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0 .2 The Cemetery Question.…

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0 .2 The Cemetery Question. GOVERNMENT INQUIRY. FACTIOUS OPPOSITION. LIVELY SCENES. After the Mudiand Inquiry on Wednesday, ttke Inspector of the Local Government Board, Col. J.Ord Haatid,R.E., proceeded to hold an inquiry ree- pecting the application of the Commissioners for the sanction of the Local Government Board to a loan of JES565, for the purpose of a new public cemetery, on the site known as Penymaes, situate in Dyserth Road. Considerable interest was centred in the proceedings, and among those present were Messrs William Williams (ohairman of the Board), P. Mostyn Williams, Abel Jones, J. Frimston, 8. Perks, W. J. Kent, E. W. Keatinge, R, D. Roberts, J. H. Ellis, J. S. Greenhalgh, A. L. Clews, R. Jones, Robt. Jones, Thos. Ellis, H. J. B. Lawrence, Revs Canon Howell Evans, Evan J ones, W. Roderick, J. Hughes (Glanyetwyth), E. Lloyd Jones, J. Judge, 0. T. Williams, J. Verrier Jones, David Lewis, Lewis Ellis, Rowland Thomas, Drs. :V Girdlestone, Summerhill, and Eyton Lloyd, Messrs W. Wynne, R. Ll. Jones, C. W. Jones, J. Mudd, D. Davies, Freelanda H. A. Steer, J. ColliDgwood, G. F. Gunner, Robert Hughes, T. C. Amos, J. Williams, auctioneer; Twigg, David Griffith, Daniel Evans, F. Wrigley, S. J. Amos, F. J. Gamlin, W. U. Williams, --Thomas, Cobden Terrace; Thomas Foulkes, builder; P. Williams, Auctioneer; Williams, photographer J. Y. Straohan, T. Davies, chemist, A. Maltby, J. WaJker. T. Ayres, E. Morgan, H. Millward, Wm. Williams, Edward Jones, J. Rcberts, J. Fielding, G. Ditohfield, R. Trueman. J. E. Baker, John Morris, D. W. Hughes, Robert Jones, Thos. Jones, Thorpe Street, G. W. Parry, R. Simcox, Peter Roberts, J. A. Evans, W. Davies, county coroner. Mr Rowlands opened the case by reading the official correspondence, and dwelt upon the history of the question up to the present time. He went 3 on to argue the fifty years asked for, for re- payment was reasonable, oA the ground that the proposed cemetery would go on for more than 50 '1 .years. Until the question of consecrating a part of the cemetery was raised at the meeting of Commissioners they were in perfect unanimity on every point (applause). He might take it that it was no part of their business that day to go into that question at all (hear, hear). The Vicar of Rhyl, he must say in all fairness, appeared before the Board as early as June 2nd, 1890, to state bid views on confteration, and relying upon agreement with the Board he continued to co-operate with them. Then, after the Board refused to consider t e question of consecration before the holding of that inquiry, he resolved to withdraw his support, v and proceed for a burial ground for the Church party. Under these circumstances the ground of objection would be that the loan they asked for was too much for the requirements of the distriat of Rhyl. In order to do justice to both sides hI would read a little of the recent history of the dispute. He then proceeded to read the corres- pou once, most of which will be found in our "report of the Commissioners' meeting. Thei Vicar's final letter on Wednesday morning said that the consecration question had not been settled, and no statement made as to the quantity of land thtt would be given to the Church party.—Proceeding, the Clerk said that although the Vioar's objeotion to the quantity of the land might be legitimate, yet he ventured to suggest they ought not to have any weight with the Inspector for several reasons. First, the Commissioners were the Jocal authority for this district, and they found that the distriot was in absolute want of a cemetery. Secondly, they had placed themselves iu a legal position to provide a cemetery at considerable expense. They wished to provide a cemetery for the whole of the district, and not for one part, without any dis. tinotion of creed (applause). He did not think it likely or possible that the Local Government Board would consent to their providing a cemetery for any one part of the community (hear, hear). It must be a cemetery for all or for none, because even if there were half-a-doren other cemeteries, this cemetery would have to be open to all; Church- people would have the same right of burial there as any other persons. Again it was not certain that the Vicar would get sanction for a new cemetery. An order in council would have to be granted closing the present cemetery, and another to open a fresh one from the Home Office. It was doubtful if that would be granted, and were the matter placed before the ratepayers there would be a terrible fight [Mr Clews: And a glorious victory] (applause). lie thought it would be very un- desirable to have two cemeteries in the town. He next submitted that the Commissioners had signified their wfliingness to accept the proposals of the Vicar, if they could legally do so; and failing that they would arree to the dedication of the whole cemetery, and set apart a portion of the eemetery for the burial of the dead in accordance with the rites of the Church of England. He contended that the quantity of the land asked for was not excessive, and that the surplus land could be legally disposed of. The town had been growinsr at a rapid pace, and in the last twenty years the p pu- lation had doubled. The Commissioners had entered into a provisional agreement to buy the whole of the seven acres at a very low price. For four acres they were asked £ 250 for five acres, A226 and for the whole, less than £ 200. It was exceedingly unlikely that the proprietor would now sousent to sell less than the whole. They had other sites before them, and as much as ;1500, 9960t and £300 an acre was asked for them. The effect of the refusal of the loan would be to oust the Commissioners from their position to provide a cemetery at all Mr Gamlin, as representing a ratepayer, asked to be allowed to question the Clerk. Mr R. Ll. Jones asked for the name of the ratepayer whom Mr Gamlin represented, but no reply was volun- teered. Mr Mostyn Williams objeoted to the eross- examination because the Clerk was not a witness; he had simply made an opening statement en behalf of the Commissioners. The objection was overruled, and Mr Gamlin asked the Clerk if the agreement entered into to purchase was subject to the oonsent of the Local Government Board. The Clerk replied in the affirmative. Mr Gamlin next asked if half the land could not be purchased. —The Clerk: No; I believe that the owner is now aorry that he has bound himself to sell at all (laughter). The Inspector: I have it that he would only sell lesa at a much higher price. Mr Clews: When negotiations were first opened, he asked for 3s 6d per yard. The Clerk, answering Mr Gamlin, said he could not say how much the town had progressed during the last five years. On the 1st of January he was instructed to prepare a case for counsels' opinions with regard to the Vicar's proposal; that bad not been tent; it would have to be submitted to the committee first. Mr Gamlin: You have had considerable ex-' perience in local government. Do you consider that the Vicar's concessions can be legally carried out? (Ories of Don't answer.") Mr Rowlands: I don't think I am called upon to answer that question (bear, hear).—The Inspector being appealed to supported the Clerk. Mr Gamlin: Have you been through the ratebook to ascertain the relative rateable value of Churchmen 88 compared with Nonconformists ? (Mr Frimston: Don't answer him.)—Mr Rowlands: No, sir.—Mr Gamlin Are you aware that the Church party contribute half of the rates (ironioal laughter) ?- Mr Rowlands: I am not prepared to answer that flUlltion. Mr Frimaton: What has that to do with the subject (hear, hear) i Mr R. LI. Jones: There are several Church people who are opposed to consecration, because of the way they have been trod upon by the Church people in the put (applause). Mr Taverner: Perhaps there are some people attending your chapel, who are for consecration (Oh, Oh). Mr Frimston: This is only wasting time. Mr Rowlands, further answering Mr Gamlin, aid he believed that only two acrcs were now to be laid out for the purposes of burial; the remain- ing five acrcs were not to be so utilized. The Sur- veyor could, however, best answer that question. Asked if he considered ample notice had been given of the inquiry, he replied that he had been charged with desecrating the Sabboth through publishing the notices on Sunday. The Rev. J. Judge asked if Mr Gamlin was entitled to eross-examine every wituess as he had done JCr Rowlands. If so, the inquiry would occupy a very long time.-The Inspector replied that he was entitled. Mr Kent desired to say that Mr Rowlands had very fairly represented the case, but wifhed to know if the Boar* was not very evenly divided on the ■question, and »p to the importation of some new members there was just one half of the membsrs on either aide (" No," and sit down "). Mr Frimston: There were only six against, and they are for oonseoration, coxae what will. I» not Ifcat so, Mr Rowlands ? Mr amimis I oanoat =owe? that. ,WI 4M Let oi fc*r» t&Bkttei. Mr J. Frimston assured the Inspector that suoh was the case. The majority had been most wishful to settle this matter amioably, and would agree to consecration provided that the Vioar's proposals could be made legally binding. The Clerk said that the voting on the subject of defering the question was nine to six. The Rev O. T. Williams asked if the Inspeotor was going to decide the question of consecration that day. The Inspeetor replied that he was not going to decide anything, but to report to his Board. Mr Williams afterwards asked if consecration was before the Inspector at all; and was answered that he was there to hear any objection that might be offered to the Commissioners' scheme. Mr Robt. Hughes, Town Surveyor was next examined, and said that only 3 acres, 1 rood, 14 perches, now to be dealt with, and about 2i acres would be available for burials, and 2 acres. 2 roods, 3 perches not available unless the consent was obtained of the abutting owners. He calculated that so much as was to be at present used for burials would last for about 26 years, and they could bury 8 feet down. By Mr Kent: The right of easement for a drain into the main sewer had been secured. The Sur- veyor then explained the plans of the site, but they were not all approved by the committee. The drainage would cost about £82:1. The present cemetery was something under an aore in extent, and had been used for about 30 years. Mr Gamlin, after remarking that the interuptions which prevailed would have no influence whatever on his mode of proceeding, persued his questions, in answer to which the Surveyor said there were 3 acres, 11 perches, in which no burials could take place without the consent of the abutting owners. He could not say whether the cemetery would be a souroe of profit or whether it would result in an increase in the rates of two pence in the i. Mr Richard Jones What is the good of risking such question as that, man ? We must have a cemetery whatever will be the financial result (loud laughter and applause). Mr P. Mostyn Williams next examined the Sur- veyor. Replying to the Clerk, the Surveyor said that the land was of a valuable character, and could be let for agricultural purposes at an annual rental of j65 an acre. By the Vicar: Ho thought the probable cost of getting into orcier the other two acres, if necessary, in the future would be about £100. Mr Clews: What is the quantity of land used for other purposes than graves? Mr Hughes was unable to answer. Dr. Eyton Lloyd said he had considered the question of the cemetery. He bad examined the site now before the Inspector. From a sanitary point of view he had nothing to say against the site. The Commissioners had made as good a selection as they could out of land in this district. Mr Wm. Williams, Chairman of the Board, said that after giving every consideration to the matter he thoroughly agreed that the Commissioners had done the best thing they could under all circum- stances. He had always been in favour of another site, but the price was excessive, and the approach rather objectiouable, in consequence of which the town wis ruther against that sits, He gave further evidence- By Air Keatinge: H 9 admitted he was at first rather in favour of Hardcroft land, but had changed his opinion after he had ascertained the nature of the soil. The price was also prohibitory. Mr Gamlin proceeded to cross-examined witneas amid interruption and criea of wsetiag time. Mr R. Ll. Jones saying he is paid for ccminghere to speak. He admits that. Mr C. W. Jones: And is paid by the hour I should think (loud laughter). The Inspector, at this juncture (5. 30,) sail he must adjourn the inquiry. He had an engagement every day during the present month, and he sug- gested the 3rd or 4th February as the date for the next meeting. It was evident there was considerable opposition, but he would ask them at the next sitting to confine their statements to facts, and to have a leader to conduct their case, so that everyone of them would not cross-examine the witnesses (hear, hear.) Mr Kent said they had done as well as they could, but they had only two days in which to prepare the case (ironioal laughter.) By the next meeting they would have an alternative scheme, and a leader who would take hisproper place. Mr Mostyn Williams, desired to emphasise the fact that there was no opposition to the land. All the opposition had arisen in connection with the consecration question. There was no foundation for the statement that the Commissioners had re- fused to oonitecrate provided the vicars proposals would be legally binding they had agreed to con- secrate a portion of the ground (applause). The inquiry was then adjourned, a vote of thanks being accorded the Inspector.

BETHEL, VALE ROAD, ANNUAL…

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