The North Wales Weekly News

w Nat. Tel. No. 13. Telegram s: .L. THIS First-class Family Hotel is most beauti- 7 i }" § V:7: = ":T -=- *7" 7 fully Bituatad in its own finely-wooded Park. 7 7 |1:: J 1 z.2-in the Bay of Oolwyn, commanding splendid 7 |1:: J 1 in the Bay of Colwyn, commanding splendid v iews; within a Drive of and end 0. few minutes to the ^> within a ahort Drive of Conway and Electric Light. Separate Tubko. POST HORSES AND CARRIAGES. ft*if «*"+ LAWN TENNIS. GOLF. BILLIARDS, ate. SEA BATHING. PWLLYGROGHAN HOTEL,, COLWYN BAY. (THE LATE RESIDENCE OF LADY ERiSKINE.) 17 ^e% COLWYN BAY HOTEL, N. WALES. LONDON & NORTH WESTERN RAILWAY (HOLYHEAD LINE). Telegrams: Colwyn Bay Hotel, Colwyn Bay- cJ Nat. Telephone No. Q. ————■— — 1 Excellent service of Express Trains from Manchester, • ■ • Liverpool, Midland Counties and the Soutn • *4N Delightfully situated on the border of the Bay, • s\ ■ « within a few minutes' walk of the Colwyn Bay Railway Station. COFFEE ROOM, DRAWING ROOM, LOUNGE & BILLIARD I pk, ,gL-l« !VRF ROOM on the Ground Floor, overlooking the Bay. J&* ELECTRIC LIGHT THROUGHOUT. .?y v nn^■ *+ j* y *Xlf« *& £ The private grounds and terraces form an attractive W* "rfj#: promenade for visitors. Hotel Porter in Scarlet Uniform meets all trains. STABLES COACH HOUSE. MOTOR GARAGE WITH PiT This Hotel has been officially appointed by the Automobile Club of Great Britain and Ireland. During the Season, COACHES start from the Botel to 4 Bettws y-Coed, Llandudno, Conway Castle and other places • of interest in the district. £ ;v,! • .iV. COLWYN BAY AS A WINTER RESORT. £ I* Is strongly recommended by eminent Medical Men ™ the mildness and dryness of its climate. A REDUCED WINTER TARIFF. IS MISS THORPE, Manageress. UP JLJ LAIN—IN N IWK JFKF ,^W>. %MFC. XGG"^ TELEGRAMS: METROPOLE, COLWYN BAY.: ^JhT^SL. JSL NATIONAL TELEPHONE: No. I88. FIRST CLASS. MODERN6 One Minute's walk from Railway Station and two minute from Promenade and Pavilion. PERFECT SANITATION. SPACIOUS PUBLIC ROOMS. DRAWING, WRITING, AND SMOKE ROOMS. LOUNGE. RECREATION ROOM. BILLIARD ROOM (2 Tablei, DINING ROOMS (Separate Tables). EXCELLENT BALLS, DINNERS, AND RECEPTIONS CATERED FOR. Electric Light and Bells throughout. STOCK ROOMS, MOTOR GARAGE NEAR Hotel Porters meet trains. [if Manageress, MISS GRISDALE. ig I CONWATT. OAKWOOD PARK HOTEL. The most daintily equipped in the Principality. iB-Hoie Golf Links, laid out by Alex. Herd. Play every day. ■' • « "• Beautifully situated <■ on the Old Coach Road < half-way between Con- way and the head the Sychnant Pass. '•• iiflpO' T" Elevated and bracing ,■ 4 position. Mountain and Amr vi ft v k Sea breeze from three t points of the compass. Tennis, green <aW° and billiards. «' jt lit jfcS8»./&>— Electric Light.. is ■■ M < t|* ^if 11 If throughout. t ■ 7T1'11 '^WET "M'C -S — V T"j iiiifiWlliiifMifj. «-,s "?-< Alfresco Afternoon Tear *>»- s s, on w /rKsHlmE^ tr tV* *1 Oakwood Park Lawns 'JJ i •'• •.•; Jp. Hotel meet2 Trains. Teleg-ams: "OAKWOOI^ CoNWAY Telephone No. aj. Mrs. BAILEY, MANAGERESS. LOCKYER'S PRIVATE HOTEL, MARINE ROAD, COLWYN BAY. Old Established. ) STANDING in its own grounds, within two minutes' walk of the Sea, near the Pwllycrochan Telegrams LOCKYER. C^ BAY Telephone No. oi87. Telegrams: LocKYER, COLWYN BAY 22 Q i t '\j g 8ia < 1-1 (') ¡;. 0:.1- P 0 44 I /1j. š' g z 0 Ia. z 0 9L 0 J. FRED FRANCIS, THE IEWS, COLWYN BAY. 1 fSUCCESSOR TO EDWIN JONES.) 83 MARSDEN & CO., Tailors, Breeches and Livery Makers, Ladies' Costumiers, and Undertakers, VAUGHAN STREET, LLANDUDNO. TERMS-5 percent discount for Cash. Mourning Orders Completed 1^24 Hours. J. DICKEN & SONS, House. Furnishers, &c. CHEAPEST HOUSES IN THE DISTRICT. Largest Selection Linoleums, Cork, English &:Foreign Carpets, &c. Bedroom Suites a Speciality Yanghan Street, Llandudno. Tf StatiOB Road, Colwyn Bay, FURNITURE REMOVERS AND UNDERTAKERS.

Who Ordered the Coffin ? COLWYN BAY PEOPLE AT LAW. On Thursday, at Llandudno County Court, Edward Bodfield, a Colwyn Bay fruiterer, was sued by R. Llewellyn Samuels, joiner and undtertiakeir, Colwyn Bay, for too sum of £6 ixs. in respect of the funeral of a woman named Coates, who. stayed at the defendant's; house at the time of her death. Mr T. H. Morgan was for the plaintiff, and Mr E. A. Crabbe for the defendant. Plaintiff said that on the igth August, 1908, he was in Station-road, Colwyn Bay, when the defendant beckoned: to him, and asked him to make a coffin for a woman who had died in his house. Bodfieldsaid he would see witness all right, and handed, him a sovereign -on ac- count. Witness made the coffin, and carried out the duties of 'undertaker. The bin was sent to the defendant on several occasions, and he made no objection to it, and never denied liability. Tlhe Xieceas.ed woman was the wife of a man who worked for the defendant. In cross-examination, witness denied that it was the husband of the deceased woman who handed him the sovereign in Station-road, and it was untrue that the accounts were sent to Coates. He had never looked to Coates for payment. The charges he made amounted to £6 i is. Mr Crabbe: Did yo umake the coffin you.r- sellf ?I bought it. Mr Morgan objected, but the Judlge ruled ithlat the questions were in order. Mr Crabbe Allen & Son supplied the coffin, and it was a second-hand one. (Laughter. No, it was not dearer than if I had to. make it myself. Mr Crabbe: How much did you pay Allen for the coffin?—That has nothing to. do. with the matter. His Honour said that the question must be answered. Mr Crabbe: How much did you pay for this coffin?— £ 2 1 os. And you are trying to get the defendant to pay a sum, of £6 ns. ?—Yes. I had the fur- niture and trimmings to pay for, and I had four men bearers at the funeral. Do you think it a reasonable charge to a costermoinger earning a weekly -wage? Did Bodifield. in any way, say he would see you all right?—He did when: he gave me the sovereign. Re-examined, the witness said that the amount charged was quite fair. Thomas Evans, 28, Sea View-terrace, who was with the plaintiff in Station-road, corroborated, and said that he, suggested to Samuels that he should get something on, account from the de- fendant, because plaintiff had made so many coffins for nothing. He saw the defendant hand ove, rsome silver coins to the plaintiff. For the defence, Mr Crabbe said that the de- fendant was in the habit of selling fruit on the Colwyn Bay promenade in the summer, and in the summer of 1908, he employed a man named Coates, who lodged with defendant, and was paid a wage. 'He was a married man, and sent for his wife to come over. She came, and on the day of her arrival she died very sudden1 y- As a result, the man Coates wired to his mother for £s, and his client went with Coates to draw the money out of the Post Office. Bodfield- sug- gested to Coates that Samuels should make the coffin,, and Coates handed defendant a sovereign to give Samuels on account. liodfield never in any shape or form undertook to pay for the coffin or any incidentals of the funeral. Fur- ther than that, defendant's wife went with Coates to the Urban Council Office, and he there paid for the grave. No account was ever received bv defendant from the plamtiH. Both parties had made futile attempts to find Coates, who had disappeared, and everything pointed to the fact that if Coates could be found, the de- fendant would have heard nothing of the claim. Evidence in support of this was given b- the defendamt) and his wife, and William Crayley, who described himself as an outside porter, said he had written letters for both parties, Bodfield usually signing them. He had also written some for Samuels, and had handed them to him unsigned. The Judlge: I think the defendant has ren- dered himself 'liable, but the charge is grossly excessive Judgment for the plaintiff for Î.3 IOS. I think f,4 ios. was quite enough for the plaintiff to charge altogether.

Chrysanthemums are this year more plentiful than ever. Cottagers have taken up the culture of the plant in earnest, and their gardens have testified in all parts of England to the fact that they have acquired the art in no small degree. V\ e usually consider the chrysanthemum a Japanese flower. True, it came to us from Japan, but the Japanese received it themselves from China. It was at about the period when Nehemiah was rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem that the seed of the sixteen-rayed dlaisy" was brought to Japan from the mainland of Asia. This is the flower in its simplest form. In their hands it rapidly began to assume varied tints and shaipes. On ancient pieces of porcelain there is painted a blue variety, which is said still to exist in. Japan, and to be guarded with very jealous care.

A Colwyn Bay Account. At the Lland'udno County Court, on Thurs- day, 'Messrs Pryce Williams & Co., grocers and provision dealers, West End Stores and Ceylon Stores, Colwyn Bay, were the plaintiffs in an action against Mr Frank Booth, veterinary sur- geon, Old Colwyn, in which vaey claimed £ 10 alleged to be due in respect of goods supplied. M.r James Amphlett (of Messrs Porter, Am- phlett & Co.) was for the plaintiffs, and the de- fendant appeared in. person,. Mr Amphlett said that the defendant was a customer; of the plaintiffs' at their shop known as West End Stores. Defendant usually dealt there and was in the habit of paying sums up to [IO on account. In. 'November, 1908, a sum of [30 13s. iod. was due from the defendant", and on the 20th November he called and paid a cheque of his own for [10 at the Ceylon Stores, and obtained a receipt for it, which was signed by the manager. As the cheque be- longed to the West End Stores, it was sent there, and a further receipt was given Mr. Booth for tlhe [10. Accounts were sent monthly to de- fendant showing the balance due, and showing that [IO only had been paid and not [20. The contention of the defendant was that he paid two sums of £ 10 on the same day—an unusual thing for M.r Booth to' do. He was instructed that there was no other instance in which Mr Booth made two, payments. It was one of those oases in which two receipts had been given. He felt there was no question; about it. The plain- tiffs would not have brought, the case to Court without being thoroughly satisfied. Defendant was entirely mistaken. The Judge said it was purely a question of account, and should go before the Rerasitrar. Defendant, at this juncture, produced the two. receipts in question, and added that he had other receipts showing -,ayments made to the plaintiffs by him on the same day. Mr Amphlett said it was only a question of whether the two, receipts related to one Cio or separate payments. Mr Pryce Thomas Williams, a partner in the plaintiff lfiiim, was called, and said that the defendant's account was in the West End Stores and not at the Ceylon, Stores. On the 20th No- vember a 'cheque of 2fio on account was paid by defendant. All cheques received were paid into the N. & S. W. Bank. In the cross-examination of the plaintiff by defendant, plaintiff said that defendant's oroven- dor account was at the West End Stores, but a horse which he (defendant) bought from plamr itiffisi recently was paid for at the Ceylon Stores. Defendant might have receipts in his possession from the Ceylon Stores, but as a rule, he paid at West Eind. He could not say from, memory whether he had paid two, sums of money on the same day. Mr Booth Then how came Mr Amphlett to make the stat,ement that I had not done so.? Witness I don't know, unless he got it from the ledger. Defendant: I think I have paid you a few hundred pounds—over £2,000 during the last twelve years?—I can't say. Sums varying from f 10 upwards?—I know you have paid large sums of money. Can you suggest that I have paid one-twen- tieth of that at the West End Stores? Which is nearest to my house?—Ceylon Stores. And is it not reasonable to go to the nearest place?—I do not know. You came down TO West End, to my knowledge. Is it usual to give two receipts for one £10, as you .are suggesting? Have you done it be- fore?—I explained at the time that it was a mis- take. We did not know you had a receipt from the Ceylon Stores. When did you find out the mistake?—When yon told us, eleven months afterwards. Do you know for certain that your man didn't get the money? You know you received cheques from me endorsed?—I am certain of this, that you paid the cheques at the Ceylon Stores, and it came to the West End Stores' on the following day. Can you swear that you received the money paid to your man?—I have every reason to be- lieve that I do receive it. I have no reason to doubt it in any way. An interruption by Mr Amphlett, led the Judge to say that the defendant could make any suggestion he liked. The suggestion might be that the, other side were making a bona fidie mistake. Mr Booth Supposing a man was inclined to be dishonest, the endorsed cheque could be used, could it not?—I can't say. Don't you know that they can?—All cheques received go through the bank. So far as you know?—As far as I know. I have no. reason to believe otherwise. I do not know that any of the young men would do it out and not remembered it?—I never paid wrong. I am certain that you might have paid cheques out like that. The Judge: It is possible for an endbraed cheque to, be dealt with in some way. One doe.. not know. Defendant said that unfortunately he had had no clerk 'for eighteen months, and the accounts had not been entered in. his book. He called for the petty caSlru book of Ceylon Stores. It was stated that the book was' not in Court, and His Honour said that in the interests of both parties, the cash book should be produced,. Mr Amphlett then asked for an adjournment to produce it, as well as the bank pass book. In re-examination, plaintiff said he would not have brought the case to Court unless he was satisfied that the money was owing. Mr Booth: Do. you think I should- come here if owed you this £10, and say I had paid it. You think you are right, and I think I am right. The Judge said it was quite obvious that the plaintiffs had made some blunder, and the case would be adjourned to the next Court, but the defendant must not be put to any costs of that day. Mr Amphlett announced that he would try and meet Mr Booth, and probably the action would be settled before the next Court.

Colwyn Bay Eisteddfod Choir Social. MR. JOHN WILLIAMS PRAISES HIS CHOIR. A very successful social was held on Thursday .evening in connection with the choir of the Na- tional Eisteddfod to be held next year at Colwyn Bay. The event was held in the Lecture Hall, wMch had been tastefully arranged, there being also a good display of evergreens, chrysanthe- mums, and other flowers. The arrangements were in the hands of a committee of which Mr R. W. Williams, Colwyn, was the chairman. The committee included Mr and Mrs S. Glynne Jones, Mrs Owen (Llys Aled), Mrs R. W. Wil- liams, Mrs Jos. H. Roberts, Mrs L. M. Burrell, Mirs W. T. Davies, Mr J. O. Lloyd (Renderlam), Mr Ted Evans, and Mr Oswald Jones. The secretaries were Mr J. Lloyd Williams, Haydn Villa, and Mr H. E. Greenfield, to whom much praise is due for the success of the event. The full strength of the choir is about 280, and out of that number about 120 members were present, was was considered very satisfactory, consider- ing the -scattered area from which the members ale drawn. The Lecture Hall has a peculiar suitability for the holding of a social. It is compact, cosy, and at all times comfortable. The scene on Thursday was a; bright one, the ladies being at- tired in white and cream, and the utmost vivacity prevailed. "OUR MR. WILLIAMS." Mr S. Glynne Jones was the happy conductor of the proceedings, and his popularity was proved by the manner in which the company fell ,in with his directions and. suggestions. And when the highly-esteemed choir conductor, Mr John Williams, put in an appearance having journeyed from Carnarvon for the occasion,, he was greeted with loud cheers. One cannot but ba impressed with the fact that there is a har- mony between the genial conductor and his choir, which augurs well for ultimate success. Mr Glynne Jones greatly delighted the choix when he stated that he was no longer going to call their conductor Mr John Williams, of Car- narvon, but Our Mr Williams," and to trrs mark of affection there was a hearty response. Certain, it is that Mr Williams's friends success- fully endeavour to make him quite as much at home in Colwyn Bay as he is in Carnarvon,. The proceedings were opened by a pianoforte solo by Miss Nellie A. Roberts, and this most valuable member of the choir was heartily greeted. Miss Gertrude Hoskins next gave the song The Kingdom Beautiful," in acceptable manner. Mr Glynne Jones announced that the chair- man of the Executive Committee of the Eistedd- fod (Mr James Amphlett) was unable to be pre- sent, he having to go away by the mail. For a capital rendering of The Skin-cer," Mr D. Llewelyn Davies, who was in good voice, was rapturously applauded. That Colwyn favourite and prize-winner, Miss Edith Shields, sang in faultless fashion, At the Ferry." Miss Shields' pure and sympathetic voice in gaining in richness, and much will be expected of her in the future. Mr Wadge sang the rollicking nautical song, Anchored," and the members, fully aware that there was to be no set singing by the choir, joined lustily in the chorus, and it may be questioned whether there was ever, in ,the Lecture Hall, such a volume of good sing- ing as was heard in this song. It certainly gave Mr Wadge a great stimulus. THE CONDUCTOR AND HIS CHOIR. The Chairman then adroitly called upon the conductor, Mr John Williams, to give them a song. As Mr Williams proceeded to the stage there was loud applause and high expectations of a song, but Mr Williams, with an affected seriousness, said he positively refused to sing. ("Oh !") He had come there to be entertained, for he had sufficient hard work in Colwyn Bay. However, he was not at all sorry to have the opportunity! of saying a word or two. He was very pleased to be there. He considered it his duty to be there—(applause),—and he was sure that those who were not present would be sorry that they had not come. He was immensely pleased to be able to meet the members of his choir in that free and easy manner, and he was also very pleased with the progress made by them.. They were musically sound. He wouFd like to have about forty or fifty more members, say ten or twelve of each of the four voices. It would be no use bringing members into the choir who had no further training beyond hymn singing, and he asked the members, if they knew of some good trained singers, to bring them along. He hoped to make his 1910 Eisteddfod Choir second to none which had ever been. (Ap- plause.) His interest in the Colwyn Bay Choir was quite as keen as if the members lived in Carnarvon,, and nothing would prevent him doing his very best for it, and he was delighted I with the way in which the members turned up for the rehearsals. He wished to. thank them all for, their kindness and help shown him on every occasion he came amongst them. (Loud applause.) Mr S. Glynne Jones, in a short speech, said he hoped the choir which had been formed would continue beyond the Eisteddfod of 19:10. He believed the Eisteddfod a very important in- stitution for the uplifting- of young people, and that was why he gave it his support. Referring to tlhe idea of a social in connection with the choir, Mr Jones said it was with a view of fos- tering an esprit de corps and good fellowship among the members, and it was his wish and fervent hope that the choir was not goine to be a choir for the Eisteddfod alone. He hoped it wiould remain a strong, united choir, and that grand oratorios would be taken up. Why should they not have a strong oratorio choir in Colwyn Bay, and go 0111: singing until they were all old. men and women (Laughter, and ap- plause.) Mr John Williams having to leave for his train for Carnarvon, the company sang For he's a jolly good fellow, and gave three cheers. Mrs Griffiths, Keiinion Villa, sang The Holy City," the choir joining in the chorus. During the evening the greatest hilarity was caused by the introduction of the game Cele- brities." Mr Glynne Jones was the director. Further songs were given by Mr Llewelyn Davies and others, and a very successful gather- ing was brought; to an end with the rendering of the Welsh National Anthem. -4.

Drunkenness among the soldiers has almost vanished out of existence, compared with what it was in past v,-ars. -BTigadder- General Stuart- Wotrtley, at Folkestone.

Colwyn Bay Pawnbroker's Action. At the Llandudno County Court, on Thurs- day, before His Honour Judge Moss, Max Ail- ion, manufacturing jeweller, Hatton Hall, Hol- born, London, was sued by Robert Williams, pawnbroker, Colwyn Bay, for the sum of £7 12S. alleged to be balance due on a pawnbroking tran saction. Mr James Amphlett (of Messrs Porter, Am- phlett & Co.) was for the plaintiff, and Mr J. Holland Roberts, Denbigh, appeared for the defence. Mr Hollamd Roberts said that he had received a communication from his client stating that he could not possibly attend the Court. Mr Amphlett said the claim was for a deficit on the sale of a pearl breast pin pledged by the defendant with plaintiff on the 4th April, 1908. A special contract was entered into. It appeared that the defendant had been to Aber- gele Point to Point races, and had lost money there. At the pawnbroker's he asked for £10 on the pin, adding that he was a jewel expert, and that it was very valuable. Ultimately, a sum of £7 was paid by the manager, and their charges came to 3s. 6d. per month, amounting to Ci 8s., and the expenses and commission of sale amounted to is. 6d., making a total of Cg 9s. 6d. At the expiration of six months, the pin was advertised for sale, and sold in the open market in Liverpool for 17s. 6d. The plaintiff said he lived at Flint, but had a shop at Colwyn Bay. His Honour asked whether there was any- thing in the Act of Parliament which gave the pawnbroker power to claim for the deposit? Witness Ye's, sir. The Judge: You better not argue the law, you might get into trouble. (Laughter.1 rR,eplyin.,g to, Mr Holland Roberts plaintiff said he had been in the pawnbroking business for twenty-five years, and when he saw the pin, a few days after it was pledged, he was of opin- ion that it was not worth the money the man- ager had lent upon it. Sometimes artificials were brought up, which could not be distin- guished unless they were smashed. His man- ager was misled by the defendant. He couM not say who bought the pin in the open market. He did not notify his customers if there was a surplus after the sale, and the money went into his banking account. Hugh Roberts, the manager of the Colwyn Bay shop, gave evidence, and said that the defendant made out that the pin was worth a tremendous lot of money. He was very respect- ably dressed, and asked £ 10 for it. He told witness that he was am expert diamond cutter and jewel expert in London, and on that he advanced £7. The defendant, on the same day, bought a number of stones from the witness for which he paid 30s. Cross-examined, the witness said they usually paid out one-third of the value of the article pledged. He denied having in his mind that the pin was worth £ 21 -when he -aid out £ y. Mr Holland Roberts said he wanted Ailion to be present in the Court, because the very pin would be produced. It was very extraordinary that the pin should only fetch 17s. 6d., the very lowest price of all the diamond pins sold at Liverpool. The Judge: Was it sold for 17 s. 6d.? Mr Holland Roberts It was re-bought by us for £ 12 10s. Mr Amphlett: It is very funny he did not re- deem it. Mr Roberts Is this the first time that you have entered a person in the Court for a deposit. Plaintiff In this way, yes the very first. Replying to the Judge, Mr Holland Roberts said he had no evidence to call. His Honour gave judgment for the plaintiff to rthe amount claimed. .a.

The Mutual Life Insurance Company ot New York. On Wednesday evening, November 10th, a number of policy-holders and representatives of the above company met at the Royal Private Hotel, South Beach, Pwllheli. Amongst others, the following gentlemen were present:—Messrs. R. Ivor Parry, Mayor of Pwllheli; O. Robvns-Owen, County Coroner E. R. Davies, Town Clerk Dr. Jones-Evans, Messrs. T. Jones (Cemlyn), D. L. Humphreys, T. Denman, W. Hughes, P. M. Evans J. Williams, D. E. Davies, etc. Mr. D. E. Davies, the District Manager for Wales and Hereford, read the following message from Col. Harrison Hogge, the General Manager:— Heartiest greetings to the representatives and standard-bearers of the Grand Old Mutual of New York, whose stability and liberality are unsur- passed. The British business for 1909 is satis- factory, and Wales only requires strong effort until the end of the year to be top of the tree in increase over last year. Wales with Mr. D. E. Davies leading cannot lag behind." Mr. Davies then proceeded to give a summary of the company's position, &c. Amongst other things he said that the company was established in 1842, 67 years ago, as a mutual office in the true sense of the word. Every penny of its colossal funds belongs to the policy-holders. It had no capital when it started, but at the end of the first year its funds from premiums alone amounted to £ 6,831, and it would be very interesting to review its progress-its its wonderful progress-during the 67 years. It has never gone back. Every year has shown an augmentation of its funds, until now they amount to the enormous sum of over one hundred and eleven million sterling ( £ 111,897,512). Since its organisa- tion till the end of 1908 it paid to its policy- holders £ 172,431,943, and held in trust for the policy-holders at that time the sum of £ 111,897,512, making a total of £ 284,329,455 paid to policy-holders and held in trust for them. During that period the policy-holders paid only i257>855>421- so that the "Mutual" during its existence had paid more to the policy-holders and their beneficiaries (including the amounts held in trust for them) by about twenty-six million sterling than the amounts received from them, and that after paying all the expenses of conducting the business. This wonderful tact speaks more than anything anybody could say in favour of the com- pany and its management. The most remarkable thing in connection with the company during the In last few years is the wonderful increase in its funds and profits, and the decrease in its expenses. The increase in the funds last year was over nine mil- lion sterling ( £ 9,211,898), whilst the increase in the reserve for future dividends, &c., amounted to nearly six million sterling ( £ 5,814,008). This spoke volumes as to the bright prospects of the company in the future. The decrease in expenses on the other hand is remarkable. In 1904 the expenses of management to total income was 19'16 per cent. in 1905 it was 16-71 percent.; 1906 it was 1184 per cent.; in 1907 it was 9.19 per cent.; whilst last year it was only 8.39 per cent. The Mayor of Pwllheli (Mr. Ivor Parry) said that he was reminded of the old saying, Nothing succeeds like success." The strong position of the Mutual was well known all over the world, as well as the advantages it offers to insurers. The County Coroner (Mr. Robyns-Owen) said that he was very glad that evening that he was a policy-holder in the Mutual, one of the first in the district to join it. Messrs. John Williams, T. Denman, D. L. Hum- phreys, and othejs followed. Dr. R. Jones Evans said that what interested him was the reference made by Mr. Davies to the fact that the policy-holders of the Mutual lived over and above the expectation. The saving of so much money— £ 734,432 in a year-from mor- tality proves that the medical examiners of the company take every care with their examinations and pass only the very best lives. Mr. E. R. Davies, the Town Clerk, said that he never lost his faith in the Mutual. He had con- sulted people whom he could rely upon, and was in every way satisfied. The Mayor, Mr. Lloyd Humphreys, and others » asked several questions, which Mr. Davies very satisfactorily answered.