Welsh Newspapers
Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles
2 articles on this Page
THE MAWDDWY RAILWAY.
THE MAWDDWY RAILWAY. RAILWAY COMMISSION AT MACHYNLLETH. Two Light Railway Commissioners — Colonel Boughev, R.E., C.S.I., and Mr Henry Allen Stewart (with Mr E. Welby Everard as acting secretary) sat at the Town Hall, Machynlleth, on Wednesday, to inquire into an application of the Mawddwy Railwav Co., under the Light Railway Act of 1896 for £ 13,000 as a free grant and partly as a loan for the purpose of repairing the permanent way, bridges, culverts, etc., and provide locomotives and rolling stock for the Mawddwy Railway. Mr Woosnam, solicitor, Newtown, appeared for the promoters of the scheme to work the railway as a light railway; Mr Bullock for the Menllyn Slate Coy.; Mr John Rowlands, solicitor, Mach- ynlleth, for the Mallwyd Urban Council; Mr A. J. Hughes, Aberystwyth, for the inhabitants of Dinas Mawddwy; and Mr Kendrick Minshall (Messrs Minshall, Parry-Jones and Pugh, Oswestry) for the Cambrian Railways Company. Amongst the large and interested attendance were Lord Henry Vane- Tempest, Sir Edmund Buckley, director of the Company; Mr W. R. M. Wynne, lord lieutenant of Merioneth; Mr C. S. Denniss, secretary and general manager; and Mr W. H. Gough, superintendentof the Cambrian Railway; Mr Cbas. E. Williams, Oswestry, secretary of the Mawddwy Railway Mr R. Bur. ton, Wrexham, engineer; Messrs Wm. Pugh, Thos. Thomas, John Parry, and the Rev R. H. Joues, Aberangell; Mr Francis, Aberhiriaeth; Messrs Mallory, Aberystwyth John Jones, J. and W. H. Bullock, Thomas Davies, G. Griffiths, jun., Row- land Evans, — Evans, Post Office; Dr Morris, and the Rev R. E. Davies, Dinas Mawddwy Messrs E. H. Davies, Aberangell; Mr R. Jones, Llanerch Mr Richards, Maesgainda; Col Norton and Mr M. E. Francis, Dolcorsllwyn Mr T. Steadman, Mallwyd; Messrs E. and Gillart, R. Machynlleth; Mr John Edwards, Rbydygwail; and the Rev R. Richards, Cemmaes. Mr Woosnam explained that the company was fine was finished in aiig .tgt1 the line was closed to passenger traffic, and now only two goods trains ran daily. It ran up a beautiful valley, and the traffic on it consisted principally of agricultural stock and minerals from the quarries there. It was estimated that £13,000 would be required to put the line in order, and it was proposed that the Cambrian Railways Company should work the line for them upon terms to be agreed upon. Mr Charles E. Williams, Oswestry, secretary and manager of the Mawddwy Railway Company for the past 15 years, stated that the Company was, in a way, a private concern, though built under a special Act, and had been worked at a dis- advantage. Some of the disadvantages was the purchase of coal at full price, repairs of engines were costly, the engines having to be sent to Leeds and railway carriage was X30 to £ 40 each; sleepers cost them 3s. 6d. each, whereas the Cambrian Company purchased them at 3s. They had not spent on the line what they should have spent, with the present result. They stopped the passenger trains because they considered it unsafe to run, and they bad no money to spend on the line. A goods train ran daily each way, and the company dealt with the postal work at Dinas Mawddwy. They had been assisted from time to time by traders in the valley and the fact of their paying an extra rate showed their interest in keep. ing the line open. They bad agreed in 1882 to pay Is. 2d., and a few years later Is. 6d. extra rate. Tne company had five stations altogether and there were several off-shoot valleys, in each of which there was a considerable number of farms so that the line was and would be of considerable benefit to the agricultural interest. Three out of four quarries were working and if the line were put on a proper footing the traders would feel more secure and it was very likely more money would be spent in the valley. There was a lot of growing timber and there were three noted fishing rivers in the district. He mentioned tourist arrangements which had existed. The record ton- nage on the line during the thirty years prior to 1900 averaged 3,045 tons per year and the for- warded tonnage averaged 3,076 per year; and the gross receipts which did not include extra rates received, averaged £1,413 per annum. The pro- moters asked that the rates for the carriage of minerals should be increased 100 per cent. In reply to a commissioner, Mr Williams handed in the brginal Act of 1865 which he said was upset by the Act of 1891. Under that Act some of their rates were reduced and others raised. Proceeding Mr Williams said that at present the rate for coal, &c., class A. from Cemmes road to Dinas Mawddwy was Is. 6d. and most of the traders paid Is. 6d. extra rate in order to help keep the line open; so they were paying a total of 3s. Under the new arrangement the promoters proposed to double the statutory charge of lOd. a terminal charge of 3d., a total of Is. 13 d. instead of 5s. under class B. for slate, slabs, lime, &c., the present rate Is. 9d. with the extra rate was 33. 3d., but the proposed new rate was 2s. 4d. Under class C which included corn, flour, &c., the rate was 2s. and with the extra rate 3s. 6d., but under the new rate it would be 3s. The rate for beer, sugar and round timbet was 4s. 2d., but the new rate would be 4s. Mr Williams explained that the agreements signed by traders to pay the extra rate were not now in force, bnt several persons paid the rate voluntarily and they thought it hard lines that the others did not also assist in a like manner. Col. Boughey said if the increased rates were granted it would be on the ground that the Board of Trade would have the power to reduce them at any time if it was thought necessary. Mr Woosnam said that was so. Mr Williams, referring to the passenger fares, said that they now asked with regard to them that the first class should be increased from 3d. to 4d. per mile; the second class from 2d. to 3d., and the third class ljd. to 2d., leaving the parliamentary trains, of which there were two daily, at Id. as before. The chairman of the company and he had met the clerk to the Mallwyd Urban Council and three or four ofhers making the committee, and discussed these rates, and they practically agreed that the third class fare should remaiuatltd as before." Mr Hughes asked if it could not be made a penny as the reduction would be immensely appreciated. Mr Woosnam said that was a matter which might be Arttuaged with the Cambrian Company. Col. Norton asked why Mr Williams asked for an increase of 100 per cent in the rates, and Mr Williams replied that it was because they did not think they could do with less. Mr Richard BurtoD, emgineer to the company, stated that his estimate of putting the line in order was £13,013 18s. In reply to Mr Stewart Mr Barton said that the line was liable to be closed any day perhaps the next fall of heavy rain would bring this about. By Mr Rowlands The sum of X575 was set apart in the estimate for improving the road at Dinas; nothing was allowed for new sidings or warehouse at Aberangell. There was a siding there already. Mr C. S. Denniss, general manager and secretary of the Cambrian Railways Company, said the Cam. brian Company was interested in the Mawddwy railway because of the large tourist traffic which passed off the Cambrian on to it. They believed this was capable of considerable development. From a railway managerial point of view, the slate traffic in the district was of great value, and in the event of the line being closed the cost of cartage to Cemmaes-road, about 10a a ton, would make it practically prohibitive, and unless something radical was done, that traffic would decrease and the Cambrian would also suffer. A large popula- tion in the valleys would also have to use the roads exclusively. He had the authority of his Board to state that the Cambrian Company were prepared to enter into an agreement to work the line for 65 per cent of the gross receipts, which was a little more than the cost of working the Cambrian line last year. In working it they would rely on the mileage revenue they would get on the Cambrian itself, and not with the desire to exhoit high rates out of the traffic. In reply to Mr Sewart, Mr Denniss said it would mean a loss to the Cambrian Company to work the line on the old maximum charges. He did not suppose if the new maximum charges were granted that the Company would impose them to the full, but fix them at what was considered reasonable. In reply to Col. Boughey, Mr Denniss said it was a Qj^jstion of^the working^^xgeiise. For the same carry four or five times the amount of traffic that they did. Mr Hughes saying that a great deal depended on the agreement and that he would like to see it, Mr Woosnam said personally he was quite willing to shew Mr Hughes the draft agreement. Mr Hughes then enquired if the working agreement would in- clude the provision of the rolling stock by the Cambrian Railway Company. Mr Denniss replied that he could not say at present. With regard to the Tanat Valley Railway, which the Cambrian bad agreed to work, they would provide the rolling stock, but that line was double the length of the Mawddwy and traversed a richer district. Sir Edmund Buckley, chairman of the Mawddwy Railway, stated that he agreed substantially with what Mr Williams had stated. He was anxious to facilitate the working of the line. He might add that neither chairman or directors had ever re- ceived a shilling out of the line. In reply to Colonel Boughey, Mr Chas. Williams said that the original capital of the company was £21,000, and Sir Edmund Buckley had paid in £ 20,000 without any security. No dividend or interest had been paid the shareholders and no fees to the directors. Mr Woosnam added that he was told that the secretary had been poorly paid. He had received stoker's wages (laughter). Mr W. R. M. Wynne, Peniarth, lord lieutenant of Merionethshire, said that the closing of the line would be a great detriment to the farming industry. The line itself had been a great advantage. With regard to the present rates, if the cent, per cent. were agreed to the rates they would be lower than now. Much of the rate was paid voluntarily, and he as a landowner up the valley agreed to it. Mr John Jones, manager of the Mawddwy Coal and Lime Company, spoke of the advantage the line was to him. If the line were closed the goods would have to be carted from Cemmes Road in carts and wagons to Dinas Mawddwy, and he would not be able to carrv on business as well as now. Cartage of the coal and lime would mean an extra rate on the consumers. At present he paid 3s per ton, but for cartage it would be 7s or 8s. He thought that the new rates suggested were fair and reasonable. Mr Arthur Hughes said that in order to shorten the proceedings he might say that the people up the valley were heart and soul in keep- ing the lise open, but it was merely a question of rates with them. It did not appear to him any. body had gone into the matter with sufficient care to place reliable figures before the inquiry. In reply to Mr Stewart, Mr Hughes said his clients would agree to remunerative rates, but be did not know that they and the charges in the order were identical. Mr John Rowlands agreed with Mr Hughes's statement. He then went on to detail the objections and what had taken place between Mallwyd Urban Council and Si" Edmund Buckley. Speaking of the rates, Mr Rowlands said the schedule of the proposed rates which had been supplied had cleared a great difficulty from the minds of the Council and others, and they abandoned any objection they had thereon. However, they would still urge with regard to the passenger rates that the third class fare should be a penny. They had reason to think if that were done the traffic would increase con- siderably. With regard to the working agreement, it had been stated that they should see it before it was approved finally, and that being so he took it there would be no objection from any other parties. Mr Bullock said the rate for coal was heavy enough already. A charge of Is. 6d. was too high ane could not be afforded in many cases. Had it not been for Sir Edmund's plantations many people would have been without fire in the winter. Asked by Mr Stewart whether the slabs would not be put out of the market if the line were closed, and if they would not be, how could they be got to Cemmes road, Mr Bullock said they would haul them on the railway by means of horses (laughter). Mr Charles Williams: Oh no (more laughter). Mr Bullock admitted that the cost of cartage, 63. to 8s. per ton to Cemmes road, would be prohibitive. In reply to Col Boughey, Mr Woosnam said that the opening of the line was dependent on the grant from the Treasury. No attempt had been made to raise money locally. Col Boughey said the efforts of the promoters must go to show how the money was to be raised. When that arrangement was done it must be sub- mitted together with the working agreement with the Cambrian to the Board of Trade, and when the rates were definately put before them an order would be framed. Without that, no order would be framed. Mr Woosnam said the promoters relied on the Treasury to come to their assistance, as the district was a very poor one. Mr Woosnam having thanked the Commissioners for a courteous hearing, the enquiry closed.
MONTGOMERYSHIRE COUNTY GOVERNING…
MONTGOMERYSHIRE COUNTY GOVERNING BODY. FINAL MEETING. A meeting of the Montgomeryshire County Governing Body was held at the Town Hall, Welshpool, on Wednesday. Present, Mr A. C. Hampbreys-Owen, M.P., in the chair; Captain Mytton, Messrs W. Forrester Addie, R. Lloyd, W. Cooke, W. Jones, Col Twyford, Miss Howell, Mrs Humphreys-Owen, Mrs E. Davies, and Miss Rees, with the Clerk (Mr Winnall) and Mr Powell (Clerk's office). SCHOLARSHIPS. The Finance Committee reported that they had engaged Miss Hilditch, as travelling teacher at the some salary as Miss Morgan until December. They had received the result of the scholarship examination Gwendoline Lloyd Rowlands has passed in Division A. and Goronwy Meredith Davies had also passed in that Division. Both were scholars at Machynlleth school.—The report was adopted. THE LLANFYLLIN COOKERY CLASSES. A letter was read from the Llanfyllin Managers regretting the County Governing Body could not see their way to arranging for the travelling cookery teacher to visit Llanfyllin on some other day than Saturday, as there was a feeling in the town against opening the schools on Saturdays. They enquired whether it would be possible to arrange for the Merionethshire teacher to attend. Mrs Humphreys-Owen said it-seemed to her that uuo 5_ that she thought tbe County Governing Body should have some assurances that the pervices of the teacher would be made use of. Her inform- ation was that there were only four girls for the teacher, and that at one time she was utilised for the teaching of plain sewing instead of dress. making. Certainly the County Governing Body did expect that ordinary plain needlework should be taught by the ordinary staff of the school. vv natever decision that authority came to might be varied, but her idea was the best way would be to engage the services of a teacher from Oswestry to give that one special lesson. Mr Wm. Jones, the newly appointed representa- tive of Llanfyllin, said there were strong complaints against having the lesson on Saturday, and the chil. dren would give up the cookery altogether unless something was done. The engagement of a teacher from Oswestry would suit their views. The Chairman said that the new authority would have to take into consideration the making of the present appointment a permanent one and then this question could be considered. After further discussion in the course of which Mr Addie pointed out that the suggestion made meant more expense, Capt Mytton proposed that the managers be asked to accept the present terms for this quarter, and that they ask the new educa- tion authority to give the question their considera- tion.—This was agreed to. THE DAVID DAVIES SCHOLARSHIP. With regard to a scholarship won by a Llandinam student who wished have it tenable at Newtown instead of Llanidloes, the Clerk to the Llanidloes Gove mors wrote protesting that the scholarships were intended for the schools of the particular district. The Clerk said an identical case occurred last year, when it was decided that the scholar- ships should be held at the school for which they were intended. The Clerk said the rule bad been laid down and they should not depart from it.—The application to hold the echolarshp at Newtown was therefere refused. VACANT SCHOLARSHIPS. From the correspondence read by the Clerk it appeared that Gwendoline Rowlands' parents—she had won a scholarship—considered her too young to go to College. She was only 16, and there was an application that the scholarship be allowed to stand over. The Headmaster of Machynlleth school, at which the girl is a pupil, wrote calling attention to the rule made by the County Governing Body last year that no exhibition could be deferred. Under a later date he wrote that the other pupils would claim their rights if Miss Rowlands' application and that of Goronwy M. Davies were allowed. The latter was disqualified as he had gone to a county school in another county. The Clerk said that there was a record on the minutes against any scholarship being deferred. Mrs Humphreys-Owen in answer to Captain Mytton, said that 16 was too young for a girl to go to college, she should be 17 or 18. Referring to the fact that only two students had qualified for scholarships in divisions A and B., she en- quired whether the Central Board had any power to disqualify the remainder of the students. Mr Lloyd remarked that it was a pity the scholar- ships should elapse. Mr Addie suggested they should write to the Central Board asking them to forward the marks obtained, and state whether there was any objection to some other students having the scholarships. Mrs Humphreys-Owen seconded and it was agreed. NEWTOWN EXTENSIONS. The Clerk read correspondence with the Board of Education about the proposed alterations and extensions at Newtown County Schools. The Board had written approving the plans and asking that the list of tenders, together with an intimation which was to be accepted, should be forwarded to the Board. The Newtown governors wrote stating they required a loan of not more than £800 for the work, and the Board of Education had sanctioned that loan. Application had been made to the Public Works Commissioners who agreed to pro- vide the loan at 3i per cent, interest and loan to be repayable in 30 years. The matter was now awaiting the County Governing Body's instructions for the preparation of the mortgage. Mr Lloyd said the local governors did not; know yet what the cost would be, they thought about zC600, and fixed £800 as the amount not to be ex- ceeded.1 It was decided that the completion of the arrange- ments should be proceeded with, the Clerk re- marking that the matter would come before the new authority for confirmation. THE WELSHPOOL LOAN REFUSED. Correspondence was also read between tba clerk and the Board of Education with reference to the application of the Welshpool Governors for a loan of £ 400 for purposes connected with the erection of the new worksiiop, to which the sanction of the Board of Education had been given. The Public Works Commissioners wrote stating that as it appeared the money was required for work erected and it was not the practioe of the commssioners to grant loans for the purpose of replacing money provided from oth jr sources, they could not enter- tain the application as regarded JE350, but they were piepared to consider a loan for £50 oa receiv- ing the Board of Education certificate for that amount. That reply was referred to the school managers with the question whether an application should be made somewhere else. Subsequently the Prudential Assurance Company was written to and made an offer to provide the money at 4 per cent. Mr Addie remarked that the correspondence had not come before the school managers but would do so on Friday, and he suggested the matter should be left over to them. They might be disposed to take the loan. The Chairman You have spent the money ? Mr Addie: Yes. Mr Humphreys-Owen thought the matter must have been put wrongly before the commissioners. The Clerk said it was explained to them that zC350 was to repay money temporarily borrowed. Mr Addie thought probably the Public Works Loans Commissioners would like to reconsider the matter, and suggested that the chairman should interview them on the subject. In answer to Capt Mytton, he added that the local governors had paid the money which they obtained from the bank on their own personal guaranties. Mya TTnmnlitovs-Owen seconded AT, Audio's sner- gestion, and said they hurried the building on in order that it might be ready for this term.-The motion was carried. HELP FOR STUDENTS. Applications for some help towards the College course of Ethel Jones, Newtown, and Robert Richards, Llangynog, was discussed, and it was eventually decided to allow them each JElO out of the reserve fund. DISPOSING OF BALANCES. Mr Lloyd again drew attention to the financial state of the schools. Having elicited from the Clerk that there was now JE87 in the Reserve Fund, and a sum of zC269 in the general account, he went on to ask whether it was not advisable that some of this money should be paid over to the schools instead of being transferred to the new authority. They had been entitled to draw 2J per cent. of the total income, and they had done that year by year with the result that the Reserve Fund had grown to JE527. At the last meeting they transferred zC400 to the general fund and distributed it amongst the schools. There was now a reserve fund of £107, less the two grants that had been made that morning. Whether the sum was ZEBO or £100 he did not think it was necessary to band it over to the new authority. And then there was the ques- tion whether they should set aside zC250 for techni- cal instruction. The Education Department Lad informed them that in the past they had been using that money wrongly, and he now thought they should leave that question to the new authority. As the schools were now giving that instruction he arrived at the question whether they should not transfer the money to the general fund and distribute it to the schools. Considerable discussion followed, the Chairman pointing out that some portion of the money must be expended on technical instruction outside the schools. That was provided for in the scheme. They were not bound down to £250. Mrs Humphreys-Owen then they might spend j625 and take zC225 to divide amongst the schools. The Chairman said there was the question whether it would be wise to create prejudice against secondary education by refusing to hand over the balances to the County Council as a nest egg for future payments. Mr Lloyd said it was money they had saved. The Chairman remarked that it was all the same ratepayers' money. The only difference was ia administration. They should not place the County Council in a worse position than themselves. Mrs Humphreys-Owen and Mr Addie supported Mr Lloyd. Mr Addie stated that if the money was not required to meet any of that body's liabil- ities it should go back to the schools. Eventually Mr Lloyd proposed and Mr Addie seconded that the JE87 in the Reserve Fund be transferred to the general fund, and,2250 technical Education money, he also transferred to the general fund, and a sum of £ 250 be distributed to the. schools. Captain Mytton thought the intermediate schools had had all they were entitled. The County Govern- ing Body had carefully laid up the reserve fund, and as the authority would be merely changed in name he thought it would be very impolitic to lower the reserve fund. He proposed as an amend- ment that the funds be distributed as prepared for by the clerk, and that the new authority be re- quested to consider the advisability of making an equitable division of the balances. The Chairman thought the recommendation by Captain Mytton very desirable. Mr Lloyd said they bad the right that day to do what he proposed. In future they would have to go to the County Council which was very touchy where money was concerned (laughter.) Col Twyford seconded Captain Mytton's amend. ment, but on being put to the vote Mr Lloyd's resolution was carried. THANKS TO THE CHAIRMAN. Captain Mytton moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman for his conduct in the chair and his efforts to place education on a safe basis. Mr Addie seconded, and Mr Lloyd supporting, said Mr Humphreys-Owen had done great service not only to the County, but the whole of Wales (hear, hear). The Chairman thanked the governors, and said the work had been a labour of love. His warmest wish was for the suoceS8 of eduoation in the County and throughout Wales.