The North Wales Times

ST^ASAPIL BOARD OF GUARDIANS. COMPARATIVE PAUPERISM. FRIDAY, present,Messrs. Edwin Morgan (chair- man), John Williams (vice chairman), Joseph Roberts, Denbigh; John Lloyd (Lodge), Hen- Ilan; Rev. J. Adams, Tremeirchion; Mrs. Rawlins, Messrs. Robert Morris, W. Conwy Bell, Rhuddlan John Vaughan, Miss B. Evans, Abergele; Messrs. Thomas Ellis, Meliden; Thomas Morgan, Cwm; William Jones, Llan- nefydd; John Roberts, (Geinas), Bodfary; Jo- seph Lloyd, Cefn T. Howes Roberts, M ss Bennett, St. Asaph; Mrs. Mary Jones, Messrs. William Wynne, Rhyl Charles Grimsley (clerk). Mr. F. T. Bircham, Poor Law Inspec- tor for Wales and Monmouth was also in at- tendance. THE HOUSE. The number of paupers in the house last board was reported to be 133 admitted since, 6; discharged, 13; remaining in the house this day, sl27. Corresponding date of last year, 113; increase, 14. Vagrants relieved during the past fortnight, 87, a decrease of 37 on the number relieved during the corresponding per- iod of 1896. Gifts of papers for the use of the inmates were acknowledged from Mrs. Easterby, and Mr. Robert Jones, Probate Office. The Ladies Visiting Committee reported hav- ing visited the house, and finding everything, in order. A MAN DETERMINED TO BE AN INMATE. The Medical Officer's report book contained an entry to the effect that several able bodied men in the house would be tit for discharge in a few days The Clerk pointed out that a pauper named Williams, of Denbigh, was very reluctant to leave the house, and when discharged, found ways and means of getting in again. It tran- spired that the man was in the house then. He was ordered to leave before, and on that occasion he went to the Relieving Officer at Rhyl, and sought an order for the workhouse. The officer refused to give him one. Thereupon he went to 'aptain Keatinge, one of the over- seers of the poor in Rhyl, who gave him an order for the house. The master, when the pauper presented himself, consulted the clerk, and he bearing in mind what had transpired in the board, advised the master to refuse admis- sion on the order, and refer the man to the Relieving Officer. The Relieving Officer gave the pauper an order for the vagrants ward, and the man was taken in and discharged on the following Monday. Then he went to Denbigh, and saw the Relieving Officer there, who sent him down to the doctor. The doctor certified the man was suffering from hemorrhage, and thought an operation would be necessary and the Relieving Officer gave an orde.' to the man to go to the Infirmary. The house surgeon gave him something as a remedy, and in consequence of what he was told the Relieving Officer gave the man an order to go into the workhouse. The workhouse doctor reported that the man was suffering from a slight ailment now, but there were many men outside suffering more than what he did, and had to earn their living. It was decided to leave the matter of dis- charging the man to the doctor and the master. DENBIGH INFIRMARY AND THE DIAMOND JUBILEE. A letter was read from the chairman of the Denbigh Infirmary enclosing a resolution passed by the committee of that institution suggesting that an effort be made to wipe off the debt remaining- on the institution, as a method of celebrating the Queen's Jubilee. Mr. Joseph Lloyd asked if it was intended that they should take something from the rates for this object. The Chairman thought that that was what was meant. They did not say so in the letter, but he supposed it meant that they should in- crease their annual subscription for this year. The Clerk did not think so. He rather thought it was intended that the matter should be brought before the guardians in their indi- vidual capacity. Mr. Joseph Lloyd said there were 22 parishes in the union, and it would be a good thing for the guardians to bring the matter before their own parishes. No doubt the infirmary was of great benefit to all the parishes. Mr. Howes Roberts said that circulars had been sent to the chairmen of the different par- ish councils. Mr. Joseph Lloyd observed that it would be all right then. The parish councils would take the matter up. Mr. Wynne asked if they had power to in- crease their annual subscription. The Clerk said they had with the sanction of the Local Government Board. Mr. Wynne said he thought it would be a very proper thing for them to assist in the clearing of the debt on this excellent institu- tion, and he would propose tliac they increase their subscription this year to ten pounds or ten guineas. The Chairman remarked that the clerk thought the letter was addressed to them as in- dividuals. Mr. Wynne did not think so. It was ad- dressed to them as a board. Mr. Joseph Lloyd said it was not a right thing to propose that a portion of rates should be devoted to this purpose without notice on the agenda. Denbigh was already relieved of 9250 a year under the union chargeability, and they should not dip further into the rates to support the infirmary. Mr. Wynne gave notice that he would move the resolution at the next meeting. COMPARATIVE PAUPERISM. HEAVY OUT RELIEF IN THE UNION. Mr. Bircham said he desired to say a few words to them. He would have to report to the Local Government Board that there was a slight increase in pauperism in Wales and Mon- mouth. In North Wales, however, there was a slight decrease. In South Wales there was a depression in the tin plate industry. There was a slight decrease in agricultural Unions, but he did not see that the decrease affected St. Asaph union, the pauperism of which was four per cent of the population. Of course they took the pauperism on one particular day, but if they took the average of those who passed through the mill of pauperism say during six months it would be rather more. It would be 4-J per cent of the population He did not know that there was any particular reason why St. Asaph should stand in the 45th place of the 53 unions. There were only eight unions in the whole dis- trict with more paupers in than the St. Asaph union. He would give them a few figures. The total pauperism of Wales and Monmouth was 3.2 per cent of the population, that of St. Asaph union was 4 per cent. The total cost per head on the population for mainbenance in in-and-out relief for the whole of Wales was 3s. lld., for St Asaph, 4s. 8fd. In the whole of England and Wales the pauperism was 2.8 per cent of the population, and the cost of maintainance per head of population was 3s. 3J. In North Wales it was 3.8 per cent, and I the cost 4s. 9d, per head of the population. In the South, the rate was 3 per cent, and the cost 3s. 6d. But this rate per head Wj the whole amount spent in the pglia* not poor, but what vas simply t/he they gave for food find, el- • .uenance—what When they took into -othing for the poor. asylums, salai'iQS'V account the lunatics in P-ain.e to cqllgtw, workhouse loans., &c., it to Is. pflV .,erable more than that. It came foofl head of the population. So that for >- and clothing absolutely the poor got only 5s. out of 7s. The rest was for administration and lunatics. But that was not the total col- lected for poor rates. There were a great many things connected with the poor rates over which the guardians had no control, which came to another 5s. per head of population. That was interesting to them as they could tell People that out of 12s. they only spent 7s. ■But he had to say that when the cost of out- door relief in that union amounted to £ 8,000 a Year, it was a matter that demanded serious e-Olligideration. There was one suggestion he wv? L make, and that was the question tv. sufficient time and care was devoted to aese cases of application for relief. He was perfectly certain that a little more care and time taken in searching into what was really behind the scenes and what became of the doles they paid in out relief would show that there were a good many who ought not to get any at all, while some did not get adequate re- lief. He asked them to give careful considera- tion in this matter. He had been around many relieving officers' districts in North Wales, and they would be surprised as to how the money was spent. If guardians were made conversant with the manner in which the relief was spent they would be able to effect considerable revi sion. His suggestion to all Boar-is of Guardians was that relief districts be divided into small sections so that they should be able to go over them at. certain times every year, say twice a year, and not all on the same day For in- stance, it was utterly impossible to revise the Rhyl list in one morning. He should like a group of the rural cases and a few managabla Rhyl cases to be made to expire *on a certain day, and to be subjected to revision. He no- ticed tuey had a new relieving officer, and he thought they should be careful with him at the start, as he noticed that the information given in the book was not so perfect as it should be. They could not be too strict about that. If they did not mind trying the suggestions he had made, and make their relief at fixed per- iods, they would effect an alteration. They would find in cases where an old woman got two or three shillings a week, given by the guardians in kindness, as they thought, to keep her out of the workhouse, that the money was not spent as it should, not through any fault of the pauper, in keeping up a home for the old woman, but spent by people preying upon her from the outside. He thought the fact they had 1,390 )ut door paupers at a cost of £5,379 a year was sufficient justification for him to ask them to spend time in properly re- vising and inquiring into their list of perman en t paupers from time to time. He was sure they would take what he said as an intention of doing good, and not in a spirit of carping criti- cism (hear, hear). He had had 25 years experi- ence in this work, and was convinced that a great deal of saving could be effected in out- relief. Wales prided itself on the system of outrelief, or rather they were more partial to it than in England, and they should justify that policy by giving adequate relief to those deserving and stopping those who were a bad example (applause). The Chairman said they were much obliged to Mr; Bircham. They were always pleased to try to carry out his suggestions, and those he had made that day would have their considera- tion. Mr. Joseph Lloyd remarked that they had during the past 10 years, effected a reduction of £1,000 a year in the out relief and if Mr. Bircham visited them more frequent, they would be able to make still greater reductions (laughter). Mr. Bircham It is not a bad sign, when I do not visit you frequently (renewed laughter). The Vice-chairman said that after what they had heard from Mr. Bircham, he would give notice of motion, that he would at the next meeting, move that a special day be appointed to revise the lists of permanent paupers once or twice a year.

FLINTo CONCERT. A very successful concert in aid of the funds of the Druids' Friendly Society was held at the Town Hall on Thursday evening last week. PETTY SESSIONS. A special meeting was held at the Town Hall, on Tuesday last, before Alderman S. K. Muspratt and Mr. E. J. Hughes. ALLEGED INDECENT ASSAULT. Sarah Sheridan, a married woman, residing at Roskell Square, summoned Joseph Hughes, H oly- well Road, for having indecently assaulted her on Monday night, the 1st of March. Mr. T. W. Hughes appeared for the defence; and after a lengthy hearing, the case was dismissed for want of corroborative evidence. POOR RATE SUMMONSES. Mr. John Williams, assistant overseer, made an application to the bench to fix a special sessions to hear summonses for Poor Rate. Mr. Williams stated that the overseers had been instructed by the Local Government Board Auditor to take pro- ceedings against all person in arrear of Poor Rate; and as the books had to be closed on the 25th of March, he asked the bench to fix some day prior to that date. The magistrates granted the appli- cation, and fixed the meeting for Monday, the 22nd inst. TOWN COUNCIL. A meeting of the Town Council was held on Tuesday evening, when the Mayor (Alderman S. K. Muspratt), presided. MAIN ROADS DISPUTE. After the minutes had been read and confirmed, Mr. Henry Taylor, Town Clerk, said that all the papers relating to the above dispute had been for- warded to the Local Government Board, both by the Town Council and the County Council, and they now awaited the appointment of an arbitra- tor. TRAIN SERVICE. Mr. Taylor read some correspondence which had passed between himself and the Railway Company and the Postmaster General with refe- rence to the stoppage of 10 6 p. m. up mail train from Rhyl at Flint, and was now awaiting a final reply from the Postmaster General. HIGHWAY COMMITTEE. Alderman T. W. Hughes, chairman of the above committee, moved the adoption of the re- port. This was seconded by Mr. Shem Dayies, and carried unanimously. HEALTH COMMITTEE REPORT. THE ALMS HOUSES. The adoption of the above report was moved by Alderman Dyson. In doing so he referred to the fact that the Town Clerk had given bis opinion that the Alms Houses were the property of the parish, and were vested in the Town Council as the Parish Council; and it was recommended that the council should direct the Town Clerk to com- municate with the Rector and Churchwardens as to their transfer to the council. r. A. B. Lloyd seconded and after some further discussion, with reference to the Alms Houses, in which Alderman J. L. Muspratt and Councillor Harrison took part, the report was adopted unanimously. COMMEMORATION OF THE QUEEN'S REIGN. Alderman Dyson proposed, and Mr. E. J. Hughes seconded, a resolution asking the Mayor to convene a town's meeting for the purpose of considering what steps should be taken to com- memorate the queen's reign. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE COMMITTEE. 1 The report of the. above edtoniit!^ vas adopted SSTfcflPlfBS** It was Stated Councillor R..Jones being a sc.»oolmas wag disqualified to act on this com- mi*,oee and on the proposition of Mr. Parry, seconded by Mr. Shem Davies, Mr. J ones was ap- pointed on the Watch and finance Committee. WATCH AND FINANCE COMMITTEE. Alderman Joseph Hall moved the adoption of this report, which was carried unanimously. OVERSEERS. Messrs. 0. W. Jones John Lloyd, Thomas Hughes, and W. Lloyd, were re-elected overseers for the Parish of Ffiint, and Messrs. John Kendrick and Jesse Winter for the Parish of Coleshill Fawr. Mr. Shem Davies asked what were the duties of overseers ? The Town Clerk said that was rather a large question, and the full reply would be found in thebooks(laughter), he said, however, that some of their principal duti s were to see to the making and collection of the rates, to pay all calls made upon them by the Guardians of the PHOTOGRAPHS, Now is the time to have our Photograph taken. Moderate Charges Clubs, Schools, Parties, &c., by appointment. D, & A. HUGHES, Photographers, Mold. Union, and to see that the Tssistant ovcrseers did his dutyA in respect of the Registration of Voters, and othermatters. Alderman J. L Muspmtt said, that as a guardian he was in a position to bear testimony to the excellent manner in which the overseers had performed their work during the past year. There was not one penny of arrears due on the Union calls from the Parish of Fflint. BOROUGH AUDITORS. The Town Clerk announced that Messrs. Thomas Burgess and M. S. oges had been duly elected as auditors tor the borough. INDIA FAMINE FUND. The mayor said he desired to convey his thanks to all those persons who had assisted the above fund, and also to the various denomina- tions for having made collections towards it in their various places of worship. ALTERATIONS. An application for making some alterations in respect of property in Feather Street, by Mr John Fox, Castle Hill Brewery, was referred to a small committee, with powers to act. CONGRATULATING THE HIGH SHERIFF Alderman Joseph Hall proposed, and Mr. E, T. Hughes seconded, a resolution congratula- ting, Alderman J L Muspratt upon hi-appoint- ment as, High Sheriff of the county. It was carried unanimously. Aldermar Muspratt said he appreciated very much the kind feehngs which the council had manifested towards him. FLINTSHIRE MONTHLY MEETING. THE above meeting was held at Caersalem church on Tuesday last The Rev. R. E. Morris, M.A., Wrexham, presiding. After an address from the retiring presi- dent (Mr. R. Williams, Mold), a hearty vote of thanks was accorded him for his conduct in the chair during his term of office. Special reference was made to the death of the Rev. Josiah Jones, late pastor of the church, and the highest testimony was borne by many to his excellent qualities as prea- cher, pastor, and friend, and a vote of con- dolence with the family was unanimously passed. A letter of transfer was granted Mr. W. E. Williams, Carmel, to the Vale of Clwyd monthly meeting, he having accepted a call to Tremeirchion, and the Rev. H. Hughes, Buckley, and, Mr. Evan Bryan, Holywell, were appointed to represent the Flintshire Presbytery, at the induction meeting. Messrs. Thomas Jones, John Roberts, and Thomas Burgess, gave an encouraging re- port of the state of the cause at Flint. The Rev. O. B. Jones, Hanley, read a very able and interesting paper on the Subjects of Baptism and a lively discussion fol- lowed. At the afternoon meeting, the minutes were, taken as read. Thfe next monthly meeting it was an- nounced would be held at Ponkey on the 29th and 30th inst., the conference to be held on Tuesday. The Rev. J. Mostyn Jones, and Mr. John Roberts, Flint, were elected delegates to the general assembly. The Revs. T. Roberts, Chester, and O. B. Jones, Hanley, together with Messrs. O. W. Ellis, Trelogan, and Owen Wynne, Cilcain, were elected as delegates to the quarterly association. Mr. J. K. Evans, Greenfield, was elected treasurer, and the Rev. R. H. Thomas, Ffyn- nongroew, secretary to the English causes fund. Mr. Jenkins, Johnstown, was elected trea- surer., and the Rev. J. Thomas, Acrefair, secretary to the Auxiliary Fund. A resolution protesting against the Edu- cation Bill was moved by Mr. E. Hooson, J.P., Rhos, and carried unanimously. Mr. Hooson pointed out that as far as North Wales was concerned, the accounts of the schools shewed that there was a bal- ance in hand in the county of Carnarvon of £ 250; Flintshire, £ 150; Merioneth, £80, and a deficiency in Denbighshire of £ 450; Anglesea, £60, and Montgomeryshire, £ 360, making a net deficiency for the whole of North Wales, of only 2390; but to meet this deficiency, the government proposed to give away £ 9,000; he thought this was, ap^rt from the principle involved, an unwarranted piece of extravagance. Copies of the resolution were ordered to be sent to Mr. Balfour, Sir John Gorst and the Borough and County members. The Rev. E. Jerman then delivered a short and telling address on behalf of the English Causes rund. The Rev. Evan Jones, Adwy, submitted the report of the Total Abstinence Committee, which was adopted unanimously, as was also the report of the Finance Committee sub- mitted by Mr. John Davies, Llangollen. Mr. E. Hooson announced that the County Examination Committee would meet in con- nection with the next monthly meeting. A vote of condolence with the family of the late Rev, T. P. Jonas, Liverpool, was unanimously passed. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the friends at Caersalem for their hospitality in entertaining the meeting. Preaching was commenced on Tuesday night, and continued all day on Wednesday, the Revs. R. E. Morris, M.A., Robert Hughes, D. M. Davies, Bryneglwys; J. Smallwood, and John Williams, Princes Road, Liver- pool, officiating, the attendances at the ser- vices were very good and the sermons powerful and impressive.

BALA. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. THE ordinary meeting was held on Friday last, when there were present Mr. D. Jones, J P. (chairman), Mr. R. LI. Jones (vice chairman), Messrs. R. W. Roberts,:J. W. Robprts, J. LI Ll. Owen, G. Rees, J. Vaughan, Evan Jones, Edward Jones, D. W. Jones, and T. R. Dakin (assistant clerk). The Collector bad paid into the Treasure's hands during the month, £55. There was a ba- lance due to the Treasurer that day of £101 15s. 9d. ESTIMATE. The estimate for the ensuing vear was submit- ted. The repair of highways (other roads), sewe- rage, street improvements, lighting, and manage- ment expenses amounted to 9294 10s. The general district rate calculated at Is. 6d. in I the £ would amount to E,)07 2s.; rent of property, L37 Us.— making the total "mount of receipts f434 13s. Deducting the expenditure as above from the receipts would leave a balance of E140 3s. The water rate was estimated to amount to E292 I6s., and the expenditure on water rate account (including repayments of principal and interest management and repairs), amounted to £ 230. This left a balance of £ 62 16s. on water rate account. The combined balances of general dis- trict rate and water rate accounts amounted to 9202 19s.. estimated to be the balance in hand on the 31st March, 1S98. RATE FOR 1897. Mr. R. Ll. Jones proposed that the general district rate be Is. 6d. in the £ for the ensuing year. In making this proposal, Mr. Jones said that he had heard that an amendment was about to be proposed to lower the rate. In a town like this he considered the rate was very low, and plenty of work could be found on which to expend the money with advantage. Besides this, it was a difficult matter, when the rate was once lowe- red, to afterwards increase it. The improvements in High Street alone required a large sum of money. Mr. Vaughan seconded. Mr. R. W. Roberts proposed that the rate should be Is. 5Jd. in the f. His contention was 2 that there was an ample balance in hand to justify this, and that instead of levying a rate towards the Public Library, the I d. in the £ remaining 2 would be sufficient for that purpose. The amendment, however, was not seconded. The motion proposed by Mr. R. Ll. Jones was then put up and carried. PUBLIC LIBRARY. Mr. R. LI. Jones enquired wether Mr. Thos. E. Ellis, M.P., had replied to the communication sent him on this matter. The clerk replied that he had not, although he had written him twice on the subject. A letter was read from Col. Evans Lloyd ad- hereing to his promise to subscribe 95 annually for five years conditionally, upon the Act being put into operation by levying the rate thereunder, &c. A vote of thanks was accorded him. The Library Committee then submitted a form of letter to be sent out inviting subscriptions. The letter was to the following effect The Council having adopted the Public Libra- ries Acts, have determined to start a Free Circu- lating Library, and beg to appeal to all friends of the movement for subscriptions towards the same. Col. Evans Lloyd, Moelgarnedd, has generously promised to subscribe £ 5 annually for five years. The Council hope that the support received will justify them in extending their un- dertaking, so as to start a reading room in the near future.' Upon the motion of Mr. R. W. Roberts, secon- ded by Mr. J. W. Roberts, the report was adop- ted. REMOVAL OF BALA JUNCTION. The Committee appointed to consider the best I means of dealing with this question reported that all the various public bodies to whom commu- nications had been sent, urging upon them the desirability of co-operating with the Council in petitioning the Great Western Railway Company to remove Bala Junction, having answered expres sing their willingness to co operate, the Commit- tee suggested that the following circular letter should be sent to each of the directors of the com- pany, and to others as decided before :— 'The Junction is felt to be a very great incon- venience by all, without exception, who have occasion to travel on these 1ine; and the Council are most anxions for the sake of the town especi- ally, and the public at large generally, that the Great Western Railway Company can see their way to do away with this Junction, and run all the trains direct to BR' I ,a. It was resolved, upon the motion of Mr. Evan Jones, seconded by Mr. W, D. Jones, that the report be adopted. The same committee wa.s requested to confer with the clerk as to other minor matters connected therewith. APPOINTMENT OF SCHOOL MANAGERS- It was proposed by Mr. D. W. Jones, seconded by Mr. J. L) Owen5 That Messrs. Roger Hughes and J. Parry, be appointed representatives on the Local Governing Body of the Bala County, School. MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH'S I REPORT, f The following is an abstract of the report for the year ending December, 1896 :-— For 1896, the number or hirthu was 38, Rate per 1,000, 23'42, as compared with 37 births, or a rate per 1,000 of 22'81, in 1895. The number of deaths last year was "4. Rate per 1,000, 20 96, as compared. with 38, or a rate per thousand of 23'42, in the previous year. About foity cases of t fever were notified during the year, all of which were of a mild typa, none proving fatal. Evo-y precaution was taken, iacluding the closing of sehqfQs. There was also one ca;-e of erysipelas notified, which likewise was a mild case. There have been several nnTÇ" honses erected -during the year, special attention being paid to the sanitary arrangements. A few houses have been reported during the year and they have been put right. The drainage system is in good. order, aismtec- tants and flushing having been carried on for many months on account of the scarlet fever out break. A new drain has been made over the whole length of High Street, which will be the means of removing the pools of rain-water that was such a nuisance to :oot passengers. I also be- lieve that new parapets are to be constructed in course of time, which will also add greatly to the appearance of the main street, as well as the com- ort of the inhabitants The water supply is abundant, and the quality excellent. The water-pipes have been cleaned, and there is no fear of there being any scarcity of good water. The slaughter-houses are kept clear, being white washed periodically, and no matter allowed to stand and get putrid. The privies are kept cleaner Ithan they have been for years. Several have been done away with, and new ones erected. Pigstyes are also kept as clean as practicable. The inspector is also careful not to allow any dung heaps to stand in corners and decompose. The ashes are collected twice a week, by a cart, and taken some distance from town. I hope the Council will not be satisfied until the improvements in High Street have been com- pleted.' BOARD OF GUARDIANS. SATURDAY LAST. Present Mr. Evan Jones (chairman), Messrs. J. M. Jones, Thos. Jones, Daniel Roberts, Evan Evans, Robert Jones, J. Thomas, T. Davies, Mrs. Parry, Miss Parry, J. R. Jones, clerk, T. R. Dakin assistant clerk. The balance in the Treasurer's hands was re- ported to be e79 3s. 2d. The balance in relieving officer's bands wns f5 7s. During the fortnight, 938 5s. 6d., had been expended in relieving 176 out door paupers, as against 941 Ss. 6d. to 187 last year. THE HOUSE. The master reported that the number of inmates in the Workhouse last week was 37, as compared with 24 last year. 34 vagrants had been relieved during the fortnight, being a decrease of three on the same period last year. Sir H. B. Robertson had presented tree plants for planting on part of the Green, along side the road to the house and a vote of thanks was ac- corded him, as well as to Mr. Thomas Jones for gratuitous cartage of same. On the 29th February, a tramp, called John Power, suffering from bad eyes, was admitted, and is still in the house. On the 27th February, Morris Hughes, slater, was admitted, suffering from bad feet. VISITORS. Visited the house, and found everything, as usual, clean and orderly.J. Thomas, T. Davies March 6th, 1S97.' 5 ASSISTANCE FOR MATRON. Mrs. Parry brought forward her motion, as to obtaining help for the matron. She would like to have a person who would sleep in the same room as the old women who were ill and bed-ridden. There were in the house now many bad cases, which required nursing. It was too much to expect Mrs. Roberts to do all, Mr. J. Thomas seconded. In supporting, Miss Parry said there were cases which required continual attendance, which could not be reasonably expected of Mrs. Roberts. It was passed that a servant be engaged. After further discussion, the matter, as to the persons to be appointed, the terms and salary was adjour- ned to the next meeting.

THE POACHING AFFRAY ON THE CORRIS RIVER. The charge of infliciting grievous bodily harm upen James Griffin, river keeper, and Edward Parry, gamekeeper, preferred against Edward O. Hughes, John Williams, David Jones, Rowland Whittington, William Pugh, David Owen, David Jenes and John Jones, quarrymen, living in the neighbourhood of Towyn, came before the Towyn Bench last Friday. This was the third hearing, and great interest was taken in the proceedings. In the first case two of the men were fined ;E5 each for poaching. On the occasion of the second hear- ing the keepers were charged with shooting the men. The keepers were committed to the quarter sessions. The present hearing con- cerned the complaint of -the keepers against the men. The following gentlemen were present on the Bench:—Captain Beadnell, Messrs. R. C. Anwyl, H. Davies, M. Lewis, J. Robinson, Haydn Jones, and Meyrick Roberts. Mr. Martin Woosnam (Newtown) appeared for the keepers, and Mr. A. J. Hughes (Aberystwyth) for the defendants. James Griffin was the first witness called. His story was that on the 11th of January he was aroused by Parry, who accompanied him up the side of the river Dula.s. Here they found nine men carrying a lighted torch and huge spears. Their faces were blackened, and they were peering into the Crooks looking for fish in the pools. The keepers here divided, Parry crossing the river to take the men on the bank, and Griffin following along the road which skirted the river. Crossing a field, Griffin caught the men up, and called upon them. They turned round in a body, and called upon him to stand back. He refused to do so, and went towards them. The men lifted their weapons and came forward in a threatening attitude. Griffin then produced his warrant, and the men retreated up the river side. He followed them and attempted to take a spear from John Williams, and in doing so he received a blow from an unlit torch on the side of the head. Turning round, he struck his assailant to the ground. He then made an effort to get hold of a sack carried by one of the men, but was struck by a lighted torch, and Whittington called out that if he crossed the fence they would kill him. He eventually crossed the fence, and shouted to Parry, the other keeper, to come. to his assistance, and, proceeding to- gether, they got to the men in the next field. Here a very severe struggle took place, and he was assulted on all sides. Williams, one of the defendants, struck him a violent blow on the forehead, and he was rendered insensible, and remembered nothing more until he found him- self in bed. He identified two of the men, Whittington and Williams, and now was able to recognise the rest of the defendants. He had since the affray been under the hands of Dr Davies, of Machynlleth. In cross-examination, the witness said that he was not asked the question at the previous hearings as to the production of his warrant, neither did he remember his advocate admit- ting that no mention was made of the warrant. Mr. Woosnam interposed, and said that he did mention that the warrant was produced, and he intended calling the clerk to prove it. The witness admitJed that this was the first occasion upon which he had said anything about his warrant. The men were on their way home when he followed them, and he denied that they called upon him to leave them alone. Edward Parry, gamekeeper, said that he called Griffin up that night, and they went in search of the poachers. Parry was struck to the ground, he got out of the scuffle, and sar Griffin lying on the ground with the nine rr around him striking him with spears and str 'eR Griffin shouted, For Ged's sake, T ves" they are killing me.' The witness caP For God's sake don't kill the man, o- v, „ The men ran away, leaving Gnffln t • where he w«to™d 1^ ned to his home. Hewasjn a dazed conditioIU and his face was burnt, ana £ here I g wounds on the head- xbid witness was the one committed at the ^ond hearing on the charge of shooting tne nine men but be protes- ted that he knew n Jthing about the men having been shot until a éw davs afterwards. Frank Sha^ ender keeper, in eross-'exatK/ina- tion, adpx^d %bat Parry fired four shots, two in the air and two in the direction of the men? but ha did not uear until afterwards that the men were sliot. & TJ*e ^e]nc}1 committed the nine men to take their trial at the quarter sessions.

Mr. John Dunns and Mr. G. G. Kirklinton SrcS"rfaOd!PU'TLi0Utena*t8 °f ¡ of A cyclist who has been touring along the Riviera complains of the universal scourge of dogs. Personally, he found that the best and only absolutely saie method of keeping a do? off oneself was to bring a dog of one's own.