The North Wales Times

CATTLE MARKETS, AND FAIRS. EIRKZNHEAD. -Agricultural Prodwee.-Dee. 27th. I —Hay, old, 22 128 6d per ton old clover, f3 10s to S3 15s Od; and manure, 2s to 48 per ton. LONDON.—Agricultural Pruduce. --December 27th. —Trade and prices remain nominally without altera- tion. Good to prime hay, from 65s Od to 82s 6d; inferior to fair hay, 45s to 60s; good to prime clover, 70a to 100s; inferior to fair ditto, 50s to 68s; mixture and sainfoin, 50s to 85s; straw. 25s to 38s per load. LIVERPOOL.—Wholesale Vegetable.—December 28.— Potatoeg :-Giants, Is 9d to 2s 2d; main crops, 2s 6d to 38 Od bruce, 2s Od to 2s 6d per cwt. Turnips, swedes, Is 2d to Is 4d per cwt; carrots, 2s 9d to 3s 6d per cwt. LIVERPOOT.St. John's December 28th.— Beef, 5d to 9d per lb; mutton, 6d to 9:1; veal, 7d to 9d; fresh pork, 7d to 9d per Ib fresh butter, Is 2d to Is 4d per pound ditto, salt, la Od to Is 2d per tb; eggs, per 120, lla 4d. SALFORD, December 27th.—Moderate trade done at mart on Tuesday, when there was a fair attendance. buyers and sellers quotations pretty much th? same as last week, odd cases named of being able to do slightly better but generally, quotations were unaltered. licef, from 4|J to 6-H; «heep, 5|d to 8d and oalres, from 5d to 8|d per lb. Pigs were about 7s to 7s 6d per scene lbs. BIRMINGHAM, December 29th.—Short supplies, and trad-! being quiet for cattle and fair for pigs. Beef, I from otia to tiJrd per Jb; and mutton. 5d to 8!d per lb. oucon pigs, from 18 61 to 7h 9d per score lbs; cutters, I bs to 8s 4d; porketa, 10s to 10s 6d; and BOWS, 6s 4d per score lbs. LONDON, December 29th. TherwAre very few beasts on. offer, and the demand was very limited, trade being quite nominal. The sheep market was fairly well supplied but the demand being dull, trade nas slow, with prices favouring buyers: 8st to 9st Down wethers quoted at 5s 8d to.5s lOd; lOst, 5s 6d to 5s 81; 10st half-breds, 58 2d to 5s 4d list Hamp- shires, 4s lOd to as; 12st Lincoln a, 4s 6d to 48 8d per 8 lbs. Calf trade nominal. DCBLIN, December 29tt.Prlme heifer and ox beef, from 48s Od to 52s: stallfeds, 528 6d to 56s; secondary quality, 44s to 47s 6d pe- cwt. Wether muttoL, from bid to 6d; and w", ruu-ton, od to 6id per Th. Hog- gets, average shipping, 54a to 54s; lambs, 20s to 30a OMih. Veal, 71tl to 8d per lb. x ■ • "i

his issue we present our subscri- ,with a copy of the NORTH WALES ) OCKET RAILWAY GUIDE for Jan- i staining accurate information as ) Trains and Fares, Postal In- N Tide Tables, Fairs, a Lighting for Cyclists and others, and a fer useful information.

1 ——————— = 'fH BIITHS. .ember 27th, at Lower Brognal't, Holway, the wife of Mr. William Jones, of a sember 27th, at Gwendraeth, Ffvanon- wife of Mr. Thomas Jones, schoolmaster, ater. flecember 23rd, at 10, Barnsbury Square, olfe of the Rev. D, J. Thomas, MA, Priaci- he Home and Colonial Training College, of a daughter. M A P, R I A G E -I)OWELL -December 26th, at Rehoboth cbfcpel, Prctitatya, by the Rev. Ezra Jones ,er), Mr. DavId Griffith, Birch Villa, Pres- to Miss Maggie Dowell, Victoria Arena, dbtyn. .Tils—JoS3S — December 24th, at Ebenezar il, Wa! win. Bag ill i., by the Rev Lewis Owen, Titus Griffiths, 6, Priory Street, Garston, to ss Anne Tana Jones, Marsh Cottages, Bagillt. ,.lms-D,\VIEs-D!cembr 23rd, at Llanasia Parish ithurch, by the Re'>. Mr. Hughe. curate, Mr. Petar JJavies, Tan'ralls, GweSjiyr, to Mrs. Jenaett Davies, Ciwespyr. HrGHi*"?—DAVIBS—Decs^cber 24th, at the C. M. chapel, Webster Road, Liverpool, by the Rev. William Owen (minister), Mr. Griffith Hughes, Penybryn, Bryn. Anglesey, to Miss Mary Davies, fourth daughter of the lat-j Mr. Morria and Mrs. Margaret Davies, ETenllan, near Denbigh. HBGUK3—DAVIES—D ^eeubsr 14th, by license, at the Lianai,a Pariah Church, by the Rev. Mr. tlnghes, curate in charge, Mr. Hugh Hughes, contractor, Trelogan, Holywell, c. Miss M. A. Davies, Gwespyr, JOHS3—HCGHsES — December 2ifeh, at the Parish Church, Holywell, by the Rev. Joseph Davies, B,A., curate, Mr. John Tones, Parcian, Halcyn, to Miss Sarah Flaglies, Carnarvon Castle Inn, High Street, Holy well. PARKY—JONES—December 24th. at the Registrar's Office, Holy well. Mr. Edward Parry, Tanybryn, Gf^waenysgir, to Miss Catherine Jones, Lian. Cottage, Newmarket. PAKBI—EVAHS December 2'r-'n. at the Wesleyan chapel, Chester Road. Holyweii, by the Rev. Joseph Owen, Mr. William Samuel Parry, Gors, Mostyn, I to Miss Margaret Anne Evans, Gorsedd, near Holywell. SHAW—ROBERTS—December loth, at Holy Trinity Church, Wakefield, by the RJV. J. H. Wilson, Mr. George Alfred Sha.w, to Clara Jane, youngest daughter of Mr. Evan Roberta, late of Tryddyn, Mold. WTLLIAMS -PArRY-December 24th, at St. Winefride's chapel, Holywell, by the Rev. John Milner, Mr. Robert Williams, Ty Coch, Gwespyr, to Miss Eliza- beth Parry, Ellis' Terrace, Gwespyr. DEATHS. BASSET December 26th, at the Infirmary. Denbigh, Mr. Wil Ham Price Bassett, painter, 26, Beacon's Hiil, Dei ibigh, at the age of 44 years. Deceased had for m $-LY years served as an employee on the Ystrad esOate, and was highly respected by his friends and acquaintances. About twelve months aga, his wife died. Three little children have been left to mourn the los3 of a kind father. The funeral took place (Friday), at Whitchurch. Ht'CKK?—December 2Sth, Mr. Samuel Hughes, Waer., Prion. uear Denbigh, after a severe illness of about sever, weeks, agnd 77 years. The funeral will take place next Monday (starting from the house at 1.30), at I nrhaiadr- chtf^hy&ri, t-jGhes—Decembar 296, after a severe illness, Mrs. Anne Hughes, widow of the late Mr. William Hughes, Tf Mawr, Hjnllan Street, Denbigh. aged 75 years. She left oe son to mourn her loss. The funeral will take pl&oe next Monday, at Henllan churchyard. IIU.)fPHRETS-December 17th, at Wrexham, Edith, the beloved wife of Mr. Robert Humphreys, and eldest daughter of Mr. bal'c and Mrs. Harriet Anne Maeo digyohwyn, LIna.rmon la Yale, aged 24 years. HUGHBS--December 25th, at the residence of her daughter, at Brynford Street, Holywell, Mrs. Sarah Hughes (late of Lixwm), agofl 74 years. -Josras—D'ecember 25th, at ew Brighton. Bagillt, Eleanor, wife of Mr. David Jones. ^g#"tCS-*Ji)eceaiber 26th, at Tai Trevor, near Holywell, Mr. John Isaacs, aged 50 years. McLOUIHLIN—December 22nd, at Milford Street, I Mold, Mary McLaughlin, aged 63 years. Newton—December 25th, at Drury, Mary, widow of the late Mr. J. Newton, of Drury Farm, Buckley, ¡ aged 74 years. I TIBEPUOK— A.t the residence of her mother, 355, Park Road, Liverpool, Margaret Elizabeth, of Banquet House. Rhnddian, eldest daughter of the late Mr. John Tirebuck, Liverpool. Friends pleaae accept this intimation. American and Aweiralian papers please copy. W —December 26th, at Colywest, Mostyn, ia'y Ance, the beloved wife of the late Mr. Robert Williams, Gwlbnant Mill, Mostyn, aged 73 years.

THE CLOSING YEAR. THE year now drawing to a close has been one of many anxieties, but the outlook is I brighter in some respects than was the case last Christmas, Then we had on hand one I of the most formidable wars that has ever I been known on the north west frontier of India. In the Soudan, the Dervishes were also preparing to take the offensive. At the time, this movement gave rise to some little apprehension, though it ultimately led to the crushing defeat of the enemy at the Atbara on Good Friday. Just now, if we are not at peace with all the world, there is at least no serious war on hand. There may still be a little fighting in Uganda and Equatorial Africa, but the Soudan has been won back to civilisation and though the Mad Mullah has been en- deavouring to once more raise the Border tribes, no further trouble seems to be anti- cipated in northern [ndia. The Gordon Highlanders will doubtless find some satis- I faction in contrasting their surroundings at Edinburgh, at this festive season, with what they were in the perishing cold of the bleak Afridi Hills. This year we may hope that every British soldier or sailor, wher- ever he may be in the world, will be able to eat his Christmas dinner undisturbed by war's alarms. This, at least, will remove a load of anxiety in many homes. It is the sympathy with absent friends, and the thoughts of home, that help to make Yule- tide the one great season of the year. Some attach more importance to certain seasons than others, but to most people Christmas suggests a range of reflections, beyond that, of course, of its religious aspect. There is in the first place, an irresistible inclination to revert to the subject of the weather. We continue to cherish the idea that Christ- mas is properly to be associated with frost and snow, with ice and skating. Our un- certain climate frequently fails to come up to expectations, but we continue to hold fast to tradition, and never omit to refer to it when friend meets friend at this particu- lar season. Then we usually take this opportunity of reflacting upon the year's experience in business and personal affairs. To some it brings memories of hushed voices, and to others it means a harder struggle for existence. Taking the country as a whole, there is every reason to believe that the nation is still enjoying a rising tide of prosperity. Unfortunately, the out-look abroad is not so favourable. Statesmen and sovereigns hint darkly at war, and there has been an occasional glimpse of the clash of policies between nation and nation, that has given rise to a vague apprehension of some peril to come. There is no sign of g ny real progress to- wards the reign of'peace on earth.' The Czar's message may be regarded as the first serious attempt in this direction, but it has been followed by a manifestation of quar- rels, and a general feeling of unrest and uncertainty in Europe, greater than at any time since 1870. We know that in the last few months, this country has been nearer to a great war than for many years past. The Czar's pacific policy will, of eourse, receive the ordinary forms of courtesy, but it will surprise no one, if, I when the Conference meets, it is found that the seeds have fallen on stony soil. Russia may be doing no more than other Powers are doing, in embarking upon a vast navy, or even in spending X12,000,000 in rearm- ing her artillery with the most modern and destructive weapons, But the aggressive policy which Russia has been following in the far east, is something more than other Powers are doing in the contrary direction to a pacific policy, and it is futile to ignore the bearings of these facts as destructive to any hope of great results from the Con- ference. The nation that will persuade the others to disarm, must first show some dis- position to moral force alone, and there is, or was, perhaps, only one great nation- self-contained in its own great strength- that conld afford to run the risk. That was the United States, and this year,, the Americans have started on the same old- world policy of conquest and expansion. Still, if we are not in sight of the realisa- ion of the dream of the apostles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, we may yet hope that the Czar's proposal will some day bear fruit. Hope, as Wordsworth said, is the paramount duty which heaven lays on the human heart. Without it, few would care to live, and no one can really believe that it is a fixed and unalterable law, that men were ultimately created to butcher one anocher.

THE REFORM OF THE COMPANIES ACT. THE need for Company-Law reform is once more brought out by the annual report on the Liquidation of Joint Stock Com- panies. Recently a great deal of publicity has been given to the methods under which company promoting is often carried on. The country has also not forgotten the wide distress caused by the Jabez Balfour swindles, which might have been prevented by a more efficient law with regard to joint- stock enterprise. Year after year the Inspector General in Bankruptcy has urged that certain defects in the law which no- toriously lend themselves to fraud and abuse, should be amended by a short Act of Parliament. The pressing need for re- form has been recognised by Sir Michael Hicks-Beach, who not so long ago declared that the present state of things deliberately encourages fraud. The subject was also similary referred to by the Lord Chief Justice, who quite recently stated that X28,000,000 represents the sum lost by the investing public in the last seven years, by more or :less fraudulent company promo- tions. There is consequently no lack of authority, showing the necessity for some I c • i c::=: radical ch?. ht | stock S i St. f: I expose the 1 v Aolies which will not unduly ,th free- dom of honest speculations; <>Uv ..aeprincipal points are comparatively few and simple. Company law, as it stands, gives no guar- J antee against the suppression of material 'I fscts. The present report by the Board of Trade states that nothing is more simple I i tbftn to draw a prospectus, which does not contain a smgle mis-representation, but which by its concealment of some of the I most important and materia! facts is equally I calculated to deceive and defraud.' The Lord Chief Justice referred to the necessity for greater publicity in this respect, and the law should clearly be altered so as to compel the disclosure of all the transactions behind the prospectus, as to what are the relations between the promoter and the directors, and the various stages through which the property or business may have passed, prior to conversion. Then the law should be strengthened with regard to the responsibility for the audit and balance sheet, and of experts who are in the pay of the promoters. Public companies should also be compelled to register their deben- tures, as in the case with individuals who gave a bill of sale over their property. These reforms would prevent a good deal of I that fraudulent over-capitalisation, which is the chief source of mischief. Directors should further be restrained from going to allotment on insufficient capital, and share- holders might be given more scope to con- sider and modify their position up to the first statutory meeting. Another evil is the practice of making a market' by which a ring of promoters, jobbers, and stock-brokers, create the appearance of a prosperous company, but which is, perhaps, largely fictituous, and for which DO pros- L pectus has ever appeared. The public are drawn in by the rising quotations published in the official lists, but which merely repre- sent bogus transactions. This practice, where it is animated by a fraudulent spirit and intention, would be difficult to check, and probably ail that could be done would be, to compel the publication of a prospectus in every instance. This would enforce greater publicity and responsibility which are the chief safeguards for the public in these matters. Finally, there is the COne Man Company' which is the favourits device of the bankrupt to defeat and escape his creditors. Under the Act of 1890, there could be a public examina- tion of company promoters and directors, just the same as in the case of private individuals, but, in an unfortunate de- cision, the House of Lords ruled that the Official Receiver must first allege fraud on the part of those to be examined, before he can order their appearance in court. The bankruptcy officials, of course, decline to I take the responsibility of imputing fraud, except in absolutely certain cases, and in ¡ this respect the Act has been rendered practically inoperative. The consequence is that many evade the ordeal of a public examination, which might lead to the dis- closure of assets, and of practices that ought to bring their authors within the I criminal law. The chief objection, usually urged against a thorough reform of com- pany law, is the danger of making the con- ditions too onerous for; the best class of directors to submit to. There is a com- mittee still investigating into the whole subject, but, if we may judge from the Lord Chancellor's recent statement in the House of Lords, its report will be of an inconclu- sive character for this very fear of placing shackles upon the development of joint stock enterprise.' To most people the boot seems to be on the other leg, and to be fast bringing the whole system into disrepute. Unless there is some effective reform of the I Companies Acts, removing the possibility I of the present blot upon commercial morality, it will soon be difficult for any honourable man to accept the position of a company director.

THE INDUSTRIAL OUTLOOK. WHATEVER the new year may bring forth, it opens with a marked improvement in the general prospects of trade. Several of the leading industries are more fully em- ployed than they have been for a long time past, and in many directions there is an appearance of activity that promises well for commerce. There is quite a remarkable boom in the shipbuilding trades, and from the West of Scotland, and other centres of the industry the reports show that the yards were never more full of work, or more crowded with orders. This same gratifying condition of things is also ap- parent throughout the engineering trades. It has been suggested that the industrial revival which is just noticeable all over the world, is, to no small extent, due to the abnormal preparations for war. Certainly the fact stands out that since the Czar pro- posed a common basis for peace, all Europe and America have pressed forward with armaments, Russia herself is just now en- gaged in ransacking all the chief financial capitals for a loaii of fifteen or twenty millions sterling, and at this moment several populous districts in that country are threa- tened with all the horrors of a famine. But the money is not wanted for the starving people, but to re-arm the Russian artillery with a new and up-to-date weapon of the most destructive power, and for other ar- maments. There is no doubt but that the increased pressure of work on hand for the navy, and for war material, partly accounts for the industrial revival in this country. Still the increased activity is just as marked on the commercial side, especially in the ship-building and engineering trades. Tlaerc;, is also sotne improvement in the textile i industries, and Lancashire is benefitting I from an increased demand for cotton goods from India. In the home industries an unfailing sign of better times is the great I increase of activity which is everywhere general in the buildirg trades. There is also a great expansion in Light Railway and traffic schemes, and at last this country seems to be waking up to the advance of electrical engineering, and to the all-im- portant part it will play in the manufac- turing industries in the future. Yet in spits of these signs of increasing prosperity, :ç;.=, there is no falling off ia the complaitèf the decay of our foreign trade. Mr. lrce¡ when dealing with this subject- ^her day at Leicester, was unable to see any- thing very cheering in the fact, that, while our own export trade tends to decline, that of the United States and Germany goes on expanding by leaps and bounds. Our total trading account, it is true, does not fall back, but it is only maintained by the growing excess of imports over exports, amounting to something like 170 million pounds in 1898, or over 50 millions more than two years ago The divergence has been steadily progressive for many your:, past, and while our imports are rapidly approaching to double the value of our exports, in the United States the tendency is precisely in the opposite direction. For the eleven months in 1898, to November, the United States imported goods to the value of about £ 116,000,000, while her exports amounted to £ 225,000,000. By all the laws of barter exchange our in- creased imports ought to mean increased exports. This not being the case, the only explanation is that we pay for our 170 mil- lions of excess imports by profits upon in- vested capital abroad, and upon shipping, we being the freight carriers of the world. According to the economists, the increase of imports simply means that we have more money to purchase other people's goods. This doctrine has long been accepted, but if it means advancing prosperity in our cause, it ought in the light of American trade statistics, to mean precisely the reverse in the United States. Yet everybody knows that this does not represent the existing state of things across the Atlantic, while most people are conscious, despite the evidence of general industrial prosperity, that our foreign trade i;, and has long been- of a non-progressive character. There is soma further explanation wanted than is common to the two schools of thought, to account for the equally flourishing condi- tion of things existing at the present, time in this country, and in the United States, bearing in mind that the two countries are under the opposite policies of the Protec- tionist and the Free Trader, and produce results which show two extreme variations, of what is generally called the balance of trade.' One or two points, however, are beyond all dispute. The population of the world, and its capacity for satisfying its wants, are rapidly increasing, but fresh efforts and new methods are needed, if this country is to obtain any adequate share of the trade in supplying these growing de- mands. That is the one theme harped upon by the foreign Consuls, and it is a problem to which our merchants and manufacturers cannot too soon give their serious attention.

SLING'S AND ARROWS. -r- /r,- 'J "J- r" > [BY A YEOMAN OF THE ryTTARDI. Denbigh Tories are tolally demoralised. They dare not face the electors. In the Coun- cil they talk big and act small, but when an opportunity is offered them of asking the ratepayers to pronounce upon their doings, they immediately turn tail. They bad such a drubbing when they ventured to face the electors with Mr. J. T. Hughes as a can- didate, that they cannot forget it for a time. Therefore, they allowed Mr. Griffith Jones, Eglwyswen, a Liberal and a Nonconformist n, to take unopposed and unchallenged, the seat previously occupied by Mr. W. D. W. Griffith, a Tory and a Churchman. It is true that Mr. Jones has only been elected until the end of the present municipal year, but at the same time, if it is worth while putting in a Liberal, it would also be worth while for <;he Conservatives to attempt to put in a Conservative. But they know perfectly well that they could not, and they have meekly bowed to the castigation administered to them on the previous occasion. < < Some people have very peculiar notions as to bow a debt should be recovered. A story reaches me from a country parish, which, if true, does not reflect any great credit on a clergyman of the Established Church. In this particular parish, like many others, certain doles were distributed on St. Thomas' Day. One of the usual re- cipients was a small- very small—land- holder, and he owed the clergyman of the parish four shillings tithe. It is stated, —but I hope that it not true-- that the Rector or Vicar, I am not sure of the title, asked the recipient to take only one shilling out of the doles, and leave him the four shillings due for tithe Whether this strange request was complied with, I can- not say. When it is considered that tithes { were, once upon a time, left to be equally distributed between the poor and the priest, it seems hard lines that the little that still remains to the poor, even other than out of the tithe, should be appropriated by the parson. » • • » It is pleasant to turn from the bickerings of political life to the more pleasant topic of Christmas and its surroundings. Many of us can be very bitter when politically opposed to one another, but all such bit- terness- should cease when persons meet in non-political capacities. I am glad that Denbigh is not very much behind in this respect. Many of its most determined political antagonists are firm personal friends, and others are quite ready to forget their differences when they meet in festive or social gatherings. As an instance of this, I might mention the presence of the Mayor at Capel Mawr on Monday evening. The Mayor will not be offended (as some people have been) by my calling him a Tory, but neither his Toryism, nor his Church of Englandism, prevented him from occupying the chair at a Nonconformist concert, the secretary of which is the Liberal agent for the borough. Let us fight like Spartan heroes when it is proper to fight, but let us also cultivate peace and ¡ good will, not only at Christmas, but all; the year round when fighting is not neces- sary. I

Longfellow was six months ia correcting and j cutting down a poem which cook him foul weeks to compose. r- it/

_0. "'W-W- DENBIGH.. r Oddfdlowship.—At (a special meeting of the Clwydian Lodge of Oddfellows, held at the Crown Hotel on Thursday evening, the 22nd in st., His Worship the Mayor, and Dr. Griffith Williams Roberts, were initiated members of the lodge. j Accident.—On Monday last, a boy named William John Roberts, son of Mr. William Roberts, butcher, fell from a hay-loft in the yard of Mr. Edward Jones, car proprietor, Henllan Street, and broke his leg. We un- derstand that the boy is progressing fa- vourably. The Salvation i Monday, the annual tea meeting of the Salvation Army, was held at Bodawen, kindly lent for the oc- casion by Miss Gee. A large number of the members of the Army and others at- tended. In the evening a meeting was held, which was also well attended. Extension of Hours.—Air. W. R. Jones, of the Cross Keys Hotel, made an application before the Mayor and Mr. Melhrd on Wed- nesday, for an extension of hours on Thurs- day night, on the occasion of the Military Ball held at the County Hall, and the same N-R,s granted until 4 o'clock in the morning. Reno Audltt.The half-yearly rent audit of the Eniviatt estate was held at the King's Arms Hotel on Tuesday, when Mr. Clough, the agent, attended on behalf of the owuer. All the tenants afterwards sat down to a sumptuous dinner, which was prepared by Mrs. Bradshaw in her most excellent style, giving complete satisfaction to all present. Mr. Clough, who presided, referred to the happy relations that had existed heretofore between the owner of the estate and the tenants, and expressed a hope that the same feelings would continue to exist under the regime of the new owner. Drunk- and, Disorderly.—At to-day's (Fri- day) police court, Robert Jones, Henllan Street, Horatio Nelson Lake, and John Wynne, Henllan Street, were fined 2s. 6d. each and costs, for being drunk and dis- orderly. — Mr. A. O. Evans informed the court that Phoebe Margaret Jones was now living with her husband, Edward Jones, and on her behalf he applied for the court's consent to withdraw the summons which consent to withdraw the summons which she had issued against him. The bench granted the application.—A letter was read from the relatives of the late Mr. E. T. Jones, similar to the one received by the county magistrates and published in our columns. Special Borough Police Cozii-I.On Mon- day, before the Mayor (in the chair), and Mr. William Mellard, Peter Lynch was brought up in custody charged with being drunk and disorderly. Defendant said he knew nothing about the affair. P.O. Pierce said that about 4 o'clock on Saturday afternoon, he found defendant lying against Mr. Knowles' window in Vale Street. He was drunk and using most disgusting language. Witness tried to induce him to go home, but he would not go, and witness bad to arrest him. Supt. Jones said that he had received several complaints as to the conduct of the prisoner, who, since he had been locked up had been most violent in the cell, and continued using most digust- ing language. The Mayor said that as nothing was known about the prisoner, and as it was Christmas, they would deal very leniently with him. He would be fined 2s. 6d. and costs, in default, 7 days. Prison- er said he had no money to pay, and was then removed in custody. Later in the day, the police proceeded to take prisoner to Ruthin, but be would not walk, and was therefore taken down to the station in a handcart.

COUNTY POLICE COURT. WEDISTESDAY.—Before Captain Cole (in the chair), and the Mayor. Margaret Jones, Ty Ucha farm, Groes, was summoned for neglecting to report a case of swine fever which occurred on her premises, between the 20th and 30th of November. PC. Williams, Nantglyn, proved the case, and defendant pleaded ignorance of the pro- visions of the Act. The bench fined her 2s. and 8s. costs. THE LATE MR. E. T. JONES. The following letter was read :— High Street, Denbigh. DEAR SIR, We, my mother, brothers, and sisters, wish you to convey to the Justices of the Peace for the county (Isaled division), our grateful thanks for their kind expression of sympathy with us, in our great sorrow. I am, Yours truly, MIMA JONES.

A FARM FIRE. L In the early hours of Sunday morning, a large number of the inhabitants of the town were aroused by an alarm of fire, and in a short space of time, a large crowd had assembled in the vicinity of the Town Hall. It was soon ascertained that the outbreak bad taken place in the outbuildings at the College farm, Green, in the occupancy of Mr. Cliff. Notwithstanding the inconven- ient time at which they were summoned, and it being Christmas night, ten members of the fire brigade turned out, and in a few j minutes after the alarm, they were gallop- ing at a terrific pace towards the scene of the conflagration, Captain Lloyd, who is an expert whip, being on the box of the engine. From a spot beyond the railway I bridge, the flames were plainly discernible to the brigade. The fire had occurred in a barn, and was gradually but surely-ex- tending to the shippon and other buildings when the firemen arrived. A workman on the premises had enough presence of mind to let loose all the cattle, which were housed in close proximity to the spot where the destructive element raged. The brigade soon got to work, and by means of two lengths of hose, were not long before put- ting out the flames. It transpired that a man who bad been working on the farm for some months past was in the habit of sleeping in the barn, and he was imme- diately arrested by the police on suspicion of having caused che conflagration. On Monday, before Major Wynne Edwards and the Mayor, sitting as county magis- trates, John Wall was brought up in custody having been apprehended on suspicion of having caused the fire. Supt. Jones said that the prisoner admitted that he was the cause of the fire, but whether accidentally or wilfully, nobody seemed to be able to say. The magistrate's clerk (to Mr. Cliff); Are you of opinion that the fire was caused ac- cidentally by the prisoner? Mr, Cliff: I am. The Clerk; If the bench dismiss the charge against him, are you willing to take him back to your employment ?

T. O. JONES bears a,n established reputation for the unrivalled excellence of his fresh roasted Coffees, always ground as required. T. O. JONES has a well assorted stock of Oranges Apples, Grapes, Lemons, Plums, Figs, Dates, Mas- ] satel Raisins, ALMONDS, &c.

• r V.f\ "A i •.» V I .?. i a* JV. that* he was very thanKful to all those who had CiH-ne to assist him on this occasion. The Clerk The police offer no evidence ■ Supt. Jones No. Tne prisoner then was discharged. -+-

CHRISTMAS AT THE ASYLUM. It must be very comforting to the rela- tives of those who are unfortunately con- fined at the Asylum, to know that all of them are always humanely treated, and that the festive seasons of the year are not for- gotten, so far as the conditions of the patients justify their enjoyment of them. This year, the wards, the recreation rooms, and the chapel had been tastefully and nicely decorated with evergreens, all of them presenting a most 'seasonable' ap- pearance. Christmas Day being on Sunday, special services were held at the chapel. At nine in the morning, at the Church of England service, Holy Communion was celebrated, the Rev. James Davies fficiating. In the afternoon at 3.15, a Nonconformist service was held, the Rev. Eván Jones (C.M.) officia- ting. Special hymns were sung, and appro- priate voluntaries played. The Christmas dinner, which was of a substantial kind, was served on Sunday, and the variety of the diet seemed to brighten the patients considerably. On Monday evening, the annual dance and concert was given, when a very large number of visitors and patients were pre- sent. From seven till eight o'clock, dancing was indulged in, the Asylum band, under the leadership of Mr. C. M. Humphreys, pro- viding the neecssary music in a very credit- able manner. After eight o'clock, refresh- ments were served to the patients. During this time, two pianoforte duets were given, the first by Attendant Roberts and Miss Harrop, and the second by Mr. and Miss Cottom, Then followed a short concert, arranged by Mr. J. Ll. William«. the organist. The first item was Come if you dare (Purcell) arranged for solo, chorus, and brass band by Mr. J. Ll. Williams. This was performed by Mr. T. C. Jones (Denbigh), who took the solo, the female members of the Asylum choir, and the Asylum band. The mem- bers of the choir were dressed to represent an Amazonian Brigade, over their dark blue uniforms were placed red sashes.-a la staff-sergeants and military caps. The piece was performed with much eclat, and was encored, when a portion only was given. The next item was a scng 'Tit-willow' from the Mikado (Sullivan), excellently ren- dered by Attendant Kate Williams. Miss Xenny Jones (Denbigh), next gave Breudd- wyd y Frenhines,' and was loudly encored. She responded with 'Merch y Melinydd.1 The trio The Wreath,' sung by Atten- dants Jennie Williams, Kate Williams, and David Davies, was undoubtedly a success, and reflected much credit on the performers. Mr. T. C. Jones followed with Bugail Hafod y Cwm' which he gave in his best style. The next item was the singing of the old English Air, Come Lasses and Lads' in costume, by Attendant E. Cross. This was excellently rendered, both the acting and the singing being much applauded. A feature of the proceedings was the singing of another old English Air, John Peel,' in costume, by Dr. Cox. The singing of this lively hunting song created quite a furore amongst the audience, and Dr. Cox had to respond to a well-deserved encore. The last item on the concert programme was Dame Durden as a chorus and dance, by the Asylum choir. The members of the choir, both male and femrale, had been most appropriately costumed, Attendant Nellie Williams representing the Dame,' and the old ballad went with a swing that caused it to be re-demanded. The accompaniments were played by Miss E. A. Roberts, R.A.M., and Mr. J. Ll. Wil- liams. The costumes, &c., had been selec- ted for the female members of the choir by Mrs. Nevin, the matron, Mr. C. M. Humphreys acting in a similar capacity to- wards the men. The rest of the evening was occupied with dancing, the company separating soon after ten o'clock, after a most enjoyable evetiing.

CONCERT AT CAPEL MAWR. The fourth annual concert in connection with Capel Mawr, held on Monday evening, was a decided success in every respect. A rare artistic treat was provided for the occasion, and the committee had the satisfaction of seeing the spacious building filled to its utmost capa- city with a select and appreciative audience. We might mention that the object of these concerts is not so much the making of money, as to provide good and elevating music in the town on Christmas Day, or as it happened this year on Boxing Day, when there are no other attractions of the kind at the time. To achieve this end the committee spared no expense, and as will be seen from the following list, four of the most eminent Welsh singers of the day were engaged. These artistes, ahhough well- known in eisteddvodic circles, had not pre- viously appeared publicly in Denbigh, and the fame which they had already acquired in the musical world, naturally created a strong de- sire to hear them among the most enlightened section of the inhabitants of the town, Miss May John, the soprano soloist, a double medallist of the Royal Academy of Music, i* possessed of a sweet voice and beautiful taste, and her singing is always characterised by force and vigour. Miss John is a distinct favourite with Welsh audiences, and on this occasion she has, undoubtedly, enhanced a re- putation already high in Welsh musical circles- She was deservedly encored more than once, and the pathos and the fervent force with which her rendition of the song Y Gardotes Faeb was characterised, to use a iigurative eX, pression, brought down the house. Miss Morfydd Williams was the contralto. She also occupies a very high position in her profession, and has been favourably noticed in the leading London papers. Being the possessor of a most sympathetic voice, she made ample use of the opportunity afforded her, and the finished rendering which she gave of the pieces in her repertoire elicited the hearty ap- plause of the audience. The solo teno- was Mr. Herbert Emlyn. another of Cambria's famous sons. A favourite of the National Eisteddvod platform, he has also given an excellent account of himself fis an exponent of oratorios, in which he has ap- peared in company with such artistes as Miss Ella Russell and Mr. Ben Davies. Being the happy possessor of a rich, full, and exception- ally pure and penetrating voice, he sings with great ease and consumate taste. The first song rendered by him in this concert was a 'Welsh song I TTnwaith etto'n Nghyirau anwyl.' This was a. magnificent effort by which Mr. at a bound won his way to the heart of his audience. His other contributions wers 1.\180 eminently successful. Mr. Ivor Foster was the baritone He is a rising Welsh artiste from South Wales, and previous to his entering the musical profess^0 was very successful at the Welsh -.N"ational is- teddvod and the Provincial Eisteddvodau of iii6 native country. He has a voice of rare quality —musical, robust, and of extended coffl?a9S/ He is a gold medallist of the Royal College 0

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