The North Wales Times

COLWYN BAY. THE ALLEGED MANSLAUGHTER AT LLANELIAN. THE PRISONER BEFORE THE MAGISTRATES. ON Monday, Mary Ellen Hughes, wife of Robert Hu hes, Pen'rallt, Llanelian, the woman against wJllnn a verdict- of man daughter was returned on the previous Monday, at Llandudno, under circumstances already reported in these columns, Win; brought up on ] emand at a special police court, at Colwyn Bay. The rm Jstrates on the bench were Messrs A. O. Walker. G. T. Osborn, Thomas Parry. John Porter, and Dr. Venables Williams. There were also in attendance, in addition to Inspector Roberts, of Abergele, who is nominally the prosecutor, Superintendefit Jones, Denbigh, and Superintendent Rowlands (of the Carnarvonshire Police), Llandudno. Considerable inter st was manifested in the case, and the court was crowded during the hearing, and popular sympathy was freely ex- pressed with the unfortunate prisoner, who sat sobbing bitterly during the entire proceedings. Mr. E. A. Crabbe, solicitor, Abergele, prose- cuted on behalf of the police, and Mr. Amphlett, Colwyn Bay, defended the prisoner. The first witness called was Act-ng Sergeant Jones, Colwyn Bay, whose depositions were to t'le effect that he, in company with Sergeant Owen, Llandudno, proceeded on Monday morn- ing, the 1st of March, the day after the death of Annie Hughes, in the direction of prisoner's house. But on the way, they met prisoner and her husband. Sergeant Owen informed them that their little girl was dead: and the prisoner, who was crying, 'Oh! my child; Oh my child,' said she was aware of the death, as she had been to Llandudno on Sunday night. Afterwards, she said, I will explain all.' Last Saturday week, she went on to say, her husband came home drunk, and commenced to abuse her; and she shewed the bruises on her shins, and her eyes were black. In consequence of her hus- band's ill treatment, she picked up a stone that one of the children had brought in during the day; but the little girl, Annie, stepped between them, saying, 'Don't, daddy,' and was struck on the head with the stone. Prisoner further told him that she would not hurt a hair of the girl's head; and added she had kept the stone, in case anything came of it. Later on in the morning, witness accompanied Inspector Roberts to the house, and picked up the stone (produced) from under the table; and at the inquest, in the afternoon, prisoner told him it was the same stone. Acting on the instructions of Inspector Roberts, he arrested prisoner after the inquest, and brought her to Colwyn Bay, and cautioned her in the usual way, charging her with having caused the death of Annie Hughes. She asked what that meant, and he said it was by hitting her with the stone. Prisoner then said, That is quite true. It was accidental, and I would not hurt a hair of her head. Hoping that my husband will give up the drink.' Cross-examined: The conversation he had with prisoner was on the morning after the child's death, and the statement was made voluntarily. He had not cautioned her. Inspector Roberts testified to being present at the inquest on the body of Annie Hughes, at Llandudno, when a verdict of manslaughter was returned against the mother—the prisoner. She asked what manslaughter meant, and he ex- plained that it was that she had cased the death of her child. She replied that she bad done it, but did not intend to do it. He also produced the statement made by prisoner at the inquest, after beinir duly cautioned by the Coroner. Abigail Roberts, wife of Jesse Roberts, la- bourer, Llanelian, said she was called into prisoner's house on the 23rd of February. Annie Hughes was then present in the house, and pri- soner said she had struck the child on the pre- vious Saturday night, when trying to hit her husband. Prisoner at that time, bore signs of illtreatment. The child's head was plastered; but she was running about, and told her herself that she had been to Colwyn Bay that morning. A stone was shewn to her, and it was like the one produced in court. By Mr. Amphlett: The child told her herself that she had been to Colwyn Bay on the Tues- day following the Saturday she was struck. From what she saw of the child then, she did not think it would be necessary to call a doctor to see her. When asked if her head was hurt- ing, the child said, It does not, Mrs. Roberts.' Prisoner was crying bitterly when relating the circumstances to witness. Dr. F. Lomax Wood, who took the oath in the Scotch manner, with up-lifted hand, said he was called to see the child on Saturday evening February 27th, a week after she had been struck! He described the result of his examination, and that he found a wound covered with plaster be- hind and slightly above the right ear. In his opinion, the child was then suffering from teta- nus, as a result of that wound. Afterwards, he told Mr. Russell of the case, who went up with him to see the child. Replying to Mr. George (the Clerk), he said there was neglect shewn in not calling a medical man in earlier; for in his opinion, all scalp wounds were important. Beyond that, he did not think there had been neglect. By Mr. Amphlett: The immediate cause of death was tetanus, and that was caused by the wound in the head. He was inclined to that opinion by the fact that the time intervening between the infliction of the wound and the ap- pearance of the symptoms corresponded with the period of incubation of tetanus bacilus. It might be possible for a slight wound on the leg to cause tetanus; but he did not be'ieve it would. He did not believe tetanus would arise from a bruise. It arose from dirt getting into open wounds. By Mr. Crabbe: The sticking plaster on the wounds would be an incentive to tetanus. Dr. Russell afeo gave medical evidence. He agieed with Dr. Wood, that it was necessary to removeJJie child to a hospital for better treat- ment and he took the girl to Lland dno in a cab, and applied chloroform on the road. He telephoned to Dr. Nicol when he got to the hos- pital, and that gentleman, together with Drs. Dalton and Bold Williams, junr., came down. Dr. Nicol performed a trephine operation, and removed three pieces of bone below the wound, and which depressed the brain. He had no reasonable doubt that tetanus, or lock jaw, fol- lowed on dirt getting into the wound; and the wound might have been caused by the stone produced. He examined the child at Llanelian, and found it suffering from tetanus due to the suparating wound on the head. By Mr. George: It was possible the child might have d:ed from exhaustion—exhaustion from the spasms of tetanus, following upon the wound, and the admission of dust into the wound. Life might have been shortened by the administration of antiseptics and the opera- tion but tetanus was the immediate cause of death. And he had treated the patient for te- tanus, by app!ying chloroform to save exhaus- tion from spasm. He was not present when the child died. He left the hospital about 4 o'clock in the morning, and the child died about seven. By Mr. Crabbe: The operation was necessary to attempt to save the life. By Mr. Amphlett: Tetanus might have fol- lowed on an old wound. That was possible in this case; but he thought from the spasms in the face and throat of the patient that it arose from the suparating wound on the head. He had seen no other wound, and had not looked for one. Mr. Crabbe asked that the case might be re- manded at this point until Saturday, so that they might subpoena Dr. Nicol, and the matron of the hospital, who was present when the death occurred. Mr. Amphlett objected; but the bench said there was no other course but to adjourn. And the prisoner was remanded until Saturday, bail being allowed.

PARISH COUNCILS. CWM. A meeting of the above Parish Council was held at the National Schoolroom on Saturday, February 27th, when there were present the chairman (Mr. John Jones), Councillor Thomas Williams, Terfyn; Wil. liam Morgan, David Davies, Wm. Davies, and Richard Jones. The minuteslof the last meeting were read and confirmed. The clerk read a letter which he had received from Mr. Kelly, clerk to the County Council, asking whether the Parish Council desired their petition to be presented to the County Council, after con- sidering the amendments done in the scale of charges for Parish Council Elections. The Council then examined the alterations in the scale, but expressed itself not satis- fied with them and on the proposition of Councillors Thomas Williams, seconded by Councillor David Davies, it was unanimously decided to petition the County Council to further reduce them. The following letter was read from the General Post Office, London :— Sir, with reference to your letter of the 12th of December, I am directed by the Postmaster General to state for the infor mation of the Cwm Parish Council, that in- structions were given in August last, for including Penisa'rwaen and Penisa'rmynydd in the official delivery of letters; but owing to some misunderstanding the extension was not carried out. I understand, how ever, that a delivery is now being made at the places in question. The question of including the other places mentioned in the official delivery has been carefully considered; but in view of the small amount of correspondence affected, and the distance of the houses from the present reute of the postmen, the Duke of Norfolk regrets that he is unable to meet the wishes of the .Council for this further extension.' Yours, &c„ L. A. MARSHALL. Councillor Wm. Davies said that he did not consider the places where they asked for delivery of letters were much out of the route of the postmen, and he proposed that they petition the postal authorities once again, and give information as to the dis- tance of the places from the road, and the time it would take the postmen to call at them. Councillor David Davies seconded, and it was carried unanimously. It was decided to adjourn t^e question of commemorating the reign of Queen Victoria till the parish meeting, in order to have the opinion of the parishioners on the matter.

CORWEN. PARISH MEETING. A large and influencial meeting of the par- ishioners of orvven was held on Friday even- ing—the Rev. H. Cernyw Williams in the chair—when a strong resolution was passe-, urging the necessity to take steps forthwith for the erection of i1. carriage bridge over the Dee by Trewyn, and earnestly pressing upon the Merioneth County Couneif to contribute a share of the expenses. LITERARY MEETING. The sixth annual meeting of the Calvinistic Methodist Sunday School union, Edeyrion dis- trict, was held on the 3rd inst. The meetings were were presided over by the Rev. W. Gri ffiths, Llangollen, In the unavoidable absence through illness of Mr. I). Emlyn Evans Mr. W. M Roberts, Wrexham acted as Musical Adjudicator, and Miss Williams, Board School, Glyndyfrdwy, presided at the piano. The prizes were awarded as follows :-Test papers, St John ix -xii:, Kate Davies, Cynwyd; Jen- nie Lloyd, Gwyddelwern. Tenor solo, • Hoif wlad fy ngenedigaeth,' W. Owen, Rhosynwst, Glyn dyf i-,i -,v% Reciting, 'Cofia'r farn a fydd,' John Richard Davies, Llandrillo, Jane Jones, Gwyddelwern, and M. Lloyd, Glanrafon Test papers, Judges i-xvi, Jane Jones Gwyddel wern M K Rees, Corwen. Duett, 'Hydfedd hi gar yn gywir,' Miss Williams, Glyndyfrdwy, and party. Translation of a hymn, Hugh Davies, Corwen. Solo soprano, 'Morwynig Aeron,' Miss Wiliiams, Board School, Llan- drillo Test papers, Judges i—xvi (advanced classes), Lloyd A. Jones, Gwyddelwern; Phillip Morris, < ynwyd. Englyn, 'Adduned,' Hugh Davies, Corwen. Juvenile Choir Competition. Y tylwyth teg,' Corwen choii, conducted by Mr. Lewis E. Rees. Playing on the piano, Jennie Jones, Board School, Dinmael. Choral Competition, 'Dyddiau dyn sydd fel glaswell- tyn, Llandrillo Choir, under the leadership of Mr. E. O. Roberts. Test papers, Ephesians i v. Miss Davies, Corwen; D. Williams, Glyndyfrdwy. Recitation, Y Ffoadur,' D. Davies, Llandrillo; J. A. Jones, Glyndyfrwy. Contralto Solo, 'Hirneth Mam,' Miss E. A. Edwards, Corwen. Essay, 'Gideon' J. D. Jones, llrndrillo, Lloyd A. Jones, Gwyddel- wern. Choral Competition, 'Y Gwenitli Gwyn,' Corwen ladies choir, conducted hy Mrs. Morris Police Station. Quartette, 'God is a Spirit,' J. E. Thomas and party, and Edward Jones and party of equal merit. Chkf Choral Com- petition, 'CWf',g fy maban, Llandrillo Choir. Chief Essay, Mr. R. Evans, Llandrillo. Solo bass, Mae Llewellyn etto'n fyw,' Humphrey Thomas, Llandrillo. Male voices competition, Daw dydd ar ol nos,' Corwen choir. The meetings were largely attended, and proved a great success.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS. Friday, March 5th.—Present, Messrs. W. E. Williams (chairman); E. Davies, Bettws; Dr. Jones, John Hughes, J. O. Pugh, J. Edmunds, R. R. Roberts, Godfrey Parry, John Jones (Glyndyfrdwy), and Miss Hughes, Corwen R. Edwards Gwyddelwern; Thomas Owen. Llan- gar; John Jones and Rev. Evan T. Davies, Llandrillo Richard Jones and John Williams, Bryntangor; David Jones, W. A. Jones and R. Hughes, Cerrygydruidion; Edward Roberts, Llansanlffraid, G. C.; William Ellis, Mrs. Cook, and David Jones, Llangollen. Rural, John Davies, Miss Edwards and Mrs. Richards, Llangollen Urban J. D. Jones, Llanfihangel Thomas Thomas, J C. Jones, and Henry Her- bert, Llangwm; D W- Roberts Llantysilio; Richard Edwards, Llanarmon, D.C., Richard Edwards, Dolywern Thomas Hughes (clerk); Dr. Walker, and Dr. Drinkwater (District Me dical Officers), E. Derbyshire and E. Foulkes (Relieving Officers); R Williams (Master). STATISTICS. Out relief administered during the past fort- night—Corwen district, per Mr. E. Derbyshire I 960 to 270 paupers; corresponding period.last year 1:59 6s, 6d.. to 268 paupers. Llangollen dis trict, per Mr. E. Foulkes, £60 Os. lod. to 261 I paupers. Number n the house 66 correspon- ding week last year, 59. Vagrants relieved during the past fortnight, 30, being a decrease of 28 on the corresponding period of last year. Balance in hands of the treasurer, £ 52 4. 4d. AGRICULTURAL RATES ACTS, 1896. The Clerk read a certificate from the Local Government Board, by which it would appear that the grant under the Agricultural Rates Act, 1896, for common fund expenses will be E721 0 6d. and for School Attendance Expenses 913 2s. lOd. APPOINTMENT OF PUBLIC VACCINATOR. One application was received for the office of Public Vaccinator for Glynceiriog and three for Llangollen district. Upon the motion of Mr. Richard Edwards (Dolywern), seconded by Mr. Thomas Hughes, Dr. J. Matthews Jones was unanimously elec- ted for Glynceiriog district. BALA COUNTY SCHOOLS. Dr. D. R. Jones was unanimously re-elected to represent the guardians as a school manager of the Bala County Schools. UWCHALED RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the U wchaled Rural District Council was held in the board room of the Guardians at Corwen on Friday the 5th inst when there were present Messrs Thomas Thomas (chairman); W. A. Jones; David Jones and R. Hughes, Cerrigydruidion, J, C. Jones and H. Herbert, Llangwm; J. D. Jones, Llanfihangel, G.M., Thomas Hughes (clerk), and J. A. Williams (surveyor). LIGHT RAILWAY. The following resolution passed by theUwch- aled Light Railway Committee was upon the motion of Mr. David Jones, seconded by Mr. H. Herbert unanimously adopted -,that a line of railway from • orwen to Bettws-y coed is greatly needed and that steps should be taken forthwith to prepare a scheme. Also that the preliminary txpenses estimated at about £ 200 be defrayed by the councils of the districts through which the proposed railway will pass.' A congratulatory letter on the same subject from Mr. Evan Jones,Groudd, Cerrigydruidion, was also read. REAPPOINTMENT t; OFFICERS. Dr. R. T. Davies was reappointed for 12 months as Medical Officer of the district and Mr. J. A Williams for the same period as In- spector of Nuisances, and Surveyor of High- ways, subject to the approval of the Local Go- vernment Board. Mr. J. A. Williams stated that he had to supervise the repair of 85 miles of highways in his district for which he was only paid £1;) per annum, and applied for a substantial increase in his salary. The application was taken into consideration until the next meeting. PAY SHEET. The Surveyor produced the pay sheet for the labourers wages for work on the roads, and a labourers wages for work on the roads, and a cheque for 920 9s. 6d. was drawn to pay the same. INFECTIOUS DISEASE. Dr. Davies wrote stating- that a case of Scar- let Fever was notified at Cablyd in the parish of Llangwm. He had visited the place and had given instructions to isolate the patient and disinfectants had been freely used about the place. He would make due inquiries as to the source of the infection and report to the next meeting. SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor's lengthy report upon the state of the roads in his district was carefully gone through. It was resolved not to take over Arddwyfaen and Hendrearddwyfaen roads. As regards Arddren Road the council are prepared to contribute £ 1 towards repair- ing the culvert provided the other repairs will be made by the farmers using the said road. The Surveyor was directed to ascertain from the farmers using Park Road, whether they would be willing to remove the soil from the road free of charge and supply stones for me- talling. If so the surveyor was directed to put two men for a fortnight to help repairing the road. With regards to Pentrellyncymmer road the council are prepared to allow one man to work on the road for 14 days provided the far- mers using the road will each send a man to assist.

May, 1896 to establish a permanent school at Abergele under Clause 43 of the scheme. I will, however, lay your protest before the next meeting of the County Governing Body.' The Chairman We have the conveyance for the site of the school here, and all ar- rangements have been completed so far. The Clerk's reply was then approved of. THE SITE OF ABERGELE SCHOOL. It was announced that the conveyance of the site of Abergele County School had been executed by Mr. Hughes, of Kinmel, and by 4jaeh member of the County Governing Body, and the difficulty raised by the Chari- ty Commissioners by virtue of the operation of the Mortmain and Charitable Uses Act, 1888, overcome. COUNTY SCHOOL PLANS. The Clerk said that the plans and speci. fications of Abergele school bad been altered according to the suggestions made by the Charity Commissioners Architect. Mr. Lumley asked whether the suggested alterations were likely to entail extra out lay ? The Clerk replied he had no information to communicate on that point. Mrs Parker Davies said that the altera- tions were suggested in connection with the ventilation of the school. A suggestion was made that the plans and specifications should be signed as amen ded and returned to the Charity Commis- sioners. Mr. Lumley asked whether the plans had been before the Local Governors, and whe ther they approved of the alterations ? The Clerk replied in the negative, saying he only received them a few days previous to the meeting. Mr. Lumley proposed that they be re- ferred to the Local Governors, and that they should report them t.o the County Governing Body Mr. Thomas Parry The County Govern ing Body have approved of them already. Mr. Lumley Not as altered. Mrs. Parker Davies deprecated any course that would cause further delay in the matter, and said that the children and teachers at Abergele were suffering a great deal of in- convenience already Mr. Lumley said it would be most irregu- lar for the County Governing Body to pass plans without first lof all submitting them for the approval of the Local Governors. He would therefore propose that the plans be referred to the Local Governors for their report. The motion was not carried. Ultimately, on the motion of Mr. Moss, seconded by Miss Gee, it was decided to pass the plans as amended subject to the appro val of the Local Governors, and the subse- quent approval of a sub committee of that body. The Chairman, Mr. Lumley, and the mayor of Ruthin were appointed to form a sub committee. THE CENTRAL WELSH BOARD. The Committee then proceeded to consi- der the report of the Finance Committee which contained several items of interest amongst others being a letter from the secre- tary of the Central Board of Education for Wales, asking the committee to pay 3 per cent for the current financial year, being the estimated amount payable by the county of Denbigh on the revenue of the County Go- verning Body. The Cle k said that since the Finance Committee met to consider the above ques- tion, a letter had been received from the Welsh Central Board specifying the sum payable as £114 Os. Id., eing the amount of contribution upon the total revenue of the County Governing Body for the year ending 3bt. March, 1996. A motion to refer the bill to the Financial Committee was lost, and it was then decided to pay it forthwith. TREASURER'S SECURITY. The Clerk having reported at the meeting of the Finance Committee that he b-id not received the Treasurer's Bond from Den bigh, he was directed to communicate with Mr. R. Foulkes-Roberts, clerk of the Den- bigh Local Governors on the subject. The reply of Mr. Foulkes Roberts was now read to the effect, that the subject had been placed on the agenda for the last meet ing, but gwas not reached, but would be brought before the next meeting of the go- vernors. RUTHIN PEOPLE' TROUBLESOME. ME. JAMES HUGHES' BILL. Some discussion took place on a bill of £ 10 15s. 6d., sent by Mr. James Hughes, architect, Den igh, for work done in con- nection with the plans of Ruthin school The matter had come before the Finance Committee, and they decided that the bill be referred to the Ruthin County School Governors as charges properly payable by them.' Mr. Ezra Roberts now moved as an amend ment to the report that the words 'as charges properly payable by them be left out, giving as his reason for the amendment, that the bill was not incurred by the Ruthin Local Governors. He did not object to re- fer the bill to the I 'cal governors, but he did object to the prejudging of the case by the use of the words mentioned. Dr. Hughes seconded. He did not think the local committee should be asked to pay the bill. A vote having been taken on the question, 5 voted for the amendment, and 5 for the report. The Chairman then proceeded to give his casting vote, when Mr. Lumley appealed to him not to do so. The c airman (who in the Ifirat instance voted against the amendment) I act on my own responsibility, and I know the whole circumstances of the case Mr. Lumley I aak you not to vote for this reason. This gentleman (Mr. James Hughes) was appointed by yourself with ut any agreement as to the carrying out of the plana, and I think it is only fair that the Local Governors should have an opportunity of investigating the matter, instead of being ordered by the County Governing Body to pay the bill blindfolded. The Chairman said it was not the case that he appointed Mr. James Hughes The name of the gentleman was approved of, and he (the chairman) was asked to see him, and make the best arrangement he could with him. That was the history of the whole case. The County Governing Body had had immense trouble with the Ruthin people all along (laughter). In fact they had more trouble with the Ruthin school than the whole of the other schools together (laughter). Mr. Lumley: Yes, you have, most unfor- tunately. Another vote was taken, when 6 voted for the amendment, and 8 for. the report. LLANGOLLEN SCHOOL BUILDING F UND. The committee also included in their re port correspondence from Llangollen in res pect to the cost of the buildings there. The schools are estimated to cost J3,300 and the Governors have to their credit XI,194, and they had promises iof voluntary donations amounting to about £400. This left a defi- ciency of about £ 1,700. The Governors bad exhausted the resources of the district, hav- ing raised £1,200 in voluntaiy subscriptions. It was imperative that the new build ngs should be proceeded with as soon as possible, and the Governors asked that the remain- der of the cost should be raised by mortgage upon the building. To this the Finance recommended the County Go- verning Body to agree, provided the local governors paid the interest on the loan. The report of the Finance Committee was then adopted, subject to the modifications agreed upon. REPORT OF SCHOLARSHIPS COMMITTEE. Mr. Powell, in moving the adoption of the above, said the committee had overlooked the question of appointing an examiner in scholarships and asked the clerk to read a reply from the authorities of Bangor college on the question. The clerk then submittee the following letter, received from Professor Lloyd, Ban- gor :— There will be formal difficulties connec ted with the college undertaking to examine officially for your county exhibitions, but the purpose you have in view would be practically met, if the County Governing Bady would appoint Principal Reichel exa- miner. He will then arrange as far as pos- sible that the papers shall be set by mem bers of, this college and the awards made by meeting the actual examiner. The charge would be one guinea for every paper set. In consideration ot the small number of candidates, no additional, charge will be made for looking over the papers and determina- tion of results. From inquiries I have made, I have reason to believe that this charge is below the average for examination of this standard.' In reply to Mr. Powell, it was stated that the number of papers sent in would not ex- ceed from 15 to 19. The appointment of Principal Reichel was agreed to. COUNTY EXHIBITIONS. The report of the scholarships committee also recommended to maintain, under the provision of clause 99. the following county exhibitions during the first year. One at zC40, two at E30 each, and two at £ 20 each, such exhibitions to be tenable for 3 years, and to be subject to the provisions of the county scheme so far as the same relate to County Exhibitions. Mr. W. G. Dodd moved as an amendment that only four exhibitions be awarded this year, amounting of £100, and not X140 as recommended by the committee. The amendment found no seconder. SCHOLARSHIPS AND EXAMINATIONS. The arrangements for the exhibitions of future years were deferred till the result of the examiiiai ions of the first year were ka ) wn. The reasons of the elementary schoolmas- ters in the Llansilin district as to why only one boy competed for the scholarships offered in July last were summarised in the report. Several of the masters alleged the reason to be that in agricultural districts the children were taken too early from school, and attended too irregularly while they did go, to enable them to compete for the scholarshi.ps. The report was then adopted. THE RUTHIN SCHOOL DIFFICULTY. A letter was read from the Charity Com- missioners, stating that it would be un- practicable for the Commissioners to send their decision with regard to the Ruthin School Question before the 4th inst. The following three resolutions, passed at a meeting of representative Nonconformists, held at Rutbin on the 15th ult. were read :— 1st That this meeting of Nonconformists, representing over 9,000 people out of 13,000 population in the Ruthin School district, fail to see why a High Grade School for Boys as provided by the County Intermedi- ate Scheme and a Day School, for Girls, should not be established at once at Ruthin, and this meeting is not willing to forfeit its rights to a share of the benefits of the" elsh Intermediate Act for the sake of supporting a Church School, however well it may be managed. The Ruthin Grammar School, which we are asked to support and accept, instead of an Intermediate School, being a Church school with a Conscience clause, does not command our support, not being under the control of the Welsh Intermediate Education Act, and which consequently will receive no support from County Funds, which this district is entitled to receive. We therefore claim the righ ^to have estab- lished at Ruthin a High Grade Intermediate School for boys and a Day School for girls in accordance with the scheme, such as are already opened in other parts of the county, fur the following reasons—1st, the Elemen- tary schools district would be deprived of their Scholarships and Bursaries under the scheme, they being available only as County schools within the district; 2ndly, the present available annual grant under the scheme would be transferred to other parts of the County; 3rdly, the rates compelled to be paid for intermediate education pur- poses by the ratepayers of the district, would go to benefit other districts in the County, depriving our boys of all the advan- tages of the scheme. 4th, the Establishment of an Intermediate High Grade Boy's School need not interfere with the success of the Church School, which has in view the training of boys for the Church of England, and will compete with County Intermediate Education, 2. As there has been such a long delay in connection with the establishment of Inter- mediate Schools for Boys and Girls at Ruthin, and as the place which is intended to be pc based (Brynhyfryd) is admirably adapted ur both schools, this meeting begs to express an easnest hope that the charity Commissioners will authorise both the County and Local Governing Bodies to pro- ceed with the purchase of the property, and the adaptation of the premises according to the plans and other details which have been submitted to them, so that the inhabitants may have the advantage of an Intermediate School for the children, which they feel they were entitled to, with as little delay as possible. 3. That copies of these resolutions, signed by the Chairman, be forwarded to the Charity Commissioners, and the County and Local Governing Bodies, The resolution passed at a recent meeting of the Ruthin Rural District Council, which appeared in our issue at the time, was also read. Mr. Hooson asked whether the County Governing Body could do anything further in the matter ? The Chairman The only question we can deal with now is, the advisability of hurry- ing the Charity Commissioners to arrive at a decision, and put before them the wants of the district. Mr. W. G. Dodd suggested that immedia- tely the decision of the Charity Commis- sioners arrived, the chairman should call a special meeting to consider it. Mr. Hooson supported the suggestion. He should like the Charity Commissioners to know that the County Governing Body was of opinion that Ruthin had not been treated as it should have been, and that the Committee supported Ruthin in its claims. It was a County question, and they all felt the injustice that was being done. The suggestion was agreed to. Mr. Lumley expressed a hope that the County Governing Body would pass a reso- lution emphasising thosealready agreedupon by the other public bodies. Mr. Ezra Roberts also supported this view. The Clerk then read a long letter which he had sent to the Charity Commissioners in reply to their communication in December last. This letter dealt with the question in all its aspects. The Chairman said it was thought desira- ble to send the letter to the Commissioners before the meeting that day. The contents of the letter had been agreed upon at a meeting of the Joint Committee appointed to carry out the scheme, which consisted of three members for the County Governing Body, and three for the Local Governors. On the motion of Mr. W. G Dodd, secon- ded by Mr. Hooson, the following resolution was unanimously passed "Resolutions having been received from certain bodies representing the Nonconform- ists in the Ruthin district and from the Ruthin Rural District Council, this County Governing Body fully approves of the views embodied in the resolutions, and all the reason,, given therein for such views, and respectfully urges upon the Charity Commissioners to sanction with the least delay possible, the arrangements suggested by the Joint Committee of the County and Local Governing Bodies for the carrying out of the provisions of the scheme, and meet the present requirements and wishes of the district, so as to enable the schools to be started during the current year." RUTHIN SCHOOL GOVERNORS. It was announced that the Ruthin County School Governors had re-appointed the Rev. B. O. Jones, the Rev. Mr. James, and Mrs Hughes, as their representatives on the Special Committee under clause 65 of the scheme. DENBIGH SCHOOL GOVERNORS AND THEIR GUARANTEE. The Clerk said that no reply bad been received from the Denbigh County School Governors to the resolution passed by the County Governing Body, calling their atten- tion to the importance of providing the guarantee required by clause 43 of the scheme. Mr. Lumley moved that the attention of the Denbigh Governors be called to the matter, which was an important and an urgent one. Mr. Hooson seconded and it was carried. RUABON SCHOOL DEEDS. The title deeds of the County School are in the possession of the vicar of Ruabon, Canon Wood Edwards, and it is the desire of the local school governors that the docu ment shall be in the possession of the clerk to the County Governing Body, as in the case of the deeds of all the other schools. An intimation to that effect having been made to Canon Wood Edwards, the vicar now replied suggesting that the County Governing Bod should have certified copies of the deed made, one to be placed in the diocesan registry at St Asaph and the other at the county clerk's office, the deed itself to remain in the deed box at Ruabon Church, his reason for the suggestion being that the document refers to certain parochial charges in addition to the school foundation now vested in the County Governing Body. Mr. Hoosou said he did not see why the vicar of Ruabon had referred to Mr. Cleaver, of the diocesan registry, or even to the Bishop, in this matter, as it was for the County Governing Body to say where their property was to be kept, and not the vicar or the registrar. The Chairman, having asked a question of the clerk (Mr. John Roberts), said he under- stood the value of the other property was not great, and in fact that it simply consti tuted a charge upon the endowment of the Ruabon Grammar School. It was the opinion of the County Governing Body that these deeds ought to be in their possession. After some discussion it was decided that the clerk should inform the Charity Com- missioners that they were of opinion that they should have the deeds, and that the vicar should have an attested copy of such part as affected his parish; also that the Charity Commissioners be asked to give their ruling upon the dispute. THE APPOINTMENT OF VOCAL MASTER. MR. DAVID PARRY AND THE DENBIGH SCHOOL. The next business was to consider a letter from Mr. David Parry, Llanrwst, in which he tendered his resignation as vocal master for the Denbigh County School, the reasons given being that Denbigh was out of his reach, and too much time and money spent in travelling to and from the place. A letter was also read from the Llanrwst County School Governors, asking the County Governing Body to allow them ai, and from the termination of Mr. Parry's present en- gagement a grant towards and permission to arrange for the teaching of the subject. The Chairman said that if the Llanrwst Governors' request was granted, it would virtually mean that each Local Governing Body should make their own arrangements with regard to the teaching of vocal music. The Clerk said he had received a letter that morning from the clerk to the Gover- nors of Denbigh School in which it was stated that the Governors, in consequence of a suggestion made at an informal meeting of the County Governing Body held at Ruthin a short time ago, had made enquiries with a view of securing the services of a suitable man to teach vocal music in the school. They hp.d found that Mr. J. Lloyd Williams was willing to take the office at. a salary of Xio a year, the lesson to be given for one hour a week. Mr. Williams, the letter proceeded, was a candidate when Mr. Parry received his appointment. He was a person well qualified and able to teach both notations. He was leader of the Philharmonic Society at Denbigh, and with Mr. Wilfred Jones of Wrexham, held the post of examiner for North Wales to the Royal College of Music. The Chairman of the School Governors, and the Headmaster considered him a suitable man for the post. The Clerk said Mr. Parry bad been ap- pointed for one year to teach vocal music in the schools of Llanrwst, Abergele and Den- bigh at a salary of £35 a year. His engage- ment terminated in August 1896, but he was re-appointed. Dr. Hughes asked whether the Local Governors had expressed a wish to have a local man 1 The Chairman That is their decision. Professor Lloyd said the County Governing Body were obliged to pay the travelling i teacher, and the reason why they were compelled to pay was, that it was a travelling teachership embracing the whole of the schools. If each Local Governing Body appointed local teachers, he failed to see why the County Governing Body should pay them. Mr. James Clarke maintained that Mr. Parry had cancelled his appointment as teacher for the whole of the schools, in giving up the teachership at Denbigh. The Chairman said that was true, but thought it advisable to allow Mr. Parry to go on to the end of his term, and the* give him to understand that he had resigned his position for the whole of the schools. Mr. Stephen Edwards (headmaster of the Denbigh School) said that since Christmas, Mr. Parry had given no lessons in his School. Mr. Lumley said it appeared to him that Mr. David Parry was not now in the services of the County Governing Body, and he failed to see how he was allowed to continue giving lessons in Abergele and Llanrwst Schools. He (Mr Lumley) should like to know upon whose authority Mr. Parry was now in the service of the County Governing Body ? The Clerk explained that or; the 4th Dec. 1896, a resolution was passed appointing Mr. Parry vocal teacher up to the end of the present school year for Llanrwst, Abergele and Denbigh. That resolution was conveyed to Mr. Parry, and in a month, he wrote ask- ing to be relieved of the teachership at Denbigh for the reasons stated in his letter. That was the posit on of affairs at present. Dr. Hughes maintained that when Mr. Parry resigned his post at Denbigh, he can- celled his appointment as teacner for the whole of the schools. Professor Lloyd thought Mr. Parry was equitably entitled to a share of his salary in respect of the two other schools. The Chairman suggested that he be in- formed that the County Governing Body, inasmuch as he had not carried out his engagement, desired to terminate the en- gagement at the end of March, and that he be paid two third's of his salary then due. Mr. W. G. Dodd suggested that an adver tisement be inserted in the press inviting applications for the post of travelling teacher. Mr. Lumley said that the Local Governors should pay from their own pocket for the luxury of appointing a local man to each school. The County Governing Body were not compelled to pay unless the m. n was a travelling teacher, hisservices being common to all the schools. It was pointed out that the resolution now on the books of the Committee with regard to this appointment must first of all be re scinded before any new arrangement could be made, and that could not be done without notice. Mr. James Clarke said that after this discussion, he hoped that the Committee would take into consideration which is the best way of teaching music in the schools. An hour a week was much too little for the work. Mr. Lumley seconded Mr Dodd's motion. Dr. Hughes Do you mean advertising for a travelling master as a successor to Mr. Parry ? Mr. Lumley: Yes. The Chairman I hope not. I am quite sure that there are men in different localities that can do the work better than a travelling teacher, whoever he might be. The Clerk said that unless a travelling teacher was appointed, the County Govern- ing Body could not pay him. Mr. Charles Dodd favoured the idea of coming to terms with the present teachin. staff of the schools for the next term only. After further discussion, Dr. Hughes pro- posed that Mr. Parry be asked to appoint an efficient substitute at Denbigh for the pres- ent term. Mr. Clarke seconded, and it was carried, Mr. J. Lloyd Williams' name being recom mended. It was also decided that Mr. Parry's engagement should remain in force until the end of the present school year in September. THE WELSH LANGUAGE. The Committee adopted a resolution of the Central Welsh Board, pointing out the importance of introducing the Welsh lan guage as a subject of instruction into all the schools in the Welsh-speaking districts. MUSEUM GRANTS. The Central Board also wrote calling at- tention to the injustice of excluding Wales from the receipt of a share of the Museum Grants for the United Kingdom. The Chairman said they ought to thank Mr. Herbert Lewis for the trouble he had taken in this matter, and expressing a hope that he would secure the grant for Wales. This was unanimously agreed to. c.=.