The North Wales Times

NEXT WEEK'S ..1 Lo .1.. SUPPLEMENT, .f.F /r- f-$xt week it is our intention to present Hck briber «nth a portrait of the late r. Geo. The Proprietors were anxious secure the brst possible portrait for presentation—hence the delay.

BIRTHS. :ss—January 12th, the wife of Mr. E. T. Davies, brewer, Waterloo Row, Llangollen, of a daughter. EVANS-January 17th, the wife of Mr. William Evans, Brynhyfryd, Garth, Llangollen, of a son. ELLENSON- January 16tb, the wife of Mr. George Ellenson, Cromwell Terrace, Garth, Llangollen, of a son. GRIFFITHs-January 15th. at Franciscan Road, Toot- ing, London, S.W., the wife of Mr. J. T. Griffiths; B.A., of a son. WILLIAMs-January 16th, at Penyball Street, Holy- well, the wife of Mr. R. T. Williams, plasterer, of a daughter. WILLIAMS—January 10th. the wife of Mr. William Williams, bricklayer, Cyllymaen, Llangollen, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. HUGHBS — ROBEBTS—January 13th, at Ehydycilgwyn chapel, by the Rev. David Jones, Rhuddian, assisted by the Rev. T. Ellis Jones, Bala, Mr. Hugh Hughes, Bryn Mulan Farm, near Denbigh, to Miss Margaret Jane Roberts, only daughter of Mr. Robert Roberts, Drws y Buddel, Saron, near Denbigh. ROBERTS-LEWIS January 17th, at St. Thomas Ohurch, Rhyl, by the Rev. Mr. Vaughan, Mr. Edward Roberts, Chapel Street, Denbigh (fireman on the London and North Western Railway), to Miss Lewis, Church Street, Rhyl. PHELAli-OAIN-Janury 15th, at St. Winefriiie's chapel, Holywell, by the Rev. Father Milner, Mr. Joseph Phelan, to Miss Elizabeth Emily Cain, both of Talbot Hotel, Holywell. PETERS-BENNETT-January 18th, at Mold Parish Church, by the Rev. J. Poole Hughes, vicar, Samuel, son of the late Mr. Edward Feters, of Buckley, to Annie Elizabeth, only daughter of Mr. Thomas Bennett, New Brighton, Moid. DEATHS. BARKER-January 18th, very suddenly, at his residence (Mount Pleasant, Denbigh), Mr. Thomas Barker, bricklayer. DAvIEs-January 8th, Mr. Thomas Davies, Fachlwyd, Gyffyiliog, aged 73 years. ELLIs-January 13th, Mr. Moses Ellis, son of Mrs. Mary Ellis, Minffordd, Garth, Llangollen, aged 26 yeara. GRIFFITHs-January 16th, at her residence, Post Office Row, Connah's Qaay, Mrs. Griffiths, -wife of Mr. Simon Griffiths. KENNEDY—January 15th, at Penypyllau, near Holy- I well, Margaret, wife of Mr. Edward Kennedy, aged 45 years. LAMB—January 12th,at Spon Green, Buckley, Florence, infant daughter of Mr. William Lamb, aged 1 month. LARKIN—January 17th, at Henffordd, Mold, Mary, the beloved wife of Mr. Thomas Larkin, aged 50 years. LLOYD-January 17th, David Henry Lloyd, infant son of lVIr. Humphrey and tirs. Margaret Lloyd, Glan-y- wern Isa, Llandymog, aged 7 months. MORRIS-January 12tb, at Penyball, Holywell. Anne' the beloved wife of Mr. John Morris (late of 69, The Woodlands, Birkenhead), aged 70 years, RICH-January 16th, Robert George, the infant son of Mr. and Mrs. Rich, 49, High Street, Meld, aged 5 i-ioutho and 2 weeks.

WELSH MARKETS. J DENBIGH. January 18th.-The attendance was not large, the weather being rather boisterous. Pound butter W3nt up a little in price, and so did the fowls. Quotat',ons: Wheat, from 9s Od to 9s 3d; barley, 9s Od to 9s 3d; oats, 5a 6d per hobbet. Fresh butter, from Is 3d to Is 5d per [ô: small tubs, Is Oid to Os Od; large ditto, lOd per lb. Eggs, from 13 to 16 for a Is. Fowls, from 3s so 4s 6d per couple; ducks, Os Od per couple. Potatoes, from 5s to 6s per hobbet. Oatmeal, 2d per lb. LLANGEFNI, January 12th.-Oats, from 13s. 6d. to 14s. 6d, per quarter; potatoes, 2s. 3d. to 2a. 6d. per cwt; fresh butter, Is 3d per lb; wool, 7d to 7!d per lb; fowls, 3a 6d to 3s 9d per couple; ducks, 4s Od to 4s 8d per couple. Eggs, 12 to 13 for a Is. Young pigs, 11s to Us each; fat pigs, from 3d to 3^1 per lb. RDTHIN, January 16th. — Prices were as follow:— Wheat, from 113 Od to 9s 6d per hobbet; barley, 8s Od to 93 Od; oats, 5s Od to 6a Od. Fresh butter, from Is 2d to Is 43 per 13b; salt butter. Od to Os Od per lb fowls, 33 to 4s per couple. Ducks, Os Od to 0s Od. Eilts. from 12 to 14 for a Is. Bacon pigs, 3d per lb; porkers, 1; stores, 3Jd; and sows, 21d per ib.

CATTLE MARKETS, AND FAIRS, BIRKENHEAD.—Agricultural Produce. -January 17. daF, old, 22 10s to C3 per ton; old clover, £ 3 to £ 3 Ifla; wheat straw, £ 110s to £ 115s; ditto, oat, £ 1 to £ 1 Ifts 6d; barley, £ L 5s; and manure, 2s to 4s per ton LONDC,N. -Agricultural Produce. -January 17th.— Good M!pplie3, and trade qrilet at the following prices: —Good to prime hay, from 65s to 82s Od; inferior to fair hay, 45s to 60s; good to prime clover, 70s to 100s; inferior to fair ditto, 50s to 68s; mixture and sainfoin, 50s to 85s; straw. 2os to :j8s per load. '(,ivgarooT. Wholesale Vegetable. -January 18th.- Potatoes:—Giants, 2s 2d to 2s 4d main crops, 2 8d to 3a 2d bruce, 2s 4d to 2s 8d per cwt. Turnips, 8d to Is per dozen buncnes; ditto swedes, Is 4d to la 6d per cwt; carrots, 2s 91 to 3s 6d per cwt. On- ions, Eaglish, 58 to 6s; ditto, foreign, 48 to 43 9d. LIVSRPOOL.—St. John's Market.— January 18th.- Beef, 5d to 9d per lb; mutton, 6d to 9d; veal, 7d to 9d; fresh pork, 6d to 9d per lb fresh butter, Is 2d to Is 4d per pound; ditto, salt, Is Od to Is 2d per lô; efgs" per 120, 10s 4d. VV'REXHAM, January 16th.—There was a large supply of stock at the market, and prices were firm for both ceef aDd d.&'ry cows. The demand for pigs was sharp, and the ci .arar.ice was good. Beef made from f5d. to f(L pit lb,, tha top price being 2i9 103. Dairy cows rlmged from £t5 to £20 per hearl, and rearing calves from 25s. so 42s. each. Pigs realised from 7s. 6d. to 8" Gl. per score lbs. Tne;.e was a small supply of mutton, and Sd. pr lb. was readily given. S*LFOK:S >, January 16th.—There was an Increase O^ ,:3 batata. bat nearly 2,<;00 sheep less than last week The of stock exhibited were baasts, 2,529 shettp, 1.423; caSves, 118; and pigs 92. Pi,ices:- Beef, from lî i to 6^d; sheep, 5d to R-ld ar;d calves, to par lb. Pigs, 7s 3d to 7s 9s per score > BIRMINGHAM, January 19ch.—Scpplies oretty fair. ma b'niaeas showing little improvement. Prices as on Tuesday. Bed, 4:1 to and mutton, 5d to 8d per Th. Bacon plo- 74 to 7a 2d per 20 lbs; porkets, 9s 31 to 9: Hi: and sows. 5s 9J to 6s per 20 lbs. LONOOK. January 19th,—There was only a moderate HTimb'jr of beasss offered, the bulk of which cons sted ■it tiiii bu'ia and rough cattle, which met a fairly st*v?y tJomand se lata rates. Sheep in moderate supply, bat thedeiKind was vury slow; late prices, however, were ma."ltlolue;1 79 to 8st Down wethers quoted at 5-' 64 to 53 3d Oat ditto, 5s 4d; lOst half-breds, 5s to 5s 2d list 4a lOd to 5s per S !b3. Cali trade qtt'et; best soiti quoted at from 5s 4d to 5s 8d per 81b, «itrik;iig the o.f-ii

0.cv 01 stJ Ni Insurance Office. Sum Insured in 1897— 1425,000,000, particulars, apply to the following Agents— Bala -)tlr. R. L. Jones, Mount Pleasant. Kangor—Mr. James Smith. Mr. Richard Hall. Barmouth—Mr. R. F. Anderson. Beaumaris—Mr. Frederick Geary. Carnarvon—Mr. William Hugh Owen. "vay-i C- Droyer, Deganwy, Llandudno. Denbigh—Mr. J. H. Jones. Dolgeiley—Mr. T. P. Jones Parry. Holyhead—Mr. Owen Hughes. Holy we il—Mr. Robert Thomas. Llandudno—Mr. Edgar W. Riches. Uanfyllin—Mr. Wiliiam A. Pughe. Llanidloes—Mr. Bennett Rowlands. Llangefni—Mr. William Thomas. Llangollen—Messrs. Minshull & Parry Jones. Llanrwst—Mr. E. Jones Owen. Mold—Messrs. Kelly, Keen & Co. Portmadog—Mr. J. Tobias, Solicitor. Rhoa-on-Sea—Mr. P. J. Kent. St. Asaph—31 r. Llewelyn Lloyd. I Welshpool—Mr. D. Wall. Wre-rbam—Mr. Trevor G. Boscawen.

THE RIGHT OF THOSE WHO PAY THE PIPER, TO CALL THE TUNE. WE have never expressed or felt much ad- miration for that hybrid creation of the Local Government Act of 1888—the Standing Joint Committee. Its constitution is such that it is hopeless to expect real good ad ministration from it, however well-meaning and well-intentioned evary one of its mem- bers may be. It is composed as to one half of it, of members representing the Quarter Sessions, or, in other words, the magistrates, and the other half represents the County Council. The Denbighshire Standing Joint Committee, to the proceedings of which we wish to refer, is composed of twenty-four members, twelve representing the great unpaid,' and twelve representing the elected councillors of the county. In Wales, es- pecially, the majority of the magistrates, and the majority of the people, hold such divergent views, that the two sections of this committee are bound to be, to a more or less degree, antagonistic. As the law provides that the magistrates and the councillors should have an equal representa- tion on the committee, the majority of any side must be obtained either from the absence of a member from the one side or the other, when the chairman is elected, or upon luck, as demonstrated in the process of 'going to the hat.' For some time, the fortunes of war have favoured the magisterial element in the Denbighshire committee, a magistrate having been elected into the chair, and he, therefore, by his casting vote, can pretty well • rule the roast' provided all the mem- bers are faithful in their attendances. During the last twelve months, this com- mittee has been exercised over the question of providing better accommodation for justice at Llanrwst. That such accommo- dation is required there does not seem to be any doubt, but the question has arisen, as to the right of the Standing Joint Commit tee to invite tenders for the work, and open them, without first of all consulting the County Council, which is the body that must ultimately find the money. At a meeting of the Joint Committee, held in Denbigh on the 8th of July last, the question cropped up, and it was report- ed that a sub-committee had invited tenders for the work, and bad received three, and they recommended that the lowest, amount- ing to Y,709 be accepted. Mr. Lumley then raised the objection that the commit- tee had no right to ask for tenders. The committee, no doubt, could compel the county to carry out the work, but it was for the County Council to ask for tenders, and to accept a tender. He proposed that the plans, &c should be submitted to the County Council for their consideration, and also for their authority to obtain tenders. Mr. Lumley's motion was carried by a majority of one, and the plans were or. dered to be sent to the County Council. The resolution thus carried, was submit ted to a meeting of the County Council, held at Wrexham on July 29th. Mr. Lum- ley then proposed that the consideration of the plans, &c., be referred to a commit- tee, the members of which he named, and which included the chairman of the Stand- ing Joint Committee. The chairman re- fused to act, because-and for certain reasons to be disclosed hereafter, we quote his words fully-' in his opinion this was a matter that the Standing Joint Committee should have dealt with, and not refer it to the Council.' Mr. Lumley's motion was, however, carried, but the chairman of the Standing Joint Committee was not included in the elected committee. What became of this committee, we do not know. We are not sure if it ever met. What we are sure of is, that the Standing Joint Committee, at its meeting, held in Wrexham on the 14th of October, decided to have a case stated for the opinion of the High Court. The county councillors bad resolved that plans and specifications should be submitted for their approval, before tenders were advertised for. The Standing Joint Committee, on the-other band, or a certain section of it, was of opinion that no such interference by the paymaster-the County Council—should be tolerated. A case was drawn up and agreed to, after some alterations, by the members of the Joint Committee. In the framing of the case, the County Council was not consulted it was completely ig- nored. We now come to the history of the latter phases of the case. The late Clerk of the Peace, acting on the instructions of the Standing Joint Committee sent the prepared case up to his London agents for presenta- tion to the High Court. But the committee had not yet done with Mr. Lumley. He wrote a letter to the cierk, calling his at- tention to the fact that a special case must be agreed upon by the parties,' and that the'preserit lease. had not even been con- Ridered- much less agreed to—by the County Council. The clerk at once sent the letter to his London agents, and they, after perusing Mr. Lumley's letter, agreed that he was right, and that the case could not be presented, until the County Council agreed to it, or to the statement of facts it contained. The case was therefore sent back from London. ) This was the position of affairs when the Standing Joint Committee met at Denbigh on Friday, the 13th inst. The chairman of the comrni, tee-apparently much against bis will-wbla obliged to suggest that the case should now be presented to the County I Council. But he announced that he still j held to his original view that this dispute was a dispute between the two halves of the Standing Joint Committee, and not I between that committee and the County Council. How cau he possibly hold such a view, is to us inexplicable. We have already pointed out that the matter was I discussed at a meeting of the Coonty Coun- cil, that the chairman of the Joint Com- mittee took part in that discussion, and I that the Council assumed that they had a jj right to consider the plans and specifica- tions, by electing a committee to go through them. The chairman of the Standing Joint refused to act on the committee, be. cause he did not believe that the Council had a right to interfere in the matter. And yet he persists in believing that the dis- pute is not one with the Council! Into the merit of the dispute we do not wish to enter. We think it is high time an au thoritative pronouncement on the subject should be given. Of course, we do not believe that any committee should have the right to spend the ratepayers' money with- out the consent of the representatives of the ratepayers, but if such is the law, we must abide by it until it is changed. But there are very grave doubts as to the powers of the Standing Joint Committee, and the sooner the better these are set at rest. The magisterial members of the commit-, tee will not admit that there are any doubts at all in the matter, but even in the face of the statement of such an authority as Capt Cole, who said that he hoped they should never give up, but fight to the end, and that he was sure they were right,' we can- not rest satisfied, until even a greater than Captain Cole has spoken.

FEDERATION AGAINST FEDERATION. WHEN the Trade Unions first discussed the possibility of a grand Federation of all the trades, it was foreseen that the movement must inevitably lead to a grand Federation of all the employees. Both events now seem to have taken shape and form, and though it would be easy to exaggerate their importance, it is clear that these new deve- lopments must add to the danger and probable extent of industrial conflicts. The proposals for bringing about a Federation of Trades Unions have now been formula- ted, and these will be considered at a con- ference on the subject, which is to be held at Manchester on the 24th inst. The objects in view, as may be gathered from the resolutions, are to uphold the rights of combination of labour, to improve the general position and status of workers, to consolidate labour as a whole, and to secure unity of action among all the societies forming the Federation. There is no fault to find with the first two of these proposi tions, but for the rest it depends upon the meaning that is to be attached to the sug- gested unity and consolidation. If it means the creation of a central war fund, upon which all the societies. would fall back in the case of a strike or lock-out, then it seems to greatly increase the chances of a general conflict in which much of the tradp by which employers and men must live, would be driven out of the country. The call to federate is not, of course, based upon a policy of menace or intimidation. The expressed desire is to promote industrial peace, to prevent strikes and lock-outs, and to settle disputes between the different trades and organisations. All this is much to the same effect as was said of the Concert of Europe, which, however, did not prevent the war between Greece and Turkey. Similarly it is open to doubt whether a grand Federation of Trades Unions would have the ability, or whether it could be trusted to always make a wise use of its powers. At any rate, the general body of employers are not disposed to leave matters to chance, and they now propose to take up their ground with the massed force of federated capital. This movement is very largely the outcome of the triumph achieved by the Federated engineers a year ago. There is now an Employers' Parliamentary Council which is understood to be only the figure-head of an extensive organisation. A war fund is to be provided which will guarantee the full average profits of any firm engaged in fighting a dispute with its workmen, with the approval of the Federa tiOD. We thus have the employers as well as the employed, arranging themselves with all the ready means for industrial warfare. The amiable objects which each side pro- fesses to have in view are, of course, of secondary'importance to that of self-inter- est, and there does not seem to be any- thing, except the common sense of the race, to prevent both sides meeting upon one vast battlefield. It is the saving quality of caution of wisdom that seems to need re- commendation to the great body of trade unionists. They alienated much public sympathy by the socialistic resolutions at Norwich. There are general complaints in many industries that the men will not give a full output of work, while they take ad- vantage of the present high wages to idle one day or two days out of the week. There is also a point beyond which public sym- pathy refuses to go with the trade unionists in their demands for better conditions, and it was because this was the case in the engineers' dispute, or rather with its origin, that it came to a profitless ending. Expe- rience goes to show that these matters are largely guided by the trend of public opin- ion, and this will certainly not support any proposal to use larger powers for enforcing unreasonable demands, while popular feel ing will be even lass inclined to sympathise with any such arbitrary action on behalf of organised capital. It is too early to say how this new unionism will work out in practice. In America it has tended to the enormous developmont of trusts, which flourish at the public expense, and which now control a very large share of the whole trade of the States. But there is no such scope for exploiting the public in. a Free Trade country. Any combination to unduly put up the price of goods, is almost bound to sooner or later defeat itself by opening the door to foreign competition. Still tbis is not to say that there is no margin to com- bine a living wage with a living profit, and if wisely used, it is quite possible that these new Federations may assist to promote fair working arrangements between capital and labour.

We would spe- THE RUTHIN SCHOOL cially direct the FOR GIRLS. attention of our readers to the advertisement appearing in this issue, re- lative to the scholarships offered in connec- tion with the above school. The advan- tages offered are obvious, and we unhesita- tingly advise parents of girls in the various districts mentioned to avail themselves of them Of course, those who do not care to try for the scholarships, can enter the schools as ordinary pupils, and with Miss Anna Rowlands, B.A. (London), as head- mistress, together with an efficient staff of teachers, no one can for a moment doubt the character and thoroughness of the edu- cation that will be imparted in the new school.

SLINGS AND ARROWS. (BY A YEOMAN OF THE GUARD). "r Mr. Wynne Edwards sheltering inside the walls of the Conservative Club in Den- bigh, attempted to be ironical on Friday evening last, by pretending to move-a vote of condolence with the Liberal party, on the loss of its leaders, and regretted that the Conservatives bad no party, worthy of the name, to oppose. It is true the Liberal party has lost several of its leaders recently but Mr. Wynne Edwards is not the one to wax sarcastic over the matter. It has very recently been demonstrated that the Liberal party is much too strong for Itilgii,, and that even very insignificant leaders can out- manoevre his generalship. Even a party without a leader is too strong for him, and be is welcome to try again, and as often as be likes. He will meet with the same invincible resistance. 0 9 Much comment has been raised by the action of the Denbighshire Joint Police Com- mittee in deciding to pay the fine and costs which were imposed on a police constable of the county by the Ruthin Bench of Magistrates. A summons for assault was taken out by a man-against whom a charge of drunkenness was subsequently inquired into and dismissed — against a police constable. The Ruthin Bench, after a somewhat long bearing, fined the con- stable XI and costs, a total of £3 3s The Chief Constable applied that the Committee should pay this money, 'as he believed that the constable was telling the truth This is a slap at the Ruthin magistrates, to say the least of it. The Chief Constable added that 'if a policeman incurred such expenses as these in the. execution of his duties, he would hesitate before doing the same thing on another occasion' Why? Accord- ing to the judgment of the magistrates who heard the case, this constable was not fined for anything be did in the execution of his dutyif so, he should most certain- ly'hesitate before doing the same thing again, in my opinion, tne nne was imposed not only as a punishment, but in order that he and other constables should hesitate before doing the same thing again.' I am-not censuring the constable. I am willing even to admit that possibly the magistrates were wrong. The point is this. Why should policemen, when they appear as defendants be treated differently from other people ? If a man had been fined for as. saulting the constable, not a single member of the Police Committee would have dreamt of paying his fine and costs. A policeman when convicted, is as much of an offender in the eyes of the law as anybody else. Why treat him differently? The conse- quences of all this may be that the police officers of the county will multiply what are in the eyes of the magistrates illegal acts, because they will know, if they are fined, that a grateful county will bear all their expenses and pay their fines. « « t 9 With all due respect to the chairman of the Standing Joint Committee, I very much doubt if the committe have power to pay this money. The chairman said that they had, under Sec. 66 of the Local Go- vernment Act, 1888. This is the section —' All costs incurred by the Quarter Ses- sions or the justices out of session of a county, and all costs incurred by any justice, police officer, or constable, in de- fending any legal proceedings taken against him in respect of any order made, or act done, in the execution of his duty as such justice, police officer, or constable shall, to such amount as may be sanctioned by the Standing Joint Committee of the County Council and Quarter Sessions, and so far as they are not otherwise provided for, be paid out of the county fund of the county and the Council of the county shall pro- vide for such payment accordingly.' First of all, the act complained of was not, so the magistrates decidpd, done in the execu- tion of the constable's duty.' He is found to have exceeded his duty by turning a man out of his own house, or the house he lodged in, without cause. These are the words of the chairman of the bench, the Rev. Chancellor Jones:—'They bad here tha extraordinary anomaly of a man being turned out of his own home. When the constable was asked what he intended to do with the man, be gave no satisfactory answer—in fact, it was the most funny case he had ever heard.' Now, if this is right, and the fine and costs imposed right, how can the committee pay this money? If it is not right, then why did the police not appeal 1 « V « But in any case, I venture to say that if the committee will pay the £1 fine, they will be committing an illegal act. Section 66 only refers to costs, and, to my mind, it never contemplated either the costs or anything else when a conviction bad fol- lowed. There is no provision in the sec- tion for the payment of any fine. In con- clusion, I may say, that if the Chief Constable has such faith in his officer, as not to punish him in any way on account of this case, f do not quarrel with him in the least, but when the Joint Committee in consequence of his application decided to pay the costs fine and of a convicted con- stable, then I think it is time to protest.

TOWN COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Council was held on Tuesday afternoon. The Mayor (Mr. Tumour) presided, and there were present:— Alderman W. Keepfer, Councillors Boaz Jones A. Lloyd Jones, J. Simon Roberts, R. Henry Roberts, Roger Pryce, John Davies, T. A. Wynne Edwards, Griffith Jones, J. Howel Gee, with the Town Clerk (Mr. J Parry Jones), the Town Clerk's Deputy (Mr. Edward Parry), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. Griffith Williams Roberts), the Borough Accountant (Mr. Ellis Williams), the Borough Surveyor (Mr. John Davies), and the Inspector (Mr. William Wind- sor). APOLOGIES. Letters of apology for non attendance were received from Aldermen Robert Owen, R. Humphreys Roberts, W. D. W. Griffith, and Councillor D. H. Davies. THE HEALTH OF THE BOROUGH. The Medical Officer reported as follows:— During the month seven deaths have been registered, two of which occurred at the In- firmary, one a resident of the town, and the other from outside the borough, thus leaving six for the borough pioper. Six deaths were reported as having occurred at the Asylum. Twelve births had been registered, tour males and eight females. The above numbers give an annual death and birth-rate respectively per thousand of 11 and 20'06. COUNCILLORS GUILTY OF ILLEGALITY. The Town Clerk submitted the monthly bills for payment, amongst which there were several from members of the Council for goods sup- plied. Mr. John Davies said that he had received a letter from the Town Clerk some time ago, stating that no member of the Council had a right to supply goods for the Corporation. Mr. Wynne Edwards, rising to a point of order, asked whether the Council was the pro- per place to discuss this matter. The Town Clerk said he received instructions from the Council, some years ago, to inform each member of the Council that he could not contract with the Council. He sent a letter to this effect to each new member, but as to whether they carried out the spirit of the law in this respect was no business of his. Mr.R. Hen ry Roberts asked whether minerals were accepted by the Council. The Mayor: What sort of minerals do you mean? Mr. R. H. Roberts: Stones. Mr. Wynne Edwards asked why Mr. John Davies, when Borough Surveyor, did not carry out the law in this respect by not contracting with members of the Council (laughter). Mr. John Davies But I was only an officer then. The Mayor: I think we had better go on, gentlemen. The subject then dropped. ELECTION CHARGES. The following report was submitted by the Finance Committee for adoption A letter was read from the Town Clerk, ad- vising the Council had no power to revise the scale of charges at Municipal Elections, but suggesting, with a view to avoid further dis- cussion in the future, that Presiding Officers be paid a tee of £ 2 2s., instead of £ 3 3s, asj here- tofore, and the poll Clerks 15s. instead of £1 Is.; also, that th" fee for counting be 10s. 6d. in- stead of JE1 Is., it being understood that this suggestion is not binding upon any future Re- turning Officer. The Town Clerk also pointed out that he personally did not receive any extra payment for his duties in connection with Municipal Elections. It was re-golve(I-That the Town Clerk's sug- gestion be adopted. No discussion took place upon the report, and it was adopted. LIGHTING OF STREET LAMPS ALL NIGHT. The following report was also submitted by the Finance Committee, with reference to the question of lighting the street lampsall night:— A letter was read from the Gas Company with reference to the lighting of certain street lampsall night, and stating that the gas would be charged for on the assumption that each burner would consume 35 feet of gas per night, if kept lit from midnight to 7 a-M from which it appeared that to keep lit the 20 burners sug- gested by the Surveyor in Vale Street, High Street, Love Lane, Henllan Street, Factory Place, Beacon's Hill, Red Lane, Mold Road, Ruthin Road, and Park Street, would entail an expenditure of £12 for the months of Novem- ber, December, and January in each year in addition to which there would be the extra re- muneration to the lamp lighters for their se- cond journey to extinguish the lamps. It was thereupon resolved—That the matter be left to the Council to decide whether the lamps be kept lit or not. Mr. Roger Pryce said that the question of lighting the lamps all night had been fought two years ago, and it was owing to the mis- apprehension of the Surveyor that they were not kept lit according to the resolution passed by the Council at the time. There was a general complaint in the town that some of the lamps were not kept lit till the morning. If that were done, the burglaries recently committed would

MR. JOHN MORLEY. WE cannot but regret Mr. Morley's decision no longer to take an active and respon- sible part in the formal counsels of the Liberal party,' a decision which he made known in an address to his constituents at Brechin. The Liberal party can ill afford to lose the counsels of a man of Mr. Mor- ley's stamp, and it would be idle to try and minimise the seriousness of the blow. Mr. Morley has always been looked upon, and rightly so, as one of the ablest men of the day. But whilst admitting, and admi- ring his ability, his honesty and straight- forwardness are after all, the most pro- nounced traits in his character. He has never been an opportunist. He does not believe in the Eight Hours Bill for miners, and rather than pretend to do so-as many politicians have done-he sacrificed his seat at Newcastle. It is his honesty that has dictated his present action. He is of opin- ion that a dangerous doctrine of reaction has invaded the Liberal party, and he wants to do all that he can by his protest, to put a stop to it. In Mr. Morley's opinion-and his opinion is one that should always com- mand attention, the Liberal party has been imbued with the spirit of Jingoism. Mr. Morley is not a friend of militarism. He says that Jingoism and Imperialism has brought militarism, which means that the taxpayer's money should be spent every- where, except in the taxpayer's home, and that militarism must also mean war. No one will seriously dispute with Mr. Morley that it is peace and not war that I has been the nurse and guardian of freedom and justice, and well-being over that great army of toilers upon whose labours, upon whose privations, upon whose hardships, after all, the greatness and the strength of empires and states are founded and are built up.' Mr. Morley does not believe-as too many people believe-that the end justifies the means, and that war is a necessary evil, because military conquest open up new fields of commercial life. In many cases, the expected result does not follow. We have bad wars in every conceivable portion of the world, and yet our trade is driven oat of many of these countries. It is not the soldier but the schoolmaster who is the pioneer of commerce. We must be able to hold our own against the world, not by force of arms, but by mechanical and tech- nical skill. If our goods are superior, they will sell without being protected by the sword or Maxim gun. We deeply sympathise with Mr. Morley in his protest. At the same time, it is just possible that Mr. Morley's influence would be stronger had he remained to guide the destinies of the Liberalism of the f, ture,