Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

ALLEGED POLLUTION OF RIVERS. Along letter, which was treated in committee, was received from the Local Government Board in .reference «> the alleged pollution of the rivers rby the mine waste.-The Board asked for informa- tion. RIVER PERIS. A new stone bridge is needed over the river Peris bv Rhydlar issaf, and a letter calling attention to the fact was received from the Llanrhystyd I Haminiog Parish Council.-The chairman suggested that a small committee should be appointed to look into the matter and report to the next meet- ins.—Agreed. B MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT. Dr James, a medical officer of the Council j *V\af Rpflirlsfc fever hsiu oroKen out Kuan, Brynmor K°ad, Bockfield Cottw». Si House? Liar I .r-rn, The Faotorj, P«dre, T ltmbadarn and Prospect Place, Llanbadarn. ■Ow^ to tte prevalence of whoopirs coDgh, Commins Coch school had been closed for two weeks. BORTH SBWERAGE. A letter was read from the Local Government ftoard with reference to the question of the sewer- the village of Borth, stating that the esti- g a nfVipr particulars referred to in previous ET bftb?Sirtae-t A-ia be prepared »e«r at Borth » cojp the a.1™ ° w ;jf the trough, a> it did before ing out a.' made for Mr North's visit to Borth the repa'rs we. fc() the j^a] Government last year. In my Q j gtated fcbat t.his Board, October 15th, watertight and be the case if the raini tn his report the had bsen leaned

-r T\/|r Hn(»he^) repotted that he had The Inspector (M 11 with sand. He llad bad it j|Td Hlld it now worked to have it looked after by a -an. An •Pfirlet fever had taken place at Bethel, l.langwy where there we.e 18 patient, suffering from the disease in nine different houses. Disinfectants a r\ nnrl the school w&9 closed. J.he 'Tgiurf 'be outbreak wM Mt know. but it probably imported.

Tnrd Kenvon, who distiibuted the prizes at the School on Saturday, sard Xle were too ma,y vested interests barring he wav of educational reform. There was a fear that amount of public representation on the a nnieement of Church schools would damage the Yohnftar^svstem. Tbat he belief to b. a perfect A 1 ™ ™'d would welcome such representation, bae iustr.cted Counsel to protest against the confirmation of -•try, C Gore in the Bishoprk; of Worcester.

MACHYNLLETH. CHRISTMAS BoxEs.-The tradesmen of the town have unanimously decided not to give any Christ- mas presents this year and notices to that effect hava already been issued throughout the town. POSTAL INFORMATION.—Letter boxes have been sanctioned and will shortly be placed at Forge, Penrhiew, Cwmsymlog, and Ffynon Caradog (Borth). THE CHURCH BELLS.—By the kindness of Mr Smail (son-in-law of the Rev Canou Trevor) a chiming apparatus has been presented to the Parish Church, by means of which one bell-ringer will be able to manipulate the six bells. The trials of the new apparatus have given great satisfaction. A IloTAL BBET.—Messrs Hamer, butchers, have on show at their branch shop a two-year-old ox fed and bred oa the King's estate at Windsor. The ox took second prize at the London Smithfield Cattle Show. The huge sides of beev were on view yes- terday and were mnch admired. H VLF-YEARLY ADDIT.—The half-yearly rent audit of Messrs Bonsall and Howell was held at the White Horse Hotel on Wednesday last. Major J Bonsall, 'ronfraith, and Mr J M Howell, Craigydon, were present to receive the rents. An abatement of 12L 2 per cent was made. At the conclusion of the business all the tenants sat down to a splendid dinner provided by Mr and Mrs Jones of the hotel, over which Mr J M Howell presided. In the even- ing Mr and Mrs Jones entertaiaed a number of the tradesmen of the town to dinner and a pleasant evening was spent. This was brought to a con- clusion by a hearty vote of thanks to the bost and hostess, proposed by Mr D H Evans, watchmaker, and seconded by Mr D Pagh. SCHOOL BOARD.- The monthly meeting of the School Board was held on Thursday, when the Rev W S Jones presided. It was decided that the schools skoald break up on the following day for two weeks, also to borrow £4,050 from tbe Pvblc Works Loan Commissioners at a a rate of 2 J per cent interest. The Board of Education wrote con- senting tkat the loan ahould be spread over a period of 40 years. This will work out at a rate of 5d in the £ on the present rateable value. The architect reported that he was satified with the excavations for the new school buildings. The clerk of the works had also visited the site.

COUNTY SCHOOL CONCERT. The Town Hall was filled on Thursday evening, by the loyal supporters of this excellent school. Although the reserved seats were three shillings each, every one was occupied. The programme was elaborate, the scenery brilliant, the dresses of the aetors in the Fairy Play extremely pretty. The scene from Henry IV." was excellent T W Phillips' personation of Sir John Falstaff being really wonderful anc striking. Elwy ap Ivor, as Prince Henry, and the others also performed very creditably. The whole thing was a revelation of school acting, to all esent, and reflected credit on Headmaster, staff and scholars. The platform songs were well rendered by Richard Hughes (in costume) and the choroses were effective. Miss Frances Lewis never sang better and fully deserved her encores. Miss Lewis has the making of a pro. minent singer. Miss Lumlev accompanied. A vote of thanks to Mr Meyler and staff v,as pro- posed by Mr Richard Rees, and seconded by Dr Davies. Mr Meyler on responding met with an enthusiastic reciption. He referred to the assistance rendered by Miss Lumley, Miss Morgan and Miss Lewis, and the pleasure it afforded the school to meet with such strong support as was evidenced by the large gathering. The programme was as follows (it should be noted that the scenes in the fairy play and Henry IV were elaborately got up) Fairy play, entitled "The Sleeping Beauty" King Clement, Hannah Morgan Queen Mabel, Gwennie Hughes Princess Rose (their daughter) H B Richards; Prince Seigfried, Prince Aster, Prince Abdallah (aspirants to win the Princess) Nesta Jenkins, Sasie Jenkins, Gwennie Rowlands; Stelia, Sabrina, Verda, Hespera (fairies) Gladys Morgan, Dilys Jones, Mair Davies, Lizzie Morris; Lady Mildred, Lady Grace, Lady Violet, Lady Helena (Court ladies) Annie M Jones, Blodwen Roberts, Mignon Meyler, Mary Jones; Court Jester, Florence Jenkins; Page, M Hughes; Cook, Gladys Evans; Hodge (a peasant) Annie J Williams: ISurse, Phcabe Williams; Triksy (a peasant girl) Lizzie Hassall; 1st Lord, Katie Jones 2nd Locd, D Davies 3rd Lord, A Arthur part song, The miller's wooing" carol, "Wassail song" plantation song, Way down dar in Ten- nessee"; song, "Love is a plaintive song," Miss Frances Lewis; Scene from Shakespeare's King Henry IV-Sir John Falstaff, T W Phillips; Prince Henry, Elwy ap Ifor Poins, G M Davies; Bardolph, R Hughes; Peto, J E Evans; Gadshill, A Morris; Francis, J K Watkins; Hostess, G Evans; solo, I eannofc tell what this love may be," Miss Francei Lewis; plantation song, De Lecture"; carol, Good King Wenceslas three part songs without accompaniment, (a) I loved a lass," (b) "Oh the sweet contentment," (c) Love me true, dear lassie" plantation song, "Far away ober dere" part song, The river." The same performance was given at Corris on Friday evening.

WELSH POETRY. [BY D.T.H.] The address on 'Barddooiaeth Gy aireig' delivered in Welsh by lolo Caernarfon in the Town Hall on Friday evening week, before the Cymdeithas Cymrégyddioa Cyfci'iog," will not easily be for- gotten by those wro bad the pivilege of listening to it. Mr John Rowlands presided, supported by Wum n" and Morfa." The Lecturer stands in a 'oremosi ranks of Welsh Poets, is the winner of several e'sfceddfodic chairs*, rational and pro- v-ctal, is a poei.ic CKIUC of high sti-daid, and is endowed with a wa-velloas meaiory when it is bociie in mind that he leered the choicest specimens of the beat poets from the 6th to the 19th century. Iolo Caevaarfon said ;-Welsh Poetry is a subject of wide and varied range, both in its kind and in the temperaments of the puets. Wales has had eagle- pcecs whose daring imaginations have boldly pierced tbe light of Heaven itself. On the other hand, during the dark and gloomy periods of her history, she has had her nightingale poets chanting their tuneful melodies during the night of despair and oppression. She has bad her lark-poets with tbeir lapid flights and heavenly visions, and her thrush-poets breaking out with occasional deep sonorous swelling notes as of a grand organ. A strangle thing to be noted is that while one age may produce quite a cluster of poets, and some of th*m rery good poets too, anther age goes by with only very good poets too, anther age goes by with only one or two. What can be the reason of this ? Another striking occurrence is that not only do great posts spring up near one another as to time, but they happen to be born in the same neigh- bourhood. This coincidence of time and place is really very remarkable, and a problem that has not yet been solved. Compared with the small sise of the country, Wales may be said to have produced much poetry, and some of it of excellent quality. But the Welshman possesses more power to compose poetry than to enjoy it, and he is not at any time very been on reading it. Notwith- standing the high standard and quantity of Welsh poetry, it ccunot be said even now that it is an element in the formation and developing of the na' ional character. We often hear at the Eisteddfod the qaeation Sput before chairing the successful bard, A oes Hedwch (Is it peace ?) The reply comes immediately, Oes" (Yes), and the success- ful bard is accordingly honoured. But Dot eight in ten out of all those thousands ever give a second thought to the sacce~,sfol ode, the winning piece of poetry This is strange, to say the least, for there has been enough poetry produced during the last centry to provide Wales for one age if not for all ages. The question arises, Wbere is all this poetry gone ?:' Eight odes out cf ten disappear, many of the unsuccessful ones were vastly superior to some that have come down to us. One reason for this disappear- ance undoubted "y is the great poverty of the Welsh poe.;s of bygone days. Tbey used to go from house to bouse singing the praises of the gentry and their children, for which they received food and drink and shelter for the night. The poets of old were very hard diinkers, wore long hair, and were characterised generally as night birds." Such were the rewards of poetry in those days. The present-day poets are possibly better dressed than their ancestors, bat not as the result of the sale of their productions, however good these may be. Three exceptions must be lecorded, viz., Owain Cyfei'iog, Howel ap Hywel, and Rhys Goch Eryri. Tnese three were well circumstanced and indepen- dent. In the 6th century we have Taliesin Ben Beirdd (of immortal fame), Aneurin Gwawdrydd (author of the famous Godadin), and Llywarch Hên. The last named deserves a. great deal more of the respect and attention [of his nation than is accorded him. Myrddin and Talhaiarn may also be mentioned. In the 10th and 11th centuries we perceive the dawn of the cynghanedd, or harmony of sound, in Welsh poetry. This age produced such men as Meilir o Drefeilir, Môn (Anglesey), Gwalchmai ap Meilir, Einion, &c. Gwalchmai's description of the slain at the battle of Abermenai is the strongest thing of its kind in the language. The bodies of the slain, he tells us, stemmed the torrent of the tide. Cynddelw made use of the same figure years afterwards, but his was not original During the V.cb, 15th, and 16th centuries we have Rhys Goch Eryri, DafycM Nautfawr whose descriptive powers of colour are unparalleled in the language, as is proved by his description of the daughter of Gogerddan's lovely bair, &o; Iolo Goch, Gly»dwr, Dafydd ap Edmwnt, &c. These poets are characterised by the frequency of two-lined ideas in their compositions. We now come to a gigantic poet, Dafydd ab Gwilym, son of Gwilym Gam. He was born at Brogynin, near Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, and was a great love poet, who sang exquisitely the praises and charms of Morfudd and Dyddgu, two beautiful Welsh ladies, whose hearts he endeavoured to win for himself, but failed. In 1622 another great poet, Huw Morua, was born. A atill greater than be, Goronwy Owen—(cheers)—was born exactly a hundred years afterwards (1722). In 1717 the great hymnist, William Williams, of Pantycelyn, was born. He was and is, in a peculiar degree, the poet of the godly man, in the same sense that Goronwy Owen may be called the poet of the literary man. The latter's line, Lais eos i lysowen (the voice of a nightingale to an eel) is well kncwn. His masterpiece of-course is Cywydd y Farn (ode on the'Day of Judgment), which ranks as one of the masterpieces of the language. A we" known line ot "it is Mal eawr arutbr ya rhuthro," a faint idea; of the force of which may be gathered from its translation as a giant of Herculean size and strength rushiag headlong at a fearful pace and smashing into atoms everything that comes in his way. Goronwy Owen is well worth studying as a classic. In 1789 we come to the first Eisteddfodic production. The E'steddfod was held by the Gwyneddigion at Bala. The winner of the chief Awdl was the well-known Gwallter Mechain (cheers) on the subject, Ystyriaeth Oes Dyn" (a consideration on man's life). Twm o'r Nant frequently com- petedagainst Gwallter Mecbain, and a very serious dispute ended on one occasion in a duel between Dr Samuel and a Ned Vaughan, respective sup- porters of the rival competitors, in which the famous Welsh lexicographer-Dr William Owen Pughe-was a second. The subject of Liberty (Rhyddid) at the St Asaph Eisteddfod was prompted by the horrors and the bloodshed of the French Revolution. We now come to a genius of the first water "DewiWyn o Eifion" (cheeks). He was born at Gaerwen, Anglesey. When a friend took him on a visit to an asylum in Ireland, Dewi was &o struck with horror at the sight of the dumb and helpless inmates, that he tamed to his friend and said with despair stamped on his palid face Wei, wel, dyma le waeth nâg Uffern; oherwydd caniatteir iddynt yno ringcian eu dannedd," which being translated means Well, well, this place is worse than hell; for they are allowed even there to gnash their teeth." In 1805 he won on Molawd ijnys Prydain," in which is a description of water of such intense reality and vividness that it stands unique in Welsh if not in any language. Water is an element which usually defies the artist and poet. Ieuan Glan Geirionydd's name (cheers) needs no introduction. Who has not read his sublime Gwlfcdd Belshazzarand bis Wreck of the Rothesay Castle." We pass by with deep respect the renowned Caledfryn and William Rees. In 1824, one of the greatest and purest of poets appeared—Eben Fardd. Probably his Dinystr Jerusalem" (Destruction of Jerusalem) has been more widely read than any other piece of poetry in the language— with the exception perhaps of Vicar Pritchard's Canwyll y Cymru" (The Candle of Wales), which has had a circulation perhaps exceeded only by Bunvan's Pi'grim'a Progress." In 1850 appears tte first Pryddest. It was Yr Adgyfodiad (The Resurrection) by Eben Fardd, a lengthy poem, but possessing some very sublime passages. Modern Welsh Poetry is char- acterized by much haste. The matter contained in it is good, but the arrangement and adorning of the itme show little labour. The lecturer recited the most striking passages with dramatic effect, and after finishing by quoting Blackwall's fine Elegy on Bishop Heber, sat down amidst great cheering.- Wnion" proposed a vote of thanks to the lecturer, which was seconded by Morfa, who referred to his mavellous memory.—In reply. Iolo Caernarfon said that he was forty years old before he became aware that he possessed a retentive memory. He urged the younger brethren to develop and strengthen their powers of memory.

ENTOMBED MINERS. A PATHETIC DOCUMjENT. A diary has been found in the Donibristle Mine with entries in it made by the entombed miners whose bodies have been recovered. The diary belonged to Rattray, the overstnan. The papers are spr;nkled with blood and much writing is not decipherable owing to the pages being written actoss. The last moment3 of the entombed men were evidently softened by thoughts of their loved ones at home. M'Dooa'd wrote, "Am thinking of wee Donal. Go 1 bless him." This was his three- year-old son. Paterzon wrote. "And-ew leaves love to Annie and the bairns." Other eatries are disjointed. Love your mother for me." "James look after the children." We have no hope of gett:ng out." "Prepared to die." "The mess is creeping o* us." "We cannot see nor hear; all dark. Failing now."

EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY CHEAP WEEK-END & 10 DAYS TICKETS are also issued from Liverpool, Manchestei Stock port, Chester, Crewe, Stafford, Shrewsbury, Brad ford, Leeds, Oldham, Huddersfield, Halifax, Roch. dale, Wakefield, Blackburn, Chorley, Accrington Burnley, Bolton, Wigan, Warrington, Preston Leicester, Derby, Burton, Stoke, Burslem, Hanley Birkenhead, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Wed. neebury, Walsall, Peterborough, Northampton Bull, Sheffield, Barnsley, &c., &c., to Oswestry, Llanymynech, Llanfyllin, Welshpool, Montgomery, Newtown, Llanid. loes, Machynlleth, Borth, Aberystwyth Aberdovey, Towyn, Barmouth, Dolgelley' Harlech, Portmadoc, Criccieth, & Pwllhelj: CHEAP WEEK END TICKETS (Friday and Saturday to Monday or Tuesciay) will be issued on EVERY FRIDAY AND SATURDAY Also 14 DAYS' EXCURSION TICKETS From nearly all Cambrian Inland Stations, to Machynlleth, Borth, Aberystwyth, Aber. dovey, Towyn, Barmouth, Dolgelley, Harlech, Portmadoc, Criccieth, and Pwllheli also to Rhayader, Builth Weils, & Brecon.' EVERY THURSDAY AND SATURDAY IN DECEMBER, 1901, For exceptions see the Company's announcements CHEAP rAY EXCURSIONS WILL BE RUN TO LIVERPOOL AND MANCHESTER From Llanidloes 6 40 a.m., Newtown 7 12, Mont. fTJl- 28 Welshpool 7 50, Llanymynech 8 15, Llanfyllin 7 35, Oswestry 8 40, Ellesmere 9 0 and Fenn's Bank 9 21. For times of trains at intermediate stations see handbills. ON EVERY THURSDAY and SATURDAY in DECEMBER (for exceptions see the Com, pany'sannouncements) FULL-DAY & HALF DAY EXCURSION TICKETS will be issued to LIVER POOL Lime Street, Edge Hill, Spellow o Walton), and to MANCHESTER (London Road), as under :-From Oswestry, full day at 8 40 a.m. and half-day at 11 30 a.m. and 1 55 p m (via Whitchurch and Crewe) from Ellesmere at 9 0 a.m for full day, and 11 40 a.m. and 2 15 pm for half-day; Third-class fares for full day To Liverpool, 3s 9d To Manchester, 3s 9d. Half day To Liverpool and Manchester, 2s 9d. Passengers return the same day from Liverpool (Lime Strati at 6 55 p.m., or 11 55 p.m., Edge Hill at 12 0 midnight; and from Manchester (London Road) at 7 55 p.m or 12 0 midnight. ON EVERY SATURDAY m NOVEMBER and until further notice. Cheap Day and Half Day EXCURSION TICKETS will be issued to SEA COMBE, NEW BRIGHTON and HAW ARDEN (for Harwarden Castle), from Oswestry, Ellesmere, Overton-on-Dee, Bangor-on-Dee, and Marchwiel. For full particulars of train times and fares, see handbills. THE CAMBRIAN RAILWAYS COMPANY issue FIRST CLASS 1,000 and 500 MILE TICKETS, the Coupons of which enable the pur- chasers to travel between stations on the Cambrian Railways during the period for which the tickets are available, until the Coupons are exhausted. The price of each ticket is z65 5s 1,000 miles and ?:17b 6d 500 miles, being about lid per mile. Application for the 1,000 or 500 mile tickets must be made in writing, giving the full name and address of the purchaser, and accompanied by a remittance, to Mr W H Gough, Traffic Superintendent, Cambrian Railways, Oswestry (cheques to be made pay- able to the Cambrian Co. or order) from whom also books containing 100 certificates for authorising the use of the tickets by pur chaser's family, guests, or employes can be obtained price 6d each book, remittance to accompany order. C. S. DENNISS, General Manager POSTERS printed in all colours at the COUNTY TIMES Office, Welshpool; newest type, and style and moderate charges. style and moderate charges.

hear the chanre of drnrkryviess made.—R?chard H Straw, Belle Yue, Barn.outb, said that on the day in question ho was at the hotel and Saw Stewart there. When he was charged, witness asked the police how they proved a man drank, and the toeing the line business followed. Afterwards went with Stewart in search of a doctor but failed to find one. He bad no doubt whatever that Stewart was perfectly sober.-Robert Davies said he drove Mr Stewart part of the way home, who told him that he had been charged with drunkenness. Davies ex- pressed surprise and thought he was quite sober.- -Cross-examined He appeared to be very excited. —George White, Corsygedol Hotel, saw Mr Stewart \that day and was of opinion that he was quite fSober, as he called and asked for a horse and trap, and offered to direct him on the way, as he said he was not very certain of it.—John Morris, farmer, IHendreclochydd, said he met Mr Stewart near the surgery in High street. He appeared to be sober. -Other witnesses called were Rowland G Roberts, driver, E G Roberts, G Williams, farm servant, and Wm Mitchelmore, The Inn, Llanddwy we, the latter stating that Mr Stewart called and told him that be had been charged by the police, but be had no hesi tation whatever in serving him.-This concluded the case f(,r the defenee.-The magistrates retired and on their return said they had decided that the case was pxoved and fined defendant 10s and costs. The second case, namely that of selling d. ink to a drunken person was then proceded with after luneheon. A considerable amount of discuss'on followed as to whether the case should be pro- ceeded with separately, which was ultimately agreed to.-Mr Guthrie Jones in opening said that the facts of the case had already been disclosed, and he did not think it necessary to call any more Witnesses, except the police. Sergt Owen and P.C. Roberts repeated their evidence as to finding Mr Stewart in the hotel, with a glass of before him, Supt Jones was also called.—Mr Moes, for the defence, submitted that he had no case to answer—Mr Guthrie Jones said that it was clear from the evidence given that drink had been sold to a drunken man on licensed premises, and read 'tha Section of the Act dealing with the matter— The bench retired for a few minutes and said that they were unanimous that there had been a sale, :and had decided, as it was the third conviction -against the house and the second against the j licensee, that he be fined R5 and the lincence (endorsed. w ™ •, DBFNK AND DISORDERLY— Joe Wyllie and Fred -TattersaH, Barmouth were charged with being < drunk and disorderly the previous week. Sergt towen proved the case and the defendants were fined 5s and costs, each, Wyllie who was present Iremarking that it was a vary dear drink.-J iRoberts, Talybout Mill Dyffryn was charged wi.h tthe same offence and also L Pngh Llanbedr. The former was fined 39 6d with cosis and the latter, who was an o'd offender 7s 6d and costs.