simply to throw money away. Mr Perks asked the Surveyor whether in the event of the sea breaking through the defences the water would not run towards Prestatyn. The Surveyor replied that it would flow into the Cut and pass into Vale Road. The lay of the land was towards Ty Coch. Capt Keatinge: The Cut from Prestatyn flows towards Rhyl ? The Surveyor Yes. Capt Keatinge: So that the water would find its way to Vale-road; The Surveyor Yes. Mr Perks But what the Cut would not take away would go towards Prestatyn ? The Surveyor The summit of the Cut is outside Rhydorddwy Fawr Farm, and from that point the water flows east and west. Mr E. P. Jones said he realised that the Council had purchased the foreshore, and had taken over the roadway. That being so, they were bound to prjtect it. He did not express an opinion as to whether the course taken years ago was wise or unwise, but having made a bargain they, as a Council, were bound to stick to it. He considered that the strip of land between the road and the foreshore was very valuable, and they would be making a great mistake as a Council if they did not defend it. Captain Keatinge had made a good offer and the Council should protect their own property. Capt Keatinge said he would protect his own land outside the Council's district, and would do all he could to induce the New Rhyl people to do likewise. Mr Tilby pointed out that they had heard it stated on the best authority that the works proposed were the only kind vLich wold "'ave the Eastern End of the district. Not only had the Surveyor stated that the work was absolute- ly necessary, but Mr Robt Jones, who perhaps knew the coast better than anyone else, said the same thing. No one on that Council would be more pleased than himself to fleece the capitalists if it were possible, but having blun- dered in taking over the Marine Drive, the Council had to make the best of their bargain. It was quite different to the other end of the town, where the Council had but little property to defend. Mr Maltby said that the Council were bound to protect the East end of the town, though they might not receive one penny in rates, because they had to look after the interests of the Vale-road people. The Vice-Chairman strongly supported the action of the Committee, and said that the West Rhyl Land j Company were in quite a different position to the owners of the East End property, as they gave with one hand and took away with the other. By having a sea-wall and promenade before their property the Company made a beautiful terrace before their houses. He also urged upon the Council to save as much of the sandhills as possible. Mr Wm. Williams thought that they should make all owners contribute alike, and he did not think that they need hurry with the work, as the heavy weather was passed. Mr Robt. Jones said he was in favour of protecting the foreshore, but he could not agree with the Road Committee, and he did not think that they should defer it for an indefinite period. He thought that they might adjourn it until they had heard from Colonel Warren's Trustees, as Vale-road would he inundated should the sea break through. It was said that in places they were getting quite fat, awhile elsewhere they were quite lean (laughter). Under the Promenade they were getting quite fat over it (laughter). Capt. Keatinge Who do you say is getting fat ? Is it the jCouncil or someone else 1 (laughter). Who is getting lean. Mr Robert Jones The Council through their experts (loud laughter). He supposed that they would believe their expert after they paid him 30 guineas for his evidence. If they were not to act upon it, and if they did not believe it why did they spend 30 guineas of the ratepayers'money on getting an expert down. The Chairman said the Council should pro- tect the foreshore, as they had adopted the road and accepted money for its repair. It was better to spend money on permanent work than to waste it on temporary repairs. The Council then divided, when the voting was as follows :—For the amendment: Messrs S. Perks, A. L. Clews, Robert Jones. Wm. Williams and Jos Williams (Gas)—5; For the Committee's recommendation :—The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Capt Keatinge, Dr Girdle- stone, Messrs E. P. Jones, P. Mostyn Wil- liams, D. Griffiths, H. A. Tilby, J Bayliss, and A. Maltby—10. The report was then adopted. The West Promenade Extension-Local Men to be Employed. The Town Clerk reported that Mr George Bell, of Manchester, whose tender had been accepted for the work of extending the West Promenade, had written to say that he had made a mistake in his calculations, which he had given as £4,111, and he would require £4770 to do the work. The Road Committee had de- cided to withdraw the acceptance of the tender and to carry out the work themselves, employing local labour. The Local Government Board had that day sent in its sanction to the neces- sary loan. Captain Keatinge said the Committee were very much surprised to find that Mr Bell had practically declined to do the work at the price he had tendered. No doubt the explana- tion was to be found in the fact that the newspapers had published the figures, and Mr Bell was able to see that he was £1,000 less than any other contractor. The Town Surveyor of Rhyl had estimated the cost at £3,854 12s or after deducting 10 per cent for legal charges, &c., the nett cost was pub down at £ 3,469, so that the Council if it carried out the work itself would have £642 to make mistakes with. Mr Robert Jones To cover mistakes, you mean. Capt Keatinge continuing; said he was pleased to hear that the Local Government Board had sanctioned the loan, and he hoped that they would be able to employ local labour and get the work done before the winter set in. Mr Perks did not think that the experience of the past was sufficiently good to justify the Council doing its work. He proposed that they ask for fresh tenders. Mr Jos. Williams (Gas) seconded, and said he did not know of a single case where the Council had carried out works within the sstimate. ) Mr Tilby advocated the establishment of a [ Works Department, and said that after they had completed the West End, they could take the plant to the East End of the district, and complete the work there. He failed to see why they should encourage contractors to bring outside workmen there when there were local: men wanting employment. Mr Perks replied that outside men were not brought there. Mr Tilby added that everyone was welcome to his own opinion, and he believed that con- tractors usually brought in outside labour. Mr Robt Jones supported the Committee, and said that all the plant required would be a few planks and barrows. In the past the Coun- cil had borrowed from him the barrows with which it was falleged he had removed or stolen shingle (No, no). The barrows had never been returned, and if the Council purchased plant for the works perhaps they would neither borrow, steal, nor lend. He also reminded the Council that if they purchased a few waggons they would be able to move the gravel about in laccordance with the theories of their 30- guineas experts (laughter). The Vice-Chairman also advocated the em- ployment of local labour, and said he believed that the extension of the West Promenade would be the making of that part of the district. The Chairman also strongly supported the Council carrying out the work itself, and said he believed that the local workmen could do the job as well as those a contractor would bring in. He hoped that an early start would be. made, as there were plenty of men who would be glad of a job. On being put to the meeting, the Council decided by 13 votes to 1 to proceed with the work at once. The Council then rose.

HOCKEYNOTES. I promised in my notes last week to give a full description of the match between Rhyl and Mold, but it would be difficult to describe a match in which the accepted rules of hockey are treated as of no account, so I shall content myself with reading both sides a little lecture. To the Rhyl players on, (1) claiming fouls and disputing the umpire's decision (2) stopping play when claim- ing; (3) on disputing with their individual opponents, the Rhyl captain on not asserting his authority and insisting on the umpiring being left to the two captains. The Mold players on, (1) disputing points they were in lamentable ignorance of; (2) of not looking up the rules of the game before arguing with old players like the Rhyl men; (3) on men who admitted not knowing the rules, and who admitted playing for the first time, dis- puting the claim made by a player who has umpired with such teams as the New Brighton Wanderers, the Sefton, Sale and North Manches- ter lastly, the Mold captain letting an umpire act who seemingly did not know the first principles of the game. Taking the Rhyl team first I will admit it must have been most annoying to see their repeated claims for the most palpable fouls entire- ly disregarded, and a couple of goals scored against them through these transgressions by their opponents, but that is no excuse for arguing with individual opponents, nor for stopping play when claiming a foul, and disputing the umpire's ruling All that should be left to the captain, whose duty it is to protest against anything he considers wrong in the play or the umpiring. I will say no more on this point, as the present captain has only just been elevated to the honour, and perhaps as yet feels a little diffident. The Mold players I can find less excuse for, as they are a newly-formed team of barely one season's experience, and their opponents numbered in their ranks (although only a scratch team) men who played with the first hockey club ever formed in North Wales, i.e.. the Rhyl Hockey Club in 1889, three international players, and an umpire who as before-mentioned has umpired with and for some of the leading hockey clubs in the north of England; they should have been glad, therefore, to have had an oppor- tunity of getting an acquaintance with the rules in :actual play, instead of fouling, charging and obstructing like a lot of rowdy schoolboys. The game of hockey was not played by them at all, it was merely a. noisy scrimmage, such as we see in the streets occasionally, when two sets of boys get a cork bung and a lot of sticks to play with, in other words, a game of shindy. It would be useless to attempt to describe the play, there was none worthy of the name, tor if ever the Rhyl men got near the Mold goal some players of the defending side would either put his foot in front of the ball and keep it there till his men came up, or a huge back would charge down the Rhyl man in most approved Rugby style, and another would get on the ball and waltz around it, keeping his back to the man trying to get it in a most laugh- able but unhockeylike fashion. It was quite useless appealing to the umpire, who was the most incompetent umpire I have ever seeh, and I have seen a few scores in the course of my wandering What little chance there was was ably taken advantage of by the captain (Gunner), Parry, who has lost none of his old dash and who passed much more unselfishly than usual, little Frank Connah, who tackled, robbed and passed in such a surpris- ing manner as to make him quite the favourite with the spectators, and Corney, who at Jeft outside played a really fine safe game and one that could only have best improved on in one solitary point., i.e., a bit quieter passing. Some of the scratch men will make rattling good players. Lyne only lacked wind to make a fine forward, Foster was second only to Parry in quickness end sticking to his men, while Pountney in goal was very safe. The game was not without its comical side, and to see the man who was playing for the first time lecturing the 1896 international captain as to how he should hold his stick was side-splitting, while the way the huge Mold back charged down his opponent, and after knocking him clean off his pins coolly claimed a foul, and what is more got the claim allowed, was enough to dumbfounder even W E Jones. However, all's well that ends well, and although Rhyl lost by three to one I believe they look upon the whole affair more as a large joke than anything else now that it is over, and I know I saw the big Mold back and the midget (F Connah) fraternizing in the billiard room after the match, and when the return is played at Rhyl on Thursday, March 17, if the Rhyl Club will only take care to provide good impartial umpires, instead of leaving it in the hands of one Mold man, I am sure they can teach the Mold team a lesson in correct play and quiet behaviour that was sadly deficient in the last match. I am told that fixtures have been arranged :with Prestatyn, Chester, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno and Wrexham, while a mixed match, i.e., ladies and gentlemen, is in negotiation with Old Colwyn. As Saturdny matches have been arranged a few new members would be welcomed. For particulars apply to Messrs Freeston, Connah, Gunner or REFEREE.

ABERGELE PETTY SESSIONS. SATURDAY.—Before Messrs J. Duncan Miller, (Chairman), W. T. Mason, and William Ellis. Parental Neglect. Ebenezer Hughes, Plas Newydd, Abergele, was fined 2s 6d including costs for neglecting to send a child to school. The case was proved by Mr Abel Jones, School Attendance Officer. Drunk and Refusing to Quit. For being drunk and refusing to quit the Saracen's Head, Bettws-yn-Rhos, Thos. Lloyd, a stonemason, was mulct in a penalty of half a crown with 8s 6d costs. P.C. J. Jones prosecuted, the defendant failing to appear. Cruelty Cases. Owen Jones, Pentre Ucha, Abergele, was charged by Inspector Harberd with working a horse in an unfit state, on the 8th of February, in High Street, Abergele, Eviuence was given by the Inspector, P.C. Salisbury, and Inspector Roberts, to the effect that the horse was very lame on the day in question. Mr Crabbe, for the defence, thought that a technical offence had been committed, but urged that defendant was not aware of the con- dition of the horpo. A fine of 5s and 9s 6d costs was inflicted. Arthur Roberts, Fron Haul, St George, was fined 2s 6d, and £1 Is costs, for working a horse in an unfit condition at Pensarn on Feb- ruary 1st. The owner of the horse had been summoned for causing it to be worked, but it was stated in court that the man had since died.

ABERGELE. COUNTY COUNCIL ELECTIONS—The poll for the election of County Councillors for the Abergele Rural and Urban Divisions of the County Council was held on Tuesday, the results being as follows: Abergele and Pensarn—Mr J Millward, 240; Mr J Duncan Miller, 99; Abergele (Rural)—Mr Abraham Foulkes, 180; Mr Jos Jones, 161.

County Council Election. Elwy ( Williams and Gamlin. TO THE EDITOR OF THE RH"YL JOURNAL. SIR,-iMay I ask you to kindly publish in yonr next issue the enclosed letters, which will explain themselves, and oblige.—Yours, &c. ELWY WILLIAMS. Maelor, 9th March, 1898. Rhyl, 8 th March, 1898. DEAR SIR, Flintshire County Council.-Rhyl West Ward Election. In your address to the Electors dated the 17th ult., I notice you say "Do not believe the state- ment made by my opponent that I shall be made an alderman. I am not a candidate for an alder- manship." Further, I understand that at your meeting held at the Town Hall on Friday evening last, you stated you did not agree with the principle of aldermen, but as the law made it necessary for their appointment, the County would Umtn f A- Oft Ilcl V C VVJ «v/. Will you please let me know if you are still not a candidate for an aldermanship," and if you would decline to stand election if I nominated or voted for you ? This is important, as I was not aware of what you had stated at your meeting held on Friday evening last, when (after the declaration of the poll on Saturday night) I pro- mised to vote for you to be an alderman. Your answer in writing by Monday next will oblige (otherwise I shall consider you adhere to your original opinion), and I reserve a right to publish this letter and your reply.—I am, yours faithfully, F. J. GAMLIN. W. Elwy Williams, Esq. Rhyl, 8th March, 1898. DEAR SIR, County Council Election, West Ward (Rhyl). At your meeting held at the Town Hall on Friday night last you stated that I had promised a subscription to the Rhyl Intermediate School, and that I afterwards did not pay it, but withdrew from my promise. Will you be good enough to let me know on what authority you made this statement, and to whom, and when, the alleged promise was made ? For your information I beg to inform you that your statements are untrue, and I ask you to withdraw them. Notwithstanding no promise made by me, I did as a matter of fact (and to shew I bore no illwill towards the School) send a contribution of one guinea to the building fund on the 12th April last, as appears in the books at the North and South Wales Bank here. Further comment is needless, and I reserve the right of sending this letter and your reply to the press.—I am, yours faithfully, F. J. GAMLIN. W. Elwy Williams, Esq. Rhyl, 9th March, 1898. DEAR SIR,- I County Council Election. West Division. In reply to your two letters of yesterday's date, I beg to say as regards the first, that if the County Councillors C, will do me the honour of making me a County Alderman, I shall have great pleasure in accepting that honour. With reference to the 2nd letter. I paid my subscription of £ 20 on the 20th January, 1891, and it has ever since been in the bank, slowly increasing in value. I was always under the im- pression that you had promised a subscription. But on perusal to-day of the list of subscribers I am sorry to find that I made a mistake, for you have neither promised nor contributed to this most laudable object. My remarks in the Town Hall were that had you and others who had promised subscriptions had paid the same the schools would have been built long ago, which remarks I still adhere to with the exception as to yourself. I could give you a full list. But I will name you a few :-Mr Sheffield, £ 15 15s., with- drawn; Dr Lloyd, £10 10s., withdrawn; Mr Steer, £ 15 15s., £ 5 5s. only paid, rest withdrawn; Mr J. H. Ellis JE5 5s., El Is. only paid; and a good many more. But as regards yourself, I can now account how I have had the wrong impression on my mind. And I beg to refer you to your letter to the Clerk to the Governors, dated 2nd January 1897, which letter I have asked the Press to reproduce in order to refresh your memory. I think the letter will justify my contention that you are no friend of Intermediate Education, and which I consider a very convenient way of helping a class of Boys and Girls to rise and to be of such lasting service to the rising generation. I will now leave the matter where it is, and allow the letters to speak for themselves.—I am, yours faithfully, W. ELWY WILLIAMS. F. J. Gamlin, Esq., C.C. Rhyl & District Intermediate School, Rhyl, 2nd January, 1897. DEAR SIR, I am obliged by yours of the 30th ult., enclosing copy of one received by you from Mr R. Ll. Jones. By your circular of the 3rd ult. you appeal for subscriptions to your School. Notwithstanding the arguments of Mr Jones, I claim to have my name inserted in the list of subscribers to this School in the amount of jE3, which I paid as part of the £25 referred to in Mr Jones' letters. I may say also that I was an owner of property to which these restrictive covenants related, and upon my being asked by the hospital authorities to give my consent to the restrictive covenants I did so with pleasure, believing I should benefit the town by so doing, although I was then (and still am) opposed to the removal of the hospital from its present site. On the contrary Mr R. Ll. Jones was in favour of thefremoval of the hospital to the new site, but on being asked for his consent to the release of the restrictive covenants he declined to execute the same, except upon payment of £ 25 to the Intermediate School. You can better judge of the actions of Mr Joneo when I tell you that the other 15 persons who were interested in these restrictive covenants all signed the release without the slightest claim for compensation It is not, however, my province to discuss any further Mr Jones' action in connection with the hospital (which by the way I may say in passing had almost the effect of wrecking the scheme) all I have to say is that I claim to be a subscriber to your School, in respect of the jE3, notwithstanding the specious argument advanced by Mr Jones to the contrary. I may, however, add that if I had been aware of Ithe composition of the governing body at the time I paid this 93, I should have probably declined to subscribe anything at all, and how you and your chairman can distribute a circular asserting that the management of the Schools is in the hands of a Governing Body thoroughly representative of the district passes my comprehension, for upon looking through the list of 15 Governors I find that no less than ten are Nonconformists and only five Churchmen to represent Rhyl and District, whilst the Roman Catholics are not represented at all. In conclusion permit me to say that when the Church have a fair number of representatives on the board of management (which in my opinion should not be less than halt), I shall be prepared to give a further subscription to the fund of this School; but not before.—I am, yours faithfully, F. J. GAMLIN, Rhyl. J. Roberts Jones, Esq., Solicitor, Rhyl. Mr Gamlin also favoured us with copies of the correspondence between himself and Mr Williams, the following letter being added :— Rhyl, 10th March, 1898, DEAR SIR,— Re Aldermanship. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday's date and observe that now after the election you are a candidate for an Aldermanship, whereas betore you were not and disagreed with the principle. Re Intermediate School. Thank you for your letter. I complained in my letter that you made a certain mis-statement at the meeting held the night before the Election in order to influence the voters against me, viz., That I had promised a subscription to the Inter- mediate School and afterwards withdrew it. I have now proved this to be untrue, and you admit it. I have nothing to do with others, let them give their own explanation. Allow me to call your attention to another inaccuracy in your letter of yesterday's (it is very necessary to be strictly true in controversial matters), you say you have neither promised nor contributed to this laudable object." This again is untrue, as I explained in my letter to you of the 8th instant., that I contributed one guinea to the Building Fund on the 12th April last. Why have you not taken the trouble to verify this instead of repeating an inaccuracy. As to my being a friend of Intermediate Educa- tion, this is new ground of controversy, raised for the first time in your letter. I decline to enter into a long argument on the subject, suffice it to say that if the Board of Local Governors were representative no one would have greater pleasure in contributing further to the funds of the Inter- mediate School than myself. I yield to no indi- vidual in my earnest desire for the welfare of the people, and particularly of the young; but up to the present you and your party have done their level best to keep me out of every public office, and now, forsoo1 h, have the good taste to taunt me for not helping forward a movement which would have my cordial approval if you and your party were fairer and more magnanimous.—I am, yours faithfully, F. J. GAMLIN. W. Elwy Williams, Esq., Maelor, Rhyl.

NOTES FROM RHUDDLAN. We have heard nothing but County Council Election talk from morning till night here, and we are just getting a little tired of it. I am not going to say that I am pleased with the result, because I am not; as I had done all I could to help the candidature of Mr R. C. Enyon, who was opposed by a strong political body. At the same I con- gratulate Mr Chas. Jones on his well earned victory, and I hope that he will make as good a member for Rhuddlau as the retiring Councillor has been. If he does so I am sure that all will be satisfied. I suggest that he should give his party the hint to put him on the Main Road Committee, where Mr Enyoti has done such good work. The fight was a keen one, and it is no fault of Mr Enyon that he is not returned. He worked hard to retain the seat, and every possible vote was polled on his behalf. The figures were Mr C W Jones, 169 Mr R C Enyon, 144. Just a few words as to the polling on Saturday. There was a steady stream of electors throughout the day, not a single rush from beginning to end, and the Presiding Officer (Mr Pierce Lewis, Rhyl), and the Poll Clerk (Mr E G Morris) did their work remarkably well. I am told that some rather long faces were pulled when electors from near St Asaph came to record their votes, and the party agent who had cause to think that they were not of his colour challenged them as to whether they had previously recorded their votes that day. There is nothing like keeping an eye open for the strangers. The poll was declared shortly before nine o'clock, and Mr Enyon congratulated Mr Charles Jones on the victory he had gained. Whether they shook hands I cannot say, but I expect they did. The fight had been amicably conducted as far as the candidates were concerned, but how is it that Mr Charles Jones rushed off to Rhyl so quickly after he had gained the seat ? He did not give himself time to take a walk around the principal streets of his new constituency. I expect he was anxious to know how his brother had fared at Rhyl, or was it to tell the Rhyl Radicals that he had compensa- ted the party for the loss of the West Ward ? As the County Council election is over I must turn my attention to another subject in which I believe the electors of our town will take a deep interest. On the 2nd of April we shall have to return three Rural District Councillors. I hope that the ratepayers will bear that in mind. I know that some people are telling them that it is the election of Guardians which is coming on. That is done for a purpose. The three persons elected to go to St Asaph have more important duties to discharge than simply taking part in the adminis- tration of out-door relief, which of course is an important thing ih, its way. To a place like Rhuddlan, the sanitation of the district is all important. We have now representing us Messrs W CQhwy Bell and Robert Morris and Mrs Rawlins, but the latter member resides on the borders ofhyl. I believe that the electors will not again return a lady to the Rural District Council, although per- sonally I have nothing to say against the lady who now represents us. I am speaking against the principle of electing ladies to public bodies such as a District Council, especially where there are questions of road repairing and sanitation to be dealt with. I understand there will be a contest in connection with the office of Rural District Councillors, and that the sitting members will have to fight hard to retain their seats. The nomination takes place on Thursday next, 17th inst, ani papers have to be delivered at St. Asaph by 12 o'cock noon. The Parish Meeting is also fixed for next week, so that the parishioners will have plenty to talk about. I have heard nothing definitely yet as to whether there will be a contest for Parish Councillors, but I believe that there will be, as one or two are anxious to secure a seat on that body. There are many residents in Rhuddlan who will remember the Rev Peter Hughes, son of Mrs Hughes, late of the Marsh Hotel. It will be wel- come news to that gentleman's friends to Enow that recently he was the recipient from the mem- bers of St Columba's congregation, Gateshead. of a beautiful roller desk, lounge and two study chairs, revolving bookcase, and timepiece, together with copies of Bishop Westcott's works, while Mrs Hughes received a chaste secretaire. The rev. gentleman has been appointed Vicar of Tudhoe. The speeches made on the occasion of the presen- tation, according to the" Newcastle Daily Jour- nal were felicitious in character, and I feel sure that the Rev P Hughes' friends at Rhuddlan will join with those at Gateshead in wishing him every success and happiness in his new sphere of labour. COETIA POSTOL.

NOTES FROM ST. ASAPH. Not a a)one was left unturned by both sides to secure the return of their candidates. Every avail- able voter was brought forward, but despite the energy put forward by the Liberal Party their candidate was defeated. The votes recorded were as follows :—Colonel Howard, 190, Mr J P Jones, 165. There are only about 400 names on the register, so that the poll was a heavy one. The self-appointed leader of popular opinion in St Asaph had a rough time of it, despite his advocacy of Bishop Short's fountain, and both sides endeavoured as far as possible to give him the cold shoulder. Mr Charlton Jones was Presiding Officer and Mr Miles R Partington (junior), poll clerk. Both gentlemen gave satisfaction by their impartial con- duct in the discharge of their duties. There was plenty of cheering when the result of the poll was declared and the enthusiasm increased, when it became known that Mr F. J. Gamlin had secured a seat in Rhyl. Colonel Howard in a stirring speech returned thanks and renewed the pledges he had given the electors that he would do all he possibly could to further their interests. The annual parish meeting takes place on Mon- day next at 8 15 p.m., and I expect that there will be something of an interesting character referred to there. I have just seen a copy of The Companion to St Asaph," which Mr D Hughes has published. The work, which is edited by Mr JIH Austen, is no doubt the best Companion to our city that has been issued, dealing as it does with many interesting places around the neighbourhood. A little information about everything and everybody publicly associated with the city is given, and the book will be a valuable guide for visitors. It con- tains numerous illustrations, and is cheap at Is. PAULINUS.

NOTES FROM PRESTATYN. The Radicals of Prestatyn are quite jubilant over their victory on Saturday, and I am prepared to agree with them that they have cause to feel proud of the success of their efforts to return the nominee of a political party. I cannot look upon Mr Jno Jones in any other light. It was a political victory, and nothing was left undone that was possible to defeat the Indepen- dent candidate. I can congratulate Mr Jno Jones on his victory, but he can thank his lucky stars that he was first in the field, and had several weeks' start of his opponent, and by that means secured the promises of many electors. I know that Mr Bell did his best to win the seat, and it is not his fault that he was defeated. He had to fight against terrible odds in every direction, and not only were the forces of the Prestatyn Radical Club pitted against him, but he had to combat the organization of the Rhyl Liberal Club. I am pleased to say that on the day of the election the candidates were the best of friends, but some of the Rhyl visitors had a little plain straightforward talking to when they put an appearance outside the polling booth. Mr Chas Grimsley (St Asaph) was the presiding officer, and Mr Cosmo Davies of the same city acted as poll clerk. At the close of the election both candidates spoke of the praiseworthy manner in which Mr Grimsley had conducted the election, and hoped that he would be present at any future contest. The voting was as follows :—Mr John Jones. 227 • Mr W Bell, 185. The Radical party had a demonstration after the poll was declared, and the usual fiery speeches were delivered. 1 believe that Mr Jones is likely to allow Mr Thos Williams to retain his seat on the District Council for another twelve months, and to fight again ab the forthcoming Urban Dis- trict Council Election with the other nominees of Radicaldom. Six seats are to be filled at the forthcoming contest, so that there should be plenty of scope for those who seek a favourable opportunity of beiiag returned as Councillors. The nomination for Councillors takes place on Thursday next. A guardian is to be nominated the same day, but very little interest appears to be taken in that branch of parochial representation. TWM O'R NANT.

Rhyl Golf Club. Ladies' March Medal :—Miss E L Kennedy, 85 + 4, 89; Mrs Duncan Miller, 138, 36, 102. Others made No return

RHYL DISTRICT. JONES BROS, Prestatyn, still lead with tbeir Challenge Blend Tea and are unsurpassed with their Bread and Cakes. For "gome-made Bread" and Confectionery, you can't do better than call at JONES BROS'S, Liverpool Home, Prestatyn. IMPORTANT changes are proposed tn be carried out by Mr S. Eisiski at his outfitting establishment in Queen St., and consequently the entire stock must be told. and in order to effect a clearance prices are reduced 50 pe cent below cost. CLWYD AND ELWY FISHING S KABON.- Licences may now be rbtained from C. S. HAIWOOD on the following terms-For Trout only, expiring on the first day of October, 4s 6d for Salmon and Trout, expiring on the fifteenth of November, £1. The new stock of Flies and Tackle now on sale at Hatwood's, Queen Street. The Prudential Assurance Co. One of the marvels of the Victorian era has undoubtedly been the extraordinary success which has attended the Prudential Assurance Co., Ltd. In a summary of its 49th annual report, which appears in our advertising columns, it will be found that during the past year extraordinary progress has been made by the company, and the assets of the Prudential are now £ 30,438,337, an increase of 93,379,226 over those of 1896. In every department there has been steady progress. Full particulars as to the working of the company can be obtained from the local agents. Outbreak of Fire. On Wednesday afternoon P.C. Parry reported to Fire Brigade Sergeant Jones that a fire had broken out in the back premises of Mr Roose, grocer, Queen Street. Leaving one man in charge of the station Sergeant Jones proceeded to the scene of the outbreak and found that a quantity of empty boxes and waste material had become ignited close to the bakehouse. With the help of Mr Roose's assistants the fire was subdued without calling out the brigade, in less than balf-an-hour after the alarm was given. Church Workers' Union. The monthly meeting of the Church Workers' Union was held at the Church House on Monday evening, the Rev J. Griffiths presiding. The Rev T. H. Vaughan read the balance sheet of the parochial tea and concert recently held in the Grand Pavilion, the balance deposited in the bank being £ 54. During the evening Mr Percival Williams, solicitor, read an interesting paper on The Church and its relation to the Law of the Land," in the course of which he placed before the members many facts not generally known. A brief discussion followed, and at the close Mr Williams was thanked for his paper. The County Council. The first meeting of the County Council will take place at Mold on Wednesday, when the Chair- man, Vice-Chairman, and seven county aldermen, and the various committees will be appointed. There is nothing of special interest on the agenda. .1 Rhyl Yaoht Club A meeting of the Committee of the Rhyl Yacht Club was held at the headquarters on Saturday afternoon, when the new code of rules were adopted on the lines of those of the Hoylake Sailing Club, with some slight modification to adopt them to this locality. Nine new members were added to the rota, and there is every reason to believe that several more local gentleman are desirous of joining the club, the increasing interest taken in the 12-ft C.B. races held on the Marine Lake being the main reason. It was reported that the first race of the season will take place to-morrow (Satur- day), starting at 3-30 p.m., when about six boats will fly "fighting flags." The damage done to the pitching of the banks of the lake in the gales of last back end has been repaired, and full water run in. It was also reported that Mr W Hudson, the lessee of the lake, hoped to return to Rhyl about the 24th inst, bringing with him the new 12-ft C.B. boat which he built at the end of last season, and also other new boats in conrse of con- struction. The prospects of sport on the lake are good. Cyoling- Runs. At a meeting of the Rhyl Cycling Club Com- mittee, held on Monday, the- following runs were decided upon Saturday, 12, Denbigh Thursday 17, Cefn Saturday 19, St. George and Abergele Thursday 24, Henllan Saturday 26, Waen and St. Asaph; Thursday 31, Prestatyn, starting from headquarters at 2 p.m. Demolition of an Anoient Landmark. One of the oldest houses in Rhyl, has just been demolished. To make room for the Alexandra Hos- pital, and a new road for the development of Messra Neal and Staples, land at the east end of the town, it has been found necessary to remove Plastirion. The work of demolition was carried on under the supervision of Mr W J Simcock, architect, River Streef, and completed within three weeks, a by no easy means feat when the nature of the edifice is taken into consideration. Erected in 1828-29, Plastirion was built in the massive and substantial manner peculiar to the pre-jerry age. The walls were of solid masonry, with a nine-inch brick lining, and the roof of old fashioned ton slates, leaded in a manner that would drive a modern plumber into a fit of remorse because the good old times" are gone. As the masonry was being pulled down the rubble was at once cartied into the new road and used for pitching, so that two birds were killed with one stone. Football. Yesterday afternoon the Crescent Swifts played the Prestatyn Amateurs on the latter's ground, and defeated them by 6 goals to 2. The Rhyl Cun Club. A meeting was held of the above club at the Dudley Hotel last evening, and was well attended. The meeting was adjourned for want of time to Tuesday next, the 15th inst, when the committee, &c, will be appointed. All who are anxious to join should do so at ouce. The hon see pro tem is Mr J R Williams, Abbey Street, Rbyi. Property Sale. At the Royal Hotel on Tuesday afternoon, in the presence of a fair attendance, Mr Francis Geary offered for sale by public auction the res. taurant and dining rooms owned by Mr Pryce Davies, in Bodfor Street. The auctioneer referred to the fact that the business was the oldest established of its kind in Rhyl, with a good com mercial connection. The bidding started at 91,000, and the property was withdrawn at £ 1,450. Mr Gold Edwards was solicitor to the vendor. Rhyl Clee Party at Mostyn. On Wednesday evening the Welsh Glee Party gave a grand concert at the Bethel C.M. Chapel, Mostyn, nnder the leadership of Mr Isaac Jones. There was a crowded audience, and the pro- ceedings were of a successful character. The proceeds were in aid of the Children's Clothing Club. The programme was as followsTon Gyffredinol, Crug y Bar" Anerchiad, Llywydd; Glee, Awake, Aeolian Lyre," Choir; Song, Star of Bethlehem," Miss Lizzie Middleton Song, Ein Hanwyl Wlad," Mr R W Jones; Song, Pa le mae'r Amen," Miss Jones Part Song, Rouse, Ye Comrades," Messrs Jones Song, The Old Brigade," Miss S A Jones (encore); Song, Bwthyn yr Amddlfad," Mr T C Jones Glee, "Serch Hudol Swyn, Choir; Song, "The Flight of Ages," Miss C Davies Ar y Traeth," Miss E A Williams Selection otf the Pianoforte, Miss Isabelle Francis; Part Song, Call John," W Jones and Party (encore); Song, "The Heavenly Song," Miss Lizzie Middleton Trio, Ye Shepherds Tell Me," Messrs Jones Song, "The Midshipmite," Mr R W Jones; Song, Pwy fel fy Mam," Miss Jones (encore), Recita- tion, Miss Kate Williams Song, I" Alone on the R&ft," Miss S A Jones; Song, Neges y Blodeuyn," Miss E A Williams; Trio, "Duw bydd drugarog," Middleton and Jones; Song, "The River of Years," Miss C Davies; Glee, Y Fordaith," Choir; finale, "Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau." Pantomime at the Crand Pavilion. Last evening Mr Fred. Smith and a powerful company of star artistes appeared at the Grand Pavilion in the well-known pantomime of "Cinderella." There was a large attendance, and the company gave a capital production. The programme included numerous songs and dances, all of which were well reeeived. To-night (Friday) Mr Smith will produce "Dick Whittington and his Cat," and to-morrow Robinson Crusoe will be staged.

DEATHS. LUKRX-On the 3rd of March, at Starton, Stoneleigh, Warwickshire, Christopher Lukvn, retired surgeon dentist, formerly of Smithford Street, Coventry, in his 76th year. ROBERTS.-March 9th, at Dyserth Hall, Rhyl, Robert Roberts, aged 62 years. Interment at Satlirday next, at 3 o'clock. (Friends will please accept this, the only intimation). [IN MEMORIAM]. In loving memory of my dear husband, Shem Jones, 5 WeLit Parade, who clenarted thia life March 12th, 1893.

He has gone to his rest, his troubles are o'er, He has done with all sorrow and pain The ills of this life he so patiently bore Shall never distress him again. \\7 1 e eite °* ProPosed National Library for Wales lies on an eminence to the north of Aber- ystwyth, on the Llanbadarn road. It commands an unbroken view of the Bay, with a wide sweep of landscape to the east and south.