Llandudno Advertiser and List of Visitors

LLANDUDNO RATES AGAIN II REDUCED. THE RETIREMENT OF MR. JOHN BELLIS. A ESmEKABLE! RECORD. THE OVERSEERS. AND THE PIER COMPANY. The annual meeting of the overseers for the parish of Llandudno-cum-Eglwys- rhos was held at the Parish Offices, Town Hall, on Tuesday afternoon, when there were present Messrs William Williams (chairman), John Roberts. Bryn C'elyn; J. O. Thomas, H. Wilson. John Bellis (assistant overseer), and Walter Wood (assistant overseer for poor rate purposes'). THE OVERSEERS AND THE PIER COMPANY. The principal business was to fix the poor rate for the ensuing twelve months, but before this wa.s entered upon Mr Bellis said that as that was the last occasion for him to have anything to do with the rate he would like to testify to the great trouble the overseers had taken in exam- ining property and fixing the assessment. The overseers for many years had been men who knew the value of property, and no trouble had been too great for them to take. They had tried to deal justly and fairly to all.—(Applause.) He made those remarks because of the many unkind things which had been said about the overseers. Many had come to him with complaint?. If he was unable to satisfy the complainants he asked them to sub- mit their grievance to the overseers in writing, and the matter was discussed at their next meeting. If they were still not satisfied they could appeal to the assess- ment committee at Conway. That room was generally filled with people who wished their assessment reduced, but dur- ing the last few years there had been only two appeals from Llandudno. One of :hose, continued Mr Bellis. was made by the Llandudno Pier Company. About three years ago the overseers arrived it the conclusion that the Pier Compa,ny-a most prosperous concernc- was not paying its proper share of the rates. The matter was very carefully considered and eventually the assessment increased by JBIOOO. T'he Pier Company refused to pay on that basis, and eventually an expert was agreed upon to value the property. The expert decided that £ 300 should be added to the old assessment. The Pier Company refused to pay on that valuation, and maintained that they had been paying too much be- fore. After further negotiations he in- structed Messrs Chamberlain and John- son in the matter, and asked them to get a copy of the Board of Trade Order authorising the erection of the Pier. They failed to get a. copy, but sent two clerks to copy the copy at the Pier. From that Order it was found that the whole of the Pier was to be considered within the parish. The whole of the Pier was then revalued, and the company had to pay in full. The additional- amount of poor rate paid by them was £ 192. and £ 235 urban district rate, or a total of £ 427. A RE MAR:: ABLE RECORD. With regard to the collectorship, Mr Bellis said that he had collected the poor rate for twenty-eight years, and had always considered himself the servant of blic—the servant of the very poor as of the very rich. He had en- ed to treat all equally, but if any .ation was to be given he tried to to the po-r.-(Hear, hear.) He eceved many kindnesses from the yet during his term of office, and ot think he had ever had any un- it words with anyone. On retiring d say that he had never distrained ied a distress warrant on a single —(Applause.) With regard to the icial position he could only say that penny due by the overseers to the inty and guardians had been paid, and that there was a balance in the bank of £ 1163 16s. 10d. on account of the new rates.—Hear, hear.) Nearly the. whole of the rates had been collected, the re- coverable arrears being only about £ 60. During the twenty-eight years the amount to be collected ha.d risen from £,3037 in 1880 to £ 13408 in 1907.—(Applause.) WELL DESERVED TRIBUTES. Mr John Roberts said he considered it his duty to propose a vote of thanks to Mr Bellis for the work he had done. In doing so he thought he voiced the opinion of all the overseers.—(Hear, hear.) Mr Bellis had been one of thejbest servants the ratepayers ha.d ever had. He had treated the rich and the poor with the same courtesy, and he wished Mr Bellis a long life to enjoy the well-earned rest. -(Applause.) Mr J. O. Thomas, in seconding, said although he was unable to say to what ex- tent, he knew that Mr Bellis had paid to rates of poor people out of his own pocket and advanced the money to others until they were in better circumstances.— (Applause.) He felt certain that it would be impossible to find a, man who would do his work in a more satisfactory manner than Mr Bellis had done. Mr Henry Wilson added his tribute to the retiring collector, which was supported by Mr William Williams, who for the last eight years has been one of the overseers. He trusted that Mr Wood would follow on the same lines and extend the same sympathy to those who at the time were unable to meet the calls on their purse.— (Hear, hear.) Mr Bellis, in a brief reply, said he had done nothing but his duty. For many years he had regarded the ratepayers as if they were his own brothers and sisters, and felt it, to 'be his bounden duty to act accordingly.—(Applause.) THE NEW RATE. After the inspection of rate books dat- ing back to 1873 the new rate was con- sidered. Mr Walter Wood prefacing the estimate made by himeelf with; Mr Bellis, by stating that he was pleased to follow as far as he was able on the same lines as his predecessor.—(Applause.) Having regard to the new rate a sum of 213,200 was required, towards which there was a balance in the bank of £ 1163. A rate of 2s. 7d. in the £ would be sufficient to pro- vide the balance or a penny in £ less than last year .(Applause.) During the discussion which ensued, it was elicited that the demands of .the County Council amounted to Is. 8d. in the £ but as the County rate basis made no allowance for empty houses the demand would really amount, to Is. lOd. in the C. It will thus be seen that out of every pound collected the County takes 12s. 6d. The proposed rate was unanimausly agreed I

A LIBERAL REPLY TO SOCIALIST. To the Editor Sir,—I ask your indulgence again, as I think "Have K ot'sn diatribe should not pass unnoticed. Had he been at the Town Hall last Friday he would have heard Mr Wm. Jones, M.P. give a very fair ex- planation of his action in Parliament on the unemployed question. In addition he gave his audience a most comprehensive statement of the Liberal Government's practical proposals for alleviating the present distress amongst the working- zn c class. He told us that the Government intended as soon as ever possible to com- mence operations in afforestation, arrest- ing erosion of the coast line, the rapid ex- tension of the small holdings principle, thereby retaining the agricultural popula- zn tion in their own sphere, thus effectually checking the inflow of the. rural labourer into the town's already overstocked with labour, as well as giving to thousands of workers the opportunity and incentive to i return to the land. Then again he in- stanced as the result of the Poor Law* Commission that a great saving in ad- ministration would result so that the pro- vision of old age pensions would be great- ly facilitated. These and other channels are purer and more practical methods toward the solu- tion of present-day difficulties than any of the protagonists of socialism can offer us. Liberals admit the urgency of legisla- tion in the direction of social reform, but as Mr Jones said legislation is not the alpha and omega, of Parliament's func- tions. Administration wise and well timed is the thing most essential; we have too many laws but very few capable ad- ministrators, and I claim that the Liberal Party has almost a monopoly of these. I should advise "Have Not" to sheath his sword and throw in his lot with the real party of social reform, and not try to re- tard" the efforts of this, the most energetic and democratic government, of modern times. Liberalism moribund, forsooth It is just the sort of thing we must expect to hear from the equality mongers, who can- not for the life of them show anything like a commonsense programme. Every socialist one meets has a different panacea, no two in agreement. Let them alone, and surely enough at no distant date, they will wake up from their dreams, to find that chaos has given place to order, and that Lberalism rejuvenated, has placed in our midst an equitable code of life founded on justice and reason. Liberalism is far removed from the moribund state. It is perhaps a case of the wish being father to the thought. I for one, and others whose name is legion, would not lift a finger in favour of Liberalism were we not conscious of the sincerity, and active progress being made by it. I hope the local stalwarts will accept "Have Not,s" challenge, and see the urgency for doing all in their power to arrest the forces of disintegration now at work. Thanking you for the promin- ence you have given this subject. -j I am, your faithfully, J. F.

A STRIKING WINDOW DISPLAY. A novel and very interesting window display is being made this week by Mr T. W. Jones, at The Lounge, Mostyn Street. The display is devoted entirly to "Onoto" Self-filling Safety Fountain Pens, a great variety of which are shown in connection with some splendid examples of coloured show cards. The window arrangements is highly artistic, and reflects great credit upon the business enterprise of Mr T. W. Jones. Of course the idea is to advertise and popularise "Onoto" Pens. From a per- sonal examination of the pen and a glance through one of the clever little booklets describing it, it appears that here is an article well worth owning, especially as nowadays everyone should have a fountain pen. To begin with, the "Onoto" is self-fill- ing, a feature which will commend it to all who have had experience of the ordin- ary method of re-charging a fountain pen with ink. If one does not happen to have the special filler at hands, the most copious supply of ink is merely tantalis- ing, or its use is ventured upon only at the risk of a catastrophe. No trouble is experienced with the "Onoto," which is filled almost instantly with just the right quantity, and without any possibility of soiling the fingers or spilling ink on the desk or floor. The nib is gold, pointed with iridium, and cannot wear out. Another point in favour of the "Onoto" Pen is that it does not leak, and the flow of ink can be regulated to the exact re- quirements of the el writer. No doubt it will be a good while yet before the old style of pen and the open ink-pot finally dis- appear, but the makers of the "Onoto" have gone far in removing the objections which are commonly put forward against the use of the fountain pen. "Onoto" pens I sell for 10s. 6d. upwards, according to size and finish. 1

AN ANTICIPATED SCENE AT THE PIER PAVILION THIS EASTERTIDE (By our Special Artist).

MAY-DAY FESTIVITIES. The arrangements for this very "hardy annual" are now well in hand, and one of the most successful May-Day Celebra- tions may be expected. Mr Taylor, the chairman of the Pavilion Committee, has his -,ritii full of new and I novel ideas for the pretty Crowning Cere- mony. Vocal music is to be introduced this year, Mr Wm. Williams' children's choir undertaking this. The Misses Booth, whose work last year gave such satisfaction, have again under- taken the training of the children, and the rehearsals are now in full swing. The horse races started last year were such an attraction to the Sports that this year the Committee ihave decided to in- crease the items in this class to four in- stead of two. Mr T. J. Jones, the Chair- man of this Committee, and his colleagues believe that a record crowd will be drawn together.

RENT OF A FOOTPATH.—A letter was read at a meeting of the Llandudno Works Committee from Mr Humphreys with regard to the suggested payment of a nominal rent of Is. per annum, in respect of the footpath between Adelphi Street and Mostyn Broadway, and stating that the suggestion was made for the sake of uniformity, and in order that matters might the kept perfectly clear. The Com- mittee decided to recommend1 the Council to agree to pay the nominal rent. I

LLANDUDNO Y.M.C.A. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual meeting of the Llandudno Branch of the Y.M.C.A. was held on Tues- day evening, Mr G. A. Humphreys pre- siding. The minutes of the last meeting having been read by the Secretary (Mr Lucking) a long discussion arose on the subject of the discontinuance of the Bible Class, it being ultimately decided to further con- sider the matter at a future meeting. It was announced that negotiations were pending in regard to the provision of a billiard table, which it is expected will be installed in October next. THE REPORT. The following report was then sub- iiiitt,e cl In submitting the second annual report of the Llandudno Young Men's Christian Association, your Committee do so with mixed feelings. On the one hand we have a number of young men taking ad- vantage of the facilities offered for their improvement and recreation, but this number is far short of the promised sup- port at the initiation of the movement for establishing a Y.M.'C.A. in Llandudno. At the present time we have 45 full mem- bers and 55 associates; total, 100. It was unanimously agreed at the be- ginning that if a Y.M.C.A. was to be a, success, good premises were essential. Your Committee after very careful con- sideration, arranged a lease of the build- ing we are now occupying, and a con- siderable sum of money has been expend- ed in the furnishing and fitting. This was not clone until we had been assured by the members themselves that a, certain amount of income could be relied upon, and it may be here stated that your Com- mittee have kept within their estimates so far as the expenditure side of the account is concerned. You will see that a definite promise of a certain income was given, and upon this your Committee based their scheme, but unfortunately that income has not been reached; in fact, it is far lower than it should be, and further, it will be quite impossible to carry on the work in the present premises, unless there is a considerable increase in the income. Your Committee, therefore, would urgel the members to seriously consider the position, as the solution is mostly in their hands. A noticeable improvement has been observed in those members who most often make use of the Y.M.C.A., prem- ises, clearly shewing that there is the nucleus for a strong Association if the young men of the town would join in the way they first promised. It would be wrong to attempt to carry on the work with an increasing deficit each year, and this can only be avoided by a largely in- creased membership. Good work of a thorough kind can only be carried on if the finances of the Association are in a, fairly healthy state. We have no wish to harp on the financial side, but neverthe- less it is an important, factor which can not be neglected. After the experience of last year it was considered advisable to make! certain changes in the organisation. Mr Haigh gave up his position, and Mr Lucking was appointed general secretary. The return of attendances' will show that the members of the Committee have a keen interest in the work. The Executive Committee meetings were exceptionally well attended. The members were invited to enter their names for various Classes and Clubs. Several were formed, including: -Biblei Class, Improvement Class, Rowing Club, Camera Club, Welsh Class, Football Club, Physical Culture Olass,and Home Circle. BIBLE OLASS. This class—the Bible Students Class— was conducted by the Rev. W. Phillips, M.A., on Thursday evenings, commencing at 9 o'clock. The attendance throughout the early part of the winter was satis- factory, but as most of the members were practising for St. David's Day Eisteddfod they were unable to come to the class, and consequently the class closed rather pre- maturely. Our best thanks are due to Mr Phillips for his trouble and interest in this department. MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT CLASS, This Class was commenced on October 15th by the initiative of Mr M. Luther Mudd, who was elected president, and of Mr Herbert Storey, who was secretary. An exceedingly good Syllabus was arranged, and good meetings enjoyed. The Syllabus comprised eight lectures, six of these being illustrated by lantern. Also inter-debates were taken with St. Paul's Literary Society, Craigydon, and two debates among our own members. The lecture on "Buddha," by the Rev. Gwynfryn Jones; "Alfred the Great," by Mr Henry Stevens; "Esperanto," by Mr Hornsby, were attended with remarkable success. Two Newspaper evenings created no little amount of healthy amusement, and displayed the qualities of the artistes. PHYSICAL GULTURiE: CLASS. On Monday and Friday evenings during the winter season Mr Arthur Jones has successfully conducted drill in various forms, dumb-bells, Indian clubs, barbells, etc., and has also given instructions in the various examples of the Sandow exercises. The attendance has been well maintained each evening, and it is hoped to extend this department next, winter by providing further equipment. The thanks of the Committee are due to Mr Preston, one of the memlbers of the Association, for the loan of the Sandow Developers and instructions thereon. WELSH CLASS. Teacher, Mr D. W. Thomas. At the commencement of the winter season a class for the study of Welsh wa,s conduct- ed by Mr D. W. Thomas (the hon. secre- tary). Owing to a falling off of the mem- bers in the Spring it was decided to close the class for this session. HOMtE CIRCLE. On Sunday evening the rooms have been open from 8 o'clock to 91 30, and it is gratifying to the Committee that such a large number of the members took advan- tage of this method of spending- a quieij Sunday evening. ROWINjG CLUB. A Club has been formed, and a four- oared boat purchased by voluntary dona- tions of 2s. 6d. amongst the members of the Y.N.C.A. New members are ad- mitted at any time on payment of the above sum. The members of the Club hold themselves responsible for the paint- ing and general upkeep of the boat by charging an annual subscription of Is. Captain, Wm. Williams; vice-captain, J. O. Griffiths; treasurer and secretary, L. A. Husband. The report was unanimously adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers was the nexfi business, Lord Mostyn being appointed President; the vice-presidents being re- elected, and Colonel the Hon. Henry Lloyd Mostyn was appointed chairman of the General Committee; Mr G. A. Hum- phreys, chairman of the Executive Com- mittee; Mr A. G. Pugh, hon. auditor; Mr D. WL Thomas, hon. secretary; Mr L. Cocker, hon. treasurer in the place of Mr J. J. Marks, who resigned. The fol- lowing members were erected to fill vacancies' on the coiiii-nittee,: -Messrs Alec Taylor (re-elected), L. A. Husband, J. Thomas (The Lighthouse), R. C. Baxter, and R,. LJ. Davies. Votes of thanks to the various officials concluded the business of the meeting.

LIST OF VISITORS. YORK VILLA, Craigydon—J. Norrie. Lady Hanmer, Bettisfield Park, Whit- church. Miss Hanmer, do Miss Daisy Hanmer, do Master Johnnie Hanmer and maid, do Selby Lounds, do Miss Sandback, Cherry Hill, Cheshire Mr and Mrs Lees, family and maids, Prestbury, Cheshire Mr and Mrs Lang, Netherly, John- stone, N.B. Master G. Lang, do. Mr and Mrs Pilkington, Alderley Edge Misses Pilkington, do Hora,ce Lovett, Fernhill, Oswestry E. Newman, Handswor-th Wood Mrs and Newman and family, dio THE CRAIGYDON—Misses Midclleton and Wood. Mrs Rees, resident Mrs Collister, do Mrs Hall, Cambridge Mr and Mrs Thompson, United States Mrs Fayle, London Miss Gornall, Warrington Miss Strenhouse, Berkhampstead Mr Ross, do Mr and Mrs Sykes and children (3), Huddersfield Mr Fisher and friends (2), Birkenhead Mr and Mrs Clarke, Hale Misses Shovelton, Ecoles M and Mrs Allen, Leicester Miss Lory, do Mrs Hawkins and party (5), Walsall Mr and Mrs Stuart Knowles, Stockport Miss Shaw, Halifax ,Miss Ainley, do Mrand Mrs ,stockdale and friends (4), Manchester Mr and Mrs Hoyle, Oldhani Mr Hoyle (junr), do Mrand lVnrs Forreste, Wilmslow Misses Forreste, do Mr and Mtrs Lewi's, Bilston Miss Lewis, do Misses Lambert, West Didsbury Mr and Mrs Uttley, Bolton Mr White, Liverpool1 Mr and Mrs Howarth, Halifax Mr Howarth, junr., do Mr and Mrs Tildesley, Wolverhampton Misses Thorp, Manchester Messrs and Misses Lee Wood, do Mr and Mrs Gibbins andl child, Burley Wood. Mr Holden, do Mr and Mrs Wood and children (2),. Four Oaks Mr and Mrs Hufoball, Streetly Mr and Mrs C. Richards, Bournville Miss Maysmor, Bromfoorough Mr and Mrs Henderson, Birkenhead Messrs Meredith, Manchester Mr Brockbank and party, Birmingham) Mr H. Tildesley, Wolverhampton Misses Smyth, Liscard Mr, Mrs and Miss Cotton^ Hinckley Messrs Griffiths., Dudley Misses Tomlinson, West Hartlepool Messrs Grierson, Liverpool Mr and Mr Reynolds, Sutton Coldfield Mrs Prosser -andl friend, Nottingham Mr and Miss Whitlock, Leamington Mr and Mrs Jessop, Lincoln Mr Bradwell, London Misses Armitage, Huddersfield Miss RowleYl Aston Manor Mr and Msses Kelsall, Ashton-under- Lyne Mr and Mrs Hill, Sheffield Mr Hill, junr., do Misses Collins, Stockton Heath Mr and Mrs Truscoft, Stockport Mr and Miss Bailey, Acocks Green Mr, Mrs and Master Hessey, Whalley Range Mr and Miss Kershaw, Huddersfield Mr and Mrs Llewelyn,, Carnforth Mr Llewellyn, junr., do Mrs and Misses James (4), Wolver- hampton Messrs James (4), do Miss Sumimerfield, do Messrs Howell, do Messrs Gill,and;Halt, Hanley Mrs and Miss Wright, Liverpool Messrs Higgins, Withington Mr and Mrs Ohadwick; Bolton Misses and Mr Ohadwick, junr., do' Misses Jephson and Armstrong, Chester. Miss Adams, do Misses Baker, Selly Oak Mr Yeoman, Wisley Mrs Fogg and friend, West Didsbury Mr, Mrs and Miss Snowdon, Manchester Mr H. E. Jor Idgfoaston Mr and iafr, l' Manchester Pr and by the Proprietors, Frank sc. O. Moy, at the "Advei Works, Llandudno.