The Rhos Herald

RHOS EISTEDDFOD NOTES. ANOTHER SUCCESS. The third annual chair eisteddfod in Llanerchrugog Park, has gone even one better than the two previous ones. In point of attendance it was a huge success and from the musical and literary side, its attractive array of entries made it second to none but the "National." In three short years, Rhos Eisteddfod has leapt to I one of the foremost places in the Eistedd- fodau, and threatens to outshine the long- standing Powis meeting, and to shake the celebrated Corwen one in its long-rooted bed. The flagellating spirit of competi- tion has gripped eisteddfod committees, as it has long since gripped business houses and commercial undertakings. Its sharp spur has set keen wits revolving and has revolutionised the methods ofl running eisteddfod meetings. We are proud to know that our two energetic I secretaries and our committees, have dis- played both great ingenuity and keen bus-, iness ability in the carrying out of our an- nual eisteddfod. All the arrangements were most satisfactorily engineered. FLUCTUATING FEELINGS. For fully a fortnight or three weeks be. fore the eisteddfod, the weather was most unsettled. Rain fell continuously and dark clouds hovered threateningly. The morning of the expected day however, opened dry, and the glasses promised a fine day. What was more, the promise was fulfilled. Bright bits of sunshine periodically flooded the park, and gave just that brightness and warmth necessary to tempt the ladies to don their most pic- turesque hats and dresses. With the ex- ception ot a very slight shower in the afternoon, the day remained fine to the end. THE GORSEDD The GorsedJ ceremony was this year arranged to be held on the Ponkey banks. The maen llog had been rolled some con- siderable distance further from Rhos than it ought to have been, and in the early morning, some ardent and muscular Rhos- itcs rolled it up again The proceedings were opened by Bethel before a large crowd assembled on the slopes of the j.eighbouring banks. After the Gorsedd prayer the local bards were called upon to recite from the maen Hog. This they did with much wealth of expression. Am.,ng the effusions, was one in English by the Rev R. Willliams, two verses of which ran thus Let the world boaat of it" pleasures Football, Cricket, and the rest; But we glory in the Uors^d:! Ar,d,we think that we are bed. Russian, French, and German farces May Httnck the British throne But the C.onedd of the Cymro The? mus-t t ver leave alone." The ceremony was enlivened by pen- niinon singing by Mr W. O. Jones, ac- companied on tiarp by Miss Bessie Jones 4 THE PROCESSION. After the Gorsrd 1, a procession w-ts formed to much t » Uarierchrugog Park, headed by Rhos Silver Baid, Following the band ware the bards and officers, whilst in the rear staked the bearer of the sword. There should also have been in the procession, two Rhos girls, dressed 'in ancient Welsh costume, but greatly to the disappointment of the maidens, the costumes failed to an ive in time. The streets were lined with spectators, many: of whom followed in the wake of the band to the patk. THE MORNING MEETING. The opening meeting was well attended. An excellent view of the stage was to be had from every part ot the tent, owing to the gentle slope in the pitch The con- ductor-the Rev R. Williams—at once got to work, and soon the meeting" was speeding on merrily The president was Mr A. E. Evans, Bronwylfa, who stated that it would give him pleasure to offer a challenge cup to be competed for under the name of the President's Cup. This generous announcement was greet- ed with a round of hearty cheers. THE CHILDREN. The chief features of the morning meet- ing were the competitions arranged for the children. There was an excellent competition on the action song between tttree local school parties. A group of young children are supposed to be play- ing in the fields, when a wasp suddenly -makes its appearance. The music is wet, and admirably suited to the situa- tion. The prize was awarded to Mr Elias Jones' party from Rhos National School, wh i gave a very fine rendering both mus- ically and dramaticilly. Seven choirs sang in the children's choir competition. We were glad to see Cor Gob lith do so well. This is a young choir just entering the competition arena, and its conductor, Mr Ted Lewis, is to be congratulated on the careful way he had trained his choir. The first prize was won by Chirk, and the second place secured by Cor Gobaith. The other musical items in the morning meeting were the soprano, the boy's, and the pianoforte solo. A poor level of excellence was arrived at io the soprano solo but the winner of the piano contest came in for a fine tribute Av i,.r huLlbutt filitVIDiZ. AFTERNOON. There was a still larger attendanceat the afternoon meeting, which was presid- ed over by Mr Timothy Davies, M.P. The sun shone at times through the tent openings, imparting a warm glow, and bringing out the garden-like effect of the ladies hats. The conductor was the Rev Charles Jones, a popular favourite here, and a born eisteddfod conductor. In his address the chairman urged them to go on preserving not only the language, but the spirit of the Welsh nation. The solo items of the afternoon were the baritone, the contralto, the violin, and the girl's so- lo. The contralto solo was of a very high standard, the prize going to Mrs Lewis, Capel Curig, who sang with beautiful feeling and expression. MALE VOICE CONTEST. Six choirs turned up in the male voice competition, the test piece being Dr Par- ry's Pilgrim's Chorus." It was expect- ed that there would be a battle royal be- tween three of the choirs, and the expec- tancy and interest, were great. Rhos choir sang first and created a favourable im- I pression. Moelwyn came second, led by their white-haired conductor—the hero of a hundred fights. Then came Broughton, Vron, Maelcr, and Machynlleth. The in- terest was beginning to flag when Mach- ynlleth came up, but livened up under the spell of theirsinging. Mr Jacob Edwards sang the solo for Rhos, Mr Powell Ed- wards, for Vron, and Mr Arthur Davies, Cefn, for Machynlleth. Although all the singers gave a good account of them selves, it was felt that the Machynlleth soloist outshone them all. The prayer in the rendering of this choir wa" thrillingly and hauntingly sung. In delivering the adjudication, Mr David Evans said the performance of the winning choir (Mach- ynlleth) was above criticism. It stood alone, and was one of the finest specimens of male voice choral singing he had ever heard. Maelor (Cefn) wece placed second and Rhos third EVENING. The tent in the evening meeting, was packed to bulging point. Dr J. C. Davies presided, and in his address said that in Rhos, patriotism was now at high water level. He hoped that while being good sportsmen, the youth of Wales would de- vote time to the culture of the mind as well as the body. SECOND CHORAL. Three choirs sang in the second choral competition, Llanerch, Rhos, and Peny. cae. The test piece was Dyddia'r Haf (J. Price). The second party, under the conductorship of Mr W. A. Hughes gave a beautiful rendering, but were unfortun- ate enough to sharpen a full tone. The prize was awarded to Penycae choir. The blend and balance of the winning choir were good, and the singing thorough- ly enjoyable. THE CHAIRING. The winner "f the chair ode proved to be the Rev W. A. Richards, Trebanos, and in his absence Councillor Morgan was chaired. M r Powell Edwards sang the chairing song with much verve. He was accorded a splendid reception, and had to respond to an encore. In the other musi- cal items, Mr Jacob Edwards won the prize for penillion singing, and Mr Parry Davies, Brynteg, won the tenor solo com- petition. r CHIEF CHORAL. Two choirs only sang in the chief chor- al competition—Coedpoeth and Cefn. Talke choir had entered but they did not turn up. The test pieces were" Come again sweet loveg" (Dowland) and Wor- thy is the Lamb." The competition be. tween the choirs was felt to be very un- even, and was an easy victory for Cefn. Coedpoeth were not foemen worthy of their steel. Cefn were given a rousing reception at the conclusion of their per. formance. They sang the madrigal de- lightfully, reminding one of the old days when gallantry and courtesy were among the fine arts. The chorus was also a fine performance, and was sung with expres- sion tinged with a fine restraint. Cefn were, amid acclamations, awarded the prize. MR DAVID EVANS, MUS. BAC. Mr David Evans, the musical adjudicat- or gave every satisfaction. His style was clear and decisive, and he delivered his adjudications fresh from memory. Mr Evans is still a comparatively young man, and well-known as a composer, adjudica- tor and conductor. At different times he has been taken by people for Mr Lloyd George, Sir Herbert Roberts, M.P., and Dyfed, and has had trouble more than once in persuading admiring throngs that he was simply David Evans, Resolven. In his younger days he used to make cop- ious notes when called upon to adjudicate, but later he trained himself to express himself extempore in adjudicating. It saved time, and had more vitality, sparkle, and life in it. On being asked after the eisteddfod what he considered the most outstanding feature of the day, Mr Evans confessed that what impressed him most, a) was the singing of the prayer and solo by the soloist and choir of the Machyn- lleth party. Although a hardened adjudi- cator of over twenty years standmg, he felt deeply moved by the solo, and had to cover his eyes with his hands to hide his emotion. HARPIST. No eisteddfod is complete without a harpist. It is a link with the past, and helps to keep alive the age-encrusted and romantic associations which the trail ot years has left behind us. The hawk and the falcon have long ago gone the horn of mead and the flowing flagon have crumbled into dust; serenading with lute and lyre is nothing more than a memo y. But thanks to the Eisteddfod, we still have the harp, and far distant be the day when it will cease to conjure dreams and visions in the Celtic heart. Miss Bessie Jones, the hatpist on Monday, was a play- er of great skill, and helped largely to produce the proper atmosphere necessary to the success of an eisteddfod. RECEIPTS We believe that the receipts will cover all expenses and leave a handsome sur- plus. Over £ IOO was taken by the sale of tickets before the day, and over £ ioo was taken at the gates on Monday. This is cheery news, and speaks volumes for the completeness and thoroughness of the preparatory work. It is the hidden spade work that tells. ACCOMPANISTS While most eisteddfod committees have to send far afield for their accompanists, we here had to spend no anxious thought on that score. In Mr Caradog Roberts and Mr Emlyn Davies, we have not only safe and reliable accompanists, but finish- ed players of rare ability. ART Connected with the eisteddfod was an industrial exhibition which was opened on Saturday. Dr J. C. Davies, presided over the opening proceedings. He said that whilst the muses were not put aside, he was glad to see that the art section was having more attention. He then in- troduced the Mayoress of Wrexham, who formerly declared the exhibition open. THE OFFICIALS. The splendid success of the Eisteddfod is due to a very large extent to the admir- able way in which the officials-one and all-worked. The secretaries, Messrs Jos Davies and J T Edwards were untiring in their efforts, and they were ably support- ed by Mr Samuel Jones, (treasurer) Mr C Morgan (chairman of committee) and others. A word of praise is due to the two stage managers, Messrs Dan Roberts and Powell Edwards, for their business-like manner of marshalling the choirs to and from the stage.

AT THE EISTEDDFOD. SOME IMPRESSIONS AND REFLEC- TIONS. It was better than the National no matter what anyone says." To Rhos peo pie it is quite unnecessary to point out that this enthusiastic allusion related to their own Eisteddfod. And it was true. On the principle that There's no place like home it may properly be claimed that no Eisteddfod wherever it may be held can be duite so good as that in one's own town, where everybody knows one another —their faults and virtues, their weakness- es, and merits. It is this personal rela- tionship-this knowledge ot the competit- ors and choirs, and the hopes and desires and speculations as to whether so and so will be "on the stage or such and such a party will fall or survive-that makes a good local Eisteddfod much more incerest- ing than any other. And Rhos Eisteddfod was a capital Eisteddfod (writes Obser- ver.") It had the right atmosphere. The sentiment was genuinely Welsh the lan- guage was the language of Gwalia, not as sometimes happens, jacase of half and half" because certain towns are too big or ignorant to feel proud of the beautiful mother-tongue—the excitement and en- thusiasm were typical of the Cymry. Of course one formed impressions of this annual Gala Day. Everywere there was boisterousness and good humour like the full enjoyment of a holiday by tired workers. The crowd was thoroughly Welsh, which means that it was not near- ly so playful as say an English football or racing crowd. The light-hearted gaiety of the sporting English people is notorious. A Welsh crowd is cast in a more serious mould. But its pleasures are possibly deeper because they are associated with more endearing enjoyments. One felt that the Democrat was the ruling power on Monday. He itwas who mada the Eisteddfod pay. Had it not been for the white money of the hon- est black-stained collier the Eisteddfod must have been a great failure. But love of music, art, and culture which are the Welshman's heritage, enjoyed by rich and poor alike, drew him to the competitive arena and all went merrily as marriage bells. I have been to many Eisteddfodau in Wales and England too. But seldom if ever was I so favourably impressed with musical competitions such as those on Mon- day at Rhos. Who selected them IAtJ, not know, but one thing I am certain of, that I taken as a whole they were really delight- j ful, notably the exquisite old-time Madri- gal Come again Sweet Love which the, Adjudicator so deservedly praised. The r^ were naturally some disappointment. The soprano solo was not altogether sat- isfying even when one says that the young singers did their best. The tenor solo, choice as the music was, seemed to be a silent competition, for the singers might I have been heard in a drawing room. In a laree mnrquee they were almost dumb. Pride of place in the choral competitions was given to the Male Voice parties. And here I was convinced that The Pil- grims' Chorus "does more than almost any other Welsh Male voice composition to upset fine baritone soloists. The ma- jority of these floundered hopelessly. It is satisfactory to know however that it is a general complaint. It is perhaps a poser to ask whether the choirs upset the soloists or vice versa. On that point I prefer to keep my own counsel. I Returning to the solos I was more pleased with the contralto competition I than any. It was rich music surtg with admirable taste and feeling. I can recali few such treats. The chairing of the bard always an interesting ceremony becomes almost grotesque when representatives and not the successful bard are honoured and most people must have laughed help- lessly at the blissful content of Mr Coun- cillor Morgan in the curiously false posi- tion in which he found himself. And what of the Eisteddfod itself? Has it fulfilled its real aim ? This is after all the main question, the competitions were excellent; the training was profit able and the honours were deservedly won. But has it produced true manliness —that manliness which makes it a plea- sure for the vanquished to congratulate the victor. Has it taught men and wo- men to bear defeat nobly and to be modest and strong in the hour of triumph ? In short, has it created the splendid chivalry which prompted Mr Cadwaladr Roberts, the conductor of Moelwyn's famous choir to mount the Eisteddfod platform and cordially congratulate the leader of a choir that had beaten his own ? That is the Eisteddfodic spirit. Alas, how few Welsh people are really imbued with it How often do petty jealousies and dis- putes beat down generous impulses and tempt "foreigners" to sneer at the Eis- teddfod and say nasty things about the devil having a big hand in its direction. OBSERVER.

The Denbighshire Territorial^ We are informed that the ceremony the reception of the colours recently preM se ited to the 4th R W F.. will take place, in Wrexham on Saturday, August 7th, tb^ day on which the Battalion returns fro" its annual training at Abergavenny. DC* tailed arrangements fbr the function which is to be of a public character, Wili be announced later, but meinwhile we af^ able to say that on arrival in Wrexhafl$s the Battallion of upwards of 9°0 men wil" march to the Drill Hall, and after luncv there will proceed to the Racecourse,. where the ceremony will be carried out.

I The London and: Midland Bailie The Directors ot The London and Mid^" land Bink Limited report that the Profit for the half-year ending 30th June last ilJ eluding the balance brought forward amount to ^540.833, and announce atf Interim Dividend at the rate of 18 pel, cent free of income-tax, amounting tO 1£341,912, payable oh 31st July ne"tl/ transferring £ 20.000 to Bank Premise Redemption Fund, ^5.000 to Officer^' Pension Fund, and carrying £' 174 014* next account. The Dividend for the ccr responding, period last year was at the same rate voil ^20,000 appropriated to Bank Premise Redemption Fund, £$,ooo to OfS(de^ Pension Fund and £ 173,505 carried W ward.

RHOS. FRESH BUTTER Splendid quality, di- rect from the farms. From iod per lb. JOHN WILLIAMS, Bank Stores, High st, 'I Rhos. Advt. TEST SHOOTING.—On Monday morning last at 6. a.m. a strong muster of the 'G's R.W.F. assembled at the Hall. From there they journeyed down by special cars to Fairy Road, Wrexham, and marched to the Erddig Range. The Company were under the command of Captain J C Davies and Instructor Morris. FOR AMERICA.—On Saturday last Miss Eliz. Jane Pritchard, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Wm Pritchard, Pant Hill Rhos, and Mr R D Williams, Queen st, Rhos sailed from Liverpool on the Mau- retania," en route for America. Miss E Pritchard stays at New York and Mr R Williams goes to Pittsburg Pennsylvania DARING ROBBERY.—Early on Tuesday morning it was found that the snop of Mr Noah Haynes, fruiterer and bootseller, of High street, had been broken into and the place ransacked. When Mr Haynes open- ed the shop on Tuesday morning, he found that a pane of glass in the back had been broken, and that the locks en all the in- side doors had been forced open, Articles of clothing and fruit spanngs were strewn all over the place. Drawers were left open with the contents left in a dismantled heap. The bootshop which is reached from the kitchen had also been entered and several pairs of best boots stolen. The street door of this room was left open by the marauders. Upstairs the same disorder was to be seen, drawers having been opened and ransacked. The shop is a lock up one RHOS NEWS NOTES. The first week's working of the Miners Eight Hours Act has passed off satisfactorily in this district. The strange airship seen by several Rhositas some weeks ago was after all no myth. Tha flight was made by Dr Boyd, who confesses having made a flight over Wales. He has spent 220,000 experimenting on airships. Rhos Silver Band played at a garden party given by Mrs Barnes, Quinta, on Wednesday last. The Rev R. Jones, Capel Mawr, tendered his resignation as pastor on Sunday evening, which position he has held for twenty years. Sunday School class outings have commenced On Wednesday several parties spent an enjoy- I able day at Bwlchgwyn, Chester, and Erbistock The Salvation Army held their Sunday I School anniversary on Sunday and Tuesday. On Wednesday Chester Bowling Club were! entertained by the Rhos Bowling Club. The result was Single :—Chester, 168; Rhos, 215. Doubles, Chestor, 79,; Rhos, 68. Rhos Cricket Club visited Buckley on Satur. day. Buckley scored 122 for 8 wickets, and and Rhos 78 for 3 Wickets. The top scorer for Rhos was R,Pavies who scored 37 not out. j

Adjudication of Rhos Silver Band at Llangollen. At the recent Band Contest held at Llangollen, where the Rhos Band carried' the first prizes in the H March" and Selection Mr J G Dobbing, Birkenhead' adjudicator said No 3 (Rhos C. Bennett). -Allegro-A, very good opening accent marks good f from bar 5 very good balance and blend nice indeed basses good at bar 17 and onward inner part a little uniuneful at; letter A good attack, and capital body tone. Allegro ben marcato—Good indeed a fine vocal style nice broad playing f you have the right spirit of thus chorus letter B capital pause held firmly anS strong everything goingweil light shade introduced with good effect, giving' nice variety of tone at letter C well to," gether presto on the slow tide, otherwise good playing horn good at bars 58 and, 59 largo excellent. Andante cntabjle- Accompaniments nice and tuneful cornet very fine indeed phrasing a feature so.. prano also plays well band builds, uV" well at the f. bars 15 16 very good let- ter E excellently done a very fine cornet, Allegro-Capital attack good playing # cres well worked out; rit. well made cadenza excellent band again play$ tempo well soprano trill very good y close capital. Moderato—AccompaflK ments very good euphonium doing full justice to the solo soprano parts we1f: given (sounds very like a cornet) from* bones balance well repiano good iø fact, everyone is good measuring tb# notes to a nicety, and the ebb and flow which is introduced makes it a pleasure to listen to cadenza very good. M odera-7 to-Accompatiimet)ts again good 80* prano and repiano also trombone a good player baritone good at bars 13 14 & chords rather snappy close well done, Con spirito-Good attack, but tempo ir slow, although you play well at letter J soprano and horn very good euphoninfU also good in his bits; band all roun& doing well at letter J. basses are inclined to boisterousness, otherwise very compact icornet tongue well. Molto allegro-A" A capital finish—Brass Band News.

A former pupil at Ruabon School, Mr Nigel Parry, son of the fi^a^ master of Acrefair Council School, ha^ been appointed assistant master at Risil bon at a salary of 4-ibo per an.