Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

While we are sure the people of Aberdovey, under ordinary circumstances, would extend a hearty wel- come to Mr Solomon Andrews, or indeed to any other gentleman who mgbt come to develop the fesoarooscf the town, we must advise the towns- people not to surrender their rights without a quid pro quo. Some time ago we made a careful inquiry into tb? ownership or titled the land in question &Dd we coold come to ro other conclusion, on evidence which we coos*der would be strong enough to ensure a favourable verd'CO at the hands of any judicial coarfc cf ?pqu'ry, that the land known as Aberdovey Common is RetuaTty a common, that the commoners have certain rights to graze the land, that they have a vested interest in it, and that their rights bare not lapsed through failure to assert them. These rights have been asserted within recent years and we have no hesitation in saying that the Commons Preservation Society will see that these .rights are not swallowed up in a scholarship or a, donation to the Aberdovey library. ### We need not be told that it is unwise in the interests of Aberdovey to create a barrier to the operations and speculations of Mr Andrews. We know we reflect the wishes of the townspeople when we extend to him a most hearty invitation, but we cannot invite him to take possession of the grazing surface, which belongs to Commoners, any more than we can invite him to take possession of the land of Sir Wa-tkin Williams-Wynn, the Earl of Powis, or any other landowner. Eights are rights all the world over, whether on the Aberdovey Com- mon or in Mr Andrews' own house. Our advice to the Commons Committee is to carefully examine the title of the Commoners, then ascertain if the Commoners are willing to forego their right and on what terms, if any. In the next place we suggest they should consider the benefits which the Com- mon confers upon the town, and in any agreement to which they may come with Mr Andrews to see that all rights shall be recognised or the owners compensated. Further let there be an agreement that any new streets, which may be laid out, shall be wide and well made, with good broad parapets, and that all houses erected shall be of a certain class and uniform. The sand rights must also be preserved and some tipping accommodation provided if possible. Over and above this will be the question of Mr Andrews' gift or, in business phraseology, payment for the considerations be will receive and the rights he will acquire. As to the form this should take we offer only the barest suggestion. But it ought not to take the form of a scholarship or of a donation to the Library. It must be something which will benefit the whole of Aberdovey, and not one student a trifle smarter than the rest of his class, something which will assist Aberdovey in its character as a watering place, and add to its attractions from the point of view of the visitors who are the main source of income of so many householders and tradesmen, and, consequently, of the town as a whole. Our columns are open for suggestions. # The little god who knows everything is always with us. It is well known that the men who alone can conduct newspapers successfully are all outside the newspaper world, and that our Generals in South Africa are the biggest fools it would be possible to select for the work. The bar parlours and mutual improvement debating societies vie with each other in the production of every imaginary form of hero to meet every imaginary form of crisis and, further, the finest politicians, colonial, military and naval administrators are the politicians and administrators of the pint pot and clay pipe. There are some hundreds of thousands, ranging from school boys to persons who, by changing hands in the South African game with Sir Alfred Milner, could have secured all that we wanted and much besides. The number who could have done better than Sir Redvera Buller is legion, while there is an absolute surfeit of genie who could knock Mr Chamberlain, Mr Balfour and Lord Salisbury in'.o a cocked hat. Thev know everything before it happens, and whatever takes place finds them gravely saying "I told you so." The man on the spot apparently knows not half as much asthosewl:oarenot,andthosewbohave never seen the shoies of Africa know its geography and its people, its problems and and its difficulties better than those who rave teen there a lifetime. The Corgregational minister at home knows far more than the whole body of the Congregational Union of Natal-at least to judge by the pulpit utterances of ihe RJV Z Mather, of Barmouth, He has f&Uen into the swim of the insignificant minority and ha.3 corsidered a bash of foolish charges and r-'dictt'ous aeserfcioas sufficiently nutritious spiritual food for his Seek. Quoth Mr Mather: "The war was unnecessary and unjust, and murderous and should have been avoided." The Natal Congregational Union Humanely speaking the war was inevitable prepared for by the Bosrs with a view to political domination over the whole of Se uth Africa." Canon Farmer (for the last five years in Pretoria): War was absolutely necessary and could not have been avoided. Permanent peace in South Africa is not, and was not, possible without war." Mr Matber: If it bad Dot been for the discovery of gold in that country there would have been no war. What were the Boers fighting for ? Who were fighting for freedom and righteousness ?" The Natal Congregatioaal Union: I The plea of fighting for independence has been but a blind to hide the real aim of the enormous military preparations of the Re- publics which commenced years before the diaasterous Jameson raid." Mr Mather: "The time would come when tba whole question would be considered deliberately, fairly, and impartially, when it would be seen who were in the right. How true were the words of the Bible that the root of all evil was the love of money." The Natal Congregational Union They desire to impress upon their fellow- Christians in England that the Boer ideal of government is a military oligarchy, the power being exclusively in Dutch bands; while the British ideal is based upon the equality of all white men and the humane and just treatment of the native races and they believe that this is only to be realised by the complete success of the British arms. For this great end large numbers of the Colonists of Natal, very many of whom belong to the Churches and Sunday Schools of the Union, are now fightiao- at the front.' # There is in addition to these quotations an op n letter from the Roman Catholic Bishop of Kim- berley declaring Mr Chamberlain's indictment of the Boers to be fair. The Churchmen, Noncon- formists and Roman Catholics on the spot are therefore united in their condemnation of Kruger. If Mr Mather, of Barmouth has taken a correct attitude, his fellow-Christians on the spot-- as earnest and truly Christian as Mr Mather—are either hoin fools or idiots, or they are supporting a cause which they know to be unjust. There is another alternative which we hesitate to put for- ward, but we do so because it is one of the argu- ments used by Mr Mather, not against these Curistain brethroa, but ag:1iust the supporters of the cause ge-aerilly. What about the gold mires ? Have the representatives of Christ ia the Trans- vaal, in the Free Stare, Griqualand West, in Natal and in Cape Colony, b3en caught iu the grip of the go'd fever and — BOUGHT P Let Mr Mather answer the question. Oor columns are open to him. Mr Mather will also perhaps favour us with his idsas, as a Christian miniate- on per- sonal freedom and political equality, and let ns know under what conditions, if any, he would give a vote to au Onclander. Will he, as a representa. tive of the people, give a definite unqualified answei -a Yes or a No—to the question of whether the majority or the minority should rule a country. And if it should happen that the majority own three-fifths of the country and pay nine-tenths of the taxes, is their right to have a voice in the government of that country increased or diminished ? We are not surprised to bear tbat the Reserve Section of the 5th Volunteer Battalion South Wales Borderers has been abandoned in consequerca of ibe very stringent regulations. The line measure- ments of the chest require one iach more than those oj the Yohiatsers, and this one inch has made all the difference, as, but for this cause alone, we can state on the beat authority, the Reserve Section could have easily been found. It is sincerely hoped that the War Office Authorities may yet deem fit to relax this stringent regulation. We note that a Company of ever ICO men of the London Irish were this week reduced for this cause to one section. In the nozb place, owing 10 the Battalion being a small one in point of numbers and barely of thi 03 years' standing it bag been found difficult to fulfil the conditions of efficiency for the last two years and this h3'; also knocked out many anxious to join. Again, the higher standard of height required for tbs [;UJ, the age requirements, and the necessity of being a marksman under the new conditions which simulated that a man must have been a first-class shot last, year have also told on a certain number. Finally, 9 officers and about 130 nco-eom utipgjoaud officers and men volunteered for South. A and but for these various regula- tions they wonkl have supplied more than a full Company.

TOWYN. MILLINERY.—Mrs Edward Rowlands, 16, Idris Villas, desires to inform the inhabitants of the distdctùbat she still continues to carry on the Millinery Business, where customers will "find suit- able style, and reasonable charges. Hats cleaned, dye-d, and altered. Ladies' Dress Caps made to oraer. [Advt. DEPARTURE OF OAPT. XIBKBY.— On Monday evening Capt E W Kirkby left for Welshpool, where he holds the rank of lieutenant of the mounted infantry. A large crowd of townspeople assembled at the station to bid good luck to the gallant captain. Three cheers were raised as the train left the station. CORRECTION.—In the list of subscribers published last week, the name of Mr John Jo'oes, late post- master, was inserted as having subscribed 10s 6d towards the fund for the support of the wives and families of our soldiers, instead of the name of Mr Francis Jones, the present postmastei. Mr John Jones subscribed 5s. FOURTEEN DAYS.—For begging at Escuan, Towyn, Robert Armstrong charged by P.O. J Lloyd, was sentenced by Mr Haydn Jones to 14 days hard labour.-For a similar breach of the law at Corris, Thomas McDermott was also sentenced to 14 days' bard labour. ACTIVE SERVICE.—On Saturday afternoon, four men from Towyn, whose offer for service at the frcnt has been accepted, were given permission to leave their head-quarters at Brecon for a brief visit to their homes. They were heartily welcomed, and on Sunday evening, a large crowd escorted them to the station, and wished them well. BRYNGLAS.—Mr Edward Williams, manager of the Braichgoch Quarry, Corris, has purchased through Mr Pryse H Hughes the Brynglas and Tyddynpandy farms. On these farms there are slate quarries which possibly Mr Williams will see his way to work again. A WELSH ARTIST.—Mr David Williams, who is well known in connection with a London daily, has lately brought to light two noted paintings-one of Christmas Evana, with the following engraved on it: Rev Christmas Evans, in his 70th year, painted from life at his house in Carnarvon, 1835, by Wm Roos (artist), then living next door to Christmas Evans. The other painting is John Elias, with the inscription A good portrait of the Rev John Elias, painted at Fron, Llangefni, Anglesey, by William Roos (artist). Roos lived at Plas Edwards, Towyn, and |his widow died a few months baok at the residence of her brother, Mr David Jones, Corbet Square, Towyn. Many of his paintings are to be seen in Towyn. PLENTY OF MAGISTRATES BUT NO WORK FOR THEM.—The following Magistrates attended at the Police Court on Friday morning last to find that there was no work for them Mr J Hughes Jones (presiding), Messrs Marmaduke Lewis, J Cbidlaw Roberts, and 11 Haydn Jones. It was stated that Mr Dix, manager of the Corris Railway, bad with- drawn the charge preferred against some men for trespassing on the railway.—The application on bebalf of Mr Evan Rees, Machynlleth, for a license to keep explosives was granted.—A notice was down for the appointment by the Magistrates of parish constables.—Sergt Morris stated that this was the only division in the county which kept up this custom.— The Magistrate's Clerk said this had always been done at Towyn, and the April Sessions were fixed to make the appointments. GoOD" TEMPLARS.-—At the weekly meeting en Friday evening, the Chief Templar presiding, it was reported that several members were unwell and visitors were appointed to see them. Mr J Mae th Ion James was appointed to represent the Lodge at the next meeting of the District Lodges to be held at Peurhyndeudraeth. For an im- promptu speech on the War in South Africa," Mr R W James, National street, was declared the best. Several of those present took part in the which followed and the meeting was a successful one. THE VOLUNTEERS. The recent outburst of patriotism in connection with the departure of members of the Towyn Company of Volunteers for mobilisation for the front has made Volunteering more popular than ever in this district. Not less than fifteen new members have joined the Com- pany, and amongst them we find the names of some very prominent townsmen, whose example, it is hoped, will be followed by others. Numerically the members are now more than they have ever been. Enthusiasm is so general in the Company that a wish is expressed in favour of being called to do garrison duty. If this were necessary practi- cally the whole Company would be willing to sacrifice the time and money.

ABERDOVEY. ECCLESIASTICAL.-The Rev Hugh Hughes, the well-known Wesleyan evangelist, is this week hold- ing special services at Aberdovey. The chapel is filled to overflowing every night' In the report or the obsequies of the late Mrs Evans, New Street, and relict of the late Mr Elias Evans, for many years Postmoster at Aberdovey, we omitted to mention that a very beautiful wreath (emblems of affection and kind remembrances) was sent by Mr and Mrs Edwards, Tredegar Arms Hotel, Towyn, Mrs Edwards was a niece of the deceased. VOLUNTEERING. — We are given to understand that Mr J M HoweII, Craigydon, has accepted the captaincy of the local company of volunteers, which had been offered to him. One peculiarity of the Aberdovey Company is that all the members are total abstainers. THE WATERWORKS. — The action of the Urban Council in purchasing iJwlchgwyn farm is generally approved in the town. It wili be re- membered that the waterworks are situated on this farm so that its acquisition by the council is a great advantage to the place. When the rent is taken into consideration it is a paying concern. MR. SOLOMON ANDREWS AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF ABERDOVEY. The visit paid by Mr Andrews to the town last week and the effer made by him has been the absorbing question of interest at this place; even the war had for the time being to take a second place in the minds of the ratepayers. By this time feelings have cooled clown, and we are in a more advantageous position to judges of the offer made by Mr Andrews and to know whether to accept er to refuse it. The offer made by Mr Andrews seems very high-sounding at first, and without any know- ledge of the advantages derived by the town from the Common, or property as Mr Andrews prefers 1 i won^ be inclined to consider the representatives of the ratepayers very foolish if they did not jump at the offer. One advantage from which the town benefits by the present state of things is that sand can be carted from the Beach f M *If the Oommon went to the hands Ko ? °m0,Q Audrews—as, indeed, it is claimed „as then he could charge so mueh for every cart load of sand taken from the Beach, and the town would suffer in consequence. Another advan- tags which the town has enjoyed for a I mg time is the carting of house refuse to the Beach This place is close to the town, there is no charge, and there is no danger of any offensive smell arising from it. Mr Andrews, if the town gave up its abeged title to this place, could stop the carting of refuse, and that would mean that the town would have to look for another place and pay rent for it, and possibly an increased sum for cartage. After this comes the right to play and to use the land as a recreation grouud. But above all is the question of the Golf Club. Aberdovey cannot do, and will not do, without a Golf Club—it is the life of the place, and has done untold good to the householders. If the alleged Common goes into the hands of Mr Andrews then the fortunes of the club rest with him. If he so desires be can when the lease comes up tell the committee of the club that he will not grant a lease, and thus the club would have to be dissolved and the town would suffer to an im- measurable degree in consequence. These I believe are the arguments usually brought forward against admitting Mr Andrews' alleged rights to the Common, in addition to the other great question of whether it ia a Common or not. Now, let us look at the question, as far as we can, from Mr Andrews's point of view. Mr Andrews seeks to get the town to co-operate with him in his scheme of development. He is not so short-sighted as not to see that in a short time he will have to appeal to the Urban Council for certain things, and therefore he would like the town to interest itself in his scheme. If this is the case he will add a large quota towards reducing the rates. This is what we want in AberJovey. Perhaps it is not generally known how badly off we are in this town. We could not borrow money except on the credit of the other sub-districts belonging to the Council, and the salvation of the town is to come through the erection of new houses and the con- sequent addition to the rateable value. Anyone who thus helps the town in this direction is to be encouraged, and I believe that in this case the in- teresis of the town and those of Mr Andrews are inseparably connected and identical. Let us look at the Golf Club. We have it from Mr Andrews's own lips that he will interest himself in the Golf Club, and as a matter of fact is this not the great attraction that brought him to Aberdovey, and would he not be going against his own interests if he were to oppose the Cmb? Mr Andrews can easily be approached in regard to this matter, and I have no hesitation in saying that he will take a common.sense view of the question. As regards the carting of sand and house refuse, could not an understanding be come to between the Council and Mr Andrews, and with reference to the Golf Club let the secretary and committee get a thorough understanding ? We would gain nothing by sending Mr Andrews away, but if he has acquired the rights to the Common he can do a great deal against the town. If we were to send him away could be not, at a very little Joss to himself, stop the golfing altogether P Let us use the greatest discretion in this matter, and ask for at least the value of what we are giving away, but the same time let us throw to the four winds the suggestion that Mr Andrews has come to steal property. What advantage would he gain by it ? He has his own views as to the development of the town, and so long as we can let us support him.

DOLGELLiSY. WESLEY GUILD.-At the last gathering on Friday evening last the members sat down to a repast provided by the lady members of the Guild. Pre- siding at the latter were Mrs Jones (Wesley House), Mrs Williams, and Miss Evans (Maesyffynon\ Mrs Meredith (Llys Meirion), Miss Jones (5, Mount- street), Miss Barnett (Maesyffynon), and others. A miscellaneous programme, consisting of music, recitations, &o., followed. SCHOOL BOARD.—The monthly meeting was held on Thursday, there being present Messrs W Hughes (chairman), R Williams, John Price, E W Evans, John Lloyd, Revs John Williams, T Llewelyn Wil- liams, with Mr R Jones Griffith (clerk), Mr W T Lloyd (assistant).- The Board agreed that the meeting to distribute prizes at Brithdir School should take place on Monday the 26th inst.—The report of the Attendance Officer (Mr Ellis Williams) was adopted.-The question of the staff at the girls school was left to the Rev John Williams and Mr E W Evans to report thereon.-The appointment of school cleaner for the Brithdir School was left in the hauds of the Rev Llewelyn Williams and Mr John Price. T he Visiting Committee for the ensuing month will be Town Schools The Rev John Williams, Mr E W Evans; Islaw'rdref: The Rev Llewelyn Williams and R Williams; Brithdir: The Rev Llewelyn Williams and John Price.-It was agreed to defer the consideration of the question regarding pupil teachers' instruction until the next meeting.-The Chairman and Mr R Williams were appointed to visit the evening continuation school. FUNERALS.—The remains of the late Mr Samuel DaviEs, Cnxton Buildings, were interred in St. Mary's Churchyard last Saturday afternoon, and were carried out, in pursuance of the special wish of the deceased, under the new Burial Act. A short service was held previously at the Wesleyan Chapel, of which deceased had been a faithful member fo many years. The Revs Peter Jones (minister), E Owen (Llanbedr), Evan Roberts, and J Williams, B.A., oRiciated.—On Monday the remains of the late Mr Richard Williams, Waterloo, were interred at Salem C. M. Chapel, the Revs J Williams, B.A. (minister), E Roberts, and Hugh Roberts, officiating. Deceased for years was a faithful member and deacon at Salem Chapel.—The mortal remains of the late Mr Richard Humphreys, Arran-road, were laid to rest also last Monday at St Mary's Church- yard, the Rev J Lloyd (Rector) officiating. The deceased, who had a painful illness, was but 35 years of age, and leaves a widow aud children to uioui a his sad and unexpected icss.

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