Rhyl Record and Advertiser

WHAT RHYL NEEDS. Rhyl needs many things. Some of these needs it is in the power of its governing auth- ority to supply. In many respects the Rhyl Urban District Council are a progressive body. It is only necessary to review the vast expendi- ture incurred within the last seven years on public improvements to find ample demonstra- tion of this-fact. The result of that policy has been to increase the rate to a substantial if not to an exactly burdensome figure. Last year wo were led to hope that the reduction then made would be followed by a still greater reduction this year, especially in view of the fact that the Council have increased sources of income. But since then further projects of improvement have been decided upon; these entail additional loan charges which more than, absorb the increased income. But for these extra loan payments we have, or will have, something to shew. An additional length of promenade, a refuse de- structor, decent dwellings for working men, an eficient fire engine and station, and a further improvement of our sanitary system are among the improvements for which provision is made in next year's estimates. The ratepayers do not object to being rated if they can find some substantial return for their outlay. Rhyl needs enterprise of this character, and we have only to look around us to see that it is bearing fruit. Contrast the state of the town now with what it was ten years ago, when the rates were only half-a-crown in the L. Since then about twenty thousand pounds have been added to the rate- able value dwelling houses of all descriptions have been erected with mushroom rapidity rents are higher all round, and yet the number c1 empty houses are seventy per cent. less than they were in the days ot low rems ana lOW rates. This is a remarkable testimony to the effect of enterprise and of improvement. But with all the expenditure incurred in producing this satisfactory result, the rate is much higher than it need be, because of the expenditure of money on things that Rhyl does not need. The Council have become so used to dealing wi.h projects involving a large outlay of money that they are apt to overlook the importance of exercising a close watchfulness over tnose small items of routine expenditure which are, after all, an appreciable element in I "no rate. If a discussion is initiated in the Council upon a comparatively small item of expendituie, the member who introduces it is charged with wast- ing time over trivial details. Thus it is that every year a considerable sum of money is spent upon matters experimental and otherwise which might easily have been dispensed with. Rhyl, therefore, needs that its Council should look after the pence as well as the pounds, and if this is done it will supply one of the most effective means of reducing the rate. Last year the Council spent something like eight hundred pounds upon law expenses. Here we have an instance of expenditure that is absolutely un- productive to the town. The Cycle Railway litigation was an unfortunate circumstance which rendered it impossible for the Council to do otheiwise that obtain a judicial pronounce. ment upon their powers. But we have a strong suspicion that the costs need not have been so heavy had more economy been exercised in the conduct of the affair. Whatever may be said in justification of the action of the Council in this matter, their stupid waste of three hundred pounds in attempting to suppress free speech is absolutely indefensible. Even if they had suc- ceeded in obtaining the powers they sought, the concession would not be commensurate with the expenditure. It was one of those things that Rhyl could have done very well without. But when they were confronted with a powerful opposition from an influential section of the ratepayers, it was nothing short of criminal dis- regard for the pockets of the ratepayers to per- sist in litigation over a matter which at best would bring no practical advantages in its train. It is expenditure of this sort on things that Rhyl dose not need that the ratepayers object to. Rhyl' great need, however, is to be made better known. The Council, it is stated, have no power to spend money for advertising purposes. That is, or ought to be, pretty well known by this. Whenever the question of advertising the town is mentioned it is a fact that is always empha- sised. But Councils often do a great many things that they have no power to do. The Town Cleik is an ingenious and resourceful official, and there is no doubt that if he could be brought to realise as strongly as some people do the importance of securing for Rhyl a wider publicity that he would be able to find some sly corner in which a judicious outlay on advertis- ing might be concealed from auditorial eyes. More illegitimate items than these are frequent- ly enough smuggled through, and if the Council were to transgress a little in this direction it is, we are sure, one of those municipal sins which tht recording angel would overlook. There is much the Council might do without overstepping their powers to help the advertising of Rhyl. For some years they have undertaken to supply different daily newspapers with weather reports in Rhyl, but have proceeded about it in such a manner as only to secure the minimum of re- sults. This year a change is to be made, and we hope it is only the forerunner of a movement which will command for the town moie promin- ence than it has hitherto received fiom the great Lnglish press. If properly approached, we have ieason to believe that the columns of the Lon- don and provincial press will be thrown open to far more favourable press notices of Rhyl than have hitherto appeared. At present such items of Rhyl news as are published are of a kind cal- culated to do more harm than good to Rhvl. 1 his is the sort of paragraph that appeared in all the London newspapers, and in many provin- cial newspapers, describing Eastertide at Rhyl "Easter at Rhyl was cold and gloomy, and on Sunday there was a strong gale. On Easter Monday there was a football match, where one of the players had his leg broken, and a lady died suddenly." What a delightful picture for a holiday resort, especially when read in con- junction with the glowing accounts of the scenes in other places on the coast. If a res- pectful representation is only made to the edi- tors of these papers they would readily make seme arrangements which would ensure more satisfactory paragraph notices for Rhyl than the specimen we have quoted. This is not a rare but frequent occurence, and it is almost the only kind of news from Rhyl that finds a place in the columns of the London press. The Council are the proper body to take this in hand, and they should loose no time in doing so. This is work that it is possible to accomplish without em- barking upon any large outlay. The various guides to North Wales, the advertisements issued by Railway Companies, and especially the di- fferent view books that are published ought to be watched, and care taken to see that Rhyl has proper justice done to it. This week we have received a specimen copy of a new volume of views of North Wales. It is in every respect a iiiagnmcentiy got up work of art. But while Llandudno has four whole pages devoted to picturesque views, and half a page of descrip- tive matter, Rhyl has only a solitary view, in which the most conspicuous feature is the name f a certain well-known soap; whilst the des- cription of its attraction is compressed into four lires. In fact, it receives less prominence than the most unpretentious of watering-places beS ween here and Bangor. It would have been a hundred times better if Rhyl had been omitted altogether from the book, so unattractive is it made to appear in the eyes of the tourists. The reason for the scant attention which the town receives is not the result of any disinclination on the part of the publishers of these publica- tions to do it justice, but to the indifference of the local authorities, compared with the asser- tiveness and push of places like Llandudno, who secure a monopoly of space. Similar activity on the part of the authorities at Rhyl would be attended with equally satisfactory results. "Te are bound to confess that notwith- standing the fagt that advertising is the greatest of all Rhyl needs, it is the one thing which the Council are the most indifferent to. Instances have come under our knowledge where the Council have been applied to by leading London newspapers to be supplied with local weather reports, and the courtesy of a reply was not even extended to the applicants. There ought to be some rearrangement of the work of com- mittees which would result in creating a depart- ment whose chief business would be to take in hand the means of recreation and amusement in the town, and also to seize upon every oppor- tunity afforded of advertising the attractions ot Rhyl. All the improvements, all the expendi- I ture, and all the enterprise of the Council will be in vain unless steps are taken to publish to the world the natural charms of our town, and the efforts made by its governing authority to supplement those natural charms by an enter- prising policy of improvements.

NOTES FROM PRESTATYN. [BY DEWI WYLLT.] It is some time since I have troubled the AI/VERTISER with my contributions. The fact is that things have been so quiet here of late that I have had no material with which to build up a literary edifice. There have been times when the spirit has moved me. But it was an evil spirit, and it needed a lot ot ritualistic incantations to cast it out, and to prevent my rushing into print with some wholesome if dis- agreeably plain speaking. —o— Take for instance the last election. I have not quite got over it. The accredited party leaders were ignored, and the militant, though possibly well-meaning, section of the party ruthlessly placed on one side considerations of diplomacy and tactcs, and invited certain defeat. Flushed by former successes, they thought they had only to label the candidate with the magic name of Liberal, and victory was assured. It was a case of- Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, All the King's horses and all the King's men Can't put Humpty Dumpty back again. -0- The particular Humpty Dumpty in this case is not the official Liberal party, but the restless fiery spirits who are always spoiling for a fight. It is just possible to have too much of a good thing, and to try and grab for one particular political party all the seats on the Council is more than reasonable men can stand. The les- son has not been without its advantages, and I hope to see rising out of the ashes of the defeat of last election an united party, more powerful and more invincible than ever it was before. — Q— But the first essential to this is loyalty to leaders. Man is at the best but a frail, erring being, liable to make mistakes as often as he is able to do the right thing. But the Prestatyn Liberals have leaders who have piloted them through troublesome times with a degree of success that ought to inspire confidence. I re- gret that I have seen indications more than one- of kicking over the traces. Good Liberals do not play into the hands of the Tories, or be- come their catspaws for an ignoble purpose. When I see a Tory trying some pretty movement to circumvent a particularly dreaded opponent I fight shy of him. There are some Liberals in Prestatyn who have not yet realised this lesson. They are perhaps not so well up to Tory dodges as some of us are. Loyalty to party is always the safest policy, both for the sake of the party and the tenure of their own public positions. -0- Prestatyn had some distinguished visitors on Wednesday afternoon, and I was an interested observer of their peregrinations. The want of a Police Station at Prestatyn has long been a scurce of much inconvenience 2nd annovance. Fortunately, the community here are about as law abiding and as sober a set of people as in any town in the Kingdom. But we do have occasional outbieaks. John Barleycorn at times is predominant, and when our solitary police constable encounters a more than usually bois- terous devotee of the cup that cheers and verv much inebriates he has no easy means at hand of placing him undo* restraint, and is compelled to either let him run riot in the streets of Prestatyn, or take him to Rhyl, and meanwhile leave the village at the nlelcy of any person who has a mind to break the law. -0- Since Mr. John Jones, J.P., Sefton, has been a member of the Council and of the Police Com- mittee, he has worked assiduously on behalf of Prestatyn. He has secured from the County Council a subsidy of C75 a year towards the maintenance of the roads-equal, I believe, to two pence in the JB. He has also in season and out of season advocated the election of a Police Station for Prestatyn, and at length his (fforts have prevailed. The Standing joint i-)oi.-e Committee have decided to erect in Prestatvn a handsome Police Station, with constable's house, and all that remains is to decide and acquire the site. -0- In order to obtain the best possible site, the Chairman of the Standing Joint Police Com- mittee (Mr. R. Llewelyn Jones) and Major Web- ber (the Chief Constable) met Mr. John Jones at Prestatyn as a sub-committee on Wednesday, and inspected likely sites. They have unani- mously decided to recommend to the committee to purchase the Old Smithy site on the Nant Hall Road, a site that is central, and admirably suited in all respects for the purpose. After they had accomplished their business in this satisfactory manner, Mr. John Jones invited Mr. Llewelyn Jones and the Major to meet a few friends at Sefton, where he extended them sumptuous hospitality.

DENBIGH. The death occurred on Tuesday, at the Infir- mary, Denbigh, of William Arthur Morris, a corporal in the 1st Baiia.ion Royal Welsh Fusil- iers.. Morris, who was a native of Denbigh, was with his regiment in South Africa, and took part in the relief of Ladysmith. During one of the engagements he was wounded, in the ankle and chest. He was invalided home, where he arrived on 'he 28th ult. Although apparently getting better from his wounds, he was suffer- ing from an affection of the lungs, caused by lying on the veldt in the rain for five days and nights. He was taken to the Infirmary, where he died as stated. Morris had seen active ser- vice in other places besides South Africa, having served in India for seven years. He was to have been married on the day on which he died.

DEATH. WBIOKEV•— May 7th, at Denver House, Rhyl, aged 63, Frances, widow of the late Francis Wngley- No cards.

SPRING.—When all nature is budding in o life this h' the time the yonng leaves of the Te Pl-nt burst into bloom. This early growth yields the mo t luscious juices, and Tea of great strength, delicious flavour and exquisite aroma is obtained. Hornimau's Pure Teas. are ex('luivøly gathered from the early spring crops. Soil by .-—At Rhyl: Wood, Abbey Street R. Bathgate. 62, High Street. Rhuddlan: John Robert", High Street. Holywell: Edwards and Llovd, grocers, ienbigh: Roberts, High Street. Llandudno Roberts, chemist. Colwyn Bay: Lewis, grocer, &c., Comet Stores. St. Asaph Price. grocer. Flint: Co- operative Society; Shaw, grocer. Halkyn: Jones, grocer. Ponvmynydd Griffiths, grocer. Meliden: Hughes, grocer, &c. Prestatyn Simon grocer Hughes, grocer. 'Old Colwyn: Jones grocer Abtrgele

DISTRESSING DEATH OF A MARRIED WOMAN AT DY5ERTH. On Sunday morning last a distressingly sudden, death 100k place at Dyserth of a married woman named Elizabeth Lee Williams, aged 31 years, of Bryn-y-Felin. As deceased was not seen bv a medical man, an inquest touching the death was held on Monday at the New Inn, Dyserth, by Richard Bromley, Esq., County Coroner, and the following jury:—Messrs. Joseph Thomas (foreman), Felix Aderley, David Thomas, Thos. Roberts, George Taylor, Hugh Jones, Robert Lewis, John Evans Hughes, Picton Jones Parry, NA-illlam Hughes, Thomas Parry, John Hughes, Edward Evans Roberts, John Roberts, and John Kirkham. After viewing the body, the evidence of Thos. Williams, husband of the deceased, was taken. He said he was a lead miner, and that he had been married some years. Deceased had had two chIldren. :ne naa arranged with the mid- wives (Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Ellen Jones) for Dr. Griffiths, Prestatyn, to attend at the con- finement. Witness arrived home on Saturday after at SIX, and his wife was then in fairly good health. She had previously been ill. At three in the morning he called in the midwives, and he went to Prestatyn for Dr. Griffiths. Dr. Griffiths had been called to Chester. He then went to Dr. Davies, but he was not at home. Tie went to another doctor at I'restatyn, but he would not come, as he had another case to attend to. On arriving at Dyserth he wired at eight o'clock to Rhyl for Dr. Thomas, who arrived a few minutes after his wife died (9 50). Jane Hughes, an uncertificated midwife, livin,g at Bryn-y-Felin, also gave evidence as to the condition of the deceased. Ellen Jones, wife of Edward Jones, gave similar evidence. Dr. Thomas, of Rhyl, said that he received a telegram at about 9 15 from Thomas Williams, and he at once drove over to Dyserth, where he arrived at 10 15. He arrived too late, as death had taken place some time before he arrived. Death was no doubt due to the want of proper medical attendance, but he thought there was no blame attached to the two women who atten- ded deceased. After a few remarks from the Coroner, the jury returned a verdict of "Death due to ex- haustion at childbirth." The jury also desired to compliment Dr. Thomas upon his prompt attention to the telegraph message, and they also urged the necessity of praviding a trained nurse for the village.

ABERGELE. THE QUEEN AND ABERGELE.—As some dis- appointment was expressed at Abergele owin^ tu the rapid passage of the Royal train last week Princess Beatrice wrote to Countess Dundonald expressing sorrow that the train could not slow down owing to the railway arrangements having been completed. The Queen, however, saw the school children, and expressed much pleasure at the pretty sight they presented with their banners. POLICE COURT.—Mr. J. Duncan "Miller pre- sided at this Court on Saturday, there being also on the bench Dr. Wolstenholme, Mr. T. Mason, and Mr. Joseph Jones. The license ot the Glyn Vaults, Pensarn, was transferred from Mr. Jones to Mrs. Hill, late of Rhyl. The lic- ense of the Black Lion Hotel, Llanfairtalhaiarn, was transferred from Mr. Dixon to Mr. G. R. Allinson, late of Didsbury. Mr. E. A. Crabbe appeared for both applicants.—Edward Jones and Joshua Jones were fined 2s. 6d. and costs for trespassing in pursuit of rabbits on Bron Haulog Farm, Llanfairtalhaiarn, in the occu- pation of Hugh Hughes.—Police Constable K. C. Rigby summoned John Edward Jones, Joseph Totty, James Dickinson, and William Booth for using violent language and for violent conduct in the streets of Abergele on April 13th so as ,to occasion a breach of the peace. Jones is a resident of Abergele, and the other three are workmen residing at West Kirby, but employed at Abergele. Booth did not appear, Totty stat- ing that he was detained at work.—Police Con- stable Rigby, Inspector Roberts, and Police Constable l'endlebury gave evidence to the effect that the four men were creating a disturbance in the streets, going about as if they intended to fight. Totty stated that he and Jones were bcxing for a few minutes after leaving the Red Lion. The others were simply looking on. As the police came up they ran away, laughing. There was no desire to create any disturbance. Totty, Dickinson, and Jones were fined 11s. 6d each, including costs. Booth was convicted in his absence, and fined similarly.—John Jones, Abergele, and Charles Pritchard were summoned for malicious damage in a wood in Kinmel Park by stealing ferns therefrom on May 2nd. Mr. E, A. Crabbe represented Thomas Plumridgp, gamekeeper at Kinmel, who prosecuted. The magistrates retired with the Clerk to consider these cases, and on returning into Court the Chairman said Mr. Crabbe had agreed to lay a fresh information. SERIOUS ASSAULT UPON AN ABERGELE POLICE- AfAN,The serenity of Llanddulas was rude;y disturbed on Saturday afternoon by some extra- ordinary scenes. About 4 30 the village police- man (Police Constable Rogers) was patrolling the road when a cart passed him containing an old man named Moses Williams, aged 75, his son, Moses Williams, aged 41, and a brother-in- law, Robert Thomas Hughes. The son was drunk, and he and his father were sitting almost on the pony's back. The constable asked them to sit farther back, whereupon the son grew very abusive. On arriving at the Valentine Hotel the son went into the house, and Rogers follower! to prevent him from being served. On coming outside again Williams grew violent, and com- menced to hit the officer. An exciting scene ensued. Both men struggled together, and fell to the ground and got up again several times. Williams tried to gouge the officer's eyes out, and inflicted a severe wound on his left eye. The father, who had been sitting in the trap, then came to his son's assistance, and, as two witnesses described it, "commenced a murder- ous attack upon the unfortunate policeman." With a stick the old man struck the officer half-a-dozen blows on the head and face. His left cheek was laid open, and he had a nasty scalp wound. A crowd gathered round, and two gentlemen staying at Ty t cha went to the officer's assistance. Eventually both men were handcuffed and driven to Abergf le. Police Con- stable Rogers, who was almost unconscious, was driven to the surgery of Dr. Hughes, where hi., wounds were dressed. The three prisoners were brought up before the Abergele magistrates on Monday. Moses Williams, sen., was sen- tenced to two months' imprisonment, and his son, against whom there were previous convic- tions, to three months' imprisonment. Hughes was discnarged. The two gentlemen who ren- dered assistance to the officer, Mr. Tate and Mr. Spence, were complimented by the Bench.

LLANASA. On Sunday a new W esleyan Chapel was open- ed at (troes, Llanasa, The old chapel was built in 1816, and was unique in its construction, inasmuch as the pulpit stood in a "well," in- seating rising above it in tiers to the roof. At Sunday's services the special preachers were the Revs. Edward Humphreys, Evan Jones (Denbigh), and David Morris (Aberffraw).