Denbighshire Free Press

DENBIGH TOWN COUNCIL TAKE UP THE DRAIN AGE QUESTION. AN ENGINEER TO BE CALLED IN. MR. HOWEL GEE AND "THE LITTLE COTERIE AT THE ENGLISH CHAPEL » THE RATEPAYERS' PETITION «HELD OVER." U ecial meeting of the Denbigh Town Cou as keld on Tuesday afternoon for the p /-»e of dealing with the question of the town sewage and the defective con- dition of the main drai. and outfall. There were present the Mayor, Coun- cillor A 0 Evans, in the chair Aldermen Robert Owen and John Davies, Councillors T A Wynne Edwards, James Hughes, R Humphreys Roberts, E J Swayne, W Mellard, David Lloyd, M.B., Boaz Jones, J Howel Gee, Roger Pryce, Griffith Jon-s, the Town Clerk (Mr Parry Jones), the Deputy Town Clerk (Mr Edwfr(L^rry)' the Medical Officer (Dr Griffith Williams Roberts), the Surveyor (Mr John Davies), the Inspector (Mr Windsor). Aldermen W D W Griffith and A Lloyd Jones, and Councillor J Humphrey Jones apologised for unavoidable absence. THE COUNCIL S TELEGRAM TO THE KING. The Town Clerk read a copy of the King's reply to the telegram of congratu- lation from the Council on the termination of the war. (Bath of these appear in another column.) J A LIVELY DEBATE ON SANITATION. THE MAIN DRAIN A HUGE ELONGATED CESSPOOL." Dr Lloyd had given notice to rescind a resolution passed on the 15th day of April, 1902, "that the matter of the reconstruction of the main drainage of the borough be deferred for two months." In making the proposition he said he did so not on account ef anything which had lately appeared in the Press, or the agitation in the town, but because the time had arrived that the Council should take action. Some people had became aware that the main sewer is faulty, but that was no news, as it had been reported upon by their own officers, and it was well-known to the Local Government Board. The matter would have been pressed forward by the Council before, but there were, difficuties in the way, one of the chief of which was that the Asylum authorities had delayed sending a reply to say whether they wished to make arrangements to connect their drainage with the town sewer or not, and this delay of the Asylum authorities had been the cause of expense to the Council, for they had had to construct ventilat;on shafts on the main sewer, which had relieved the pressure on the pipes, but of course was only a tem- porary measure but the time had now come to deal with the wlole question. He concluded by moving the resolution. Mr James Hughes said he had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, for he claimed that no one in the Council had a greater anxiety to put the town into a thoroughly satisfactory manner than he had, and be had done all he eould to get them to adopt a soheme for the improve- ment of the outfall sewer. They had been very busy for a long time calling upon owners of property to put the drains on their premises ic a proper sanitary con- dition, and yet at the same time they had allowed the Council sewers to remain in a condition which would not for a day be tolerated upon the premises of private individuals. There was no con- sistency in anything of that sort (hear, hear). He was very proud to feel that he had been the means of having those ventilating shafts placed on the Ruthin- road sewer, as he felt certain if they had not been erected they would have had a most serious epidemic in the town before now. No doubt those shafts relieved the pressure of sewer gas in the sewer, but still they were not sufficient for the pur- pose, and anyone passing along the road could not fail to detect the sewer gas which escaped through the untrapped street gullies. At present, instead of the sewage finding its way along the sewer to Whit- church, it was simply the liquid that passed through the four inches of the drain now available for the passage of the sewage, and all the solid matter was deposited in the sewer itself, which as Mr Bulnois had said had become a huge elongated cesspool, the stench from which was unbearable. He considered that every member of the Council ought to realise the responsibility which rested upon them to put the town in a thoroughly sanitary condition and that no time should be lost in carrying out whatever is necessary to be done to secure a perfectly efficient system of sanitation. Mr Howel Gee said he agreed that the time had come to take this step, but the people of the town did not know what the Council had been doing. They had been busy at work, and it must not be thought that the Council now took the question up hpp&nse of the action of a small eoteri* at ?he English Chapel (oh). No, the Council had been busy, there had been no delay at all on their part, they had done a great deal, and the outoome of it had been the telegram which the Town Clerk had re- ceived in reply to a letter which he had written to the Local Government Board, by order of the Council (cries of "No, no not by order of the Council,") and he wished that letter and telegram read (no, no). Mr James Hughes and other members contended that what the Town Clerk had written by order of the Council was a reply to a letter received from Mr Barker-a totally different thing to what Mr Gee said (hear, hear). Mr Gee contended he was right. Several members appealed to the Town Clerk, who having referred to the minutes, shewed that Mr Gee's contention was wrong. Mr Gee contended that the telegram and letter written by the Town Clerk should be read. This was met by strong opposition from several members who pointed out that the letter sent by the Town Clerk was of his own initiative and was not written by order of the Council, and should not therefore be read. Mr Wynne Edwards, interposing, asked the Mayor if he had received a petition from ratepayers on this drainage question. The Mayor: Never mind the petition now, Mr Wynne Edwards, the question before us is whether this letter of the Town Clerk shall be read. W- r'ee contended it should be read and otlie -e' ubers insisted that it should not. 1\ Humphreys Roberts moved that neither the telegram nor letter be read. Mr Swayne seconded it. This was carried by a large majority. Mr Gee then proceeded to speak on the question generally, and urged that he had been the means of that April resolution being passed, and he was not sorry for the i delay, as it had brought the Asylum I authorities into communication with them. Mr Boaz Jones said he was convinced that the Council was not to be blamed for the delay, which had caused all that talk and agitation in the town; it was the Asylum people who weie to blame for not having told them what they wanted. Eventually the resolution of Dr Lloyd was put to the meeting and carried nem CUlt. CALLING IN AN ENGINEER TO ADVISE. AN ATTEMPT TO PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE" OUTVOTED. The next business was "I to receive a report of the committee of the whole Council as to the reconstruction of the main drainage of the borough," and this report which had been adopted in the Council in Committee, on the proposition of Mr James Hughes, seconded by Mr R Humphreys Roberts, was as follows:— "That the Town Council be recommended to call in an engiueer to report upon the present outfall sewer of the town, and to advise upon the best means of dealing with it in future." Dr Lloyd, as chairman of the Sanitary Committee, moved the adoption of this report, which was seconded by Mr Swayne. Mr Gee opposed the calling in of an engineer, which he thought was premature. He was the father of a family, and nobody was more anxious than himself that the town should be healthy, but he did not want the Council to follow every hare that was started. He wished the public to know that the object of the Council in delaying was to find out whether the Asylum wanted them to provide for taking in their sewage, which might be 50,000 gallons of sewage a day (oh). They were rather sub- ject to fads in that Council (ironical hear, hears). Two or three months ago they were absolutely committed to the septic tank system. (Loud cries of 44 No, no," "Nonsense," "Nothing of the kind," and much opposition.) Mr Gee (striking the table) I say absolutely (no, no). Mr Hughes We were not committed at all; all that was recommended was that an Engineer be called in to report as to the advisability of the septic tank system being adopted. Mr Gee: Oh, no, nothing of the kind (yes, yes). Mr Hughes appealed to the Town Clerk if that was not correct. The Town Clerk read the former resolution which bore out that view of the case, and commenced" with a view to adopting, &c." Mr Gee: Not one of us knew anything about the septic treatment (oh, oh and laughter). Mr James Hughes: fcpeak for yourself. Some of us know all about it, and others have been studying it (hear, hear). Mr Gee: You don't know the ins and oats of it (laughter and "yes, we do.") I should like to know if any of you have seen it in operation. Now they were going to commit the Council to something they knew nothing about, and they did noc know whether there was any available land down the brook for it. It had been suggested that. the outfall should be in what he might call the alley down at Captain's Bridge, anywhere be- tween there and Lleweni, they did not know where (oh, oh). He was in favour, before they appointed an engineer, of having a committee to go into the question (no, no) and to find out whether there was any land down Captain's Bridge they could have, and where it was and what would be the price of the land (oh and no, no"). He wanted to know also what the cost of the system would be. A Member: How could they know the cost until they had decided what was to be done ? Mr Gee: Well, ;let us know within a thousand or two what the cost of the land and the tanks will be (laughter). Mr Wynne Edwards: Why not say within a million? (loud laughter.) Mr Gee continued to argue in favour of getting these prices and information before appointing an engineer. At length the voting was taken. For the report and appointment of an engineer there voted: The Mayor, Dr Lloyd, Messrs R Humphreys Roberts, James Hughes, T A Wynne Edwards, Robert Owen, Boaz Jones, E J Swayne, and W Mellard-9. Against: Messrs Howel Gee, Roger Pryce, and John Davies.—Mr Griffith Jones, being the tenant of the present outfall land, did not vote nor take part in the discussion. THE SELECTION OF AN ENGINEER. MR. GEE AGAIN OBJECTS: PREFBR8 A COMMITTEE. The Council having thus decided to ap- point an Engineer, Mr R Humphreys Roberts proposed that the Local Government Board be asked to send to the Council the names of three Engineers whom they would recommend to the Council to report upon the best means of dealing with the drainage, from which three names the Council could select one. Mr Wynne Edwards seconded the motion. Mr Howel Gee opposed this and moved that a committee be appointed to ascertain what land could be secured and the cost of it, and also to ascertain whether the Asylum authorities intended to join their sewage system to the town drain or not. Mr Boaz Jones was in favour of a com- mittee to find out about the land and such other matters before the Engineer came down. The movers of the amendment for the committee proceeded to propose names for the committee. On naming Mr Humphreys Roberts as one, he most peremptorily refused to have anything to do with it. He would not act on any sueh committee. Mr James Hughes's name was mentioned, when he said he certainly should not act; it would be a piece of impertinence on their part to appoint such a committee (hear, hear). The Engineer appointed would be a man of some eminence, who would know a great deal better than they did what woum be the most suitable site for the out- fall. Such a man should have quite a free hand (bear. hear). hand (bear. hear). Mr Gee again urged that the committee should get first of all information as to the working of septic tanks, and about the I best site, and where the land could be had and price, if an engineer came down and had to do all these preliminary things he would be getting perhaps £50 a day for a montk 1 (cries of "No, no," and "Non- ") sense, ) and meandering all over the Vale in search of sites. Mr James Hughes: Absurd. Everyone knows that there is only one direction in a town like ours for the outfall. Eventually the motion of Mr Humphreys Roberts was carried It was further agreed to that the Sanitary Committee should prepare the necessary papers and information required by the Engineer when he came down. THE RATEPAYER^' PETITION. KEEPING IT IN THE BACKGROUND. Mr Wynne Edwards asked the Mayor what had become of the petition presented by the ratepayers on the drainage question. The Mayor said he knew nothing about any petition, but he understood that one had been received in his absence from home. Mr Wynne Edwards: Then you have not received the petition ? The Mayor said N., but he under- stood one had been received since he left home, but it did not come into the Town Clerk's hands until after the netioes for this special meeting had gone out, and could not therefore be put upon the agenda. It would, he presumed, be taken into con- sideration at the next meeting of the Council. (This petition, which contained the names of 231 ratepayers, is referred to elsewhere in our columns). MR ROGER PRYCE AND THE SANITARY INSPECTORSHIP. Mr Roger Pryce asked to have the standing orders suspended whilst he dis- cussed the question of the qualifications of the Sanitary Inspector to be appointed. He wanted to propose that instead of it being necessary that the person appointed should hold a certificate of the Sanitary Institute, a person might be selected who would undertake to pass such an examina- tion say in 6 or 12 months after appoint- ment. Dr Griffith Roberts: We must have a practical man of some experience. The Mayor said he must rule Mr Roger Pryce out of order; the subject could not be discussed without notice. Mr Roger Pryce, throwing his papers down on the table with much demonstration, said: I shall give notice of the question for the next meeting. » THE WATER SUrrLY OF THE TOWN. GRAVE COMPLAINT BY THE MEDICAL OFFICER. I Dr Griffith Williams Roberts, the melical officer, said he desired to invite the Council to go with him and see the condition of the source from which the water they were drinking is drawn, and the state of the water course from which it is passed to the reservoir. It was in a most filthy con- dition, and he asked the permission of the Council to take a sample of the water to be analysed. Mr Wynne Edwards suggested that the Doctor should take the sample of the water at once and not delay it. This was agreed to. Dr Lloyd said that the watershed was one very liable to pollution, and he agreed with the Medical Officer that it was advisable that the Council should go and see it for themselves. It was agreed that as many of the Council as could should go with the Medical Officer on Thursday afternoon.

THE COUNCIL AND THE RATEPAYERS' PETITION AS TO THE HEALTH OF THE TOWN. On Friday, last a petition bearing 231 signa- tures of ratepayers of the town of Denbigh, tures of ratepayers of the town of Denbigh, was handed in at the Town Clerk's Office, by Mr W Marsden Davies, who acted as hon. secretary to the petitioners. On the part of some of the Council, there has been an attempt to be-little the petition, and at Tuesday's meeting, the Mayor, in answer to inquiries, denied all official know- ledge of the petition, so far as he was concerned, but said he understood that one had been received, whilst he was away in London, though not till after the notices for the special meeting had been sent out. We are informed that as a matter of fact the petition had been before the members of the Council, who had scrutinised it thoroughly and criticised the signatures thereto. Great pains was taken by some of the Council to make the public understand that what had appeared in the Press and the petition had nothing to do with the calling of that urgent meeting, and Mr Gee was particularly anxious to make it known that his change of attitude on the question was not due to the doings of a little coterie at the English Chapel." But the influence of local agitation amongst the ratepayers and the petition has been far greater than some of our worthy Councillors will admit, and there can be no doubt that the urgent telegram from the Local Government Board, which the Council were compelled to attend to immediately, and which set them at once in motion, was due to the expression of feeling on the part of the ratepayers. Anyhow the Council has tasen action and seem earnestly determined to set the drainage system in order and so fulfil their obligations to the ratepayers. Thus the object of the petitioning ratepayers is accomplished, and whether certain members of the Councilacknew- ledge it or not, the petitioners feel satisfied that their agitation on the question and their petition have fulfilled their object. The following is a copy of the petition presented:— TO HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR AND TO THE CORPORATION OF THE BOROUGH OF DENBIGH. Petition of the undersigned ratepayers and other residents in that part of the borough which comprises the town of Denbigh. 1. That your petitioners are in a state of grave anxiety owing to the constant recur- rences of diseases such as measles, scarlet fever and diphtheria in the town, which in many cases have proved fatal. 2. That your petitioners have read with much concern the following portion of the official report of the Borough Surveyor, namely, that the sewer all along Ruthin-road had become in a very bad state, inasmuch as the gravel at the bottom of the pipes had accumu- lated to the extent of an increase of two inches in depth during the last winter; this being so, the present sewer could not do its work, and he advised the Council to call in an Engineer at once, whose advice could be taken as to the most suitable scheme for the disposal of the sewage of the district." In answer to a question put by one of the Councillors the Surveyor added "there is only about four inches for the water flow the water line is four inches from the top of the pipe." 3. That your petitioners are aware that the drainage system of the town is and has been for years otherwise defective. 4. That your petitioners are in fear of further loss of life occurring from the specified and kindred diseases, especially among the children, and of the inconvenience and expense connected with isolating patients and of the serious damage to the trade of the town. 5. That each and every of your petitioners consider the question of the health of the town of far more importance than any other question entrusted to their representatives upon the Council. and will grudge no reasonable ex- penditure necessary to ensure the same. 6. That your petitioners earnestly request the Council to give immediate attention to the statements and grievances herein set forth as matters of extreme urgency, and respectfully request that a special meeting of the Council be at once convened to receive a deputation of the petitioners and ratepayers. Here follow 231 signatures. 0

VALE OF CLWYD CHURCHMEN AND THE EDUCATION BILL. THE BISHOP'S CRITICISM OF THE BILL. INTERESTING DISCUSSION BY CLERGY AND LAYMEN AT DENBIGH. A very largely-attended meeting of the clergy and lay representatives of the Church schools in the Archdeaconry of St Asaph, and comprising the rural deaneries of St Asaph, Denbigh, Rhyl, and Ruthin was held at the Church House, Denbigh, on Saturday afternoon, when the Bishop of St Asaph presided, supported by the Dean. Mr Tilby, Rhyl, representing the Diocesan Association of Schools, was present. Practically, all the clergy of the deaneries were present, as well as a thoroughly representative gathering of the lay school managers of the district. The meeting was opened by prayer by the Rector of Denbigh. The Bishop took the chair amid much applause, and, in commencing the proceed- ings, explained that this was one of a series of meetings being held throughout the diocese to give the clergy and lay managers of the Church schools an oppor- tunity of expressing their views on the Education Bill, and he invited free criticism on any points of the Bill. He proceeded to say that he had pointed out at Oswestry on Thursday that taking the administrative counties alone there would be an addition under the new bill of probably one million and a half to the rates. He rejoiced to find that Lord Rosebery, with characteristic clearness and ability, stated the injustice and the unwisdom of putting this new charge upon the rates for maintaining the national service of education. Not only did two-thirds of the wealth of the country escape contribution to rates, but rates fell with great inequality upon special classes of ratepayers. Farmers, for example, hav- ing a large rateable property were rated out of proportion to their ability and unequally as compared with other classes of rate- payers. He saw no answer to the ob- jection stated by Lord Rosebery. The sorely pinched and oppressed ratepayer in borough and county would be tempted to stint education (applause). The nation as a whole must mainly pay for the national service of education if it was to be efficiently and adequately equipped. That atternoon he asked them to consider the question of the new local authority. They must grant an element of local control in education, and the application of this principle by the bill had been very generally accepted throughout the country. But the bill made an exception with regard to Wales and Monmouthshire. The county govern- ing body already constituted under the Welsh Act was to be the new education committee, unless the Council proposed any other scheme. He recognised that to con- stitute a new education committee and to maintain the existing county governing body would involve a confusing multiplica- tion (applause). On the other hand, it was important that the Welsh educational machinery should be symmetrical with that of the whole ceuntry. But there was a still stronger argument. The Welsh county governing bodies were constituted specifically for intermediate education. The new education committee under this bill was constituted with a direct eye for inter- mediate and elementary education. He had nothing to say against the Welsh county governing bodies, but they did not of neces- sity include representatives with local and educational experience in elementary educa- tion specially provided for in the bill in the constitution of the new committee (hear, hear). He saw only one way out of the difficulty, namejy, to adopt the new educa- tion committee in Wales for elementary and for intermediate education, and he hoped that all parties would agree to this (applause). The proposal for a one-third representation on the Voluntary school management naturally aroused the greatest opposition, and Lord Rosebery went so far as to say that this principle, even if adopted to-day, could not be allowed to stand. In plain English his party, if in power, would repeal this provision. That was a very serious intimation, coming from one who before long might again be Prime Minister of England (hear, hear;. While there was yet time let them state their claim dispassionately. In this educational compact what claims had the Voluntary schools to such a concession ? They transferred to the new authority the use of their school buildings. The capital value of those buildings had been estimated by experts at something between thirty and forty millions. This was surely a very substantial contribution to the State (applause). Added to this was the keep- ing of the school buildings in good repair, and the making of such alterations and improvements as might be reasonably required. This was a very large res- ponsibility. The bill as it stood did not safeguard, in the opinion of those qualified to spe&k, the possession of their buildings. At the end of ten years the trustees (say of Wrexham schools, upon the building and improving of which Churchmen had recently spent thousands) would find it very difficult to cancel their bargains with the new local authority, if they so decided, and to re-enter upon the possession of their schools (applause). It was his conviction that ten years under the new conditions would show that their tenure and control of their school buildings had become much more precarious and brittle than at present. If, then, they accepted on their manage- ment a majority representation or even a one-half representation, leaving the chair- manship to be tossed for (for that was what the advocates of the majority or half representation meant), they would be making practically a present of their school buildings to the State (hear, hear). Now looking at this point as Churchmen there could be no doubt whatever that it would be better for them to face the situa- tion at onee. Let the State close their day schools and leave them with their school buildings, which were invaluable in every parish (applause). This would be I better for the Church than to accept a bargain which would leave them for a few short years with a purely nominal control over the instruction in their schools, and with a not uncertain prospect of finding that they had lost in a short time their school buildings as well (applause). Even as it was, some of their National sehsels had such a management that the addition of this one-third woiald change the balance of power, and alter the character of the school. Lord Rosebery knew perfectly well that the Roman Catholics would never accept a majority representation, or a half representation. In dealing with that point he would be face to face with 85 Irish members, part of his own party, and he might as well appeal to the greatest Tory in Wales as ask those 85 members to vote for such a measure. Those who had fought during all these years to safeguard the religious instruction would not be satisfied with illusory phrases, and with terms that would imperil both that instruction and their school buildings (ap- plause). Lord Rosebery said truly that the root of all this trouble was the religious question, that the religious question was sleeping until this Government aroused it. At any rate, in Wales it was a very light sleeper (laughter). The Nonconformists had a perfect right to settle this question for themselves. Churchmen claimed the same right, and were prepared to pay heavily for the privilege of securing in their elementary schools religious instruction for those children whose parents desired it, and only for those because even now the conscience clause allowed the children to be withdrawn from the religious teaching if their parents desired it. He had no sympathy with those who denounced the Board schools as wholly bad (hear, hear). The secular instruction in the Board schools had been excellent, and they owed to the Board schools some of the progress in their secular teaching. Richer than Church schools, they had set a higher standard in equipment, in staff, and in buildings, and they had quickened popular interest in education. But the School Board system was far from perfect, and the haphazard way in which they had dealt with what Churchmen regarded as the most important part of the education of the yog was a serious defect (ap- plause). They did not want to work in hostility to the Board schools, and one of the great merits of this bill was, that by constituting a new authority, and so obliterating the old irritating titles of Board and Voluntary schools, they might look forward in the future to a more harmonious working of their whole elementary school system (loud applause). His Lordship then invited full and free discussion on the Bill generally. The Dean of St Asaph said that he was strongly in favour of conciliation, and that he would like as far as possible to meet the views of his Nonconformist brethren. But he was anxious to secure the appointment to a denominational school of a master belonging to that denomination. He was, however, quite willing that the local managers should submit three names to the education authority, leaving the ultimate selection to that authority (applause). Mr C Cottom, speaking as a manager of the Voluntary schools at Denbigh, em- phasised the great importance of maintain- ing the one-third representation. It would be useless, for instance, in that town to attempt to manage as a Church school the present National school if they accepted a one-half representation. They should insist by every means they could upon the one- third representation of public bodies pro- vided in the Bill being adhered to. He trusted that the whole or a much larger proportion of the expenditure for the Voluntary schools would come from the Imperial Exchequer, as this would avert the danger of an anti-rate agitation, and with which they were already threatened by opponents of the Voluntary schools even in that district, if the whole of the cost of education in the present Voluntary schools was placed tpon the rates. I Col Mesham thought they were agreed on the main points of the Bill, but there were certain points to which they objected and upon which they should take their stand and see that they were either struck out or amended. There was no doubt that there would be a big fight in the House over the bill, but their was an enormous lot to be said on their side, and he could not help thinking that when the arguments of the supporters of the bill and of the Voluntary schools were put forward, the more moderate minded men amongst their opponents must realise that there was a great deal to be said for the attitude Churchmen had taken up (applause). They had been most unfairly treated in the past; they had to maintain their own schools, and yet for years pay rates to support the Board Schools. That had been a great injustice to Churchpeople (applause). As regarded the representa- tion on the management of the schools, he » took his stand on the bill and considered that they ought to insist upon there being only a one-third representation of the public authority (applause). Major Birch spoke in general support (f the bill. He pointed out that, judging from a wide experience among agriculturists, the incidence of the new rate would fall most unjustly upon the farmers (applause). He felt very strongly that unless this difficulty in the bill was removed there would be a serious grievance in the country which would militate against the working of the Education Act in the future. At present there was a class of people who had large incomes, lived in a comparatively small house and paid little rates. These per- sons should pay towards a national system of education (applause). He had had many years experience as a manager of a rural school where the children of 1\ onconformists had been educated and had, many of them, done well in the world, but he had found that, while his Nonconformist neighbours readily participated in the education and made no complaint at all against any part of it, they were not very willing to share the burden of the school by subscribing, and he looked forward with satisfaction to seeing this burden equalised upon all mem- bers of the community (applause). The Dean had suggested certain concessions. Well he was all for conciliation, but they might go a little too far in that direction. As regarded the suggested concession as to the appointment of master they would have to take care that it was made secure that he should be a Churchman. As regarded the representation of the Public Authority on the management, they must insist that it remain at one-third as provided in the bill, otherwise they would have the people who in the past had maintained and taken an interest in the school completely over- ruled by the representatives of the new authority. A representation of one-third would do very well. but with a representa- tion of one-half they might as well shut up the schools altogether (applause). A lay delegate asked what would become of endowments 'i The Bishop said if they were endowments left for education purposes they would go, for under Section 13 of the bill, Sub-section 2, every endowment existing for the main- tenance of the school would be handed over to the new authority, but if the endowment was "ear-marked" for buildisf, altera- tions, &c., then they conld keep it, but they might take it for granted that very few endowments would be saved. Several clergy gave particulars of endow- ments and received information thereon. The Meliden Lay Delegate called atten- tion to the question of adverse and favour- able balances and asked who would pay the former and receive the latter. The Bishop pointed out that the balances in favour would go to the new authority; those against the schools would have to be met by the present managers. This was an important point, and he gave the meeting information as to how it could be dealt with. The Rev D Williams asked who would get the grants due next March, at the end of which month the schools would be handed over. Mr Tilby explained that the Government would hand over just as much as would meet the liabilities for that year, and the balance would be handed over to the new authority. The Rev T Williams, Llanychan, raised the question of very small schools. Sup- posing a small school such as Llanychan came under the number of thirty average attendance as provided in the bill, would the school be done away with ? The Bishop explained the position of things under the bill and did not think any small school would be closed where there was no other provision, as was the case at Llanychan, for the education of the child- ren. The closing of small schools referred rather to the closing of small schools kept open for the sole purpose of opposition to another school, and which if badly equipped and badly staffed were in the interests of education better closed. Mr Trevor Jones, J.P., Caerwys, spoke against the permission or optional clause of the bill, which he considered ought to be excluded from the bill, and this should be embodied in any resolution they passed on the subject. The Rector of Denbigh (Rev D Davies) hoped they would do something at that meeting to move the Government on this question, so as to secure that the views expressed at the meeting should ultimately reach the Government. He supported the arguments used in favour of the one-third representation provided for in the bill being adhered, and urged that they could not make any concession which would imperil their management of the schools and the right to the selection of suitable Church teachers for the schools. The Bishop then called attention to the importance of managers looking into the question of the trust deeds of the schools. From the discussion it would appear that there is great variety in the character of the trusts and some uncertainty as to their import, and even as to their existence at all in some few cases. In order that the necessary steps might be taken as to the security of the title to the buildings, his Lordship circulated amongst the managers a printed form of questions to be filled in and returned to him. Other points having been discussed, The Bishop dealt with the points raised. Referring to the threats being made that the opponents of the Voluntary schools would not pay the rates, his Lordship said the rate would be included in the county rate, and he would be an extremely clever man who could tell what portion of that county rate would be apportioned to the Voluntary schools (laughter and hear, hear). Churchmen had paid School Board rates all these years, and during the anti-tithe agitation it had been suggested that in certain parishes where Churchmen paid four-fifths of the school board rate they should retaliate and refuse to pay the school rate; being honest men they did not do so, but continued to pay the rates. Referring to the suggestions in some quarters that the concession should be made of allowing half the representation on the management of the schools, he pointed out that it meant in a large number of cases handing over the management of the schools to their opponents. This was not the course to pursue. If he were walking along in the rain carrying an umbrella and saw his Nonconformist friend without one, he would of course invite him to join him under the umbrella, but he would take care to retain the handle (laughter and loud applause). Canon Basil Jones proposed:—"That this meeting, while desiring the withdrawal of the permissive clause and a larger con- tribution from the Imperial Exchequer for the new expenditure, expresses a general approval of the Education Bill, and urges His Majesty's Government to press it for- ward with all possible speed." Col. Mesham, in seconding this, pointed out that the question of endowments was an important one, and that as the bill now stood it would appear that all their National School endowments would pass to the new local authority. He would again as the manager of a rural school very strongly press his opinion that a one-third representa- tion was the very largest which could in justice be conceded. The resolution was carried unanimously. The question of the County Governing Board in Wales being the authority for dealing with elementary education, or the County Committee as provided for England, was then discussed, and the general feel- ing was against leaving the elementary education in the hands of the present Welsh County Govening Bodies, they not having been elected for that purpose. Eventually, on the motion of the Rev T Lloyd, Rhyl, seconded by the Dean of St Asaph, a resolution was passed urging the Government to put into force in Wales the Education Committee as provided for in the case of England, instead of leaving it to the County Governing Body. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Bishop for presiding, on the motion of Major Birch.

TOWN COUNCIL CONGRATULATE THE KING. An informal special meeting of the Denbigh Council was called on Monday morning to consider the form of celebration of peace, when, in the absence of the Mayor in London, the chair was taken by the Deputy Mayor (Dr Lloyd). The first business consisted of a proposal by Mr James Hughes, and seconded by Mr Swayne, that the following congratulatory telegram be sent direct from to the King The Mayor and Corporation of Denbigh, in Special Council assembled this morning, respectfully sead hearty congratulations to His Majesty King Edward VII., on the happy termination of war." During Tuesday morning the following telegram was received from His Majesty:— Buckingham Palace. In reply to the telegram of congratulation from the Council on the end of the war, the King thanks you and the Corporation for your loyal con- gratulations on the conclusion of hostilities in South Africa."

THE DENBIGHSHIRE HUSSARS IMPERIAL YEOMANRY. IN CAMP AT DENBIGH. During all last week the Yeomanry were very unfortunate in experiencing bad weather, it being very cold and raining every night, which made it very unpleasant for camping. But this week has been quite a change for them, the weather being all that could be desired. Owing to the wet weather the Yeomanry have not had the privelege of visiting the Bowling Green, of which they were made hon members, but large numbers have attended the Constitutional Club each night, of which a'so they have been made hon members during their stay here. in our report last week we omitted to mention in the list of caterers to Messrs R Dickeson and Co the names of Mr Joha Edgar, senior, who supplies a large quanttty offish daily, and also Mr Christmas Lewis, Vale- street as supplying the pread. Mr Dalton, plumber, has also had his men very busy on work required at the comp connected with his trade. Mr Barron, silk mercer, Vale-street, carried out the decoration of the officers mess with much taste and skill. On Friday last the regiment were unable to turn out at all, it pouring all day. Adjutant Holford gave the men an interesting lecture on outpost duty and general discipline, which was highly appreciated. They all )uoked exceedingly smart when they proceedod to the park on Saturday, the majority af them having had their regimentals which altered the appearance altogether. They • » -J» I were taken in troop drills, practicing dismount- ing cervice, kc. The drill, which was with ams, was carried out successfully. General P.rr- 10 general for the district-paid a visit of in tion to the Government, horses and we understand that several of the horses leeeived from Aldershct were returned as unrit for training purposes. Stable duties were carried out on Saturday afternoon and at four o'clock an inspection was made of: the rifles. On Sunday, the riment attended diviiid service at St Mary's Church, whilst a few attended the service at the Wesleyan Chapel, where special copies of the hymns were printed for them. They marched to Church, headed by ^«6P1f"d'd baDd of the D Company, 1st V.K.K.W.i., under Bandmaster C M Hum- phreys. The most satisfactory arrangements were made for the seating of the soldiers and the congregation by the churchwardens, Mr James Hughes and Mr Charles Trevor Jones who were assisted on Sunday morning bv some of the sidesmen, Messrs C Cottom, R D Hughes, T Ashford, John Bellamy, B Bryan, &c. The Church was crowded in every part. The service apened with the singing of God save the King." The service was intoned by the rector, the Rev Daniel Davies, and the lessons were read by the new curate, the Rev J Walter Lloyd, B.A. The hymns which were most appropriate for the occasion were (270), "Soldiers of Christ arise, &c. (166) "All people that on earth do dwell," and (391) On- ward Christian Soldiers." The singing was very hearty throughout. The Rectorf who preached a most eloquent and appropriate ser- mon, took for his text the fifth chapter of Matthew, the 38th and 39th verses, Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eve, and a tooth for a tooth, but I say unto you that ye resist not evil." It was an eloquent* setting forth of justice and righteousness in the dealings of man with man, and Ration with nation, dealing with the conditions which justified war, and an appeal for all our private and national actions to he swayed by the principles of religion and mercy, which the great founder of Christianity set forth in the text. The collection made was in aia of the sick and poor. At the conclusion of the service, the congrega- tion sang with becoming fervour, "God save the King." The Yeomanry formed up outside the Church and again headed by the Volunteer Band, marched back to camp. During the service a heavy thunder storm with heavy rain passed over the town, but cleared off entirely by the time the regiment left the Church. On Sunday night the receipt of the news of Peace, telephoned to our office and conveyed to camp, set them all in great excitement, and the liveliest satisfaction was expressed, there being quite a demonstration of joy. On Monday the men marched to the park about nine, and the B and D Squadrons were taken in dismounting drill bv the Adjutant, and the "A" and "C" Squadrons in squad drill by their respective officers, Major Ormrod and Captain Wynne Eyton. This was all carried out in an efficient manner, whilst in the afternoon the men attended to stable duties. On Monday evening the peace celebrations in town found there counterpart in the camp. Tuesday was devoted to regimental drill, under the command of Col Parry, for the first time, which was carried out in a thoroughly soldier-like manner. The drill consisted of diminishing and increasing the front, and it was exceedingly pretty to see them all gro through the work together. The usual stable duties were gone through in the afternoon. In the evening a large number of the Wrex- ham Squadron practiced at tent pegging," which was witnessed with interest by a large crowd, whilst a good number of other Yeomanry men indulged in a game of football. The splendid band of the D Company 1st Y.B. R. W. Fusiliers attended the camp and played for the onicers* mess. The music seemed to put quite a different aspect on the camp, making it much more jolly, and was listened to by an appreciative concourse. At the park on Wednesday morning the time was devoted to outpost duty B and C Squadron against A and D Squadron. B and C Squadron gained their object splendidly and captured the full troop of "A Squadron, and half the troop of D Squadron. The whole of the work was carried out very success- fully, and was witnessed with much interest. Stable duties were attended to in the aftet- noon. A very interesting lecture was given to ill the non-commissioned officers in the Sergeants' Mess, in the evening, by Adjutant Holford. An interesting event yesterday (Thursday) was a challenge shooting match for £10 aside, which took place at the Volunteer range, Graig Fawr, Tremeirchion, between ten Volunteers of the" D' Company, 1st V.B.R.W.F., and a similar number from the Denbighshire Hussars Imperial Yeomanry. The men who represented the Yeomanry were From A Squadron, Corpl W T bamuel and Trooper J Williams; from B Squadron, Squad Quartermaster- Sergt R H Jones, Sergt J B Jones, Troopers R J Roberts and P Evans from C Squadron, Lance-Corpl B A Jones, Troopers E M Davidson and b T Griffith and Corpl H Corbett. The waiting men were Sergt Oldfleld, Troopers Law and A S Williams. The particulars of this event are given in another column. Yesterday (Thursday) the regiment turned out for out-post duty and a shame fight. The "B" Squadron, who formed the enemy paraded at 7.3C and proceeded beyond Ruthin, whilst" A, 0 anà D" Squadrons paraded at 8 o'clock, and formed a line of out-post in defence of the camp, whilst the "B Squadron were to try and take the camp. They left Ruthin in various directions and went through the villages of Bontachel, Gyffylliog and other places. At the latter place No 1 Section of the B" Squadron managed to out-flank the defenders. At Pontygwyddel No 1 Section captured two prisoners in excellent style, and they then made a rushing gallop for the camp, which was very cleverly taken. The No 1 Section was under the command of Lieut Griffith, who worked most excellently to secure the camp, and to whom the utmost credit is due. Great praise is also due to the guides for the manner in which they led them. No 2 Section of the B" Squadron were hemmed in and unable to move in any direction. The whole of the work was carried out in a most efficient and successful manner. The usual stable duty was gone through in the afternoon. In the evening I!> a lecture was given to the members of the regiment, whilst others practiced lemon cutting and tent pegging. Various unfounded rumours have been afloat as to accidents to men and of cases of sickness. One idle tale set afloat was that one of the men had been taken ill in camp and removed to the Infirmary where he died of brain fever. There is absolutely not an atom of truth in the story. The health of the men has been, and is ex. ceptionally good, there being no cases of illness in the camp. Another scandalous rumour set afloat we are asked to contradict. It was to the effect that on Sunday night a young woman had been assaulted. Strict inquiry proved that some evil-disposed individual must have set that lying tale afloat. It is absolutely devoid of foundation, and it is due to the regiment that it should be thus denied. The reports in town of accidents which have happened have been greatly exaggerated. Of course, it is impossible for nearly 500 men and horses to be at drill together like this and no accidents to happen. Our representative made inquiries last night and found that one man had severely hurt his leg, whilst another had a nasty wound in the face whilst drilling at Gwaynynog Park. Owing to the large number of trees in the park men are compelled to go under some of them, and the particular yeoman in question whilst going under one of the trees, had escaped one of the overhanging branches when he happened to lift his head and was caught in the second branch. He was struck in the middle of the face, which consequently brought him off his horse. His face was very badly hurt but he is progressing satisfactorily, and the wonder is that he is not more severely hurt. A few have received kicks from horses, but none of a serious nature. One man tripped up on Sunday night and fell on his face on to one of the tent pegs, catting himself severely. These are about all the accidents, and as will be seen, none are serious.