Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

The report of the work accomplished during the year by the Aberdovey Literary Institute, as pre- sented to the annual meeting on Friday evening, shows that the library and newsroom are appre- ciated in the town. In every branch there is an improvement. New books have been added, the adverse balance at the bank has been lessened, more books have been taken out than ever before, and visitors have found the room very useful in summer as proved by the number of books issued In August. This is very gratifying in view of the fact that the Institute is maintained by voluntary subscriptions. Unstinted praise for the success of the institution is due to the secretaries (Messrs G Williams and W J Eves), and the librarian (Capt Edwards), as well as the members of the committee. Mr John Corbett has been re-elected president for year. We understand that out of every shilling ex- pended by the Dolgelley Board of Guardians during the year ended March 25th, 1899, 6|d has been paid 4 for relief, seven-eighths of a penny for salaries (which sum has been repaid by the Local Govern- ment Board) one-eighth for management, three- eighths of a penny for general purposes, three. pence and one-eighth for County and Police rates, and three-eighths of a penny for separate parochial charges. # It is a pleasure to note that a Volunteer Com- pany has been formed at Aberdovey, and that between 40 and 50 young men have already enrolled themselves. At a critical time like the present such an event can only be looked upon as indicating the existence of a healthy public spirit and we hope, for the sake of Aberdovey, that the existence of this patriotic spirit will be further emphasised by other eligible young men throwing in their lot with the Company. The absence of definite information in regard to the movements of General Buller, General Hildyard, and Sir Charles Warren is the subject of much speculation in this country, but it is known that our army has lost points owing to the publicity given to the movements of our troops, such infor- mation having found its way to the Boer com- manders. There is little doubt that severe fighting has taken, or is taking, place in the vicinity of Ladysmith, but the world at large will probably receive no information of an important character until it can be given without risk of being detri- mental to the plans of our generals. Our special contributor this week continues his arguments in favour of a re-division of the Mach- ynlleth Union. His one point is that the pcor rate at Towyn more than provides for the needs of the poor of Towyn, while the sum obtained from the rating of Llanbrynmair falls £150 short of meeting the demand in that parish. From this he draws the conclusion that the system is very unfair to Towyn, and that Towyn ought not to contribute more than sufficient to maintain the poor and destitute of that place. The basis of the conten- tion rests upon a fallacy, for the writer disposes of the problem of the poor as though it were merely a local, whereas it is a much larger question. If his argument were founded on a substantial basis the whole poor law system in the United Kingdom would have to be abolished and a new system set up. We should have, accept- ing our correspondent's contention as sound, each parish supporting its own poor, each parish a separate union of itself, each parish with a Board of Guardians doing the work of the parish, and possibly each parish with a Workhouse of its own. How could any saving be effected with such a-mul- tiplication of offices, of clerical work and of official- ism generally ? The amount the county pays, for officialism and red tape generally, is enough in all conscience and any scheme to be satisfactory must provide for the elimination of this evil rather than its aggravation. Last week we asked why, seeing that Llanbryn- mair ratepayers derive no benefit from the presence of the poor in their midst, they should be mulcted in an advanced rate ? Our contributor retorts that Towyn is already so mulcted. Towyn is nothing of the kind. The rate of contribution is the same at Towyn as in any other parish of the Machynlleth Union—it is so much in the X. The fact that the rate at Towyn produces more than at Llanbrynmair is a mere indication that there is more wealth at Towyn than at Llanbrynmair; the proportion of contribution is the same all over the Union. The proportion in Towyn more than maintains the un- fortunate pocr of Towyn; at Llanbrynmair it falls short. This implies that there are more poor at Llanbrynmair than at Towyn, and also that it is not so much for the rich to help the poor as for the less rich to relieve the richer ot the burden. This is in direct opposition to the spirit of the age. The tendency of national finance, as evidenced by Sir Wm Harcourt's graduated death duties, is to make the wealthy contribute according to their means. # Our contributor's scheme carried to its logical issue would be an unmitigated evil. If each parish had a special local poor rate, a wealthy man, owning the whole of the property in a parish, would be a fool to his own interests if, on such a re-arrange- ment becoming law, he did not at once serve ejectment notices on all the poor in the parish. He would turn them out, demolish the old dwel- lings in which they resided, and leave them to wander along the highways exposed to the winds, the rains, and the tempests. Vagrancy would be a far greater evil than ever in the past, crime would increase, and the sickening spectacles of olden days of women giving birth in roadside ditches or seeking a haven of rest from some bridge of sighs, horrors not excelled even in the slave market, would serve as illustrations, evolved from the heart and head of modern civilisation, of the Sermon on the Mount. Modern boards of guardians are already bad enough, but we would not commit a human being to the mercies of a small parish board whose only object would be to save the rates. In another column we give an effusion from Punch on over-crowding in London. This has reached a state of which people in the country can not even dream. In the case above noticed eight people lived in a room 10 feet square, ate, slept and worked, and for this room a rent of 4s. 6d. a week was paid. The houses of the working class in London are rented by Jews and farmed out in single rooms, or sets of rooms, at an enormous profit, to working people. Even these are hard to get at any price, so hard indeed that a working man earning X2 a week has been unable to get any kind of rooms and has been obliged to take his wife and children to the workhouse, where of course he paid for their keep. It is quite evident that the County Council will have to deal with the whole question of the housing of the working classes, and not in the half-hearted manner in which they at present treat it. Something ex- tensive on the lines of Lord Rowton's scheme will have to be carried out. The Queen has signed a Proclamation further proroguing Parliament to January 30th and on that date the Houses will meet for the despatch of business. It will then be found that not only ara the members of the Cabinet in unison but the majority of the Commons also.

TOWYN. ACKNOWLEDGMENT.—The Rev T Lewis, vicar of the parish, has received an acknowledgment for the sum of P,5 9s 7d, the amount collected in Church week last Sunday towards the widows and orphans of the soldiers now fighting in South Africa. COUNTY SCHOOL. — The Intermediate School opened on Tuesday after the Christmas vacation. The number of pupils promises to exceed that of any previous term. The boarding of pupils appears to be gaining in popularity, under the superinten- dence of Mr T Jones, headmaster. LOCAL CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS THE WAR FUND.-At a committee meeting held en Friday evening it was decided to publish the list of contri- butions collected in this district in the TOWYN-ON- SEA TIMES. This list will appear next week, and will be found to be very interesting reading. The collectors were well received everywhere, and the town considering its size has done its part most creditably. SALES. — Last Friday week Messrs Daniel, Son and Meredith sold the furniture of Mr Cobden Davies, 17, Idris villas. They have also sold by private treaty the premises to Mrs Edwards, Corbett square. On Wednesday and Thursday they disposed of the household effects at Tremydon, the property of the late Mrs Jones. There was a large attendance and the bidding being brisk, good business was gone. MILLINERY.-Mrs Edward Rowlands, 16, Idris Villas, desires to inform the inhabitants of the district that she still continues to carry on the Millinery Business, where customers will find suit- able style, and reasonable charges. Hats cleaned dyed, and altered. Ladies' Dress Caps made to order. [Advt. SUDDEN DEATH.—Another inhabitant of the town has been taken away in the person of Mrs Wynne Thomas, Bryn Llewelyn, who died rather suddenly on Monday morning. Mrs Thomas was greatly respected in the town, and took a keen interest in the development of Towyn. She built a fine house in High street, and was always well patronised by visitors, and at the time of her death another house in close proximity to Bryn Llewelyn was being erected for her, but death suddenly took her away before it was completed. She leaves two sons with whom great sympathy is felt. The funeral takes place to-day (Thursday). DELEGATES.—Mr Daniel Edwards, Mr H Haydn Jones, and Captain Preston have been elected delegates to represent the Estimaner (Towyn) district on the County Committee for the distribu- tion of the subscriptions towards the wives and families of soldies, collected in the county. PATRIOTIC VOLUNTEERS.—The following are the four members of the Towyn Company who have volunteered to go to the front should their services be required :—Sergt E L Jones, Privates W Jones, Cadvan Arms; Robert Richards, Garreglwyd; and John Morris, Pentrepoeth. Lieutenant Kirkby has also volunteered his services. While it is hoped that the services of our townsmen will not be required, as it is expected that Buller's move will turn the tide of battle, it is impossible not to admire their patriotic spirit. The town should be, and no doubt is, proud of these men. TRADE.—Trade has been very slow in this dis- trict for the past few week, but now there are prospects of better times. It is said that a con- siderable amount of money is to be further spent in the direction of the new promenade to the north of the town. Tenders are linvited for the erection ofi;a new Baptist Chapel in High Street, and a new Infants' School will be erected shortly. Mr R P Morgan is building two new houses on the Neptune Hall Road, and Messrs Jones, Hughes, and Edwards a house in High Street. The ^question of further raising the old portion of the Corbett Arms Hotel is, we understand, being considered. If this is decided upon this hotel will be the largest in the district. NEW INFANTS' SCHOOL.—A correspondent writes —I understand from your reports of the Sch ool Board that it is intended to erect a new Infants' School somewhere in Towyn. Personally I would favour its erection in a central part of the town and not contiguous to the present school buildings which are now too far for infants from all parts of the town. I, however, would like to point out to the members for the Towyn district that theylhave allowed the Aberdovey representatives to steal a march over them. There is a greater need of an infants' department at Towyn than there was for a new classroom at Aberdovey in fact it is inexplic- able how Mr Roberts and his staff have been able to cope with the difficulty, for the number of infants who attend the school and are supposed to be seated in the small classroom is very large. I have heard several parents express a strong objection to sending their children to a place where they are so densely crowded together. A new Infants' School is urgently required and I understand the local members are now fully alive to this matter. SUGGESTIONS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF TOWYN. Tuesday evening's meeting of the Towyn Debat- ing and Literary Society was devoted to suggestions for the improvement of Towyn. Mr Maethlon James presided over a meeting which proved to be very instructive.—The readers of papers were Mr Samuel Edmunds, Manchester House Mr R Price Morgan, Llwynteg; and Mr A E Massn, 2, Tegid villas.—Mr Edmunds said that one improvement urgently required was the widening of the streets. They wanted a good street from Corbett Square to the beach. The road opposite Manchester House required to be widened (laughter). The churchyard spot if not taken down soon would come down of its own accord (applause). There was an angle of about a yard which could be taken away without disturbing any of the graves. There was a great deal of traffic done here and at times the place was very dangerous. The road in College Green was always sloppy, and if the owners of the houses there could be prevailed upon to do away with the small gardens and to replace them with parapets a great improvement would be effected. It was a good thing to enforce the by-laws in regard to the building line. There had beenla tendency in the town to bring the houses in as much as possible but that was being gradually ohecked and the streets were coming to proper shape. With reference to footpaths it was a fact that some people preferred to walk in the middle of the street rather than on the uneven parapets. Before they could make much headway this matter would have to be attended to. Sandilands road was being greatly improved, and with a little expense a good approach to the Beach would be made. At Station- road the wooden fencing on the Cambrian Railways property could with advantage to the town be replaced by a wall, inasmuch as it was not neces- sary for the visitors to see the goods warehouse and timber warehouse litter &c., from the road. Out. side the station yard it was a sorry sight to see briars growing where flowers would be far more pleasing to the eye. He hoped some day to see the road from Cambrian square to Neptune Hall Road widened and made into an attractive street. This was one of the prettiest roads in the town. The road by Warwick place was capable of being con- verted into a nice drive. Towyn had had a good start when Mr Corbett made the Promenade. Another promenade had been commenced to the north of the town, and he was not without hopes that some day there would be a promenade all the way from Neptune Hall to Morfa Towyn farm. He should like to see croquet and tennis courts made in the vicinity of the esplanade. Some shrubs planted on the promenade would look well, whilst a cycle track would not fail to be appreciated. A pier was of course necessary and then boating would be es- tablished and sea trips to Aberystwyth, Bardsey Island, &o, arranged. As regards the proposed Marine Lake he believed the marsh to the north of the town could be utilised for this purpose in pre- ference to the Penllyn marsh, where he would suggest the construction of golf links as far as the A berdovey links. As regards the road from Gwalia as far as the river, this was an old suggestion of his.i This was capable of being made into a favourite walk. If the stagnant waters on both sides were made into a running stream and seats put on the road, there would not be a nicer walk in the district. Some day they would want a hospital and they had Neptune Hall ready for the purpose. He believed use could be made of this place act the present time for the wounded soldiers from the war, who would use it as a convalescent home. With a good cause, Mrs Jones, the owner, could be approached with favourable results. Having ex- pressed his regret that SG Cadvau's Well had been done away with, he failed to see why the waters of Rhydyronen should not be as well known as LJan- drindod. He favoured the Dolgoeh scheme of electric lighting in preference to the Happy Valley scheme. The fire engine had fallen through, but with a fire brigade with a good manual they could do good work. The visit of the steam roller was greatly needed. The formation of weekly markets and monthly fairs would do the town a world of good. Another matter wanted was a public library. In conclusion, Mr Edmunds referred to trade patron- age, and appealed to the townspeople to support the local tradesmen and not to send away for their goods, he sat down amid applause.- Mr Mason referred to several other improvaments with which we shall deal again.-It was decided to continue the discussion at the next meeting.

ABERGYNOLWYN. OBITUARY. The death took place on Saturday of Mrs Jones, Nant, who died at Brynawel terrace, Towyn, where she had been staying for some time with her relatives. The deceased was 81 years and highly respected by a large circle of friends. She was a devout member of the C.M. denomination She was the mother of Dr J T Jones, Llansilin, Oswestry, and Mr D Jones who lately returned home from America. Deceased was buried on Wednes- day at Llanfiangel-y-Pcnnant.

ABERDOVEY. BUILDING.-The Rev W M Roberts, M.A., is building a new residential villa on the hill side overlooking the bay and the Cardiganshire hills. The contract has been let to Messrs Jones, Hughes, and Edwards, contractors, Towyn. FORMATION OF A VOLUNTEER COMPANY On Thursday evening a public meeting was held to promote the formation of a Volunteer Company of the 5th Batt. South Wales Borderers in the town. The Rev W M Roberts, M.A., who is the leading spirit in the matter, and is an old Volunteer himself, was voted to the chair He was supported by Captain Edward Kirkby, Llanfendigaid, com- manding the Towyn Company, and Mr J M Howell, Craigydon. Other prominent townsmen who take keen interest in the movement are Dr Irvine Bonner, Captain Enoch Lewis, Mr E L Rowlands Mr J Morris, Mr John Evans, Mr Z Jones, and Mr Festin Williams. The two latter gentlemen acted as secretaries of the meeting and received the names of those who enrolled themselves as members.—The Chairman having delivered a brief address, he called upon Capt Kirkby to explain the regulations and the duties, which he did in a very lucid manner. Afterwards the names were taken, and 35 persons expressed themselves willing to join. Since then nine more names have been added, so that the total number now enrolled is 44. The appearance, physique, and character of the men is all that could be desired, a large proportion of them being total abstainers. There isahealtnypublic opinion in the town in regard to volunteering. Aberdovey is one of the most patriotic little towns in the kingdom, and it may not be not out of place to say that the town is exceedingly well posted up in war news. A large number of boys have also given in their names with the object of establishing a Drum and Fife Band in connection with the com- pany. It is now hoped the movement will be succesfully carried through. It is probable that the company will be affiliated with the Towyn com- pany. Mr J M HoAvell has been offered by Col. Pryce.Jones, M.P., a commision, but he has not yet decided whether he will accept it. It is hoped, however, that Mr Howell will see his way to com- mand the company. LITERARY INSTITUTE: ANNUAL MEETING. The above was held on Friday evening when Mr John Edwards, Ivy House, occupied the chair. The Treasurer (Mr W Jones Hughes) read the annual balance sheet which showed that the receipts for the year were £ 75 Cs 6d, an increase on the previous year of £11 16s 3d. The total expendi- ture was £83 13s 6d (including £16 6s 4d the adverse balance of the previous year), leaving a balance of X8 as due to the bank at the close of 1899.—On the motion of Capt Edwards, seconded by Mr D Hughes, the balance BheJt was adopted and ordered to be printed in the annual report.- On the motion of Mr W J Eves, seconded by Mr Gwilym Williams, a vote of thanks was passed to the two auditors. Mr Eves assured the meeting that the auditors bad be en me It careful in going through the accounts and they as officials specially thanked them for the great trouble they had taken. —Captain Edwards, librarian, then read the follow- ing report.- Books added to the library during 1899: Scott and Dickens' novels, 44; other novels 48; books of travel, &c, 20; books presented bv Miss Norgate on leaving Aberdovey, 41 books presented by Min Marsh. 2; presented by Mr Hughes Jones, 1; total, 156. Monthly issues of books to members: January 93, February 78, March 87, April 53, May 53, June 42, July 89, August 303, September 206, October 187, November 62, Decem- ber 79; total 1,333; being an increase of 519 on the previous year. The comparatively large number of books issued in August and September shows how the library is appreciated by visitors. Money spent during the year on the library:-New books, R10 2s binding old books, X2 Os lCd new book case, C5 Is; total, zE17 3s 10d.-Mr John Owen, Celtic House, proposed a he rty vote of thanks to the president, vice-presidents, officials, and com- mittee, which was second 1 by Mr Z Jones and carried with acclamation. The meeting then elected the following offi rs for 1900: President, Mr J Corbett, Ynysymaeugwyn; vice-presidents, Messrs J M Howell, M L Lewls, J.P.. J Hughes Jones, J.P., W Jones, C.C., Peter Gotto, J S Rawson, J L Evans, Arnold Evans, C H Brampton, C H Allcock, M.A., the Rev J Rowlands, M.A., and Dr Irvine Bonner. Committee: Messrs G Williams, W J Ives, W J Hughes, J Edwards, Capt Edwards] W D Evans, E L Rowlands, R Griffith, R Davies, Capt J Evans, J D Hughes, and P C Price. The committee were elected by ballot, Mr F Williams Board School, and Mr Z Jones, National School' acting as tellers.—On the motion of Mr W J Hughes seconded by Mr W J(:nes, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the following for services rendered during the year in connection with the institute:— Capt Edwards, Capt Nicholas, Capt Lewis, Mrs Green, caretaker, and to donors of books, magazines, and newspapers.—Mr J Owen called attention to the taxes paid last year, and thought that a reading room ought to be exempt, like churches and chapels &c.-On the motion of Mr W J Hughes, it was resolved to petition the Assessment Committee on the matter through Mr W Jones, the Aberdovey Guardian. The amount of rates paid last year was oE2 8", ojd.—On the motion of Mr W Jones, it was decided to a]Î a,' the time of opening the Institute from 10 to 8 a.m. The offer of trees for the yard and Church Times were refel red to the new com- mittee.- On the motion of Mr W D Evansa vote of thanks was passed to the'Chairman and the meeting