Towyn-on-Sea and Merioneth County Times

BARMOUTH. ADVERTISING THE TOWN.—The advertising com- mittee are showing gome sign of vitality and are making arrangements for advertising the town, as far as means wili allow them. PERSONAL.:—The Rev Gwynoro Davies has been confined to his house with illness. He is making a slow bat decided recovery. We understand that Alderman Lewis Lewis has decided to sever his connection with the County Council upon which body he has sat continuously from its inception. Tho reason given for this is failing health. IMPROVEMENT SOCIETY. — A meeting of the Caersalem Mutual Improvement Society was held on Friday night Mr Hngh Evans presiding. The subject of debate was Is living home advan- tageous to a young person." The affirmative side was taken by Mr Owen Williams, and the negative by Mrs Loyd Freeman. A debate then ensued, several members taking different aspects. On the show of hands the affirmative was carried. A vote of condolence was passed with the Rev Gwynoro Davies, President of the Society, in his recent illIles". NEW LICKNCS GRANTED.—Mr R. Prys Owen presided over a full banch of magistrates at the nnnual adjourned iicensinp; sessions for the division of Ardudwy on Friday. — Mr Arthur Hughes, Aber- ystwyth, applied on behalf of Ml's Howard Bentley for a full licence for Orielton Hall, Barmouth. Mr Guthrie Jones objected on behalf of the police and a number of the inhabitants. Mr Hughes stated that the owners were prepared to spend the sum of X7,000 in structural alterations and improve- ments. The Chief Constable was understood to say that in that case he was ready to withdraw his objection. The licence was granted on con- dition that the alterations and improvements proposed be carried out, the licence in the mean- time to be in the possession of the Cleik. — A billiard licence and a music and dancing licence were, on the application of Mr R. D. Richards, granted for the Pavilion, the property of Mr David Davies, Beach Road.

THE URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL ELECTION. A public meeting of ratepayers was held on Wednesday night for the purpose of electing candidates to be nominated for the coming election. Three of the retiring rqeinbei-s-ilir Wynne Williams, chemist; Captain Evan Rich- ards, Bwlch house; and Mr D. E. Davies, butcher, St Ann's-were selected. Mr R. D. Richards was also nominated to fill the seat vacated by the Rev J. Gwynoro Davies (late chairman of the Council), who is retiring. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. The ordinary monthly meeting was held on Tuesday at the Courcil Chamber. There were present Messrs Hugh Evans (chairman), William Owen, Evan Richards Rhys Jones, H. Wynn Will- iam", Meredith Evans, D. E. Davies, John Morgan, Edward Williams, Fvan Jones, D. Oswald Davies, William George (clerk), R. LI. Owen (assistant clerk), R. Lloyd Jones (surveyor), John Roberts (rate collector), and A. D. Hughes (medical officer). Mr John Morgan called the attention of the chairman to the fact that it was passed at tlia last meeting that the names of these who had carried tales from this Council to the County Council should be disclosed. He noticed that that was not on the minutes. He asked the chairman if be intended to disclose the names.—Mr Hugh Evans said that he would disclose the names as soon as the whole Council were present. SURYEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor's report was read as follows We have had the steam roller at work on the main and other roads durinsr the month. The Mynaoh road has now been put in good order, and we had guiJies fixed where required so that the surface water will not damage the road in future. We have bad dur- ing the month to attend to several works of drain- age, etc., for individual ratepayers, and at times this causes considerable inconvenience, but I am unable to suggest any other practical mode of carrying out the work. The work of constructing the new sidewalk has been commenced. The reservoir keeps full, although there are signs that the pipe line is again giving way as some point or other. We are giving this matter our attention with a view, if possible, of discovering the canse and remedying it before any serious stoppage ce- enrs. This again brirgs up the question of giving the pipe line a thorough overhauling. Sioc> the work was done at St. Anne's Square, we have had no further trouble with the sewers. Mr Wo .dford makes an application, which was received too late to place before the Committee, to make a tempor- ary connection with our main in order to fill the gasometer pit with water, and also for the water. I would BHggest that this b'J allowed :-(1) At the usual rates for water used; (2) the Gas Company to pay for all connections (3) the work to ba donR by our men (4) the pit to be filled between the hours of 10 p.m., and 6 a.m. (5) that the wages of Evan Williams be paid for sup ^'intending the fill- ing of the pit. The Surveyor added that they would want about 10,000 gallons of water for the new gasometer. It was proposed that they should have water on those conditions, and that the survevor should communicate with the Gts Company on the subject. The report was then a, SoptF-d. MR MORGAN AND THE TAX E-B RARE KS, Mr John Morgan here said to the Chairman that thswboie Council was present and asked if he wou'd disclose the names of those who had carried the things to the County Council from this Council.—The Chairman promised to disclose the names before the end of the meeting. WORKS, WATER AND LIGHTING COMMITTEE. The report of the above committee was read as follows. A letter was read from Miss Moulson, of Tymynach, with reference to the carting of house refuse from her house and it structions were given to the scavengers to call for same.—Mr Edward Williams reported that Mr Blakey had been com- plaining of the scarcity of water. The Clerk was directed to wiite Mr Blakey informing him that the Council had been given to understand by the Surveyor that there was a strong flow of water to Mr New's honse The Clerk was directed to claim against the Cambrian Railways Ckmpany for thu price "f 19 sacks and the carriage paid thereon which had it appears been lost. The committee in order to enable the Finance Committee to keep tbeirovel draft, within £1,800 have only passed accounts which are absolute:y necessary.—The report was adop' "d INSPECTOR'S REPORT. The report was read as followa :—The town I generally is in. erood eanitarv condition. It is worlk noticing I hat during the winter many old and de- fective drains and unsanitary ppots have been over- hauled and made good. The -defects pointed out by the Government Inspector have all been at. tended to. We have had to give notice in some cases for abatement of nuisance and pntt'ng premises in proper sanitary order, and all notin,. have either been or are being complied, with.—The report was adopted. MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPORT. The medical officer said that he bad nothing to report only that the town was in good health. ILLNESS OF THE REV GlVYNORO DAVIES. The Chairman proposed that a vote of sympathy 3 sent to the Rev Gwynoro Davies, who is i l. This was passed unanimously. COLLECI'OR'S REPORT. The Collector reported that he had collected during the month £ 68 8* Id. THE KING'S VISIT TO WALES. In reply to a letter to the Kins', inviting him to visit Barmouth when bo Visits Wales, the follow- ing letter was read Buckingham Palace. The Private Secretary is commanded to acknowledge the receipt of the resolution passed at the Bar- mouth Urban District Council, and to inform them in reply that a note has been made of the request. As however nothing has been yet settled with re- gard to the King's visit to Wales, it is not possible to give a definite reply to their letter.A letter was also read from 10, Downing street, Whitehall, S.W. Mr Balfcur desires me to aclmowlege the receipt of the resolution which you have forwarded on behalf of the Barmouth Urban District Council. —I remain, yours faithfully, NEWPORT." CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was read from the Local Government Board, acknowledging their communication of the 18th inst, and that they fanction the re-appoint- ment of Mr R. L. Jones, as Inspector of Nuisances for the Urban District Council of Barmouth, from 8'h of October, 1903, to the 7th October, 1904, at a salary at a rate of C60 per annum,—The Chair- man expressed his thanks to the Members for their support during his chairmanship for the year and to the Clerk, Surveyor, Medical Officer, Collector and Imp,"ctor.-lIfr John Morgan again asked the Chairman to disclose the names of those persons.- The Chairman said that this Meatier cropped up through many things being said in their town and council and carried elsewhere and making a great deal of trouble to people.-Mr Morgan (interrupting) I think that Mr Evans refers to me that I am the source by which things are carried from this council to the county council. I can prove that I have not said anything that has been passed at this council, and I think some of the members of this council have been told so. They have been misled.—Mr Hugh Evans There is no need for me nov to disclose to the council about this matter.—The matter then cropped.

DOLGELLEY. URBAN COUNCIL ELECTION.—The following were the withdrawals on Tuesday — Grififth Evans, Sng- lish turraoe Henry Wm. Adims, Haulfryn Griffith Ellis, Price Evans, Fr,ingaled; Ernest A. Hushes, E. Wynn Williams, Plasgwyn and John Widiams. POPULAR CONCERT,—A p.ipular concert was held at the Publio Room Dolgelloy on Tuesday evening, when Dr Hugh Jones presided. Several ssngs, solos and duetts were rendered. The Dolgellay compe- titive Choir also rendered the test piace Y storm" of the Pwllheli and Llangollen Eisteddfod. RURAL COUNCIL ELECTION. — The following have withdrawn: L'anenridwyn Parish, John Davies,Glan- morfa, D. Jones, Kings Mill and John Parry Jones, Bron-foel isaf.—Contests take place at the follow- ing wards, LI uienddwyn, Llanddwywe-uwch-y. graig and Llaneltyd, and the Art hog ward. GENERAL DEBATING SOCIETY.—The usual meeting of the Society was held on Wednesday evening at, theCcuutySuhool. The subject of the evening was A night with Shakespeare," and selections from As you like it wera given in an excellent manner. The following were the cMef characters Banished Duke, John Edwards; Duke Frederick, John Williams j Jaque", Meirion Davies; Oliver, Robt. Miils Orlando, H. W. Bromtey; Adam, Robt. Jones, B.A.; Touchstone, A. Clendon, M.A.; Charles Alfred Hughes Rosalind, Miss Williams, Mars- fynuon Celia, Mi, s Varna Davies Phcebe, Miss Williams, Penbryn Hymen, Miss Arnfield. DOLGELLEY RURAL COUNCIL. The following nominations have been made Brithdir and Islawrdref: Mr John Edwards, Tyddynmawr; Mr John Roberts, Henblas; Mr Hugh Evans, Gwanas. Llanfachreth Mr Howell Pugh, Tyddynbach; Mr Robert Hughes, New Mill. Llanegryn Mr R. W. Davies, Bronygan. Lanaber: Mr Morris Evans, Egryn; Mr M. M. Morgans, Bontddu. Llandd,wywe-is-y-Graig: Mr E. Pughe Jones, Llwynda. Llanfihangel: Mr Meyrick Roberts. Llanymawddwy: Mr O. Jones, Llanerch. Talyllyn Mr J. Pugh Jones; D. Jones, jun., Llwydiarth; H. Jones, Maesypandy. Llanddwywe-Uwch and Llanelltyd: Mr R. Jones, Ffridd; Mr William Evans, Aelybryn. Llanenddwyn: Mr G. Williams; Mr W. T. Williams, Cambrian Villa; Mr John Davies, Glanmorfa; Mr E. E. Williams, Llwyncadwyn Mr E. Lloyd, Bronfoelissa; Mr J. Parry Jones, Bronfoelucha; Mr Rees Evans, Llanbedr; Mr David Jones, King's Mill. BOARD OF GUARDIANS. The following nominations have been re- ceived —Barmouth Mr John Evans, Porking- ton Mr Hughe Evans, ditto; Mr D. E. Davies, Mr Edmund Williams (four old members). Mallwyd: Mr D. Evans, Llwynygrug; Mr John Jones, Mawddwy Cottage; Mr J. Lewis, Garthinog. Dolgelley: Mr R. C. Evans, Einion House; Mrs Chidlaw Roberts, Mr James Lewis, timber merchant; Mrs Hughes Mirvinian House; Mr Isaac James Jones, Idris House; Hugh Owen, Lam House; and D. G. Williams, watchmaker. URBAN COUNCIL. The following are the nominations :-R. P. Evans, Social Club; Griffith Evans, English terrace; John Williams, Railway terrace; Rees Morgan, tanner; R. C. Evans, Einion House; Dr John Jones, Wenallt; Humphrey Morris, chemist; E. Wynne Williams, Plasgyn; W. R. Williams, Gladstone House; Alfred E. Hughes, Mervinian House; William Hughes, Penrallt House; Griffith Ellis, shoemaker; Mr Adams, solicitor.

TOWYN SCHOOL DISTRICT ¡ MANAGERS. A meeting of the managers of the Towyn School District was held at the Institute, Aber- dovey, on Tuesday afternoon. Mr E. L. Row- lands presided, and there were also present Messrs J. Maethlon James, J. Hughes Jones, W. Jones, Tom Jones, John Roberts, J. P. Jones, Michael Roberts, E. Rowlands, John Evans, William Jones (Abergynolwyn), Owen Jones, Rev R. Williams (Towyn), Mr Ivor Evans (clerk), and Mr Llewelyn Jones (attendance officer). FINANCE. The Finance Committee made a recommen- dation, which was adopted by the managers, that bills should be submitted quarterly, and that they should first of all be checked by the local managers. Teachers' salaries for the month amounted to P,183 18s. 10d., and small bills numbering 39 amounted to S;,44 2s. 2d. The committee desired to point out that local man- agers could not legally supply any of the schools of the district, and they recommended that the teachers be asked to obtain all their requisites from the same tradesman in order to do away with a multiplicity of bills. EVENING SCHOOLS. Satisfactory reports were received by the man- agers as to the working of the evening schools in the district. The attendance fell off towards the close of the session, but this was really due to a number of the scholars leaving the neigh- bourhood, TYNYBERTH SCHOOL. The Towyn Committee reported that the Tyn- yberth school required several improvements. The north boundary wall for a distance of 15 yards required to be rebuilt; owing to the ex- posed position of the house it was wind swept, and the committee recommended that the front porch of the house should be extended and that a smaller porch should be constructed on the western side. There was considerable damp- ness in the bedroom, and the chimney base required cementing.—The report was referred to the Central Authority for the county. REPORTS FROM SCHOOLS. The headmaster of the Pennal school reported that on March 7th Mr Johnson, H.M.I., visited the school and complained of the low tempera- ture in the big room. There were two fires in the room, but the temperature was only 40 degrees. One member suggested that they should put more coal on the fire, and another that the fires should be lighted earlier.—The headmaster of the Aberdovey school stated that as the result of a bazaar a Royal Barlock type- writer had been secured for the use of the scholars.—An application on behalf of the Cal- vinistic Methodists of Corris for the use of the schoolrooms to hold Scripture examinations was referred to the local managers. In former years the School Board always granted the permission asked for.—Mr Jones (Abergynolwyn) proposed that the question of appointing an assistant teacher at the Abergynolwyn school should coin before the managers in due course. The next meeting of the managers will be held at Towyn on April 12th.

CUílUHSPON DHNCE. To CORRESPONDENTS. — Communications foi thii- column should be addressed to the Editor, at d must be written upon one side of the paper 01 ly. They should in all cases be accompanied by the name and address of the sender, not necessarily tor publication but as a guarantee of good faith.

TOWYN PROVIDED SCHOOL. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES & POST. Sir,—Permit me through the medium of your paper to appeal to Mr Haydn Jones, Mr J. M. James, Rev R. R. Williams, and any others who have been confided with power and author- ity to deal with the affairs of the above school. The present headmaster has been for years a confirmed invalid, but surely—though everyone must deeply sympathise with him—the children of the town should not longer suffer on this ac count. All those of an open mind and conver- sant with the facts admit the school does suffer through the headmaster's ill-health. A short explanation may help to make the matter clear. Some time ago individual ex- aminations were abolished in this class of school and a system of block grants substituted. The classes are now examined as a whole and the school dealt with as a whole. If it satisfies the inspector as a whole it earns the maximum grant; but earning the maximum grant does not necessarily imply that it is of maximum effici- ency. Very few schools nowadays fail to earn the maximum grant. It will at" once occur to everyone's mind that full consideration should be given to the average age of the children in the different classes when estimating the com- parative efficiency of the school. For instance, the average age of the children in any given class of the Bryncrug, Aberdovey, or Corris schools may be higher or lower than the aver- age age of the same class in the Towyn school; or in other words, though the lowest class in both the Towyn and Aberdovey schools mav have passed the inspector (as a class) and thus helped to earn the maximum grant, yet the children in the Towyn school may on an aver- age be older than those at Aberdovey school in the same standard. If the class at the bottom of our Towyn school is found older than the average in other schools, and the class (as a class) is moved up standard by standard at the same fixed periods of time as in the other schools—and this is exactly what occurs under the block system—it follows that our school is really not so efficient as the others. This lack of maximum efficiency the long sufferingg rate- payer finds it very difficult to detect; it only shows itself when the children come into com- petition with children from other schools, and this again only happens when they leave thir own schools. If the headmaster has been con- tent so long as he has just managed to earn the full grant, or with a passive instead of an aggressive efficiency, the damage has then been done and the years have been lost to the child. The majority of the children are never brought to this test, only those who go forward to Inter- mediate or Higher Grade schools, and then only if they try for entrance examinations or scholar- ships. Now, sir, my point is that our Towyn school shows up very poorly whenever it is guaged bv either of these tests :(!) The averase ago of the children in the lower classes. (2rThe suc- cess of the children when in competition with children from other schools. If the abovo state- ments are false it will be easy to prove them so, but if they are correct is it not high time some- thing was done to improve so unsatisfactory a state of affairs.—Yours sincerely, JAMES D. LATIMER.

WELSHPOOL BOROUGH PETTY SESSIONS. The Borough Petty Sessions were held at the Town Hall on Tuesday, before Messrs D. P. Owen (in the chair), C. E. Howell, and M. Jehu. THE EDUCATION RATE.-The overseers' rate- book containing the education rate for that por- tion of the borough of Welshpool which is in Forden Union was signed by Messrs C. E, Howell and M. Jehu. A PALTRY CHARGE.-George Owen, landlord of the Dragon Inn, was summoned for assault- ing Henry Davies, a school boy, aged 12, on the 4th March. The boy informed the Bench that he was returning home from school with another boy and kicked a snowball which went into the defendant's doorway. Defendant came out and beat him, making his nose bleed.—Mary Ann Jones, a girl, corroborated as to the beating.- Defendant said that the complainant and another boy threw a snowball into .e passage of the house, and he went out to him and boxed his ears.-Fred Pritchard, who was in the bar at the Dragon, said mat several boys were passing, and complainant stayed behind and threw the snowball Tight into the passage through the open door.—The case was dismissed. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE CASES.—John Elledge, Figin Wood, Maesmawr, was summoned with respect to the non-attendance of his child at school. Defendant had been fined in December with respect to the same child, and pleaded that the mother had bcen ill from November. School Attendance Officer Breese said the de- fendant's wife certainly had been ill. A fine of 10s. was imposed.—John Jones, Moel-y-Garth, was summoned for a similar offence. Defend- ant's wife appeared with the boy. Speaking in Welsh she said that the reason of the bad at- tendance was the lad's father had been in bed eight months, and she had not been able to let the lad go to school. School Attendance Officer Breese said the father was a man 78 years of age. The boy was kept at home about half his time. and ran about and did as he liked the rest. The other day he had caught him playing in the road at Cloddia. The attendances were 39 out of 58. An order was made for the boy to attend school. — Alfred Crowther, Powell's row, was summoned will respect of three of his children. William had attended 17 times out of a possible 39, Albert 13 out of 39, and Mary 22 out of 39. There were eight previous convictions. The School Attendance Officer asked that the case be adjourned for a fortnight, and the adjourn- ment was granted.—An adjourned case against William Prvce. of Pmvpll's vmv j -> vvao ugcVlll liu- journed. OBSTRUCTING BROAD STREET.—James Chas. Mowbray, who hails from Dudley, was sum- moned with obstructing the free passage of Broad street on March 7th by exposing goods on the street for sale.— Mr" Snook was the prosecutor, as borough surveyor, and informed the Bench that he saw the defendant first in the Smithfield, where he was selling saddlery There had been complaints about him on the previous fair day, having exposed goods for sale in Broad street, and witness told him tlwt if he persisted he would be summoned. Defend- ant said he would do it in defiance of witness and about three o'clock in the afternoon witness saw him ill Broad street opposite Mytton's Vaults selling goods in the street — Defendauf denied that he wished to be openly defiant. He did not know who Mr Snook was. There \n¡; some argument raised before when he was at Welshpool, when he spoke to the lessee of the tolls aoout it, and was told he could stand there. -P.C. Rees Williams corroborated Mr Snook's evidence, and said when they spoke to defend- ant in Broad street he said he would rather be summoned. It would not cost him anything as would pay his fine—The Chairman said defendant- had no right upon the Smith- held, and then he went and committed anotner offence. The full penalty including costs was 50s., but they would let him off with a quarter of that, 12s. 6d., or in default 14 days.— Eventu- ally, as defendant, had not sufficient money with paid fin<3 WaS redaced to 10s-> which was

CANN OFFICE. FRIENDY SOCIBTT.—-Tha Sons of Erfy] Cadfm and Peibiaw Friendly Society held their annual festival on Friday week. After meeting at Can- Office llctd, the headquarters of the Society a procession was formed headed by the Llanfair Brass Band (conductor Mr Tom Richards) Service in L'angadfan Parish Church was amended at 12 noon. The Rev. J. Bevan Jones (Rector) read the service, and the Rev. J. Evans, Garth- beibio, preached an appropnVe s*rmoa After service the procession reformed and marched back to the hotel, where an excellent dinner was pro. vided by Mr and Mrs J. B. Jano". After the usual toast s and songs the at.nual business of the 01ub, ejection of members of the committee etc was tian asted. Mr Hugh Jones, Llnngadfan, was chosen president for the ensuing ..ar. Selections of music were given by the ban i during the afternoon. °

LLWYNGWRIL. THE Calvinutic Methodist churches at Llwvc- gwn and Fnog Line, 1 ave unanimously give,, a "call" the Rev. IrevorEvan., Llan'achi-cth. It is expected he will The