Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL. LIVELY SCENES. A meeting of the Aberystwyth Town Council was held on Tuesday, there being present the Mayor (Councillor Hopkins), presiding Councillors E. H. James (ex-mayor), C. M. Williams, William Thomas, Robert Daughton, T. J. Samuel, Captain James, Daniel Thomas, J. Gibson, junr., and T. H. Edwards, with Mr A. J. Hughes, town clerk; Mr Bees Jones, borough surveyor; and Mr H. L. Evans, borough accountant. THE MARKETS. A letter was received from the Clerk to the Aberystwyth Board of Guardians stating the names of those appointed a committee to meat the Town Council Markets Committee with a view to imprav- ing the fairs. PROPOSKD CHEMICAL WORKS. A letter from Mr E. J. Edwards, chemist, King Street, asking terms for a pieca of la"1d on Penyr- anchor, on which to build chemical works was read and ordered to be placed on the agenda. MORE WORKMEN'S DWELLINGS. The Local Government Board wrote sanctioning power to borrow a further sum of £ 1,100 for the erection of workmen's dwellings in Greenfield- street, and asking to be furnished with a certificate from the Borough Surveyor that the dwellings were Bimlar to those already erected and for which a loan was obtained.- It was agreed that the Borough Surveyor should give the certificate asked for, and that the Town Clerk furnish other par- ticulars required.—Mr C. M. Williama proposed that the Town Clerk should ask the Local Govern- ment for an extension of twenty years in the re- payment of these loans, and said that if the extension were granted, the Council would he able to take 5d. or 6d. a week off the rent of each of the houses,—It was underslood that the proposal was accepted. PUBLIC CONVENIENCE. The Looal Government Board wrote sanctioning It further loan of zC60 for the provision of a public convenience in Brynymor-road. THE SOUVENIR. The General Purposes Committee recommended the approval of the literary portion of the souvenir as revised, and this was agreed to. SUMMER ENTERTAINMENTS. The Entertainments Committee recommended that Mr Gilbert Rogers' bffer of £ 40 for the ex- clusive right to give minstrel performances in the town be accepted, and that the bandmaster should be asked to supply a military band.—It was agreed that the report should be placed on the next agenda. PUBLIC WORKS. The report of this committee was as follows —The borough surveyor reported, in reference to the complaint made by Mr Thomas Owen, in his letter dated the 16th January instant, that the necessary work of repair of Llanbadarn road was being done, and as the necessity had arisen owing to the breaking up of the road by the Gas and Electric Lighting Companies respectively, the cost of the work of repairing the road and crossing would be recoverable from these Com panies. Your committee recommend that the application by the Postmaster-General for per- mission to erect a line of poles in the road run- ning parallel with and on the southern side (f the Cambrian Railway station be granted, sub- ject to the line of poles being erected on the sta- tion or northern side of the road, instead of on the side next to the gardens as shown on the plan submitted. A plan submitted by Mr David Phillips of a coach-house he proposed to erect in Bath street, in the rear of No. 31, Marine terrace, was submitted to your committee, andit was ordered that the application be placed on the agenda of the next meeting of the Council. The plan shows a building with a frontage of 20 feet and a depth of 50 feet. The application of Mr Evan Davies, dated 4th January inst., for certain repairs to be done to Trevor road and the footpath in Lisburne terrace was considered. The town clerk having advised that inasmuch ti., the road and path were "not repairable by the inhabitants at large," no liability attaches to tha Council as the Urban Sanitary Authority or otherwise, your committee recommend that the- application be refused. Your committee recom- mend that kerbing be provided for the footpath between the south-west corner of the cemetery and the Cambrian Railway crossing near Plas- crug House, a length of about 50 yards. Head a letter from Mr A. T. Walmisley to the town clerk, dated 20th January inst., in reply to the letter from the latter dated 19th January, with reference to the abandonment, for the present, of certain work of repair to Rofawr. The borough surveyor stated his estimate of the cost of providing and erecting a railing (similar to the existing railing on part of the road), from Brynymor terrace to Victoria terrace, a length of 26 yards was Y.9 9s. Your committee recom- mend the Council to ask Mr R. C. Richards, the owner of the Penglaise estate, to meet a deputa- tion from the Council with a view to defining (subject to confirmation by the Council) the boundary between his estate and that of the Cor- poration near Brynymor terrace, and that the following members of the Council be appointed to act on behalf of the Corporation: —The Mayor, Alderman E. P. Wynne, and Councillor R. J. Jones. Your committee recommend that the slope in front of Brynymor terrace be planted with suitable shrubs, and that the town gardener be instructed to carry out the work. Your com- mittee recommend that the claim of the Gas Company, amounting to £ 2 Os. 10d., for gas sup- plied to the cemetery lodge be paid, and that from this date an allowance of Is. per week be made to the cemetery superintendent for gas supplied to the lodge, on the understanding that he in future pays for all gas supplied, including gas for heating the room in the lodge in which the Burial Board books and documents are kept, so that damage from dampness may be pre- vented. Three tenders for the erection of the public convenience on the Castle grounds were received and opened, and the lowest tender, viz., that of Mr William Jones, of South terrace, at £ 490 was acceped, subject to his entering into a contract to be prepared by the town clerk, who was instructed to prepare same. Four tenders for the fittings, &c., of the public conveniences were received and opened, and the lowest tender, viz., that of Messrs Howson, at k89 6s. was accepted, subject to a contract to be prepared by the town clerk being entered into, and the latter was instructed to prepare same. Your committee recommend that a requisition submit- ted by the town gardener for one dozen trees required to replace trees that have died in North parade be granted, or any other place required.- Mr Gibson enquired how long were the footpaths referred to to be left in their present state. Great complaint was made.—The Surveyor said the delay in proceeding with the work was owing to bad weather.—Mr Gibson enquired if the same remark applied to Penparke and the Surveyor replied that he was waiting clinkers from the railway for Pen- parke.- With reference to the contract for erecting a public convenience on the Castle grounds, the Surveyor reported that the gentleman who secured the contract had withdrawn. He bad asked the next lowest tenderer to accept the work, bat he also declined.-It was understood that further tenders will be asked for.-Referring to the re- moval of a number of trees from North Parade, Mr Gibson asked if it was possible to get to know what the trees had died from.—Mr C. M. Williams said there were no experts present.—Mr Gibson replied that Mr Williams was an expert in most things and perhaps he could give the information.- Mr C. M. Williams said he did estimate some people at their right value.—The Borough Surveyor said his opinion was that the roots of the trees must have oome in contact with some poisonous matter in the ground.—Mr C. M. Williams: Are you of opinion that they died from neglect ?—The Borough Surveyor No.—On the proposition of Mr T. H. Edwards, seconded by Mr DJ. Thomas, it was re- solved that the town gardener should report on the matter to the committee.—The report was then adopted. THE CORPORATION FINANCE A STORMY DISCUSSION. The recommendation of the Finance Committee in reference to a report on the Corporation accounts led to a stormy discussion. The committee recom- mended that in the first instance the duties of the Chartered Accountant, to be appointed pursuant to the resolution of the Council dated 17th November, 1903, be limited to an examination of and report on the Abstract of the Corporation Accounts for the years ended 31st March, 1902, and 31st March, 1'03, to the preparation of a report upon the present system of keeping the Corporation books of accounts, and the form of Abstract thereof, and to advising as to any improvement on the existing systems. In the event of the foregoing recom- mendation being adopted by the Council, the Committee would forthwith insert an advertise- ment in selected newspapers inviting tenders from Chartered Accountants for the required work. The Committee, having since the passing of the said resolution had the opportunity of perusing the report published by the Ratepayers'Association upon the Corporation Finances, dated the 12th May, 1903, recommended that it be referred to this Committee to prepare a reply to the said report. -At a subsequent meeting the following recom- mendation was agreed to:—That in the evert of the recommendation in tlte report dated 15tk January, that a reply bo prepared to the report published by the Ratepayers' Associa- tion, being adopted by tha Council, that the r3solution of the Council in the matter dated the 17tk November last, be, as far as the same refers it to your committee to appoint a chartered accowntawt t. audit and report upon the accounts in the said report referred to, and to fix his remuneration, be rescinded, pending the reply of the Council to the said report.—Mr 0. M. Williams said he could not move the adoption of the report as he had an amentment.—In order that the report may be brought before the Council, Mr William. Thomas nuved and Mr DJ. Thumaa seconded its adoption.-Mr Gibson moved an amendment that. the Coucci! adhere to the resolution of Nov. 17th that an enquiry open to the public be held and that a chartered accountant be engaged to go through the accounts. This resolution was agreed to at the request of a public meeting-. A special Finance Committee meeting had he said decided to grant an enquiry of the accounts extending over two years, up to the end of March last, and they had not yet had an abstract of accounts for the year ended March 1903. At the Finance Committee they had the illuminating and extraordinary sight of seeing Mr C M Williams, Mr Wm. Thomas, and Mr Peter Jones with their heads together organising opposition.- Mr v. M. Williams (interposing): That is a false statement.—Mr Gibson It is not. I object to be^ginterrupted.-The Mayor: Chair-Mr Gibson: Wo hare Mr C. M. Williams who thinks ho is manager of the whole concern,—Mr Williams T do not. Mr Gibson (proceeding) 8al'c{ that at that Committee Mr C. M. Williams said that resolution was passed on the impulse of the moment, because be was not there.-Mr Williams again interrupted and appealed to the Mayor not to allow the state- ments, and Mr Gibson appealed for a hearing and h« ""J fumg t0 m6 interrnPted, and that, he would stand there until seven o'clock at ni<*ht -There was farther disorder, and Mr Edwards asked that Mr Gibson should have a hearing- Mr Gibson said tile triple alliance would have done the ratepayers good if they could have seen it. There was more noise and the Mayor called for order.-Mr Gibson made a remark about a gentleman who said things could nob go on in his absence, but Mr Gibson said they could not get on in his presence.-Mr Williams I do not pretend to be infaH.bIe.-M.- Gibson made a remark about reason being distorted and judgment unsound whereupon there were cries of "order" and personalties." Something like order laving been restored, Mr Gibson said all he said was that that combination of the old gang- Interrupting, Mr Williams said there was no com- combination.—Mr Gibson went on to say that the resolution which was passed by the Council had been defeated by the Committee, only the three rew members voting for it. The ratepayers had a right to anything they asked of the Council and now they were being flouted. — Mr Edwards seconded the amendment. He thought the Council should carry out the wisbes of the public meeting which was held in the Town Hall with reference to that matter. There were things which needed clearing up. The ratepayers had lost confidence in some people. It was said there was nothing to hide. Then why not carry out the resolution of Ittov. 1/. It had been alleged th;afc members of the Council had supplied the Corporation with goodd. No attempt hid been made to refute that.-Mr Williams interposed with a remark, whereupo j Mr Edwards said You are quite right; the Corpora- tion has bad no calico.—Mr Williams: No.—Mr Edwards If you interrupt me I will have to tell you something. Continuing, Mr Edwards said the matter ought be dealt with by someone othar than the Finance Committee, and that- the enquiry should cover a period of ten years' accounts.—The Town Clerk said he was responsible for the formin which the matter was put before the Council and he thought it was the most workable way to do the thing.—Mr Edwards said they did not want a report from the Finance Committee but from an outsider.—Mr Doughton Dissolve the Finance Committee and let Mr Edwards do the affairs. Nobody knows but him.—Mr Edwards: If Mr Doughton will be my vice-chairman.—Mr Dough- ton Chuck the town clerk away (laughter). We do not want the town clerk, we want Mr Edwards. Mr Edwards said he bad said nothing about the town clerk. As to his (Mr Edwards) ruling the finances of the Corporation, if he could not do it better than it had been done for the last ten or fifteen years he would be very sorry.—Mr Duugh- ton Yon say that some members of the Council have supplied goods to the Couneil.—Mr Ed wards I do not say so. The report says so.—Mr Dough- ton said if an assertion were made it should be proved. He refuted it.-The Mayor: If the cap does not fit do not trouble about it.—Mr Daniel Thomas said if some members of the Ratepayers' Association knew that goods had been supplied to the Council by members of it let them say so.—Mr Wm. Thomas said there were several points in the .Ratepayers Association's report which would make I the Council appear very 'silly if they engaged a chartered accountant to report on them. He could not value the stock at the harbour, nor was the question of supplying goods to the Council one for an accountant. Instead of casting about insinua- tions, let the member who supplied goods to the Council be named. He believed the fine for supp ying goods to the Council by a mem- ber was £100. He was prepared to guarantee £ 100 and full costs for an enquiry.—Mr Gibson Where is Mr Thomas ? Mr Thomas is going to spend hard earned money on some high- faluting scheme lie knows nothing about.—Mr Thomas said that the Town Clerk stated at the committee if they passed those recommendations it would not prevent further enquiry. He could not see why all that ado.—Mr Gibson From the opposition.—Mr Edwards: The old members.- Mr Thomas: You will get o)d.-Capt James said the old gang were charged with being alone respon- sible. He did not claim to be one of the young gang.-Mr Edwards asked for a definition of "young gang" and said the others did nothing before they came on the Council.—Mr Gibson said he had heard Capt James make a little speech of hear, hear. Capt James said if the accounts for the past two years were gone through, that would be sufficient to see what improvement could be made in the system of bookkeeping and getting out the abstract of accounts.—Mr Samuel objected to the engagement of a chartered accountant on the ground of the cost. What they desired was to know if improvement could be affected in the abstract of accounts so that everybody might understand it.—Mr Edwards interposing with a remark, Mr Samuel said he gave Mr Edwards fairplay when he spoke and he did not wish to indulge in personalities.—Mr Edwards said there were no personalities.—Mr Samuel: Let us conduct the business of the town in peace.—Mr Edwards I want to d( Jit.—MrWilliams said it was Mr Edwards' fault, whereupon there was more uproar, Mr Williams, Mr Edwards, and Mr Samuel being on their feet at the same time, the two former carry- ing on a conversation in a loud tone.—Peace again having been secured, Mr Samuel went on. He said the members of the Council could explain why money was spent out of revenue instead of from capital, and a report from them should ba sent to the Ratepayers' Association. If tha', did not prove satisfactory they could take further steps. It was admitted there was nothing wrong. Mr Edwards: I said there was no dishonesty attached to the officials.—Mr Samuel said the allegation that members of the Council had supplied goods to the Council was a serious one, and it was for the ratepayers to prosecute those men who had supplied goods.—Mr Thomas Yes, instead of slandering sixteen.-On a vote Mr Gibson's amend- ment was defeated.—Mr Williams then moved an amendment that the resolution of Nov. 17th tee rescinded, and that the Council appoint a char- tered accountant to report on the accounts for the year ended March, 1903, and report on a better system of beeping the books and getting out the abstract of accounts; and that the report of the Ratepayeis' Association ba referred to the Finance Committee to consider and send a reply to the said report. Mr Williams said with regard to the statement that Mr Peter Jones, Mr William Thomas, and himself spoke together at the com- mittee, there was no conclave or arrangement of any kind.—Mr Gibson said he never used the word. There was a further passage between Mr Williams and Mr Gibson, the latter making a re- mark about a heart being full of black hate, envy and malice, whereat there was much disorder.— Mr Wi'.liams said he would prefer being under Mr Gibson's censure than praise.—Mr Gibson Go on. —Mr WiHiams Not by your orders.—Proceeding he sÚd there was not a single member of the Council who wanted to shirk investigation.—Mr Gibson Why all this opposition ?—Mr Williams I appeal to you, Mr Mayor. Will you appeal to this man to be quiet. Continuing, Mr Williams said if there was anything wrong, why was it not definitely stated, so that it could be met. Everything was attri- buted to the old gang, and insinuation was that the whole thing was in a muddled state. He would ask Mr Gibson a question just now.—Mr Gibson I am not going to be cross-examined by you.—Mr Wil- liams said if the report by the Finance Committee was not satisfactory, it would be open to any mem- ber of the Council to move that an accountant be appointed to go back through the books. They were all ready to meet the wishes of the ratepay- ers, but who was speaking there on behalf of the ratepayers. Five rr six got up that agitation. Some of them flo-ited into the Council on pictorial posters. — Mr Gibson Some floated out. My position is better than Mr Williams's. I have never been rejected.—Mr Williams: Oh yes, that was when I was ill. You resign your seat to. morrow and 1 will stand against you.—Mr Gibson I will. Referring to the Ratepayers Association, Mr Williams said he was a member. There was one great dictator there, and the other members opened their mouths and received a kind of gospel and it produced that mouse.—Mr Gibson It has produced you.—Mr Williams It has not produced me. I should be sorry to be producad from that root. Mr Williams proceeded to deal with the Ratepayers Associations report on the abstract of accounts for the borough and with reference to the purchase of the old baths which used to be on the promenade, Mr Wil'iams said the bargain had to be closed in a day, and the Council in those days acted wisely by purchasing it out of the Corporation rentals. In consequence of the removal of the baths, the rating of the houses in the neighbourhood bad greatly increased to the advantage of the Corporation. Mr Williams men- tioned other purchases of a small nature and said the Local Government Board would not in the cir- cumstance of the cases have sanctioned a loan for the money. Again referring to the report which stated that in one account no receipts of a certain item bad been shewn, but Mr Williams said it was placed under a different heading and had the Borough accountant been asked, he would have given them the information. Mr Williams went on to refer to the payments received and main- tenance of main roads and said the report stated that a sum of £240 had been lest to the rate payers. He however got the County and Borough bank pass books and there he found that every item up to the end of last June had been regularly paid. Other errors were clerical ones. Let them have a report from the Committee and if that would not satisfy the matter could be brought forward agais. Right would in the end win. He had no fear to trust the ratepayers of Aber- ystwyth. — Captain David James seconded the amendment.-Mr Edwards said it seamed strange to him that Mr Williams should have mentioned the small items referred to in the report and not the larger ones, and that he should have said it would be ridiculous to go to the Local Government Board for a small loan of £ 80. If any permanent works were made the Local Government Board always granted a loan. What they objected to was that that money should have been spent out of revenue when the money should have been borrowed, and the repayment spread over a number of years.-Mr Gibson eaid he would not answer Mr Williams's personal remarks; he would leave that for another time.—Mr Williams I am prepared to have a debate with you any time.—Mr Gibson said the ratepayers of the town, in public meeting assembled, asked that the Corporation accounts should be gone into for a period of ten or eleven years, and their request had been refused.- Mr Williams: They will get a reply from the Finance Committee.—For Mr Williams ammendment there voted severn and against two. the amendment being carried. ° FINANCE. Payments amountiagco.6712 8j Id were ordered. Payment of a loan of £ ,00> ;vanced to the Cor- poration by Mr D. C. Roberta and others on March 6, 19C0, was ordered. The Committee leeommended, that the Corporation become a candidate for election on tha Canno I of tha Association of Municipal G. rp rations, and that the Mayor or some other member of the Council should attend the meetings of the Association with the Town Clerk, and that five guineas be allowed the Town Clerk ia respect of each attendance.- Leases t3 the following were executed. Mr J. Morgan, of No. 18, North Parade. Mrs Anne Davies, of No. 39, Cambriam Stieet. The Ma/or also affixed the seal to a leate of No. 18, Ncrth Parade to Mis M. J. Morgan.

--+- THE MACHYNLLETH RIFLE RANGE. ARE THE COMMONERS RIGHTS PRO. TEOTED ? At the meeting of the Machynlleth Urban Council on Tuesday, Councillor John Pugh presid- ing, the letter from Evan J, nes, which appeared in our issue of January 30th, was read. The Chairman said that the Adjutant of the Volunteers approached the Council and permission was given. The Clerk Yes, so far as you have the power. Councillor R. Owen asked if it was true that they would lose their control over the common. Were the rights of the commoners acknowledged in any way ? The Clerk suggested that it should be referred to the committee. Councillor Davies pointed out that it was open for any individual commoner to objeot. Councillor R. Gillart proposed, and Councillor R. Owen seconded, that the letter be referred to the committee. Councillor R. Rees said that the matter had been before the Urbau Council before a few years ago An application came from Capt Walker, adjutant of the Volunteers, and after a long discussion per. mission was given for the making of a rifle range, and in his opinion it was not necessary to do any- thing further in the matter.* The proposal was put to the vote and carried.

FAILURE OF A DOLGELLEY BREWER. At the Aberystwyth Bankruptcy Court on Fri- day morning before Mr Registrar Joseph Davies Mr Lionel Webb Norton, a brewer of Dolgelley came up for public examination by the Official Receiver, Mr Thomas Thomas. The liabilities ™ PQut d°Jn £ 2,208 2s. 7d., and the assets kA(( 2s. <-d leaving a deficiency of £ 1,731 Os. od. The debtor attributed his failure to the loss of two licences which had been refused at licensing sessions, falling off of trade, loss through beer being spoiled by a flood, and loss in catering for the Volunteer camp at Towyn. • e 1 onolmenT<Ved business with a capital of £ 300 m 189J. He said he went to Dolgelley as a brewer to a syndicate and it was intended to form a company in which he was to have deben- ture stock as well as a salary, in consideration for his placing in the business the sum of £400. The company was not formed. In October last he became aware that he could not carry on further because Mr Fox, of Dolgelley, then in- timated that he couldnot further assist him. He admitted that he had not kept proper books of account, and said he had not neglected the business or been extravagant in living. The examination was adjourned.