The North Wales Times

LLANRWST. URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. The above Council was held on Friday, February the 3rd under the presidency of Mr. J. E. Humphreys. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. MAINS TO CRAFNANT LAKE. It was resolved that the terms of theTrefriv\ Parish Council for exuending the mains to Crafnant Lake be accepted, on condition that Trefriw pay one third of the whole fcosts from intake to the lake, and other expenses. OVERSEERS. A letter was received from the LocalGovern- ment Board, stating that they were prepared to issue an order to appoint overseers. COMMON LODGING HOUSES. Resolved that the Inspector report upon the common lodging houses in the town, and re- port as to sanitary condition of same. DISGRACEFUL STATE OF STATION ROAD. Capt. Allard moved, and Mr. T. R. Jones seconded, that the attention of the County Council be called to the disgraceful state of Station-road, especially at the point opposite the approach to the bridge over the railway. NOTICE OF MOTION. Mr. W. J. Williams gave notice that he will move at the next meeting, that the attention of the London and North Western Railway Company be called as to the limited accommo. dation at the station, for passengers to Bet- tws-y-Coed and Festiniog.

COUNTY COURT. His Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd, held a special court on Saturday, and dealt with an adjourned" case, in which, a farmer named Elias Wynne, Penllyn, Eglwysbacb, claimed from Robert Norton, Penrhiwardwr, Eglwysbach, the sum of £ 24 6a. 6d., for damage caused to his growing, crops of corn and potatoes, by rabbits and pheasants. The plaintiff in his evidence stated that the pheasants and rabbits did considerable damage to his crops of corn and potatoes. Mr. Roberts, Tanr'allt farm, gave in evid- ence, that he also had made a claim against Mr. Norton for damages caused by game, and was awarded jE2 about 4 years ago. His Honour said this was a case in which the question was, whether the defendant used his game rights in an unreasonable way or other- wise. There had been over stocking, and therefore, he thought the defendant liable. A fair amount of damages would be JE17. Judg- ment for that amount with costs. Mr. D. Jones appeared for plaintiff, Mr. A. E. Griffith, instructed by Mr. Allard, for the defence. Annie Fisher, Bodafon, Maenan, claimed possession of Pen»y Graig, Maenan, from Moses Williams, tenant. The case for the plaintiff was, that the defendant was served with notice to quit, on the 30th of November, which was the custom of the country. Mr. George, for defendant contended that the verbal agreement was, that tenancy should ex- pire on November the 1st. There was no written agreement. His Honour gave judgment for plaintiff with costs, and possession within 14 days. Mr. D. Jones appeared for plaintiff.

RUTHIN. COUNTY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS. MEETING OF THE LOCAL GOVERNING BODY. The first ordinary meeting of the Local Governing Body for the Ruthin County School District, was held at the Grand Jury Room, County Hall, Ruthin, on Monday morning. The members present were Mr. Ezra Roberts (retiring chairman), the Rev. Chancellor B. O. Jones (vice chairman), Rev. Isaac James, Messrs. John Edwards, Thomas Jones (Plas Coch), J. Watkin Lum- ley, Mrs. Hughes (Station House), Mrs. Thomas Williams (Crown House), the II. clerk (Mr. Edward Roberts), and the de- puty clerk (Mr. Baldwin Griffiths). ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The first business was to elect a chairman, and on the motion of Mr. Lumley, seconded by Chancellor Jones, Mr. Ezra Roberts was unanimously appointed. THE PROSPECTS OF THE SCHOOL. The Chairman, in returning thanks, said he was very much obliged to the Governors for their kind expression of confidence in re-electing him to the responsible position which he now occupied. Proceeding to refer to the preparations to open the school, the chairman said that the contract be tween the Governors and the contractor had been signed since their last meeting, and the building operations were proceed- ed with as far as weather permittad. The old house internally was complete, and the new buildings had been proceeded with very far. Up to the present, however, the weather had been against thecontractor, but he had no doubt but that the building would be ready at the time originally appointed. As they were all aware a scholarship system had already beeu arranged, and dulv advertised in the various newspapers. They had also arranged with Mr. L. J. Roberts, M.A., Rhyl, to fix a day and place for holding the examination, and he (the chairman), sin- cerely hoped that the various schools in the district would take the matter up, and would send a number of candidates for examnina. tion. The head mistress of the school had already been appointed, and although the Local Governing Body as such, had no voice in the election excepting by repiesentation, yec they must all feel that a very good ap pointment had been made, such an appoint- ment indeed as would give satisfaction all round. Miss Rowlands' scholastic attain ments were very high indeed. She was a B.A. of London University; but she had also very unique experience, and at present was lecturer and mistress of method at Aber ystwyth University College. As such she had been brought into contact with elemen- tary education, and elementary teachers and he might confess that this consideration had weighed very much with him in decid- ing how to vote in the appointment of a head mistress. There had lately been a tendency on the part of some of the inter- mediate school teachers, not in the Ruthin district, but in some parts of Wales, to de- preciate the value of the education given in the elementary schools, and this had caused a degree of jealousy between the teachers of primary and secondary schools. Jf that ill- feeling increased, it would be a very serious matter for secondary schools in Wales, be- cause the secondary drpw four-fifths of their scholars from the elementary schools, and if any ill-feeling existed among the teachers, the schools were bound to suffer in conse quence. Miss Rowlands, he was glad to say, was specially adapted to bring this school into proper relations with elementary schools in the district. She was adapted from experience; and he happened to know from her own words that she would make every effort to enlist the sympathy and co- operation of the teachers in the district—in fact, do all she could for the school in this respect. This was a very important year in ¡ the history of the school—it was the year of its birth, as it were—a year during which it required the tenderest and most careful nursing, They could not peer far into the future, but he thought that their prospects were very good. They had splendid build- ings, equipped in the best manner possible, with perfect sanitary arrangements, and placed upon one of the finest and healthiest spots in the Vale Of Clwyd, with a large area to draw from. There were no schools nearer than Dolgelley, Wrexham, Abergele, and LlanrwsL They had an excellent head teacher, & 1 they should, he hoped, be able to add to tu taff other excellent teachers. So, if they J id their work as Governors by co-operating w;- '1. and helping the teachers in every possible way, there was no reason why the school should not, before long, be one of the most si^cessful schools for girls in North Wales (hear, bear). ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN. Mr. Thomas Jones proposed, and Mr. Lumley seconded, that Chancellor Bulkely O. Jones be the vice-chairman. On being put to the meeting, the motion was carried unanimously. Chancellor Jones in responding said that the school was calculated to do a great deal of good, not only in the town of Ruthin, but in the neighbourhood. He was very pleased to think that the school would be opened in April. He would not enter into any controversial matter in returning thanks for his election. He stood in a very pecu- liar position, and had to rely upon the re- sources of his own brain in the various discussions that took place, but he thought it was an advantage that both sides of the question should be brought before the meet- ings, and as'they had worked harmoniously in the past, he thought they should work more harmoniously in the future (applause). REPORT OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE. The report of the Building Committee was submitted as follows:— It was proposed by the Rev. Chancellor Jones, seconded by Mr. Lumley, and re- solved that the architect be instructed to prepare a report and estimate of the equip- ment of the school, and that the same be submitted to the head mistress, and after- wards to the committee. Proposed by Mr. Lumley, seconded by Mr. Henry Williams, and resolved, that the Local Governing Body be asked to guaran- tee the amount already undertaken by them to be subscribed, in order to secure the subscription of £100 promised by Sir Henry Tate, and that the clerk make every effort in the meantime to obtain further sub- scriptions. Resolved that the special examination for scholarships be fixed to take place 25th of March at the Ruthin Board School, and that the chairman and Mrs. L. G. Thomas, be asked to undertake the supervision of the examination. The Chairman proposed the adoption of the report. Mr. Lumley seconded and suggested that the report of the sub committee be in eluded. The Chairman having ruled that this would be in order, the motion was carried. The report referred to was as follows:— At a meeting of the sub committee to consider the suggestion made by the archi- tect in his report of the 11th, and the letter of the 13th January, alterations and im- provements amounting to a total of about 214 were sanctioned.' SCHOOL STAFF. APPOINTMENT OF ASSISTANT MISTRESS. The Chairman explained that so far they had only secured the services of one teach er, but required more. In order to enable the committee to understand the question, the clerk had communicated with the head teacher. Miss Rowlands' letter on the subject having been read, The Chairman- said this was a very im- portant question, and required very careful handling. He thought it would be better to refer it to a committee. Chancellor Jones said he failed to see why they could not adopt Miss Rowlands' recommendation there and then. The re- commendation, in his opinion, was a very wise one. Mrs. Hughes proposed that Miss Row- lands' recommendation be adopted. Mr. Lumley said he was prepared to se- cond, but stated that he preferred adopting Miss Rowlands' original suggestion, viz., that they should advertise for an assistant mistress, who should be a science teacher, and if possible a bachelor of arts, and who should be capable of taking geography, mathematics, drawing, and music, if pos- sible. If they could get a science teacher capable of teaching drawing, it would be a matter of importance to the committee, in order to save an outlay on the matter of salary. He hoped that this would be done, and without any delay, for he found that all the applicants who appeared before the County Governing Body, out of which the head mistress was selected, had subsequently been appointed to other schools-one at Llangollen, and another at Aberystwyth. So that if the committee wanted to select out of good teachers, they would have to look pretty sharp, or they would be taken up. There was no necessity of making a knowledge of Welsh absolutely necessary, although it was desirable. They had one, in the person of the head teacher who understood Welsh, and in the adver- tisement for an assistant mistress, he did not think it necessary to insert that a knowledge of Welsh was an absolute neces- sity. As competent ladies like those re- cently before the County Governing Body were being taken up, the committee should lose no time in advertising and making the appointment. During the discussion that ensued, it was suggested that a knowledge of instrumental music would be desirable. Mr. Lumley again said he would second Mrs. Hughes' proposal, if drawing was in- cluded, the salary to be XIOO, out of which the assistant teacher should pay X35 to the head teacher for boarding. The motion was carried, and the chairman and the clerk were requested to draw out th e advertisement for publication in the various scholastic journals. ACCOMMODATION FOR BOARDERS. THE QUESTION OF SUBSCRIPTIONS. The Chairman stated that the cost of pro viding accommodation for boarders would be X450 16s. 6d. Towards this, they had been promised, and received partly, X201 17s. 6d., which included a conditional subscription from Sir Henry Tate of £100. This would leave a balance required of 2253 13s. 7d. The Clerk said he had sent about 1,200 applications out, but only about thirty responses, mostly containing small sums, had been received. The Chairman said he thought these sub- scriptions would ultimately come in. They should now make an effort to secure Mr. Tate's subscription. Mr. Tate's condition was, that he would subscribe Xloo if the Governors would raise the remainder of the amount required. If the Local Gove-nors would become personally responsible for the remaining sum, although the actual money was not in hand, Sir Henry Tate would, no doubt, pay his promised subscrip- tion. If the subscriptions did not immedi- ately come in, they could borrow the money repayable in a certain number of years. If this were done, it would only entail a pay- ment of about £ 8 or 110 per annum, To- wards this, they would have a fund, contain- ing payments to be made by the head mis- tress of X2 per head for each boarder in the school. If there were only five boarders, that would find the amount necessary to pay the loan, and whatever more were received would accumulate and in a few years, this fund would liquidate the total loan. So that in fact, this question involved very little risk indeed. Mr. Lumley proposed that this question of obtaining subscriptions should be left in the hands of the chairman and the vice- chairman, and that they should suggest at the next meeting the best mode to reach the people. The Chairman said they would have to reach the people in some way or other. Several people had been asking him whether the committee intended to make a canvass of the town. The motion of Mr. Lumley, seconded by Mr. Thomas Jones was then agreed to. THE OPENING OF THE SCHOOL. The Chairman referring to the question. of the opening of the school, said the com- mittee had gone on lately on the supposition that they were going to open the school in the middle of April. But the question now was, whether there would be a formal opening at the time, or simply an informal, the public opening being deferred until the buildings were completed. Chancellor Jones thought it would be better to defer the formal opening. Mr. Lumley agreed, and the committee being of the same opinion, it was unani- mously decided to defer the public opening of the school until later in the summer. EXHIBITIONS. The question of granting exhibitions, &c was also deferred. (FINANCIAL; A ceport of the Finance Committee, authorising the payment of bills to the amount of X20 odd was adopted. There was no other business of interest, and the committee then rose.

TOWN COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the Council was held on Monday afternoon. In the absence of the Mayor (Dr. J. Medwyn Hughes), Alderman Edward Roberts presided, and the other mem- bers present were Alderman Ezra Roberts, Councillors John Roberts, Theodore J. Rouw, Thomas Williams, T. J. Roberts. T. H. Roberts, E. Tegid Owen, Joseph Davies, Francis Dowell, E. T. Hughes, G. F. Byford, with the Clerk (Mr. William Lloyd), the Deputy Clerk (Mr. Baldwin Griffiths), the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. W. D. Jones), and the Borough Surveyor (Mr. Price Morris). APOLOGIES. The Mayor sent a letter of apology for non attendance, explaining that urgent messages prevented him from being present. Mr. R. P. Davies also wrote expressing his regret at his inability to be present. THE LATE MR. LLEWELYN ADAMS. The following letter was read, with reference to the death of the late Clerk of the Peace :— Ty Mawr, Ruthin, January 11th, 1899. To the Mayor and Corporation of Ruthin. Gentlemen, Mrs. Carey desires me to acknowledge the receipt of the copy of the resolution passed at the last meeting of the Ruthin Town Council, conveying their deep regret at the lamented death of the late Mr. Llewelyn Adams, and their sympathy to his family in their bereave- ment. I beg, on their behalf, that you will offer to the Council the warm acknowledgement of the family for the esteemed document, which will do honour to his memory in the town of Ruthin for all time. Yours faithfully, WILLIAM CAREY. On the motion of Mr. T. J. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Ezra Roberts, it was decided that the letter be recorded on the minutes. THE RECORDS OF RUTHIN. A letter was received from Mr. J. Gwenog- fryn Evans, M.A., informing the Council that he knew of a man who could take in hand the duty of searching for the records of Ruthin at the Record Office, but desired to know what remu- neration the Council were prepared to pay. The following letter on the same subject was also read:— Public Record Office, February 2nd, 1899. Sir, With reference to your letter of the 30th ult. on the subject of the Records relating to the borough of Ruthin preserved in this office, I should say that it would be a matter of no great cost or trouble,such a list as your Town Council require, and the task of its compilation might, with advantage, be entrusted to any one of the persons who make it their business to make researches in the public search rooms here on behalf of those who are not able to make them themselves, and if your Council desire to have the name of such a person, I have no doubt I could supply it. I need hardly say that I should have great pleasure in rendering any assistance in my power and giving what information I could to anyone acting on your behalf. (Signed) REPORT OF COUNCIL IN COMMITTEE. A DEAD LOCK A report of the Council in Committee was submitted for adoption, and Mr. Rouw proposed that it be taken as read. Mr. John Roberts pointed eat that there was an important omissioa in the report, to which he drew attention in the committee preceding the Council meeting. That omission related to the discussion which took place with references to the payment of expenses in municipal elec- tions, which had been deferred for the reason that there was some dount raised as to whether it was legal for the Council to pay the same. Owing to that omission, he would move an amendment to the report. The Chairman said he would have to rule Mr. Roberts out of order. When the bills came on for payment, it would be competent for him then to raise his objection. The report of the Committee could not be altered now, and the Council must pass it or not. Mr. Ezra Roberts said the report had been submitted for adoption by the Council, and it was quite in order to move an amendment to anything bearing on the report. The Chairman again said he would have to rule any amendment of the nature suggested by Mr. John Roberts out of order. They could not discuss anthing on the report except upon what was in the report itself. In this instance, the report h*d been passed as a correct record of what took place in the Committee itself. Mr. John Roberts said that a certain resolu- tion might be passed unanimously at a commit- tee, and then through an oversight be left out of the redort, and were the Council, through no fault of their own, to be debarred from dis- cussing it. The Chairman Any subject which is not in. cluded in the report may very properly be brought forward afterwards. You have passed this report as a correct record of what took place at the Committee. Mr. John Roberts I didn't vote for it. The Chairman again stated that if there was anything outside the leport which Mr. Roberts desired to bring forward for the consideration of the Council, he must do so afterwards. The question now was, whether they adopted the report or not. Mr. Ezra Roberts said he would not vote in favour of its adoption, simply because he thought the amendment proposed to be moved was in order. Mr. John Roberts said he would vote against Mr. John Roberts said he would vote against it, because it was not a correct report. There was an omission of an important resolution I with reference to the question of election ex- penses. ¡ The Chairman There is no reference to elec- tion expenses at all. Mr. John Roberts: That is the fault of the officials of this Council, and not the Council itself. The Chairman The report of the Committee has been submitted to you, and signed aa being correct. The proposal now is, that this;report shall be adopted by the Council. Any amend- ment to the report itself must come again. It is, of course, perfectly competent for you to discuss any subject outside the report, but the report itself has been passed as correct to day, and I must accept it as such. I certainly rule the amendment proposed as being out of order, because it does not relate to any subject con- tained in the report. Mr. Ezra Roberts The proposal is that we should accept it as correct—that we agree with its contents. The amendment is that we do not agree with the contents, unless there is an amendment to it. That, surely, is perfectly in order. The Chairman: I rule otherwise. Nothing outside the report can now be discussed. Mr. John Roberts But, sir allow The Chairman I won't discuss the matter any further. Mr. Byford said this was practically the same thing as took place in the matter ot tolls some time ago, when he ruled a motion by Mr. John Roberts out of order. Mr. John Roberts You do not know what you are referring to now. The Chairman then put the proposal in favour of adopting the report to the meeting, when only three voted for it, there being six against, the Chairman declaring that it was not adop- ted. UNSIGNED REPORTS. The Clerk having read the report of the Street Lighting Committee, Mr. John Roberts Has the report been signed ? The Clerle: No. Mr. John Roberts Is it in order to discuss an unsigned report? The Chairman Yes; reports are often read, considered, and adopted, and not signed. Mr. John Roberts: I shall vote against it. This report is not signed. Mr. Rouw proposed the adoption of the re- port, as one of the members present at the Committee. Mr. John Roberts then asked for a specific ruling of the Chairman as to whether it was in order to propose the adoption of a report which was not signed. It had been ruled that it was not in order to adopt such a report. He would give an instance. When it was proposed to make a representation to the Local Government Board with regard to the deficiency of the water supply, the Chairman on that occasion ruled it was not in order to propose the adop- tion of the report, because it was not signed. A special meeting was held to sign it, and the reason why they had a special meeting of the Council in Committee that day was to sign the report. The Chairman said that unsigned reports were being perpetually adopted in public bodies. It was perfectly competent for the chairman of the Committee or one of its members to move its adoption. He therefore rulei that it would be perfectly in order for the Council to adopt the report. Mr. Joseph Davies seconded Mr. Rouw's motion. In the division, eleven voted for its adop. tion. Mr. John Roberts And I vote against it, be- cause it was not signed. THE RECREATION GROUND. The following report was also submitted for adoption 'At a meeting of the Recreation Ground Committee, the plan which had been prepared by Mr. Forder for the laying out of the recrea- tion ground was submitted, and it was resolved that the Surveyor be requested to consult with Mr. Forder, and present to the next meeting of the Committee an estimate of the probable cost of carrying out the work.' Mr. Rouw: I propose the adoption of the re- port. Mr. John Roberts: Is it signed? The Chairman: No. Mr. John Roberts: Then I vote against it. It is most unusual to present unsigned reports to any public body The report was, however, confimed and adop ted. THE QUESTION OF BYELAWS. The next report brought forward was the following :— At a meeting of the Byelaws Committee, it was recommended that the byelaws as submitted to the meeting, copies of which had been sup- plied to the members of the Council, be adop- ted, and that the Town Clerk take immediate steps to put out the necessary notices, and sub- mit the byelaws to the Local Government Board.' Mr. John Roberts: Is that report signed (laughter) ? The Chairman: No. Mr. John Roberts: Then I put forward the same objection. Mr. Rouw I move the adoption of it. The Chairman Were you present ? Mr. Rouw Yes Mr. John Roberts: Does the adoption of this report mean the adoption of the bye- laws ? The Chairman No. Mr. John Roberts said he should like to know what time this Committee took to consider the byelaws referred to. He found that there were some byelaws which were not necessary at all (laughter). For instance, if a man was drunk in charge of a horse, &c., he would be dealt with under the Licensing Laws. There were several other byelaws which were not neces- sary, and the Home Secretary would never sanction them. The Town Clerk said he sanctioned similar byelaws in other towns, s-uch as Wrexham, Chester, &c. Mr E. Tegid Owen seconded the adoption of the report. Mr. John Roberts said this was a matter which required more mature consideration than the Committee seemed to have given it; and as an amendment, he proposed that the report be referred back to the Committee for further consideration and report. Mr. T. J. Roberts seconded the amend- ment. Mr. Rouw said he would agree to the amend- ment; at the same time, the byelaws had been before them for so many years that it was time to move on. Mr. Ezra Roberts suggested that the matter be referred to a committee of the whole Coun- cil, for the reason that there were only four members out of sixteen present at the commit- tee meeting, and also that the byelaws were adopted with but little consideration. Mr. Thomas Williams complained that it was rather hard towards those that come to a com- mittee meetings to consider matters of this kind, and then all their work thrown over, and nothing done. Mr. John Roberts rose to speak, and Mr. Rouw called the Chairman's attention to Stand- ing Order number 8, which prohibited any member from speaking more than once on the same subject. In the course of a further discussion, Mr. Rouw said he was willing to vote for the amendment, although he had proposed the adoption of the report. But he should like to point out that when certain members of the Council stood up and stated that due considera- tion had not been given, they were stating what was untrue. Copies of the byelaws had been in the hands of members for several months. Mr. John Roberts Yes, but how many have read them ? Mr. Rouw said it was very unfair, in his opinion, to impute that these byelaws had been rushed through the Committee without suffi. cient consideration. The amendment was then carried, and the matter deferred. THE COLLECTION OF TOLLS. The next item on the agenda was a notice of motion by Mr. John Roberts 'to draw atten- tion to the terms and conditions of the appoint- ment of the Toll Collector, and to move a reso- lution thereon.' Mr. John Roberts, On rising, said that before he moved a resolution, he wished to ask the Town Clerk whether he was now of the same opinion as he was when this question came be- fore them on the previous occasion, that the Toll Collector was entitled to six months' notice. The Town Clerk, in reply, said thai the Toll Collector was appointed from year to year, his term of office expiring on the 31st March. He had put the question to the Association of Municipal Corporations, and they replied that three months' notice was sufficient. Mr. John Roberts said he understood the Town Clerk to say now that the post of the Toll Collector would expire on the 31st March, unless they re-appointed him. The Town Clerk Yes. Mr. John Roberts proposed that they adver- tise for tenders for the farming of the tolls. They should be in no doubt that the toll collec- tor's term of office did expire at the end of the financial year. He might mention that ten- ders had been actually received and were open- ed, and the Town Clerk advised them that the present toll collector was entitled to three months' notice and the matter therefore fell through. He did not wish to go into the merits of the question now and his only proposition now was, that the future collector of the tolls leviable in the borough be referred to the Council in Committee with powers to invite tenders, and recommend the acceptance for the same, for one or two years as decided, and that a special meeting be held during the next fort- night to considered the question. Mr. Rouw said this matter deserved very serious consideration. As Mr. John Roberts' resolution did not bind them to farm the tolls or to reappoint the toll collector, he had great pleasure in seconding. There being no a. endment, the motion was carried unanimously. THE APPOINTMENT OF TOWN CRIER. 1 Considerable amusement tprevailed during the discussion on the question of the appoin- ment of a town crier, Mr. Rouw proposirg that they should advertise for a person to tin the office. Mr. Byford thought they should solicit ap- plications from persons residing in the town, and not advertise in the usual way. It was ultimately agreed that a placard be placed outside the Town Hall, inviting applica- tions for the post, the salary of which is 10s. a year. APPOINTMENT OF INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. Mr. Rouw proposed that Mr. John Morris be re-appointed as Inspector of Nuisauceefor three years, and explained that he had carried out his duties very faithfully. Mr. E. T. Hughes seconded, and it was car- ried. THE HEALTH OF THE BOROUGH. The Medical Officer reported that during the preceding month, three births (males) and seven deaths were registered, and with the ex- ception of a case of typhoid fever, all deaths were due to natural causes. The fatal case of typhoid was that of a man aged 33 years, and residing in Llanrhydd Street. The cause of this attack was obscure, as there was nothing at the man's residence to account for it. No other cases of infectious character had been notified during the month. THE MEDICAL OFFICER'S ANNUAL REPORT. The following report was also submitted by the Medical Officer:- I beg to present my annual report for the previous year. During this period, 62 deaths and 64 births were registered showing a birth rate and death rate of 20*1 and 22*5 per thous- and per annum, as compared with a death and birth rate of 18.3 and 26.7 for 1897. Four deaths in old age occurred at the Union Workhouse, and one in H.M. Prison. The appended returns show that 8 deaths occurred iu infants under I year, 5 under 5 years, 1 under 15, 1 under 25, 16 under 65, and 31 (being half the total number of deaths) occurred in old people, whose ages average from 65 to 87. Nineteen deaths oc- curred in Ruthin, seventeen in Llanrhydd, and twenty in Llanfwrog. The only deaths from infectious diseases were through diphtheria and one of typhoid. The case of typhoid was in Clwyd Street, one of diphtheria in St. Peter's Square, and the other two in Mwrog Street. Measures which appeared to have been effec- tual, were adopted in this case to limit their extension. The fatal case of diarrhoea was that of a person aged 65, residing in Mwrog Street, and the case was probably one of chronic disease, and not due to any zymotic influences. The diminution in the mortality from pulmo- nary affections is very marked, five being ac- counted to chronic consumption and one to bronchitis. The water supply has been plenti- ful and pure m quality, and tne drainage of the town is now in the same excellent condition as it has been in the previous years. Many nuis- ances of a minor character were dealt with during the year.' THE UNADOPTED REPORT AGAIN. SPECIAL MEETING TO BE CALLED. At the conclusion of the ordinary business, Mr. John Roberts said it was desirable that a special committee of the Council should be call- ed to consider the report which was not adopted that day. The result of the extraordinary rul- ing of the chair was, that the report had not been adopted, and that the wages could not be paid. The Chairman My ruling was alright, and I shall vacate the chair. Mr. John Roberts: Then I beg to propose that Mr. Ezra Roberts do now take the chair. The Chairman: You decline to adopt the report of the Committee, and that is the end of it. Mr. Ezra Roberts pointed out that now they were only considering the date of the next meeting. On the motion of Mr. Rouw, seconded by Mr. Ezra Roberts, it was decided that a special meeting of the Council be convened at 10 o'clock on the following Monday morning, for the pur- pose of passing the report. This brought the business of the meeting to a close.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE FIRE BRIGADE. The annual dinner of the Ruthin Fire Brigade was held at the Castle Hotel, on Monday evening. The members of the brigade, (who appeared in uniform), and the other guests pre- sent were entertained at the expense of the chief officer, Mr. Theodore J. Rouw, who takes very keen interest in all matters appertaining to the fire service, and especially in the welfare of his own brigade. Through his energy, the Ruthin Brigade has secured for itself an envi- able position, and is now looked upon as one of the smartest brigades in the United Kingdom. Mr. Rouw is most popular with the men under his command, and we might add that the town of Ruthin is pardonably proud of an officer, who keeps the brigade in such a high state of efficiency. Mr. and Mrs. Tegid Owen, placed before the company a capital dinner, the tables being re- plete with viands of various description, and also tastefully decorated with flowers, ever- greens, &c. Captain Theodore Rouw presided, and was supported by Lieut. C. D. Phillips (vice-chair. man), Hon. Capt. Edward Roberts, Capt. W. Conway Bell, (Rhuddlan Fire Brigade), and Mr. Baldwin Griffiths (deputy town clerk). The Mayor (Dr. J. Medwyn Hughes), who was unable to be present, wrote as follows:— Dear Capt. Rouw- I am awfully sorry, I cannot possibly avail myself of your kind hos- pitality to night. I have only jast come in, and must go on a visit to the country again to. night. I am very sorry to disappoint you, and I am very sorry for myself.' Apologies were also received for non-atten- dance from the town clerk (Mr. William Lloyd), the officers of the Denbigh brigade, and the police. Dinner being over, the president gave the loyal toasts, which were responded to with acclamation. Mr. Walter Brocklehurst then enlivened the proceedings with a very charac- teristic rendering of Hooligan's Mule,' fol- lowed by Lieut. C. D Phillips, who sang The Old Arm Chair.' Hon. Capt. Roberts, who upon rising was received with loud applause, said it had fallen to his lot to propose the first toast. That was the third public meeting he had attended that day, and it was the most pleasant one (hear, hear). When he entered the room, one of his friends suggested that he was too small for his clothes. That might have been true at the time, but at that moment it was most certainly not so (loud laughter). He had great pleasure in proposing con amori the toast entrusted to his care The Fire Brigade Union,' (hear, hear). The union had been brought into great pro- minence in Wales, entirely through the efforts of their good Capt. Rouw, who was the secre- tary for Wales of that excellent Institntion (hear, hear, and applause). Whatever had been done by the Fire Brigade of Ruthin, and they had done a great deal, must be attributable in a great measure to the fact that they belonged to the Union-a Union, as he had said before, promoted in Wales by Capt. Rouw (applause). Although speaking in the presence of the Capt. of another eminent brigade, he ventured to say, without depreciating the merits of other brigades, that the Ruthin Fire Brigade, stood at; that moment eminently high, and in excellent position in the records of the fire brigades of this country (hear, hear). The Union was an Institution which they should encourage, as it was one which would, in the future, bring the Ruthin Brigade to the fore even more so than it had done in the past. There was another side to the Union. It was a benevolent institution, and provided handsomely for the widows and orphans of men injured, or killed in their noble work (hear, hear). The splendid heroism which characterised the work of fire brigades was of an entirely voluntary description, and it was only right that an institution which had for its object the making of some provision for the orphans and widows of these men, should be promoted and sustained. With those remarks