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ROUND AND ABOUT TOWYN.
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 walkp 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 she Church, the Whitehall and Corbefct Arms Hotels and are soon bowling along the main street, past she Church, the Whitehall and Corbett Arms Hotels I up Maengwyn street into the Bryncrug road. In a few minutes the Cemetery on the right is left oehind, 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 Jones, 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-Deryn, 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 church and beyond it are the late quarries of Bryn- eglwys. This is the terminus of the Toy Railway from Towyn. Front 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 was originally caused by a tremendous landslip which completely barred one end of the valley. How many years 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. TAL-Y-LLYN CHURCH is a smaH and comparatively ancient edifice 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.
MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE COMPANY…
MUTUAL LIFE ASSURANCE COM- PANY OF NEW YORK. On the occasion of the visit of Mr Fletcher Campbell, Provincial Agency Manager of the Mutual Insurance Company of New York, to this district, a dinner was given at the Royal Oak Hotel, Welshpool, on Monday night, to which a number of officers of the Company and other guests were invited. After dinner Mr D. E. Davies, Carnarvon, District Man- ager, who occupied the chair, intimated apologies for absence from the Rev W. C. Jones, Llangadfan, the Rev E. P. Hughes, Groes, and Drs Marston and Thomas. They were there, he said, to welcome Mr Campbell, the Provincial Agency Manager. Mr Haldeman and Mr Campbell had built up a splendid business for the Mutual in the United Kingdom in eleven years. In that period they had built up a premium income of C400,000, which was more than the premium income of some British companies which had been established for more than 80 years. That should be proof that the British public valued the policies that were sold by the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. He had in his hand a record of a policy which by the time it was claimed was nearly four times its original face value. No other company, he thought, could show anything better. There was another policy, the value of which as a death claim was three times its value when taken up. These increases were due to bonus additions. He then introduced Mr Camp- bell to the company. Mr Campbell said he would say a few words first about life assurance in general, and afterwards about the management of the Mutual Life Insurance Com- pany of New York. He was reading the other day in a book what Lord Brougham said about Life Assurance Associations. He said Life Assurance Associations should rank amongst the noblest in- stitutions of civilised society. Their usefulness had been proclaimed by thousands of happy families, who had been rescued from the degradation of charity. Mr Campbell, continuing, said compulsory saving made men unselfish and thoughtful of others. There was twenty-five millions of money paid annually to British Assurance Offices, and that insured 2700,000,000 and an immense amount was paid every year to policy holders and their repre- sentatives. Some people might ask why insurance companies were trusted with all thi. money. He could merely reiterate what other people had said, that it was the only safe thing in the world, being based on natural laws. Life assurance policies were based on the duration of the lives insured, and a Company when it took a risk on a man's life must know how much it ought to charge. That was found out by means of mortality tables which bad been made out by different societies and individuals, the one principally used being that published by the Institute of Actuaries Supposing there were 10,000 people of the age of 40 who wanted to insure their lives for £100, in case of death before the age of 41, the Company would refer to the mortality table and would find that 103 of the 10,000 would die in a year and they could find out how much each would have to pay. If the lives were younger the premium would be less. The Company sold its policy for a premium and as long as the insurer paid it was liable for the sum. If he ceased to pay the liability ceased. If he went on paying the Company made a profit, and if he ceased paying, the Company still made money out of it. He claimed that the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York had done more than any other Company in the world. He did not want to brag, but that was absolutely a fact. It commenced business in 1842. A number of merchants in New York started the Company purely on the mutual principle. It was the first Company in America and the first Mutual Company, and it had always conducted its business on the mutual principle. Io was managed by trustees who were appointed by the policy holders. The first year's business of the Company resulted in a fund of between zC6,000 and £ 7,000. In the year 1884 the funds had risen to £ 21,000,000. This was a very large increase. Then Mr McCurdy came into power, and he introduced some new policies which were very taking and which supplied a want which had not been filled before. The organisation in America was improved and from 1884 to the present date the increase was something enormous. It was £ 21,000,000 in 1884, and in 1897 it was £ 52,000,000—thirty millions increase in 14 years. The surplus at the present moment was £ 7,290,000. What he meant by surplus was that after paying their liabilities they had z67,290,000 as a guarantee to those who were insured that they would get profits. The Mutual had distributed amongst policy holders or their representatives during the 55 years of its existence z695,302,000, nearly two millions la year since it started. This showed that the American people trusted the Company for they invested it, and this money was paid not to executors but to policy-holders while still living. Mr Campbell then described the strict control exercised by the Government Insurance Department of the State of New York and of other States for the protection of investors and mentioned that when the Department at the request of the Company some years ago made an investigation into the affairs of the Company they gave one of the best reports ever given and some of the assets re valued higher by the Government Department than they had been by the Company. Dealing next with the British business, he said that Mr Haldeman came over from America alone in 1887. He had not a single agent in the country now he bad 5,000. The policy they issued was a British document, subject to the laws of Great Britain, the premium was paid in London and insurers were paid in sterling there. They had always at their bankers in London large deposits, and they had recently bought 17 and 18 Cornhill, London, as a security. The premium income in this country amounted to £ 400,000, and this had been accomplished in 11 years. The security they gave in this country was backed by 52 millions of invested funds in America, 90 per cent. of which was subscribed by Americans. Many of the British Insurance Companies bad their funds invested in America, and at a meeting of a British Company the other day one of the directors stated that it was through their investments in America that they were able to pay their bonuses. Mr Campbell then gave an illustration of the working of one of the tables under which insurance may be effected. The system came into force when Mr McCurdy became President of the Company. He introduced distribution periods of five, ten, fifteen, and twenty years at the option of the insurer. It was through these policies, he thought, that the Company owed its success. A man aged 35 insuring for Cl,000 by the payment of twenty premiums of z636 17s 6d at the age of 55 had a paid up policy of the value of zCl,763 bearing future profits. He had a choice of several courses. He could draw cash profits amounting to X448 15s lOd and have his paid up policy of £ 1,000. He had paid X740, and he got back zC448 and a paid up policy of £ 1,000. If he was in want of money he might have an annual income of z636 4s 2d, an income nearly equal to the yearly premiums he had paid, and the paid up policy of £ 1,000. Or he could receive an income for life of £81 16s 8d or surrender the policy for Xl,014 19s 2d in cash. There was no better policy in the market, and it was one that was taken up more than any other, and he re- commended it to any one thinking cf life assurance. -The rest of the evening was spent very pleasantly, and the subject proved so interesting that con- versation hardly turned from life assurance. On Tuesday last Mr Campbell met the local representatives and medical examiners of the Company at dinner at the Bear Hotel, Newtown.— After dinner Mr D. E. Davies intimated apologies for absence from Dr Purchas and Dr Rjberts, Caersws. -Mr Campbell said that he did not have much opportunity of coming to Wales until recently when Mr Davies was appointed District Manager. Mr Davies had been very successful in North Wales, and previous to his appointment they could nearly count their policy holders on the fingers of his hands, but now they were numbered by hundreds. He had great pleasure in telling Mr Davies how satisfied the general manager was with the work done in the district. Mr Campbell then went on to speak of the working of the Company since its formation, and mentioned that last year they had had applications for over two millions in policies from the British public and they accepted a great many of them. On Tuesday evening at the Trewythen Arms Hotel, Llanidloes, the local representatives, medical examiner, &c., of the Company met Mr Fletcher Campbell, and Mr D. E. Davies. The Rev E. 0. Jones, (vicar of Llanidloes), presided, and in addition to those already mentioned there were also present, Dr J. Vaughan Owen, Messrs John Davies, (L. & P. Bank), Mr T. Pryce Jones, Alderman W. George, Mr Joseph Griffiths, (Com- merce House), Mr W. S. Morgan, Mr D. A. Lewis, (local agent), Mr A. W. Cornfrith and others. After having explained the primary object of the meeting Mr D. E. Davies and Mr Campbell spoke on insurance in general, and of the success of the New York Mutual Life Insurance Co.—Alderman William George said he was pleased to welcome Mr Campbell and Mr D. E. Davies to that part of Wales and he was also pleased to hear of the excellent system which characterised the influential Company they represented. He firmly believed in insurance and would advise every young man to insure.—Mr John Davies, Manager of the L. & P. Bank, also expressed himself as being pleased to be present there that evening, and said the company were very much indebted to their insurance frieiade for the very lucid manner in which they had ex- plained the advantage of the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York. He wished the Company and all connected with it every success.—Dr J. Vaughan Owen, Mr T. P. Jones, Mr W. S. Morgan and other gentlemen also gave interesting addresses. Mr H. Fletcher Campbell visited Machynlleth on Wednesday and presided oyer the luncheon at the Wynnstay Hotel. There were also present Mr D. E. Davies, Messrs R. Owen and Evan Jones, local agents, Dr A. O. Davies, Mr G. Foulkes Roberts, and others.—Mr Campbell, in his address, paid a high compliment to Mr Davies, the district manager for North Wales, and described the progress made by the company.—Dr Davies pro- posed a vote of thanks to Mr Campbell for his address.—Mr R. Owen seconded, and the motion was cordially endorsed by the company. On Wednesday evening Mr Campbell, accom- panied by Mr Davies of Carnarvon, and Mr Griffiths of Barmouth, met at the Lion Hotel, Aberystwyth, a number of their policy holders and agents. A capital dinner was placed on the table by Mrs Williams, and grace was said by the Rev T. E. Roberts before he left to take up a previous engage- ment at the same hour. The chair was taken by Mr Campbell who was supported by Mr Edward Evans, J.P., and Dr Abraham Thomas, Medical Officer of Health, occupied the vice-chair. At the oonclusion of the repast, Mr Davies read letters of apology for non-attendance from the Rev T. E. Roberts, the Rev Gwynoro Davies, Barmouth, and from Dr Roberts of Caersws, all of whom testified to the excellent system of insurance adopt 3d by the Company. Mr Campbell having addressed the company, Dr Thomas said that he was pleated to be present, and he thought that the Company had many strong points in their favour as compared with other Companies. Mr Griffiths having spoken, Mr Edward Evans proposed, and Dr Thomas seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Campbell, which was duly carried. Mr Campbell acknowledged the vote, and the proceedings closed. 4
[No title]
The Queen has signified her approval of the ap- pointment of the Lord Mayor of London (Colonel Davies, M.P.) as Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael and St. George.
EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES.
gratifying in the extreme. The health of the children is of course above everything else, and in this district their sanitary reqnrements 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 rccommodation 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. 1 THE BIRD ROCK-ANOTHER VIEW.