Llandudno Advertiser and List of Visitors

s observe that the teachers looked upon the teaching profession in itself, and wished to elevate the, profession as a profession— (applause)—and not only for the profes- sion but for the whole country, and that would be a good thing, because what was required with regard to education of the country was to attract the best possible class of teachers into the elementary schools.-(Hear, hear.) And after get- ting their good teacher what was the next thing to do? Why, keep him.—(Hear, hear.) Mr Owen Owen, as representing the ZD F elsh Central Board, trusted that in any extension of the, principle of self-govern- ment in Wales, they would have the hearty co-operation and support of the National Union of Teachers.-—(Hear, hear.) Four-fifths of their pupils in the secondary schools were derived from the primary schools, and whatever concerned the interests of primary education would .vitally affect the efficiency of the second- ary system. Having regard to the power- ful influence which they must be able to display in the moulding of the race, he felt sure they would ever struggle to im- prove the conditions of work for the army of teachers, that the be,st, possible training that could be got should be obtained for the work, and that there, should be a con- tinued effort to; reduce the classes that made, it so difficult for them to do their best work.—(Applause.) FREE CHURCHES' WELCOME. The Rev. J. Raymond extended a wel- come on behalf of the ministers of the Free Churches of Lla.ndudno, and sa,id they viewed with satisfaction the advance the teachers had made and were making in training the youth of our land to be- come efficient and valuable citizens. They hoped the timet was not far distant when there would be afforded boys and girls of the elementary school throughout the land opportunities of proceeding by stages to the university without any vexatious restrictions on the teacher and the taught.—(Hear, hear.) Mr J. Trevor Owen spoke on behalf of the County School Teachers' Association, ,and pointed out how greatly the success of the secondary schools depended on the success of the primary schools. He spoke of the great catholicity of spirit, open mindedness, great tact, and geniality of zn Mr John, and said the work of that great association in the coming year would be perfectly safe in the hands of that, gentle- man.-(Applause.) VOTE OF THANKS. The President then moved a, vote of thanks to the various bodies which had extended the reception to the conference, and in doing so observed that the appear- ance on the platform of the representa- tives of several of those bodies was an object lesson which they might all take i I to heart, that they were constantly los- ing their greatest and best because there was an adequate and proper recognition of services.—(Cheers.) He wished to thank particularly the representatives of the University of Wales for the magnifi- cent help which they had rendered to the teachers in, the primary schools—not, primary school teachers, but teachers in primary schools—(hear, hear)—as being the first and only University keeping up its democratic traditions in supporting him (the president) as the union repre- sentative on the Teachers' Representative Council in his effort to abolish the 'differentiation in the teachers' register.- (Cheers.) He now believed that the same register was now sick and in bad health. —(Laughter, and hear, hear.) The N.U.T. had always found, in Wales a generous appreciation of the, teachers' representa- tives and work they had endeavoured to do in the interests of education, and he could give, his assurance, that the teachers would never have dreamt to intervene in the conflict among the sons of Wales in the interests of education per se: were it, not that they wished, after the final settlement came, to meet, as the earnest, 'enthusiastic brothers they had hitherto been in the sacred cause of education.— (Loud cheers.) The Vice-president (Mr Coward),. in seconding the vote of thanks, assured the Llandudno people that the union nevr-.r had a more cordial welcome than it had received that, morning.—(Hear, hear.) In view of the different interest represented on the platform he could not help observ- ing how closely associated education was n with all interests. All barriers notwith- standing, there was no natural division between any kind of education from top to bottom;.—(Cheers.) The resolution was carried with ac- clamation. INVESTING THE NEW PRESIDENT. Amidst enthusiastic cheers the Presi- dent (Mr Sharpies) invested his successor, Mr Tom John, with the insignia of office, and vacated the chair in his favour. < Shouts of "Clywch, clywch," greeted him usi Mr John rose to take charge of the proceedins. Mr A. R. Pickles, B.A. (member of the executive), moved a vote of thanks to the retiring president for the great services he had rendered in his official capacity. His task, he said, had been herculean, and lime of the characteristics of his work was the wisdom with which he had carried on difficult negotiations.—(Hear, haer.) Mr A. S. Caudle (executive) seconded the motion in a rollicking speech, and the motion was carried with great cordiality, Mrs. John, wife of the President, subse- quently investing Mr Sharpies with an ex-President's jewel. RECEPTION OF DEPUTATIONS. More than half-an-hour of the time of the conference was placed at the disposal of foreign and other deputations from kindred associations. Mr D. C. Maher, B.A., of Tipperary, spoke on behalf of the Irish National Teachers' Organisation, and observed that the teachers of Ireland were confidently hoping to receive the support of the N.U.T. and its representa- J tives in Parliament in their efforts to re- move the serious cause of complaint which they had in connection with fixity of tenure.—(Hear, hear.) The Co- operative Union, Limited, was repret-t sented by Mrs Bury (Darwen) and Mr 1 Dudley (Runcorn). There were also de- putations from two French Unions, the General Federation of Belgium, and the Educational Institute of Scotland, repre- sented by its President, Mr James Young, M.A. The 'President thanked the depu- tations in the naina, of the conference. AFTERNOON SESSION. A staff of scrutineers, all with one ex- ception being ladies, was appointe,d to act during the conference, and the conference afterwards discussed and adopted the stanclingorclers to be in force' for the remainer of the proceedings. In the course of the discussion a delegate was anxious to know whether there was any standing order in force just then or not, to which the President promptly replied, "N 0, I am the standing order," a, remark which provoked much good-humoured laughter. VICE-PRESIDENT AND TREASURER The result of the voting for the vice- presidency for the coming year was an- nounced as follows by the President:- Mr Thomas Sykes (Bradford), 16,046; Mr A. R. Pickles (Burnley), 11,331; Mr Edwin R. Phillips (London), 5,514; Mr Fred 0. Blckburn (London), 3,666. Mr Sykes was formally declared elected amidst cheers. In returning thanks the vicepresident, looked forward to the, time when many of the unworthy traditions which still clung to elementary schools would be swept away.—(Hear, hear.) Mr George M. E. Hamilton (London) was elected treasurer. The remainder of the day was taken up with the President's address, the annual report, etc. TUESDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. TEMPERANCE IN SCHOOLS. APPEAL TO TEACHERS, On Tuesday morning 240 members of the National Union of Teachers were entertained at breakfast at Christ Church School, Llandudno, by the National Tem- perance League. Mr J. Herbert Roberts, M.P., presided, and as a Welshman, and one who had for many years represented in Parliament a, neighbouring constituency, joined in the very cordial welcome which North Wales gave to the National Union. Wales, he said happened to. be at the moment the scene and stage of important developments in the sphere of education, but he would express a hope that they had not found themselves on their arrival in Wales in a, literal sense in the midst of a nation in arms.—(Laughter.) They had come into the midst of the warmest welcome, and, as far as that morning was concerned, in the midst of the people holding very de- votedly to the principles of a free break- fast table.-(Laught,er.) The people, of Wales realised the gravity of the diffi- culties before them, and hoped they would be soon dissipated, permanently. They realised also the essential place of the teachers in the, settlement of the question. —(Applause.) Teachers recognised that, at the root of all education was charac- ter, and one of the foundation-stones of character was the consciousness of the first place! of temperance In the teaching of thei young. The movement for mak- ing temperance teaching a portion of the ordinary curriculum in elementary schools was making some progress, but c,ould only succeed in that matter by carrying with them the heart of the teachers.— (Applause.) A hopeful augury for the success of the temperance cause was the growth of the idea that. true temperance by example as well as by precept was an essential condition of the future education of the country.—(Applause.) Mr J. T. Rae, general secretary of the League, apologised for the absence of Mrs Caine, mother-in-law of the, Chairman, who had promised to attend the meeting. He afterwards spoke of the work -of the League. On the motion of the President of the National Union, of Teachers, Mr Tom John, seconded; by Miss Hughes, secre- tary of the Conference Ladies' Com- mittee, the Le,ague were thanked for their hospitality. An interesting address wa,3 given by the Rector of Llandudno, and Mr J. Y. Henderson, chairman of bhe League, responded. At Tuesday's meeting Mr Tom John presided. ELECTION OF EXECUTIVE. The President announced the results of the election of members of the Executive. The following were the successful candi- dates for the northern districts —Lanca- shire A. Pickles, Burnley; Walter Shawcross, Manchester; H. Pearson, Liverpool; T. Allcott, Blackburn. North of England district: A. W. Dakers, New- castle; H. James, Barrow; G. T. Hay den;, Consett. Yorksfhire: F. W. Goldstone, Sheffield; T. P. Sykes. Brad- ford; Isabel Cleghorn, Sheffield; A. B. Moorby, Hull. North Midland district: G. Baddeley, Burslem; R. N. Lewis, Langworth A. G. Selvage, Louth; W. B. Steer, Derby. Welsh district: Hannah Williams, Cardiff; N. Rhys Nicholas, Port Talbot; and F. W. Pepperell, Cardiff. COCKERTON JUDGMENT. Mr J. Tudor Walters, Leicester, presi- dent of the Association of Education Com- mittees, said he always found teachers the most, loyal allies of the education com- mittees, and working with them in every way for the broadest and loftiest concep- tions of educational work. The next step which should be taken was to found on a large scale the municipal secondary school.—(Applause.) Valuable work had been done in the past, until it was over- whelmed with disaster by that famous or infamous Cockerton judgment, by the, higher grade schools, which should now be succeeded by genuine municipal secon- dary schools all over the country.—(Ap- plause.) it, was essential that such schools should be under real municipal control with absolute local option as to fees, and a full scale of grants, only de. pendent upon suitable premises, and equipment, adequate staffing, a satisfac- tory curriculum, and. educational effi- )oiency.-(Ap,pla-us,e,.) For boys there should be manual instruction if they were intended for the crafts, and for girls there should be instruction in domestic economy. These municipal schools would be and should. be largely staffed by teachers from the public ele- mentary schools, in whose ranks there was a gratifyingly large range of selection of able, refined, and; cultured men for the purpose.—(Applause.) Mr G. Sharpies, ex-president, moved that a vote of thanks to Mr Walters for his address, and said that, the Union de- manded equality of opportunity for teach- ers as well as for the children, and, they were trying to break down that abomin- ble ruling off of the teachers in the prim- ary schools from the teachers in the other schools of the, land.—(Applause.) Mr R. Waddington, a past president, in seconding, declared that the municipal- isation of education through the Educa- tion Act of 1902 was the making of educa- tion. The proposition was carried by ac- clamation. HIGHER TEACHERS' SALARIES WANTED. Mr T. F. Bowers moved — That Conference considers that there can be no wiser nor more economical ex- expenditure of public money than in educating the children in primary schools by developing intelligence and building up character; it is therefore desirable, in the interests of the State and. the locali- ties, to obtain the best possible teachers for the schools. But Conference calls attention to the unprecedented; dearth of qualified teachers, arising from the fact that for most of the class teachers there is no chance of promotion, and that in many cases even grossly inadequate salaries are offered. Whilst fully recognising the value of a college training, in view of the lack of undenominational training college ac- commodation, it is unfair to differentiate between salaries paid to collegiate and non-collegiate certificated teachers, see- ing that the Board of Education, only recognise one class; of certificate. Con- ference therefore desires to point, out that the position of the certificated; class teacher should be regarded; as generally permanent, and that the salaries should be made more in keeping with thei dignity and responsibility of the work and attractive to a good class of teacher. The following is therefore adopted, as the Union scale of salaries for certificated class teachers in all primary schools:- Provincial class teachers Men, mini- mum JE90, maximum JE180, by annual automatic increments of 210 to the maxi- mum; women, minimum 280, maximum P,145, by annual automatic increments of L5 to R110, and then by annual auto- matic increments of JE5 to £ 110, and then by annual automatic increments of £10 to the maximum; women, minimum 290, maximum P,175, by annual automatic in- crements of £ 5 to P,125,, and then by annual automatic increments of £ 10 to the maximum. Class mistresses working in boys' departments should receive the same rate of salary as the class masters in the same departments." Mr Bowers had before him lists of schools in which the salaries paid were regarded as exceedingly unsatisfactory, and he, mentioned a case in Lincolnshire where a certificated assistant mistress re- ceiving between £ 50 and £100 per an- num, while there were; over 10,000 head mistresses getting these salaries. In Wales to-day 61 per cent of the head mis- tresses received less than £100 a year. Mr A. W. Dakers seconded the motion, remarking that it would not be sufficient to try to bribe people to enter the teach- ing profession. What was wanted was a, fairly reasonable maximum salary. The mover and seconder accepted the following addition to the resolution pro- posed by Mr J. O. Pierce (Mid-D-evon):- This Conference further considers that any scale of salaries should, be based upon the following essentials —(a) That years of service and efficiency should con- stitute the chief factors in assessing the value of a, teacher's services, and a, dei- tailed system of granting salaries accord- ing only to the average attendance, or number on the books, or accommodation is unfair to certificated teachers, (b) That the minimum salary of a certificated head master should not be less than £ 150 and of a certificated head mistress not less than J6120. (c) That there should be no joint, appointments and no joint salaries. (d) That where adjacent educational authorities combine, to fix a scale of salaries below the Union's mini- mum every legitimate mlans should be taken by the Union to got its scale, accepted." The resolution with Mr Pierce's addi- tion was then carried unanimously. WEDNESDAY'S MEETING. At Wednesday's meeting the delegates attended in force. The principal mat- ters under consideration were; Dr. Mac- namara's schem,e for the feeding of hun- gry school children at the public cost, and a resolution, which was adopted, demand- ing a "national system of education based upon popular control and freed from sec- tarian tests and influences," It was evi- dent that great interest was taken in the former question, the whole, subject being debated keenly, and at times Mr Tom John was compelled to ring his bell more than once to obtain, order. Dr. Mac- namara's resolution was endorsed by 21,874 votes to 15,901. VOTES OF THANKS. At the end -of the public session of the Teachers' Union on Wednesday at Llan- dudno a series of votes of thanks were passed to the local committee, including Mr J. E. Hornsby (chairman) and Mr J. H. Stevens (secretary), to various other committees acting under it, to the Coun- cil, the Pier Company, and, all others who had assisted in organising so successfully the conference, arrangements, which ha,d nowhere been excelled. CONFERENCE! CONVERSAZIONE. At, the Hippodrome on Tuesday even- ing a Conversazione took place, which was largly attended. An excellent programme of vocal and instrumental music was arranged. Mr J. O. Thomas fulfilled the duties of chairman of this committee, the secretary being Mr J. V. Humphreys. LLANDUDNO'S RECEPTION OF THE DELEGATES. On Wednesday evening the most im- portant social function of the week was held at the Pier Pavilion, when Mr J. O. Thomas, chairman of the Town Council, on behalf of the townspeople, received the delegates to the number of between two and three thousand. It was the most successful social function ever held in Llandudno. If anything it erred on the crowded side, but every;onei present thoroughly enjoyed the evening's enter- tainment provided by the Pier Company's orchestra, and the light refreshments catered for by Mr A. Sumner, the Gr,osvenor. Miss Parry, of Pbrtmadoc, and London, rendered two songs during the evening, "A Song of Thanksgiving," by James Thompson, and "Melisande in the Wood," by Alma Goetz; both were capital renditions, and very heartily ap- plauded. Miss Broome, the finest; lady tympanism in East Anglia, came in for special outburst of cheering for mani- pulation .of the drums. The Right Honble Lord Mostyn and the Hon. Mrs Henry Mostyn; were pre- sent, as were also all the principal offi- cials; of the N.U.T. and a representative number of townspeople. The arrange- ments were in the capable hands of Mr A. Conolly, town clerk, and Mr J. O. Thomas, by whose, efforts the funds for carrying out the reception were collected. A large number of local gentlemen oi.o. ferred their services a,s stewards, and to their untiring energies no little of the evening's success is due. A largei section of the Pavilion was laid out in drawing-rooms, with settees, lounges, chairs and tables, on the latter strawberries were invitingly displayed. The scene a,s the huge building gradually filled:, was one long to be remembered, and we have the authority of a high offi- cial of the N.U.T. for stating, that it was the most successful social receptions ever given to the delegates in the history of the, Union. THE; CONFERENCE, BALL. A PLEASING AND SUCCESSFUL, FUNCTION. The conference ball was held at Riviere's Hall, on Thursday night, and proved a most successful function, although the number present, was not so large as was at first anticipated. Every- thing t,ha,t care and foresight could do to, add to the comfort of the, guests and the success of the dance had been carried out by the energetic committee under the chairmanship of Mr D. W. Thomas, and with the assistance of Mr Richard Roberts, junr., as secretary. The hall had been decorated in excellent taste by Messrs Thomas and Fisher, and a good deal of attention had also been devoted to the floor to make it suitable for terpsichorean exercises. The duties of caterer had been en- trusted to Mr Allan Sumner, who gave every satisfaction, the tables being ad- mirably arranged and prettily decorated. Dancing commenced at nine to the merry strains of Mr Mohr's band, and continued with brief intervals until three o'clock in the morning, it being evident, that the dancers thoroughly appreciated the excellence of the arrangements. The officials were: M.G., Mr John E. Hornsby; assistant M.O.'s, Mr Sam, Jones, Mr Fred Philips, Mr R. Roberts, junr., Mr Tom Thomas; chairman, Mr D. W. Thomas; vice- chairman, Miss A. B. Bamford; hon sec., Mr R. Roberts, junr.; stewards, Mr Jas. 1 Haworth, Miss Jones, Mr G. Roberts, £ Miss Lucking, Mr H. J. Russell, Miss L Roberts, Mr Senogles, Mrs Tegarty, Mr Alec Taylor, Mr Harry C'roekatt, Mr Wm. Tegarty. BENEVOLENT AND ORPHAN FUND. RECEPTION OF PURSES. The Pavilion on Thursday afternoon, was well filled to witness the reception of purses, in connection with the Benevolent and Orphan Fund, by the Hon. Mrs Henry Mostyn, of Bodysgallen, who was attended, by Col. the; Hon. Henry Mostyn, the Right Hon. Lord Mostyn, the Lady Augusta, Mostyn. There were also pre- sent on the, platform Mrs Tom, John, the Rector, Mr T. G. West, chairman of the Council of the Fund, Mr Yoxall, MP., Mrs Burgwin, the members ,0f the local committees, and leaders of the Teachers' Union, Movement. The president, Mr Tom John, presided. In opening the proceedings, Mr Tom John said, that since the establishment of the benevolent fundi in 1877 the total amount collected had reached the sum of R178,202, of which P,27,978 had been paid in annuities and P,27,29,7 in temporary relief.—(Cheers.) Mr West dealt at length with the work accomplished through the medium of the, funds. He said he, had been brought into close contact with the Welsh workers, I and as far as the Principality was con- cerned it must be gratifying to them to learn it was a, red-letter day for the fund, as they would be able tOr announce an absolute record in. the income of the, fund.—(Cheers.) l' Three lovely bouquets, were at this stage presented to the Hon. Mrs iViosfcyn, Mrs Tom, John, and Mrs West, by three tiny children, the Misses Chloris Thomas, Tydfil Thomas, and Lily Pierce. The, presentation of purses was then proceeded with. The tellers announced the township, number of members, and amount collected, and for fully half-an- hour the Hon. Mrs Mostyn was busily engaged receiving the tributes. Loud cheers from; time to time were raised on the, announcement of some of the amounts collected. Portsmouth's record of £1,407, subscribed by 407 members, receiving special and long continued applause. The; Ampthill and Bedford Association won both the Trophy and the Shield, given for the largest amount collected and the best average collection. The total amount collected was P,670, the average; per mem- ber working out at 24 4s. lOd. The Shield and Trophy were then pre- sented by the Hon. Mrs Mostyn to Mr W. J. Symmonds, who, on behalf of his Asso- ciation, briefly responded. The grand total for the day was an- nounced as reaching the, magnificent total of £ 19,327, the largest amount ever received in one ye,a,r, and of this, the; Welsh teacher had, subscribed £ 3,853. The; Chairman then moved a vote of thanks to. the Hon. Mrs; Mostyn for her kindness in so gracefully performing the. ceremony of receiving the purses. This was; seconded by Mr T. Thomas, and carried amidst cheers. Col. H. Lloyd Mostyn responded on behalf of his wife. Mrs Burgwin, who. met with a flattering reception, in moving a, vote of thanks to the visitors and members -of the local com- mittee, in the course of her speech, rer- ferred; to the; number -of teachers who S'uffeiried from consumption. Although every teacher was a, selected life, and dur- ing their course of training they were medically examined two or three; times, the number of teachers, who, suffered from this dire disease was appalling. The reason surely must be the want, of proper ventilation. She hoped the, day might soon arrive when she, the; speaker, would be able to wake up from' her night's rest, and find, that there was no. necessity for a, benevolent fund as far as the teachers were concerned, that could only be brought about by better remuneration than, was at present enjoyed by teachers of the British Isles.—(Cheers.) Mr Yoxall, M.P., in seconding the re- solution, said he would like to cover some; "ground not touched upon by Mrs Burgwin, and there was just, one gentle- man's name; she had omitted. He, the speaker, had been told that a typical Welshman was of a bashful and retiring disposition. He had, looked around, but failed to. find him; even their president, Mr T'om John, did not fulfill the required qualification, but in Mr J. O. Thomas, chairman of the. Llandudno District Council, he, had at last comel across this genus. He was at the present, moment upon the platform in hidig, frequent, requests had been made to secure his presence on a, front seat, but although dragged there by main force he had again retired in the back-ground. He had great pleasure in seconding the; resolution, and in includ- ing Mr J. O. Thomas; name.—(Prolonged applause.) Mr J. EL Hornsby, chairman of the Conference local committee., in respond- ing, said: When, he visited, Portsmouth last year and, advocated; Llandudno for this year's conference he was, asked what they had done for the funds in Llandudno. He had to admit that they had done: very little;, but he: camei away with the fixed determina,t,ion that they would make amends in this direction; and at their first local meeting of members they de- cided to subscribe to the funds to the amount of at least five pounds per head, and this resolve he was pleased to say they had. practically carried out.—(Ap- plause.) A vote of thanks to the: President, pro- posed by Mr J. Cadwaladr, and seconded by Mr J. H. Stevens, having been car- ried, the proceedings termina,t,ed with "Hen wlad fy Nhadau" and God Save the King." During the afternoon, Mrs Claxton. Jones gave a violin solo, and Miss Parry, Mr Denbigh Cooper, and; Mr Powell con- tributed; songs, all of which were heartily pplauded. EXCURSION FROM LLANDUDNO. A large number of delegates had, inti- mated to the secretary their intention of joining the excursion to Llanberis on Fri- day morning, and shortly after nine about, 700 started by train, for the heart of mountainous Wales. The party exceeded the number expected, but every possible provision was made to ensure the com- fort and convenience of the delegates and friends. Several places of interest were visited, including the Snowdon Mountain Railway, the Summit .of Snowdon, Water- falls;, Llanberis Pass, The, Lakes, etc., and by the kind permission of EL Neele, Esq., groups of one hundred welre, admittted to see the, workings of the far-famed Dinorwic, Slate Quarries. On the, return journey a stop was made at Carnarvon, and delegates welreiahle to inspect the Castle (the finest of its kind). Of this committee Mr Herbert King was chair- man, and Mr Tegarty secretary. A large; number made the ascent of Snowdon, but the weather was not all that could bel 'desired'. Liuncheonsi were provided at, the Victoria, and at other hotels in the village. THE PLAOEi FOR NEXT YEAR'S CONFERENCE. On Tuesday miorning the voting took place as to the town where next year's Conference should be held. The result was as follows:—Scarborough, 22,388; Birmingham, 11,395; Morecambe, 3693,. The conference, will consequently be held at Scarborough. PUBLISHER'S EXHIBITION. A most. interesting feature of the con- ference proceedings; is a publishers' ex- hibition, held in the basement, of the pavilion, usually called the exhibition halL The exhibition is pronounced by habitues., of the conference to be the finest ever J held in connection with the union. All the, leading school publishers are repre- sented by a, very comprehensive series of reading books for use in elementary schools, drawing instruments, the latest improved maps, and kindergarten material. Modern school fittings and furniture form a, striking feature of the collection and served to attract the special attention of teachers and managers of schools.