Barry Herald

THE COUNCIL. ^MILIAR & DISGRACEFUL SCENES COMPLAINTS BY COLLECTOR. egal Trading Motion Quashed. PERSONAL ADJECTIVES. IE COUNCIL'S SENSE OF DIGNITY The ordinary meeting of the Barry District ancil was held at the Council Chamber, Gas- rks Office, Barry Dock, on Monday evening ere were present Councillors J. L. Davies, (in tho chair), W. Paterson, J. H. Jose, A. Manaton. James Jones, E. B. Smith- ies, J. C. Meggitt, J. Milward, A. T. White, I P. J. O'Donnell. PETTY CAUSES OF GREAT DISPUTES. 3efore the confirmation of the minutes of the t ordinary meeting, Air John Milward rose i asked to make reference to a personal tter. At their last meeting Dr O'Donnell 1 said that during his (Mr Milward) election ivas he had stated that £ 18,000 was unac- mted for in connection with the gas and ter undertaking. As they were aware, he ote to his constituents on the matter through < Press, and he had not had a single reply. now asked Dr O'Donnel to withdraw the putation, and he left it to him, as a gentle- ,n, to apologise. Dr O'Donnell: Before I had an opportunity making an explanation I saw the letter in 1 papers, one of them with a heading which I n't wish to refer to. I think it was a breach faith and good manners, and therefore uline to take any notice of the matter. Mr Milward Why have you failed to get it ce my last letter appeared P I put it that u will simply repeat them here to-night. RATEPAYERS AND PRIVATE IMPROVEMENT CHARGES. Concerning a minute adopted by the Public )rks Committee in May last, Mr Smith-Jones d he had stood up to make certain inquiries ncerning the report, when the clerk had said was not subject to discussion. The Clerk said the difficulty was that appli- don bad already been made to the magistrates fix a day for the hearing of objections to ivate improvement charges, and to-day hursday) the heariug was to take place. If 3 matter was deferred they would probably asked to pay costs. Mr White Why we should condone an egularity simply because there is some little st, I fail to see. Mr J. H. Jose It seems to me some people n wriggle round any corner or square if it its themselves. It is well known that this port of the Public Works Committee was ssed ft the last meeting of the Council, bui, fortun tely, certain individuals names appear it. I do hope the Council will not be led off e track of duty. Dr O'Donnell: To prevent any irregularity, wie, perhaps, be in order if I move that the mncil confirm those minutes. The Chairman They have been moved and ponded before. Dr O'Donnell- This minute has been reported the Council only, and my resolution now is at the Council adopt it. Mr Manaton I still think that this matter ight be settled without going to court, and I ove that we invite the ratepayers to meet the lblic Works Committee and arrange matters. Air Milward I second that. Alderman Meggitt Is such a course legal ? The Clerk I think it would be an excellent ing to meet these objectors. It was decided do so. COLLECTOR AND HIS STAFF. Councillor Jose referred to the recommenda- JJlS of the special committee appointed to deal ith the application of the collector of rates dr r. W. Lewis) for increased assistance. It as resolved at the last meeting of the Council iat temporary assistance be given the collector, id he (Councillor Jose) asked what assistance td been given, and who had been given the ork ? Mr Smith Jones Any question can be asked a the report of the Finance Committee. GASWORKS EMPLOYEES' OUTING. A paragraph in the Gas and Water Com- ittee's minutes recommended that the Gas and Tater Committee employees be not allowed an lting, and Mr White moved that, as far as the ork would admit, they allow their employees ) take a day off.-Mr Jose seconded, and this as carried. FIRE ON BARRY ISLAND. Mr J. A. Manaton I want to ask the Chair- tan of the Health Committee what provision is lade on Barry Island in case of fire ?—Dr >'Donnell: There is a reel and hose there the ime as anywhere else.—Mr Manaton I don't oink the Chairman of the Health Committee an tell me where the reel and hose is now.- )r O'Donnell: The police take charge of them. -Mr Smith-Jones: Possibly the Surveyor can v ell whether we have a reel and hose on Barry sland ?-The Surveyor No, sir we have not. -Mr Manaton I thought not. I move that he Health Committee be instructed to find a )lace to fix the apparatus forthwith.—This was :arried. WATERING THE STREETS. Mr White spoke about the unsatisfactory watering of the streets of the town, and the Surveyor was instructed to do his best in that lirection. COUNTY SCHOOL-TO-BARRY ROAD. The Public Works Committee recommended ;he construction of a better road from Crogan Hill to Barry under certain conditions and agreements with estate authorities.—Mr Smith- Jones said that at the last meeting the matter was referred back in order that they might have plans and estimates of the whole cost. The paved ways on the road were to be 12ft on one Fide ana 8ft on the other. He thought they could do without such an expensive path in the present state of the town. The whole scheme would cost £ 5,470. Mr John Milward The road would be little used, and there are busier highways in the dis- trict which ought to be paved, such as Court- road, for example. Mr Manaton It was decided last month that this matter be deferred till the estimates and specification be made out, but it appeared to him that they would ultimately want to stop the road. Mr Milward said he did not object to the scheme, but he wanted full particulars. Mr Jose The Barry Estate Company have not only given the road, but a piece of land 112ft deep, which could be used as a pleasure ground. He thought the improvement would add greatly to the attraction of the town. Mr White moved an amendment that the whole question be again referred ba(.k. He was in favour of the road, but they should look the cost in the face. Mr Smith-Jones I second that. This is not the first time we have had contention through making roads for syndicates. But to make a road to open up their land at a cost of £5,4iO without getting to know also whether we are not committing ourselves to unnecessary ex- penditure, is absurd. I don't say we must not get the road, but it appears to me to be ex- tremely expensive.-The amendment was voted OB and lost. COLCOT-ROAD DIVERSION. The diversion of the Colcot-road, near the Colcot Arms Inn, next came fT consideration, and Mr John Milvvar referring to a recom- mendation in the VuMio Works Committee's minute-), said he noticed the t'rnis, as printed on page 16, be refuse 1, and that the scheme submitted to the Local Government Board be adhered to. He asked if they had the consent of the owners of the land at the back of the inn. —The Clerk No, sir. Mr Manaton This is a matter of negociation, an 1 ought not to be discussed.—A letter was mentioned from Mr Jones-Lloyd, solicitor, to the freeholders of the Colcot Arms, wheienpon Mr Jose remarked that it was inconsistent for them to have nrivate letters read there, which prompted Mr White to move that the letter be there and then read. Mr Milward It has heen claimed at thp public inquiry that the consent for this road has been given. The letter says it has not.—Mr Jose: Who was instructed to act for Mrs Howells ? As the resolution says here, the Deputy-clerk reported that no terms had been submitted by Mr Alfred Jackson on behalf of the clients. If Mrs Howells did not do it, who instructed Mr Jackson?-The Clerk I have only to repeat what I said at the last meeting that I have made no terms wiib Mr Jackson; and Mr Jackson has admitted to me that lhave made no suggestions. Mr Jackson has offered to come before the Council. —Mr Manaton It appears to me that this matter won't be settled till we have Mr Jackson and Mr Milward before us at he next meeting of the Public Works.—The Clerk: At the last meeting Mr Milward asked me if I bad promised to pay any costs. I deny it, and he will tell you, as he told me immediately after the meeting, he never agreed to pay any costs at all. — Mr Jose It is a waste of time to bring a lot of letters here from other solicitors an i their clients not dealing with any business of the Council.—Mr Milward: I ask for the letters. — The Clerk There seems to be a tendency on the part of Rome members of this Council to go out of their way and try and find fault with me.—Mr Milward I am not finding fault, Mr Hughes. —The Cleik: In my opinion, th" wisest course wii] be to refer the matter back. Mr Milward proposed this, and Mr White seconded.—Mr Smith-Jones supported, and trusted that when it came before them again they would have a full estimate. Dr O'Donnell: Has not all this been gone into before the Commissioner her,, —Alderman Meggitt: I suggest that the facts brought before the Council by Mr Manaton be considered now. They are most onerous terms. It would be seen at once by the public if this matter is deferred that tl.er is weakness some- where in the Council. I really think we should put our foot down and say No.The amend- ment was next put and lost. Mr Smith-Jones next moved another amend- ment That the whole paragraph dealing with the subject be eliminated. They knew that public discussion might affect the other side adversely.—Mr White seconded.—This aiuend- was also lost. "WTP^riNG OF COURT-ROAD. The Surveyor recommended the widening of that part of Court-road between Pyke and Morel streets, at a cost of £ 88. — Mr Mmith- Jones moved that the Council's own men do the work. It would be quite as well done and much more cheaply.—The amendment was seconded and lost. ARCHITECT AND BUILDERS' FEES. Mr White moved the deletion of a paragraph of the Health Committee authorising the pay- ment of S20 to the architect and X400 to the builder of the new lavatory and reading-room on Barry Island. He contended that the wrong committee dealt with the matter.—Mr John Milward seconded.—Lost. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE LAVATORY. Mr John Milward next moved certain altera- tions in the new lavatory and building generally, which he contended to be, in one or two instances, capable of great improvement.— This amendmrnt was also lost, and the minutes were adopted. SURVEYOR'S CLERK. Four applicants were selected to appear before the Council, competitors for the clerk- ship rendered vacant by the death of Mr Wallace Davies. Of the four Mr W. E. Taylor, clerk to the water engineer (Mr E. W. Waite) was finally selected. DEPARTMENTS NOT TO BE OVERWORKED. An item That the Surveyor prepare a state- ment of contracts entered into by the Council for the past few years," claimed Mr Meggitt's attention, and he remarked that a few months ago they cut down the staffs of their depart- ments with the object of saving the rates, on the understanding that they do not place upon the departments more work than was absolutely necessary. It would take a man weeks to do the work suggested in the minute; therefore, he moved the elimination of the par. Dr O'Donnell seconded, and the motion was carried. STORMS AND THEIR CAUSES. On Page 18 of the minutes the Chairman of the Finance Committee asked to be supplied with a copy of counsel's opinion on the ques- tion of the land and siding near the Gasworks. —Councillor Jose thought if that was supplied the whole of the members ought to have it. He moved that the paragraph be eliminated, and in its place that each member of the Council be supplied with a copy.—Mr Smith-Jones said the paragraph was in the report quite without his knowledge, and asked that it be eliminated. THREATENED SERIOUS DISTURBANCE. Councillor Jose: The majority of the mem- bers of the Finance Committee are those who have been clamouring for public inquiries into the action and conduct of members ( i the Council. I find here that when another ques- tion crops up which affects a member of the Council, that this committee go into it and give us a brief report. It is known that at the last Council meeting very considerable discussion took place over this matter. L The application of the collector for more assistance. J We were then told by the Chairman of the committee that he had received a letter of complaint. I expected to find this letter in the local Press, and we should have a report of this.—Mr Smith- Jones I stated at the Council meeting at that time I was not in receipt of any tatter. —Mr Jose The letter was sent and we find no report. The very people interested here are the ones who have done their utmost to bring discredit on every official under the Council. They have brought discredit upon the town, which has suffered in my opinion. The hour of the night is such which does not justify us in going into this question, but I say, without hesitation, that it is a question which wants inquiring into, and a proper report given. If you have honest men for officials, who seek to do that which is right. the Council is bound to support them, and not abuse them. I move the elimination of the minute, and move that the Council appoint another committee to go into the matter. Alderman Meggitt: I wonder if it is possible to pour oil upon the troubled waters. We are to-night too canny it is patent^to everyone in the room. I agree with Mr Jose, aud hope these things will be kept from the gaze of the public. I would not like the letter which has been mentioned to be read to-night. It is an unpleasant letter, and would cast a great deal of discredit upon the Council. Dr O'Donnell What Mr Meggitt has said is all very well. This committee, which seemingly is white-washing committee now, has recom- mended that, inasmuch -is Mr Milward repu- diates the charges made by Mr Jenkins, we regret that Mr Lewis made the remarks at the last Council meeting. The resolution brands a man as being a liar. Mr Milward So it does. Mr White supported the resolution of the Finance Committee, and said Mr Jose wanted to white-wash the officials. In answer to a question, Mr Milward gave au account of how the trouble between him and the collectors originated. He admitted calling the chief collector a "d humbug," but maintained it was an empty sporting phrase, and not malicious. He thought no more about the matter afterwards. He objected to the matter coming before the Council, as it was his private business.—Ultimately it was decided to form a special committee, and the Chairman of the Council, with the chairmen of the three stand- ing committees, were appointed, Mr Smith-Jones being excluded. I THE DREAD HOUR AND THOUGHTS OF HOME. At this point Mr Smith-Jones suggested, owing to the lateness of the hour, that they adjourn and consider the remainder of th-, agenda the following evening.—Mr Jose sug- gested a fortnight htlee. -Alderman Meggitt ¡ said he bad come 100 miles to attend the meeting, and desired to finish the business.— Mr Paterson had also come 100 n iles, and desired to finish the business.—It was then decided to go on. SMALL, BUT HELD TO E VITAL. Councillor White brought forward the question whether Messrs Meggitt and Jones bad supplied timber to the Council, and Mr Pa doe and Mr Wakeham, with books and documents, were examined." This was the extract the Press heard read, suggesting the subject next to be dealt with. Dr O'Donnell: The resolution following on these two seems to include both of them. I propose that the first paragraph is not in order, and on three separate occasions, sir, this Council deliberately, and after due consideration, re- fused to go any further into these matters here. Mr White: 1 rise to a point c.f order. The Chairman Will anyone second the doctor's amendment P Mr White The amendment has not been submitted yet. What are you talking about ? The Chairman I wish you would help to conduct the business in a proper spirit, and not go on like this all the evening. Mr White: I want order, sir. Dr O'Donnell has said that, simply because this Council has negatived this proposition of mine on three occasions, this is not in order. Mr Smith-Jones Before you give your ruling on a point of order, I am sure you would not like to interfere with the decision of the Finance Committee, which has full supervision over every financial matter belonging to this town and for Dr O'Donnell to submit to you that it is out of order for the Finance Committee to supervise, I submit to you that it is quite in order. Dr O'Donnell: You cannot have a debate on a point of order. The Chairman What is the question ? Dr O'Donnell: It is that the resolution of the Council on three different occasions bus been that the matter be not proceeded with any further. Now we have the Finance Committee over-riding the decision of the Council, and summoning officials to their meeting on a matter which has been decided on by the Council. The Chairman My opinion is that it is not in order, though, under the circumstances, I should like you to vote upon it. Mr Milward: Would you be justified in discussing the thing as a whole if anything fresh has been discovered ? The Clerk The decision as to whether it is in order or not is in the hands of the chair- man. Mr Smith-Jones Before he gives his decision we shall have to have a definite point of order stated, and I beg to ask that the gentleman in question submit in writing his point of order. Mr Jose Why this tinkering ? Dr O'Donnell I withdraw the point of order. Mr Smith-Jones In that case, Mr Chairman, it falls to my lot to move the adoption of the adjourned Finance Committee meeting, and in doing so I should just like to refer to this first paragraph, and also in connection with the second paragraph, and the resolution in page 3, dealing with both matters. I don't intend saying anything in moving the adoption of this report. Even this first paragraph seems to have fascinated the atten- tion and tickled the memories of some members, which are dealt with here in connection with the resolutions for public inquiry. I am very pleased to find that you agree with the Finance Committee as to the supervision of things. Mr White, when bringing this matter forward, thought it necessary to ask for certain documents and books, and for certain officials to be present. I hope Mr Pardoe has done as the Finance Committee instructed him to do, aud that he has brought the books and other documents here in order that the Council may examine them and consider what the Finance Committee had before them. Seeing what the books and documents revealed, the committee had no alternative but to come to the conclusion they had. I have no hesitation in saying that it is the special duty of this Council to appoInt a committee to inquire into the irregularities which have been practised, that we may be relieved from the possibility in the future of irregularities, and that the public money and the administration of the Public Health Act may be used in a proper way. I have no hesitation in believing that if th3 Coun- cil will take upon itself to go through the books, as the committee did, they will come to a unanimous conclusion. With these observations, I beg to move the minutes of the committee. Mr James Jones seconded. Mr Manaton Has anything fresh been brought before the Finance Committee ? If so, I shall certainly vote for it. Mr Jose I rise to move a proposition in refer- ence to the lower part of the minutes. We have heard by friend Smith-Jones as to these irregulari- ties, violations of the laws, and other things, without any definite remarks. I am surprised to find that, having made a definite statement that there were £18,000 inissit,g-. Mr Smith.,Joues: Mr Chairman, these brutish fictions of saying that certain statements have been made Mr Jose I am giving you facts. Mr Smith-Jones I am giving you facts. Mr Jose: Well. 1 am asking for yours. Will you take your seat ? Mr Smith-Jones: I repudiate it. I never uttered it, and no one is entitled to say I said it. Mr Jose What I say, Mr Chairman, is this That in a public place, and at this Council Chamber, the Chairman of the Finance Committee did state that £]8,000 were uuaccounced for, and that he was refused a financial statement, and could not investigate it. Upon that we passed a resolution here that this question be inquired into by the Finance Committee but in place of that we have another resolution here. I waut the Council to eliminate the last resolution here, and substitute the one of the last monthly meeting, which I take it the Finance Committee have no objection in doing. I don't want the Council to prevaricate and go away from the real point of issue Mr Smith-Jones The Committee is not respon- sible for putting this resolution here. Mr Jose Then you cannot have any objection. Mr Smith-Jones Not at all. There is nothing at all in it. It is bounce and bluff. One of the resolutions of the Finance Committee was to inves- tigate the purchase of the gas and water under- taking at a special meeting. What more could one want. We met, sir, and did so much business as the meeting to-mgnt is evidence oi. M r Pateison I should like to know if the Chair- man of the Finance Committee can tell me \I hy was the inquiry not entered into before other matters. Mr Smith-Jones At our ordinary committee the matter was not on the agenda at all. I am not the author of the agenda. At the special meeting we took matters as they were placed on the agenda, and we remained there until a veiy late hour, and we could not go into the big matter for that reason that there was not a single i.fficid or book of the gas and water department present, so that the committee with all its faults is not the scapegoat. Dr O'Donnell The same procedure %%a,? not adopted on this occasion as duiing the sub letting inquiry. Then the Chairman went to Clerk and fixed his own time, when he knew it was impossible for me to he present. Mr Smith-Jones I did not know I was to con- sider the convenience of the members of the com- mittee. Dr O'Donnell Why was the same procedure not adopted in this matter ? Mr Smith-Jones I did not see Mr Hughes on the former occasion. Alr Paterson Has the Chairman of the Finance Committee got the power to put a question of this description on the agenda with regard to the state- ment ? Mr Smith-Jones 1 am telling you that at the first ordinary meeting it did not appear on the agenda at all. S'r Mr Paterson My question is ihis; Has the 2h iirmau of the Finance Commitu g t the po• i to place this matter on the agenda when he sa » it was not there ? Mr Smith-Jones: I presume, with the sauctioii of the meeting, he could order the business. Aldermau Meggitt Thi* matter is very simple. The accountant of the gas aDd water departoreit is asked to prepare a statement si-owing ti e amount of contract in each case. The same principles applies there. With lehrence to the survey or, vie have to take away part of the staff of the and water departmeut, and if ihe d artmei t pie- pare all this, it means a great deal ot unneee-s* ry ■vork. I beg to move tin; elimination t,f the pargraph referring to the n OOO.-Tbis vui* seconded aud carried. QUFSTION BEFORE THE HOUSE. Mr Jose: We have not heard to-night as to whether there is any fresh light shed upon the matter. I think the best tbilrg to do would be t. refer this back to the Finance Committee. I move that. Mr Milward At the last meeting I spoke my mind. I have gone in o the question of the cartage of this timber, and the whole thing is us clear to me as a pikestaff. Mr Milward then, at consider- able length, gave figures and dates to prove the trading complained of. Mr Manaton We have had this matter before us now for some months. I have said if it could be proved, I should vote for an inquiry. Mr Mil- ward has put the whole thing before us in a very conclusive manner. It shows very clearly in our own order book that an order was sent to Messrs Meggitt and Jones on April 23rd. I think we should have an inquiry. Mr White: We have found thatour ofncialsare not- capable of telling the truth. As I told you just now I the time has now come-it is a question of officials or town. 0" the Tuesday night following our last Count") meeting I received pressure from the clern regarding a notice of motion which I intended to give, which would have been new matter to-night. I can draw my own ideas of Mr Hughes' anxiety to get hold of this notice of motion. On the Wednesday following our last Council meeting I saw the surveyor, and the question of purchasing materials from Davies Bros. cropped up. He wished that I would not take the matter up from a personal standpoint. I showed Mr Pardoe that my only idea was from a public standpoint. Here is a resolution of the Council duly carri d, and it is not for an official to set it aside. From the evi- dence they have heard, they must draw their own C, nclusions as to 'he truth of the statements f Mr Megyitr or the foreman Wnkeham. The who) matter has been fairly gone into. The town will see once for all that it is lime a radical change was made in the local government of the district. Alderman Nleggitt I would much piefer to remain silent. I must confess I feel very humiliated to rise and speak on this question. I feel it vei y deeply, and can't for the life of me think what is the object of certain persons in bringing t) is matter before the Council time after time. Do they want my head It s-ems to me inexplic ,I,]e why this matter is so persistently brought for* aid time after time. I have not all the figures at my dispos.1, neither have I that book A'hich passed round the Council meeting many months ago. No one knew whose cart it was, and I wish to say now in justice to my clerks, that they all feel very deeply in a matter of this kifld. They have always carried out the duties imposed upon them with integrity, and they assure me than on no occasion during the 16 or 17 years that I have been in business in this town have they knowingly supplied any goods to this Council- It was, I understand, between £ 6 and 19 worth of goods supplied to my firm, and what they were used for those who supplied them do not know. There iR one mat ter in connection with this unpleasant business. It is this I made enquiries after this question had been raised by Mr White as to that official order. It was made out, and I was told by the person who trade out the order on behalf of the Council that the order was sent back, and it was declined, the clerk saying they had no power or authority to supply to the District Council. These facts are known to Mr White, only the gentleman who wrote out that order is dead—Mr Wallace Davies. He is the man, as far as I know, who understands anything at all about this matter. It is a matter of very deep regret to me, and, as I said at the beginning, I can't understand the persistency iu this matter being so determined. If Mr White thinks that, for the sake of a few pounds, I am going to risk my reputation, Mr White is very mnch mistaken. It pained me greatly when I heard it the first time, and it pains me to-night I will repeat again I saidtthe very first time this matter was mentioned I felt sure tne time would come when Mr White himself will express regret for the course he has so continually taken, Mr Jose Every argument which has been advanced here to-night has been advanced on a previous occasion. Mr White I rise to a point of order. Mr Jose Did he prove that that cart went to Messrs Meggitt and Jones. He said he saw in the book that this cart was charged for running timber to the crusher. It is very well for people with a prejudiced mind to look upon these things. A Ratepayer present (Mr H. Collier) here called out Don't insult us," and shortly after left. Mr Jose We have had this question before us four or five times, and itjhas always been for the purpose of casting some reflection on Messrs Meggitt and Jones. What does the labour of the carpenter prove? It proves that the man was working then. We don't dispute it. What has buying locks and nails to do with buying timber from Messrs Meggitt and JODes. Mr Milward again rose to a point of order. Dr O'Donnell As far as I can see, Messrs Meggitt and Jones have received no payment whatever. Payments have been made to Messrs Davies Bros. Mi White I think the time has come for plain speaking. Mr Jose has thought it was spleen on my part. All I am attempting to do is to submit for the consideration of the public the dealings of this Council. Was it spleen on the part of Mr Jose when he got up to move the resolution which meant my ssverance with Messrs Davies Bros. ? I say it was out of revenge that he brought forward that motion which sent me away. Mr Jose You got yourself away. Mr White I say you are a liar, sir. It is not a question of spite or spleen. I wish to prove, if my position was bad, though not participating in the profits of Messrs Davies Bros., what must be the position of others who do participate in the profits, and I have not the least doubt we shall have the pleasure of dealing with Councill r O'Donned. Councillor Paterson It is a trumpeiy ch..rge, and n"t worthy of a man who represents a town like Barry. Mr Smith-Jones urged the report on tl e Council. when a vote was taken, and there voted for the amendment of Councillor Jose-The Chair- man, Messrs O'Donnell, Paterson, Jose, and Meggitt and against, Messrs Smith-Jones, J. Jones, Manaton, White, and Milward. The Chair- man gave his casting vote against the adoption of the report, which will be eliminated from the minutes. THE COCK CROW. Other matters occupied the attention of the Council, and a discreditable meeting broke up at two a.m. The following comments on our local Dis- trict Council and its doings, which appeared in last Tuesday's Echo," will doubtless prove interesting, as evidencing the opinion from outside on the mode the town's business is now conducted The Barry District Council, and I make no invidious distinctions, is doing its best to bring local government on popular lines into disrepute, whilst at the same time by its unbusinesslike procedure it is hindering the progress of a locality which, under judicious administrative control, is capable of develop- ment in more than one direction. This can never be accomplished whilst personal con- flicts are tolerated, for the result will inevitably be that the public weal must suffer for the sake of personal temporary considerations. The perusal of the reports of the proceedings of the Council during recent months must have caused pain to every thinking ratepayer. No better example of a failure to realise the first principles and responsibilities of public life could have been afforded. One instance of the retrograde policy of the Barry Council has just been brought to my notice. The minutes of the committees at which, as A rule, the most important I business is transacted, are printed, and until it few months ago copies were, as is done in the case of every other local authority in the kingdom, supplied to the representa- tives of the Press. About t; (•>•• .< months ago the order went fort1; importers were not in the future- l'd' ue•.■>uppiic;. with these documents or to have access to them in any way. As a consequence they were totally unable to follow with anything like adequate knowledge the business transacted, for this often consists of mere reference to a printed paragraph without statement of what the paragraph contains, and, therefore. it naturally follows that there are matters of interest to the ratepayers which fail to find their way to the newspapers. Evidently the Barry Council do not accept Mr Justice Wright's dictum that the Press is the public," but they may soon have a forcible reminder of the fact. Secrecy on public bodies dealing with public inrerests cannot be tolerated in these days.