The Rhos Herald

NEWS AND JOTTTNGS. ANOTHER CLEAN SHEET. For the second time in two months net a single Rhos case was down for hearing at the Ruabon Police Court on Friday. This is more than satisfactory when it is considered that for the last month we have had a more or less election atmos- phere. The people of Rhos are inclined to get warm and enthusiastic at election times, and in the past the 44 flowing bowl" has played its part in swelling the list at Ruabon Court. But notwithstanding the eJection and the accompanying elation of sa large majority, the charge sheet at Rua- • boe has not been stained by a single case. tW è hope this decrease in the crime of drunkenness will continue to mark the life of the district. FREE LECTURES. The agricultural lectures given in the Rhos Council Schools are not attracting ;very large audiences. The more excitable election meetings may have affected the attendance, but now that the election is iover, the lectures may attract a larger number. The lectures are free and are given by the lecturer of the North Wales 1 University Extension Fund. It is rather a pity that the subject matter of the lec- tures do not appeal to the average Rhos- ite. Agriculture is hardly the all-absorb- ing subject in a thickly-populated mining town. Now if the extension lectures had to do with the subject of mining—an industry by which the majority of Rhos people earn their livings, the lectures would certainly have been more largely attended. THE COMING ELECTIONS. The County Council, District Council, and Par'sh Council elections are to take place in March. There is every liktihood of a sharp contest for seats in the new Parish Council. Rumour has it that the .prospective candidates for Parish Council honours are strongly in favour of Urban Pbwers, and that if they succeed in win- ning their way into the sacred Council chamber, they will make a strong effort to revive the question. The present Coun- cil is about equally divided on the question so that while some members seek to intro- duce the subject whenever occasion affords the opposition receive the hints in chilling sitence. URBAN POWERS. During the summer months, when, the streets are dvy and passable, people for- get al I about Urban Powers but when winter, with its trail of mud and misery comes, the question raises its head again. Somehow the mud suggests rates rates suggest the Parish Council the Parish Council suggests improvements and im- provements iead us to think of Urban Powers. Tli:,1 present Council, which has been in office for three years, has made more than one effort to 44 take steps in the matter of obtaining Urban Powers but all the steps taken have been the steps soldiers take when they mark time-no progress is made. These last few weeks the demand notes for th& hnlf year's rates are staring people in the face. And well may one stare at the special sanitary rate of is 8d in the ;C,. A special sanitary rate levied on the i!ii-r-cihitant,,i the streets quag7lires of mud seems ridiculous. Yet there it is. And there it is likely to remain for years to come un- less the new Council 44 take steps/' THE HEAD AND THE WALL. It is said there is to be a contest for rep- resentation on the District Council in one of the wards of this district. Rhos re- presentation on that body however is hard- ly of any use. The claims of Rhos are habitually ignored, and the remonstranc- es of Rhos representatives are pooh-pooh- ed. This has gone on for years row, and ,our representatives are pretty sick of the whole business. It is all very fine to urge the old maxim" try, try, try again," .ar.d to point out the moral of Bruce and the spider, but when one is steadily out- voted by ten to one, its gets rather mon- otonous. No. There is no hope at all for Rhos in the District Council. And no one knows this better thah the Rhos members of that Counbil. A BOON AND A BLESSING. .t t t ¿'8.. runner developments are torthcoming 4of the League of Young Liberals. A movement is on foot to arrange for the openiag of two rooms, one to be a billiard room, and the other to be a debating room. The necessary initial capital re- quired for the renting of the rooms and I' the purchase of a billiard table, is being subscribed in a number of ten shilling shares. The rooms will be open nightly excepting- of course Sundays. In addi- tion to the debating and recreation room there will also be a reading department, where daily and weekly journals will be placed at the disposal of the members. The movement is in the hands of a strong committee, and there is every prospect of the venture turning out a success. It has long been felt that a club of this descrip- tion would be a boon to the young people of the neighborhood, and it is to be hoped thai the new club will be run on Hnes that will appeal to the majority of the enrolled members. While instruction and mental! improvement should enter into the object of the Society, it should be remembered that its first and foremost aim should be relaxation and recreation.

RHOS. INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.—This annual event in the history of the Wrexham Free Church Council Schools will be held in the Victoria Hall, on the evenings of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday next week. We are glad to learn that in ipite of the excitement and distractions of the past weeVs there are large entries for al- most all the competitions, and the inter- est promises to be as keen as ever. The Committee have been fortunate in secur- ing the services, as musical adjudicator, of Mr John Williams, Carnarvon. MEASLES.—Owing to the prevalence of measles among the scholars, it was found necessary on Monday last to close the Infants' Council School for a month. The lower standards in the Junior Council School have also been granted a holiday for a like period. SNOW STORM.—The downfall of snow here early on Friday morping was very heavy, the snow in some parts being a i considerable depth. Vehicular traffic was rendered difficult owing to the slippery nature of the roads, but no accidents of a serious character are reported ENTERPRISE. — In our advertisement columns this week we announce the un- ique offer of Mr John Price, Bristol House who will give a ticket of admittance to the forthcoming performance of" Sam- son at Bethlehem chapel, on the 16 inst to all purchasers of a pair of boots. This is something new in bargains, and all who wish to take advantage of it, should read the terms of Mr Price's offer as set forth in his advertisement. RHYS LEwis.-We beg to remind our readers of the performance of Danl Owen's Welsh drama", Rhys Lewis," which is to take place at the Public Hall, on Wed- nesday evening next. The performers are all Welsh, and all the prominent char- acters are represented with much dram- atic ability. To those who wish to enjoy a perfect evening's entertainment we heartily commend them to attend the Public Hall, on Wednesday evening next.

RHOS MINER'S DEATH. THE INQUEST. Mr Coroner Kenrick held an inquest at Penuel Chapel, Rhos, on Monday, on the body of John Thomas (65), a c Mlier, em- ployed at the Vauxhall Collier j., who liv- ed in High-street, Rhos. It appeared that Thomas met with an accident at the colliery on Dec 28th, He did not return to work, and death took place on Wed- nesday, January 26th. The Rev Evan Williams was foreman of the jury. Mr George Saint of Vauxhall Colliery was al- so present. Edward Thomas, a brother, identified the body, and said his brother had always had good health. On Dec 29th he com- plained of having received a blow on the back at the colliery, which affected his legs. He said he was puliing the roof down, and whilst stooping a stone fell on his back. Llewelyn Williams, Hall-street, Rhos, a road repairer at the colliery, said he was working on the old Quaker seam with Thomas at the time of the accident. Thomas said the stone had hurt him very badly. Thomas sat down for the rest of the 44 shift and walked from his working place to the 44 eye of the pit with the aid of a stick. Witness walked with Thom. as as far as the Moreton Inn. Thomas then asked him to walk on, and said he would follow at a slower rate. He saw Thomas a fortnight afterwards, and he then said he was better. Dr J. C. Davies, Rhos, said Thomas came to see him on the day after the acci- dent. He examined his back but found no traces of injury Thomas complained of great pain in the back, and said he had great difficulty in stooping. He gave him the usual remedies, and saw him re- peatedly. The last time Thomas came to see him was on Jahuary 22nd, when he said he felt better, and asked whether he could resume work. He advised him to wait a few days. On Sunday January 23rd, he was asked to call at Thomas's house, but owing to another professional engagement he did not see him that day. He called next day and was told that a colleague of his had been called in on the previous day. He did not see him alive again. He was present at a post-mortem examination on the body on Saturday. Dr E. D. Evans, who made the examina- tion, Dr Moss, Dr Hiislop, and Dr D. J. Williams were also present. In his opin- ion death was due to acute inflammation of the bowels. Coroner Do you consider that death was accelerated by the accident ? Dr Davies Not in any way. Coroner Do you consider the accident was the exciting cause of the inflamma- tion ? Dr Dr Davies Ni)t in any way. Dr D. J. Williams, who was called in to see Thomas, on January 23rd, said he found that Thomas was suffering from partial paralysis of the right leg and par- alysis of the bladder. On Jan 25 he ex- amined the lower part of the spine, and found on pressure that Thomas complain- ed of great pain there. In his opinion death was due to acute peritonitis, pro- duced by a severe blow at the lower part of the spine. The spinal cord was dam- aged. Dr E. D. Evans, Wrexham, gave the result of a post-mortem examination of the body. He found no sign of external injury. The examiuation of the intestines disclosed signs of severe peritonitis. The intestines generally were greatly distend- ed with very thin walls which tore easily. The whole intestinal tract showed a con- dition of general peritonitis, and death was due to acute peritonitis set up by the distended condition of the bowels, the re- sult of stricture of the rectum. Asked if the accident accelerated death, witness said that if the accident of December 28th had anything to do with the man's death it would do so indirectly by lowering his resisting ppwer, and not by directly affect- ing the disease he was suffering from, which had evidently existed for some time prior to the accident. He did not think the partial paralysis of the leg was due to the accident. It was due to the absorp- tion into the system of the products of the acute Inflammation of the bowels. The Coroner, in summing up, said the medical men agreed as to what they dis- covered, but drew totally different con- clusions as to the cause of death. The jury, after deliberating in private for some time, pronounced the verdict, that Thomas died from acute peritonitis. They were of opinion that the evidence was of a-too conflicting nature to warrant them to say that the accident did or did not accelerate his death.

Denbighshire Education w- Mr W. G. Dodd presided last Friday at a meeting of the Denbighshire Educa- tion Committee. MEDICAL INSPECTION OF CHILDREN. The Committee arranged for the medic. al inspection of the school children in the county on a uniform basis by the local medical officers of health, under the super- vision of Dr Llewelyn Williams, Wrex- ham. RECORD ATTENDANCE. Statistics of attendance submitted by Mr J. Stephen Jones, showed that the

IW FREE TICKETS FREE TICKETS -"f, Special Offer for a week oniy, FREE CONCERT TICKETS GIVEN AWAY. To every customer that purchases 10s WORTH OF BOOTS FOR CASH we will present A FREE Is TICKET entitling you to spend an enjoyable evening i at the Fifth Annual Concert of the Bethlehem Choral Society on Wednesday Evening, February 16th, when Handel's Samson will be performed. Don't miss this chance This offer holds good from Feb. 5th until the 12th. JNO. PRISE, KPS&flgS:

The late Mr Robert Daniel, IN MEMORIAM SKETCH. In the death of Mr Robert Daniel this district losta very prominent personality, both Socially and religiously. Though he belonged to the parish of Esclusham Be- low and most of his work as citizen was performed in that parish, he was well known in the Rhos district, & also took a lively interest in what was going on here Mr Daniel was a true Welshman who had spent his life from his youth among English-speaking people, transacted most of his business in English and attended an English place of worship, but kept his Welsh characteristic intact to the last. He was Welsh in everything except often in language. With his Welsh friends he frequently conversed in that tongue and his intonation was such that one might easily come to the conclusion that he could spea* no other language. He pos- sessessed also a warm Welsh nature. He came to Rhostyllen about 45 years ago from the Vale at Clwyd. He fertned Bryn-yr-owen with great care and skill. He held several public offices, such as As- sistant Overseer of the Parish, Clerk to the Parish Council, Secretary of the local Education Authority. Though not a great scholar he performed all his duties with methodtand efficiency. He was a man of penetration and grip and he had a wonderful capacity for work. In his religious life I mostly came in contact with him. His religious character was a rare combination of the emotional and the practical. He was full of relig- ious fervour. His religion was a joy to him. The Bread of Life was to his taste It is true that he had his favourites among the preachers, but he gave a sympathetic hearing to all. It was touchingly said at I his funeral that the preachers had lost a real friend. He attended faithfully the Prayer and Church meetings and took part in them with warmth and wisdom. He was also a practical man. He carried his religion into the affairs of life. He also took a prominent part in Church affairs both at home and in the Presbytery The finances and the different institutions of the Church were always safe in his hands. He was a fines specimen of a Cal- vinistic Methodist deacon. A few years ago he was elected moderator of the Lan- I cashire &c Presbytery and he conducted the business of the Presbytery with court- esy and dignity, but he ruled by love more than by authority. He was very practical and wise in his decisions. His love tor the Church at Tabernacle, Rhostyllen was of the finest order. One might imagine that he considered hi3 home-church and minister the very best in Christendom. To him undoubtedly it was so, because in it he was. deriving his greatest spiritual pleasure. This was a noble trait in his character. In life he en- dured many afflictions. It was a great trial to him to lose his only son the late R 0 Daniel in the flower of his youth but the sorrow was made to him a means of grace in the consolation which he derived through the full realization of the verities of life beyond. Now he has gone to enjoy in a new sense the higher life. R.W.R.

London City & Midland Bank Ltd- The annual general meeting of shareholders of the London City and Midland Bank, Ltd., was hoW at the Cannon Street Hotel, London; E.C., ov Friday. Sir Edward Holden, Bart. (chairman), presided, and in moving the adoption of the report;, eald that the past year appeared to have placed the world on the threshold of a new prosperity, JOJT the outlook for 1910 was much more claeerful tlaaa at the beginning of last year. He reviewed tbo trade of the country, commented on the impart#' and exports, and compared them with the tfado iff various parts of the world. He pointed out that the prosperity of nearly the whole world centred the prosperity of the United States, and after aD analysis of the position in that country, he mid it' would not be unreasonable to suppose that AmeneHf would require consideiable accommodation daring the present year. Those interested in Amoricw investments should be exceedingly wary as there,, were at the present time many millions of atw digested securities in the shape ot ineremooti capitalisation of their large railroads and of SOW debentures only partially issued to refund m&turjBg obligations. Referring to the finance ofoor ow,u' country, the Chairman remarked that ther Now-, question during the past year had been ever Offtbl us—chambers of commerce had been somewilAt restless at the influence which gold had on tbo," trade and commerce of the country: they com., plained of the number of changes which occurred* in the Bank of England rate they said fcfaat numerous changes were injurious to traders, instead of having 21 per cent, at one period and S* 4 per cent at another, they preferred a more uoiforW rate throughout. They also alleged that if a larger amount of gold could be kept permanently in $WO country, tnese numerous fluctuations would J00# take place. Their criticisms fail both on the Bwk of Englaud and on the Joint Stock Banks, liho Committee of the London Chamber of Comixwrop had passed resolutions tot the. effect that the Banff of England uote^ issued agaiuac the Government' debt and securities formed aw undue proportion of' the whole iasue, and should be reduced. This woul44 have the effoct of permaneutly increasing tttiwl amount of gold in the issue department of the" Bank of England, so that in case of difficaltiesi we" should be in a stronger position far the ifteswi «riT>- additional notes, but it would not have the d- of maintaining the reserve of the Bank of England-' at such higher level as would prevent the ducton, tions complained of. Further, they suggested thai- the Joint Stook Banks should hold more gold, and1 iu order to accomplish this, they recommended that' in the publication of balanoo sheets, the gold1 should be st ited in a separate item. This would also strengthen the position in case of difficult] 1" but it would not have the eflwct of reducing the number of fluctuations in the bank rate. Tibtr' changes in the ban* rate from 19o2 to 1905, that was in four years, were ten in nnmber. From 1900" to 1909, the last lour years, they were twetity-four, The amount of gold with which we began the yottr" 1902 was £ 32% millions, and we finished the year 19U9 with about the same amount. It 'wool#' appear from this impossible to increase our holding of gold under the present system so as to reducer the number of fluctuations. It was now a well* known fact that banker* held (sovereigns as a part of their reserves. These sovereigns were a dead weight on tha bankers, and played no part in pre. venting the fluctuation of the bank rate. ThaC bankers should hold bar gold in the place of sovereigns was an experiment worthy of trial. If5, when the Bank of Engl nd had obtained as much of the South African gold as it required, the Joint" Stock Banks gradually bought up the surplus, they would prevent the rate falling so rapidly if, on other hand, when the external autumnal drain get, in, they would allow that drain to iall on their bar gold and thus relieve the pressure on the bank 01 England they would prevent the rate rising w" rapidily. Thus, he thought they would have Br more uniform bank rate. The Chairman then, alludea to the amalgamation of the Bradford Bank. i ing Company with the London City and Midlhnd Bank'and to the success of the issuto of the liussiso railway loan. Finally, he made a running com- mentary on the leading figures of the accounts, pointing out that for the fir, t time they included; the word hullion" as a part of their description* of their cash balance. The shareholders would agree that they had again maintained the bank in a position of great strength, although it had beexr done at a considerable sacrifice of profit, but the directors placed strength before profit (Applause.?' The Deputy. Chairman, Mr. William Graham Bradshaw, seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A dividend of 18 per cent. for the year "Rtf" unanimously confirmed, the retiring directors were, re-elected, and the auditors were re-appointed. Mr William Graham Bradshaw reviewed the history of the bank from the period when it was a small provincial concern until it had become, as hcr said, oue of the gr atest financial institutions in the world. He pointed out, amid the applause of the? shareholders, that Sir Edward Holden had been the architect and the builder of the bank, and he pro- posed that Sir Edward's portrait be painted in oil# and presented to him, and that a replica of the portrait be hung in the Boardroom. Sir G. F. Faudel-Phillips, Bart. (a director) allt}- several shareholders warmly endorsed the euology of Sir Edward Holden by the Deputy.Chairman, and the proposal was carried with acckm .t iuti. The Chairman, in a brief speech, expressed his hearty appreciation of the kindness of the share. iol(lei-,i, obsei,viig that be would continue to give his best energies and services to the institution. A summary of ihe accounts of the bank appea in our advertising columns.

Hoax at Hafod Brickyard. LaSt week an amusing incident happen- ed at the Hafod Brickyard. Jtilleems that a man was employed in cleaning out a large boiler which was full of water. Whilst busy at his task be was horror- stricken to find a man's body in the boiler. In alarm he rushed forth in search of aid, and in a very short time he had arout»ed the whole works with the tale of his grue- some discovery. At the head of a small army of helpers, he led the way to the spot where it was supposed a human life had ended its existence—where one more unfortunate went to his fate. One man, more hardy than the others,, bravely vol- unteered to dive into the boiler to bring up "the corpse." With a rope around his waist, the man plunged into the water, and brought up the body. To the surprise of the onlookers it was found that 44 the corpse was an old coat wrap- ped around some sacking, and it after- wards transpired that some boys had placed it in the boiler to play a hoax. At a later meeting of workmen the discovery of the 44 body was presented with a tele- scope, and the rescuer was presented with a volume of4' Brave Deeds." J

number in average attendance at the schools of the county in Dec was 20,724, or 200 more than the previous highest average attendance in 1906. PENDING APPOINTMENTS. The Staff and Supply Committee through Mr J. Wilcoxon reported that 29 applications had been received for the post of headmaster of the Ruthin Council School, and that Mr J W Davies, B.A., Wrexham, Mr J W Jones, Pentrecelyn, and Mr A. H. Rowlands, Coedpoeth, had been selected to appear before the Educa- tion Committee at the next meeting. For the headmastership of the New Broughton Council School 39 applications were re- ceived, and the following applicants were invited to attend at the next meeting Mr J W Davies, B.A., Mr H. W. Jones, Rhostyllen, Mr W E Jones, Rhos, and Mr A Roberts, Manchester.