Rhyl Record and Advertiser

PRESTATYN. APPROACHING MARRIAGE OF MISS McLAREN. — A marriage has been arranged between Edward Alexander, only eon of Mr. and Mrs Jobnson-Fergnson, of Springkel), Dumfneshire, and 55 Cadogan Sqaars, S.W., and Esie Dorothea, s'der daagbter of Sir Charles McLaren, Bart. M.P., and Lady McLaren, of Bodnant, Denbigh' shire. and 43. Beljrrave Square, S.W. CHRISTMAS SERVICES AT CHBIS CHURCH.—"hristmus "trviefs st Christ Church Prestatyn, consisted of celebrations of the Hoi; Communion at S and 11 a.m. in English and 10 n.m, in Welsh. Tn fB wa. an English servio sit 11 a.m. whtsu the Vicar pre-ched. A spacitt a,nt.bein w>.a sung by th fch >ir, entitled, wU to men." aa wol! as several carols. L the evening at 6-30 thers was a Welsh service whe: the Vicar again preached. WALKING MATCH.—The only feature interest in Prestatyn on Boxing Day was a walkiig matob promoted by Mr. T. Fenton, of the Railwy Hotel. There were twelve competitors. The ceuije was twice along High Street and Gronant Road o Nant Mill, thence along Nant Hall Road back ;o High Stresfc Though vere few witnessed the Itat, atter the first course had been finished there was « considerable gatheriag of spectators. T. Brofrs was the first to reach the winning post, haviig covered the distance of six miles in 1 hour aid 6 miautes, W. Galliari fiuished in lh. 7m., P. Roberts lb. 7}m., and A. Galliers lh. Sra. Mr. J. P. Linnell was judge, and Mr. J. Gratton tire- keeper. DEATHS.—The death t'ok place suddenly on Wednesday of Mrl. Wm. Pickering, relict of the late Mr. Wm. Pickering, of Moranedd, PrestaVn. The death also took place on Monday of 3rs. Summer-kill, rsiiet oi the late Mr. Jamas Sumruorscill of Eccles. BETHEL'S ANNUAL TEA AND COKPI. TIVE MEETINGS.—The annual Christmas lay tea and competitive meating in connection with he Bethel We-leyan Chapel was held on Christy Day. A large company flat down to a capital tea in the afternoon, their wants being ministered tcby a large band of ladies and gentlemen. Mr. Thojui Williams presided over the competitive meetng which was held in the evening. The prize for the "Englyn" on the telephone was with held want of sufficient merit. Mr. George Jonts, Byn Aber, out of four competitors was adjudged to hve sent in the best three eight-line stauzis to the &te Mr. Joseph' Jones, Maesygroe*. There weren) competitors for the best essay on the Education tl..ot of 1902, its merits and defects. The best essay on Moses" (confined to competitors under 18 yen of age) was adjudged to have been asnt in by r. Ed waid John Williams, Bristol House. A p.rty led by Mr. Price, Penybryn, won the prize offfed for the tane "Bethcar." In the competition Hinged to children under 15 vears of age, William Th., as, (M aliden) was first, Eunice Williams second, and J Fanny Williams third. Ear Test, fint H. Tho\»s, Gronant, second Arthur Jouee, Nant Terrace. Che best love letter to a young lady was stated to lne been sent in by Mr. W. Simpson, Towyn, Presttyp. Jeanette Proffit wan first, Hannah Roberts secud, and Harriet Williams third, in the competition for the best tramoript of the 12th ohapter of the of Ecclesiasties. In the drawing competitOI1) Henry Parry, Gronant, was first, and John Pry Gronant, Mcond. William Thomas, Meliden, ivon the first prize for spelling, and Thomas Brooks (the second. The prizes for reoitiug in the junior otises were awarded to Maggi6 Ellis, Nellie Eilis, Hannah Ellis, and in the open section Maggie His, Gwaeaygjror, was first, J. Parry. Meliden, secpd, and Robert Ellis, third. The Rev, W. H. Ei ne, Rhyl, was the adjudicator on the poetry, the ev. W. M. Davies on the prose, Mr. Luke, Gronan on the music, and Mr. Thomas R. Roberts, Fierce House, adjudicated on the drawing, THE EDUCATION ACT.—This was the subject of an interesting lantern lecture delivered at the English Presbyterian Churoh, Nant Hall Road, on Thursday, by the Rev. Lewys Davies, the pastr. --<4<>

RHYL PETTY SESSIONS. TUESDAY: Before Messrs S. Perks (in the c.air), W. Elwy Williams, J. H. Ellis, G. A..Tav»rner, and J. B. Linnell EXTENSION OF HOURS. Mr. P. J. Ashfield, Manager of the Qteen's Palace, applied for an extension of the c\ncing license of the Queen's Palace on the 2ist of Jnuary to 3 a.m., also an occasional license to fell in- toxicants the occasion being the annual masffterade ball, THE PRESTATYN HIGHWAY DISIUTE VICTORY OF THE COUNCIL. Mr. J. H. Ellis delivered the decision of Jr. G A. Taverner and himself in the case heardat the last Prestatyn Petty Sessions, which was an oljection by Messrs Edward Taylor and Joseph Nifbolsol1, against the apportionment of the Prestatyn Urban District Council of the cost of repairing and making Victoria Road, Prestatyn. The apportionrient was resisted on the ground that Victoria Roaclwas an ancient highway repairable by the inhabiants at large. Mr. Ellis said that Mr. 'averner and himself had given the mattir very careful consideration and gone throughly into the question. They found as a matter of fact, and determined that the street called Victora Road. Prestatyn, was not either in whole or in pat a high- way repairable by the inhabitants at large, and they also found and determined that the pbvisionai apportionment of estimited expense for private street works to be execiKed in Victoria Load was correct. The total apportionment in Aspect of Air Joseph Nicholson ar.d Mr. Edward Taylor was [Ii; 5s. 4d. Mr. F. J. Gamlin for fhe Council said tlat under those circumstances he should ask the magistrates to make the usual order to costs. Theyhad been put to great expense. His friend Mr. lewis had invoked the assistance of an able barr;ter from Manchester, and he Gamlin) had to ope with him. They had also en put to great <Xpense in engaging Surveyors to consult ancient haps, &c. He, therefore, applied to the Bench to make the usual order for the cost' to be paid by thu objectors to be taxed by the clerl of the court Mr. J. Pierce for the objecto, said he thought that the justices who had hear} the case would allow that the evidence was of suc a nature as to bring to their funds a very strong possible doubt at least, and ths1 under the circumstances the objectors were perfect" justified in objecting, and that it was not a frivious objection by ny means but a bona fide one. Under the circtirrigtances he hoped they would mace no order as to against his client. He did nd say it to intimidate the bench in any way, but he }1light say that they should not be satisfied to let the ;ase resc where it is. Mr. J. H. Ellis sai;1 they had decided to make no order as to costs. DRUNK IN CPA-RGE OF A CHILD Annie Irene, 2, St Helen's Place, was charged by P C. John Edward Ilughes with being drunk whilst in charge of a child on the 12th inst. The officer said tlat at 10 p.m. on the night in question be saw the defecdaut in charge of a child in High Street. Sie was very drunk, and as he got I up to her she let tie chid fall to the ground. He had a great deal of rouble to get her into the Police Stailon. There were prevous convictions against the de- fendant, aud she now sentenced to fourteen days imprisonment. DRUNKS. Edward Morris,\ ictcria Road, was charged by P.C. Wm. with being drunk and disorderly on the 12th December. Defendant was so drunk that the constable Was obliged to take him to the Poiice Station. Ite pleaded guilty and was fined 55 and 65 costs. Thomas \Vynn& 38! Vale Road, Was charged by P.C. K. Rlcharastn with being drunk and disorderly on the 19th December. The officer said that he was sent for by l>ss Williams, to eject the defend- ant from the Alexandra Hotel, where he had come in drunk. Defem.ant who did not appear was lined 2s 6d. and costs. j

BRUNSWICK W im^SH WESLEYAN ANNUAL TEA PARTY. The annual tea party of the Brunswick Welsh Wesleyans was held at the Town Hall on Thurs- day afternoon. Despite the extremely wintry weather and the almost intolerable cold, there was a large assembly. The arrangements had been admirably carried out by Mr. Denton Dav- ies and Mr. R. Jones, Holborn House, secre- taries. The tables were conveniently arranged, and were presided over by the following ladies —Miss Williams, 14. West Parade, and Miss Edith Jones, Millbank Mrs. Captain Hughes and Mrs. Marsh; Mrs. Peter Davies and Miss Davies, 3, Kinmel Street; Mrs. and Miss Will- iams, 5, Aquarium Street; Miss Hughes, Elwy House, and Miss Roberts, Rosehill Ter- race Miss Harriet A. Roberts and Miss Maggie W illiams, High Street; Mrs. f. F. Griffiths and Miss Jones, Free Trade Hall Mrs. and Miss Evans, 2, Brighton Road Mrs. and Miss E. M. Jones, Elm House Misses Curry, 17, West Parade, and Miss Williams, 21, River Street; Mrs. and liiss Davies., Churton Terrace Mrs. Garner, John Street, and Mrs. Hughes, Convent Villas; Misses Thomas, 38, West Parade; Miss Jones, Bod Hiraddug, Miss Roberts, Clwyd Street, and Miss Cassie Lewis; Mrs. and Miss Williams, Rosehill Terrace, and Miss Da- vies, Bron Heulog. The children's tables were attended by Misses Hannah Davies, Ettie Jones, Mabel Rogers, Mabel Williams, Maggie Eccles- ton, and Edith Pritchard. The preparations for the tea were ably carried out bv Mrs. Evans, 2, East Parade; Mrs. J. Pierce" Lewis, -Ifrs. Voulkes, Albert Villa; Mrs. Richard Edwards, Cobden Terrace; Mrs. Meyrick Jones, Miss Rogers, Abbey Street; Mrs. Jones, Holborn Villa; Mrs. William Edwards, South Kinmel Street; R. S. Davies, Kinmel Street; Mrs. Williams, Coif House Mrs. D. Thomas, 38, West Parade; Mrs. John Williams, 5, Aquarium Street, and Mrs. Hughes, Alpha Villa, Elwy Street. Several of the "young people of ttie congregation rendered assistance in various ways, so that the numerous guests lacked no attention whatever. In the evening the Rev. E. Lloyd Jones, of Manchester, delivered his popular lecture on Oliver Cromwell and Puritan Ideals.' In the unavoidable absence of Mr. J. A. Harker, who was announced to preside, the chair was taken by the Rev. G. Talalun Xewton, superintendent of the Rhyl English Wesleyan Circuit. He was supported on the platform by the Revs. R. Richards, Meirion Davies, Robert Hughes E Humphreys, and Knowles Jones. There was a large and attentive audience. The Chairman, in the course of his opening remarks, expressed the pleasure it gave him to renew his associations with Hen Wlad fv Nhadau, after being absent in England for 25 years.. It gave him pleasure to make his first public appearance as a chairman in Rhyl because he was asked to preside over a lecture delivered by one of tne most celebrated lecturers in the country, whose subject was one of the greatest heroes in our national life (applause). It also gave him1 pleasure to preside at that lecture b° cause he was there not only representing Eng- Welsh d"1 m t?6 tfTn' but as ^presenting thl u was hls earnest wish to make the bond of union between English and WeLh Methodists still closer, as they were working Sppi^r "an<i for ,he same The Rev. E'. Lloyd Jones then proceeded with his lecture. It was in Mr. Jones' best and raciest style, and was listened to with th- greatest attention and pleasure throughout. ç

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Rhyl Boxing=Day Eisteddfod. SUCCESSFUL COMPETITIONS. The annual Boxing-Day Eisteddfod provided by the Water-street Baptists took place at the Queen's Palace, Rhyl, and was attended with the customary success, the audiences both afternoon and evening being exceedingly large, whilst all the items attrac- fed a large number of competitors, the competitions attaining a high standard of excellence. The ar- rangements were again carried out by the Rev. T. Shankland, who has officiated as secretary since the Boxing-Day Eisteddfod became an institution ten years ugo. The other officials were Cymro Cybi (treneurer) and Mr William Parry. Mr Tom Price was the musical adjudicator; Idwal and Pedr Mostyn adjudicated on the recita- tions, the Rev. Abel J. Parry on the essays, while Mr. Bryan Warhurst officiated as the eisteddfod accompanist. AFTERNOON MEETING. The afternoon meeting was presided over by Mr T. Whitley, J.P. (chairman of the Rhyl Urban District Council), while Idwal performed the duties of conductor. The proceedings opened with a brilliantly ren- dered pianoforte duet by Miss Winnie Jones and Mr Bryan Warhurst, which drew forth demonstra- tive marks of appreciation. The Chairman said he was of opinion that it was the height of indiscretion for a chairman to make any lengthy speech at meetings of thatkinfi. They bad come there for a specific purpose, and the sooner they addressed themseives to the work the more successfully would they get through the pro- gramme. He would like to congratulate the com- mittee for the enterprise they had shown in organ- ising that eisteddiod, the tenth mat bad been held in succession (applauue). Each eisteddfod had tnrned out a perfeot success in every sense of the -;çorr1, hnd juderiLg by the indications that eistedd- fod was going to be no less successful (applause). The first competition wis fot the best recitation of Stanzas on Freedom" (Lowell). There were originally five competitors, roducoi as a result of the pi eliminary test to three, two of whom appeared on the platform, the prize finally going to Miss Sarah Catherine Jones, Bedford-street. There were ten compeiitors iu the tenor sola competition, "0 Loving Heart (A. Burns Nelson). The adjudicator described the competition as one of exceptional excellence, and he awarded the prize to Mr Tegfan Roberts, of Llandegfan, Anglesey, for a most artistic rendering. For the baritone solo, I' My Guide" (Bryan Warhurst), ten competitors underwent the prelimi- nary test. Of these three appeared on the platform, the winner finally being Mr Llewelyn Levies, of Colwyn Bay, this being the fifth time for him to be victorious at the Rbyl Eisteddtod. The prize of £10 in the mixed choirs competition, "Tawel Chwyth Awelon Hwyrddydd" (Isalaw), attracted four choire, viz., Pencaaenaiawr United Glee Party (conductor, Mr M. Jti. Parry), Holywell United Choir (Mr E. J. Pierce), Ruthin Mixed Choir (Mr H. Gwilym Richards), and Penuel United Choir, Bangor (Mr W. Williams). The adjudicator said the competition had been a most interesting one. The piece was light and melodious, requiring very tender and sweet singing. Most of the choirs had sung the piece unaccompanied. Would that more of the choirs would dispense with the aid of instrumental accompaniment, because he believed it would lead to a better pitch" being maintained and to better and clearer singing altogether. He praised very highly the sioging of the Penmaen- mawr Choir, both in the matter of quality of voices and the balance. All the choirs, however, had gone out of tuna, the last choir (Holywell), who had the aid of the accompaniment, especially so. When a choir could not keep in tune with the aid of an accompanist it was time to say good bye" to the choir (laughter). Though the difference between the choirs was very slight, there was a difference, and the best rendering WSP given by the Penmasn- mawr Choir. The next competition was for the best dramatic recitation of any Welsh piece, for competitors over 15 years of age. Three out of sixteen appeared on the platform. The committee will be well advised in future to themselves select the pieces for com- petitions. Kach of the three competitors had selected pieces of prodigious length with the result that this item was decidedly boring. The prize was awarded to Miss Morris, Bryn Iorwerth, Dysertb, who gave a remarkably fine declamatory rendering of Daniel." Idwal in delivering bis adjudication remarked that the curse of Welsh reciting was that so many adopted the preaching tone, under the impression that it was elocution. He hoped adju- dicators would take a firm stand with the object of putting a stop to it. Miss Edith Darbishire, of Birkenhead, won the prize in the pianoforte solo competition, Marguer- ite" (Ciro Fwrti). Nine came forward to compete in the soprano solo, "Tell me a Tale" (Reginald Somerville), Miss Alice Hughes, of Birkenhead, being the winner. Mr J. Simon, bt. Asaph, was awarded 10s., and Mr R. Parry, Holywell, 5s. of the prize offered for the essay on "Conscience and Civil Obedience," the medal being withheld for want of sufficient merit. The chief event of the afternoon was the male voice competition. The test piece was On the Ramparts" (Saintis), and the prize £20. The fol. lowing choirs came forwardVoel Gaer Male Voioe Choir (conductor, Mr P. Williams), Brython Male Voice Choir, Bwlchgwyn, Wrexham (Mr W. Roberts), Penmaenmawr Male Voice Choir (Mr H. Christmas Jones), and Ruthin Male Voice Choir (Mr R. Roberts). The adjudicator said that the four ohoirs started in the same pitch, but none of them finished in the same pitch. Except for this the ainging of the four choirs was of very high merit. He indicated their positions by awarding them marks out of a maximum of fiO as follows:- 1, Penmaenmawr, 48; 2, Ruthin, 46; 3, Voel Gaer, 40 4, Bwlchgwyn, 36. The victory of the Penmaenmawr choir was received with great enthusiasm. THE EVENING MEETING. The Palace was crowded in all parts for the evening meeting, over which Mr D. Trehearn pre- sided. Miss Winnie Jones opened the proceedings with a pianoforte solo, her masterly execution and technique marking her as an accomplished pianist. In the course of his address the Chairman said that they were told that the largest room in the world was the room for self-improvement. The Eisteddfod offered prizes with the object of bring- ing about eelf improvement in ait, science, literature and music, and had been the means of producing many distinguished men and women, and develop- ing talent (applause). The local eixteddfodau served as feeders to the National Eisteddfod, next year's gathering of which was to take place at Rbyl, and they were all looking forward with pleasurable anticipation to making it a record success (applause). The Penmaenmawr Male Voice Choir afterwards sang the chorus" Crossing the Plain (Maldwyn Price), and the conductor, Mr H. Christmas Jones, was afterwards invested by Miss Bateman. The winner of the contralto solo competition "Question" was Miss Josephine Williams, Llan- gefni. Though several had entered only one trio came forward to competp. in the trio competition, viz., Miss Alice Hughes, Miss Bessie Williams, and Miss Florence Smith, all of Birkenhead, who sang U Memory, Sweet Memory." In awarding them the full prize Mr Tom Price, the adjudicator, re- marked that he regretted greatly the decline in trio and quartette singing in the principality. True quartette singing was the foundation of excellence in music, and he regretted that competitions m that particular department were proverbially meagre (applause). The Holywell Board School Juvenile Choir was the only one to ccme forward in the juvenile choral competition, the test piece being "YrHaf." So well did they sing that the audience insisted on their repeating the piece. The adjudicator, in awarding them the full prize, said he did not know which was the more beautiful, the glee itself or the beautiful rendering which the children had given of it. Miss Lucy Morris, Dysertb, was announc d as the winner of the prize for the oratorical recitation Brutus on the death of Ctesar." Three of the eigbt competitors in the baritone solo Neptune's Toll appeared on the stage, and the prize was won by Mr R. C. Davies, of Prestatyn and Liverpool. For the second time at this Eisteddfod Miss Edith Darbishire, of Birkenhead, won the piano- forte solo competition. The duet competition, which the adjudicator said was the finest competition of the day in which the singers could choose their own selections, was won by Mr R. G. Davies, of Liverpool, and Miss Josephine Williams, of Birkenhead, the ad- judicator describing their performance as being marked by much expression and feeling. The prize in the soprano solo competition was divided between Miss M. E. Williams, Dyserth, and Miss Bessie Williams, Birkenhead. The quartette competition was won by The Mersey Quartette," Birkenhead. During the evening Miss Alys Bateman, the Eisteddfod artiste, contributed several well-known songs. Her voice, which is of bird-like sweetness and of elastic register, was heard to great ad. vantage in all her songs. Upon the proposition of the Rev Thomas Shankland, the presidents, Mr. Thomas Whitley and Mr D. Trehearn, were heartily thanked for their services.

SEA EROSION AT RHYL. HISTORY OF THE RHUDDLAN MARSH TRUST. Alarmist speeches were delivered at a recent meeting of the Rhyl Urban Council as to the danger of the lower part of the district beyond the railway being flooded by the tide. It was stated by Mr. F. J. Gamlin that probably withm two years from the present time, unless some defensive worts are carried out, the sea will inundate the low-lying lands east of the town and cause much damage in the town itself. Good ground for a prediction of the kind seems to exist, for the fringe of sandhills which formerly ex- tended from the end of the East Parade at Rhyl to I r'reststyn has been worn down by the joint action of wind and tide to such an extent that for a mile or more it is not more than about fifty yards wide, and there are gaps through which the sea might break at any moment. A northerly gale at the time cf an abnoimally high tide would easily force the breakers through the gullev. far instance, which exists just beyond the East Parade, the bottom of which is scarcely higher at the present moment than the high-water mark of spring tides. The shore in question is beyond the eastern boundary of the urban district, and the Rhyl Council cannot be expected to extend their own substantial sea wall any further. Hence a question arises as to what authority is to be held responsible for the duty of preventing the incursion of the sea and the re- lapsing of the lands beyond the sandhills into the marshy condition from which they were rescued a century ago. It was stated at the Rhyl Council meeting that the body really charged with that dutv was the Rhuddlan Marsh Trustees, but a letter from their clerk, Mr. Grimsley, of St. Asaph, re- pudiated any such liability, on the ground that, as the ratepayers on the east side of Rhyl some years ago refused to pay the embankment rate, and the trustees failed to enforce payment, no works of any description had been done by the trustees on that side of the town. The trust was formed by an Act of Parliament passed in 1794. It was an Act for embanking and otherwise fencing from the sea the lands on the sea coast in the parish of Abergele, in the county of Denbigh; Rhuddlan Marsh, in the parishes of Abergele, St. Asaph, and Rhuddlan; the Franchise of Rhuddlan, in the county of Flint and sundry other marshes, commons, and waste lands in the parish of Rhuddlan and in the parishes of Dyserth and Meliden, in the county of Flint. It was in- tended to make one or more aqueducts or other water courses and drains, to enclose, divide, and sell parts of the land to defray the expenses of the works, and to raise a fund for their future repair and pre- servation thereof. Trustees were appointed, all of them being freeholders ofzioo a year from land in the locality, and the meetings were to be held publicly The lands they were authorised to sell comprised 300 acres on the West of the Foryd, or estuary of the Clwyd, and 200 acres on the East of the Foryd. They were also required to erect at the mouth of the Foryd a perch to assist ;n the naviga- tion, but this, if it was ever erected, nas long sinee disappeared -Surveys had been made and four maps drawn, and the Act stated that one of these was to be retained in the office of the Surveyor General of His Majesty's Land Revenue, one in the office of the clerk of the peace for the county of Flint, one in the office of the clerk of the peace for Denbighshire, and one in the office of the clerk of the trustees. In 1813 a second Act of Parliament was passed to enable the trust to raise further funds. They had made, or partially made, their embankment, of reveled earth across a seaward end of the western marsh, and they had cut the water courses which drained the "marshes," but to complete the work and provide for its maintenance additional financial resources, were needed. All the land the Trust were entitled to sell or allot had been disposed of except some forty acres, and they were now empowered to realise this and also to levy a rate upon the occupiers of the whole of the land sold under the previous Act. as well as the forty acres just referred to. It will be seen that the rate was to be paid in the first instance by the occupiers, but there was a provision enabling the occupiers to recover from the owners. There was to be a fair and equitable assessment in the pound rate. Presumably Parliament regarded those who required the 500 acres as the proper persons to bear the expense of finishing the defensive and draining work and of maintaining it afterwards, for they alone were bidden to contribute the rate, though the scheme must have been advantageous to the owners of a very much larger area. Some forty to forty-three years ago it appeared to the Trust that unless their property, in the shape of aqueducts and embankments, was carefully repaired and cleared serious consequences would ensue to the lowlands between Prestatyn and Rhyl, which are below the level of high-water mark. They therefore levied a rate, and collected part of it, but there was considerable oppssitioa to the impost, and a test case was taken to the St. Asaph County Court. The judge at the time was the late Mr. E. L. Richards, and the nlaintiff, who demanded the return of goads which had been seized under an execution for the collection of the rate, was Mr. Edmund Hunt, of Prestatyn. Messrs. Gold, Edwards, and Co.. of Denbigh, represented the trustees, and Mr. Ellis Eytonf then of Flint, represented Mr. Hunt. Mr. Evton's point was that the trustees had failed to prove that the rate was legal, and the judge found for the plaintiff on the ground that the trustees were unable to show conclusively that the land which was rated was part of the 500 acres specified by the Act of Parliament as being rateabte for maintenance of the defence and drainage works. This was due, it appears, to the non-production of one of the lour maps mentioned in the Act. W ithout one of the maps the case of the trustees was shattered. Since then, as the clerk to the Trust informed the Rhyl Council, no attempt to carry out the functions imposed by the Act of Parliament has been made. It is questionable whether it would be of much advantage for the trustees to make any further attempt, as, even if one of the four maps were discovered in the archives of the Office ot Woods and Forests or of the clerks of the peace of the two counties, the present owners of the land would probably plead that their original obligations no longer existed. Still, it seems probable that if a thorough search were made one of the maps might be found. One would be inclined to argue that, if fears of an inundation entertained forty years ago have not been justified, there is little real ground for alarm now, but, whatever the condition of the coast then, it is indubitable that the sandhills have been dis- appearing with exceptional rapidity in the las-, few years. When the marine drive to the east end was first projected it was intended to go in a straight line a long distance further than its present termination upon sandy ground of the same elevation. But now the tide daily washes many yards further inland than the site of the proposed marine drive extension. BoJI

THE FLIXT AND DENBIGH HOUNDS Will Meet Saturday, Jan. 2nd Travellers' Inn. Wednesday, Jan. 6th Talacre. Saturday, Jan. 9th Maes Elwy, At 11 o'clock.

DEATH. JONES—25th December, 1903, at the residence of his daughter, 7, West Parade, Rhyl, in his 84th year, John Jonest f

M Teh Tint. Taylors" Company haw m-d • a prant or NDOO a-year for five '0 the building fund of t. Bartholomew's Hospital. For stabbing a constaiih with a 11:i1-p;n Mary Ann Howe was sentenced, at Westminster Police- court. to three months' hard labour. Barmaids in Western Australia receive, in addition to board and lodging:, about 10F. a week in wages—a sum also received by female drapers" assistants. Posted in September, 1889, a letter from Sealiam Harbour to a seamau at Bilbao. Spain, has just been returned to the sender through the Dead Letter Office. Charles Watts, of Woodehurch. Kent, who weighs nineteen stone, is 5ft. 6ill, Iiigii. and has a chest measurement of 4Sin" has just reached his twelfth birthday. 01 Able Seaman Davis was drowned in a boat which he and a companion had "borrowed" at Portland to take them to li.M.S. Dolphin; the second maIL 8.1) 0" "J'1 '-1./1- J

CHkiaTMASTlDE AT RHYL Christmastide at Rhyl was marked by no note- worthy feature. It passed off in the usual quiet ind uneventful fashion. The festive character if the season gave trade a little impetus, and he principal thoroughfares oi the town on "uesday and Wednesday wore an animated and msy appearance, whilst the Christmas decora- I ions and the bright window dressings helped o produce a scene of cheerfulness, which was a .veicome variation in the monotony of winter ife in Rhyl. The busiest department was un- doubtedly the Post Office, where for some days prev Ious- to Christmas the staff, under Mr. W. Clarke, the painstaking postmaster, had their resourc s taxed to the utmost. The enormous dispatches and deliveries were dealt with in a most satisfactory manner, and with the mini- mum amount of delay under such exceptional circumstances. The railway traffic did not appea rto be so heavy as usual, and, except for the parcels department, differed very little from the ordinary winter traffic in Rhyl. What extra work was entailed was admirably coped with by Mr. Allen and his staff. Atmospheric- ally, the conditions during Christmas were of I the most agreeable kind. True they did not realise the traditional idea of Christmas weath- er. Christmas Day was more like a beautiful spring day than otherwise, and was warm enough to justify overcoats being dispensed with. The day was ushered in by a merry peal of beils irom St. Thomas' Church in pleasant contrast to the hideous carolling of the bands of boys and men who paraded the residential districts until an early hour in the morning, many of them drunken rowdies, mak- ing the night hideous with their drunken and blasphemous attempts to sing Christmas hymns, 'ihe nuisance which these men Yt»se is fast becoming intolerable. Not only do they be- come in.-olent when refused money, but they disturb the lest of the household, Tor where there are young children cxpectmg Christmas giiL, once they are awakened up at midnight there is very little more peace m that house until an inordinilt hour in the morning. We are voicing the feeling of the general commun- ity when we express tne hope that another year the police will take this matter up. for modern carol singers bear no resemblance to the Waits which we are accustomed to associate with old- fashioned recollections of Yule tide. There was a special Christmas service.iiyJfcbe English Wesleyan Chapel on Christmas rrioJning, con- ducted by the Rev. G. Talalun Newton, who preached an appropriate sermon. The usual Christmas hymns were sung with great hearti- ness. The annual preaching meetings of Car- mel Welsh Congregational Church were com- menced on Christmas eve, and continued throughout Christmas Day. The congregations were large and attentive, and the services throughout devotional and interesting. The special preachers were the Rev. Rhys Huws, of Portdinorwic, and the Rev. J. Stanley Jones, of Carnarvon, both divines delivering powerful and moving sermons. The Christmas services at the churches in the town commenced with the celebration of Holy Communion. At the morning service, at St. Thomas', the pulpit was occupied by the Vicar, while those of Holy Trinity, St. John's, and St. Ann's were occu- pied by the Revs. E. M. Richard-, \V. j. Dav- ies, and P. Jones, respective^. Ai all the churches appropriate hymns were sung, and in the evening carol services were hel." t Holy Trinity and St. John's. The decorations throughout were beautifully done. On Christmas morning the hot-pots for which tickets were distributed on the previous day were delivered from the following bakehouses Mr. C. Jones, Bodfor Street; Mr. T. Davies, Vale Road; Mr. Hughes, Vale Road and Mr. Rogers, Vale Road. The preparation of these delicious dishes was carried out under the superintendence of Miss Williams, Alexan- dra Hotel, who took special care to see that not only the ingredients were of the best quality, but that the baking was equally satisfactory, with the result that everyone of the 211 hot-pots delivered was beautifully cooked. The delivery was superintended by Councillors Joseph A. Williams, John Hughes, and J. H. Ellis, Messrs. John Williams, Alexandra, R. Llewelyn Jones, C.C., and Llewelyn B. Evans. All business establishments were closed on Boxing Day. The principal attraction was the annual Boxing Day Eisteddfod promoted by the Welsh Baptists, and which attracted to the town a considerable number of people. A full report of the proceedings will be found in another column. A football match between Rhyl and Chester in the Chester and District League attracted a large gathering of spectators. The match was won by Rhyl by four goals to three, nit; effect ui ihe C.'hiiJtiiia.-i -dissipations was particularly noticeable on Sunday, when the streets looked almost deserted, and the congre- gations at the various Churches and Chapels were unusually small. Hog

RENT AUDIT DINNER AT BODRHYDDAN. A PROMINENT AGRICULTURIST OX THE EDUCATION ACT. The annual rent audit dinner to the tenants of the Bodrhyddan, Cwm, and Bryniorkyn estates, took place at the Tenants Dining Hdl, Bodrhyddan, on Tuesday evening Over one hundred and liftv of the tenants were present, and among the invited quests were the Rev T. W. Vaughan, Vicar of Rhuddlan; Messrs. R. Llewelyn Jones, C.C., F J. Gamlin. C. D. Copeley, H. A. Steer, &c. The presidential chair was occupied by Mr. W. Conwy Bell, the popular and courteous agent; and the vicc-chair by Mr. R. Morris, Hendre, the largest tenaut on the estate. The tables weie charmingly laid out and decorated under the personal super- intendence of Mrs Conwy, and the repast was of the most sumptuous character, and admirably served. After the tables had been cleared The President proposed the toast of the King which was accorded the usual loyal honours, after- wards giving Queen Alexandra, The Prince and Princess of Wales, and the Rest of the Royal Family," this toast likewise being cordially honoured, Mr. R. Llewelyn Jones proposed "The Bishop, Clergy and Ministers of all Denominations." He said that in this diocese they had an excellent Bishop who did his work very thoroughly, perhaps too thoroughly for those clergy inclined to be rather indolent. He believed that in the clergy of the diocese they had a body of men who endeavoured to do their work ccnscientiously and thoroughly, like- wise the Nonconformist ministers (applause). They "ad Dn easy task to perform Thev kId to contend with continuous criticism such as that their sermons were not interesting enough But it very often happened that whether the sermon was interesting -■r rio^ depended upon f Re nf mind iind con- dition of the listeners. He asked to be perm?tted to refer to the quesuon of education, in which the Bishop figured very prominently and creditably. He believed that if the Bishop had his way this matter so far as Flintshire and the Diocese of St. Asaph was concerned would be settled in an amicable manner ^ear, bear) He (Mr. Jone,) as representing the other side of the question and re- presenting it very firmly, believed that the Bishop was right in his action, and that what he advised would ultimately be found to be the wisest course. They as iatepayers> were asked to give rate aid to the schools, and the voluntary school managers were on their side were asked to give the ratepayers control of the schools (Mr Gamlin Never]. He was not going to introduce contentious questions He hoped they would deal with this question fairly and squarely as they would wish one man to deal with the other, and if they only dealt with it in that spirit it would not be long before the question was settled (ap- plause). He thought that the difference between them was very little, and he hoped they would soon arrive at a solution satisfactory to all concerned, and which would be to the interest of education which was the most important thing before them at the present moment (applause). The toast was duly honoured. The Vicar in responding said that the majority of the clergy lived in country parishes and came in close contract with those engaged in agriculture. and therefore it was only natural that they stiould take an interest in agriculture. He hoped that agriculture and the farming industry generaily would speedily improve What was needed to secure this end was a long pull and a strong pull and a pull altogether on the part of both landlords, agents, and tenants (applause) He was always very glad to be permitted to come to that annual rent dinner. He remembered being asked whether he thought it a bore to have to attend such gather- ings Instead of finding them a bore it was just the reverse, and it always gave him great pleasure to be present (applause). Mr. F. J. Gamlin proposed The Army, Navy and Reserve Forces." Speaking of the Army, he said that as in Waterloo so in South Africa, they could show what the army could do when the rank and file were led by officers whom they could respect and in whom they bad confidence (applause) Their Navy also was as efficient as in days of yore. He coupled with the name of the toast Sergeant Arthur Davies. and Ex-Quartermaster Robert Morris, and Ex-Sergeant R LI. Jones (applause). It was a source of great dissatisfaction that so much in- difference was shown towards the reserve forces in this locality. They had two comppnies in Rhyl which were not supported as they ought to be. Not only did they experience a difficulty in finding men but also in ob- taining the services of officers to lead them. It was greatly to be regretted that there were not more men with time and means ready to come forward to serve their King and country (applause) He allLKlfrd with satisfaction to the fact that the Conwy family had at present two sons in the service, Mr. Geoffrey Conwy with the Royal North Lancashires, and Lieut. Ralph Conwy is the Royal Navy (ap- plause). The toast was patriotically drunk. Mr. R Morris in responding said that he was a member of the reserve forces for 21 years which was a time of peace, though had he been called upon to tight be believed he could have done it, for he believed it was the duty of every citizen to fight for his King and country if called upon (applause) Mr. R LI. Jones said that he had the pleasure of serving in the Denbighshire Hussars, of which Mr. Morris was Quartermaster, and under the late Captain Conwy, who was one of the best drills the regiment ever had (applause). Mr. Arthur Davies also responded. Mr. Robert Morris (vice-president) proposed the toast of The Landlady" (Mrs. Rowley Conwy) and coupled with her that of the family. He said that the conditions of the past seasons were such that they were perhaps not so very enthusiastic as they might have been. At the same time they would none the less heaitily drink the health of Mrs. Conwy. The condition of the present time was such that must cause her as landiady great anxiety for she naturally felt for her tenants. But they hoped that by pulling together as the Vicar had suggested, they would enter upon a mOTe prosperous era and that with more favourable weather conditions next year, they might congratulate themselves on a more satisfactory state of things (applause). Enthusiastic honours were accorded the toast. The President in responding said he exceedingly regretted that he had to occupy the position he did, but neither of the sons could possibly be present On behalf of Mrs. Conwy, he thanked Mr. Morris for the exceedingly kind way in which he had pro- posed the toast and the way the company had received it. Mrs. Conwy had been most anxious that every- one of the guests should enjoy themselves, and had personally superintended everything that had been put en the table ,as well as the decorations. It was quite true that Mrs. Conwy had felt keenly for her tenantry during the gloomy season that they had gone through. In conclusion he proposed the health of the tenants on the four estates He said he had been brought up from his cradle as it were to deal with estates and had dealt especially in the early part of his career with a great many estates, but he could honestly say that there could nowhere be a better lot of tenantry, a better class of men or a more hard working lot than the tenantry of the Bodrhvddan, Cwm, and Irish estates (applause). On behalf of Mrs. Conwy he wished them all a bappy new year and a prosperous year (applause). Responding to the toast Mr. R. Morris said there was perhaps one reason why he should be called upon to respond to that toast, and that was because he paid a vear in rent. He was sorry that they met under such depressing conditions for they must admit that the past season was one of the worst they had experienced. The crops were light, the quality poor, and the prices never lower (heai, hear). He, however, hoped that there were better times in store for them (applause). There were questions now receiving great attention which it was claimed would better all classes of community. He was not going to say anything that night upon those questions because he knew that there were those present who would differ from him (hear. hear). But he bad for the last ten years complained of the way that farmers were rated. He looked upon it as a great injustice. He would not complain if he were rated on his premises the same as other people, but farmers were rated on their industry and their capital. It was all very well to say that it was a rate on the land. It was not it was a rate on the tenant, for what good 1 was the land without the tenant. It was he who introduced the capital and labour for its cultivation (applause). They had obtained one-half the rating under the Agricultural Ratings Act; that was only half justice, and they should not be satisfied until they obtained full justice by the exemption of all the rates from all land (applause). Speaking in Welsh he said they should carefully watch legislation and resist all rates in connection with any measure such as the Education Act which did not operate fairly on all classes (applause). Mr. Lloyd, Ddwylig Isaf, proposed the health of Mr. W. Conwy Bel!. He said he was a gentleman who was respected in the home of every tenant, and if they had grievance, he always did his utmost to redress them, and even when be was unable to do all they wished, he commanded their respect none the less. He was essentially the right man in the right place (cheers). The toaat was enthusiastically honoured. Mr. Conwy Bell appropriately responded to the toast. He agreed to a great extent with what Mr Morris had said with regard to the rating of land. But he would wish tenants would look a little more carefully into the demand notes than they did, and to see that they did not pay more than they ought to. He had come across that day a great many of the tenants who had paid a great deal more than they ought to through high assessment, and also through over assessment to the income tax. He asked the tenants to look a little more carefnlly into the demands, and he and his staff would do all they could to help them to put matters right (applause). Mr Lewis, of the Bryniorkyn Estate spoke of the warm feelings of regard entertained by the Bryn- iorkyn tenants, both for Mrs. Conwy, and Mr. Conwy Bell "The Ladies," and "Our Guests," were after- wards proposed and duly honoured. The speeches were interspersed with some excellent songs given by Messrs R Hanlon, G. W. Bradley, J. Gibbs, A. W. Lewis, F. J. Gamlin, Edward Evans, the Brothers Jones, Ty'rHwch J. O. Hughes' and Gramaphone selections by Mr. H. W. Roberts. --000-

THE DEATH ROLL. The hand of death has not robbed us of many leading citizens although some old residents have passed away during the year whose familiar and kindly faces will be missed by many of the older residents. A kindly genial man passed away last Novem- ber in the person of Mr. Amos Maltby, who had been a member of the Rhyl Urban District Council since it supplanted the Rhyl Improvement Commissioners in 1894. The death also took place at Rhyl of Mr. Rice J. Williams, Rhyd, one of the largest and most successful agriculturists in the County. He took a prominent part in the public life of the district with which he was interested being a Guardian of the poor, -and Chairman of the St. Asaph (Flintshire) Rural District Council. THE SEASON. As we have already stated the season has been a most unsatisfactory one. From about the middle of July we were scarcely vouch- safed a dry day. During August it is possible that the town has never been more full of visitors but the wretched weather which marked the first fortnight of Sep- tember drove them all away with the result that the season was abruptly and premature- ly cut short. The outstanding feature was the success which attended the Queen's Pabcc. Under the resourceful and enterpris- ing direction of Mr P. T. Ashfield, the I managing director, some delightful enter- tainment^ of ?. special character were organised and throughout the season the Palace was the scene of much joyous gaiety and mirth, while the entertainments were in every respect excellent and the whole conduct of the place such as to command theapproval of the most prim aud censorious of mortals. But the season was an unfort- unate one, owing to the atmospheric conditions, for the outdoor entertainments Mr E. H. Williams was a special sufferer He had a troupe of minstrels, who, whenever they were given the opportunity showed how strong were their drawing power by the vast audiences they attracted to their entertainments. It is satisfactory to know that Mr. Willliams has secured -the permit for next year when we hope he will be able to recoup his losses of the last and previous year. The same mis- fortune befel the Promenade Band who had to cut short their engagement before the stipulated time. On the other hand the Pierrot entertainments at the Pierrot Pavilion were more successful than ever whilst the theatrical productions of Messrs Baring Brothers at the Town Hall were well patronised. We think we have now said all we have to say, for at all events all we need say of the old year. We have only one more duty — a duty that is a privilege and pleasure, and that is with all sincenty to wish all our readers A HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.