Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

GRAND TEST CONCERT. On Wednesday evening one of the most success- ful concerts given at Towyn for a long time took place at the Assembly Room, under the presidency of Mr C S Denniss, secretary and general manager of the Cambrian Railways Company. Mr Deunis8 was accompanied by Mrs Denniss, and on entering the hall they were accorded a hearty reception. Mr Geufronydd Jones conducted the proceedings with marked ability. The musical adjudicator was Mr Wilfred Jones, R.A.M., Wrexham, whilst Deiniol Fychan, Bangor, adjudicated on the recitations. Miss May Roberts and Mr F T Tookey were the accompanists. In calling Mr Denniss to take the chair, Mr Geufronydd Jones expressed his pleasure at seeing him present that evening. He was a gentleman who represented, and that ably, the world of commerce, and he came amongst them that night to represent art, poetry, and music (hear, hear.) -Mr Denniss after referring to the death of the late Mr John Corbett, said it afforded him very great pleasure to be present for the irat time in Towyn at such a concert as they had pro- vided that evening. Mr Jones (the conductor) was good enough in his introductory remarks to say that he was connected more especially with the practical side of life. He (Mr Denniss) did not think they could find in that country, or in any other country, anything of a more practical nature than a railway locomotive (laughter.) He could not help feeling that the practical side of life would in many respects be a very dull one indeed had it not been for such recreative exercises as the concert arranged for that evening. He felt it a great privilege as well as a pleasure to be there that evening, to listen to the excellent music which had been provided. Mr Denniss then delivered an eloquent address, advising young people to read and to study the lives of great men. The prizes offered by the committee were such as to attract a large number of competitors from North and South Wales. For the best reciter a beautifully carved oak chair (made by Mr D 0 Jones, Frondeg), was offered, and no less than 28 persons sent in their names. Of these, nineteen appeared at the preliminary competition, and five were selected to appear on the platform in the even- ing. A preliminary competition had also to take place on the musical items. For the challenge solo a silver cup of the value of £3 16s was offered. Four were allowed to compete in the evening. The competitors in the duet were all allowed to appear on the platform. All the items were taken in order and the adjudicators gave their award at the close. The following was the programe:—Song, It is enough," Mr J T Owen, Festiniog solo, Mariner's daughter," Miss L J Price, Barmouth duet, Excel. sior," Messrs J 0 Jones and H Gabriel, Llanegryn recitation, Y boreu olaf," Mr Thomas (Cromlech- ydd) song, The Lord is my Shepherd," Mr Fred Lumley; song, Y gardotes fach," Miss Katie E Edwards, Llanegryn recitation, Marwolaeth Stephen," Mr G J Roberts, Rhostryfan solo, He was despised;" Miss Jennie Jones, Barmouth duet, Excelsior," Messrs Isaac Janes, Abergynolwyn, and Fred Lumley, MachynlletL; song, My hope is in the everlasting," Mr E M Evans, Barmouth; duet, Mr J T Owen and Miss Sallie Lewis, Blaenau Festiniog; recitation, Yr Yatorm," Mr Isaac B Williams, Nantlle; song, Y plentyn a'r gwlith," Miss F Lewis, Machynlleth; recitation, Ystori Gyffredin," Miss Bennett, Llanegryn duet, Mr E M Evans and brother, Barmouth; song, The Raft," Mr Meirion Davies, Dolgelley; song, The Swallows," Miss Sallie Lewis, Festiniog; recitation, Yr Ystorm," Mr John Jones, Penparciau, Aber- ystwyth. Deiniol Fychan, in delivering the adju- dication on the recitations, said he congratulated the committee upon the splendid prizes offered. He gave several hints on elocution. The award of the prize was between Mr Isaac B Williams, Nantlle, and Mr J G Roberts, Rhostryfon. As to the piece given by the latter he (the adjudicator) never heard it better done, and he questioned whether the winner of the chair could do it better, and had it not been for the fact that Mr Isaac B Williams had been most fortunate in his selection of an appropriate piece, and done full justice to it, the prize would have been awarded to Mr Roberts. Under the circumstances he had no hesitation in conscientiously saying that Mr I B Williams had won the chair. This was greeted with loud applause. -Mr Wilfrid Jones in delivering his adjudication on the singing, said the competition on the solos was especially good, but on the duet it was nothing out of the ordinary. Without any doubt the best party was No 2 (Mr Isaac Jones and Mr Fred Lumley). In the ladies' competition the best was Miss Sallie Lewis, Blaenau Featiniog. Dealirg with the challenge solo for men Mr Wilfrid Jones said the singers had just cause to be thankful to the accompanist. In some instances she had actually assisted the singers and saved them from going out of tune. The best was the one who gave a rendering of The Raft." His was not the best voice, and perhaps it was their tendency to lay too much importance on having a good voice. This singer gave an intelligent and dramatic rendering of his song, and without any doubt his rendering was the best. The winner of the cup therefore was Mr Meirion Davies, Dolgelley. He was in- vested by Mrs Denniss; Miss Chidlaw Roberts and Miss Ashton invested the winners of the gold medals for the duet; Mrs Yates presented the chair to the best reciter; and Mr T G Roberts, B.A., invested the winner of the silver teapot for the soprano solo. Plants, palms, Ac., for decor- ating the rooms, which was beautifully done, were lent by Mr Ellis Griffith and Mr John Owen, fruiterer. At the close Mr Maethlon James moved a vote of thanks to Mr Denniss for occupying the chair. He vested by Mrs Denniss; Miss Chidlaw Roberts and Miss Ashton invested the winners of the gold medals for the duet; Mrs Yates presented the chair to the best reciter; and Mr T G Roberts, B.A., invested the winner of the silver teapot for the soprano solo. Plants, palms, &c., for decor- ating the rooms, which was beautifully done, were lent by Mr Ellis Griffith and Mr John Owen, fruiterer. At the close Mr Maethlon James moved a vote of thanks to Mr Denniss for occupying the chair. He re-echoed his remarks when he referred to the great loss Towyn and district had sustained in the death of their great benefactor, Mr Corbett. The unexpected news of his death cast a gloom over the whole district. They had sustained a greater loss than they could measure or realise that day. Mr Corbett was a kind hearted and a generous gentle- man, and one of Towyn's best friends; so generous that they could not expect to see his like again. Mr Denniss was in a position which allowed him facilities to do a great deal for Tow) n perhaps more than they knew. He remembered that some time ago about half-a-dozen of them were deputed to see him with the object of asking for certain favour. He granted them freely, and were now to be seen in the vicinity of the station. They had, however, not finished with Mr Denniss yet. They hoped to see him again soon, and in the same moid. They would expect a little more from him now than they did then, and he would tell them why. A gentleman who was in the habit of travelling a good deal told him the other day that he had noticed lately that since Mr Denniss bad taken to himself a wife, that the Cambrian trains kept much better time (laughter). If that was true-aid he had no doubt it was—it speaks volumes for his better half. He (Mr James) was very pleased to see her present that evening. There was one thing he would like to draw Mr Denniss'attention to, and that was if he would help them, if they could promise to hflp( the Company, to bring Towyn still more to the front. They all knew that there was a scheme on foot at present by the Government to schedule out centres for carrying out military manoeuvres at different centres all over the country—(applause)—and they at Towyn would like to see the town included in the list. He be- lieved if that could be brought about it would be to the mutual advantage of the railway company and the town. He would assure Mr Denniss that he could rely upon receiving whatever reasonable assistance was necessary from Towyn (hear, hear). He need not remind Mr Denniss that if some other town on the coast were selected that another rail- way company might be the gainers. He was glad to notice the interest taken by Mr Denniss in the prosperity of the coast generally and Towyn in particular (applause). He wished him long life and hoped to see him very often amongst them. He had pleasure in moving that their best thanks be accorded to him. Mr R B Yates briefly seconded the proposition, which was carried with acclamation. Mr Denniss said he greatly appreciated the kind words, almost too kind, used by Mr James. He would just say that anything the company could do for the further development of Towyn would be done. The district was a most beautiful one, and the welfare of the town and district would always have a very great interest for the Company (applause). He spoke thosa words not only personally but in his official capacity, be- cause be was quite sure, as Mr James had hinted, that if Towyn and district was more prosperous the Cambrian Railways would also be more pros- perous, and have an appreciable share in its increased prosperity. If he had been able with the resources of the Company to make some im. provements 1 s was very glad. He had had the pleasure to receive a deputation that afternoon asking for his help to improve the vicinity of the station, and it had been a pleasure to him as freely as in the other instance to acquiesce in the request, and he hoped soon to make further improvement in the neighbourhood of the station. As regarded a military camping ground he thought they would like to hear that it was the experience of those who bad visited the town that the ground gave unquali- fied satisfaction, and reports had gone to head- quarters, the War Office, which he thought ought to make Towyn feel that there was every hope that in the future the town would be regarded as distinctly one of the most important prospective camping grounds, if not in the whole of the country, certainly on the western side (applause). They had the matter in hand with the military authorities, and they might depend upon it that in their own interests the Cambrian Company would do all they could. He begged heartily to thank them for the kind reception given to him and for the most enjoyable evening (applause). The Secretaries, whose arrangements were admi- rable, were Messrs H W Griffith, College Green, and W 0 Ellis, Canadian.

DOLGELLEY. PETTY SESSIONS.—On Tuesday before the Rev E T Watts (chairman), Messrs C E M Edwards, R W Williams, and Colonel Scott, Mr Hugh Thomas, Drwysynant Inn, was charged by Superintendent Jones with selling drink to a drunken person on Sunday the 7th inst. Mr R G Jones prosecuted on behalf of the police, and Mr W R Davies appeared to defend. The Bench dismissed the case.

ABFRGYNOLWYN. BOARD.—The ordinary meeting of the Llanfihangel-y-Pennant School Board was held at the Board School on Friday last, when the follow- img members were present, Messrs W Jones, vice- chairman (in the chair), J Owen nnd G Griffiths,- It was reported that the following sums had been received since the last meeting Additional grant, jE151s6d; grant under Agricultural Rates Act, JE14 lis lOd fee grant, £ 12 15.\ On use of room, 7s 6d; total, £ 42 15s lOd. Several bills were examined and ordered to be paid. The attendance for the month was reported satisfactory. Circulars of invitation to a general conference of those inter- ested in education to be held at Bala were distributed. A discussion to take place there on the training of pupil teachers in which Mr Legard, Chief Inspector of Schools for Wales, and Mr Darlington are expected to take part.-Anl applica- tion from the Band for the use of the Schoolroom to hold a public concert was granted, and it was resolved that in future it will be necessary for all parties requiring the use of the School to notify the Board before publishing the date of meeting.— A resblution was adopted in favour of petitioning the Board of Education and the various training Colleges on the present inadequacey of training College accommodation as several of the successful candidates at the Scholarship Examination are now unable to gain admission.

» TWO THOUSAND GUINEAS. HANDICAPPER 1 DORICLES 2 OSBOCH 3

ABERDOVEY. THE NATIONAL SCHOOL.—On Wednesday even- ing a meeting was held at the National School fot the purpose of making a presentation to Miss Row- lands, the infants' mistress, and to distribute certi- ficates and prizes to the children for regular attendance and good conduct. The Rev J Rowlands, M.A., vicar, occupied the chair. The report of the diocesan inspector on the school was read, and was on the whole satisfactory. The infants acquitted themselves well, and showed that every care was taken with regard to the moral training. The higher groups did not seem to be so well acquainted with the subject matter. The answers lacked cohesion and exactness. Possibly that was due to the late change in staff of the school.-The Chair- man spoke of the value of a religious tiaining and regularity of attendance. There should be four parties working together, he said, viz, managers, teachers, parents, and scholars, in order to derive full advantage of the benefits of education. If these acted in union, and with sympathy, interest, and, )-operation, all would be benefited. In the unavoidable absence of Mrs Rowlands, through illness, the Vicar distributed the prizes and certi- ficates as follows :—Class I, John Jones, Lizzie Davies, James Lewis, and Lucy E Clayton (infants) 118 attendances. Class IT, Walter Clayton, J J Lewis, Anne Jones, J Lloyd, Maud Roberts, and R J Roberts (infants) 117 attendances; H Lewis, do, 116 attendances; J Green Williams and Nellie Watson, 115 attendances. Class III, Thomas Tomkins and Hugh Watson, 112 attendances; Nellie Russell, 111; Corneluis Jones, 110; Alfred Price, 108. Class IV, D T Jones, 107; Vernon Price and John Henderson, 105; Henry Williams, Sarah Millington, and Dorothy Vaughton, 104; James Vaughton, 103; Sarah Jones, 102. C!ass V, Hannah Lloyd, Fanny Watson and M B Jones 100 attendances.—The presentation was next made to Miss Rowlands. It consisted of a purse of gold contributed to by both Churchmen and Noncon- formists. The Vicar referred to Miss Rowlands' patience and faithfulness in her work, both as infants' mistress and also as organist of St Peter's Church. He also referred to her willing services as a musician at festivals for the public good in the town.—Mr Bozman suitably replied on behalf of Miss Rowlands.-The testmonial was originally pro- posed by Mr J M Howell, J.P., and Capt Edwards and Mr Evan Davies undertook the work of collect- ing.

CENTRAL WELSH BOARD. A meeting of the Executive Committee of the Central Welsh Board was held at Shrewsbury last week, when there were present, Mr A C Humphreys-Owen, M.P. (in the chair) Professor E Anwyl, Miss Collin, Mr John Daniel, the Rev Aaron Davies, Mr T M Franklen, Mr J Jones Griffiths, Mr Tom John, Mr J Trevor Owen, Principal T F Roberts, together with Mr W N Bruce, from the Board of Education Office, and Mr Owen Owen, chief inspector. A letter was received from the clerk to the Gov- ernors of Llangollen County School with reference to the meeting of the Board which is to be held at Llangollen on the 17th of May next, and it was ar- ranged that the Executive Committee should meet at Llangollen on the evening of the 16th of May, and that the Board should meet at 11 o'clock a.m., on the 17th of May. The general regulations and examination schedules for the year 1902 were con- sidered, and will be submitted to the meeting of the Board for final acceptance. It may be of interest to note that among other amendments in the exam. ination schedules is provision for the teaching of Welsh history in stages 1 and 2, and for the establishment of an honours group in history. Re- ports were read from the meeting of examiners in charge of the written examination, from the exam- iners in charge of the practical science examina- tions, and from the examiners in charge of the oral examinations of the Board. APPOINTMENTS. The following assistant examiners were reap- pointed :—In English, Mr A J Wyatt, M.A., Lond., and Cantab; in Scripture, Mr W Jenkyn Jones, B.A., Lond., and Cantab; in history, Professor Ed Edwards, M.A., Lond., and Cantab.; in mathe- matics, Mr W J Johnston, M.A.R.U.I..B.A, Dublin; Mr R H Pinkerton, B.A., Oxon., M.A. Glasgow; Mr F T Sharpe, M.A., Cantab.; in French, Mr A R Book, Senior Modern Language Master, Liverpool Institute, Mr E P Gaskin, M.A., Cantab. OFFERS OF SCHOLARSHIPS. A communication was received from the Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, offering a scholarship of JB80 a year at Jesus College, Oxford, for either classics or mathematics to the boy who shall have reached the highest percentage of marks on work of the honours certificate standard at the annual examination of the Central Welsh Board in July next. A communication was also received from the Principal, St David's College, Lampeter, offer- ing the following scholarships, tenable at St David's College, Lampeter, on the results of the annual examination of the Board to be held in July next: —(1) a scholarship of £22, tenable for three years, open to natives of the Principality, and to be awarded for excellency in classics, history, Scripture, mathematics, or science; (2) a scholarship of JE22 18s 4d, tenable for one year, for proficiency in Welsh. It was resolved that the Chief Inspector be authorised to forward to Jesus College, Oxford, and to St David's College, Lampeter, such reports as would enable those colleges to make the respective award.. IMPORTANT CONTEMPLATED CHANGES. A considerable proportion of the time of the meeting was occupied in the consideration of important changes which are contemplated in the Directory of the Board of Education (South Kensington) relating to the formulation in day schools (other than public elementary schools) of schemes of instruction for a three or four years' course in science. Mr W N Bruce made an exhaus- tive statement in explaining the provisions of the new regulations, which, if accepted by county schools in Wales and Monmouthshire, will have the effect of materially increasing their incomes by means of substantial grants, with the minimum disturbance of curriculum and organisation. Im- portant resolutions with regard to these proposals were adopted by the Executive Committee, and those resolutions will come up for consideration at the Llangollen meeting of the Board. At that meeting it is probable that important questions, not only as to the conditions of the memorandum about to be issued by the Board of Education, but also as to the reoeipt and distribution of the grant, will arise.

Inspector who held the inquiry appeared to be satisfied with the bargain struck by the Council. Mr Daniel Edwards: Is it possible to obtain a loan at a lower rate of interest ?—The Clerk: This was the best arrangement we could make. We advertised and this was the most favourable—Mr Daniel Edwards Can we refund the money if we happen at a future date to get more favourable terms ?—The Clerk This Board is under the Government, and the Government is always more ready to accede to such requests than other Corporations.-The Clerk was instructed to negotiate a loan for thirty years as soon as the formal sanction of the Local Government Board was obtained.-Capt Enoch Lewis asked if a loan for 60 years would not be preferable to one for 30. -The Clerk explained that the amount the town would have to pay over and above the loan for fifty years would be about £2,000. The Towyn members bad gone carefully into the figures and found that a loan for 30 years was by far the best. RESIGNATION. The Clerk read a communication from from Mr Maethlon James, stating that the ratepayers at a public meeting had done him the honour of electing him as their representative on the County Council on the clear understanding that he would vacate his seat on the Urban Council. He there- fore begged to tender his resignation, and enclose the usual fine.-The Clerk wished to say before the members expressed an opinion on the communi- cation how sorry he would be to lose Mr James from the Council. He had been of so much assist- ance as member and chairman, as well as outside the Council, that he would personally regret very much if he did not recall his resignation.-Mr D Edwards said they were not bound to nccept the resignation that day.—The Clerk: You can accept or refuse it. If you so desire you can ask Mr James to re- consider his decision.—Mr Dl. Edwards: I beg to propose that we do.—Mr Morris James seconded the proposition.—Mr E L Rowlands wished to bear his testimony to the valuable services Mr James bad performed on the Council for many years.- The Chairman also remarked that he had always found Mr James an impartial member which was more than could be said of everybody. It would be to the advantage of the Council to retain his services.—Mr John Rhys was also of opinion that Mr James was a valuable public man. Possibly he had strong and sufficient reasons for sending in his recognition, and they should not be too hard upon him.—The motion to ask Mr James to re- consider his resignation was then carried, and a deputation of the Towyn members appointed to see him, with the view of influencing him to recall it. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor reported that tLe Rev J Pugh Evans had kindly given permission to take off a portion of his land at Gwalia; Mrs Price, late of the Whitehall Hotel, had also expressed her readi- ness to grant a portion of land just above where the present improvement was being cairied on in order to widen the road. It was advisable to accept these generous offers in order that the whole work might be completed.—With a small outlay water could be used for watering the streets from Tymawr Brook in Towyn and Copperhill street in Aber- dovey. Complaints reached him almost daily at Towyn of the inadequate pressure of water, and some steps must be taken to meet this reasonable request. He was of opinio* that this would save a considerable amount of water at both places. It was advisable to have the pump at Bryncrug walled in.—Mr Jones, Bryn Garreglwyd, deserved recog- nition for his kindness in allowing him to draw water across his hfiy field for the use of the steam roller. It meant a saving of at least 50s to the ratepayerl.-A vote of thanks was passed to the Rev J Pugh for his generous concession of land at Gwalia.- As regarded the question of watering the streets at Towyn in summer the suggestion of the Surveyor was considered an excellent one, and it was resolved to ask Mr Latimer, of the Corbett Arms Hotel, to grant permission to enter his yard for the purpose of filling the cart. The same ques. tion at Aberdovey was referred to the local com- mittee.-The Surveyor further reported that Mr John Pughe, Cross Pipes Inn, Bryncrug, had carted 13 tons of stones to improve the road in his district free of charge. Mr John Davies, butcher, and Mr Hughes, Ysguboriau, had also rendered him valu- able assistance, for which he wished to thank them. -The report was adopted, and a vote of thanks passed to the last-named gentlemen. MR. CORBETT'S FUNERAL. Mr Henry Evans thought the Council should send one or two of its members to represent the town at Mr Corbett's funeral. He had done so much for the place that it was nothing less than their duty to do this.—On the motion of Mr John Roberts, seconded by Mr Gwilym Williams and Mr Morris James, Mr Henry Evans and Mr Meredith Jones were requested to go to Droitwich on behalf of the Council, to which request they consented.— It was incidentally remarked that a wreath had been sent on behalf of the townspeople. SEWERAGE AT TREFEDDIAN. Mr Edward Morgan, Machynlleth, owner of the Trefeddian Hotel and other houses now in course of erection on the Trefeddian Estate, appeared before the Council with plans of a septic tank which he proposed to erect on his premises for the disposal of sewage. The work was designed to serve a population of 140 and four horses, the max- imum low of sewage and storm water provided for being 1840 gallons per day. In conclusion Mr Morgan explained that he was put to this expense on account of the fear expressed by some of the Aberdovey members that they had not sufficient water to spare with which he could flush the main drain. The system was working satisfactorily at Exeter, and he was prepared to pay £1 towards the expense of sending the Council's Surveyor there to inspect the works.—Mr Morgan having left the Council room, it was decided to ask him to bear the expense of sending the Surveyor to Exeter for four davs to inspect the working of the system, with the view of advising the Council in the matter.