The North Wales Weekly News

TIDE TABLE FOR THE NORTH WALES COAST.* COAST.* Date. Morn. Even. height. AUGUST. 5 10 3a 10 59 16 11 6 II 23 II 46 1; 8 7 o 8 o 29 183 8 o 49 18 18 4 9 1 27 1 4S 18 O 10 22 a 19 17 3 11 2 35 » S* 16 5 12 3 10 3 a8 15 4 Conwav 10 minutes later.

THE TOWN BEAUTIFUL. THE CONVERSION of our loved country into a land of happy homes amid garden delights, says Mr. Edward Owen Greening, is the true aim of enlightened patriotism. This is a dictum with which everyone agrees who has watched the results of the recently awakened interest in horticulture in North Wales. At Colwyn Bay and elsewhere in this district, where the soil and climate are so favourable to the growth of trees and plants and flowers, the transformation effected by the influence of horticultural societies is simply phenomenal. But the marvel is that these garden cities are after all so few in our midst; that their excellent examples have not been more generally copied by neighbouring localities no less enterprising in other departments of pro- gress. There is room in North Wales for great improvements in the appearance of our towns and villages, but how the grand reformation is to be brought about it is difficult to say, unless it be by the multiplication of horticultural and similar societies. Mr. Greening says that it cannot be brought about by governmental action, but can best be organised by voluntary associations of enlightened people. The moral is, then, that the sweetening of our civic life in towns and the restoring of the old savour to our villages can best be secured by a great increase in the number and membership of voluntary so- cieties devoted to the encouragement of horti- culture. The truth must be confessed that, beautiful as North Wales undoubtedly is as a whole, there are some localities which are not as picturesque as they might be because the in. habitants are indifferent to the value of flowers and well-cultivated gardens. But in making this assertion we are not seeking to minimise the difficulties standing in the way. Obstacles un. doubtedly exist. Some of them are not im- portant, perhaps, but others there are which seen very formidable indeed to anyone who really desires to surmount them. It is true that diffi- culties only exist to be overcome, and that they have in fact been successfully overcome in many places both in England and abroad. Looking around us-at a distance—we see what has been accomplished by voluntary organisations which are at work for developing gardens and garden- ing. Some are creating garden cities and garden suburbs; some are cultivating vacant building lands in towns; some are multiplying allot. ments; some, as at Colwyn Bay, are holding flower shows or offering prizes to improve village gardens some are converting old church- yards and waste open spaces into fair gardens some are looking after the planting of trees in thoroughfares, some take in hand the whole work of floral beautification of a town or city; some organise opportunities for bulb and plant grow- ing in homes where a leaf or flower would hard. ly otherwise be in being. All are doing ex- cellent work, and the total effects of their united operations are very notable and marked through- out the Kingdom. Then we all of us have some idea of what has been done to provide healthy, happy homes and gardens beautiful in model villages which have come into existence in France and America, and especially at the bidding of men like the Levers and Cadburys and Rowntrees in England. In all the instances we have cited we see how men and women in earnest have removed from their path certain obstacles very like some of those which stand in the way in this district. But in North Wales I there are other and no less stubborn obstacles to be get rid of. There is no room here for the 1 co-partnership schemes which have produced the I magnificent results referred to in England and France and America. That is one great obstacle. But there is an even greater. It is) the positive discouragement which faces the less j well-to-do inhabitants. Not only are these people I not educated up to a love of the beautiful in the home, but they are made to feel that every addition to the loveliness of the neighbourhood may operate to their financial loss, whereas it ought in all common sense to increase their prosperity. Every enhancement of the amenities of some of our towns seems, unfortunately, to react upon the poorer population in the form of increased rent. A gentleman who adorns his house front with roses and cieepers, and fills his garden with lovely flowers is undoubtedly doing a right and wise, and good thing, for which he deserves sincere praise. And yet the fact re- mains that by doing this thing, right and praise- worthy in itself, he is making it harder for his less fortunate neighbours, though they admire his taste and enterprise, to make ends meet. Every llower that blooms, every green tree that flourishes, every gift of nature that adds to the beauty of the scene and the joy of living, seems to send up the value of property and to increase rents and prices of even the bare necessities of life. This is the great obstacle blocking the path 01 true progress. Is it an impregnable rock ? Upon the answer to this question so much de- pends. This problem solved, and the way is fairly clear. And it is important that it should be solved. For, to quote Mr. Greening's haunt- ing phrase again, "the conversion of our loved country into a land of happy homes amid garden delights is the true aim of patriotism."

A WELSH fJISLEY" AT CONWA Y. WE have nothing but praise for the decision of the Welsh Rifle Association to hold a "Bisley" on Conway Morfa this year; the meeting will extend for four days, from 30th August to 2nd September inclusive. Last year the meeting had to be abandoned "owing to lack of funds." The Association is no better off financially now than it was then, but "the officers feel that, in the interest of rifle shooting in Wales, every effort must be made to prevent the passing of another year without the holding of the competitions." The spirit animating the Association is worthy of unstinted commendation and practical sup- port, and we earnestly hope that the position in which the Association finds itself, and the dis- couraging circumstances under which it is pur- suing its truly excellent work, will make a underspread appeal. We are sorry to find that a Conservative newspaper, in its efforts to assist the Association, does not hesitate to make political capital out of the "exhausted treasury." This is not a party matter, but one of truly national concern; and it is for this reason that we invite public attention to the difficulties which the Association is contending against in the interests of a splendid and patriotic movement. The Association is deserv- ing of help, not only because it seeks to raise the standard of rifle shooting throughout the Principality, but also because it is proceeding on right lines. The object in view has been thus stated by Earl Cawdor, the president:- "To endeavour to raise the average standard "of markmanship amongst the Territorial "Forces in Wales—to offer some public reward "and encouragement to those men who, by "assiduous practice on their range at home, "not only endeavour to make themselves "proficient in the use of the rifle, but who, by "their example, encourage others to realise "their national responsibilities." But, however, laudable the object, great care has to be exercised in the carrying of it out, and we are glad to observe that a very natural error of policy has been avoided. To quote Earl Cawdor again — "No high average standard can be attained "without some individual merit, but it is not "the desire of the Association to encourage a "few to attain extraordinary skill; rather, by a "wide distribution of the prizes, to offer to a "large number a chance of success and the "encouragement attendant thereon." It will thus be seen that the Association is endeavouring to bring rifle shooting in Wales up to a good general level, instead of encouraging the "crack" shots at the expense of those competitors who for various reasons are less ex- pert with the rifle. As is very rightly pointed out, "Four days of continuous shooting and practice, such as is afforded by the forthcoming meeting, is of far greater value than any desultory or occasional effort." To continue in successful fashion the work which the Associa- tion has undertaken, support of two kinds is needed. Financial aid from private sources is one kind the other is the whole-hearted co- operation of every individual member of the Territorial Forces throughout the Principality. In these days it is surely not necessary to em- phasize the importance of encouraging rifle shooting from the point of view of national safety. It should also be encouraged as a healthy and manly spor*. There is also a local side to the forthcoming meeting. Conway Corporation, who have shown such rare enter- prise in connection with the Morfa, should con- sider what further steps they can take with a view to inducing marksmen to come there. And they should seek the assistance of neighbouring towns, such as Llandudno and Colwyn Bay, which derive so much financial benefit from the holding of such meetings at Conway.

CAKES AND PUDDINGS.—No. 38. A nice pudding and one appreciated by children can be made from the following in- gredients. This is one of the Cakeoma prize recipes. PRUNE PUDDING. Sent by Mrs. Anderton, Keresley. 1 packet Cakeoma. 5 oz. finely chopped Suet. 2 Eggs and a pinch of Salt. 4 tablespoonfuls Milk. 8 ozs. Prunes. Tne Prunes must be soaked overnight in cold water and strained when wanted for use. METHOD:—Rub the Suet and Salt into the Cakeoma; add the Prunes, Eggs (well beaten), and Milk, and lightly but thoroughly mix all together. Put into a well-greased basin, tie a cloth over, and steam for 3 hours. Serve with Custard. Cakeoma is sold in 33d. packets by Grocers aud Stores everywhere. Recipe Book will be sent post free, on request to Latham and Co., Ltd., Liverpool.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL. Mr. Clement Edwards, the former M.P. for the Denbigh Boroughs and the prospective Liberal candidate for East Glamorganshire, who has been seriously ill, suffering from a very severe attack of laryngitis and tonsilitis, has successfully undergone an operation. He is going on favourably, and his medical attendants now entertain hopes that he will soon be restored to health. < < At a full congregation of the New Tabernacle Calvinistic Methodist Church, Bangor, on Sunday J night, the Rev. Howell Harries Hughes, pastor of the English Calvinistic Methodist Church, at Oswestry, was unamimously elected pastor in succession to the Rev. T. J. Whe'don, who about twelve months ago resigned on account of ill- health. Mr. Hughes is a native of Liverpool, and was for many years a member of the David-street Calvinistic Methodist Church. He was sub- sequently a student at the Banger University College, and afterwards went to Newport, where he took a prominent part in the forward move- ment. From there he went to Oswestry, where at his own church he preaches forty Sundays in one year, a fact which carries its own significance to to Calvinistic Methodists. • • The Rev. D. T. Jones, curate of St. Mary's, Bangor, has been awarded the Powis Exhibition of £ 100 a year open to graduates, and will proceed to Jesus College, Oxford. A gathering took place at Newborough, Angle- sey, on Monday, when the Rev. William lones and Mr. R. P. Jones, brothers of Sir John Richard Jones, where each presented with an illuminated address and a large-size framed photograph of himself. The former presentation was made by the Church of which the Rev. William Jones has been pastor for many years, and the other presentation was in recognition of useful public services rendered by Mr. R. P. Jones over a period of half a century or more.

WEEK BY WEEK. The recent B.Sc. list of the Welsh University also contained the name of a young Welshman who worked as a collier for several years. By dint of private study he passed the matricultation examination of the University, and then won a mining scholarship, which enabled him to com- plete his degree course. He has now been ap- pointed to a good post as lecturer in mining and surveying in a Chinese college near Tientsin. A sensation was caused the other Sunday when people on their way to church saw a man placing a ladder against an upstairs window and a well- known Welsh Minister emerging and laboriously descending to the ground. The explanation was simple and satisfactory. The rev. gentleman had gone into a room to have a wash, and the people of the house thinking he had gone, locked all the doors before leaving. The minister attracted attention through the window, and eventually someone brought him a ladder. Sir Lewis Morris once said that when the full romance of Welsh education is written it would read like a fairy tale. Amongst those who have ust gained the B.A. (honours) degree of the University of Wales is a young lady from Car- marthenshire who received her elementary education at a school in one of the remotest parts of the county. After leaving school she took service as a domestic, and acted in that capacity for some time before she was able to resume her studies and proceed to Bangor. It is not often one hears of domestic servants plucky and ambitious enough to go in for a degree course, and, what is more, to succeed with honours. It is a stirring story, and should stimulate the young people of Wales. The gas inspector was telling a story. Last winter," he said, I'd been doing a job at X., and when I got to the station a regular blizzard was blowing. In the waiting room half a dozen people were crowding round a handful of fire. I went along to the porters' room, and found as I expected, a great roaring fire with about a hundred of coal on. I didn't go in, but made for the stationmaster's office, knocked loudly at the door, and shouted, 'Fire Fire He rushed out quite excited. Where is it ?' In the porters' room,' I said. Off we ran together, and when we got there I said, There it is, and Row you've seen it you can go and have a look at the waiting room fire." He I was fairly wild, and kept talking about taking my name and address, but he knew better, so he blazed into the porters, and soon had them shifting some of their fire to the waiting room." In a story just issued a shipwrecked man lands in Brittany, and is able to talk glibly to the natives. Blow me," he chuckles, but this is a bit of all right. These chaps speak Welsh or something very like it. And you mayn't have known it, but I was born in Pembrokshire (his name is Foxy Cleave), and spoke nothing but Welsh till I was eighteen. Looks as though we've got to Wales somehow." The author adds, As a matter of fact, the Breton and the Welsh dialects are very similar." Welsh is more a dialect than English, and a Welshman cannot speak fluently to a Breton, though he may make himself tolerably understood. Further on we read, The simple fishermen were astounded to think that there could be another language so similar to their own." There are few fishermen on the Breton coast so simple as not to have heard the speech of their Cym- ric cousins and its resemblance to their own. Our author (the Western Mail" remarks) has evidently not come in touch with the Pan-Celtic movement.

.a_a. SA YINGS OF THE WEEK Dr. R. F. SCOTT. The time we waste is that spent in looking on at other people's sports or in talking about sports. Anyone who has met a group of elderly golfers will know what I mean by this.-At Manchester. DEAN OF NORWICH. The power of observation is increased by its exercise.—At Appleby. Dr. OLDHAM. The keeping of a home is as important a profession as the management of a business.— At Morecambe. HON. C. H. STRUTT. I think more should be done to educate children for just that work in life they are to do.-At Rraintree. Dr. J. W. BALLANTYNE. Present-day civilisation seems to have no room for the baby. The baby finds no place for itself in the flat system and to the modern servant the baby is a anathema.—At the British Medical Association. Dr. JAMES ORR. It is not uncommon to find children of very tender years about the streets until nine, ten and eleven o'clock at night. A proper amount of sleep is a physiological necessity.-In his report. Mr. BURNS. I am for the homestead against the tenement I am for fhe house versus the flat, for the home against the barrack and I am for peace to the cottage and death to the institution.—At Romford. Mr. JOHN HARWARD. Four years ago I visited schools of various kinds in England, and carried away the impression that the bulk of the boys in public and elementary schools are not nearly so keen about matters connected with their work as the boys of elementary schools.—At Durham.