Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

GO R RES P O N DEJS CE. To CORRESPONDENTS. — Communications for thtl column should be addressed to the Editor, and must be written upon one side of the paper only. They should in all cases be accompanied by thi name and address of the sender, not necessarily foi publication but as a guarantee of good faith.

CYCLING ON TOWYN ROADS. To the EDITOR. SIR,—Oh punctures, punctures, punctures galore What pleasure indeed the cyclists must have whilst riding on the road between Towyn and Ynysmaengwyn Riding carefully, but entirely ignorant of any danger on this beautiful stretch of road, all at once the lider has a very pleasant experience, for, to his amazement, he finds one, if not both, of his tyres as flat as a pancake, and, oh the blessings that are there and then showered on the Urban District Council! Has the Council no power to remove this nuisance ? Hedge clippirigf, &c., have been allowed to remain on the roadsides for teveral weeks past, and they are positively a source of danger to wheelmen, horsemen, and pedestrians. Cyclists! if you wish to avoid punc- tures, keep away from this neighbourhood, the roads are strewn with thorns and briars. A CYCLIST.

At the Bolton County Sessions on Monday Henry Pendlebury, farmer, of Harwood, was fined 210 and costs for selling adulterated milk. This was the defendant's third appearance on a similar charge, and the magistrates said they were determined to stop this defrauding of the public. A sample taken showed that six parts of water had been$dd«tl to the poorest class of milk. The flue with cows amounted to £ 12 86 2d.

MACHYNLLETH. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—YESTERDAY. Present: Mr N B Owen, chairman, presiding; Mr Dd. Evans (vice-chairman), Mrs M Lloyd, Machynlleth; Messrs J Hughes Jones, and William Jones, Aberdovey; Richard Morgan, John Owen, and Meredith Jones, Towyn Edward Hughes, Llan- wrin Humphrey Jones, Pennal; Wm. Evans, J Watkins, Ellis Hughes, John Davies, John Rowlands, and R. Gillart, Machynlleth; with Mr M D Evans, clerk, and Mr M D Morgan, assistant clerk. WORK FOR TRAMPS. Mr David Evans asked if tramps performed their tasks. They had built cells for them, but he did not know whether they broke the stones or not.- The Master replied that the tramps had a lot of work pumping water as well as breaking stones.— The Chairman said what was complained of was that a new portion had been built for them but no use was made of it.-The Master said the reason was that new clothing was required and the tramps should be washed before being allowed to go to the cells. Some of them objected to being washed in the same water as several other paupers, and in consequence there was more work to carry water. It was most important that before going to the new cells the paupers should be clean.—The matter was left to the Visiting Committee. DISFRANCHISEMENT OF SOUTH WALES VOTERS. Mr William Jones, Aberdovey, proposed the re- solution received from the Birmingham Board of Guardians, urging that no person should be disfranchised in consequence of being in receipt of relief, by way of employment provided by Poor Law Guardians, in order to meet extraordinary and temporary circumstances. Mr Jones said he considered it wrong in principle for persons who received assistance in the form of out-relief to be disfranchised. He was not sure that poverty was a sufficient reason for disqualifying a voter. To him it seemed that the first consideration was whether a person could make proper use of his vote. Many voters in South Wales were compelled to strike by their fellow-workmen, and if allowed they would never go on strike. Those were the grounds upon which ha supported the resolution. -Mr J. Hughes Jones pointed to the danger of opening the door in that respect. He felt the South Wales men were to be blamed. No doubt the strike was due to some bad rascal who had no families to keep, but others in con- senting to go on strike gave a bad example to the young people. He objected to the proposition.—Mr J. Rowlands questioned whether being in receipt of temporary relief should be considered a sufficient reason for disfranchisement. He was not quite certain whether the Revising Barrister was quite right in his decision. If the matter was referred to a higher court the votes might be allowed. He seconded the proposition.—Mr Edward Hughes pro posed as an amendment that the matter be left as at present.—Mr J. Hughes Jones seconded.—On a division nine voted for the amendment and eight for the resolution. THE ASYLUM QUESTION. It being said that the Forden Board of Guardians had not yet decided to consider the asylum question it was agreed to leave the matter for the present. We met together to consider the annual 0 accounts and compared the same with the accounts of previous years, in particular 1884, 1896 and 1897, covering a period of fourteen years and decided to make a joint report thereon. Wo have to congratulate the Clerk and the Relieving Officers and to thank them for the trouble which they have taken in compiling such a valuable analysis of the various heads of expen- diture. We would point out that for the first time a new item appears in the published accounts, viz the contribution under the Agricultural Act of 1886, amounting to X804, and which is apportioned on page 20 to the various parishes. This is the subsidy as you are aware by which land is exempt from Is 2d of the rates. The following com- parisons may be of use to the Guardians and a subject for consideration in the administra- tion of out-door relief, and in the exercise of the duties of the Guardians with a view to economy and re-adjusting relief without hardship to the recioients Paupers Paupers Year. In-door. Out-door. Total. 1884 63 708 771 1895 578 1898 66 455 519 Decrease 252 Cost of Out- Cost of Oat-door door Paupers Out-door Paupers per head per head Year. Relief. of Paupers, of Population. £ s. d. £ s. d. s. d. 1884 3043 17 3 4 6 0 4 1O 1895 2561 12 8 5 1 0 4 9| 1898 2537 4 6 5 12 0 4 7| Decrease 506 12 9 Another interesting feature is that connected with the County Rate: 1884, zCl,347 7s lid; 1895, X2,015 19s Od, increase (£667 lls Od); 1898, £ 1,527 Os Od, total increase C179 12s Id. The rateable value of the Union is also worthy of notice: 1884, Rateable Value, L54,464 6s 8d; 1898, Rateable Value, zC57,756 Os ad; total increase, X3,291 13s 4d. The population has on the other hand decreased. 1884, 12,503; 1891, 10,932; total decrease, 1,571. As already pointed out paupers in the Union have decreased in number: 1884, 771; 1898, 519; total decrease, 252. Although there is a decrease in the number of paupers the cost per head of paupers has increased from X4 6s Od to £5 12s Od, increase (£1 6s Od); and cost per head of population only a decrease of 3d per head. In this connection it may be noted that although food is cheaper than it was 14 years ago, the relief is higher per head of paupers. With regard to in-door maintenance the increase is simply three, and the total cost as follows:—1895, £ 364 19s Id; 1884, X467 17s Od decrease (£102 18s ild) 1897, £ 387 9s Id; 1898, zC453 7s lOd; decrease (£65 8s 9d); total decrease, X14 9s 2d. There is one feature which has a tendency to be neglected, and it is that in con- nection with non-settled poor. Twenty-four are recorded in the account who have drawn from the exchequer X177 4s 9d, equal to £7 7s 8d per head, and zCl 15s 8d above the other class of out-door poor. The comparative statement of out- door relief on page 10 of the abstract is this year again a very startling announcement. Towyn, Uwöhygare, Llauwrjn, and Ysguborcoqd are credited with himuk prodded the oihtir parishes with money for out-door relief of the paupers to the extent of X343 10s 2d-that is to say have pauperised themselves by receiving at the hands of these parishes out- door relief. Still if we take the case of Towyn we may show that the amount is not so glaring by adding the cost of their in-door paupers, viz., 13 at 7d per day the actual cost per head, page 10, zC82 7s 6d, should be deducted out- of the z6244 6s 2d, reducing the amount stated to have aided the other parishes to 2161 18s 8d. By taking the case of Machynlleth the state of affairs is still very striking. Add the cost of in-door paupers at the same figures the cost amounts to X154 6s 8d, which totalizing with the excess of their contribution to £213 8s Od. These considera- tions would suggest a still more telling analysis and one worthy of the serious consideration of the elected Guardians. There are one or two other points again which may be of interest to the ratepayers. Year. Bread. Beef & Mutton. Milk. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1884 113 0 1 96 1 11 28 19 11 1895 66 15 0 67 14 8 28 16 4 18S8 82 11 9 82 11 9 39 14 4 Year. C3als. Gas. Butter. 1884 37 2 0 7 18 4 37 0 4 1895 36 0 1 9 19 4 34 0 0 1894 35 3 9 14 13 4 38 0 0 Bread, beef, mutton, and coal have cost less, but gas and milk higher. The items absorb most of the moneys in the maintenance account. As already pointed out the number of in-door for 1898 is only 3 in excess of 1884. The above facts are some out of the many which may be mentioned and which we would suggest for the consideration of the Guard- ians, and would conclude our remarks with the fol- lowing statements 1. The number of out-door paupers is less than in 1884 by 252. 2. The cost of their relief is less by zC462 3s 2d. 3. Although the paupers are less in number and the expense decreasing still the rates are much the same if not higher. 4. In-door maintenance and establishment charges have not made a marked change. 5. The county rate contribution is higher at present and has gradually increased till 1895; there appears to be signs now of its abatement. 6. We desire to point out these considerations to the Guardians with a view to a greater vigilance in the distribution of out-door relief. There are one or two suggestions which we would desire to make:—1. That the account of the Rural District Council should be published and attached to the annual abstract. 2. The procuring and tabulating the amount of rates levied in each of the parishes shown and the amount applied to the various authorities in those parishes. --+-

THE WILL OF THE LATE MR EDWARD DAVIES. The gross value of the whole of the estate has been estimated at P,1,206,311 7s lid, and the nett value of the personal estate at zCl,090,996 7s lOd of Mr Edward Davies, Plas Dinam, Llandinam, Montgomeryshire, chairman of the Ocean Colliery Company, Limited, director of the Barry Docks and Railway Company, of the Cambrian Railways Company, the Van Railway Company, the Vale of Glamorgan Railway Company, and the Middle- class Dwellings Company, Limited, who died on the 1st January, aged 45 years. Mr Davies was the only son of the late Mr David Davies, Llandinam, sometime member of Parliament for Cardigan- shire. The executor and executrix of the will, which bears date September 18, 1891, are Edward Jones, Trewythen, Llandinam, farmer, and Elizabeth Jones, Plas Dinam, formerly of Bryn- hafren, to the former of whom the testator be- queathed X250 a year during the continuance of the trust. The will states that the testator was then intending to be married in Canada, and he be. queathed to his said intended wife R2,500 a year until his daughter, Margaret Sidney, attained the age of 21, if his intended wife so long remained his widow, and X2,000 a year after the attainment of the age of 21 by his said daughter, or £1,000 a year in the event of the re-marriage of his possible widow. She is also to have the use and enjoyment of Plas Dinam, until the testator's son David at- tains the age of 21 years, and then the use of Berthdu (if his mother is living), or the use of Broneirion after her death. An annuity of R250 is to be paid to the testator's daughter Gwendoline Elizabeth during the minority of her sister Margaret Sidney, and subject to these provisions Mr Davies left all his real estate in trust for his son David and all the residue of his property in trust in equal shares for all of his children, including such as should be born of his intended marriage. _+

THE SEE OF BANGOR. A memorial in the following terms, dated November 4, has been sent to the Prime Minister As clergy in the diocese of Bangor, we venture respectfully to approach your Lordship in reference to the vacant See. We should have kept silence and welcomed with cordiality and confidence the man whom your Lordship, with your knowledge of the needs of the diocese, may recommend to the Crown, but the action taken by some of our brethren in the diocese renders it impossible for us to remain silent any longer. We desire,to express our deep regret that the vacancy in this See should have been made the occasion of discrediting by im- putation the bishop of another diocese. It is not for us to sit in judgment upon our brethren here or elsewhere, but we feel it our duty to disavow the sentiments of the memorandum drawn up at a meeting presided over by the Dean of Bangor, and to put on record our respectful conviction that such a memorandum cannot conduce to the well being of the Church of Christ in this or any other diocese." The memorial is signed by seventy of the clergy of the diucese. ♦

THE RAILWAY TO KHARTOUM.—The Press Asso- ciation SLares that Lord Kitchener, accompanied by Lord Edward Cecil, his aide de camp, was busy in London on Monday in connection with the exten sion of the Soudan Railway to Khartoum. The construction of the additional 180 miles has been definitely decided upon, and the orders for the necessary bridges are being placed with British firms. Lord Kitchener, as a practical engineer, and having also a close personal knowledge of the country, has been of great assistance to the British agents of the Egyptian Government in the matter of supplying information upon which to bate their specifications and plans.

continue throughout September. The popularity of this establishment renders it almost unnecessary to refer to the Genuinness of the Bargains given. A few things are enumerated below. Sufficient to say that the 1898 Sale will be a large affair. In the Show Room, &c. The enormous trade done in Blouses at the establishment necessitates an enormous Stock which will be cleared at a tremendous reduction. Special Line of Costumes, Mackintoshes, Jackets, &c. Manufacturer's Stock of Velveteen will be cleared at 6d yer yard, worth double the value. Advanced Summer styles in Millinery. The Stock and Dress Materials must and will be cleared at the prices offered. Useful Remnants, Dress Materials, Flannellettes, Suiting Tweed, &c., to be sold regardless of cost. Special Welsh Sheets, Quilts, and Blankets, at low Summer prices. Rugs and Mats in every description. A few Carpet Squares, assorted sizes, about half the usual prices. Special Remnant Days every Monday and Friday. Gent's and Boys' Waterproofs. Special value in Gent's aad Ladies' Umbrellas. In the Furnishing Department. Handsome Drawing Room Suites must be sold. Bedroom Suites, do. Large Stock of Bedsteads, String and Flock Mattresses and Bedding bought out at old prices. Exceptional advantages given. Tables and Bedroom Chairs. Bookcases, Washstands, Chests of Drawers. Fire Irons, Stair Rods, Cradles, &c. A choice selection of New Bamboo Furniture. JOHN GRIFFITH, Proprietor. fAdvt. BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—SATURDAY. Present: Mr John Evans (chairman), presiding; Messrs Charles Williams, Llanaber, vice-chairman William Lloyd and Cadwaladr Roberts, Llangelvnin; William Davies, Llanegryn Meyrick Roberts, Llan- fihangel; Ellis Williams, Llanaber Richard Mills, Wm. Williams, and John Evans, Dolgelley; Hugh Evans, Barmouth; G. Williams, Llanenddwyn; Owen Jones, Llanymawddwy R. Jones, Llanelltyd Ellis P. Jones, Llanddwywe-is-y-graig; Hugh Jones, Talyllyn; and John Edwards, Brithdir; with Mr W. R. Davies (clerk), Mr W. R. Richardson (assistant clerk), Messrs Thomas Parry and W. Davies (relieving officers), and Mr Hugh Roberts (work- house master). THE COLLECTOR FOR LLANABER. The Chairman moved that Mr Owen Edwards be appointed collector for the parish of Llanaber on the same terms as before, his previous appointment having been informal. This was unanimously agreed to.—Mr Ellis Williams said that Mr Edwards bad accepted the office without knowing that the gaarantee premium was to be paid by him and not by the Board. He (Mr Williams) proposed that that sum be paid by the Board.—Mr Charles Williams seconded, and the motion was unanimously agreed to. A PITIFUL CASE. The Festiniog Union wrote in regard to a boy, the son oi Mrs Ellen Lewis, Barmouth, refusing non-resident out-relief on the ground that the child had refused to go to a hospital. His mother appeared before the Board and said the boy hJld, through the generosity of the Rector of Barmouth, been sent to Llandrindod to recuperate his health, but whilst there, one of the first things said to him was that he would have to undergo an operation. The boy replied that he had not come to such a place as Llandrindod to be operated upon, but he would consent to be sent to England and to be operated upon there. When he arrived back at Barmouth Dr Lloyd was informed of the incident, and said the boy had done quite right. The result of the action of the Festiniog Union was that no relief was given. After some discussion, Mr Charles Williams said that if the mother was willing, and subject to the consent of Dr Lloyd, he would write on his behalf and try to get him into a hospital at Liverpool.— The mother was called in and consented to this, the Board under- taking to pay his fare to Liverpool.—Upon her ap. plication the amount of relief given to the family was increased from 2s 6d to 6s 6d. THE WINE BILL. The District Auditor wrote from Colwyn Bay that in addition to the points he had mentioned to the Clerk it would be well if the Relieving Officers furnished a more detailed account of the amount paid for wine, and also suggested that the casei should not be bracketed.—It was decided to request the Relieving Officers to produce the bills in future. BOARDING-OUT ORDER. The Local Government Board wrote requesting to be informed what decision the Board had come to in regard to the boarding-out of children within the district of the Union.-It was decided to reply that the order bad been adopted, and that the Dolgelley Relieving Officer bad seven children boarding-out and the Talyllyn Officer the same number. THE VACCINATING OFFICERS. The Assistant Clerk said ha had written to all the Vaccinating Officers as to the fees for vacci- nating, which were 2s 6d in the surgery and 5s in the homes of the persons vaccinated.Dr Lloyd, Barmouth, wrote that he was willing to accept 2s 6d in respect of every successful primary vaccination or of any successful vaccination per- formed by him in his surgery or elsewhere than at the home of the person vaccinated. In respect of the pavment in Article 3 of 5s for successful primary vaccination or re-vaccination performed by him at the home of the person vaccinated, he should be glad to know what mileage that included as his district extended over a large area, some houses being about 12 miles away.—Dr Morris, Dinas Mawddwy, wrote accepting the term, s. Dr J. T. Jones, Corris, wrote that he found that his contract with the Board terminated in December. He would not renew it at any price.—Dr Rowlands, Towyn, wrote that he would not accept the terms offered in Article 3 of the Vaccination Act. He was, however, writing for further information from professional sources before he could decide on what conditions he would continue his services as public vaccinator.—The Clerk said it was evident there was a great deal of dissatisfaction with the working of the Act.—Mr Chas. Williams said he greatly admired Dr Jones, of Corris. Indeed, they ought to pass a vote of thanks to him (laughter).—The Clerk suggested that the best course would be to appoint a small Committee to confer with the Medical Officers on the matter. The suggestion was agreed to, and the following were elected on the Committee: Messrs Chas. Williams, Cadwaladr Roberts, William Davies and Hugh Evans.—The Assistant Clerk reminded the Board of the resolu- tion passed to retain the vaccinating stations. He bafl not yet received a reply from the Local Govern. meut noad.-Ur Chai. Williams feaid the Com- mittee would take that into consideration.—Mr E. P. Jones said he had a grievance. Only a few minutes before a resolution was passed electing persons on a Committee. The whole of them were nominated by the Clerk and the Chairman. He objected to that mode of procedure and hoped that in future the Chairman would see that all the Guardians had a voice in the selection of all Committees. PETTY SESSIONS.—TUESDAY. Before Messrs 0. Slaney Wynne (presiding), E. Griffith, J. Leigh Taylor, R. Wynne Williams, J. Meyrick Jones and Dr J. E. Jones. ENJOYING THE FAIR AT DINAS.- Richard Williams was charged with being drunk and dis- orderly at Dinas Mawddwy on Friday, October 22nd. Defendant did not appear.—P.C. Evans (Dolgelley) said that about five p.m. he saw defendant very drunk and disorderly at Mallwyd. He refused to go home and they were obliged to lock him up.— P.C. Davies gave corroborative evidence.— Mr Slaney Wynne: How was he disorderly ?-P.C. Davies: He was cursing, swearing and refusing to go home.—The Bench inflicted a fine of 5s and costs. -Evan Jones of Dinas, who failed to appear, was also charged by P.C. Davies with being drunk on the same day.—P.C. Davies in evidence, stated that about 1.30 p.m., he was called by the landlord of the Red Lion to turn defendant out of his house. He was very drunk and he was obliged to turn him out by force.—By the Bench Why does he not appear to-day ?—P.C. Davies: Defendant told me he was ashamed to come and hoped the Bench would deal with the case in his absence.—Mr Slaney Wynne Was the man served with drink in this house.—P.C. Davies: No, sir. I saw him enter and he was there but a few moments.— Mr Slaney Wynne Anything known of this man be- fore ?—Supt Jones No, this is his first time.— Defendant was fined 10s and costs, the Chairman remarking that the fine was heavier on account of his non-appearance. A MAINTENANCE ORDER GRANTED.—Mr W. R. Davies, on behalf of the Dolgelley Board of Guardians, applied for an order against Ellis E. Jones, tailor, now residing at Portmadoc, to con- tribute towards the maintenance of his father, who lived at Corris, and who had been for a long time chargeable to the common fund of the Union.-Mr W. Davies, Relieving Officer, said defendant's father was 65 years of age and nearly blind. Hp had been in correspondence with the son and had also just received a letter from him promising to pay.—Mr Davies applied for an order of Is 6d per week.—The Bench granted the application with the usual costs and an allowance of 7s 6d to the Relieving Officer for his attendance. A SCHOOL BOARD CASE.—Mr R. Jones Griffith applied for an attendance order in the case of a son of Hugh Owen, Lawnt. Mr Ellis Williams (attend- ance officer) gave evidence and the Bench granted the application.