The North Wales Times

AN AMERICAN BAZAAR. On Thursday, an American Bazaar, or as it is often dubbed, a rummage sale was held at the Assembly Room, -in aid of the fund of the Fire Brigade. A large and various collection of articles was oflered to the pub- lic at exceedingly low prices. Gifts were received from most of the residents in the town and neighbourhood, and from the hearty support given to the sale by those who contributed and patronized it by their presence at the Assembly Room, it is evi- dent that the fire brigade is an institution held in high esteem by the people of Ruthin. It turned out an unqualified success, and the funds of the brigade must be very sub- stantially augmented by the proceeds. The following ladies and gentlemen assisted by superintending the different stalls-Mrs. Ed- ward Roberts Mrs. William Lloyd, Mrs. Tegid Owen, Mrs. Phillips, Miss Reed, Miss Gilbert, the Misses iFreeborn, Miss Ethel Thomas, Miss L. Owen, the Misses Jones (Heathfield), Miss Harriet Jones, Miss By- ford, Miss Green, Miss Tegid Owen, Miss Edwards, Miss Myfanwy Aldrich, Miss Shep- pard, Miss Jenkins, Miss Rouw, Mr. Turton Jones, and the Rev. J. Fisher. The firemen rendered valuable assistance, the arrange- ments being carried out under the personal supervision of Captain Rouw, and his right hand man, Lieutenant C. D. Phillips. The i e. Mayor graced the sale with his presence. In the evening a splendid safety bicyle of the Rudge-Whitworth type was drawn for, a large number of tickets having been sold. The name of the winner had not reached us up to the time of going to press. CONVERSAZIONE. On Thursday night of last week, a very successful conversazione was held in the Town Hall. Mr. W. Tudor Howell, M.P., Conservative member for the boroughs, and several other ladies and gentlemen, including the elite and the clergy of the neighbourhood, were present. The chair was taken by Major G. Blezard, Pool Park, who, after a short address, moved a resolution declaring the entire confidence of the Unionists of Ruthin in the present Government and its present management. The motion was seconded by Mr. Thomas Williams, Royal Oak Inn. Mr. Tudor Howell, who was received with enthusiastic cheering, said he was glad to see his Ruthin friends once more. During his speech he dealt freely with the late atrocities and the foreign difficulties. Re- garding the administration, he believed nobody could say anything against the pre- sent Government, as they had done well for the country in the legislation they had passed. He could not understand the atti- tude of Mr. Herbert Lewis and Mr. Lloyd- George these gentlemen were excellent people in private life they assumed to be the chief friends of the farmer and the agri- cultural labourer but if so, why was it that they opposed the Rating Bill of all others? He referred to the naval programme of last session the Irish taxation; Old Age Pen- sions, &e. MR. JUSTICE GRANTHAM. His Lordship, who is a keen connoisseur of old oak, paid a visit to several places in the town and neighbourhood during his recent sfcay in Ruthin, and was highly delighted with the excellent specimen of old English oak which he saw. His Lordship left for Mold on Wednesday. THE DEPARTURE OF MR. HUNTINGTON. Mr. Huntington, who has been staying at the Castle Hotel for several months, and has, during his stay, made a large circle of friends in the town, has taken the Plough Hotel, St. Asaph, and leaves Ruthin for the city of cu- rates and canons on Monday. A RUN-AWAY HORSE. On Thursday, one of the Pool Park horses bolted from near the Post Office, turned the corner of Market street, and went at a gallop down the road towards the Railway Station. The trap came in violent contact with a tree in the strooo Fortunately, the animal was caught befor rfiny damage was done. CYCLING CLUB. The members of the cycling club, recently formed, are busy preparing for the coming season. Several members have already been enrolled; and it is probable that the first run, which has been fixed for the 8th of April, will be to St. Asaph. It is to be hoped that as no club exists at present in Denbigh, many Den- bighites will assist Ruthin on the occasion by joining the club. The officers are—President, Col. G. T. Ellis Vice-presidents, Major Saxon Ellis, E. Mapplebick, F. Pilkington, Stanley Weyman, and G. H. Denton; Captain, Mr. Theodore Rouw Sub-captain, Mr. R. Beech Bugler, Mr. W. M. Thomas; Hon. Treasurer, Mr. C. E. Jones; Hon. Secretary, Mr. Joseph Jenkins. It is expected that the new badges will be received in the course of a few days. MR. JUSTICE GRANTHAM AND THE CORPORATION. The following paragraph appeared in the Daily Telegraph on Tuesday and those who know the circumstances will at once see that it is most misleading in its deductions, and unfair in its criticisms. But of course, we must ex- pect these kind of things from a Conservative journal, whose conductors lose no opportunity to sneer at Welsh Nonconformity:— I A well-meant attempt-by Mr. Justice Gran- tham to spread sweetness and light on the Cor- poration of Ruthin has ended in disastrous failure. It occured to his lordship that) if in- stead Divine Worship on Saturday, when he opened the commission of assize, he postponed that part of the ceremony until Sunday, the Mayer and the Corporation would have the opportunity of seeing what a Church of Eng- land service is really like. So hi. lordship I made his arrangements accordingly. But at the appointed hour, though the judge was ready, the Mayor aad Corporation came not, and Mr. Justice Grantham was compelled to proceed to church in solitary grandeur, just as if it had been an ordinary week day. Yester- day his lordship expressed disappointment that his evangelising efforts had proved unfruitful. Many members of the Corporation held, he knew, views on religious observances diflerent from his own; but, at the same time, they might have aided him in asking for a Divine blessing on assize work, if only for the purpose of shewing their appreciation ef religious free- dom as understood by others. Later in the day, the Mayor of Ruthin forwarded a letter to the judge disclaiming all intention of discourtesy. With the exception of an informal letter from a member of the Town Council he received not the slightest intimation that his presence at church was expected. There seems to have been a misunderstanding somewhere. INTERESTING PRESENTATION. On Friday night, Mr. D. J. Williams, late manager of the London and Provincial Bank, and now manager of the same company's bank at Gravesend, was the recipient of a beautifully bound copy of Hymns Ancient and Modern,' with music. Mr. Williams, during his stay at Ruthin, held the position of choir master at St. Peters church, and gave general satisfaction by the excellent manner in which he carried out his onerous duties and the presentation was made as a slight recognition of his faithful services. The Rev. the Warden presided, and made the presentation, referring in most eulogistic terms to Mr. Williams' musical abilities. In responding, Mr. Williams said he had, during recent years, been a member of at least six choirs, and considered Ruthin choir to be one of the finest, being second only to the choir of Carmarthen church, where the present Bishop of St. Asaph was vicar but for order and decorum, it even exceeded that.

MOLD. THE DRINK TRAFFIC. A special meeting is to be given for the further discussion of the above by the Cos- mopolitan Society. Mr. J. R. Marston will take the negative portion of the subject. Much interest is being taken, and no doubt it will lead to a wide discussion. SALE OF STOCK. At Mr. J. E. Davies's weekly sale on Wed- nesday, there was a capital demand for beef. Milking cows were very much sought after the whole being cleared out, and some mak- ing R16 5s. There was a good supply of sheep with improved trade. Pigs and calves were brisk. HOME SICK. A young man named Henry Lowett, from Leeswood, was brought up before Messrs. T. Parry, and H. Lloyd Jones, on Monday last as a deserter. Lowett who was stationed at Chatham with the Royal Marines had been home on furlow. He was handed over to an escort, and taken back to Barracks.

a PECULIAR HOTEL DISPUTE. LAST Wednesday, at Chester Castle, his Honour, Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd, sitting without a jury, was occupied for some hours in hearing an action affecting the Black Lion Hotel at Mold. The Mold Gas and Water Company sued Thomas Lewis, grocer, and Arthur F. Dodd, accountant, as trustees under a deed of assignment for 937 13s. 8d., being the balance of an account due to them for gas aad water supplied to the Black Lion Hotel, formerly kept by Peter Maddox. Mr. S. Moss, Chester (instructed by Messrs. Kelly, Keene, and Co solicitors, Mold), appeared for the plaintiffs; Mr. Broadbridge, Liverpool (instructed by Mr. II. Carruthers, Liverpool), for the defendant Dodd and Mr. Collingwood Hope, Liverpool (instructed by Mr. G. H. Bradley, Mold), for the defendant Lewis, Mr. Moss, in opening the case, stated that in March, 1895, Peter Maddox was owner and occupier of the Black Lion Hotel; and at the end of that month he owed the Mold Gas and Water Company a bill of C,75 15s. 4d. On the 25th March, Mr. J. M'Gregor, the secretary to the company, received a letter from Mr. B,obert Carruthers, solicitor, inviting him to attend a meeting of Maddox's creditors on the 28th. Upon meeting of Maddox's creditors on the 28th. Upon receipt of this Mr. M'Gregor wrote to Maddox personally, informing him that the supply of gas and water to the hotel would be discontinued on Thursday, the day of the creditors' meeting. Mr. Carruthers thereupon wrote again to Mr. M'Gregor, that he would call and see him with a view of coming to an understanding about the continuation of the gas and water supply and he added that he hoped Mr. M'Gregor would not take any steps in the matter until then. On the morning of the 28th, Mr. G. F. Collinson, manag- ing clerk to Mr. Carruthers, called upon the secretary of the Gas and Water Company, and asked him to be present at the creditors' meeting, intimating that some arrangement would be come to with regard to the claim by the company. At the meeting later in the day the defendants, Mr. Collinson, and the bulk of the creditors, were present. Mr. M'Gregor asked what was to be done with reference to the company's claims, and pointed out that he had already given notice to Maddox under the Companies Act, that unless the amount was paid in full the supply of gas and water would be cut off. Mr. Collinson, who was in the chair, replied that the creditors were entirely in the hands of the company, and asked Mr. M'Gregor to remain for a subsequent meeting. Mr. Collinson then, on behalf of Mr. Maddox, offered to assign the whole of his property to the creditors if he were not made bankrupt; and this proposition being accepted, a draft deed was signed, and the defendants were appointed trustees, with a committee of inspection. At the subsequent meeting of the committee and ^trustees Mr. M'Gregor again asked what position the company were to stand in, and Mr: Collinson repeated that as they appeared to be entirely in the hands of the Gas Company, they had no.alternative but to volunteer to pay the amount in full. The defendant Lewis said that at that time they had no money in hand. Mr. Collinson, turning to the secre- tary, then said These gentlemen are your towns- men you have their promise are you satisfied ?' The secretary replied, 'Yes, I am satisfied;' and the meeting terminated. Nothing tending to show that this arrangement was to be re- pudiated was heard until October, 1895, when Mr. M'Gregor receivedja letter from the trustees, enclosing a cheque for f,37 17s. Sd., being the first dividend of 10s. in the pound on your claim against the estate.' He refused to sign the form of receipt enclosed, but wrote in acknow- ledgement I have to remind you that our account was admitted to be a perferentiai one to the committee of management, and'payment promised in full immediately after interest, rates, and wages had been met. We have waited patiently beyond the time specified, but we now think we are entitled to the full amount, without further delay.' He also wrote to the same effect to the defendant Lewis, stating that the company on their part had agreed to continue the supply, and stay proceedings against Mr. Maddox. Further correspondence ensued, but it was maintained by Mr. Car- ruthers that no such undertaking was given, and that the Gas Company, by accepting a I dividend of 10s. in the pound, placed themselves on the same footing as other creditors. The licence of the hotel remained in Maddox's name until the 15th July. 1895, when it was trans- ferred to a Miss Scott; and during the whole of the interim, the plaintiffs,iby their forbearance, allowed the business to go on. If they had taken the steps which they were entitled to do at the time, they would have stopped the sale of the property as a going concern; and in all probability, the money now available for dis- tribution among the creditors would have been materially reduced. Evidence in support of this statement was given by James M'Gregor, and several Mold tradesmen, who were present at the creditors meeting. ¡ After some legal argument, Mr. Colling-

If you require your PHOTOGRAPHS taken in ;he best style, at moderate charges, go to D. & A. Iughes, Photographers, Mold. Clubs, Schools, I fcc., by appointment. wood Hope called Mr Collinson, who gave his

I BANQOR UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. On Friday evening, at the New College Hall, at the University College, Bangor, a soirea and Eisteddvod was held under the auspices of the Students' Welsh National Union. This was the first attempt on the part of the students to hold an Eisteddvod, but it proved a very suc- cessful one. The subject for the chair prize was an ode or poem on Euclid, and the colleges produced six candidates for the prize, which was awarded to Mr. R. Silia Roberts, Talysarn, who was chaired according to the ancient rites of the Gorsedd, Mr. R. R. Jones, Fourcrosses, acting the part of the Archdruid (Hwfa Mon) with great success. A good prize was offered for the best college song, but Professor Lloyd in his adjudication stated that not one of the three compositions was worthy of the whole prize. The prize winner did not, however, answer to his name. Four parties entered the arena in the male voice competition, and Dr. Roland Rogers, who adjudicated, highly praised the winners of the prize on the possession of good voices. Dr. Rogers's adjudication was full of reminiscent remarks about the adjudicator's work in connection with the Eisteddvod and the queer habits of some jandidates. The most popular competition was bhat for the best letter of excuse to a professor This drew 25 competitors, and the compositions tvere full of humour and ingenuity. Other jompetitions were as follows Cigarettee "oiling, for the best sketch of a college elebrity (Dr. Gray), for the most artistically Lrranged time table, for a college badge (the winner being 'Daisy).' Mr. Reece Jones took ihe prize for the best rendering of a solo, with ihe song Do you see me ?' The chair was occupied by Mr. W. Lewis Jones, the president Phe Rev. S. R. Jenkins was secretary, and Mr. P. Hudson Williams (the winner of the letter If excuse) the treasurer. Amongst the adjudi- cators were Professor Morris Jones, Mrs. vanB (Brynkinallt), Mrs. Rowland Jones, Dr. iogersj and Professor Lloyd.

ASSIZES. ANGLESEA. These Assizes were held on Friday at Beau- maris, before Mr. Justice Grantham, who, on arrival from Carnarvon, was received by the High Sheriff (Mr. Rupert Mason), Mr. Laurie (Under Sheriff), and the usual retinue. His Lordship attended service in the Parish Church, the sermon being preached by the Rev. T. Lloyd Kyllin, rector of Llanfaes, and chaplain to the High Sheriff. The Commission was opened at one o'clock, the foreman of the Grand Jury being Colonel Hampton Lewis. The Judge, in his chaige, expressed regret ab his want of punctuality, as lie had been detained until late the previous night trying an impor- tant case at the Carnarvonshire Assizes. He was glad to congratulate the Grand Jury upon the immunity Anglesea, in common with other counties in North Wales, was enjoying from crime, there being but one prisoner for tri:il, a woman charged with obtaining money by false pretences from a clergyman at Menai Bridge, The grand jury made a presentment urging that petty jurors should not be summoned when there weie no cases for trial, and that charges of obtaining money by false pretences should be summarily dealt with. His Lordship said that a similar presentment had been made at the Montgomeryshire Assizes, the Lord Chan- cellor promising that every attention should be paid to a feasible scheme to avoid the unnecessary attendance of common jurors. He (the Judge) did not favour the abolition of the grand jury, who were often called upon to make important presentments. The High Sherifi, as usual, gave a luncheon at the William's Buckeley Arms Hotel. John Davies, domestic servant, was dis- charged on the count for obtaining money by false pretences, the prosecution, owing to the absence of an important witness, offering no evidence. The only other business was a civil action for trespass at Tyn-y-gongl, Mr. Herbert Wil- liams appearing for Dr. J. Williams, the plain- tiff, and Mr. E. H. Lloyd for the defendant.

Lord Newton has been lying seriously ill for the past fortnight at his London residence suffering from pneumonia. Capt. H. Sinclair, Northumberland Fusiliers, is to be aide-de-camp to Lieut.-Col. Sir C. B. 1-1. Mitchell, G.C.M.G., Governor and Commander- in-Chief of the Straits Settlements. A return of public elementary schools, which have been warned by the Education Depart- ment during the last quarter of 1896, was is- sued yesterday as a Parliamentary paper. It includes the names of 21 schools. Printed and Published by T. GKK and SON, at their offices in Chapel Street Denbigh, Saturday January, SOtb, 1897,

ABERGELE. -r- DEBATING SOCIETY. On Friday evening the members of the Wes- leyan Debating Society assembled, the Rev. R. Rowlands presiding. A paper on Ruth' was read by Miss Ellis, Berthtopic, and a paper on 'Esther' by Miss A. C. Hughes, Stafford House. The papers were listened to with much interest by all present, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the ladies for their tro uble in preparing tham. SMOKING CONCERT. The Postmen and Railwy employes held a smoking concert at the Town Hall on Thursday evening last week. Mr. Rogers, Stationmaster presided, being supported by Mr. Fletcher Postmaster, and Mr. T. W. Jarmyn, Castle Hotel. An excellent programme was rendered by Mr. Bradley, Kinroel, Messrs D. Williams, D. Davies, W. Jones, W. E. Littler, E. R. Hughes, D. Edwards, B. Cybi Williams, E. E. Williams, and others. A very enjoyable even- ing was spent. SUPPER. On Thursday evening last week, the deacons of the Wesleyan chapel invited all the young people who take an interest in singing, connec. ted with the congregation, to a capital supper which had been prepared by a number of ladies Between 50 and 60 accepted the invitation and were apparently delighted with the fine spread which had been prepared for them. Following the supper, the Rev. R, Rowlands conducted a meeting when the best way of improving the congregational singing was discussed. It was ultimately decided to form a choir, and a com- mittee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. SPECIAL POLICE COURT. On Thursday morning last week, before W. T. Mason Esq and J. Copping Esq., Michael Cleary a native of Denbigh, was brought up in custody charged with attempting to steal a sheep the property of Mr. Evan Jones, Pentre Ucha, Abergele. John Lloyd, prosecutor's bailiff, said that on the previous day at 3.30 he was at work in Pentre Ucha fields when he saw the prisoner iriving the sheep from their field to one held by Mrs. Roberts, Hesketh Hotel. He hurried tfter him, and when he got there the prisoner lad one of the sheep down, and had tied its ega with a red scarf. Witness took hold of lim and asked what he was doing. He made to reply, only screaming loudly for help. Wit. less h¡llfk1 him over to P. C, Jones. Evidence was given of the arrest by P. C. Jones and Inspector Roberts. The chairman gave the prisoner a very severe lecture and good advice as to his future conduct, and sentenced him to one month im- prisonment with hard labour.

THE PENRHYN DISPUTE. DEBATE IN PARLIAMENT. ON Thursday night, the Penrhyn dispute entered upon a new phase, when it was brought before the House of Commons, and discussed. A London correspondent des- cribes the debate as follows :— Mr. William Jones was unexpectedly suc- cessful in bringing the Penrhyn dispute before the House of Commons on a motion for the adjournment of the House. When he rose immediately after question time, therewasa crowded attendance-the benches on both sides of the House being full to overflowing. The interest felt in the debate in Welsh circles was manifested by the largeness of the attendance of Welshmen in the lobbies and in the galleries, Lord Pen- rhyn sat in the Peers gallery, listening to the criticism passed on his conduct with a calmness that was, however, often broken by fits of agitation, while his solicitor and agent occupied seats in the special gallery. Mr, William Jones's speech surprised his opponents, andtdelighted his friends. It was lucid and moderate in its statement of fact, and earned a high compliment from Mr. Ritchie and Mr. Balfour. Mr. Jones was evidently nervous at the start, but the House did not take this amiss from a mem- ber making his maiden speech As he pro- ceeded, he gathered confidence. He used his notes well, he quoted discreetly, he was always careful to finish one part of his case before proceeding to another. There was no attempt at phrase-making, no appeal ad rnisericordiam, or to high-flownl sentiment, which suits the platform better than the House of Commons. From first to last there was a restraint, a simplicity, an evident sense of responsibility which charmed and captivated friends and foes. The men's case gained enormously by such sincerity and moderation of advocacy; and when Mr. Jones sat down, he received the unfeigned congra- tulations of men of all parties. Mr. Bryn Roberts seconded in a strong, vigorous speech, full of good points well made, and without a trace of the lawyer or the advo- cate. Mr. Roberts declined to enter into the merits of the original points of dispute. He confined himself entirely to the matters which immediately preceded the outbreak of the strike; and though some subsequent speakers included him in the list of those who had spoken immoderately, the impres- sion he left on the House was distinctly favourable. The task of defending Lord Penrhyn fell to the lot of his son, the Hon. Douglas-Pennant. It would be invidious to criticise the maiden effort of Mr. Pennant. He has a pleasant voice, a fluent delivery, and the elements of a success- ful speaker. But neither he nor his seconder, Mr. Bromley-Davenport, can be congratulated on the line of defence which they adopted. Their main contentions were, (1) that Lord jrenrhyn was not opposed to legitimate combi- nation, bub to the tyrannous and arbitrary in- terference with the working of his quarry by the Quarry Committee; and (2) that Lord Pen- rhyn was not to blame for refusing to accept the intervention of the Board of Trade. Neither took much pains with the former point, but Mr. Davenport was bitter in his complaints against the 'presumption' of t,he Board of Trade. This let them in for a crushing answer from Mr. Ritchie, the/President of the Board of Trade. Never, surely, was a case so absolutely disproved as the flimsy defence which had been prepared for Lord Penrhyn. Calmly, but with growing force and vigour, occasionally with some warmth and emphasis, Mr. Ritchie made out a complete case for the Board of Trade's action. The Tories, who had been cheering Mr. Davenport's accusations against the Board, sat glum, silent, and dismayed, while Liberals cheered and cheered repeatedly. Sir William Harcourt came to the aid of the Government and then Mr. Balfour, in a speech full of excel- lent sentiments, but which contained not a single practical suggestion, appealed t:> the House to bring the debate to a close. His ad- vice was not regarded, for Mr. John Burns occupied the time of the House till the dinner hour with a sonorous and somewhat exaggera- ted denunciations of 'plutocrats and autocrats.' After dinner, Mr. Lloyd-George rose to con- tinue the debate in a thin House, which gradu- ally filled up. It may be doubted if Mr. Lloyd- George has ever made a more successful speech in the House. It was augmentative, clear, dealing with different points that had arisen in the debate, and absolutely impromptu. It said what Mr. Ritchie had left unsaid, and it left Lord Penrhyn absolutely without the shadow of a defence. There were no rhetorical flights or attempts at oratory, but the speech bristled with points, facts, and arguments, which were as unanswerable as they were fresh. The de- bate lingered till eleven o'clock, Mr. Lowther, Mr. Woods, and Mundellaspeaking at some length. The discussion closed with a charac- teristically bright contribution from Mr. Ellis Griffith. The Welsh members are to be heartily con- gratulated on the excellent show they have made. 0.8.11 sidea their praises were sung at the close of the debate and if they can main- tain the high standard, of debate reached this afternoon, Welsh questions will occupy a very favourable position in the House. One plea- sant and encouraging sign of the success of the, debate is the number and amount of the sub- scriptions which have been made subsequently to the Parliamentary fund in aid of the quarry- men. There is no doubt that Lord Penrhyn's advocates took a very ill-advised step in at- tacking the Board of Trade, for it has united all parties against Lord Penrhyn.

THE ENGINEERSHIP OF THE DENBIGH FIRE BRIGADE. TO THE EDITOR OF THE NORrpH WALES TIMES:' SIB, A letter appeared in your issue for -Ast week, written by 'Chwareu Teg;' and as it is possible that the public might be misled by his assertions I must trouble you with this letter, although I do not wish to enter into a controversy with an un- known opponent. The facta are these :— On the 18th December, 1894, the following re solution was adopted by the Council That the Inspector of Nuisances be paid a salary of £ 70 per annnm snob salary to include all the duties in connection with the deferent ap- pointments he now holds aud that he devote the whole of his time to his corporate duties.' At the time this resolution teas passed Mr. Roberts held the post of Engineer to the Brigade, at a salary of 94 per annum. Now, in the face of this resolution was it not natural for me to arrive at one out of two conclusions i. e., 1. That the engineership of the brigade was a corporate office within the meaning of the resolution, and that the salary was amalgamated in the 9-70 like the £ 5 he previously received as inspector of Dairies, ot. the f4 4. as inspector of Lodging Houses, &(!. Or, 2. The engineership did not corr.e withiu the range of the offices enumerated in the resolution and consequently Mr. Roberts was called upon to retire, as he had as from the date of the resold- tion 'to devote the whole of his time to his cor- porate duties.' But what do I find? In December, 1895, it came to my knowledge that the resolution had been manipulated conven iently to cover both assumptions, for the inspector had considered the engineership a corporate office so far as to be able to retain it; but not a corpo- rate office so far as the fixed annual salary of 970 was concerned, as he was and is still paid L-4 in respect of the duties. Therefore, although the resolution of the Council is, that Mr. Roberts' salary was to be £ 70 per annum, he is to this day paid at the rate of f,74 per annum. It is against this glaring inconsistency I rciaed my voice and the inability of Chwareu Teg to comprehend the facts causes him to put a wrong construction altogether on my words. I will give him credit that he does not do this intentionally. Now with regard to the election of a new engi- neer—Rule 6 of the Brigade Rules reads :— The nominating of new members to fill vacancies .hall be in the hands of the whole brigade. The previous rale providing that the actual appointment shall rest with the Town Council.' On the 5th instant, a meeting of the Fire Bri- gade Joint Committee was held, which Messrs. R. G. Davies (captain), W. G. Helsby, and Edward Myddleton attended, as representing the Fire Brigade and it was passed to recommend to the Council (without having at all consulted the mem- bers of the, brigade generally) That Fireman Myddleton be appointed engineer in the place of Mr. Robert Roberts, who retires under rale §.' On the 15th January a special, meeting of the members of the brigade was held, when it was resolved, 'That the Council he asked to allow Engineer Robert Roberts to remain in office for the present yenr.' This was unanimously passed, as this year the celebrations in connection with Her Majesty's sixty years reign are to take- place and it was understood that Engineer Roberta would have a bar added to his medal, and the members did not wish to deprive him of the honour and the members protested strongly against the recom- mendation of the Joint Committee in the cir- cumstances. But when the Town Council met on the 19th of January (please note the sequence of dates), this resolution was not mentioned and the Council was dealing merely with the recommendation of the Joiqt Committee held on the 5th. I attempted, as I felt loyally bound to do sn, to give expression to the voice of the members of the brigade in a meeting assembled, as against the dictation of one or two members. 5 Chwareu Teg' astierts that Fireman Myddleton had been elected almost unanimously by the bri- gade to the post of engineer. This is entirely untrue. His name, or any other, was never men- tioned. for this office at any meeting of the bri- ga.de, as it was the wish of the members to allow Engineer Roberts to remain another year for the reason stated. It is sheer nonsense to suggest that I wanted the engineership, as I an disqua- lified for holding a post under a Council, of which llvwe the honour to be a member. lihavapiraply endeavoured to get the business of the bngade carried on in a proper maimer, and to secure to the members the right given them under the rules of nominating new members. i am not actuated by any personal feelings against any of the parties named, but I believe that some explanation should be forthcoming from Captain R. G. Davies for the part he has played in this controversy. Yours obediently, Roger PRYCE. A Denbigh, Jan. 2'7th, 1897.

Mr. Austen Chamberlain, who was slightly injured by a fall from his horse, is reported to be very much better. A goods train collided with an empty pas- senger train during shunting operations just outside Portsmouth Station. Several heavy trucks were derailed and carriages damaged. Exchequer returns, April 1st to January 9th Receipts, C72,767,410 expenditure, f,78,437,853 balances, £ 1,297,106. Correspon- ding period of last year:— £ 71,955,233; expen- diture, £ 75^255,968. The wife of Mr. Robert Hudson, jun., of the Hudson Band, Skegness,Lincolnshire, has given birth to four children at a birth. Two of them, boy and a girl, are living, and they and the mother are doing well.

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PROFESSOR MAHAFFY AND THE WELSH LANGUAGE. INTERESTING CORRESPONDENCE. In the Nineteenth Century for Novem- ber, Professor Mahaffy, of Trinity College, Dublin, published, under the title of 'The Modern Babel,' an article in which the the Welsh people were clause.1 with foster- ing an obsolete language' for the purpose of confining all preferments in Wales to those who spoke that language. It was further alleged that the practice had resul- ted in 'lowering the standard' of Welsh officials to a most melancholy extent' and had kept Wales 'I)mrbarour,, though adjoin- ing the most civilised population in Europe.' The following correspondence has ta,ken place on the subject:— Bala-Bangor Independent College, Bangor, November 14tb, 1896. Sir,—In the f Nineteenth Century for this month, I find there is an article under the heading The Modern Ba,bel,' bearing your name as its author, in which you make statements implying very grave charges against the Welsh nation. I .believe you must have been misinformed with regard to the state of things in our country, otherwise you would not have made these statements. Your informants must have been either un- acquainted with Wales, or they must have misled you wilfully from bad motives. I consider you should prove your statements to be true, or else withdraw them altogether, and that in as public a manner as thev have been made. May I ask the favour of a'reply, giving the names of your informant,Yours faithfully, T. RHYS.' Professor J. P. Mahafiy.' Trinity College, Dublin, Nov. 16, 1896. Dear Sir,—I made no charge whatever either against the Welsh nation, or against any individual Welshman in the article to which you allude. I did censure the prin- ciple of appointing men to preferments of any kind in Wales on the ground that they spoke Welsh—a ground far inferior to tha,t of competence in the branch of knowledge required of them. It is of course quite pos- sible that in some cases, for example in yours, Welsh-speaking was combined with the highest special qualifications. If so, of course my remarks do not apply. But if you or any other ma,n has been appointed in preference to an intellectually superior man because you speak Welsh—then, I maintain that such a principle of selection has worked, and is likely to work mischief. I hold the same views, mutatis mutandis, about Ireland. My opinion is based upon the testimony of very eminent Welshmen, and upon the plain facts of modern hitory which cannot be denied. But I certainly will not communi- cate to you the names of my informants, nor inflict upon tham the trouble of writing letters like the present. If you do not be- lieve that the cry of Wales for the Welsh is keeping back your country in its progress, no arguments of mine are likely to persuade you. But I am sorry if any inaccuracy in the form of my statement has given pain to you, or any other Welsh patriot. Such was not my intention, but I should have known that the sensibilities of men on such matters may be acute in proportion to the logical weakness of their cause. Had I reflected upon this, I should have probably changed my words, but not my opinion.—Believe me, dear sir, with real good will to you and Wales, yours faithfully, J. P. MAHAFFY.'

the scion of an old family in the county and the adjoining county of Merionethshire, and, i fgivell an opportunity, he always would add lustre to the name (applause). In every good work brought forward by anybody in the district, re- gardless of creed or sect, the High Sheriff was one of the first to come forward (loud cheers), and he had only one fault GO find with him- that he was 80 long in getting married (cheers and laughter). But even for that there was a remedy, and he had great pleasure in recom- mending that remedy to his notice (laughter). The High Sheriff, in rising to respond, was received with much enthusiasm. He said that during the time he held the office of Sheriff of the county, he bad received the greatest assis- tance in the discharge of his dutiethrough t ability of his Under Sheriff (cheers), and also by the readiness and alacrity of the Grand Jury in coming forward from all parts of the county. Regarding his personal merits, touched upon so kindly by Major Birch, he thought the latter gentleman's remarks were quite unde- served (' No! no !')—but he could say this, that hehad donethe best he could,and was at all times willing and anxious to help forward any move- ment which had for its object the well-being of the community. As regards what Majrr Birch said in reference to his domestic circumstances, he could only say that he left himself in Major Birch's hands (cheers and laughter). He would conclude his remarks by asking them to drink most heartily to the health of Sir William Grantham (cheers). His Lordship then delivered a most humor. ous speech, the company afterwards separating.

version ot what took place at the creditors meeting. Mr. M'Gregor, on being called into the room, said, under the Company's private Act of Parliament, they ranked as preferential creditors. The witness said he should have to be satisfied on that point. If it was so he should advise the trustees to pay the claim in full. Mr. Dodd certainly gave no undertaking. Other evidence to the same effectjwas called, and it was argued by counsel for the defence that Mr. M'Gregor had given the creditors a false impressio i of the powers of the company. His Honour reserved his decision.