The North Wales Times

THURSDAY, MARCH I 1TH. HOUSE OF LORDS. LORD Onslow, answering Lord Reay on the subject of the plague in India, said the effect of Dr. Yerim's serum remedy upon patients who had only been a day or two ill was reported to be surprisingly good. In cases of older stan- ding the result was stated to be not quite se satisfactory. Steps were being taken in Bom- bay to popularise inoculation and to provide for a sufficient supply of serum. Lord Wenloek asked, in connection with the famine fund, if there was ample scope for the beneficial application of the money if the amount subscribed were to reach a figure con- siderably higher than the present total. Lord Onslow replied that the question of how much was likely to be utilised by the Central Committee which was applying the fund in India depsiulend on the nature of next season's monsoon. If there was a good mon- soon, the fund would be sufficient to provide for emergencies but if it should be otherwise, 'it was impossible to overrate the amount that would be required to meet so calamitous a con- tingency.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. S. Buxton, in moving the second reading of the Chelsea Water (Purchase) Bill, explain- ed that it was one of a group of measures by means of which the London County Council was seeking to obtain control of the water supply of London. Sir F Dixon-Hart-land moved the rejection of the bill. Mr. Chaplin, on behalf of the Government, said there was not sufficient information before the House to warrant the Government in sanctioning the proposals of purchase contained in the policy of the London County Council. The Government intended, therefore, to oppose the second reading of the bill, and if it was defeated, they would appoint a small Royal Commission to make inquiries. After a prolonged debate, the motion for the second reading was defeated by 248 votes to 133. The other bills on the same subject promoted by the County Council were then withdrawn. In answer to Mr. Wilcox, Mr. Hanbury ex plained the manner in which Moars, or colIec- tors of lord's rent in the Isle of Man, were ap- pointed, and said the Department of Woods and Forest could not relieve the Moars of their duties. Replying to Mr. Dillon and Mr. Labouchere. Mr. Curzon said the Government had received no information from Canea with regard to the incidents concerning the Greek Vice Consul, but had telegraphed for information. An Italian ship which had been despatched to the relief of the beleagured Mussulmans at Hiera- petra, was compelled to fire in order to drive back the insurgents and Greek troops who attacked the town on Saturday last. In -reply to Sir E. A. Bartlett, Mr. Curzon said it would not be possible to exaggerate the service rendered by Sir A. Biliotfci, the British Consul in Crete, in bringing about the relief of the beleaguered Mussulmans at Candano. Sir W. Harcourt asked whether it was a fact that the Greek Government, in addition to their former reply to the Powers, had made a communication to them co the effect that Greece was prepared to recognise the tempor- ary suzerainty of the Sultan, to withdraw their fleet from Crete, and place the Greek forces in the island under the control of the Powers for the restoration of order, stipulating that the Powers would ultimately leave to the Cretan people the question of autonomy or an- nexation to Greece. Mr. Curzon said that about six o'clock on the previous day a communication was made ver- bally by the Greek Charge d'Affaires, but the nature of it was not accurately described in the question. He would have been glad to lay the communication before the House, but the permission of the Greek Charge d'Affaires had not been obtained. Replying to Mr. Dillon, Mr. Curzon said the statements that had appeared as to the landing of the Admirals to interview ths chief of the Gretas insurgents and their discovery that the chiefs had not received the warnings addressed to them were corroborated by a message received from the British Admirals. About twenty minutes to nine the House went into Committee on the Voluntary Schools Bill. After a discussion as to whether the House should adjourn for half an hour, in the course of which a motion to report progress was negatived by 174 votes to 88, Mr. Lambert, on sub-section 3 of Clause I., which relates to the proposed associations of schools, proposed that the governing bodies representative of the managers upon such association, should be elective. The discussion was closured by Mr. Balfour, and the amendment was defeated by 266 votes to 105. Mr. S. Evans moved an amendment to secure that the associations should consist of a number of persons elected in equal proportions for each school in the association, This was rejected by 263 votes to 92. Mr. S. Evans moved to omit the words re- quiring that the assaciations should be repre- sentative of the managers. This was rejected by 61 votes to 83, and further proceedings on the bill were then adjourned till Monday.

FRIDAY, MARCH 12TH. HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr. Billon asked the Under Foreign Secre- tary whether the Greek Vice Consul and all the Greek residents had been ordered to leave Canea. Mr. Curzon said no reply had been received as yet to the telegram sent on the previous day. Replying to another question, Mr. Curzon said the Admirals of the allied fleets at Canea understood that communications were passing between the Greek Commodore and the Cretan insurgents, and it was in the interests of peace, and with a desire tio avoid any unfortunate results, that they made the Greek Commodore the vehicle of their communications. In answer to Sir J. Fergusson, the Home Secretary said that, in accordance with the regulations governing the use of Trafalgar Square for meetings, the secretary of the Liberal Forward Movement ga"e notice that it was desired to hold a meeting on the 14th last. in Trafalgar Square with reference to the Cretan question. The notice was perfectly in order, and permission was accordingly given by the Commissioner of Police. Sir C. Dilke asked whether it was intended to make a statement on Monday as to the communications that had passed between the Powers. Mr. Curzon said he was not aware of any such intention, but ha would communicate with the leader of the House. Sir W. Harcourt asked the Speaker to make a statement to the House with inference to the question of the adjournment of the House for I dinner. The Speaker said lie had read the debates of 1888, and it appeared to him that the Speaker the Chairman would be justified in continu- ing the sitting, unless an interval was ordered by the House. He should certainly make it his I Practice in future when the business was likely to go on bill twelve o'clock, to see that there was an interval of half an hour. The House afterwards went into Committee Inn n*e Navy Estimates, the first vote being for W),060 men and boys for the sea and coast- guards service, including 17,005 Royal Mar- In the course of the debate, Mr. Goschen said the Government meant to have four powerful battleships, probably either of the Canopus or of the Majestic class. The third-class cruisers to be built would b3 of Pelorus class. They were also providing four new twin-screw gun- boats of light draught, suitable for rivers such as the Nile and Niger, in addition to eight light-draught boats in construction under the 1896-7 programme. Considerable curiosity existed among our neighbours as to these vessels. He demurred to the principle that when they had made a great effort, as they did last year, that necessarily formed the standard thab must be followed in the next few years. In this year there would be 66 ships completed and 108 under construction. The Government's programme had been settled upon, the principle generally of seeing what forces they were likely to meet, looking to the normal buildings of the various countries. There was a balance of power in the navies of Europe, and the Admir- alty would watch with some anxiety that that balance was not disturbed by any abnormal efforts on the part of other Powers. The vote was agreed to.

MONDAY, MARCH 15TH. HOUSE OF LORDS. Lord Kimberley asked whether any response had been made by the Government to the com- munication received from the Greek Govern- ment in reply to the Identic Note presented by the Powers. Lord Salisbury said that the Note having been identic, any communication made by us would be of the same character. Therefore it would not be Her Majesty's Government but all the Powers who would make the answer to which Lord Kimberley referred, and no such answer had been made If all the Powers did not address a reply, no one could.

TUESDAY, MARCH 16TH. HOUSE OF LORDS. Lord Kimberley asked the Premier if he was in a position to make any statement as to the determination come to by the Powers with re- gard to their course of action in the matter of Crete. Lord Salisbury replied that the only answer he could give stating any new fact was that instructions had been given to admirals to blockade the island. Lord Salisbury added:— It is not perhaps regular, but I may tell the noble Earl that he will find an admirable state- ment of the policy of the Powers, chough not containing any or many facts that are new, in the speeches of M. Hanotaux and M. Meline- two speeches in which I heartily concur. Lord Kimberley said he should prefer to hear a statement of the policy of Her Majesty's Government from the lips of Her Majesty's own Minister rather than from the Minister of a foreign State. Lord Salisbury replied that that would be quite correct if his Lordship had not already heard it. The House had heard all he could give as to expression of opinion on the policy of the Powers to which the Government had assented. He was not aware that he had omitted anything.

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Sir M. White Ridley, in reply to Sir Wilfrid Lawson, said his attention had been drawn to the decision given in the Queen's Bench in the case of Hawke v. Dunn. Whether it would be necessary for any instructions to be issued to the Metropolitan Police in reference to it he was unable to say. He had no power to issue any instructions to the country police on the matter. Replying bo Sir H. Havelock-Allen, Mr. Balfour said the Government were engaged on one Education Bill and had in prospect another Education Bill dealing with primary educa- tion, and he was afraid, therefore, that there was no very great hope that they would be able to deal with the subject of secondary education this session. Colonel Mellor asked the Home Secretary if his attention had been called to a case which occurred in the Bury County Court on Monday, where it was stated that on the 8th of February a youth employed by the East Lancashire Paper Mill Company at Radcliffe had been awarded 1;108 damages for the loss of a hand, and that since the case was tried three male servants of the Company who gave evidence on subpoena on behalf of the plaintiff, and the plaintiff's sister, had all been dismissed without any cause being assigned; and whether in the Employers' Liability Bill he could introduce a clause protecting workmen who were called upon to give evidence in courts of law on questions arising between employers and em- ployed. Sir M. White Ridley said if the facts were correctly stated, a great injustice appeared to have been done, and he would make inquiry into the circumstances. It was, however, very doubtful if he had any power to take action in the matter. Sir W. Harcourt asked the First Lord of the Treasury whether he was prepared to make a stitement of the policy of the Government on the affairs of Crete. Mr. Balfour replied that he had no statement to make to the House on the subject of the Government with regard to Crete supplemen- tary to the facts which they already knew. The Government had that day directed a com- munication of importance to be made to the Powers of Europe, but of course it would be impossible and improper and not in the public interest that he should either indicate the terms of the communication or encourage its being debated. Answering Mr. J. Lowther and Sir E. A. Bartlett, Mr. Curzon said massacres would ap- pear to have taken place on both sides in Crete. The only mention the Governmenb,had received of multilation was in a telegram from the British Admiral on the 27th of February to the effect that several wounded and mutilated Mahometan children had arrived at Canea. The Government had had no official confirma- tion of the alleged massacre of Mussulmans by Christians in the neighbourhood of Sitia. Replying to Mr. Flynn, Mr. Curzon said he knew nothing beyond what had appeared in the papers as to the denial by Commodore Reineck of the statemnt that he had failed to transmit the warning of the Admirals to the Cretan insurgent chiefs. There had evidently been a mistake or misapprehension somewhere. Mr. J. Wilson (Falkirk) asked for and obtain- ed leave to move the adjournment of the House for the purpose of calling attention to the dis- bandment of the 5th V.B. Scotish Rifles. After Mr. Brodrick had replied for the War Office, the House negatived the motion without a division. Mr. Balfour moved the suspension of the twelve o'clock rule so as to allow the pro- ceedings in Committee on the Voluntary Schools Bill to be continued after midnight. The motion was carried by 285 votes to 110. The House afterwards went into Committee on the bill, and resumed consideration of Mr. Dillon's amendment to clause 1, that the grant should not only be made according to the number of scholars in the schools of the associa- tion, but to the needs of the association. The amendment was rejected by 350 votes to 43. Mr. H. Roberts moved to omit words en- abling the Department to fix different rates of aid for town and country schools. The debate was closured, and the amendment was rejected by 183 votes to 72. Mr. Ellis Griffith moved to leave out the words c town and country schools,' and insert districts in which rates for school board are levied, and those in which no such rates are levied.' The amendment was defeated by 231 votes to 81. Mr. S. Evans proposed to omit sub-section B of the clause.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 17TH. HOUSE OF COMMONS. The House again discussed the Voluntary Schools Bill in Committee. The consideration was resumed of sub-section 6 of the first clause, which provides that the Education Department may' require, as a condition of a school re ceiving a share of the aid grant, that the accounts of the receipts and expenditure of the school shall be annually audited in accordance with the regulationf os the Department. Mr. Lloyd-George moved an amendment standing on the paper in the name of Mr. Stephens, to the effect that the accounts of every school aided out of the aid grant shall' by audited by the district auditor. Sir J. Gorst, in the course of the debate, said the Education Department would read the word may as equivalent to I shall.' By 217 votes to 97 the discussion was closured, and the amendment was rejected by 230 votes to 100. Mr. Yoxall moved an amendment to pro- vide that it should be the duty of the auditor to disallow any payments for rent, cleaning, warming, or lighting the school buildings, or for any purpose not connected with the use of the premises as a public elementary day school, and also to disallow any expenditure on sala- ries and wages not wholly in payment for services rendered in public elementary day schools. Sir J. Gorst informed the Committee that the Education Department already not only pos- flessed but exercised the powers with which it was sought to invest them, and after hearing his statement, Mr. Yoxall withdrew his amend- ment. Mr. Courtney moved an amendment provid- ing that the Education Department might ap- point one of their officers to attend the meetings of the Governing body of any association founded under the Act, but such officer should not have a right to vote. The closure was moved by Mr. Balfour, and was carried by 266 votes to 111. The amendment was then rejected by 263 votes to 119. Mr. Balfour next moved that the question that clause one stand part of the bill should be put. The motion, which was at once accepted by the Chairman, swept away three pages of amendments, and prohibited any discussion of the remaining sub-section, viz., that 'the decision of the Education Department on any question relating to the distribution or allot- ment of the aid grant, including the question whether an association is or is not in conform- ity with this Act, and whether a school is a town or country school, shall be final.' The closure was carried by 259 votes to 112, and by 279 votes to 107 the motion that the clause stand part of the bill was carried. Progress was reported at half-past five. Sir H. H. Fowler moved the second reading of the Solicitors (Magistracy) Bill, the object of which was to remove from solicitors a dis- qualification in respect of the county magis- tracy. Mr. Carson objected, and the motion stood over. A Select Committee was afterwards appoin- ted to inquire into the administration of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and into the adequacy of its organisation for saving life on our coasts.

ABERGELE. TEA PARTY AND LECTURE. A successful Tea Party was held at the C.M. Schoolroom on Wednesday afternoon last week. In the evening, Mr. Goroiiwy Jones, Prestatyn, delivered his lecture describing a recent visit to Egypt, to a good audience. The lecture was much appreciated and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Jones at the close of the proceedings. ELECTION. There are three candidates for the two seats vacated by Messrs. D. C. Hughes and T. Evans on the Urban District Council. Mr. Hughes does not seek re-election, and Mr. Isaac Roberts will contest the seat on behalf of the Wesleyan Body Mr. T. Evans seeks re-election and Mr. W. T. Mason, Brooklands haR also issued an address. COMPETITIVE MEETING. The Moelfre Wesleyans held two Competitive meetings at St. Paul's Chapel, Abergele, on Thursday last week. The Rev. R. Rowlands presided at the afternoon meeting, and the Rev. G. Wesley Hughes in the evening. Mr. J. Jones, Market Street, conducted, and the secretarial duties were efficiently carried out by Mr. T. Roberts, Llety. Mr. David Owen, Rhyl, acted ai adjudicator on the musical portion of the programme, the Rev. T. O. Jones (Tryfan), Mold, adjudicated the poetical compositions, the presidents the essays, the miscellanous portion of the proceedings being adjudicated by Messrs J. Lloyd Jones, Dinorben, J. R. Ellis, and J. Parry Jones, Abergele. The principal prize- winners were Mr. and Miss Roberts, Hendre- llwynymaen, Mr. Rowlands, Llanfair, Mr. T. Roberts, Llansannan, Messrs T. Roberts and T. Williams, Moelfre, Messrs. W. Jones, and B. Cybi Williams, Abergele.

'0 URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. THE SANITARY CONDITION OF THE DISTRICT DEFENDED. The monthly meeting of the Abergele and Pensarn Urban District Council was held on Monday night. There were present Mr. J. Copping (in the chair), Canoa Evans, Dr. Wolstenholme, Messrs. Thomas Evans (Tandderwen); Pierce Davies, John Pierce, J. Roberts (El Teb); D. Carty Hughes, -S. B. Rogers, Thomas Williams, and John Ed- wards. Mr. E. A. Crabbe (deputy clerk), and Dr. J. Lloyd Roberts (medical officer of health) were also in attendance. PROPERTY OWNERS AND LANDERS. On the minutes of the last meeting being read, Canon Evans asked the deputy clerk if there had been any result to his letters to property owners with regard to fixing lan- ders to houses where none existed. Mr. Crabbe said property owners were putting up landers as quick as they could get them to put up. Canon Evans That is very satisfactory. ATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS DURING THE YEAR. The Clerk said it was usual at this time of the year to read a list of the attendances of the members during the preceeding twelve months. They were as f ollows:-The Chair- man, 12; Canon Evans, 10; Thomas Evans, 12; D. Carty Hughes, 11; Pierce Davies, 12 John Pierce, 10; Thomas Williams, 12 John Lea, 6; J. R. Roberts, 8 J. Edwards, 12; Dr. Wolstenholme, 10; S. B. Rogers, 9. PIGS NEAR DWELLING HOUSES. The Inspector of Nuisance reported ne- cessary alterations in certain sanitary ar- rangements of cottages in Mount Pleasant and other places; and on the motion of Mr. J. Roberts, seconded by Dr. Wolstenholme, it was decided to serve notices on the owners calling upon them to carry out the required work. Canon Evans: Is there any mention by the Inspector of Nuisances about pigs being kept too near private houses ? The Chairman: No. Canon Evans There might be! APPOINTMENT OF SURVEYOR. The Chairman said that there were eleven applicants for the post of surveyor and in- spector. Canon Evans moved, and Mr. Thomas Williams seconded, and it was agreed, that a special meeting be held on Thursday afternoon to make the appointment. RE APPOINTMENT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER. Canon Evans moved the re-appointment of Dr. J. Lloyd Roberts, as the Medical Officer of Health for the district. His duties were satisfactorily performed, and his re- ports were always to the point. Mr. Thomas Evans seconded, and in doing so said that they had the power to elect a medical officer for a term of years, instead of annually. tIe knew the doctor very well, and he had always given them satisfaction, and he did not see why the appointment could not be for three years. Canon Evans accepted the suggestion that the appointment be made for three years, and it was unanimously agreed to. OVERSEERS. Messrs. Thomas Williams, Meirion House Pensarn; Edward Williams, Morannedd; and E. W. Harrop, Chapel Street, were re- appointed overseers. THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL. The Clerk explained that the annual meeting must be held subsequent to the 15th of April, but as near to that date as pos- sible. This year the 10th day of April was the Thursday before Good Friday, the fol- lowing Monday, which really would be the night of their ordinary meeting, would be Easter Monday. He pointed out with some feeling that dayl would be a holiday, and they could not get the room, because the eisteddvod would be held there. It was decided to hold the meeting on the 20th of April. THE COUNCIL IN A MORIBUND STATE. The Chairman called upon the whole of the members of the sub-committee to report on several matters of improvement. Mr. Thomas Willams said the committee had considered the matters submitted to them, but he thought they should be left in abeyance until after the new Council is elected. They all meant the expenditure of money, and it would be necessary to bor- row, and therefore be moved that the matter be left in abeyance. Canon Evans observed that when the House of Commons was in a moribund state —about to die, new business was never in- troduced, and he quite agreed with Mr. Thomas Williams it would be better to leave matters involving the borrowing of money until the new Council was elected. It was said that they would get, not the new wo man,' but new blood on the Council, and perhaps things would be carried out better then (laughter). He seconded the motion. This course was agreed to. THE DRAINAGE OF PWLL COCH. Mr. Thomas Evan. reported that the sub- committee had had two or three interviews with Mr. Millward with reference to the drainage of Pwll Coch; and in the result Mr. Millward would not let them touch his pro- perty at all. He admitted that they tried to drive a hard bargain with Mr. Millward, but it was all in the interest of the rate- payers, and he asked for time to consider the matter. The end was that Mr. Millward would not allow them to go near the pro- perty. The Chairman It is a case of as you were' then ? Mr. Evans: It is worse. It is all over (laughter). Mr. John Pierce said they could give de- tails of the interviews if necessary, but did not want to do so unless the Council thought necessary. A HARBOUR FOR FILTH AND IMMORALITY. As a result of an inspection of Peel Street by himself and Mr. John Pierce, Mr. Thomas Evans said they recommended that the surface water be drained in two directions, one portion of the street to be drained to the river, and the other to the main sewer —that two lamps be placed there, one by Peel Garden, and the other by Kinmel Cot- tage, and that the street be gravelled. Mr. J. Pierce agreed. The street was very badly lighted now, and an old lady had met with an accident in the place. Mr. William Evans went on to say that they thought great improvement could be effected if they could divert the Mount path to Mount Pleasant, and utilize the path as a back way to the houses in Mount Pleasant. That would be conducive to health, instead of being a harbour for all sort of filth and immorality. They recommend that a lamp be placed in this place also. The Chairman remarked that all these things must come under next year's esti- mates. They must borrow money for im- provements, because they could not carry them out of the revenue. Mr. J. Pierce said he would press for the lamp. Dr. Roberts said this Mount Pleasant back premises was referred to by a Local Govern- ment Board Inspector as far back as 1882, and it was described as a mere passage. Mr. J. Pierce said there was no provision for carrying off the water from the down spouts in Jenkin Street, and in wet weather the street was flooded and the metalling swept into the main street. He also sup- ported the fixing of a lamp in the place. It would be one thing to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee (laughter). The Chairman said the Gas Company would not lay a main to supply one lamp. He quite agreed that a lamp was needed, and they had one in stock if they could get the Gas Company to lay the main. Mr. J. Roberts reminded the Council that the streets referred to were iirivate proper- ty, and they had no right to improve private owners' property at the expense of the rate- payers generally. Let the owners first put the places in order, tand then the Council could consider the question of adopting them. Mr. Thomas Evans said the sub-committee bad not said who was to pay for the im- provements. Peel Street was a public thoroughfare, and they were bound to attend to it. As to the other places, the Council could call upon the owners to attend to the matters mentioned by the sub-committee. They only asked for a lamp in Jenkin Street. Mr. John Pierce said that the residents in the streets mentioned were ratepayers, and though poor, they were as much entitled to conveniences and privileges as the dwellers in the principal thoroughfare. Canon Evans said the question was who was to pay for those conveniences and privi- leges. If the owners did not provide them it was for the Council to take the bull by the horns and compel them. He referred to one owner, and had no doubt whatever that' she would carry out her part. The matter then dropped. THE SANITARY ARRANGEMENTS OF THE DISTRICT. THE MEDICAL OFFICER'S REPLY TO THE INDICTMENT OF MR. MASON. Dr. Lloyd Roberts read his report to the Local Government Board in reply to the indictment contained in Mr. W. T. Mason's letter to that Board on the sanitary condi- tion of Abergele. The doctor said that the sewerage system of Abergle was carried out ten years after that of Pensarn, by the St. Asaph Rural Sanitary Authority in 1876. The plans were approved by the Local Go- verment Board, after an inquiry had been held. From memory and assurances from the engineer who carried out the work (Mr. Geo. Bell, of Rhyl), the Abergele outfall sewer was not of greater diameter than that at Pensarn. The system adopted was that known as the Separate,' by which the new sewers only received sewage, and the old sewers were used for storm water. Whether that system had been carried out he could not say, but the chairman had assured him that the outfall sewer had lost none of its carrying power by any accumulations. The population of the Urban District was not 4,000 as Mr. Mason had put it. In 1891 it had been returned as 1981, and in 1896 it was estimated at 2,016. Crown Court had been fully dealt with in his annual report, and with regard to the case of rheumatic fever that occurred there, it may or may not have been caused by the flooding of the houses in the yard. Whooping cough, how- sver, would not be generated by the flood. Whooping cough was a notifiable disease in the district. No cases had been notified luring the year. One woman said on the 22nd of January, 1897, that her children were recovering from whooping cough, but they did not give any manifestations during his visit. Another woman spoke of her children having had whooping cough, but there was no notification although the dis- trict medical officer had attended at the house, and directed the removal of a child to the workhouse on account of a disease of another kind. Notification was carefully observed in the district, and if such cases had occurred, it was difficult to see how they could escape notification. He thought that such assertions were to be explained by error in diagnosis on the part of illiterate parents. Dr. Lloyd Roberts then went on to give details of the district, and suggested several improvements. Mr. Thomas Evans hoped the press would give equal publicity to the doctor's report, as had been given to Mr. Mason's letters, which were circulated far and wide. Dr. Roberts said the condition of things was very satisfactory now; and they had had great improvements in recent years. The Chairman did not think, after this re- port, it would be necessary for any gentle man to come down from the Local Govern- ment Board. The Doctor: I do not know. I should very much like to see one coming. The Chairman So should I.

CA RN A RV ON. COUNTY COUNCIL. WESTERN SEA FISHERIES. The annual meeting of the Council was held at Carnarvon on Thursday, Mr. R. Thomas presiding over the preliminary pro- ceedings. On the motion of Mr. G. Brymer, seconded by Mr J. R. Pritchard, Mr. E. Jones (vice chairman) was appointed chairman for the ensuing year. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. R. Thomas for the impartial manner in which he had presided over the meetings of the Council during the past year. Mr. Thomas briefly acknowledged the vote. The Chairman thanked the Council for the honour conferred upon him, and observed that they were facing a year of a little extra expenditure, more especially in connection with the Denbigh Asylum On the motion of Mr. G. Brymer, seconded by Mr. J. R. Pritchard, Mr. J. Issard Davies was elected vice-chairman of the Council for the ensuing year. The following were appointed to represent the Council on the Standing Joint Police Committee—Messrs. D. P. Williams, R. Thomas, J. R. Pritchard, G. Brymer, J. Jones Morris, T. C. Lewis, D. E. Davies, R. O. Jones, Abel Williams, W. J. Parry, R. Thomas (Llanfairfechan), D. R. Daniel, W. Evans, W. Jones, and E. Jones. The Finance, Surveyor's, and other Com- mittees were re-elected, with slight altera- tions. On the motion of Mr. R. Thomas, it was resolved that the quarterly meetings of the Council be held on May 6, August 5, November 4, and February 3, 1898, and the annual meeting on the 17th March, 1898. The Denbigh Lunatic Asylum Committee submitted the following report:—" The Committee, having considered the resolu- tions passed by the County Council at their last meeting, with regard to obtaining coun- sel's opinion as to the power of the County Council to contest the validity of order to pay calls made by the visitors, and as to the course to be pursued in the direction of ob- taining a dissolution of the existing agree- ment between the five counties relating to the maintenance of the asylum at Denbigh, it was resolved that this County Council be advised to postpone the taking of counsel's opinion for the present, on the ground that i i the main the present legal position is well ascertained, and that, in the event of the further recommendation of the Com- mittee being carried out, it will then be desirable and requisite to obtain the advice of counsel in regard thereto. The Committee reports that, in their opinion, a dissolution of the present union can only be obtained by Act of Parliament, and they ask that the County Council will authorise them to make preliminary investigations and inquiries with that view (but it is doubtful whether county councils have power to promote bills), and do all such acts as; in their opin- ion, may be necessary with a view of obtain- ing the best advice to enable them to report further to the County Council.The report of the Committee was adopted, and it was resolved that expenses incurred by the Com- mittee in making preliminary investigation be paid. Mr. J. R. Hughes wished to point out that the Council were thoroughly backed up by the visitors upon the question. Mr. Issard Davies called the attention of the Council to the proposed amalgamation of the Western Sea Fishery district with the Lancashire district, and contended that such an amalgamation would prove advantageous to the former district. If amalgamated, the Western Sea Fisheries Committee would only have to contribute l-32d., whereas now they contributed 1-16d., and in rates there would be a saving of about one half. More- over, the protection of the fisheries would be far more effective. The average expenditure of the Western district was X222 17s. 2d., whilst under the amalgamation scheme it would be X162 Os, 9d only, and yet X720 per annum would be expended on the offices of the Committee. The difficulty the Western Sea Fisheries Committee had to contend with was one of representation, because if they were only represented according to their rateable value they would only have a poor representation, but the Lancashire Committee had given them a representation of three, which was more than they could claim on the rateable value. He proposed that the Council approve of the draft scheme for the amalgamation of the Lancashire and Western Sea Fisheries districts agreed upon at a conference of the two districts held at Liverpool. Mr. R. Davies seconded the motion. Mr. J. R. Pritchard asked whether the Western Sea Fisheries district could with- draw from the amalgamation at any time, whether provision would be made to engage bailiffs who understood the Welsh language, and whether the vote of the Welsh counties would be swamped by that of the English counties ? Mr. J. Issard Davies replied that the Western Sea Fisheries district wanted the power to dissolve, but this was a matter that rested with the Department. With regard to the bailiffs, the appointments would be made by the Sub-committees of the districts, and, as to Mr. Pritchard's third question, there was no doubt that the Welsh counties would be outvoted, but they must bear in mind the advantages of the amalgamation. Mr. T. C. Lewis pointed out that there would be 24 representatives for North Wales, 38 for the English counties, and 42 representing the Board of Trade. He con- sidered that the representation of the Western Sea Fisheries district was a fairly good one. Mr. J. Hughes further supported the motion, which was adopted. Mr. D. P. Williams proposed the adoption of resolutions received from the Anglesey County Council, protesting against the Education Bill unless amended, and against the appointment of a gentleman unacquain- ted with the Welsh language to the post of chief inspector for Wales. Mr. J. Issard Davies moved an amendment to the part relating to the Education Bill, but eventually the resolution was carried.

The Cruiser Barracouta was paid out of commission at Sheerness after three years service on the south east coast of America station. Thousands of visitors are arriving at Wash- ington, including legions of office-seekers, who will make Mr. M'Kinley's life a burden during the next few weeks. Captains Bramwell, 15 Hussars Gwatkin, Manchester Regiment; and Wright, South Wales Borderers, have been ordered to leave for special service on the West African coast. Mr. Crookshanks, head gardener at Frog- more, died on Thursday night after 40 years service. He was much respected by her Majesty and other members" of the Royal Family. Princess Hohenlohe, despite her advanced age-she celebrated her golden wedding about three weeks ago—has been out bear shooting in Russia, and has succeeded in accounting for two fine Bruins. On the last November election in Utah a 1 husband and wife competed for a local senator- ship. The wife got the majority upon a vote by universal adult suffrage, and now sits as a enator-or senatrix.