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Editorial Notes

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Editorial Notes -+--+--+- The public right of way is a right that has to be contested in all districts which share the growing history of the Rhondda. The Gelli and Sherwood path was recently closed to the public, but owing to the aggressive agitation led by Mr. T. Aytol1 Jones, the right of way was conserved. Our local District Councillors took a very active part in protecting the rights of the people. We have taken the following paragraphs from the Municipal Journal," and we hope that all Rhondda people who care to see their rights. for pleasure walks on our hillsides will closely read them. The information will be useful: — An interesting and useful little Bill has just passed its second reading in the House of Commons without attracting much public attention. It aims appa- rently at giving definite tiess to the pre- sent vague state of the law regarding the acquisition of public rights of way. Clause 2 provides that where any way upon or over any land or water has been actually enjoyed by the public without interruption for the full period of thirty years, such way shall be deemed conclusively a public highway, unless it shall appear that the same was enjoyed by some consent or agreement expressly given or made for that pur- pose in writing. Under Clause 2, this period of thirty years shall be the period immediately preceding the institution of the suit asserting the claim to such way, or immediately preceding such other time as the Court may think just, having regard to the circumstances of the case, and the user by the public shall be deemed to be continuous unless it has been lawfully interrupted for such time as, the Court may consider suffi- cient to create a reasonable inference that the public acquiesced in such inter- ruption." There is every promise that the Bill will in due course become law. It is most in- fluentially backed by names drawn from all parties. Lord Robert Cecil represents the Tories, and Mr, Ramsay Macdonald the Labour section. The Irish and Welsh are represented by Mr. Redmond and Mr. Abel Thomas respectively. -+--+--+- Again, recent decisions of right of way over hills will not be wanting in parti- cular application in the Rhondda. The following summary of a case in a hillside diutviof. givpu nhfijvtoi- -intl VAt. fnr +lm powers of the District Council in regard to public rights of way — In connection with the Bill above described, the recent proceedings of the Parish Council of Wendover, in refer- ence to the alleged violation by the Attorney-General of certain public rights over and about the Wendover Hills, in Bucks1, will be of interest. It appears that the Attorney-General has recently erected a country residence at Hill-End, Coombe, having acquired an estate there. For years previously the public had enjoyed undisputed right to wander over this hill, but now fences and stiles have been erected, together iwitli notices stating that Persons are permitted to cross this way to the monument," that is to say, the monu- ment erected to the memory of Bucks men who fell in the Boer War. These proceedings have caused great local indignation, and last week the Parish Council of Wendover met to consider the matter. It was there stated that for several years at their annual meet- ing the Council had passed a resolution to the effect that, the public had for over sixty years the uninterrupted right to wander over this hill, and it, was claimed that such right had now become absolute and indefeasible. The Council then proceeded to pass a resolution requiring the clerk to write the Attorney-General, requesting him to remove his stiles, fences, and boards within seven days, and in the event of his failing to comply, empowering the Footpaths Committee of the Parish Council to take counsel's opinion or any other action which might be deemed necessary. It may be pointed out, in connec- tion with this case, that Sec. 26 (1) of the Local Government Act, 1894, lays upon the local District Council the duty of protecting all public rights of way, and of preventing, as far as possible, the stopping or obstruction of any such right of way, whether within its dis- trict, or in an adjoining district in the county or counties in which the district is situate, where the stoppage or obstruc- tion thereof would, in the opinion of the Council, be prejudicial to the interests of its district. Sub-sec. (4) of the same section provides that where a Parish Council has represented to the District Council that any such public right of way has been unlawfully stopped or obstructed, it shall be the duty of the District Council, unless satisfied that the allegations of such representation are incorrect, to take proper proceedings accordingly." The Education Bill has passed its most difficult stage. Extremists on both sides have joined together and have been routed. Since the solution was of neces- sity in the nature of compromise, the best solutioll is that offered by Mr. Birrell. The opposition was for compelling the Education Authorities to grant facilities and to tie iliem down to no option. The essence of the Bill is public control, and the Local Authorities represent the public absolutely. The discredit of the Local Authority came with bad grace from Mr. Redmond, the apostle of Home Rule in Local and Imperial Government. If Home Rule is the right thing for Ireland, it is equally the right thing for a Local Autho- rity. We wore told that the minorities would be treated fairly in Ireland by the Catholic majority in the eventuality of Home Rule. This was the assurance of the Catholics times1 without number, but the very same people cannot and will not trust the minorities of England and Wales to the, generosity of the majorities. The Clause says that the Local Authority may" grant facilities, and the Catholics and High Anglicans must not ungenerously think that the Protestants of England and Wales are incapable of less generosity. The fact that Clause 4 is in existence proves that this spirit of toleration is abroad, and it would not be consistent for a Government returned to power on the principle and virtue of popular con- trol, to belie that principle and refuse its exercise by the Local Authorities. Trust the people is a cry good enough only for Parliamentary Elections, and if a genuine demand, it must be attached with the same sincerity to the ballot in our Dis- trict and County Councillors. We are glad, therefore, that the Government has stuck to the may," and not shown dis- trust of the Local Government by making shall the spirit of the Clause. We quite agree that since the country is un- ripe for a system of pure secular schools, and equally against the pan-denomination- alism of Mr. Chamberlain, that Mr. Bin-ell's scheme is a fail' and just one and the very essence of moderation and com- promise. -+- The Lord Lieutenant lias only added one Rhondda name to the Commission of Peace. Swansea, with about an equal population, has a goodly share. The chief recipients are Conservatives and men who have taken no part in politics, who next to being Conservatives a Tory Lord Lieutenant must like next best. How- ever, the Rhondda gentleman is distinctly a favourite, and particularly so where he is best known. If all the folks who have come to wealth through the Rhondda, were as true and generous to its people as Mr. Thomas, the sympathy between the capitalist and the worker would be much stronger. Mr. Thomas has proved in the short time he has enjoyed the inheritance of his grandfather that he has fully rüahsed that the possession of wealth carries with it solemn responsibility also. He lives amongst his. people, and every workman in his employ will readily ac- knowledge that he is all ideal type of what a colliery proprietor should attempt to be. -+--+--+- But surely Mr. Thomas is not the only man upon whom this honour should be conferred. It will be invidious to name, but there are public men in our midst who have laboured hard in the public service. The Rhondda has a few sterling Liberal politicians, fearless and outspoken when necessary. Unfortunately, many of these are not of the Lord Lieutenant's way of thinking, and his likings are vital to secure entrance into the charmed and exclusive circle of the magistracy. How- ever, we are glad to believe that the list is not the final one. We know this one to have come from the Lord Lieutenant, but there is a Lord Chancellor's list to come, and doubtless the crooked will be made a little straighter, and men of strong democratic views will likely be found in the revised edition.

--------The Earthquake.

Mine Flooded near Cilfach.

Eczema is Easy to Cure.

Spiritual Convention at Porth.

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