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"THE CLAIMS OF CARDIGAN AS…

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"THE CLAIMS OF CARDIGAN AS A CENTRE FOR AN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL." [By IDRIS]. When I sat down to pen this article, I resolved to jot only plain facts. There was to be no white- washing, no flowery language. Indeed, I do not think it expedient to quote Shakespeare or similar worthies, and will not wax eloqueut over the matter like the three tailors of Tooley-street The following facts which I am about to note will Stand any amount of criticism. To begin with, Cardigan, or Aberteifi, as it is known in the vernacular, is the county town of County Cardigan. It is an ancient and picturesque town situated on the banks of that romantic river which has formed so many themes for the poet's song, viz., the Tivy. The town is located a short distance from the blue waters of Cardigan Bay, and the resident has the advantage of filling his lungs with the oxygen of the deep blue sea and the healthful breezes of the moss grown hills. The ancient borough has gained considerable reputation as an eisteddvodic centre, and some of the most glowing and most influential bardic assemblies have sat in conclave within its time honoured precints. The town is also the centre of an extensive agricultural district, and is well known as a piscatorial rendezvous. Next to Aberystwyth, Cardigan is the most attractive and most populous town in Cardigan- shire. It is considerably larger than Aberayron and New Quay put together. Within easy distance are the towns of Newcastle Emlyn and Llandyssil, as well as the important villages of Aberporth and Llangranog. These places, in company with the intermediate country district, would give a very tidy slice of the whole population of the county. The fact that the inhabitants of the district in question would go in heartily for Cardigan is a foregone conclusion. Being the second most populous town in the county, Cardigan is also the most attractive. It has the best weekly market in the county, and, next to Aberystwyth, by far the most commodious streets and places of business as well. It is a borough town, is well drained, and is as healthy as any place in Cardiganshire. It is lighted with very good gas, and boasts a capital water supply. It is yearly improving from a municipal and other points of view, and is a Customs port. The only R.N.R. Battery in this part of Wales is located in this district. I have noted the above particulars to establish Cardigan's claim towards being called the second most important town in the county. Within a five mile radius of the town it is calculated that there is a population of ten thousand, so that the population of the proposed area which is to be included in the Joint School district of Cardigan must be very considerable. district of Cardigan must be very considerable. The rateable value of the area in question would be, I am informed, £ 99,557. This sum, in company with a id. rate, would bring in E207 8s. There is also a considerable area in the Cenarth neighbourhood of Carmarthenshire to be taken into account. It borders on the confines of Cardiganshire and Pembrokeshire, and will, undoubtedly, have to come within the pale of the Cardigan centre. There is also an important division of county Pembroke which it is proposed to incorporate with Cardigan. The Pembroke- shire authorities seem to be quite willing that the division in question should brood under Cardigan's sheltering wing. It is money that makes the mare to go," and the town which can toe the mark with plenty of hard cash will be well up in the race. A very large sum of money will have to be provided for building intermediate schools. Now, Cardigan, which boasts the most durable public buildings in the county, is well to the fore in the matter of building accomodation. The Shire Hall, which is located in High-street, is a building which could, with a few alterations, be transformed into a capital seminary. Built of durable stone, located on a dry spot, well ventilated and sheltered, the Shire Hall would admirably answer the purposes of an intermediate school. This building is the property of the county, and is, at present, only used for county courts, petty sessions, &c. The town council are willing to give the county the use of the Guildhall for the holding of petty sessions, &c., free of charge. The Guildhall would prove more advantageous for holding county courts, &c. Negotiations are now proceeding for acquiring possession of the Shire Hall from the County Council. The County Council will probably be glad to get rid of this "white elephant," for if the present offer for acquiring the same is refused, it is not likely that the Shire Hall will again be in request, as it would be useless as a store or entertainment hall. There are no charities which could possibly be devoted towards intermediate education purposes. One charity yields £27 per annum. This sum is devoted towards providing a few foundation scholarships at the Grammar School, a prosperous scholastic establishment. This money could not, of course, be handed over towards benefiting an intermediate school. However, as there is a local fund being raised for obtaining money towards putting the proposed intermediate school in WorkiiTg order there ought to be no misgivings on the £ s. d. point, for subscriptions are being promised liberally. Cardigan district is the nursery of quite an army of seamen. Indeed, the number of mariners who reside at Cardigan, Aberporth, St. Dogmells, and Llangranog, is prodigious. A nagivation department in connection with the proposed intermediate school would, like a certain pen, "come as a blessing and boon" to this influential community. The want of a school where navigation could be taught is an aching void. Cardigan is easily accessible from different parts of the county. The borough is connected with railway communication, and a coach meets the trains which run to Llandyssil. The inhabitants of the Borough are intelligent, as a rule, and very affable and hospitable. In fact, the South Cardies are proverbial for their homely ways. Lodging accomodation and cost of living is very reasonable. We make no apology in presenting these few straggling remarks to our readers, and will not wound np by breaking forth into poetry after the fashion of Silas Wegg. We will, however, say that it is useless to ignore the superior claims of Cardigan. The most biassed outsider will at once recognise the legitimacy of its case, and as the gentlemen who constitute the Joint Education Committee are not lacking in intelligence and keensightedness, they will, undoubtedly, observe that the capital of Ceredigion puts forth a very strong claim for an intermediate school.

HUNTING NOTES FROM TIVYSIDE.

« O'SHEA V. O'SHEA AND PARNELL."

REVIEW OF THE BRITISH CORN…

=MARKETS.

ABERYSTWYTH.I

CARDIGAN.

| S* ALLEY.

-----------------TEMPERANCE.

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