Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

A portion of the news in this issue of the TOWXN- ON-SEA AND COUNTY TIMES has been set up in type by means of the Linotype Composing Machine, which has just been installed in the printing office at Welshpool. In the future the greater portion of the matter will be so set, and we venture to think our readers will find an improvement in the face of the type. The machine is a wonderful in- vention. It makes a considerable saving in labour, and as each line of type used is cast afresh each time, the impression given is always clear, and consequently readers are not troubled by the ap- pearance of damaged or broken letters. V The collapse in the railway tunnel at Aberdovey, kept the Railway Company servants hard at work for four days clearing away the fallen debris, and repairing the roof. Daring those days the pas- sengers had to be driven round from one side to the other. Traffic along the line was resumed on Saturday. *#* An unfortunate affair is reported from Barmouth and was the subject of an enquiry by the Coroner'a Court on Saturday. Mrs Griffiths, of Cumberland place, suffered from sleeplessness, and on Thursday last apparently consulted Dr Francis, locum tenens to Dr R. Jones. He gave her some medicine con- taining morphia, and also gave her verbal instrucions as to the way in which the doses were to be taken. Unfortunately, the woman appears to have entirely mis- understood him. He told her not to take more than two doses of one tablespoonful; her idea was that she was to take two tablespoonfuls every two hours, and so she told her daughter. The conse- quences are easy to foresee. Repeated doses of a mixture containing morpbia ended in death. We do not quite gather from the report of the inquest what instructions were on the label, but the jury were sufficiently satisfied with the doctor's ex- planation. The case, however, points to one thing, namely, the great care that is needed in dispensing, and the absolute necesisity of stating plainly on the label what is to be done with medicines containing drugs. Had Dr Francis care- fully labelled the bottle, and then instead of giving her verbal directions as to the doses, told her to read the instructions oarefully when she got home, possibly Mrs Griffiths would not have fallen into the error by which she lost her life. The Merionethshire Assizes, held last week, again demonstrated the fact that the inhabitants of the county are amongst the most law abiding in the Principality. Last year was not produc- tive of a single case for the consideration of Quarter Sessions, and Mr Justice Phillimore offered his congratulations to the Grand Jury on the law abiding habits of the community. There was one case in which a couple of railway men were concerned, and they pleaded guilty to defrauding the Great Western Railway Com- pany. The fraud was a particularly clumsy and mean one, especially so when we find it was suggested by a servant of 20 years standing and occupying the responsible position of station- master, who was sentenced to eight months' im- prisonment. The remaining case was on the civil side, an action being brought by an elderly man against a widow for breach of promise of marriage. There had been some unpleasant things said, but eventually these were withdrawn and the case settled. Probably the plaintiff will j have by this time realised the value of the elder Weller's advice to Samivel" Beware of the widows." The slaughter of rare birds goes merrily on, so that one is almost led to believe that for all prac- tical purposes the Wild Birds' Protection Act is a cruel farce. A green woodpeoker (Gecinus viridis) a bird that has always been scarce in Lancashire and rare further north, although common enough in the Midland and Southern counties, is among the latest victims. In this instance it was shot, as a correspondent writes, near Wooler (in the Cheviot district of Northumberland), where it is exoessiyely rare. But what oan we expect from It Arry the fowler," largely instigated by "bird- j stuffers," when even the rural police themselves, with apparent impunity, encourage such practices? It is only a short time since a Yorkshire paper published a statement that a rural policeman had boasted of having got a young man to shoot a heron for him (for a "friend" of his, a "bird stuffer" of course), and that he was going to get the same young man to shoot kingfishers for him! That statement was not contradicted-could not be,- the policeman admitting that he "did not know he was doing any harm." One of the good results produced by the fiscal discussion which has now been proceeding for close upon a year is the more rigorous habit of though on economic questions and the closer examination of the theories and catchwords of the past which it has rendered necessary. ITake, for example, the theory of cheapness," which so-called Free Traders have made a corner stone of their [system. It was long a favourite axiom that Free Trade en- ables us to bay in the cheapest market, and so long as the existing system was left without serious challenge, the average man was quite content to repeat the soothing formula without investigating its truth. Now, however, he is coming to see that although our fiscal system has been described as a Free Trade system, it certainly does not enable us to sell in the [cheapest market. The high tariffs which are [raised against us in foreign protected countries practically prevent us from selling our goods to those countries at all, dear or cheap; and the chief market that remains to our manufacturers for the sale of their produce—the home market-is very far indeed from being the ideal of theoretical Free Traders, inasmuch as the dumping operations of our protected competitors make it ruinously cheap. The fact is, of course, that the theories of the Free Importers, whatever they were worth 50 or 60 years ago, will Bot stand the test of the facts of the present day, wken the industrial situation has undergone an absolute change of character. • ♦

TOWYN. S. EDMUNDS, Manchester House, Towyn, has a large Stock^of Fashionable Drapery for the season. Ladies' and Children's Costumes, Mantles, Millin- ery, &c. Outfitting and Ready-made suits for men and boys. Carpets, Linoleums, &c., in great variety. Map of the district given away gratis to visitors. lAd vt. WEATHER.—Considering the time of the year, in the neighbourhood of Towyn the weather is fine and the climate is very mild. Primroses are in bloom all about the country side. TOWYN MALE VOICE PARTY.-The male voice party is now progressing very satisfactorily under the conductorship of Mr H. M. Jones and will no doubt be able to give a good aocount of themselves, when an opportunity offers. RIFLE COMPETITION.—The weekly competition took place on Saturday last, at the Penllyn range in w;ndy weather. Mr D. Lewis, scored 45 points and although he had to concede nine points haradi- cap, he proved the winner of the silver spoon. The next score being 30 points. OBITUARY.—We regret to announce the death of Mr Alan Jones, 11, Gwalia-road, who died early on Thursday morning, at the age of 64 years, after suffering a long and painful illness. He came to Towyn about 30 years of age, and was a native of Glynceriog. Deceased, who much re- spected by every one that knew him, leaves a widow to mourn his loss. The body was interred at the Towyn cemetery on Saturday last, when a large number of friends attended. LITERARY SOCIETY.—A meeting of the Literary Society was held at the Bethel C.M. Chapel, on Monday evening, the subject for debate was Is it proper to grant publicans compensation when their licence is taken from them." The affirmative side was taken by Mr T. J. Davies, 27, Idris Villas, but Mr H. F. Jones, 25, Idris Villas, who was to take the negative not being present, the discus. sion, and the meeting ended with a miscellaneous programme. ACCIDENTS.—Mr J. T. Williams, son of Mrs Wil-J Hams, National-street, Towyn, met with an ac- cident in South Wales at the beginning of this week.—Mr Evan Miles, Penybank, Bryncrug, a man of 85 years, met with an accident on Satur- day last. Whilst out walking he fell down and broke his thigh. Mr Evan Miles is well-known, having been a frequent contributor to the Golofn Cymraeg in poetical works. We hope that he will soon recover from the accident. WESLEY GUILD.-This guild held a meeting on Wednesday evening last, at the Wesleyan school- room, presided over by the Rev Peter Jones. The subject of debate was Free Trade," and papers were read in favour by Mr J. Morgan and Mr O. C. Jones, and on the negative side by Mr D. Barnett, grocer, and Mr R. W. Jones, Morfa Cadvan. A very able and instructive debate followed and on the matter being put to the meeting the affirma- tive side carried by a small majority. CHRISTMAS TREE.—An entertainment was given by the children of the Towyn Board School (mixed department) on Friday evening. The school had been neatly decorated for the occasion with flags and Chinese lanterns. After the musical pro- gramme a Christmas tree was provided to the children on which were presents for all the children. The programme was as follows — Chorus, "The Ash Grove"; recitation, "A boy in the house," B. Davies; gramophone selections by Mr E. Davies, Australia; recitation, "Summer Song," Standards I and II; solo and chorus, Won't you buy my pretty flowers," Jane M. Morgan and scholars recitation, Lucy Grey," Standard III; gramophone selections, Mr Davies, Australia; dumb bell drill, Standards I and II boys. BIBLE SOCIETY.—A committee meeting was held at the Baptist Chapel on Monday evening presided over by Mr Meirick Roberts. There were also deputations present from all the chapels including the ministers. It was resolved to celebrate the centenary of the British and Foreign Bible Sooiety on the 9th of March, being a half holiday in the town, and that Sunday [should be devoted to ad- dressing the children on subjects of the Sunday School. It was also resolved that a procession should be formed and to meet at Cambrian Square. The Secretary was directed to write to the Secret- ary of the Education Committee and the Clerk of the County School asking for the schools to close on that day and that it should a general holiday.

BARMOUTH. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. A meeting was held on Tuesday present, Messrs Hugh Evan (chairman), Meredith Evans, John Morgan, Evan Jones, Evan Richards, Rhys Jones, W. Owen, H. Wynne Williams, Edward Williams, William George (?lerk), R. LI OweR (assistant clerk), R. Lloyd Jones (surveyor), and J. Roberta. (collector).

TOWYN IMPROVEMENTS. At the meeting of the Towyn Improvement Committee the Chairman (Mr John Morgan) called attention to the offer made by the Gorsvgedol Hotel Co. to provide a line of trees on the Parade with railings and the committee recommended that the council should accept the offer on con- dition that the excavating work requited was carried out. A letter was read from the General Post Office regretting that in as much as no officer of the department travelled by the 7 p.m. train the council's reqnest to place a letter box thereon could not be complied with. The report was adopted.

THE WATER WORKS. The Inspector reported that after a great deal of investigation and experimenting on the water works chiefly during the past month, he was now able to lay before them in detail the result of his observations. Some few weeks ago suddenly and withoub notice the level of the water in the Eithinfynydd reservoir fell from overflow level to that of a few inches above the outlet and in the higher zones complete stoppages of water occurred. In Barmouth as in other similar places, the con- sumers did not realise the supreme importance of not wasting the water and of closing the taps tightly and without straining them. One instance was found in which the tap was leaking and on measuring it in the presence of the ownor, who had received an order to remedy it on more than one occasion, the leakage was found to be at the rate of 32 gallons a day or sufficient to supply 21 persons. The estimate was that there were generally about 20 taps running or leaking at the dame time which meant that enough was lost through care- lessness to supply 1,^80 persons. He also recom- mended that a syphon system of flushing cisterns should fce univerally adopted. After a liberal allowance for all tkis waste there was still a large loss of water unaccounted for and there must still be serious leakages in the pipe line. The work of hunting for leakages was being carried out and ho hoped they would soon get completely over this dimculty.—The report was adopted.

WORKS AND WATER CuMMITTEE. Canon Hughes attended a meeting of the Works and Water Committee with reference to the charge made for water supplied to St. John's Church, and the committee recommended the Council to accept as from the end of the current financial year X22 yearly. Instructions were recommended to be given the Surveyor to mend the main road thoroughly, and that he should be at liberty to order as much stones from Tonfanau as would be sufficient. The gulleys in Park Road were ordered to be put in working order.-Adopted.

TINANCIAL. The Collector reported that JE51 2s 4d had been collected during the month, and that £ 364 19s 3d remained uncollected.- Messrs John Morgan and Wm. Owen were appointed to examine the monthly wages sheets.

CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Local Government Boa-d to the Rev Gwysoro Davies, in which it was stated they had under their consideration the ap- peal of the Council of Barmouth against the dis- allowance and surcharge of the sums of 9145 13a 9d and X135 14s 4d made by the district auditor at his audit of the Council's account at the audit of March, 1903.-Referring to the resolution passed by the Council in August last by whioh they undertook to extinguish the overdraft on the account on their treasurer within a period of three years. The Board before determining1 the appeal wished to be informed how those accounts stood and what steps the Coun- cil had taken to extinguish the overdraft, especially by means of an increase in the rates for the current year.-This matter was referred to a committee.

ELECTRIC LIGHTING. A resolution was read from the Executive Com- mittee of the Ratepayers' Union, asking the Council not to come to any terms with regard to the electric lighting of the town until the scheme was put in detail before the ratepayers, and inas- much as the committee deplore the irregularity in connection with the police bill, they strongly protested against the ratepayers being called upon to pay the cost. They also asked the Council to look after the nine waste-paper baskets on the Promenade road, and to keep them under shelter during the winter months.-A letter was also read from the Barmouth Tradesmen Association asking the Council to appeal to the County Council for better county buildings in Barmouth. Also to approach the Cambrian Railway Company asking them to run the 9-30 a.m. train from Dolgelley through to Barmouth.—It was decided to accede to the requests.

CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Local Govern- ment Board saying that they had considered a re- port made by their assistant inspector after his recent inquiry into the arrangements for the dis- charge of the duties of the inspector of nuisances in the Barmouth district. On the appointment of Mr R. Lloyd Jones the Council stated that he would be required to devote 31 days each week to the duties, and the Board also made it a further con- dition that he should reside in or near Barmouth, the Board now understood that theeR conditions had not been obeyed. The County Council had also complained to the Board that the amount of salary assigned for the work, half of which is re- paid by the County Council, was excessive. Mr B uddock stated however that altboigli the arrange- ments for the nuisance inspection fead not baun carried out, the work had been well performed, aud as long as tke work was efficiently carried out the Board had no desire to disturb the existing arrange-