The North Wales Times

RUTHIN. RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the above Council was held at the Workhouse, Ruthin, on Monday- Mr. Owen Williams presided, the other mem- bers present being Messrs. T. H. Roberts, E. Powell Jones, John Williams (Llanrhaiadr), R. Jones (Gyffylliog), Edward Jones, Maurice Jones, Henry Williams, Thomas Jones, Gomer Roberts Rev. Win. Richards, Isaac Daniel, E. T. Jones, John Roberts, with the clerk (Mr. R. H. Roberts), the Medical Officer (Dr. J. M. Hughes), and the surveyors for the Llanrhaiadr and Ruthin Districts (Messrs Ebenezer Evans and William Jones). March 12th. 1897. Gentlemen, I have the honour to present to you my an- nual report upon the sanitary condition of the district during the year ended December 31st, 1896. For registration purposes the whole dis- trict is divided into six sub-districts. These are as follows:- 1st, Ruthin Sub-District, comprising the parishes of Efenechtyd, Ruthin (rural), -Llan- bedr, Llanfwrog, Llanrhydcl and Llanvchan, with a population of 109. 2nd, Gyffylliog Sub District: Nantglyn, Gyffylliog and Clocaenog, population, 1038. 3rd, Llandyrnog Sub District; Llandyrnog, Aberwheeler, Llangwyfan, and Llangynhafal, population 1,478. 4th, Llanrhaiadr Sub District; Llanrhaiadr, and Llanynys, population, 1,981. 5th, Llanelidan Sub District, Llanfair, Llan- elidan and Derwen, population, 2,134. 6th, Llanarmon Sub District; Llanarmon, Llanferres and Llandegla, population, 2,264, The area of the combined districts is 94,619 acres, The population at census 1891 was 9,584 and the estimated population in middle of 1896 was 8,840. As the birth and death rates have not varied to any appreciable extent during the last five years, I have adhered to the population at the last census as the basis of my last calculations. It is true however, that the population is slow- ly decreasing, but there are strong reasons against assuming that the rate of decrease 'between the past census and the next will be the same as the rate of decrease between the last census and the previous one.

BIRTHS. The number of births registered in the dis- tricts during the year was 246. The birth rate was therefore 25'6 per 1,000 per annum, or a.ccording to the estimated population 20-7. This was four higher than the previous year, and 4 lower than the average birth rate for England and Wales in 1895. It will be seen from table A that the birth- rate was lowest in the Llandyrnog district, and 'highest in the Ruthin district. DEATHS, The number of deaths registered in the same period was 151; giving a death rate of 15'3 per annum, or, according to the estimated popula- tion, 17'7. The natural increase of population (excess of births over deaths) was, therefore, 89. There is not much difference in the death rate of th6 different districts. They range -from 14 5 to 18'3 The death rate for 1895 was 15 per 1,000, and the average death rate for 1 land and Wales for the same period was J.

BOARD OF GUARDIANS. Mr. Henry Williams presided over the fort- nightly meeting of this Board on Monday, and the members present in addition to the Dis- trict Councillors were Dr. J. R. Jenkins, Messrs. J. H. Simon, J. O. Williams, Isaac Jones, T. P. Roberts, and Thomas Jones (Llan- ferres). THE APPOINTMENT OF RATE COLLECTOR. The Council, first of all, proceeded to receive the replies from some of the Parish Councils in reference to the appointment of collector of rates for the Llanrhaiadr District, which were as follows:— Ab mcheeltr and Clocaenog.—That the Guard ians elect a collector, and that the person so appointed be also assistant overseer. Derwegt.-Tliat a meeting of Councillors and Guardians of all the parishes in the district be called to discuss the question. Gyffylliog.—That two collectors be elected, and that the person appointed be also assistant overseer, but if the majority vote in favour of only one officer, they agree to this. Llandyrnog ancl Llangwyfan. That Guard- ians elect a collector of rates. Llangynhafal.—That Guardians elect a collec- tor of rates, and that the person appointed be also assistant overseer. Llanrhaiadr (Rural).—That Guardians elect a collector of rates, and the same person to be appointed assistant overseas, but urge that the district he divided. Llanrhaiadr (Urban).-Had advised the Local Government Board that it had no objection to make to the proposal of the Guardians. Llanychan.—Thai; Guardians elect collector of rates, and the person appointed be also assistant overseer. Llanynys (Rural).—That the Parish Council elect an assistant overseer, and the Guardians be asked to appoint the same person rate col- lector but if the majority vote in favour of only one collector, the Council would agree to this. Nantglyn and Llanynys (Urban).-No reply had been received. The Clerk said that he had recieved a letter from Derwen consenting to the course proposed to be adopted by the Guardians with regard to the filling of the vacancy. The Chairman said no official reply had been read from Llanynys urban. There were only two ratepayers in the parish, and they inform- ed him of their willingness to entrust both offi- cies-the collectorship, and the overaeership, to one man. Mr. Isaac Jones said that Nantglyn had con- sidered the question, and agreed to the same course as the one now suggested by the Chair- man. The Clerk: The question now is, do these several answers justify you in taking action to fill this vacancy ? Gyffylliog and Llanrliai adr are the only parishes that propose to divide the district, and the two collectors. Mr. Gomer Roberts: Gyffylliog will agree to one officer, if the majority of the other parish- es are of that opinion. Mr. T. P. Roberts; Should not the minority of the Parishes give up to the wishes of the majority in this matter? The Clerk: Gyffylliog are willing to agree with the majority, whilst Llanrhaiadr, al- thougn agreeable to do the same, still suggest that there should be two officers. The only question for you now is whether you appoint a collector of rates, and leave to the parishes the appointment of overseers. Mr. Isaac Daniel said that Llanrhaidai- would be willing to bow to the wish of the majority of the parishes, but they still believed that two should be appointed- The Chairman said that at the last meeting, the Board unanimously passed a resolution in favour of appointing one collector. He wished to know whether they wished to do anything different that day. Mr. Isaac Daniel proposed that two collect- ors be appointed. Mr Issac Jones seconded. Mr. Owen Williams proposed as an amend- ment that they apply to the Local Government Board for an order to appoint a collector The question had been fully dealt with at the last Board, and there was no need of submitting any reasons to prove that this was the wisest course. The feeling of the district was un- doubtedly in favour of the appointment of one man to do the work. Mr. E. P. Jones seconded. On being put to the vote, the amendment was carried by a large majority, those voting for the original motion being Messrs. Isaac Daniel, Isaac Jones (Nantglyn), John Wil- liams (Llanrhaiadr), and Edward Jones (Llan- rhaiadr). The Clerk said that Mr. Fox would be going out of office on the 25th inst., and asked the Board whether it was their wish that he should apply forthwith to the Local Government Board, so as to be able to advertise in the local press during this week, and the appointment made at the next meeting of the Board. Mr. Thomas Jones was afraid that the time in which to receive the applications would be too short to make the appointment at the next meeting. Mr. T. H. Roberts also thought that a week would be too short. The Chairman: Those who know about the vacancy are, no doubt, prepared with their ap- plications. The Clerk: They call with me almost every day with reference to it (laughter). The Chairman Do you agree to fix the salary at ZESO, and to advertise it accordingly? Mr. E. P. Jones: Yes, XSO is quite sufficient. I propose that the salary be £ 80. Mr. E. T. Jones seconded. The Chairman: Then the resolution will be, that the Clerk be instructed to apply to the Local Government Board for an order to appoint a rate collector, and that if this order is received during this week, that he should advertise the post at a salary of CSO." Dr. Jenkins: Is thers a pension for the out- going officer ? The Clerk: Yes. we cannot help it. Dr. Jenkins How long has he been in office ? The Clerk: For over 40 years. Dr. Jenkins: Then he will get the full pen- sion of over two thirds of his salary of £ 105 ? The Clerk said that the new officer if he cared to retire after attaining the age of 65 years, would, under the new Superannu- ation Act, be entitled to the 60th part of hi 3 salary for every year of office. Of course, he would have to subscribe out of his salary to the superannuation funds. Mr. Owen Williams: We cannot prevent him from having a pension. Dr. Jenkins said he did not mean to do it. What he wanted to call attention to was, that the Board, in making previous appointments, did not take this matter of pension into their calculation. The new officer would certainly not be entitled to the same salary and pension as the old officer. The Clerk said that out of XSO he would have to pay f,2 annually towards his pension fund. Mr. John Roberts wanted to know what salary Mr. Fox received when he first entered the service of the Board as collector ? The Clerk: I cannot tell you that now without a great deal of trouble. Mr. John Roberts: Was it not something like E75 ? The Clerk: Yes, £75 or £80. But when Mr. Fox was appointed, the district comprised three divisions. Mr. Roberts: How many years has he served for the salary of £105? The Clerk said he could not say. Mr. Roberts: I think we ought to know this before we pass anything with regard to the salary. < The Clerk said Mr. Fox had been 4f) years in office, and to his knowledge had been receiving £ 105 for 25 years. Mr. John Roberts proposed that the salary be left oub, because the Board should have some basis to work upon. They ought to know what salary Mr. Fox received when he entered their service. Mr. Owen Williams failed to see how this affected the filling of the present vacancy. The Clerk said Mr. Fox would be rehiring in the next Board, and would ask them to grant him his pension. He (the Clerk) would have the figures ready by then. Mr. J. H. Simon proposed that the salary be fixed at £ 70. Mr. T. H. Roberts seconded. On being put to the meeting. 7 voted in favour of £ 70, and 11 in favour of £80, the motion being declared carried. Mr. Owen Williams said the majority of the parishes were evidently anxious for the rate collector to secure also the assistant overseer- ship, and personally he was in favour of the collector having the same post. The Chairman inquired whether it would not be better to give in the advertisement the in timation that the officer was not to accept any other office except the assistant overseership. Mr. T. P. Roberts said he would be very glad .to propose such a resolution. Mr. John Williams (Llanrhaiadr) asked what had they to do with it. Their business was to appoint a rate collector, and what other work the man did they should not interfere with. Mr. T. P. Roberts said that if a man who was appointed to this office was allowed to retain ap other offices, it would be in direct contraven- tion to the sermons preached at the table for many years past. In his opinion, the man should not encumber himself with too many public offices. Mr. T. H. Roberts said he would second Mr. T. P. Roberts' proposition. If the man ap- pointed to this office was allowed to retain other businesses, the probability would be that he would do his own business first, and the business of the Guardians afterwards. Mr. John Williams then asked whether a man holding a small farm of ten or 15 acres would be prohibited from receiving the ap- pointment. Mr. T. P. Roberts: No, certainly not. That would be his home. The Chairman said that if a man held a few acres of land in this way, and if it would be a matter of convenience to him in carrying on the duties connected with his office, such as keeping a pony and so forth, he should net be prohibited from that of course, but if a man held a f Hm with the purpose of making profit out of it, that would be quite another matter. Mr. T. P. Roberts said it had been the cus- tom of some people to pile offices upon the shoulders of the same man, but now that day had passed. He considered it likely that this office would be worth £ 160 to £ 180 a year, and surely that was enough for any man, without his needing to get other public offices. The Chairman said that of course he did not mean that a small farm of 10 to 15 acres would come under the description of an additional office. Mr. Gomer Roberts said that they had before them the question of the appointment of rate collector, and if that man failed to carry out his duties properly, they would, no doubt, de- privehim of the office. The duties of rate collec- tor were not the same as those of the relieving officer. The relieving officer should certainly give the whole of his time to the office, as he had to deai with the sick persons, lunatics, and so on. Bat a rate collector would have no- thing to do but to collect the rates, and if after collecting them he had time to spare, why pro- hibit him from employing that time usefully to hims ilf ? He proposed that the matter be left open, and that no stipulation on the sub- ject should be put in the advertisement. Mr. Isaac Daniel seconded the motion. Mr. Thomas Jones asked Mr. T. P. Roberts whether he meant in his proposition that the man appointed to the office should not hold another office from which he would be in the receipt of wages? Mr. T. P. Roberts: Yes, that is so, I cer- tainly would not interfere in a man holding a few acres of land on which he would keep a cow and a horse. What I mean is, that he should not be allowed to hold any public office. Mr. Gomer Roberts said it was understood that no parish was obliged to appoint their rate collector as its assistant overseer. Therefore, the man appointed as rate collector had no security that he would receive anything exc-pt the £ 80 a year in respect of the rate collector- ship, and the X-80 was not too much for a man entrusted with such a responsible office. There- fore, supposing he did not, receive the assistant overseerships for the parishes, the man certainly had time, and should have the opportunity to do other work besides rate collection. On being put to the vote, the meeting recor- ded five votes for the amendment by Mr. Gomer Roberts, which was defeated by a large majority. The four voting with Mr. Gomer Roberts v ere Messrs Isaac Daniel, Isaac Jones, J. Williams, and Edward Jones. Mr. Owen Williams asked whether they could not unanimously agree on the matter. In hit opinion, a. man keeping a small shop, looked after by his wife, would not come within the restriction. He would like them to be unani- mous. Mr. T. P. Roberts said that what he meant was, that it was not right even for a shop- keeper to carry on that business when appoin- ted to an office like this. A man keeping a small allotment with a cow and a horse, and using that horse for his own purposes in collec- ting the rate, did not come in the same cate- gory. What he meant was, that the man should not take such offices as clerkships of Schoo! Boards, and so on. The discussion then dropped, and the Board went on to consider the Master's report. THE HOUSE. The Master reported the entertainment kindly arranged for by Mr. T. Rouw which had taken place in the previous week, when a capital entertainment was given by the Llan- bedr Black Swallow Minstrels. At the close Mr. Rouw distributed buns to all the inmates. Illustrated papers had been received from Miss Ma.ysmor Gee, Pen-v-bont. Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. Rouw and Miss Gee.

UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, ABERYSTWYTH. A correspondent writes: The annual concert of the Musical Society of this Col- lege was held on Friday evening at the Pier Pavillion, when a performance of Handel's oratorio Samson' was given. The whole performance was a great success. The ren- dering of the choruses by the choir of 160 was excellent. The voices were well- balanced, and the high standard of attain- ment reached in the first chorus, Awake, the Trumpet's Lofty Sound,' was maintained throughout the performance. The two choruses in the third part-' Fixed in His everlasting seat' and Let their celestial concerts all unite'—were exceptionally good. The conductor, Mr. D. Jenkins, Mus.Bac,, deserves well at the hands of the college and the town, for the excellent way in which he trains the choir every year. The soloists were Miss Maggie Davies, Mrs. Kate M. Llewellyn, Mr. W. Davies (St. Paul's), and Mr. David Hughes. These artistes are all favourites here, and they more than kept up their former reputation. They were all en- cored during the evening. We have ;never heard Miss Maggie Davies to better advan- tage, and her rendering of Let the bright Seraphim' was excellent. The arduous con- tralto part or- I Micah' received justice at the hands of Mrs. Llewellyn. She was particu- larly fine in Return, 0 God of Hosts/ Mr. David Hughes reached his climax in'Honour and arms,' and Mr. William Davies was at his best in the duet with Mr. Hughes,' Go, baffled coward, go.' The orchestra, under the leadership of Mr. Hulley, deserves spe- cial mention, and its rendering of the Dead March' took the audience by surprise, as hfe people did r.ot quite know whether to lib- or at ike excellence of the p$rf6>raance f; or to remain silent as the solemnity of the rendering seemed to require. The audience of about 1,300 seemed well pleased with the whole concert,

THE NEW BISHOP OF ST. DAVI f)'S. THE CONSECRATION" CEREMONY AND' THE WELSH LANGUAGE. Archdeacon Griffiths, writing to the Western Mail, says:—"There appeared in your paper on Friday, a suggestion that must have commended itself to the consid- eration not merely of Welsh Churchmen, but also of the Welsh nation generally. It ap- pears to bid all denominational differences, whether political or ecclesiastical, to step aside, and make room for a national assertion of the claims of the common language of our common home to public recognition on an occasion of such unique interest. And what is the occasion ? It is that of the elevation to a post of great dignity and honour of one, racy of the soil of his native land, who has shown himself in the various positions he has held, to be a true patriot, a determined upholder of what he believes to be the rights and privileges of his fellow-countrymen, a Welsh scholar of a very accurate and exal- ted type, a man of letters who has proved himself capable of holding high rank amongst the literati of his day, and has done this and much more than I shall now attempt to enumerate with an earnestness that has commanded general admiration, and with a simplicity and unpretentious- ness that told of the greatness of his powers and proved him to be a man of high aims. He has attempted no concealment of his- torical facts in his deeply interesting his- tory. By pen and in words on public plat- forms, when pleading some great cause, he has told his hearers that he was a working man, and the son of a working man,' and put these facts forward as a justifiable argument for a fair hearing at the hands of the many,' whose best interests have a paramount place in his heart's deepest affections. I should like a national tribute to be paid to him, and I know no better at this particular time than an acknowledgment on the part of the Welsh Church and the Welsh people that one great factor in the building up of Canon Owen's successful career has bean the intel- ligent, hearty use of the prevalent language among his fellow-countrymen. It will greatly help those of us who believe in the importance to the nation, in matters per- taining to their highest intersts, that the Welsh language should be maintained in its native power and purity to find it used on such an occasion as the consecration of a Welsh bishop in some great central church. To witness and to share in such a function would be an acknowledgment that the day has not arrived when the language can be thrust into hidden corners of the religious exercises of the country. Anglo-Welshman has removed any litur- gical difficulties that. may be put forward. There is, however, another difficulty of a delicate character which must be dealt with. The one placa were the consecration of the bishop should take place is the Cathedral of St. David's. One shrinks from the thought of having it held elsewhere. The Bishop of St. David's should be consecrated in his own cathedral-the cathedral which has such a history attached to it, and which is so closely bound to the heart of the nation by such grand associations. The spirit which ani- mated the pilgrims of old, and made them bold in the attempt to face and overcome hindrances on the way to their beloved fane, has now lost its force. Riding on horses and in chariots will not suit this age of fast tra- velling. When places aN not favoured by railways the many will not resort to them. The romance of crossing fifteerr hills to cover a distance of "fifteen miles will affect and suit but very few. If Canon Owen is to be consecrated in Wales, some other place must be chosen for the celebra- tion of the august ceremony. Where can a suitable place be found 1 There are many spacious churches which would be gladly given for the purpose but where cathedrals are available these churches cannot be thought of. Then comes the question- Which of the three Welsh cathedrals should be selected ? It is a question easily answer- ed. Public opinion is ready with its answer If a cathedral, Llandaff must be that cathe- dral. I feel sure that its great Dean would aflord the Welsh Church and the Welsh people every facility for having the cere- mony performed there. Then a few words as to the nature and character of the service, more especially as to its linguistic arrange- ments. Necessity obliges the partial use of English. We are a bilingual nation, and can appreciate both English and Welsh. Let the Welsh, however, be the prevailing lan- guage of the day. The Archbishop's pre- sence must be secured. Extensive as his knowledge of both ancient and modern lan- guages is, he is not quite at home in the use of the language of old Cambria-the one language of his province before other lan- guages drove it out to seek shelter among the mountains, where it still loves to dwell —the Language of Llanddewi Brefi, which, if legends can be relied on, shook not only the hearts of Welshmen, but made even nature itself tremble. While portions of the service will have to be performed in English, let it be arranged that the devotional and musical parts be conducted in Welsh. I would, if I were al- lowed to take a share in these arrangements, have the service so free that every tongue should be at liberty to take part in them, and every voice be heard in anthem and hymn. On such an occasion let us dispense with everything of a cramped nature. I should like to see the service marked with all the characteristics of a national religious gathering. The pulpit utterances should, I venture to suggest, be those of a sympathe- tic Welsh preacher. Our three present bishops are Welshmen. Let them cast lots, and where the lot falls let it be met with no refusal. It is impossible to forsee the good that might follow such a combination of religious sentiment, such a reunion of now separate Christian bodies. We are going far afield for reunion; let us avail ourselves of every opportunity afforded to us at homo

THE NATIONAL SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO CHILDREN AND ITS ACCUSERS. THE Executive Committee of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children has at length resolved to ask its accusers to make their accusations to a tri- bunal which will be equal to the task of in- vestigating them and will command univer- sal confidence. The public will learn with satisfaction that Lord Herschell has, accep- ted the position of investigator.

In Danish cities it is against the law to ride on bicycles faster than the speed of a cab. In Mexico the school children who have done best are allowed to smoke cigars while pursuing their lessons. In some of the farming districts of China pigs are harnessed to small waggons and made to draw them. It is the custom of the Michigan Central Railway of America to present each of its lady passengers with a bouquet culled fresh from its own wayside gardens. I

INFANT MORTALITY, The number of deaths under five years was 43, being at at the rate of 4-4 per 1,000 per annum. In infants under one year there were 29 deaths, being in the proportion of 141 deaths to every 1,000 births, as compared with 128 per I 000 for 1895, and 161 per 1,000 births for the whole of England and Wales for the same period. In maBy respects this is satisfactory, but it must be admitted that even in this district a considerable number of infants are sacrificed unnecessarily, and this is due beyond doubt to injudicious feeding and defective management of infants. Mortality among old people.— No less than 68 of the deaths were persons 65 years and up. wards, that is, 43 per cent of the whole deaths, or at the rate of 7 per 1,000 per annum. Zymotic death rate.-Sevel deaths occurred from zymotic disease, namely, 3 from scarlet fever, which is notifiable, and 3 from whooping cough, which is not notifiable; thus giving a death rate of 0 7 per 1,000 per annum. In all the deaths from whooping cough there was some secondary complication. Other causes of deatlt.-Disease of the respira- tory organs was certified as the cause of 29 deaths, and heart disease was certified as the cause of 15 deaths, 24 deaths were caused by diseases of the nervous system, while 13 were attributed to convulsions, and which is pro- bably the least reliable of all the certitied causes of death. Prevalence of infectious disease and Notifica- tioit.-Durin,- the year 43 cases of scarlet fever, and one of diphtheria were notified. The case of diphtheria occurred at Plas, Llangwyfan, and seemed to have been caused by foul air from a defective drain. The epidemics of scarlet fever in the sub districts of Llanelidan and Llanrhai- adr caused us considerable anxiety and threa- tened to assume alarming proportions, but by a steady and persistent application of precau- tionary measures, such an isolation, disinfec- tions, school closure, etc., the progress of the epidemic in both places was arrested. In the case of Llanelidan, the infection was conveyed by a little child from Liverpool to Garthygroes, from Garthygroes to Ty isa, and so on. We have on more than one occasion had reason to know that the authorities in the large towns are far more careful about the importation than of the exportation of infetious disease. The epidemic in Llanrhaiadr was more scattered, and all the cases could not be traced to a com- mon source. However, I was able to prove conclusively that the infection in the first in- stance was brought from a distance. Some children were brought to the parish for a change of air, from some school and charitable institution in Lancashire. These children mixed with the school children, and thus the fever was spread, In order to impress upon parents and others the importance of isolation, section 126 of the Public Health Act 1875 was printed on slips in Welsh and English. These were left at every infected house, and at all public places in the aeighbourhood. I also sent a circular letter to guardians, schoolmasters, and others, requesting their co-operation in enforcing the necessary precautions. Measles and whooping cough were also pre- valent in several parts of the district during the year, but as they are not notifiable it is not so easy to gauge the extent of their prevalence. However the same precautions were taken as in the other zymotic disease. DISINFECTING APPARATUS NEEDED. I drew attention in my last report to the difficulties of providing hospital accommoda tion for infectious cases, and as these appear to be insuperable, some more efficient means of disinfecting infected bedding, bed clothes, wear- ing apparel, etc., should he provided. Suitable appliances for disinfecting by steam (the only reliable method) are now to be obtained at a moderate cost. Further dimsion\of the district.—In the month of August the district was divided into two districts for sanitary purposes) viz., the Llan- rhaiadr and the Ruthin districts. An inspector of nuisances was appointed for each district, each inspector to be also surveyor of his dis- trict. I, at first, doubted the wisdom of this plan, thinking in might seriously break the continuity of the excellent work carried on heretofore by Mr. Ebenezer Evans, but I have been agreeably disappointed. The new inspec- tor, Mr. W. Jones, entered upon his duties ^"with energy aad intelligence and I now look ^upon the arrangement as being admirably adapted to the requirements of the widely extended district. Systematic Inspection. I have during the year at certain periods, and as occasion re- quired, inspected the district, to keep myself informed by personal observation, as to any condition injurious to health, and I am pleased to be able to report that much excellent work has been carried out during the year in connec- tion with dwellings, their surroundings, water supply, drainage, etc., but, as in my previous report, the greatest cause for complaint, is the condition of the rural cottages, which are in places dilapidated, so small, and so few rooms that, when a family is large, decency is impos- sible and disease inevitable. As a proof of the fact that the prevalence and the virulence of infectious disease are increased by the crowd- ing together of human beings in small rooms, I might mention the fact that during the severe epidemic of measles, which occurred a few years ago, only 3 deaths occurred, and in each case all the^nembers of each family slept in the same room. WATER SUPPLY. The council met a few times expressly to consider the numerous schemes for the better water supply of the district, and ifc will be seen under the respective sub districts that several excellent improvements have been carried out in this respect. Still it is much to be regretted that hardly any progress has been made with the larger schemes. RUTHIN SUB DISTRICT. Death rate, 18'3 per 1,000 per annum. Birth rate 30 per 1,000 per annum. Whooping cough was extremely prevalent about Llanbedr in the spring, and the school had to be closed for a considerable time. Cases of scarlet fever also occurred at Brynffynnon, Fronfelus, Fronhyfryd, and Pwllglas, in the parish of Efenechtyd. The Fronhyfryd case which was infected away from home, termina- ted fatally. MEDICAL OFFICER'S ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the Medical Officer was read as follows;- Wider Supply,—The suggestions for improving the water supply of Tanyrunto and Pentre, Llanbedr have not been carried out. Four new houses have been built at Ehiw, Pwllglas. GYFFYLLIOG SUB DISTRICT. Death rate 16 3 per 1,000 per annum. Birth date 28-8 per 1,000 per annum. Owing to a rather severe outbreak of meas- les the Gyffylliog school had to be closed for srveral weeks. The only case of scarlet fever occurred at Wern ucha, Nantglyn, and was imported from Llanrhaiadr. Dwellings improved A new house has been built at Hafod Wen, Nantglyn, and Tanygraig, Gyfiylliog, has been much improved. LLANDYRNOG SUB DISTRICT. Death rate 16-9 per 1,009 per annum. Birth rate 16'9 per 1,000 per annum. By a strange coincidence, the birth rate and the death rate were equal. A death rate of 16-9 may be considered satisfactory, but as a birthrate it is highly unsatisfactory, and much lower than in any other of the sub districts. Whooping cough was prevalent early in the year, and two deaths were indirectly caused by it. Three cases of scarlet fever occurred at Dregoch, and infection was brought from Llan- dudno. The case of diphtheria has already been referred to. The drainage of the following places has been much improved, viz, the vil- lage of Llandyrnog, Rhiwbebyll and Waenwen. New houses have been built at Llidiart Fawr (Plas Draw), and Pentrefelin. Tynycaeau has at last been considerably improved. Ty isa, Aberwheeler, has had a new supply of water, and the stream passing Bancer Smithy has been freed from pollution, but the plan sugges- ted for the supply of Peel Hall has not yet been carried out I regret I cannot compliment the council upon the progress made with the Llangwyfan scheme, and it is much to be deplored that a question so vitally aflecting the well being of so large a proportion of the population of the sub district should be thus indefinitely pos- poned. LLANRHAIADR SUB DISTRICT. Death rate, 15 8 per 1,000 per annum. Birth rate 29-0 per 1,000 per annum. Owing to the outbreak of scarlet fever al- ready referred to, the Llanrhaiadr school had to be closed for two periods of 14 days. Cases occurred at the following places, viz: Bryneglur, Pentre, Llanrhaiadr, Old Vicarage, King's Head Inn, and Tanydderwen. These were without difficulty traced to a common source. The water supply of Cyrnro Inn, Ty Mawr, and Ty coch, Llanynys, has been much improved, bub notwithstanding persistent efforts, the schemes for the better supply of Efail-y Pwll, Prion, Henefail, Saron, Tyddyn ucha, and the village of Llanrhaiadr, have not been carried out. Equally unsuccessful was the effort made to induce the owner of the adjoining property to fell some of the trees which are an unhealthy encroachment upon the chapel house, Rhewl. LLANELIDAN SUB DISTRICT. Death rate 17'8. Birth rate 23'4. Cases of scarlet fever occurred at all the fol- lowing places, viz: Caerwyn, Llanfair Village, Brynllwynog, and Ty newydd, in the parish of Derwen Garthygroes, Ty isa, Nantyfedw, Bethergen Braichycwm, in the parish of Llaneli- dan. The Llanfair and the Llanelidan schools were closed for a short period. Water supply.-The following places were supplied during the year from the Cricor reser- voir; Bryncoch, Capel Farm and Llanbenwch. Bryn dreiniog, Derwen, has also had an excel- lent supply, but very little progress has been made with the Derwen Village, Wernhenaidd and Graigadwy-wynt schemes. Drainage.-The plan for the more efficient drainge of this village will be carried out soon. The drainage of Eyarth and Derwen Stations has been much improved. Water closets have been substituted for the offensive privies at Llanfair school which were so often con- demned, LLANARMON SUB DISTRICT. Death rate 14'5. Birth rate 27-3. Wate?-SuppZy.-Effortswere andare being made to get the well which is situated in a field near Tan-y-ffynnnon (E:yrys) enclosed so as to pre- vent surface contaminatim by cattle, etc. In time of drought, it is the only supply for a mile radius. Tyddyndows and Penybryn, Llanferres should be supplied from the Mold reservoir. The Haven, Llandegla.—The defective drain- age of this place (referred to in Dr. Bruce Low's report) has been thoroughly rectified, and the course of the stream, which formerly used to run along the side of the house has been diverted. Improvement in dtt)elliws. -Some excellent improvements have been carried out in this sub district, especially at Cwai, Tyddynsach, Cross Keys, Waenyffynnon, Breninlle and Rhos Smithy. I have the honour to be gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, J. MEDWYN HUGHES. Medical Officer of Healths The Chairman %,tid Dr. Hughes had prepared a very good and a very elaborate report. Al- though a long sermon, it was an excellent re- port in every respect, and he congratulated Dr. Hughes upon it. He noticed that the birth rate was lower in the parish of Llandyrnog than any other of the sub districts. Perhaps Dr. Hughes would explain more fully what he meant by the injudicious feeding of infants ? Dr. Hughes said that linfants were given food which they could not digest. Parents gene- rally adapted the infant to the food. That was a great mistake in many places. They gave their children food they could not digest. No child should have anything but milk un- til it was five months old. Mr. E. P. Jones No beer? Dr. Hughes: No beer (laughter). RUTHIN GRAMMAR SCHOOL. The Clerk said he had received a letter from the Charity Commissioners simply acknow- ledging the receipt of the resolution passed at the Council with reference to the Ruthin Gram- mar School. THE ERECTION OF BRIDGES. j Considerable discussion took place as* «v fI, re- quest made to the council to erect a bridge on the boundary of the parishes of Llanfwrog and Llanynys, and the clerk was asked to give his opinion as to who was the proper authority to carry out the work. The Clerk said the parishes in question could approach the County Council in the matter of erecting this bridge, and the County Council had undoubtedly a right to issue an order com- pelling the Rural District Council to do the work. Therefore the bridge in the present case would have to be erected by the District Council. Mr. T. H. Roberts said considerable doubt existed on the question of erecting and repair- ing bridges in the district. In some cases, they were told that the District Council was the authority responsible for the work, whilst in others, the Parish Councils were named. He would suggest that the question he adjourned tor a month for further inquiry The Clerk said that the bridge in this case would have to be erected by the District Coun- cil, and every case would have to be decided on its own merits. It was ultimately decided to do the work. THE SLEDGE QUESTION. Mr. Thomas Williams, of Llanarmon, wrote promising to carry annually a sufficient quan- tity of stone for the repair of the Penyfoel Hill road, if the council granted the use of sledges on the road. This question had been before the council on several previous occassion, and the use of the sledges had been prohibited. The Chairman said it did not appear from Mr. Williams' letter that he represented any body but himself. Mr. Richards said that Mr. Thomas Williams was already the responsible party for the car- tage over the road in question. The Clerk said that in their last offer with respect to this road, the people who used the sledges promised not only to carry the stones, but also to repair the road. In the present letter, Mr. Williams only offered to carry sufficient stones. Mr. John Williams: The present offer is therefore not so satisfactory as the last. Mr. Richards Personally, I think the pre- sent offer is a very satisfactory, one. It means a great deal more than the extra damage to the road caused by the use of the sledges. The Chairman suggested that sledges be al- lowed on one condition, that the previous offer be renewed, viz., that they should not only carry the stone, but put them down also. Mr. Richards thought this was a great deal too much to ask of any man. The Chairman But the offer came from the men themselves. Mr. T. H. Roberts proposed that permission be given to use the sledges for one year on the condition laid down in Mr. Williams' letter, but that the surveyor be authorised to stop their use if he thought the damage done was excessive. Mr. Henry Williams seconded. Mr. Thomes Jones said if this was agreed to, Mr. Williams' letter should be stamped and made a legal document. Mr. Richards Am I to understand that Mr. Thomas Jones wants this offer to be stamped ? Mr. Thomas Jones Yes. 1 suggest that the clerk should prepare an agreement and have it stamped in the usual way. Mr. Richards I think we ought to leave such matters to the, clerk. It is his bnsi- ness to see that the work is done legally. Mr. Thomas Jones: I have suggested the right thing, and you have no business to cast imputations on my motives. Mr. Richards But it is a matter for the clerk. The Clerk said he might have easily over- looked the matter, had in not been mentioned by Mr. Jones. The motion of Mr. J. H. Roberts was then carried. GYFFYLLIOG BRIDGE. The Council having at a previous meeting declined to repair and widen the bridge in the village of Gyflylliog, Mr. Hugh Thomas, Post Master, now wrote offering to supply the necessary materials at his own ex- pense, if the council did the work. Mr. E. P. Jones: The rates are getting higher and higher, and we are continually ap- pealed to erect bridges of this kind. I should like to know what is the matter with the people (laughter). We must provide them with lamps jusb now to enable them to drive over these bridges at night (loud laughter). Mr. T. H. Roberts called attention to the fact that according to the councillor for the pari- shes, the work was not absolutely necessary, and would be of no benefit to the parish. It was decided to leave the matter at present, and to intimate to Mr. Hugh Thomas that the council would have no objection for him doing the work subject to the approval of the sur- veyor.