The North Wales Weekly News

The Arts and Crafts Exhibi- tion at Colwyn Bay. COUNTESS DUNDONALD TO PERFORM THE OPENING CEREMONY. On Friday afternoon an exhibition of Welsh industries and, crafts of rare and interesting objects of art and antiquities relating to Wales, together with the works of art in the various competitions, will be opened at the Infants' School, Douglas-road, Abergele-road, by the Countess of Dundonald. The exhibition, which is in connection with the Royal National Eisteddfod of Wales, to be held at Colwyn Bay, on September 13th-17th, will be open daily from ten to eight, is most conveniently situate within five minutes walk of the Eisteddfod Pavilion, and will not brI closed to the public until September 16th. Among the societies and public institutions which are contributing to the Loan Section of the Exhibition are the South Kensington Museums, the Chester Archaelogical Society, the University College of North Wales, National Museum of Wales, Plas Mawr (Conway), Car- diff Museum, and others. Upon a representative of the "Weekly News" paying a visit to the scene of the exhibition on Tuesday afternoon, he found that the work of arranging the exhibits was well in hand undei the direction of Messrs. Edwin Griffiths and C. E. Elcock, joint organisers, and Mr. David Lewis, Eithinog, chairman of the Arts Com- mittee, assisted by other members of the com. mittee, with Mr. William Jones, C.E., secretary, and several ladies, including Mrs. Barnato, Mrs. David Lewis, Miss E. Lewis and Miss Carmont. From Mr. David Lewis, who personally con- ducted' him through the different rooms, our re- presentative learned that the exhibition would be the finest of its kind ever held, both with regard to the competitive section and the loan section. The representatives of the South Ken- sington Museums were emphatic in their state- ment that the average standard of work sub- mitted to the Eisteddfod adjudicators in the competitive section showed a marked advance upon that of previous years. The building is, well adapted to the purpose to which it has been put, and owing to the splendid light and ample wall space, the exhibits will be shown to the, best advantage. Screens are being erected down the centre of the main hall, upon which the Elizabethian bedspreads and other exhibits are being displayed, and incomplete as the final arrangements were one was impressed by the taste with which everything had been planned. It would be impossible to give a true resume of the many exhibits in the competitive and loan sections, which must be treated in a general way. The collection of landscapes in oils and water colours is both large and fine, and in the class confined to amateurs the entries are also large and some of the work excellent. It is worthy of note that the general complaint of amateurs, that they have no chance when com- peting against professionals, has been met in the case under notice. The studies of heads are also pleasing, and again there are numerous entries, whilst the work in the paintings of still life, both in the open class and in that con- fined to amateurs, is very creditable. The sea- scapes attract favourable attention, and upon viewing the plaster casts one is immediately struck with the beauty of one exhibit, a shield, which depicts the "Escape of Gruffydd, 1081." Two of the models of wall fountains are beauti- ful pieces of work, and one anticipates that the Royal Academician who is the adjudicator in this class will experience some difficulty in mak- ing his award. Among other objects which caught the eye upon a stroll round were the designs of leaded light windows, in which Welsh emblems are introduced, one of the finest being a design which included the arms of the four dioceses of Wales. Included among the photographs are many artistic productions, the record of thatched cottages being very interesting. There is also much high class work in the representation of interiors. The wood carving classes have not been well supported, and this is due in a large measure to the fact that the outlay necessary, except in the case of the spoon and fork competition, is heavy. There is great variety in the designs for a Clock Tower at Colwyn Bay, cost of which not to exceed ,r506, and the majority of the de- signs for a village club house, and cottages, are beautifully executed drawings. In the modelling classes, confined to children, some wonderful work is to be seen, fruit and flowers being re- presented with the utmost fidelity to nature. The classes for leather work are not strong, al- though there is at least one very fine piece of work, but the needlework attains a high degree of excellence, and the work on some of the Elizabethian bedspreads is most beautiful. There is clever work exhibited in the classes confined to the blind, and it may safely be said that a record has been made in the competitive section, not only in point of numbers but also in excellence of work. In the loan section one notices two pictures bv Herkorner, one of which represents an old Welsh woman, and has been lent by Mr. David Lewis. The famous name "Twm o'r Nant" is also met with in this room, and close by is a beautiful Welsh harp, lent by Colonel Gee, whilst many of Lord Mostvn's Welsh curios are displayed near. In the cases of the Victoria and Albert Museum, South Kensington, is much fine gold work, silver work, iron work, wood work, and needle work, whilst near is a piece of ancient Italian stair railing. A water colour painting by David Cox has been lent by Mr. C. B. Jones-Mortimer, and a painting of the old Welsh woman, Dame Penderil, dated 1662, has been lent by Miss Dutton, of Conway. Dame Penderil, it will remembered, earned un- dying fame by hiding Charles II. in the oak at Boscobel. The Cardiff Museum has sent ancient Swansea china ware, and also Chinese china ware, whilst St. Asaph Cathedral has lent a number of valuable old books, including a Bible bearing the date of 1588. The chair of Charles of Bala has been lent by Mrs. D. P. Morris, of Rhyl, and the National Museum, the U.C.N.W., the Chester Archaeological Society and other bodies have sent valuable collections of old books. It is stated with conviction that the loan section, which is intended to be edu- cative and instructive no less than interesting, forms the finest exhibition ever held in Wales. In the course of a short chat, Mr. C. E. Elcock informed our representative that as a result of the lamentable fire at the Brussels Ex- hibition much difficulty had been experienced in securing the loan of curios from private in- dividuals. The natural anxiety of owners, however, had been generally overcome, and a multitude of art treasures was now assembled in the loan section. Lady Mostyn and Sir Pyers Mostyn, of Talacre, had sent some illuminated missals, and among other unique specialities were a number of old Welsh spinning wheels and old Welsh embroideries china and porce- lain in part sent by the Cardiff Museum; a Celtic bell which was recently purchased at the Madryn Castle sale by the National Museum of Wales and Lord Nelson's glasses which he used at Trafalgar, the property of Mr. H. V. Doughty-Davies, who recently refused a tempting offer for them from the Nelson Historical Society. At the opening ceremony on Friday, which will be performed by the Countess Dundonald, Sir T. Marchant Williams and Lady Mostyn of Talacre, will also deliver addresses.

Music by the Sea. VICTORIA PIER PAVILION CONCERTS, COLWYN BAY. Riviere's Orchestra, under the conductorship of Mr. W. Forrest-Hague, continues to maintain the great popularity which it secured among all lovers of music early in the season, and both the morning and evening concerts are well at- tended. Some exceptionally attractive programmes have recently been arranged, which meet with cordial receptions, and it is evident that there is a goodly number of visitors who, like the majority of residents, keenly appreciate fine orchestral music. A TALENTED VOCALIST. The outstanding feature of the concerts dur- ing the past week has been the singing of Miss Edith Buchanan, a vocalist hitherto unknown to Colwyn Bay audiences. Possessed of a rich contralto voice, and endowed with considerable musical ability, Miss Buchanan bids fair to be- come one of our leading vocalists. At the Vic- toria Pavilion she achieved an instant success, and throughout her engagement was doubly en. cored upon each appearance. Among the songs v^hich moved her audience to the highest pitch of enthusiasm were "When all was young" (Gounod), "Softly awakes my heart" (Saint Saens), and "That Midsummer Night (Heller). At the sacred concert on Sunday, Miss Buch- anan rendered Tosti's "Good Bye" with ad- mirable effect, and she was equally pleasing in the singing of "Abide with me." Hopes are expressed that Miss Buchanan may again visit the Pavilion this season, and readers will be gratified to learn that there is a possibil- ity of her appearing at the extension concerts to be held from September nth to the 25th. THE EVENING CONCERTS. In the course of. the week the overture to "William Tell" was performed, the solo 'cello being taken by Mr. F. W. Hague, the solo flute by Mr. E. S. Redfern, and the solo oboe by Mr. J. Hartley. The number was warmly received, as was also a violin solo, Wieniawski's "Souvenir de Moscu," rendered by the deputy conductor, Mr. Harold Jones. The costume party this week is the "Mona Vivian Company," who appear daily at matinees and at the evening concerts. FORTHCOMING ARRANGEMENTS. Next week the repertoire programme will be in the hands of the "Anglo Indians." Fritz Kreisler, the celebrated violinist, will give a matinee concert on September 9th.

A Suggestion to the National Eisteddfod Committee. THE WELSH GOAT AND THE BARDIC PROCESSIONS. "Verax" writes:—"There are many enquiring friends who are wishful to know whether the National Eisteddfod Committee will again ar- range to have the Welsh goat, as prepared by Mr. Joseph Edwards, of Penybryn, Colwyn, to head the procession, as was done on Proclama- tion Day. The Welsh ^oat is pre-eminently our National Emblem, and the owner, I understand, pioposes to appear himself attired with the goat in a proper Welsh dress. Many friends admire the introduction of the goat into the design on the victor's chair, and it would satisfy many supporters of the Eisteddfod and others to see this peculiar emblem heading the forthcoming processioIi."

A literary man one day, wishing to work un- disturbed, told his Irish servant to deny him visitors, and if anyone asked if he-were at home, to give an equivocal answer, in the evening the master asked his servant, "Well, Pat, did any- one call to-day?" "Yes, sir; wan gintilman." "What did he say?" "He axed was yer honor in ?" "Yes, .and what did you say?" "Shure, sir, I gave him a quivik'.e answer, just." "How was that?" "I ax'd him was his grandmother a monkey, sir

New Church House at Llanddulas. COUNTESS DUNDONALD PERFORMS INTERESTING CEREMONY. The foundation stone of the new Church House, which is being erected at the corner of Beulah Avenue, Llanddulas, was laid on Satur- day afternoon, under the most happy conditions. There was a large attendance to witness the ceremony performed by the Right Hon. the Countess Dundonald. Amongst whom were the following:—Lady Jean and Lady Marjorie Cochrane and the Hon. Robin Cochrane Arch- deacon Lloyd, of Rhyi; Canon Trevor, Bodel- wyddan 'Canon Jones, Abergele; the Rev. D. Lewis, Llysfaen the Rev. LI. A. Richards, Colwyn; the Rev. R. D. Hughes, Colwyn Bay; the Rev. J. W. Thomas, Llanddulas; the Rev. J. Griffiths, Abergele, &c. The Llanddulas silver prize band was in attendance. The proceedings were opened by the rendering of the Old Hundredth," and Canon C. F. Roberts (the Rector) conducted the service, which was impressive throughout. Canon Roberts stated that it was about 18 months ago that the idea of a Church House was formulated, and had it not been for the generous help of good friends it would not have been possible to have had it. The generous dona- tion of £300 as well as the site, and lime and stone by the Countess Dundonald, was much appreciated. In fact, everyone had taken a part in the work. The schools for meetings were unavailable and unsuitable. Church Houses were found to be a necessity in manv parishes, as was evidenced by those being built at Penmaenmawr and Capel Garmon. He hoped the Church Room at Llanddulas would be the centre of social life in the parish. {Ap- plause). The stone was then lowered to its position by Messrs. :R. iB. Roberts, Thomas Williams, Hugh Evans, John Jones and John Roberts. The Countess, after the laying of the stone, said it gave her great pleasure to be there that day to perform the ceremony. She hoped the Church House would prove of great benefit to the village. (Applause). Archdeacon Lloyd proposed a vote of thanks to the Countess Dundonald for the great inter- est her Ladyship had taken in the matter. He was sure they were going to have a delightful Church House, which was almost indispensable. Church work had increased, for they had to have meetings of Mothers' Union, Girls' Society and C'.E.M.S. He hoped the new Church Room would be a benefit and a comfort for the whole of the parish, and it was quite fitting that the Countess Dundonald should lay the founda- tion stone. (Applause). Mr. Thomas Hersee, Vicar's warden, second- ed, and the vote was carried with acclammation. Canon Roberts expressed his pleasure at the kindness shown in the event that afternoon, which was highly appreciated. He also stated that there was a bottle laid under the stone con- taining the names of those interested in the work, some newspapers, and coins for the cur- rent year. The Welsh hymn, "Teithio'n mlaen mae Eg- Iwys Iesu was heartily sung, and a collection was made towards the building fund, of which £ 6oo is still required. The Church Room will contain a hall, 68 feet in length, by 26 feet in breadth, with a plat- form at one end ten feet wide. Near one end a door will communicate with a class room. In addition there will be rooms for storage, heating chamber and offices. The building will be faced with dressed local limestone. The external walls will be hollow and lined on the inside with brickwork. The roof will be covered with Penrhyn slates. The hall will be lighted with lofty windows at either end, with windows in the side walls. The building will be heated by means of hot water. The Church House when completed will prove a handsome building and worthy of the village. There is a most commendable spirit of co- operation existing in the village with Church work. The working men of the district, who are mostly quarrymen, promptly volunteered to the Rector (the Rev. Canon C. F. Roberts) to dig out the foundation in their own time, an offer which was readily accepted. Others volun- teered to do the necessary carting, and in this a well known Nonconformist is helping. The Countess Dundonald, when she heard of the splendid spirit shown by the working men, readily volunteered to give what stone was re- quired for the building as well as the site and £300, so that peeress and workingman co-oper. ate in this work of Church extension. It is estimated that the value of the free labour and free cartage thus given is not less than £25 12s. The Building Committee consisted of Canon C. F. Roberts (Chairman), Rev. J. W. Thomas, Mr. Wm. Lupton, Mr. W. Wellesley Huntley, Mr. Hussey, Mr. Inglis, Mr. J. S. Chenall, Mr. Richard Jones, Mr. R. B. Roberts and Mr. B. H. Jones (hon. secretary). The Working Men's Committee, which did such splendid work had Mr. R. B. Roberts, as Chairman, Mr. Price Foulkes as treasurer, with Mr. Hugh Hughes, the active hon. secretary; Messrs. Robert Williams, Hugh Evans, Thomas Williams, Evan Evans, John Jones ("Merllyn"), David Jones (Brigvdon*, J. Evans and Edwin Williams. Mr. Harold Hughes, A.R.I.B.A., of Bangor, is the architect, and Mr. J. S. Chenhall, clerk of the works. The contractors are Messrs. Isaac Roberts and Son, Abergele, and the heating contractors, Messrs. Musgrove and Co., Belfast. The estimated cost of the building, including lighting, heating, and furnishing, will be ^1280. Much pride was taken in the event, which was attended by a large number of the villagers, who are keenly interested in the erection of a Church Room that will be worthy of Llanddulas. The Rector, the Rev. C. F. Roberts, and the Misses Roberts, of the Rectory, entertained a large number of friends to tea in a specially erected marquee on the Rectory lawn after the cermony.

A great effort was made at the recent eistedd- fod in Cardiganshire by the president, Mrs. Mary Davies, of London, and. by Mrs. Ellis, the widow of the late Mr. Tom Ellis, M.P., to popularise the folk-songs of Wales, and more es- pecially to encourage the people of Mid-Cardi- ganshire to collect and preserve those folk-songs in that neighbourhood which have not vet been published.

Mutual Life of New York. Nobody needs to read more than the first few lines of the sixty-seventh annual report of the Mutual Life Assurance Company of New York to realise that in the year 1909 this gigantic mutual society was abundantly prosperous- prosperous in the. very highest sense of that often misused word. It was doubly prosperous, we may say, for not only did it make material pro- gress in the three important matters of new busi- ness, income, and accumulations, but there was also a marked increase in its bonus-paying power, accompanied by all-round improvement. In life assurance, however, growth is not every- thing it is not even the chief concern. Of far more importance to policyholders is the question whether the business, be it great or small, is being economically conducted, enabling them to obtain present and future protection at the lowest possible cost. Regarded from this point of view, the figures now made public indicate the very highest mark as yet reached by this wonderfully popular and successful company and they deserve, we may add, the very closest study by the British members. As supporters of the society, their principal cause for concern is connected with the dividends they receive or may expect to receive in future years. In this respect they will be more than satisfied. As they read through the report signed by Mr. I. H. Harrison Hogge, the general manager for the United Kingdom, thev will discover that an amount of £ 2,546,561 has been set aside for bonuses payable in the current year. This sum —equal to nearly one-fourth of the total prem- iums received by the company in 1909-shows an increase of £201.808 on the sum actually distributed in the past year. In the last two years, therefore, the bonuses have increased by nearly 50 per cent., and they have practically doubled since Mr. Charles A. Peabody was elected president of the company a few years ago. In this connection it may be mentioned that the Mutual realised last vear the truly remarkable gain of (31456,682 from the three sources, of excess interest, reduced mortality, and unused loading, its business, as in 1908, being conducted at a very moderate cost. Actually the Mutual made a very much larger profit on its year's operations, stock holdings and real estate sold realising £ 1,316,188 more than the value at which the securities stood in the books. One is not called upon to study the figures very deeply to understand that the Mutual Life of New York was stronger, both financially and actuarially, at the close of the year than it was on January 1st. Although the cash dividends paid to members amounted to /2,259,941, the total assets increased by £ 4,329,240 to £ 115,014,859. In point of fact, the recent history of the Mutual has proved a continual triumph from an administrative point of view. Since the end of 1905 untold millions have been added to the accumulated funds the average rate of interest earned has materially increased, and was £ 4 14s. 6d. per cent. last year the expenditure has almost been cut in two and compares favourably to-day with that of most first-class life offices while the bonuses, taken as a whole, are about twice as good as they were before the manage- ment was changed. Thus far the company has had a most marvel- lous career. Since the first small policy was written 67 years ago, more than £ 183,000,000 has been paid to policyholders, and the large amount of £ 11,322,960 was paid to them in the past year alone. Then, again, we find that nearly i29,133,000 -has been distributed among them in the form of cash dividends, while there would be much more than one hundred million pounds to divide up to-day after all immediate liabilities had been liquidated. In this country alone more than two and one-third million pounds have been paid in death claims and matured endowments, and of that total amount £ 185,906 and £ 85,582 respectively was paid out last year. These tigures testify to the popularity of the company in this country, and it would be most surprising were that popularity not to con- stantly extend, now that the Mutual can be seen by everybody to be a policyholders' office in the truest sense of those words. Never before was it as good from their point of view as it is at the present moment, and the contracts it sells are among the best that can be had, for they combine life assurance of the very soundest description with an investment which can at once be proved to be most profitable. In this respect the members have done wonderfully well in the past, but the probabilities are-nay, the certainty is-that in future years they will do still better. Mr. D. E. Davies, Pwllheli, the District Man- ager for Wales, and Mr J. E. Jones, the represen- tative for the Conway district, have done well for the company for many years.

The Scottish Widows' Fund Lifip- Assurance Company. DEFERRED ASSURANCES FOR CHILDREN WITHOUT MEDICAL EXAMINATION. Ordinary life assurance being beyond the im- mediate requirements of children, the Directors of the Scottish Widow's Fund have prepared a scheme by which parents, or guardians, ot others, may effect policies on the lives of child- ren, under which there is no life assurance dur- ing the time it is not required, and is, therefore, not charged: for: the low premiums paid during that time going to reduce to their own level the premiums which would have to be paid at the advanced age under the ordinary scale when life assurance may have come to be a necessity. These policies are issued on the lives of children of either sex, and of any age from birth to their fifteenth year, for whole life assurances, and for endowment assurances payable on the attainment of a certain age or at death if that should take place earlier, the sum assured not being payable if death takes place before age 21. They can be effected with a minimum amount of trouble and risk of loss in any event to the parites interested in them for no medical exam- ination is required; if death takes place before age 21 the whole premiums paid are returned and not less than 75 per cent. of the premiums are returned as surrender value if the policies are discontinued before that age. On attaining the age of 21 the assured will have available various valuable options. EXAMPLE. An annual payment of Zg 15s. iod. for 19 years will secure the following options to a child now under three years of age on attaining his or her 2ist birthdav. b I. Continue payment of premiums and take any one of the following assurances: (a) £1000 payable at death. (b) £873 payable at death or at age 60. (c) ^710 payable at death or at age 50. (d) /,535 payable at death or at age 40. These Assurances will share in profits from age 21 at the same rate of bonus as ordinary assurances. 2. Discontinue payment of premiums and take a fully paid-up assurance payable at death for £ 529 with right to participation in profits or Z-6o without such right. Undor both i and 2 the policy selected will be free from any restriction as to travel, residence or occupation. 3. Deliver up the policy and take payment of £ 228 in cash. No medical examination is required either at age 3 or age 21. Full information may be obtained of Mr. E. L. Jones, Gwvnant. Bangor.