Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

ROUND AND ABOUT TOWYN. Towyn abounds in pleasant excursions, and the visitor, if the weather is favourable, need never be at a loss where to go and what to see. Every week- day during the summer months Mr. Carter's well- appointed coaches or Chars -a-banc, run from the railway station to Talyllyn by way of the Dysynni Valley, returning by a different route, or to Pennal and back, a delightful drive of about 20 miles, ten of which on the return journey are along the sea coast. If we take this trip we pass through what is known as "THE HAPPY VALLEY," and an opportunity is afforded visitors of ascend- ing Cae Ceinach hill, permission for which has been kindly granted by the Marchioness of Lon- donderry. A most charming view of the estu- ary of the Dovey and the surrounding country can be obtained from this point. RAIL AND COACH EXCURSIONS are arranged daily by the Cambrian Railways Com- pany to Tanybwlch and Maentwrog, the Raven and Cataract Waterfalls; to Dolgelley, the Torrent Walk, the Precipice Walk, Ty'nygroes, and the three Waterfalls; to Cwmbychan Lake to which a combined and short walking tour over the moun- tains may be added. This does not by any means exhaust the programme as reference to the Com- pany's advertisements will show, but in this article we have to deal with these walk,- and drives rather nearer home first premising that there is excellent boating and fishing on the Dysynni river which here empties itself into the sea. The first excursion to which we will refer is that DOLGOCH FALLS. TO TAL-Y-LLYN AND BACK. We start soon after ten o'clock in the morning from the railway station in a comfortable char-a-banc and are soon bowling along the main street, past me Church, the Whitehall and Corbett Arms Hotels up Maengwyn street into the Bryncrug road. In a few minutes the Cemetery on the right is left behind, and we soon reach YNYS-Y-MAENGWYN park where we just catch a glimpse of the historical and picturesque mansion of Mr. John Corbett, to whom Towyn owes so much. The ancient seat was burnt during the civil wars of 1643 to prevent its affording shelter to the Parliamentary party. Con- tinuing our journey three fields, called Dolyffrwya, are pointed out, on our left, within the area of which Prince Llewellyn is said to have fought a great battle. Further on we reach BRYNCRUG near which village there once stood the Manor House from which the same Prince wrote his letters to the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and where 20 years later Edward I. dated a charter. A mound or tumulus on the hill-side less than half a mile south of the bridge is called Tomen Ddreiniog. At Bryncrug is pointed out the cottage where at one time lived Mary J ones, whose name is mentioned as the person who probably was the means of starting the British and Foreign Bible Society. Continuing our journey for about a mile and a half a halt is made at CEFNCOCH, a roadside inn, where the opportunity, first of taking refreshments and afterwards of visiting Llanegryn Church is offered. The building stands on an eminence and is an ancient structure in the early- English style of architecture. There is an elaborately carved oak screen and rood loft said to have been brought from Cwmmer Abbey, near Dolgelley. A curious Norman font will also attract attention. Proceeding on our way we arrive in succession at the villages of LLANEGRYN AND PENIARTH, and then following the line of the valley with the Cader Idris Range bounding the wild prospect on our left we wind round past one of the most remarkable features of this district and a prominent object from many points of view—Craig-y-Deryu, or, as it is more popularly called THE BIRD ROCK. This rock, the dwelling of the hawk and the cormorant, is about 700 feet in height and the view from its summit is only equalled by Cader Idris without its attendant fatigue. It derives its name from the number of birds which frequent it in the breeding season and thus find shelter for them- selves and their progeny. Other frequenters of the Craig are sheep, of the small mountain breed. abounding in these solitudes. On the northern side of the summit are traces of fortifica- tions and on the opposite side of the vale are remains of Roman entrenchments. Re- suming our course to Talyllyn, we soon arrive at the top of the hill leading down to ABERGYNOLWYN and this we descend on foot. Arrived at the village we see a very pretty chuich and beyond it are the late quarries ofBryn- eglwys. This is the terminus of the Toy Railway from Towyn. From here the journey to the lake is soon accomplished, the distance being about 3 miles. The view of the lake, as it comes into sight, is very charm- ing, and whilst the coach "puts up for an hour or two ample time is given for a walk along its banks or for a mountain ascent. History says that the lake WM originally caused by a tremendous landslip which completely barred one end of the valley. How man) jears ago it happened nobody ap- pears to know, but the little churchwhich has existed for a great number of years was built upon the debris. This barrier of earth and rock completely stopped the course of the Dy- synni and so its waters accumu- lated in the meadows until the present lake was formed. In the course of time the water found an outlet for itself and the lake gradually became reduced in depth until it arrived at its present condition. it arrived at its present condition. TAL-Y-LLYN CHURCH is a small and cornpsrativolY ancient odifipp and over the porch is a Welsh inscription of which the following is a translation :— A great and holy house of refuge A royal quire In the face of God and the congregation Except with pure thoughts, Man, come not hither." Several hours can very profitably be spent at Taly- llyn if the visitor is fond of mountain climbs and romantic scenery. Cader Idris may be ascended from here or failing that a walk up to Llynycae is recommended. There is good trout fishing to be had in the lake and boating may be indulged in. The return journey is made by way of DOLGOCH VALLEY, and an opportunity is given to visit the beautiful waterfalls of that name. St. Cadfan is said to have often resorted to this spot as a recluse. The falls are easily reached from the main road the path leading thereto passing under the Talyllyn railway viaduct. Proceeding homewards we pass Dolau Dolangwyn, then Rhydyronen and the last feature of special interest is a fine old Elizabethan mansion which stands in its own grounds just off the public highway. Towyn is reached about a quarter to six o'clock. THE NARROW-GUAGE RAILWAY. This little railway runs from Towyn to Aber- gynolwyn and the varied scenery through which it passes is most impressive. There are four stations -Rhydyronen, Brynglas, Dolgoch, an f) Abergynol- wyn. At each of these villages there is much to be seen and admired. The waterfalls are not far from Dolgoch Station, and the trams run conveniently so that visitors can, if they wish it, go by one train and return by the next. Dolgoch is also the sta tion to alight fo/ the Bird Rock The road, how- ever,is not a very good one, and it is well to enquire one's way along the route. The railway station at Towyn is in a turning out of Maengwyn street, on the right. The carriages are, of course, very small and convenient, and the fares are moderate.

THE MACHYNLLETH PERJURY CASE SPECIAL COURT ON THURSDAY. THE CHARGE AGAINST HUGH EDWARDS DISMISSED. An adjourned Court was held on Thursday, before Messrs H. Haydn Jones (in the chair) and J. Maethlon James, when Hugh Edwards was brought up on remand or two charges, one of perjury, and the other of maliciously conspiring to prevent the course of justice by giving false evidence on oath at Towyn on the 5th inst.—Mr W. R. Davies, Dol- gelley, prosecuted on behalf of the police, and Mr Woosnam, Newtown, defended.—Mr Davies said he preferred to bring the charge of conspiracy first, but Mr Woosnam objected, as he had not been acquainted of the fact that the charge of conspiracy was to come forward.—Mr Davies said it was not necessary to d) so.—The Bench decided to hear the charge of perjury first.—Mr Davies said they would have to refer to the depositions taken at the last meeting of the petty sessions. In them it was stated that the accused and John Micah went to Dolgeiynin woods with ferrets and fourteen nets. He kicked Rowland Williams and punched him, but Micah did not. Edwards told him (accused) that he had been summoned for pmlching and assaulting. The summons was shown, and he had said that before he sould be punished for him he would come forward and speak as a man. Micah was also there. Proceeding, Mr Davies said he would prove by the evidence of Rowland Williams that he knew Hugh Edwards as he had been working at Towyn, and had been lodging at Isandula Terrace, Towyn. The accused had stated that he did not see the two that day, but evidence was forthcoming that they were seen on the road near Pennal. He had not been able to prove by evidence that they had been all four together. His friend, would no doubt, lay great stress on the point that there was only one witness to prove the case, but he submitted that in this instance one would be sufficient.- Rowland Williams, rabbit catcher, Isandula Ter- race, Towyn, recollected the 19th October, when he was on the Dolgelyniu land, in the parish of Pennal, and while there two men came there and assaulted him. They were Rowland Edwards and John Evans. They had been con- victed and fined. Hugh Edwards gave evidence upon the hearing of those charges. He heard the accused saying he was one of the two men who had assaulted him (witness). That was not a fact. He knew the accused at that time, as he had pre- viously been working at Towyn, and lodging near him.—David Evans, clerk the Justices, said be was present at the Court of Jurisdiction, held at Towyn on the 5th November. He produced two informa- tions by Rowland Williams, one against Rowland Edwards and J. Evans, charging them with an assault upon him, and, with the consent of the solicitor for the two defendants, the two cases were heard together. The accused (Hugh Edwards) was called to give evidence for the two defendants. He was duly sworn, and he had heard him say that he and John Micah went to Dolgelynin Wood, that they took a ferret and 14 nets with them, and saw Rowland Williams, who shouted to them, and that he (the accused) went along to meet Rowland Williams, and that he (the accused) hit Rowland Williams; also, that he did not see Rowland Edwards and John Evans. In cross-examination he heard him say, I kicked Williams; I punched him."—David Jones, assistant clerk to the last witness, said he was present at the magistrates' meeting on the 5th November and took notes of the evidence given, and confirmed the last wit- ness's evidence.—Edward Jones, White Horse Hotel, Machynlleth, recollected being at Pennal on the 19th November. He was driving a horse and cart, and on the way he met the accused, who was accompanied by his cousin, John Micah. Besides them he saw two other men on the road, but they were not with the other two. The second couple were Rowland Edwards and John Evans. The distance between them was about half a mile.—William Rees, Pant Perthog, Gwynfryn, a lad about 12 years of age, said he remembered being with his father near Pantlludw, and having heard something he went down to the road. There were two men, and Hugh Edwards was the one he recognised.-P.C. Parry (Corris) said that having received information for the appre- hension of the accused he met him at Machynllet h station on the Cambrian Railway. He asked the accused to accompany him to the Police Station. There Superintendent Jones read the warrant and cautioned him. He said in reply to the charge or words to the effect I did it," which meant that he had struck the witness Rowland Williams.—Cross- examined He had a warrant of conspiring in his pocket, but he did not tell him. He had not told accused when arresting him the charge against him. -Superintendent T. Jones said on the 18th Novem- ber he saw the accused at the Police Station. He produced and read the warrant to him and also cautioned him. He said, I was the person that struck the old man." The warrant charging him with conspiracy was not read to accused.—That was the evidence for the prosecution.—Mr Woosnam in addressing the Bench for the defence said the charge was a grave one and it was much harder to disprove the statements made than to make them. He was in the happy position to state that with all the ingenuity that had been exercised they had failed to bring evidence to prove that the accused was guilty of perjury. On a charge of perjury it was quite necessary that it should be corroborated by the testimony in some material part by two witnesses. The Legislature had also provided that before a man is brought up it was necessary that the charge should be proved, not by one person, but by an independent testi. mony. They had not had that in the present case. Their Worships had exercised a very wise discre- tion in simply dealing with the charge of perjury. That had been borne out in an eminent degree by the two last witnesses called for the prosecution. It was perfectly possible for Rowland Williams to make a mistake. The prosecution said Williams was kicked and the accused said it was he who kicked him. That was one side of the matter, but it was not sufficient to commit him to the Assizes. What was the corroborative evidence ? Mr Jones, White Horse, had said he met him on the road on the 19th not very far from the wood. That was exactly what he said for the defence. Tt was quite true he was seen on the road, and it was quite true he had been seen in the woods. That corroborated what had been stated by accused and not what had been stated by the prosecution at the last court, that he and Micah were somewhere at Machynlleth. William Rees, the little boy, had said in his inno- cence that he had seen Hugh Ed wards on the road some particular day. The prosecution called him to prove perjury, and yet his evidence went in favour of the accused. P.C. Parry did not carry the case further, but acknowledged having a war- rant in his pocket which he did not read All the witnesses had corroborated what the accused had said, and he was very much obliged to them. It was absolutely clear that the man Hugh Edwards had told the truth, and the prosecution had evidently failed.—The Bench retired to con- sider their verdict, and on their return the Chair. man said that they were of the same opinion exactly as they were on the 5th of November as far as the evidence was concerned. They dismissed the charge of perjury against the defendant on account of want of sufficient corroborative evidence. —Mr Davies then asked for consent to proceed with the charge of conspiracy.— Mr Woosnam said he did not believe it was worth their time as the charge of perjury had been dismissed. He also warned the prosecution to consider what they were doing, as that day the accused had been charged with conspiracy when the warrant was not read to him.—Mr Davies said he would not be deterred by remarks of that kind, and it was decided to take the case at the Petty Sessions (Friday next), the warrant being read in Court by Supt. Jones.—On the application of Mr Woosnam bail was allowed, the accused himself in the sum of zC20 and two sureties in the sum of £10 each.

— « ARTHOG. TEMPERANCE SOOIETY.-The ordinary meeting of the society was held at the Board School, Mr Cadwaladr Roberts, jun., presiding,—The Chairman read a paper on The importance of religious leaders taking a prominent part in temperance meetings."—Those who took part in the debate that followed included' Mr -.Morgan Williams (Board School), Mr W. Wynne, Mr G. R. Wynne, &0.

gratifying in the extreme. The health of the children is of course above everything else, and in this district their sanitary requrements receive the fullest attention. On the numerous enjoyable excursions from Towyn—by the Narrow Guage Railway and by brake-we need not now enlarge. Suffice it to say they are all among the most delightful of their kind. There are excellent livery stables in the place, and good horses and carriages can be obtained at any time. The hotel and lodging house ccommodation is excellent, and the terms every- where are very reasonable. After all is said and done, Towyn remains, in fact, as desirable a holiday resort and place of residence as anyone could possibly wish to find. THE BIRD ROCK—ANOTHER VIEW. I