The Rhos Herald

NOTES AND JOTTTNGS. 2s Rhos a Village ? It has been suggested in the District Council that the roadmen should concen- trate more attention on the village roads after bad weather. If the streets of Rhos come under the title of U village streets there may be hopes of getting rid of the,; mud before Spring. It is feared, however that it the District Council devote the at- tention to Rhos streets they deserve, there would be very few men or mud carts left for other village streets. The Stafading Orders of the District Council states that the roadmen should pay special attention to village streets after bad weather. There are, however, hard- ly enough roadmen to go round the whole of the village streets under the charge of the Council. After a single day of bad weather, the streets of Rhos are rolling in mud. The District Council 4cannot possibly devote the proper amount of attention to them after each downpour of rain. The fact is becoming every year more apd more apparent that a large and populous place like Rhos cannot be pro- perly or efficiently attended to by an out- side Council. i A "Cselsss Commit-.Go. Mr Ted Jones and Mr C. Morgan, who are both members of the Ruabon Educa- tion Committee stated on Monday even- ing, that the Committee was more or less a farce. A number of men met together who had absolutely no work to do. They were like children. They toyed with trifBing matters month after month with- out accomplishing anything. They could not appoint a teacher—not even an Article 58-and had to refer any work of improvement that cost more than £ 10, to the County Authority. Mr Jones plead- ed for the delegation of more power from the County Council to the local Commit- tee, and hinted that if more work was not soon forthcoming, the local Commit- tee would succumb through lassitude. Ztocol Affairs of the future. Of all the netwot k of local authorites of various grades and differing powers, the Ir4ri>h Council is the most limited and confined. Why, rural parishes of 400 in- habitants are entitled to elect their own Parish Councils. It is the very first rung in the ladder of self-government. Con- trast this with the fact that we in Rhos, with a population of nearly 12 000, have for fifteen years,"been content to remain on the lowest rung of the ltdder. Dur- ing the last fifteen years we have out- grown our tiny model of local govern- ment, and stand in need of a more influ- ential body. All our thinking is done for us at Wrenh-UTS. AT outside body con- trols us hand and toot. We nve only two public appointments in our own hine,s-the assi-t^nt overseer and the parish lamplighter. All other appoint- ments are decided away. Now we are on the verge of another Parish Council elec- tion, and for another three years at least we shall be chained to the lowest rung. Fortunately, however, there are signs of discontent. The high rates have made peopie take a keener interest in local affairs, and there are indications that the policy of "taking things lying down" will no longer be stood. One hopeful sign was the joint meeting of the repres- entatives of the Young Liberal League, the Parish Council, and the Liberal As- sociation, which was held a short time ago. At this meeting it was unanimous- ly agreed that the rates for the present year were staggeringly high. It was thought also that the accompanying bene- fits were altogether inadequate. In the I course of the discussion the question of Urban Powers came forward The feel- ing of the meeting on this point was that before taking any steps in the matter it would be desirable to get as many streets as possible put in a proper state of repair by the District Council and that it would be of immense va'ue if by any means the boundary of the parish could be in- creased, in order that a higher rateable value might be included in the parish. All along, the great stumbling block in the Urban Power question has been the small rateable va'ue of Rhos %n the one hand, aad a large and growing popula- tion on the other. A large population with a small rateable value is a most un- enviable place from a ratepayer's point of view whilst a small place with a large rateable value is a small paradise. Hence the difference between the lot of the rate- payer in Rhos and the same gentleman in Ruabon. Now if Ruabon and Rhos parishes were fused into one and govern- ed by an Urban Council-but what a dream

RHOS LIBERAL ASSOCIATION. Adoption of Candidates for the Forthcoming Elections. Mr Kyffin's ^Announcement. A meeting of the Rhos Liberal Associa- tion was held in the Public Hall, on Wed- nesday night, Mr W. M. Jones, presiding. There was a good attendance. C=k The Chairman explained that the bus- iness of the meeting was to endorse the selection of candidates for the County Council, District Council, and Parish Council elections, made by the Ward meetings of Rhos, Ponkey, and Pant, on Monday evening. COUNTY COUNCIL. I Mr Joseph Griffiths proposed the re-el- ection of Dr J. C. Davies, Plas-yn-Rhos, and Mr J. Stephen Jones, Ponkey, the old members, and the chosen candidates of the Ward meetings. Mr Richard Jones seconded, Mr C. Morgan supported, and both gentlemen were unanimously adopted. Mr J. Stephen Jones, who was present, returned thanks for his adoption. Re- ferring to the work of the County County, he said he felt that the representation on the Council was far from being even. Ponkey, with its voters numbering over 1,000 ought surely to have its own mem- ber. There were also sufficient voters in Pant, Rhos, and Penycae wards to war- rant their own respective members, He was also in favour of the delegation of more power to local authorities The Chairman said that a joint deputa- tion of Rhos and Penycae wards had seen Dr J. C. Davies respecting his ability to attend the meetings of the County Coun- cil regularly, and the doctor had promised to attend the most important meetings. DISTRICT COUNCIL. Before proceeding to read the names of the candidates selected by the Ward meetings for the District Council, the Chairman read a note which stated that Mr Kyffin wished to make it known that he intended coming out. He considered the action of the Pant ward meeting as a vote of censure upon himself. He had not received notice of the ward meeting, or he would have sent a written declara- tion of his willingness to again stand. He had been absent from home since Monday. Mr S. Rowley, (secretary) said he had personally delivered the notice of meeting 1 at Mr Kyiffn's house. M r C. Morgan said he was sure the feeling of the Pant ward meeting was far from passing a vote of censure upon Mr Kyffin. It was thought at the meeting that Johnstown ought to be represented on the District Council, and that fact had led them to chose Mr Jones as a candid- ate. 1 Mr Wm Hughes, Pentredwr, proposed! that a small deputation should be elected to see Mr Kyffin, and to explain to him the reasoh why a candidate from Johns- town had been chosen and that it was not intended as a slight or censure upon him. Mr Ken Wynn said he thought they had a right to adopt their own course. It was Mr Kyffin's place to keep in touch with the Association The time had come when they should have a change. From his point of view, Mr Kyffin did not represent the feeling of the constituency by a long. way He had forfeited the right to represent them on the District Council. Mr Tysilio Jones seconded the motion of Mr Wm. Hughes that a deputation should see Mr Kyffin to explain, and also to express their thanks to him for his past services. This was carried, and a deputation appointed. The Chairman then read the selections of the ward meetings as follows:- I PONKEY WARD I Mr David Davies, Glasgow House. Mr jpseph Griffiths, Chapel-street. I Both were passed unanimously. RHOS WARD Mr J. Tysilio Jones, Johnstown, Mr Jones was unanimously adopted. Mr Tysilio Jones in thanking the meet- ing for the confidence imposed in him, said he looked upon the representation on the District Council as most important. There were serious matters demanding their attention, and it was high time they looked into them. One matter was whether Rhos was not paying more than its share in rates. He thought it very undesirable from the ratepayers point of view that valuable rateable property, such as Hafod, Vauxhall, and Bersham callier- ies, and various brickworks were outside the Rhos area., The rates for those places were placed to the credit of outside districts, although the majority of the men employed there lived in Rhos dis- trict. Then again the shortage of land was a disadvantage. Houses, of course were rated, but land was not. These two facts made Rhos of less value. No one would speculate in Rhos when the place was so disadvantageously placed, and so overburdened with rates. He again thanked them for their trust, PARISH COUNCIL. PONKEY WARD (6 Members). The following names wei e chosen by the Ponkey ward, meeting to represent Ponkey on the Parish Council. Mr David Davies, Glasgow House. Mr Ken Wynne, Broad Sir -d. Mr Joseph Griffiths, Chapel-street. Mr Richard Jones, Beach Auenue. Mr Watkin Jones, Johnson-street. Mr W. M. Jones, School House. The above were unanimously adopted. PANT WARD (4 Members). The names mentioned for Pant ward were :— Mr C. Morgan, Johnstown. I Mr Joseph Charles, Wern. Mr Ted Jones, Osborne-street. Mr Joseph Price, Pant Hill. They were adopted unanimously. RHOS WARD (5 Members) The names selected by the Rhos ward meeting for approval Mr Samuel Roberts, Hope-street. Mr Wm Hughes, Pentredwr. Mr D. L. Price, Lyndhurst. Mr Wm Garner, Hall-street. Mr Llewelyn Davies, School-street. The above were unanimously adopted. MR HEMMERDE. It was decided to ask Mr Hemmerde to visit them and form a demonstration at a time most convenient to himself.

NORTH WALES MINERS. 1 ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the North Wales Miners' Association was held at Wrexham, on Tuesday. Mr Thomas Hughes, Wynnstay Colliery, was elected chairman Mr Edward Hughes, Hafod Colliery, vice chairman; Mr J Lloyd, Gatewen Colliery, general treasurer and Alderman Edward Hughes, Wrexham, financial secretary and agent. The agent, in his annual report, said there were 13,375 members on the books at the end of 1909, compared with 13,185 at the end of 1908. The contributions had amounted to ^13,061. Their liabil- ities during the past year had been except- ionally high in strike and lock-out and out of work benefits and in law costs and medical aid. The Wynnstay icolliery Strike had cost them ^2,703. Altogether in strike and lock-out pay the general treasurer had paid out a total of ^4,690 and in out of work benefits ^2,409. The lodge treasurers had also paid in out- of-work benefits 42,392, which made a grand total of ^9,497, which was equal to 4 jd per member per week, or, in other words, a sum of Igs each member of a to- tal of 10,000 for the year. The balance- sheet showed that the contributions paid into the general fund amounted ^7,742, whereas ^"10,281 was paid out. The only matters now in dispute with the Coal Owners' As-sociation were boys' wages under the price list agreement, and the want of pay tickets for day men and boys. The coa'owners had promised to meet them to discuss these matters at an early date. Now the general election was over they could congratulate themselves that the miners throughout the country had done their part well for democracy. The min- ers Federation had returned all their re- presentatives to Parliament with the ex- ception of Mr J Jackson for Gateshead. They had gained two seats in Lancashire They regretted that Mr Clement Edwards' voice would not be heard in the new Par- liament on behalf of labour. Every La- bour leader in the country would admit that in Mr Edwards they had a loyal and faithful advocate. The best man was out without a doubt. The Denbigh Boroughs had voted for the representative of the aristocracy and capitalists, one who could not have any real symyathy with the masses one they might expect who would vote against every reform which was to the interest of the working classes of this country.

Ruabon's Opportunity. The following frank, outspoken state- ment by a Chirk woman gives Ruabon an opportunity of gaining information which will be beneficial to many here. Mrs Mary Clemson, who resides at 25, Chirk-green, Chirk, nr Ruabon, says :— Doan's dinner pills have done me so much good that I can recommend others to give them a trial. I suffered for years from constipation and biliousness, also from headaches. I had a bad taste in my mouth, and my tongue used to be coated. oil I tried many different things, but nothing helped me like Doan's dinner pills have done. I do not suffer now anything like I used, to do from constipation and biliousness, and my head is better. Doan's dinner pills are the best medicine I ever took." These pills are reliable for biliousness, indigestion, constipation, for headaches, retching, dizziness, distress after eating, poor appetite, yellow eyes, heartburn, wind, and for every liver, stomach and bowel trouble. The pills may be had of all chemists and stores, or direct from the proprietors, the Foster- McClellan Co., 8, Wells-street, Oxford-street, London, W. Sold only in boxes at 1/ I a box, or six boxes for 6/- Be sure to ask for Dean's dinner pills.

RHOS. PERSONAL.—Alderman Jonathan Gri- ffiths (L) Ponkey, will oppose Mr Godfrey Fitzhugh (C) Bersliain, County Coun- cil honours in the forthcoming election. APPOINTMENT. Mr E. T. Wiiliams, Wesley-street, has been appointed second master at Flint Council School. PERSONAL.-Dr T. J. Jones is paying a vfsit to Rhos. He has just returned from a long sea voyage. MEASLES.—The epidemic of measles is still strongly prevalent in the district, and scores of children are suffering. The Na- tional school has now been closed. THE STORM. -Considerable damage was done in the districc by the recent storm. Window-panes were broken, trees torn up, garden gates wrenched off their hinges, and railings and fences blown down. During Sunday night a portion of the main wall of a stone built house at Pant was blown down. HILL STREET LITERARY SOCIETY.—At a meeting of the above society held on Thursday evening, the members listened to an enjoyable paper on The great mu- sic composers," read by Mr Smith Duce On the propositton of Mr John Davies, seconded by Mrs Eben Pritchard, and supported by several other members, Mr Duce was heartily thanked for his paper. The speakers referring in eulogistic terms to the work done done by him on behalf of music in the district. The Rev R I Williams (pastor) presided. I LEGAL SUCCESS.—At the annual meet- I ing of the Chester and North Wales In- corporated Law Society, held at Chester on Wednesday last, Mr I. D. Hooson was presented by the president of the So- ciety, with the John Allington Hughes Prize for the year 1909. The prize con- sisted of two volumns of Key and Elphin- stone's Conveyancing Precedents, and five volumnes of Herbert Paul's History of Modern England. A few years ago Mr Hooson won the Intermediate Prize of the Society. We are pleased to hear of his success, and also that he has open- ed an office for himself at Wraxham. SATURDAY NIGHT CONCERT.-The pro- gramme for last Saturday night's popular concert at the Public Hall, was provided by the members of the English Congre- gational Church, Johnstown, and proved to be of an interesting character. The chair was ably filled by Mr A Bellis, Os- borne street. The items consisted of vic- lin and piano solos by Masters A Thomas S Powell, 0 & F Nicholas and Hilda Johnson chorus, by the Children's party; solos by Miss Ethel Jones. Miss Hilda Johnson, and Master Frank Aspinall duets by Misses R Hannaby and A Thomas E Jones, and H Johnson Se- lections by Mr R D Evans.

I PONKEY. MOUNT PLEASANT LITERARY SOCIETY.— The discussion on a paper read at the last meeting by Mr John Williams, Bank street was continued at the society's meeting on Thursday evening. The subject was Saul, King of Israel, and several took part in what proved to be an instructive and helpful discussion, the pastor, Rev J. W Humphreys, and Mr J R Humphreys, leading. PRIZE DISTRIBUTION. The annual dis- tribution of prizes took place at the Pon- key Council Boys' School, on Wednesday afternoon week. Mr J Stephen Jones, chairman of the County Attendance Com- mittee, presided, and others present were Mrs R Albert Jones, Ruabon, (who made the distribution) Revs W B Jones, Pen- ycae, E Mitchell T Arthur Thomas and Mr D L Price. The Chairman, in the course of his remarks, observed that the past year had again been one of progress for the school. The attendance had im- proved, and consequently more scholars would receive prizes and certificates. Impressing on the children the importance of regular attendance, Mr Jones pointed out that an increase of one per cent in the attendance-from 80 to 81 for instance— meant ¡; 5°0 more from the national ex- chequer, to help the county rates. He was glad to say that the amount they re- ceived last year was larger than had ever been received by the county. Further re- marks were made by Mrs R A Jones, Rev T Arthur Thomas, E Mitchell, and W B Jones. A vote of thanks to Mrs R A Jones was proposed and seconded by two of the elder boys. Three hearty cheers were called for and lustily given. The Head master (Mr W M Jones) also pro- posed a vote of thanks to the chairman and speakers. During the afternoon sev- eral songs and recitations were given by the children.

Penycae Liberals and Elections. A meeting of Liberals was held at the Groes Schoolroom on Monday evening, the chief businers being the selection of candidates for the forthcoming elections. The Rev W. B. Jones presided. It was decided to nomirate Messrs Thomas Hughes and T. Jones Roberts as candi- dates for the Rural District Council, and the following for the Parish Council Messrs John Williams, W. Pritchard, Benjamin Davies, Jonathan Williams, W. R. Humphreys, Jonathan Francis, Thos Parry, Robert Owens, John Humphreys, Benjamin Evans, Joseph T. Davies, D. E. Roberts, Thos Wiiliams, and T. Jones J Roberts.

MR HEMMERDE AND THE GOVERNMENT. A STRONG ATTITUDE. In the House of Commons on Tuesday, in the course of the defcata on the Ad. dress, Mr Hemmerde s iid if there were signs df rebellion against the Government on the Liberal side, it was caused by the singular fact at the beginning of this new Parliament that they took one view and their followers took another. He was himself in a peculiarly irritating positions- Having very little fighting to do in his own constituency, he went up and down the country supporting other candidates, and at every meeting he read the pledge given by the Prime Minister at the Albert Hall. He accepted Mr Asquith's word when he said he did not mean what they thought he meant. But the words of the pledge could bear no other construction, and that was why he and his friends feIf very deeply the humiliating position that careless verbiage of this sort put them ia* to with their constituents. He came to the House absolutely pledged only to I support the Government if they carried out the Albert Hall pledge. Now he was told he was wrong in his construction of that pledge. The question of the reform of the House of Lords was not only not be- fore the electors, but Ministers had over and over again declared that that was not a question for the Liberal party. Now they found from the King's Speech that it had suddenly become the mission of the party. If the policy of the Albert Hall speech as he had interpreted it was not the policy of the Government, then they would have to get support for their policy from other people. If they were wrong in their construction of the Prime Minister's statement, what were they tcp say of the result of the election ? There was only one way in which the matter could be put right, and that was by hav- ing an assurance from the Government, that something would be done on the lines of Mr Redmond's proposals. He did not understand this new theory of the Constititution. He was of opiniot;, that when a question had been clearly put before the country, and the electors had pronounced upon it, the Government that stood in support of that question had a right to demand the support of a constit^ utional monarch. (Hear hear) There was nothing to be feared from another General Election. The power and author* ity of this Parliament must not be fritter* ed away. After the action of the House of Commons the bold line was let the fin.- auces of the country take care of them- selves, while the House of Commons dealt with the veto. If they could not do that let the Government realise that they ex* isted upon the support of their followersk in the ^House and in the constituences, He asked the Government what right they had to alter the issue ? The rank and file of the party had borne with the Govern- ment the heat and burden of the fight, as partners in the fight and in the victory they had a right to say that the fruits of the victory now within their grasp should not be frittered away in the empty pursuit of idle and futile tactics. (Hear hear.) Sir A Acland Hood moved the ad iourn- ment of the debate, which was agreed to< The House rose at at five minutes t(y- eleven oclock. I

r JOHNSTOWN. ACCEPTING A CALL. -The Rev T. Ar;" thur Thomas, Christ Church, Johnstown, notified his church last Sunday that he had decided to accept the call sent him a few weeks ago to become the pastor of a church near Huddersfield. Mr Thomas- will leave at the end of April. YOUNG PEOPLE'S GUILD.-The subject of a debate at the above guild on Thu rs- day evening was" Is Congregational singing helped by Musical instruments ?" John Williams spoke for the affirmative,^ and the Rev T Arthur Thomas for the ne- gative. others who joinfed in the discuss- ion were Messrs J E Griffiths. S Weaver, R Bougue, and J H Evans. The majority was in favour ot the affirmative view. THE GALE.—Numerous buildings werl- damaged by the tcrrific gales last week The roof of the Tramway Sheds has suf- fered Either severely, A large quanity of slates having been displaced. The roof of Ruabon Waggon works was damaged also. The large hoarding near the New Inn was blown down.

Correspondence. — RHOS MUD AND RATES. To the Editor of the Rhos Herald. SIR.-After reading the correspondence" in English and Welsh in your paper, I anr glad to see that the ratepayers feel both the weight of Rhos rates and Rhos mud- I should like to ask 'Ratepayer' if he wilf accept a challenge. I therefore challenge him to prove that the Council interferes in any shape or form in repairing private property. If he says the Council does, I am ready to prove that his statement is untrue. Let him bring forward his sup' posed facts under his true name, and I will answer him under my own. For the present I am— O WHO KNOV/S,