Rhyl Record and Advertiser

ST ASAPH BOARD OF GUARDIANS. | THE APPOINTMENT OF RELIEVING OFFICER FOR RHYL. The fornigbtly meeting of the above Board was held in the Board Room at the Workhouse on Friday. There were present: Messrs Edwin Edwin Morgan (chairman), John Williams (vice- chairman), R. Ll. Jones, Jacob Jones, W. Wynne, P. Mostyn Williams. Mrll Lloyd Jones, Mrs Jane Roberts, Mrs Mary Jones, Rhyl; Messrs R. Morris, W. Conwy Bell, Rhuddlan; Joseph Lloyd, Miss Bennett, St Asaph; Messrs John Hashes, Pres tatvn; Thomas Ellis (Llys), Melden; John Williams (Pvdpw), Dy>-<rdi; William Owen, A. Foulkes, Wm. Littler, John Vaughan (Ty Mawr), J. D. Jones (Bodoryn), Miss Beatrice Evans, Abergele; Rev. J. Adams. Tremeirchion; Messrs Thomas Morgan, Cwm; John Roberts (Geinas), Bodfari; Thomas Lloyd (Berthewi^h John Roberts, (Foxhall). Henllan; Joseph Roberts, Denbigh; Morris Jones, Llaneannan; William Williams, Llanefydd, THE HOUSE. The Master reported the number 'of paupers in the home last board to b* 103; admittsl since, 5 discharged, 2; rsmaining in thA bouse this day, 106; decrease of 5, as compared with the corres pooding dde last year, when there were 111 inmatei. During the past fortnight 13G vagrants had been relieved—a decrease of 88, on the corres- ponding period of last year, wLen 221 casual paupers were relieved in the hous". THE LATE BELIEVING OFFICER. The Chairman read a letter from Mrs Ellis, widow of the late Relieving Officer, thanking1 the Board for its expression of condolence with her and the family in their bereavement. THE PROPOSAL TO DIVIDE TUR sT. ASAPH RELIEF DISTRICT. The Chairman said that the committee appointed to consider the question of dividing the St. Asaph Relief District, prior to the appointment of a successor to Mr William Ellis to the office of Re- lieving Officer, met that day week. After con- sideration it was decided on a vote of 10 against 5 that the district should remain as it is. Therefore that was the recommendation of the committee- that the District of St. Asapk remiiu undivided. Mr Joseph Roberts (Denbigh) moved the confirm- ation of the report. Mr John Vaughan (Abergele) seconded. Mr h. Llewelyn Jones (Rbyl) as an amendment moved that the district be divided into two. He regretted that absence from home on public business of the county in London prevented his attending the committee, when this matter was uoder consider- ation. What the amendment asked for was only fair and reasonable, and he could not not conceive any objection to it, especially when they considered that it entailed no extra expense to the rate- payers. He would ask them to take into consider- ation the example set by the Government which now advocated the principle of decentralization, as it was found that centralization did not conduce to proper administrntion. The district as at present defined was much too large for one inan to work effectively. His proposal was that Meliden, Dyserth, Rhuddlan, Rhyl and Cwm it was in- cluded for the purposes of school attendance) should form a separate district. That district con- tained a population of 9877, with 422 paupers The other separated distict would include St. Asaph Tremeirchion, and Bodfari. On the quest on of salary he said be proposed to divide the present salary of the relieving officer into two equal parts of £ 3-5. To that in the first district he added £ 32, the salary of the school attendauee officer for the Rhyl district, and 220, the salary of the officer in the Melideu and Dyserth, &c., district, the duties cf which office the relieving officer would carry out, and 250, of the registration fee—a fair proportion of the £ 72 fees, the average received by the lute Mt Ellis, when it was con- sidered that the bulk was received in the Rhyl district. That totalled up to £ 137 for the first district, which had au area of 12,000 acres. The other half, St. Asaph, Bodfari and Tremeirchion, would get £ 3-5 half the preseut salary of the relieving officer, £ 2-5 school attendance fees, and jE22 es'imated proportion of the registration fees- a total of 182. The population of the St. Asaph half w%s much less thfiu that of tae Rhyl half, being only 4,116, with 193 paupers. But the area was somewhat larger, itS it contained 16,6b9 acres. If the committee's recommendation was agreed to, the registration of birth* and deaths could not be promised to the new officer. Rhvl had a population at times of 15,000, and rhey would quite understand, that with such a population, there ought to be a resident registrar. He therefore bti^ged to move that the present relief d'strict of St. Asaph should be divided into two, on the basis contained in his amendment. Mr Jacob Jones seconded the amendment. He thought the sub-district of St. Asaph was too large for one officer to do the work of Relieving Oiiicer and Registrar of Births aud Deaths efficiently. Iu fact the town of Rhyl, wit!i the remainder of the parish of Rhuddlan, Dyserth, Meliden, JPrestatyu, and Cwm was quite as much a* any man could do thoroughly well. As things were now, the largest portion of the officer's time, on account of his residing at St. Asaph, wis given to the most sparsely populated parts, and the places where there was the least work to be done. And all those who required his services bad to go to him a distance of many miles, and not him to them, a state of things which often caused great it,on- venience and discomfort at a very critical time in faailies. At present the St. Asapb. Registration District was divided into two sub-districts, and three registration districts. Sub district No. I included the p-trishes of Bodelwyddan. Bodfari, Cefn, Cwm, Dysertb, Meliden, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, St. Asaph, and Tremeirchion, with a population in 1891 of 13,993. Sub-district No. 2 included Abergele, Bettws, Llanddulas, Llanfnir, St. George, Towyn, Trofarth, Bylchau, Denbigh, Henllan, Llannefydd, Trefnant, and Llansinnan, with a population of 14,961. The population of the whole Union was 28,9.54. Then came the rt-gistratiou districts-.r..o. 1, St. Asaph, with a population of 13,993, with only one registrar No. 2, Abergele, with a population of 5,938, with one registrar residing at Aberaele; No. 3, Denbigh, with a population of 9,023. with a registrar residing at Denbigh, so that the Abergele and Denbigh parts of the St. Asaph district had two registrars of births and deaths, while the remainder of the | distri ;t, though equalling the other two parts in population, had only one. The population of the Rhvl Urban District in 1891 was 6,527. no doubt it could be put down nnw aa 7,000 and in the summer -July, August, and September—it would be 15,000. let there were no facilities of registration fur this population beyond four and a half hours in the week—one hoar on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and two hours and a half on Saturdays. The Lumber of births and deaths last year of the Rhyl Urban District as comptired with the rural district of St. Asaph were-Rhyl Urban, births, 183: deaths, 177; Rural, births, 177; de*ths, 168. The same principle which applied to the registration weB equally applicable ti the duties of the relieving officer. They argued that it was not practicable to I do thoroughly and effectually the work of registra- tion and relief of the poor for a population like that of Rhyl without a resident officer. By dividing the district and the work, they would reduce the work within reasonable limits, and give the officer more time to attend to the place where the duties were heaviest bv residing there, and it wag equally fair to both divisions of the district. Neither one nor the r.ther could be done efficiently in the very limited time at present alloted by the Board of Guardians in Rhyl. In conclusion he urged upon them as Guardians and neighbours gracefully to render them the regi-t-ation facilities which they required, or else they would very likely be done by another authority. The Clerk read a letter from the Rhyl Dhtriet Council enclosing a resolution in support of the division of the district. Mr Conwy Bell objected to the division. The salaries as prepared by Mr Jones were unequal. Whoever was appointed would be required to keep a pony and trap, and that could not be done out of J682 a year. As to the time the officer remained iu Rhyl, the stated times were no criterion to go by. He knew personally that the late Mr Ellis spent hours and hours in Rhyl over and above the stated ones. Mr P. Mostyn Williams begged to support the resolution from the Rhyl District Council, tie WilS present at the meeting in which it was pissed, and there was a very strong feeling in favour of ir. He considered that the proposer and seconder of the amendment had made out a very strong case for separation. The St. Asaph district equalled in population and paupers the two other districts of the St. Asaph Union put together; while its rate- able value was greatly in excess of th, t of the districts of Denbigh and Abergele. So whatever view they took of the matter, it was very app-irent that they were entitled to two officers for the St. Asaph district. Witi regard to the salary he was sorry Mr Llewelyn Jones proposed the division he did. Let Cwm remain with St. Asaph, and the salary would then fee about £120 for Rhyl, and £90 odd for the other dietrict. They had felt gredt inconvenience in Rhyl also in the matter of the registration of deaths, and he did not see why an important place like Rhyl should be forced to sutler. They asked for nothing new, but simple justice t) Rhyl and no favour. Mr Joseph Lloyd thought it would be folly to appoint two officers. He was sorry for the incon- venience suffered by the Rhvl people. But that need not be, provided better arrangements were made. It would be far preferrable to have one man to do the work, but he agreed that motn should spend more time in Rhyl. The appointment of two men would cost more money. But he believed the Guardians understood what the interests of the district were, and he had faith that they would do the right thinir. so it was not necessary for him to say anything further. Mr P. M. Williams said they did not propose to add one penny to the sum now paid to one officer. Mr Joseph Lloyd said his experience extending over 40 years, was that every new officer appointed was imposed upon by the paupers, and by that the Union lost at least a hundred pounds t irough every appoiutment. Mr R. Ll. Jones in reply said Mr Lloyd's argu- ment was equally sipplicable to one as to two officers. With reference to the salary, the Rhyl district bad twice the population and twice the number of paupers in the ot'ier district, and it was only fair that be salary should be greater. They were not goinl- to increase the expenditure by one penny bv the proposed division. The rateable value of Rhvl was uue third of that of the wboie Union, and the representatives of that parish were quite as anxious to keep the rates down as any guardians on that board. Mrs Llovd Jones said Rhyl paid one-third of the whole of the rates of the Union, aud for that they got at. attendance of the relieving officer in the town for Lineteen and a half days of twelve hours in the year. She did not think that a fair pro- position. The officer could not efficiently perform his duties under such an arrangement. If the Relieving Officer could spend more time in looking up the cases, and in the apntic ttion of relief, she was convinced that a great saving could be effected. As it was, the paupers knew ms well as tho officer, when he was likely to visit them, and could arrange matters accordingly (hear, bear). The amendment was then put to the meeting, when the following voted for it: — Miss Bennett, St. Asaph; Miss Walton Evans, Abergele; Mr Jacob Jones, Mrs Mary Jones, Mrs M. Lloyd Jones, Mr LI. Jones, Rhyl; fr Wrn. Littler. Aber- gele Mrs Jane Roberts, Rhyl; Mr W. Williams, Llanefydd Mr P. M. Williams, Rhyl;-Io. Against:—Rev J. Adams, Tremeirchion; Messrs W. Conwy Bell, Rhuddlan Thomas Ellis, Meliden A. Foulkes, Abergele; J. Huirhes, Prestatyn; J. O. Jones, St. George Morris Jones, Llansannan Joseph Lloyd, St. Asaph; The Chairman; T. Morgan, Cwm R. Morris, Rhuddlan W. Owen, Abergele; J. Roberts, Bodfari John Roberts, Henllau Joseph Roberts, Denbigh J. Vaughan, Abergele; John Williams (Pvdew), Dyserth; W. Wynne, Rhyl; -19. Neutral: The Vice-chair- man. The recommendation of the committee having been approved. TLe Clerk read a copy of the proposed advertse- ment. Mr R. Ll. Jones proposed that he advertisement be amended by striking out the condition that the 1 Relieving Officer should be required t) live at St. Asapb, and substitute Rhyl as the pluce of residence. Mr P. Mostyn Williams seconded. Mr Joseph Lloyd opposed the amendment. On a division eight voted in favour of Rhyl, and seventeen in favour of St. Asaph.—Miss Bennett, Miss Beatrice Evans, Mr John Hughes, aud the Vice-chairman, remaining neutral. 'I A further amendment was proposed by Mr R. Morris, and secouded bv Mr John Williams, to the effect that the question of residence be left to tie discretion of the appointed officer, provided it was within the district On a vote being taken, twelve voted for the amendment, and sixteen against. Mr Joseph Lloyd said be felt that something more ouarbt to be done for Rhvl, in tie matter of the regist-ation of births and deaths. The officer should spend more time in that town, and snouli advertise the hours of his attendance every week in the lo al pipers at his own expose (Oh, Oh). The Clerk explained that the appointnent of Assistant Registrar of births and deaths, ant the hours of hit3 attendance at different places were matters entirely in the hands of the Registrar General. Mr P. Mostyn Williams said he would move as a further amendment that they advertise for a Relieving Officer only. Application had been made to the Registrar General for the appointment of an Assistant Registrar for Rhyl, and it was sure to be acceded to. Therefore it was useless to advertise for one. The Clerk: The advertisement states that the appointment of the K.,lieving Officer as Assistant R-gis,rar of births and deaths wis subject to the approval of tie Registrar General. Mr R Ll. Jon°s seconded the amendment. Several Guardians objected to further amend- ments on a question they said that had been decided over and over again. The Chairman said the Board had already agreed upon the recommendation of the committee, and therefore the matter raised by Mr Mostyn Williams had been decided before. Mr Mostyn Williams submitted that they were dealing with the advertisement. Two amendments had been proposed and rejected, and the advertise ment had come back to them as a whole, and he was quite in order in moving a further amendment. The Chairman remarked that the advertisement was drawn out on the recommendation of the com- mittee which had been approved Mr Mostyn Williams: Do I then understand that you refuse to accept my amendment? The Chairman Yes. Mr Mostyn Williams: Then I must give you notice that I wiillippeaJ tj the Local G jvemuient Board on the matt.-r. THE SEW EDUCATION BILL AND ITS EFFECT ON THE SCHOOL ATTK.nPANCE COMMITTKE. The Vice-chairman sail the School Attendance Committee recommended the re-appointment uf Mr Grunsiey as Clerk to the School Attendance Committee for oue year, at the same salary as before £ 30 per annum. Ic had been the custom to make the appointment for three years, but the committee not knowing what bearings the new education bill might have on the matter, recom- mended that the appoiatment should be for one year only. On the motion of Mr Littler, seconded bjr Mr Joseph Lloyd, the recommendation was approve]. CLAIM FOR RENT FOR A P-lUPrfR'S COT TAG2. A letter was read from Air Iuglis, Old Gwrvoh, Abergele, claiming £ 6 18s. 101. as arrears of rent of a house in Peel Street, Abergele. on the Gwrych Castle estate, lately occupied by a pauper named Catherine J ones, but who was now dead. Ir was stited that the Relieving Offioer had sold the furniture of the pauper on the decease, tuid the pro- ceeds were hauded over to the Guardians. Mr R. LI. Jones believed that since the agent had allowed the Relieving Officer to remove the goods and sell them, it whs no Ñ t10 late to claim for the arrears of rent. He movtd that they pro- ceed to the next business. This was agreed to. THE GUARDIANSHIP O? A "WAIF A FATHIIR NO AUTHORITY ON THE COSTS OF FEMALE APPAREL. An intimation was received from tie Rev Father Lucas, that he wihhed to appear before the Bjard. The Chairman cxplaine 1-tuat at the last board meet ng a letter was received from Father Lucas, askicg that a girl named Ellen Flynn, now an in- mate of the house, should be sent to a Catholic training home in Liverpool, at a cost of £ 3 3s. half of which Father Lucae otierei to defray. It was decided to ask him to attend the Board and further explain his proposal. Father Lucas Wi18 asked in, and said that the girl Ellen Flyou had now reached an age that she would have to go out to seek her living. It would be f.ir better for the girl iu tlftdr life if she received proper training — such as was imparted in this rwme in Liverpool. There was an admission fee of 1;2 2s Oct, and she would require a certain outfit. Now he was not an expert in the costs of ladies' underclothing (loud liughter) but a lady hud giveu him some particulars, which tottsd up t, jEt Od 3d, so he put it down at 91 Is -there would be 9d wastage somewhere he had no doubt (renewed laughter). He thought that it would cost the Board ahout 30s to fit this girl out in the ordinary way for service-to which she would soon have to go; and he proposed to make up the balance him- self. After some further conversation it was requested that Father Lucas should leave the room and the girl called up. The girl, a bright, intelligent looking m til, said she had passed the third sttndard, and did not now attend school. Sue should like to go t) the home at Liverpool, because of the training sne would get there The Clerk said the girl was found in Rhyl some years ago apparently deserted, and Inspector Williams communicated with the Relieving Officer, who ordered her removal to the Workhouse. When she came to the house she could neither read nor write, and now she was over 14, and had ceased attending school. There was a resolution on the books passed under the section providing for such cases to keep the girl under the cintrol of the Guardi ms until she attained the age of eighteeo. The question was whether she would be under the contrul of the Guardians if she would be allowed to go tj Liverpool. The Guardians were practically unanimous that 1 it would be a good thing for the girl tj go to the home, and eventually Mr Joseph Lloyd proposed, iand Mr Littler seconded, that the request of Father Lucas be acceded to. It was poiuteu out thilt Lefore that .motion could be passed the previous resolution must be rescinded, aud notice to that etf,t give, •itiis couoiu led th-- buiin--ss.