The North Wales Times

-parliament in tief. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH. HOUSE OF LORDS. THE Marine Insurance Bill was read a second time. Earl Spencer called attention to the difficul- ties with respect to rifle ranges caused by the adoption of the Lee-Metford rifle, and asked the Secretary for War if any arrangement had been made to assist volunteer corps in getting facilities for practice ac their present ranges or within easy reach to their headquarters. Lord Lansdowne, in reply, said it was quite true that the range of the Lee-Metford was greater than the range of the Martini-Henry, but the difference was much less than was com- monly supposed. He was assured that where existing ranges had been really safe with the Martini-Henry they would be safe, or could be easily made safe, for the Lee-Metford. The inquiry which had been instituted was not yet complete. So far as they could judge, a great miny existing ranges could be made safe with- out much difficulty, but until their informa- tion was fuller, it would be premature to dis- cuss the question of a grant. .——————————————— HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. Whitmore moved the second reading of the London County Buildings Bill, and explain- ed that it was proposed that the Council should have power to acquire a site to the east of the present offices in Spring Guardens for the pur- pose of extending the accommodation. The estimated cost of the site was 9810,000, and the probable cost of the building was another £ 500,000, but the scheme would only involve an addition to the rates equal to about three- fourteenths of a penny in the pound. Mr. Boulnois moved the rejection of the bill. The motion for the second reading was de- feated by 227 votes against 146. Questioned by Mr. Pickersgill as to the eir- cwmstances under which he respited James Bate, who was sentenced to death for murder at the Liverpool Assizes in November last, Sir M. White Ridley said he would be departing from th^ course which had been taken uniform- ly by all his predecessors in similar cases if he were to answer in detail the series of questions put by Mr. Pickersgill. The murder, though committed in a moment of drunken fury, and in circumstances of considerable provocation, was in other respects of such a nature that he felt that the circumstances as a whole, and re- garded in themselves, did not justify reprieve. After his decision was made public, he received such clear evidence by numerous and weighty representations from all quarters of the exis- tence of a genuine and unanimous sentiment in favour of mercy that he was forced to the belief that the exaction of the extreme penalty would change indignation at an atrocious crime into compassion for the criminal, and he therefore advised the Queen to commute the sentence. In answer to Admiral Field, Sir M. White Ridley said he was informed by the Lord Cham- berlain that the play called I Nelson's Enchan- tress' was duly submitted to him, and as it did not contain anything to justify a refusal, a licease was granted, and it was not proposed to withdraw it. Mr. Curzon, replying to Mr. Stevenson, said there were about eleven gunboats belonging to the different Powers at Constantinople. Pre- cautions were being taken by the authorities in view of the posibility of disturbances occur- ing during the month of Ramazan. Answering Mr. H. D. Greene, Mr. Curxon said the papers relating to the Stokes case had been delayed in order that they might include the result of the negotiations with the Congo Government concerning Mr. Stokes' property. Those negotiations had now been completed, and had resulted in an offer from the Congo Government to hand over the sum of 147,550 francs as representing the total value of all the goods belonging to the estate. That offer had been accepted by the Government, and the papers would be circulated as soon as possible. Mr. Chaplin, answering Mr. Carvell Wil- liams, said he was not aware that the practice of including Church-ley' in the demand notes of the township of Manchester for poor and other rates had been continued. Although in the form of a demand note, it was stated that the payment of the Church-ley' was optional, The inclusion of that item in the demand note which was headed with the words Due on de mand,' was, he thought reasonably open to ob- jection. The Local Government Board would communicate with the Overseers of Manchester on the subject. Mr. Curzon informed Sir E. A. Bartlett that the Government had received no confirmation of the reported massacre of 300 Mussulmans at Sita and 23 at Kissamo Kasteli. At the request of Mr. Dillon, Mr. Curzon premised to make inquiry into the report that a, number of Christians had been roasted alive in a bakery. Replying to Mr. Bryce, Mr. Curzen said the Government had received no official informa- tion of any recent landing of Turkish troops at or near Alexandretta. Mr. Chamberlain, replying to Mr. Roche, said he had received a telegram from the High Commissioner stating that the British Agent at Pretoria. had received from the South African Republic a bill ef indemnity to be paid by the British Government, or to be caused to be paid by them, for Dr. Jameson's raid. The amount claimed fell under two heads. First, material damage, 1677,938 3s. 3d.; second, moral or intellectual damage, total of claim, £ 1,000,000. Asked by Mr. Bowles whether the XI,000,000 was in addition to the other sum, Mr. Cham- berlain said there was a little ambiguity, but he believed it was. Mr. Brodrick formally moved the second reading of the Military Works (Money) Bill. Mr. Lough proposed an amendment to the effect that before proceeding with the second reading of the bill it was desirable to have further information as to the necessity for the proposed works, and fuller details as to where the expenditure was to be made. He con- 'pen i ure demned the proposal to spend £ 600,000 "n new barracks in Ireland, and asked for further details of the proposed expenditure of 91, 140,000 on ranges and manoeuvring grounds. Mr. Kearley seconded the amendment, and protested against that part of the scheme which related to the fortification of London. Mr. Brodrick, replying to some of the criticisms passed on the measure, said the principle of the scheme was considered and accepted nine or ten years ago. There were changes in war, and the Government were bound to regard the risk of our losing the com- mand of the sea. Lord Wolseley, Sir Redvers Buller, an eminent engineer, and an eminent artilleryman had suggested that centres should be established and temporary entrenchments made. Under the present scheme the military authorities merely provided that their proper share of work should be done if the country were subject at any time to invasion. After some further debate, the amendment was defeated by 194 votes to 43, and the House adjourned,

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. Hanbury, replying te Mr. Schwann, said a petition had been received from the town postmen of Manchester complaining that the attendance on many of the duties was protrac- ted beyond the regulation eight hours, that certain of the duties involved attendance at inconvenient times, and that the supervising force was inadequate. A general revision of the postmen's duties at Manchester took place a year ago, and since then 78 more postmen had been added. A general revision of the duties was under consideration. Mr. T. W. Russell, replying to Mr. Bong- field, said the report of the Committee on Dis- tress from Want of Employment had received the careful attention of the Local Government Board. A bill had been prepared on the sub- ject, but its introduction must depend on the pregress which might be made with other Government measures. In answer to Sir E. A. Bartlett, Mr. Curzon said the latest information the Government had received was that Greek troops were landed west-north-west of Canea Bay on the 16th inst. The Turkish Government had not announced any intention of sending troops to Crete. The general advice given by the representatives of the Great Powers had been that they should abstain from any precipitate action. Owing to reports of massacres at Selinos, the British, Russian, and Italian consuls had proceeded there to endeavour to prevent further conflicts and outrages. Answering Mr. Dillon, Mr. Curzon said inquiry had been made with respect to the re- port that several Christians were roasted alive during the recent disturbances in Canea, but no reply had yet been received. Sir C. Cameron took his seat for the Bridge- ton division of Glasgow, ia succession to Sir G. O. Trevelyan. The House afterwards went into Committee of Supply on the Army Estimates. On the vote for 9553,000 for the militia' numbering 135,243, a discussion took place with respect to the lack of officers and men, the system of training, and promotion from the ranks, and the vote was then agreed to. The next vote taken was that for the yeo- manry cavalry, and Mr. Knox moved a reduc- tion of the amount by E7,000, on the ground that Ireland had no yeomanry. Dr. Tanner seconded the amendment. Mr. Powell Williams said the experience of 1798 was not such as to make the esta- blishment of yeomanry in Ireland appear a desirable thing. They must look at the financial question as a whole. Ireland was, with regard to army and militia, in a position of great indulgence as compared with the rest of the United Kingdom, the share paid to troops and militia in Ireland being one-seventh of the whole cost of those forces. The reduction was negatived by 182 votes to 46, and the vote was carried by 180 votes to 38. On the vote for the volunteers, a discussion took place, and various suggestions were made. Mr. Brodrick, in reply, maintained that the sixteen-pounder guns formally in the possession of the Royal Artillery were of considerable service to the volunteers. In regard to the conflicting legal opinions in respect to the recovery of fines from volunteers, the Govern- ment hoped, if time permitted, to introduce a short bill dealing with the matter in the course of the present session. On the question of ranges, there was in operation an Act that enabled any council of a borough or volunteer corps to borrow money faom the Public Works Loan Commissioners for the purpose of buying a range, but the Act did not enable them to provide for its equipment. The city of Man: Chester was waiting for the passing ef the amending bill. Mr. Knox moved a reduction of the vote, but the amendment was rejected by 131 votes to nine, and the vote was then agreed to. A number of other votes were passed before the House adjourned. j

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22ND. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Sir M. White Ridley, answering Mr. Herbert Ro berts, said the cost of the Welsh Land Com- mission had already been extremely heavy, and any proposal involving additional expenditure would have to be carefully considered. He was in communication, however, with the Chairman of the Cnmmission as to the nature and bulk of the extracts which the Commission thought might with advantage be translated into Welsh, and when he had obtained the information he would communicate again with the Treasury. In reply to Mr. Schwann, Sir M. Hicks Beach said that with ordinary care any error in taking farthings for half sovereigns might be avoided, and no change in the coins was at present in contemplation. Mr. Chamberlain informed Sir E. A. Bartlett and Mr. Roche that he had no further informa- tion to give with regard to the claim made by the Transvaal Government on account of the Jameson raid. In reply to Mr. Stevenson, Mr. Curzon said the proclamation issued by Colonel Vassos, the commander of the Greek forces in Crete, pro- mised, among other things, peace to the inhabi- tants of the island. So far, however, the pre- sence of the Greek troops would seem to have the opposite effect, and in these circumstances the Government thought it unlikely that the Powers would consider the desirability of delegating to the Greek force the duty of keep- ing the peace between the Christian and Moslem inhabitants. Sir M. White Ridley, in answer to Mr. J. Bailey, said the rule of the Home Office for many years past had been not to offer rewards in murder cases, and he saw no reason for de- parting from that course in the case of the murder of Miss Camp. Mr. A. J. Balfour stated, in reply to Mr. J. Redmond an A Mr. Dillon, that the Committee stage of the Education Bill would begin on Thursday^ It would be inconvenient that that stage should be interrupted by other business, but as soon as that was concluded he would be glad to find time for the discussion of the ques- tion of financial relations. No steps would be taken with regard to the appointment of the new Financial Relations Commission until after the discussion of the subject by the House. Mr. Leigh-Bennett took hill seat for the Chertsey division, and a new writ was ordered for the election of a member for Halifax, in the place of Mr. Rawson Shaw. Mr. Curzon, answering Mr. Dillon, said in- quiry had been made into the allegation that Christians had been roasted alive in a bakery at Ca-nea, but no foundation could be found for the story. Asked by Mr. Bryce whether there was any truth in the statement that the Cretan forces had been fired upon by the united Powers, Mr. Curzon said the insurgents outside Canea, in spite of the injunctions of the admirals, who under the orders of their respective Govern- ments had made themselves responsible for the peace of Canea, renewed their attaek on the town. Under these circumstances the inter- national squadron had no choice but to prevent by force these proceedings being continued, which they accordingly did. The firing lasted but a few minutes. Mr. Labouchere asked for and obtairiedleave to move the adjournment of the House in order to call attention to the firing on Greek forces in Crete by Her Majesty's ships.' It was time, Mr. Labourchere said, that the Liberal party should speak out on this subject. They believed that the people of England, rightly or wrongly, were determined that we were not to interfere, either diplomatically or still less by force of arms, in favour of the Turks ia any part of the Turkish Empire. Mr. Dillon seconded the motion. Mr. Balfour maintained that there was dan- ger of a great European catastrophe unless the greatest cautiou was exercised in dealing with this Cretan question. There had been a sacri- fice of life and property in Crete, but if a care- ful inquiry was made as to who was responsible he thought it would not be found that the in- ternational forces had been either idle or ineffective, or that the operations of the Greek forces had been marked by success in those directions. The Government were acting in absolute harnsony with the other Great Powers. They recognised perfectly clearly that to leave Crete in the condition in which it would rest with the Turkish Government to upset by its own will the good work Europe had en- deavoured to accomplish would be to fall far short ef the international duties they had taken upon themselves. Sir W. Harcourt said the time had come when upon this question in Europe the voice of Eng- j land ought to be heard. What, he asked, was the object of the Government in going to Crete? What were the bombs fired for from the British fleet? By what right or title, or from what point of view, were the Government taking part in this insurrection ? They were told that the Great Powers had taken the matter up, but the Great Powers had been taking these mat- ters up for a long time, and nothing had been done. We were waiting on the Concert of Europe to determine on the future of Crete, and in the meantime we were bombarding the in- surgents. That was not a condition of things that ought to be allowed to continue. If the Concert of Europe could not come to a con- clusion on the subject of the treatment of Crete, we ought not to have taken the part that, unfor- tunately, we had done for the past two days. He gathered from Mr. Balfour's statement that what the Government were proceeding to do was to detach Crete from the Turkish rule, and that was the only policy which was worthy of the English Government. After some further debate, in which Sir R. Reid and Mr. Goschen took part, the motion was negatived by 243 votes to 125. The Military Works (Money) Bill was after- wards discussed in Committee.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13TH. Mr. Balfour, replying to Major Rasch, said it would not be consistent with the scope of the Voluntary Schools Bill to enlarge it by in- cluding clause 24 of the Education Bill of last session. Answering Mr. P. O'Brien, Mr. Balfour said he could not hold out any hope that the Gov- ernment would make it obligatory on the new Financial Relations Commission to inquire into the amounts expended in England, Ireland, and Scotland respectively of the sums voted for purposes common to the United Kingdom. In reply to Mr. Dillon, Mr. Balfour said he could not interrupt the Committee stage of the Education Bill for a lengthened discussion on the Irish Land Bill. Whether the Committee stage would be finished on the 10th of March he could not Bay, but if it went on from day to day the 10th of March would be the eighth day of the discussion, and he should have thought that in eight days so short a bill could easily have been disposed of. Mr. Stevenson asked the Under Foreign Secretary, in view of the fact that the Powers made arrangements to prevent an attack upon Canea, what steps they took to prevent a sally of the Turkish troops from the town for the purpose of attacking the Cretan position. Mr. Curzon replied that the Government had received no official information of any sally of the Turkish troops from Canea. In answer to another question, Mr. Curzon said the Government did not know who gave the signal for the bombardment of the Cretan position. The course of procedure was ar- ranged between the admirals of the inter- national squadron, and presumably the senior naval officer, who was the Italian admiral, gave the signal. Sir W. Harcourt, on behalf of Sir H. Camp- bell-Bannerman, asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he could lay on the table the instructions given to the British admiral in Cretan waters. Mr. Balfour said it would not be possible in existing circumstances, It had never been the practice, so far as he knew, to make public the instructions to naval or military officers on active service, and the inexpediency of such a course would be greatly augmented in the present case owing to the fact that the Govern- ment were acting in concert with other Powers. Mr. Darling asked Mr. Curzon if his atten- tion had been called to the speech made by M. Hanotaux in the French Chamber on the previous day, and whether it actually was proposed by England at bhe end of 1895 that the Dardanelles should be forced, and the man responsible for the massacres seized in his palace. Mr. Curzon replied in the negative. Mr. Darling asked which was the Power referred to. Mr. Curzon replied that it was no part of his duty to answer for any foreign Powers. In answer to Sir E. A. Bartlett, Mr. Curzon said there had been no confirmation of the alleged massacre of 1,100 Mussulmans at Sitia, and the British Consul reported on the 19th that the fate of the Mussulmans of one village only in that district remained unknown. Mr. Curzon also read two telegrams from Sir A. Billiotti giving a description of the position in the Selinos district, where a fight of extermi- nation was carried on between the two sects, and about 2,000 Mussulmans were in a very critical position. Whether anything would be done to rescue them was a matter for agree- ment between the Powers, Answering Mr. T. G. Bowles, who asked whether the Government had received any information as to the conduct the Turkish Government intended to adopt as towards neutral ships during the state of war now existing between Turkey and Greece, Mr. Curzon said there was no indication that the Turkish Government were intending to take any hostile measures at sea, and as the Turk- ish representative remained at Athens and the Greek representative at Constantinople it could not be said that a state of war now existed. Mr. Atherley Jones moved that an address should be presented to the Queen praying her to appoint a Royal Commission to inquire into the administration of justice under the Judi- cature Acts, with a view to secure greater efficiency and economy. He contended that the administration of justice in this country was neither expeditious nor economical. ft was, with the exception of the French system, the most extravagant in the world, and there was no parallel in the civilised world for the Long Vacation. The greatest scandal, per- haps, was the present circuit system. Mr. Warr seconded the motion. The Attorney General; in reply, said he entirely concurred with the mover of the reso- lution as to the necessity for improvements, but he was of opinion that a Royal Commission was about the worst body to which the subject could be remitted, not only because the effect would be to hold up the question for years, but because, so far as the administration of the law was concerned, he did not think any practical results had come from Royal Com- missions in the past. To make the jurisdiction of the county courts coextensive with that of the superior courts would be to put an end to the practical utility of the county courts. He admitted that at times there must be a waste of judicial strength in connection with the cir- cuit syctem, but the fact was that the system was ingrained, and he thought, ought to be maintained in connection with our system in judicature. Lancashire was benefiting largely from the existence of the system, for under it the judges went there more frequently than to other parts of the kingdom, while at the same time causes were tried by High Court judges with a direct appeal to the Court of Appeal, and he could not but think that by a possible development of that system they might be likely to satisfy bhe demands of other commer- cial centres. Mr. Atherly Jones subsequently expressed himself satisfied with the tone of the discus- sion, and withdrew his motion. Mr. Lloyd Morgan then called attention to the serious effects of the long period of agri- cultural depression so far as it affected peasant freeholders in Wales, and moved a resolution in favour of the granting of State loans at a low rate of interest to sach of the peasant and small occupying freeholders of Wales as purchased their own holdings with money borrowed on the security of their land to enabie them to redeem existing mortgages in respecb 0: which a higher rate of interest was payable than such freeholders were able to pay in the present state of agriculture. Mr. Rees Da "ies seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr. Milbank, Mr. Vaughan Davies, Mr. Bryn Roberts, General Laurie, Mr. Thomas Ellis, Mr Ellis Griffith, Major Wyndham Quin, and Mr. Herbert Roberts, Mr. Tuaor Howell being the only one of the Welsh m-mbers who spoke and voted against the resolution. Ir. Loi g, on of the Government, asked the House to reject the motion, not because they had no sympathy with those who moved it or those whose interests were con- cerned, but because it would be impossible to limit the operation of the principle to Wales, and its general adoption would entail a gigan- tic liability upon the State. After some debate, in which the motion was supported by Conservative members, a division was taken, when the resolution was defeated by 102 votes to 43. The House was afterwards counted out.

L LANRWST. PETTY SESSIONS. MONDAY.—Before Col. Johnson (in the chair), and Dr. Evans. TRANSFER. On the application of Mr. J. Herbert Jones, the licenses of the Coach and Horses Inn, Wat- ling Street, was transferred from Mr. George Jones to Mr. Thomas Jones, George Street. DAMAGING BRIDGE NEAR PENMACHNO. I Mr. R. B. Adams, Surveyor, summond John Roberts, Rees Griffith, John Griffith, David Jones, T. Owen Edwards, Robert Williams and Richard Jones, all of Penmachno, for damaging a new bridge which is on the road to Penmach- no on the night of 21st November last. Mr. J. E. Humphreys appeared for J. Ro- berts Rees Griffith, and John Griffith. Mr. D. Jones appeared for John Roberts, D. Jones and R. Jones. Robert Williams was undefended. W. Morgan Jones, who was called by Mr. Adams to give evidence (and who had turned Queen's evidence), said he attended a concert at Capel Garmon on the 21st November, and was with defendants going home. David Evans, T. O. Edwards himself, damaged the bridge, by throwing stones from the bridge to the road. Cross examined by Mr. Humphreys: Rees Griffith and John Griffith did not throw stones. I was in drink that night, but am quite posi- tive that S. O. Edwards pulled down a stone. D. Jones (another Queen's evidence), admit- ted being at Capel Garmon on the night in question. The last witness and T. O. Edwards damaged the bridge. Mr. Adams having been sworn, stated that the damage caused to the bridge amounted to thirty five shillings. T. O. Edwards was fined 2s. 6d. and costs, and 5s. towards the damage. All the other cases were dismissed. DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Hannah Roberts pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk and disorderly in Scotland Street on Saturday night the 6th inst, being v, her first offence. She was fined Is. and casts.

WELSH GUARDIANS AND THE POOR LAW CONFERENCE. The Holywell Board of Guardians had under consideration at their meeting on Friday last the desirability of sending representatives to the Conference, which is to be held in London en the 9th prox. Mr. J. K. Evans proposed that the Clerk re- present the Board at the Conference, and that he be allowed £ 5 for his expenses. He thought the axpenditure of this small sum might be the means of saving them hundreds of pounds. Mr. Williams (vicar of Nannerch) said these were very hard times, and every penny was of sonseqwence to the poor ratepayers. He did not believe these conferences did any good. Mr. Evans said he and the Clerk drew up rules for out relief which were adopted at the Oswestry Conference, and which would be of great use to their officers in dealing with cases. The Rev. W. Williams: I beg your pardon. You went- Mr. Evans At my own expense. Mr. Williams: Thank you. I wish others did the same. I hope the Clerk will come back and do some good in this union. The Clerk (Mr. P. Harding Poberts) said he should like to go to London, neither would he go, unless he felt that the Board would derive some benefit from what he heard there. Mr. Williams I give you credit for this. I find you are desirous to improve matters, but you are not listened to (laughter). The proposal to send the Clerk to the Con- ference was then put and carried.

The Oxonians made two journeys to Iffley order unchanged. The Cambridge crew rowed to Baitsbite order unchanged.

WREXHAM. I SERIOUS CHARGES OF EMBEZZLEMENT. AT the Wrexham Borough Court, on Friday the 19th inst., Dr. Palin presiding, John Taylor, Talbot Road, Wrexham, secretary to a number of societies, including the She- pherd's Lodge at Wrexham, the Football Association of Wales, and the Wrexham Re- form Club, was charged on remand with having forged a signature to a cheque of £200. Mr. J. Hopley Pierce, in applying for a remand till Friday, said the prosecu- tion was as yet unable to formulate all the charges against the prisoner. The books of the Shepherd's Lodge were in the hands of an auditor, and until a report was comple- ted they had no opportunity of knowing how they stood. In addition to the charge of forgery, he (Mr. Pierce) had served notices upon the clerk and upon Mr. Edisbury (pri- soner's solicitor) to the effect that they charged prisoner with embezzling the sum of E70. Mr. Pierce was about to go into details of the fresh charge when the Clerk (Mr. Allington Hughes) suggested that enough had been proved to obtain a further remand. Mr. Pierce said he would defer the explanation of the alleged embezzle- ment, and a remand was granted till this (Friday) morning, at ten o'clock. At the same Court, John Nicklin was charged by James Kent Morris, manager in Wrexham for the Anglo American Oil Com- pany, with having embezzled various sums^ of money, amounting to Cl 19s. 6d., and also with falsifying certain accounts, the proper- ty of the company. Mr. Wynne Evans, who appeared for the prosecution, said the prisoner was formerly a carter and driver in the employ of the Anglo American Oil Company. He was in the habit of taking out a quantity of oil in a reservoir, and selling it to customers. It was the practice to hand over to the custo- mers an invoice, which was also a receipt, for the amount of money paid for the oil. The receipt was duplicated by a carbon sheet, and the system of fraud with which they charged the prisoner was that instead of making the duplicates a copy of the re- ceipt, he had put on the duplicates a differ- ent amount. James Kent Morris having given evidence in support, Mr. Wynne Evans asked for a remand till Monday, when he would able to get more fully into the case. The application was granted, and the pri- soner was remanded in custody. At the Court on Monday, John Nicklin was again charged with having, on the 10th April last, and on other dates, embezzled various sumsofjnoney amounting to 91 10s. 6d., the property of the Anglo-American Oil Company, and also with falsifying accounts. Mr. Wynn Evans, for the procecution, said prisoner had been in the employ of the oil com- pany. He used to take out oil in large tanks and supply customers. Upon receiving pay- ment therefor prisoner gave a receipt which was duplicated by means of a carbon sheet. Instead of making a proper duplicate of the receipt prisoner had, in eleven cases, made the duplicate show the amount to be less than the receipt. Witnesses gave evidence in support, and the prosecutien offered to withdraw the second charge if prisoner would plead guilty to embez- zlement. Prisoner accordingly pleaded guilty to the first charge, and was fined £5 and costs, or a month in default. Prisoner I'll take the month.

EAST HALKYN MINING COMPANY, LIMITED The half yearly general meeting of the East ¡ Halkyn Mining Co., Limited, was held at the Queen's Hotel, Chester, on Saturday, Mr. Joseph Glover, the Chairman (Liverpool) pre- siding. The directors in their report for the half year said they regretted to announce a loss of 954. 9s. 8d, on the half-year's work, which, with the sum of £ 135. 11. Id. written off as depreciation in plant, &c., increased the log, to a total of 9190. 10s. 9d. The accounts did not enable them to recommend the payment of another dividend for 1896. They wished to draw attention to the fact that an interim divi- dend of 5 per cent was paid in August last, making altogether a dividend of 10 per cent per annum in respect of the year 1896. During the past half year they had had to contend with the drought, which lasted for six weeks, thereby interfering with the working of the mine, and on account of the greater depth at which the mine was now being worked, the cost of hauling and winding the ore had been heavier. The directors had arranged with the Halkyn Mining Company to drive their lower or drainage level up to and through the boundary of the East Halkyn land. That they anticipated would be so far completed by May next as to enable them to work the mine with greater facilities and enable he ore to be won at much less cost and with profit to the shareholders. Mr. Goodman Ellis (engineer), in his report, said since his last report little had been done in developing the mine. They had discovered very good lead on the bottom level, and in his opinion it was the best yet discovered is the mine. Unfortunately, however, they could not follow the lead on accounts of the water. Al- though the latter was so smail in volume as to be hardly worth mentioning, it would be diffi- cult to get it away until the level from the Halkyn Mine had opened communication with their sump. On the Halkyn Mining Company completing the driving, he had no hesitation i» saying that the Company would have a splendid mine, and the work would be done cheaply by motive power instead of hand power, as in the past. The reports were adopted. The retiring directors, Messrs. JosepbGlover and W. M. Roberts, were reelected.

R H Y L. PETTY SESSIONS. Tuesday, before Messrs W. W. Wynne (in the chair); W. Elwy Williams, J. T. Strachan, W. J. P. Storey, John Foulkes, and Abel Jones. THE FESTIVAL OF ST. DAVID. Extension of time was granted to Mr. Wil- liams, Alexandra Hotel; Mr. Gibson, Royal Hotel; and Mr. Hay, George Hotel, on .the occasion of the dinners to be held in each of the hostelries in celebration of the anniversary of St. David. OCCASIONAL LICENSE FOR A BALL. Mr. John McGregor applied for an occasion- al license to supply refreshments at the Rhudd- lan Cricket Club Ball, to be held in the Pavil- ion, on the 24th inst. The chairman observed that it was stated that some disorder prevailed at the Pavilion on the occassion of the Masquerade Ball, the previous week. He would like to ask Inspec- tor Williams if he had heard of anything. The Inspector said he visited the Pavilion at nine o'clock and twelve o'clock on the night in question, and saw nothing wrong. Sergeant McWalter was on duty there that night, but he had not reported anything to him. Sergant McWalter was called, and he said the bar was closed punctually at three o'clock in the morning on the occassion of the Mas. querade Ball, and the lights were turned out at four o'clock, but were relit to enable the con- tractor to pack. He saw no unruly conduct, but there was some disagreement between the Pier Master smd some of the party. Mr. McGregor's application was granted, the chairman remarking that the Bench wished to caution him not to sell anything after three o'clock, the hour named in his license. They also desired that Inspector Williams should satisfy himself that no disorder occurred on these occasions. The Inspector said there were always officers on duty when public balls were held. SCHOOL CASES. Edward Jones, 2 Warren Road, was fined 4s. including costs, in each case for neglecting to send two of his children to school, as proved by Mr. William Parry, school attendance officer. Edward Davies, 7, Morfa Bach, for a similar offence, proved by the same officer, was fined 58. GROSS MISCONDUCT. Anne Jones, a woman of loose habits, resi- ding in Victoria Road, pleaded guilty to a charge brought against her by P. C. Edward Parry, of committing an indecent act in Prince's Street, on the previous night, and was sent to prison for seven days. AN ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO DEFRAUD THE RAILWAY COMPANY. Hugh Jones, Albert Street, Rhyl, was sum- moned at the instance of the London and North Western Railway Company, for travel- ling in a railway train from Old Colwyn to Rhyl, without previously paying his fare, with intent to defraud, on the 3rd inst. Mr. Fenna prosecuted, and Mr. R. Bromley defended. Mr. Fenna in opening the case admitted that the essence of an offence of this sort was the intent. Of course they could not enter into the man's mind, and they must judge his inten- tion from his words and actions. The defen- dant on the day in question booked from Col- wyn Bay to Old Colwyn, and travelled from Colwyn Bay to Rhyl by bhe train arriving at that station at 12.4 noon. He might have intended to get out at Old Colwyn, and did not do so. But in that case he could have put himself in order by paying the difference at Rhyl. But when he arrived at that station he got out of the train, and instead of going out by the usual way, he went into the urinal, and then crossed the line in front of the engine passed under the bridge and went into the Goods Yard. The attention of a ticket collec- tor was called to his movements, and he was followed, but could not be seen anywhere in the yard. The same evening he was seen on the platform again, and the lavatory attendant pointed him out to the ticket collector as the man who had got out of the train and went to the Goods Yard in the morning. The ticket collector asked him if he had come from Col- wyn Bay that morning, and he replied that he had not, but afterwards said he had. On that the stationmaster asked for his ticket, and defendant provided a ticket from Colwyn Bay to Old Colwyn, and offered to pay the differ- ence in fare. The stationmaster, however, declined to accept payment then. Evidence was given in support of the advoca- te's statement by Thomas John Hughes, a rail- way employed in the permanent way depart- ment at Bangor, who had travelled by the same train as defendant; John Parry Edwards; lavatory attendant at Rhyl; John Davies, ticket collector, and William Bromley Allen, stationmaster, RhyI. The last witness in cross examination said defendant told him when questioned about his ticket, that he wanted to go to see about a truck of bricks in the goods yard, and forgot all about his ticket. And in the evening, when on the platform, he saw a man he wished to see, and forgot to hand in his ticket and the excess fare. Mr. Bromley submitted that there was no case for him to answer. But if their worships thought there was, he would have to address them at some length for the defence. After a consultation with the other magis- trates, the chairman said the Bench thought the Railway Company were perfectly justified in instituting this charge as there was con- siderable suspicion about it, but they did not think there was sufficient evidence to convict, therefore the charge would be dismissed. DANGEROUS FREAK OF A DRUNKEN MAN. John Williams, Sisson Street, was charged by Mr. Allen, Stationmaster, Rhyl, with tress- passing on the line to the danger of his life. Mr. Fenna, who appeared for the prosecu- tion, said the defendant got on to the line at Tynewydd crossing on Thursday, the 18th inst. and when requested by the crossing keeper to get off he refused, saying he could look after him- self. Shortly after, the gatekeeper, Mrs. Anne Thomas, wife of a platelayer, saw the man lying on the down line. There was a goods train on the line at the time, and was even in sight. Mrs. Thomas and her son, went up to defendant, and rolled him off the metals to a place of safety, and the goods train passed over the spoc three minutes later. The guard of bhe goods train, saw defendant, and threw a note down at the Rhyl station, and Mr. Allen went up the line, and saw defendant there, and reported the case. Mrs. Thomas having given evidence, defen- dant admitted his guilt, and regretted the occurrence. He had been up for the two nights previous, and on Thursday went to the Plough- ing match. He got some drink there which overcame him, and he did not remember what happened. A fine of 10s. with 7s. 6d. costs was inflic- ted.

THE PENRHYN DISPUTE. ALL hope of reopening negotiations between Lord Penrhyn and his men has not yet been abandoned. During the latter end of last week, communications again passed between the Board of Trade and the men, and, uaofficially, between the Department and the management, with a view to getting over the existing dead- lock. On Thursday, Messrs. D. R. Daniel, or- ganising secretary of the union, Mr. H. Wil- liams, chairman of the Relief Committee, and Mr. Brymer, secretery to the committee, were summoned to London, and on Friday had an interview with the officials of the Board of Trade. The meeting was private, but it has transpired that, with a view of putting an end to the present situation, it was strongly repre- sented to the men that they might give practi- cal effect to the pacific spirit of the resolutions they have already passed by asking Lord Pen- rhyn to receive a deputation of the men to dis- cuss the situation. To this course, however, the men's representatives were disinclined, contending that while they were quite pre- pared to meet any overtures from Lord Pen- rhyn or to acquiesce in any arrangement made for such an interview by the Board of Trade, they could hardly, in view of what had already transpired, be expected to go beyond this. Mr. Young, chief manager of the quarries, was also summoned to London on Friday, but the precise nature of his mission has not been made public. It is, however, alleged, on what appears to be good authority, that neither Lord Penrhyn nor Mr. Young would-be disin- clined to meet the men if the meeting could be arranged under conditions which would not necessitate on Lord Penrhyn's part a surrender of the principle that there shall he no outside interference. Under these circumstances, it need not bo surprising if within a compara- tively short time the situation may undergo a change. An event which has just occurred is likely to induce both master and man to reconsider their present attitude of irreconcilable antagonism. Encouraged by the increasing difficulty to ob- tain roofing slatea, a syndicate of capitalists in the Midlands has just laid down, at a cost of several thousands of pounds, a quantity of new plant for the manufacture of tiles by an im- proved process. By this process it is claimed that tiles can be made a much more formidable rival to slates as a roofing material than they have been in the past. The particulars of this new enterprise have just leaked out, and have caused some apprehension among North Wales quarry proprietors. The whol e district depends so largely, almost entirely, upon the slate tracte, that any serious attempt to replace slate by any other material can hardly fail to cause some amount of disquietude.