The North Wales Weekly News

Llanelian Welsh Baptist Sunday School Treat. THE COMPETITIVE MEETING. The annual treat of the above friends came off on Tuesday last on the Bryn Tirion Grounds, by kind permission, of Mr Isaac Jones, when sumptuous teas were provided and served by Mrs Foulkes, of Ty'nyffordd; Mrs Jones, ^Dolygraian Mrs Roberts, Nant; Mrs Wynne, Biryniau Ardda; Mrs Williams, Bryn Tirion; and other kind ladies in attendance, and an unusually large number of scholars and friends from the surrounding districts sat at the tables. The tables were provided at three and ten p.m. respectively. Meanwhile a most successful competitive meeting was held at the chapel, presided over by Mr R. Roberts, contractor, Colwyn Bay, and the proceedings were conducted by Mr H. R. Parry, the noted bard, Bwlchydd M6n," and the accompanist was Miss Lloyd Hughes, Baryn Gwylan. The adjudicators were:—Prose, the Rev. T. Frimston, Tudu'r Clwyd," of Colwyn poetry, Bwlchydid; music, Mr Robert Jones, Perorfryn, of Festiniog; recitations, Mr R. Jones, headmaster Council School, Colwyn; art, Mr Thomas Jones, of Bryn Elian. The members otf the committee WeTe: -Presi- dent, Mr John G. Davies; treasurer, Mr John Williams; secretary, Mr John Wynne. The successful competitors were as follows: — Duet, Mr Thomas Roberts, of Eglwysbach, and friend. Solo, Miss Lizzie Roberts, of Llys Tre- lor, Colwyn. Recitation, Mr John ELlis Wil- liams, Colwyn Bay. Essay, Mr Henry Garrett, Llysfaen. Poetry, prize divided between Mr Richard Williams, Ty Celyn, I-lanelian, and Mr Thomas Owen, of Colwyn Bay, the latter also obtaining an award for the best stanza on The Backslider." Challenge solo, Miss Shields, of Colwyn. Principal choir test, Penmaen Choir, led by Mr William Davies. Quartette, Pen- maen party. Handsome donations were given by the Presi- dent and Mr William Jones, of Gloddae-th Isa', and others. The accompanist did her part ex- cellently well. Bwlchydd, the secretary of the Gorsedd of the National Eisteddfod, was, as usual, humorous and active. Good proceeds were taken. A hearty vote of thanks, proposed by the Rev. T. Roberts (pastor), seconded by the Rev. T. Frimston, was passed to Mr D. Mac- Nicoll, Derwas, for hisbndess in providing tables, &c. The singing of "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau brought the meeting to a close. -c:

Death of Bangor Ex-Mayoress. We regret to announce the death of Mrs John Evan Roberts, wife of Alderman J. E. Roberts, n ex-Mayor of Bangor, which occurred at her re- sidence, Brynmor, Bangor, at 4.30 on Monday morning. Mrs. Roberts, who^ was the daughter of Mr. Owen Roberts, of Treborth Farm, Ban- g<yr,_ had suffered from a serious internal com- plamt for a long time. Great sympathy is felt for Alderman Roberts. j

Abergele Sparks. If I had been unlucky enough to have been born a woman, I should certainly not follow the fashion in millinery, whether the style came from Paris or Llanberis. Look at the horrible-looking' headgear the ladies are wearing just now. They are ugly enough to give a cat a paralytic fit, and a respectable milch cow the jim-jams. These unearthly hats on women's heads look like a washing basin fixed on the thin end of a cast-off is. 1 id. umbrella. But the women of this country would trim their hats with red herrings and Spanish onions—with bricks to match—if gay Paris led the fashion in that direction; And think of the price they pay for making penny valentines of themselves. A woman who can spend two or three guineas of her husband's hard-earned salary on feathered monstrosities is neither sane nor a Christian. Let them in future cut their hair short and wear is. golf caps or 2s. 6d. straw hat. I haven't much patience either with cranks of men who wear corsets with a view of trying to make themselves smart and attractive. But in fairness to the majority of my sex. I ought to say that corset-wearing among men is almost exclusively resorted to by military fops, who are blessed with more £ s. d. than brains. To give the British Army officer due credit, how- ever, it must be said that, whatever his faults, he is brave to the last degree. I am glad to understand that Mr. W. J. Evans's motion in favour of a recreation ground for the use of the members of the Café Club was unanimously passed at the last meeting of the Management Committee. A committee consis- ting of Messrs. D. Frazer, D. Thomas. T. H. Owain-Jones, W. H. Jones, and W. J. Evans, was also appointed to take the initial steps in the matter. Uuless this committee is confronted with a land famine in Abergele, it looks as though a long-felt want in this neighbourhood was about to be made good. Last Friday and Saturday the Entrance Scholarship Examination to Abergele County School took place at the Wesleyan Schoolroom, Abergele. Nearly fifty pupils from the Elemen- tary Schools in the district sat for the examina- tion. This, I think, is the largest number on record, and points to an increasing interest in secondary education and to a complete confidence in Abergele County School. On the same dates Mr. Owen Owen, M.A., Chief Inspector of the Central Welsh Board, accompanied by Mr. Robinson, M.A., Assistant Inspector, and Miss Edith Thompson, the well- known history expert, spent the whole day at Abergele County School for the purposes of the triennial inspection It is gratifying to learn that the work of the whole school was referred to in terms of unstinted praise by the Inspectors at the Governors' meeting, which followed the inspection, and the County School at Abergele was characterised as one of the most efficient Secondary School in Wales. I like a religion with a bit of spice in it, and for that reason I think I shall go and live in Liverpool, where the Roman Catholics and the Orangemen are having such a lively time of it just now. There is nothing like a blow on the head with a brick to convince the other fellow that his religion is wrong. A few pounds of solid fact by way of a brick or a cobble stone settles the point quicker than a ton of argumentative theology. If you find your rival stupid take abrick, Take your aim, and take it truly-take it quick; Hit him till he sees some stars, Saturn, Jupiter and Mars- Then apologise and lift" him with a kick. » Bonnie Scotland Here is a country that can boast of 146 parishes which have no paupers, no poor rates, and no public-houses. Hurrah I won't go and live in Liverpool, after all. I'm off to Bonnie Scotland, Where poor rates are not Where "boozers" never order A drop of something- hot." The land that knows no paupers, No workhouses or gaols, The happy land where Allsopp's Don't sell their Burton ales. The land of savoury porridge, The stuff for bone and fat, The land to make a fortune Now what do ye think of that ? So here goes my licarties, Good-bye, shake-hands, ta-ta, I'm off with Harry Lauder To Scotland dear, Hurrah -=--e-

Bangor Drowning Case. Mr. Pentir Williams on Monday held in an in- quest at Bangor touching the death of David Vincent Jones, the 12-year-old son of William Jones carter, Bangor, which occurred on Saturday. From the evidence it appeared that the boy, with two companions, went to the river Cegin, a small tributary of the Ogwen, and got into the water. He appears to have had a fit, for he suddenly sank, and then re-appeared. His com- panions thought he was playing for a while, but, becoming alarmed, ran home to inform his mother, carrying his clothes with them. They met a man and woman on the road, and told them what had happened, but these instead of going to the child's assistance told the children to run home and tell his parents. The distance from his home is about two miles, and it was two hours before the bodv was re- covered. The Jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and expressed their deep sympathy with the parents. 11118C--

Carnarvon's Great Achievement RECEPTION OF EISTEDDFOD WINNERS. About L260 in prizes went to Carnarvon and district from the National Eisteddfod, and the town celebrated the victories by a big demon- stration on Saturday night. A procession was formed at the railway station, headed by a band. The chaired bard (Mr. Gwynn Jones), Mr. John Williams (conductor of the Carnarvon Choral Society), Mr. T. O. Jones, and Mr. E. M. Humphreys, the winners of the prizes for the Welsh drama and the Welsh novel respectively, Mr. D. J. Williams, a winner in the art section, and others were conveyed in traps through the streets. The Mayor and Corporation, the Vicar, and others were in the procession, which num- bered several hundreds. A halt was made in Castle Square, where speeches were made. THE CROWNED BARD. On Tuesday night Mr W. J. Gruffydd, the crowned bard of the London Eisteddfod, re- turned to his home at Bethel, near Carnarvon, for a short visit. He was met at the station at Port Dinorwic by a carriage and pair, but the enthusiastic villagers: took the horses out and direw the hem to. Bethel up a steep road a mile and a half away. Here he was met by the Llanrug brass band and welcomed with rousing musical honours, mixed with the hearty cheers of the villagers, which he suitably acknow- ledged.

The Greatest Welshman. Who is the greatest Welshman in the world ? asked the Rev. T. Llewellyn Jones at the Wesleyan Sunday school anniversary services at Newtown on Sunday evening. "Lloyd George" promptly .replied, a number of boys in the gallery. The preacher evidently expected the answer for he exhorted his hearers to value the Sunday school, which Mr. Lloyd George declared had done much for him.

Newmarket: A Flintshire Beauty Spot. (BY A CONTRIBUTOR.) It was my good fortune to spend the tradi- tional longest day of the year" in that de- lightful, out of the way beauty spot, Newmarket, in Flintshire; and I can only say that it was not nearly long enough to please me. -)urs Twelve hours in that charming upland parish, 1 with its undulating green fields, its places of .S, historic interest, and its kind-hearted people, passed away all too soon.. In order to under- stand what is meant by a real Welsh wel- come you must go to Newmarket. To realise the true significance of the word hospitality you must visit a certain quaint old farmsteaa I could name, where the family simply kill you with kindness. And if you would refresh your innermost soul by drinking in the beauties of nature, then you have only to saunter through the fields around, where every prospect pleases," and every man you meet is a jolly good fellow and the best of good company. But perhaps you don't kinow where Newmar- ket is; Then, you will have good reason to thank me for telling you-that is, if you go there to taste its many and varied charms for your- self. Ihere you will find yourself indeed far from the madding crowd," OUT OF THE BEATEN TRACK of even the ubiquitous summer tourist, in an earthly paradise where you can forget your work-a-day cares and just think of nothing the whole day long. Little wonder that my first visit filled me with a desire to return at the earliest possible opportunity. Newmarket, according to. the guide-books., is one of the most interesting spots in Flintshire, and is situated on a plateau about six miles from Rhyl and Holywell, five miles from Caer- wyis, four miles from Mostyn and Rhuddlan, and three miles from Prestatyn. It is a pleasant ride by motor-train from Rhyl to. Dyserth (the latter one of the "coming" resorts, of North Wales), and an even pleasanter walk or drive up the hilly road, which brings you to New- market, with its dry and rarefied air, whose health-giving properties have been extolled in "ihe Lancet" and other medical papers, and its old-world village life. Before reaching the top you pass a magnifi- cent mansion with spamous and, beautiful grounds. Here is Mia Hall, the palatial resid- enct of Alderman M. A. Ralld, a well-known member of the Liverpool Ralli family, who takes a keen interest in the picturesque neigh- bourhood' and the progress of the village. Mr Ralli is giving proof of that interest in a practical way by purchasing and demolishing some of the oldest cottages and replacing them with a Garden. City consisting of new and pretty cottages with excellent water supply and sanitation. The village and neighbourhood are simply steeped in antiquarian lore, and would repay a visit by the Llandudno. Field Club, the Nant Conwy Archaeological Society, the Abe.rge*e Antiquarian Society, and similar bodies. The original name was Lrelawyd, which was changed to- Newmarket by Mr John Wynne, who obtained a faculty from the Bishop's Registry. This same John Wynne is said to have rebuilt most of the town, established several branches of industry, such as silk-weaving, distilling, &c., and procured for it a weekly and an annual fair. It has a great attraction," the same writer continues, for the historian, and antiquarian, with its famous Clip-y-Gop, which is sur- mounted by a huge tumulus of artificial con- struction, no less than S6 feet in height, whrcn is stated by local tradition to be THE BURIAL PLACE OF BOADICEA, and was recently explored by the Archaeological Society, under the superintendence of Professor Boyd Dawkins. In the course of the operation an adjoining cave was unmasked, disclosing a pre-historic burial, place, out of which a large number of skeletons and antique objects were taken. In the neighbourhood are several names which indicate the field of battle, such as Bryu- y-Saethau (Hill of Arrows), Bryn-y-Lladdfa (Hill of Slaughter), and Pant-y-Gwae (The Hol- lOiv of Woe). In, the old churchyard, with its church dedicated to St. Michael, there is a fine specimen of a village cross, dating from the 13th century. Newmarket is noted for the salu- brity of its climate, and is specially recom- mended by several members of the medical faculty as a resort for invalids and convales- cents. It may truly be said of Newmarket and its neighbourhood, that its very air seems to be saturated with historical and antiquarian lore." I find that space does not permit of a fuller recital of my own adventures and first impres- sions, but I should like to mention some of the historical features of the district. It was, for instance, in the locality of the battle-field just mentioned that a golden torques (in Welsh called "eurdorch ") was found, which was- bought by the Earl of Grosvenor for £400. With regard to the churchyard and its lofty stone cross, said to be the most perfect left in Wales, it may be recalled that there is connected with the church a charity with curious condi- tions as to its distribution. In 1712 the Mr John Wynne already mentioned, the then owner of the whole village, left "the interest of £5, for the purchase of flannel, for four old men and women," and the applicants were to. draw lots, or "THROW DICE IN THE CHURCH PORCH!" The visitor should also pay attention to. the fine lake caded Llyn Helyg Maes Mynan, a place famous for once having been a residence of the last native Prince of Wales; Ffynnon. Wen, a well with a pointed stone roof; the ancient Church o-f Gwaunysgor, with its beau- tiful window and its old registers going back to 1538; the pretty village of Cwm, with its fine views; the ruins of Dyserth Castle, once a Nor- man stronghold; a.nd the village of Dyserth itself, which bears the name at one time given to. the parish of Llansantffraid Glan, Conway. Much more might be written of this old-world neighbourhood, which possesses such strong claims upon the attention of the tourist, the antiquary, and the artist.

Local Successes at Cambridge. In the Triposes issued last week the following Welshmen have been successful: — Mr. D. Brunt, of Trinity College, late mem- ber of the Aberystwyth College, attained a first class in the Mathematical Tripos, new regula- tions. Mr. Brunt is a scholar of Trinity, and a native of LJandrindod. He is a member of the University Welsh Society. Mr. G. R. Seage Thomas, of Downing Col- lege, obtained a first class in the Natural Sci- ence Tripos. Mr. Thomas is a native of Car- narvon, and an old pupil of Llandovery School. He has been a president of the University Welsh Society, and is a keen supporter of the Sunday Welsh services at Cambridge. Mr. F. Roberts, of Clare College, obtained a first class in the Natural Science Tripos. Mr. Roberts is a native of Bethesda, Carnarvon- shire, and an old pupil of the Bethesda County School. He is a member of the Welsh Uni- versity College, and acts as organist for the Welsh, undergraduates' Sunday services. Mr. G. W. Robinson, of Caius College, obtained a first clast. in the Natural Science iripos. Mr. Robinson is a resident at Conway, and has mastered the Welsh language during his undergraduate days. He is a keen student. of Wrelsh and. an enthusiast for the Welsh Society and service.

44 Butchering Ministers. To THE EDITOR OF THE Weekly News. ,Sir,-Tin your issue of last week you have a paragraph bearing upon a reference made by a minister when appealing to people not to attack their ministers. Butchering seems a very frightful and ob- jectionable term to. use, especially so in refer- ence to. ministers. But that they have to endure a lot of opposi- tion and hindrance in their work goes without saying by the tittle tattle complained of. I allude, of course, to those who, do their best and give no occasion for it. However, by the withdrawal of the Disestablishment Bill there is no doubt removed a very effectual mocre of doing harm to' the true ministers of the Gospel. The subject had already become marked' by a very contentious spirit in several places and by many people, and you want nothing more likely to harm these people (who are at all times par- ticularly distinguished in their desire to. be at peace with all men &0 far as it lies in their power) than to' make it necessary for them to enter into hot disputes and contentions. It reminds me, air, of a very sad case some thirty years ago (the intended subject of a pro- spective publication) where this butchering pro- cess was seen to harm a noble and useful life. Apart from that, I am inclined to believe that Wales, as a nation, has everything to lose when subjects are in existence or brought into exist- ence that occasion the leaders of religion to come in conflict one with another. Let us con- sider an advantage that arises when this is not so. Immediately after the late Revival (which had the distinguished and praiseworthy feature in places, of church and chapel working together) we had, in addition, to persons of repute com- ing to' see its effects from different countries, a direct representative from the Home, Secretary of France, not only to inquire, but to investi- gate and make complete records of results that have since been published; and are interesting to show that when true unity and activity pre- vail in our churches they attract nations to slame beneficial purpose, and indeed the small- ness of crime in Wales would at this time justify more pilgrimages to. see if they could not, in other countries apply the same conditions to arrive at similar results. However, the Disestablishment Bill does not seem to. be entirely removed, for we hear that it is likely to come on another time, about which Bill' the Bishop of London thought that it was occasioned because four Welsh Church- men had! a seat in the House of Lords, and he said, for his part, he would welcome four stout Welsh Nonconformists coming there as well. It's a pitv that a nation's welfare could not induce our leaders, to find some means of bury- ing a hatchet that is likely, by its extreme con- y tention and strife to harrnministers that we can ill-afford to lose.—Yours, &c., LAYMAN.

Llysfaen Problems. To THE EDITOR OF THE Weekly News. Sir,-—I read with great interest your able leading article of last week on the above sub- ject, and desire to thank you for the wise guid- ance and valuable information contained in the same. It is also- with much pleasure that I observe that the parishitoners of Llysfaen are taking a real interest in matters affecting the future wel- fare of the parish. This is a good sign, of the times. When the working men of a parish do their thinking for themselves, instead of .allowing others to. do it for them there is some hope of progress. The Parish Councillors appear to be alive to. the importance of their duties, and they have an excellent clerk in Mr. J. Aneurin Jones, who will not allow his usefulness to be restricted by mpre red tape. 'There is), however, one jmiatter which the Llysfaen Parish Council appear to. have over- looked, and to which. I beg to. call their at- tention. It is with respect to the custody 01 the Tithe Map. So many valuable parisG re- cords were lost in Wales before the period of local self-government was inaugurated and so much inconvenience is felt on that account even to this day, that it is the duty of our modern authorities to see that the documents, &c., now in existence should be preserved for the benefit of future generations. One of these documents is the Tithe Map, and it would be well if tl-e Parish Councils of Llysfaen and other districts in the neighbourhood were to exercise the powers conferred upon them. It is undoubted ly competent to a Parish Council to give direc- tions as to the custody in which the Tithe Map should: be deposited. I thank you in anticipation for inserting this letter in your valuable paper, which I am so pleased to notice has become the most popular family newspaper in the rural Darishes of this diistrict. Yours, &c., MARIAN BACH. Llysfaen, 19th June, 1909.

Military Training on Sunday. The following letter has been forwarded to the Prime Minister by the Committee of the Lord's Day Observance Society:- The Lord's Day Observance Society, 18, Buckingham-street, Strand, W.C. June 14th, 1909. To the Right Honourable H. H. Asquith, K. C., First Lord of the Treasury. SiT,-I am instructed by my Committee to call youir attention to the persistent efforts now being made to utilize Sunday as a day for military exercises at present for the training of the Territorial Army; which, if permitted, will soon give rise. to dtemands for the co-operation, of the Regular forces. I am to urge that the Ministry of which you are the head should use its authority to discour- age so mysterious a movement, and should, re- cognize that the day aliready earmarked by its Maker for higher and better purposes'. It is not the first in. English history that simi- lar attempt have been made. Indeed, the fact that Royal and Ecclesiastical authorities favoured such misuse of the day three centuries ago is put forwards tas a sufficient justification for modern proposals of the kind. But thus shallow plea wilfully ignores the ce- termined opposition which was aroused through- out the country, and the disastrous results to Church and State of disregard, of such remon- strances. The responsible leaders in both de- partments of the National life were swept away by the storm which they had, wantonly provoked, and thc-r Sundjay-trained warriors could not save them. The Puritan spirit which recoiled1 from Sun- day drill, and favoured worthier methods of em- ploying the Lord's day, secured better disci- pline, and a more effective discharge of military duty, than the irreligious and'self-indulgent spirit which scoffed at such scruples. History does not necesisarily repeat itself on precisely the same lines. Foreign invasion may conceivably replacc civil Avar as a test of na- tional character and military preparedness. But, assuredly, the experience of three hundred years since does not favour a return to methods which then failed so conspicuously. My Cdrrnrnittee trust, therefore, that such re- turn will! be authoritatively checked.—I am, sir, your obedient servant, FRKOERTC PEAKE, M.A., LL.D., Secretary.

It was a Scot, of course, whose minister re- proached him as a habitual absentee from kirk, and who- pleaded his dislike of long sermons. 'Deed, man," said the minister, if ye dinna mend, ye may land yersel' where ye'll no be troubled wi' mony sermons, either lang or short." "Weel," was the answer, "but it mayna be for want o' ministers."

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