The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

High Water at Colwyn Bay. Morni Height. Even. Height h. m. ft. in. h. m. ft. in. May 11—Fri. 8 35 15 0 8 54 14 6 12-Sat. 1) 13 15 11 9 31 L5 6 13-Sun. 9 48 Itj 6 10 7 16 3 14-)ifon. 10 26 16 11 10 44 16 11 15-Tues.11 2 17 5 11 21 17 7 16—Wed. 11 39 17 5 17-T h u. 12 0 17 8 12 18 17 1

Lighting=up Time (Greenwich time). May 11—Friday 8 36 p.m. „ 12—Saturday 8 38 „ 13-Sunday 8 39 II „ 14—Monday 8 41 u „ 15-Tuesday 8 42 16-Wednesday 8 44 u „ 17-Thurslay 8 45 I.

Friday, May nth, igoo. THE War Office issued no despatches from Lord Roberts on Wednesday. A message from Smaldeel states that the Boers are retiring from the Zand River, but that they intend to make a stand at Boschrand, a few miles south of Kroon- stad. From Maseru in Basutoland, there comes a telegram describing the state of panic into which the Boers in the Lady- brand and Ficksburg districts have been thrown by the reported Brilish occupation of Winburg and Senekal. BOTH Houses of the Convocation of Canterbury met at Westminster on Tues- day. In the Lower House Bishop Barry brought forward a proposal that bishops should be asked to press strongly on the Government the necessity of bringing for- ward as soon as possible some legislation for temperance reform embodying those provisions on which the Majority and the Minority Reports of the Licensing Com- mission are in substantial agreement. The motion was carried. BOARD of trade returns just issued, show an increase in imports for the four months ending April 30th of ^12,143,324, as com- pared with the corresponding period of last year, and an improvement of [13,253,982 in exports. THE proceedings of the Annual As- sembly of the Congregational Union were continued in London on Wednesday. Mr. J. Carvell Williams, M.P., the chairman, gave an address on Nonconformity during the present century, and among other business was the consideration of reports on the Twentieth Century Fund. SIR G. WHITE attended on Saturday a meeting held at the Crystal Palace at which rewards were distributed to some thou- sands of children for essays on kindness to animals, written at the invitation of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. He was received with en- thusiastic cheering. MR. G. WHITELEY, M.P., has been adopted as the Liberal candidate for the Pudsey division of Yorkshire. THE expected appointment of Sir Richard Webster as Master of the Rolls is announced. He will be succeeded in the Attorney-Generalship by Sir R. Finlay. SIR J. BATTY TURR, M.D., was on Monday elected unopposed as the Parliamentary representative of the Universities of Edin- burough and St Andrews, in succession to the late Sir W. Priestley. PORTSMOUTH has replaced its late member Mr W. O. Clough (resigned) by another Liberal-Mr T. A. Bramsdon. He polled 610 votes more than his Con- servative opponent, Mr J. H. A. Majen- die. In 1893 the Liberal members were returned by a majority of 711. THE naval brigade from H.M.S. Power- ful, with their guns, arrived in London on Monday, and had a most enthusiastic reception, large crowds cheering them on their arrival at Victoria Station and throughout their march to the Horse- Guards'-parade. IT is officially announced that Sir Nathaniel Lindley has been appointed a Lord of Appeal in Ordinary, in the place of Lord Morris, resigned that Sir R. Webster, Q.C., has been appointed Master of the Rolls, in the place of Sir N. Lindley and that the posts of Attorney General and Solicitor General will be filled by Sir R. Finlay and Mr Carson respectively. IN the Commons on Wednesday, Mr Herbert Roberts moved a bill to amend the Welsh Sunday closing act by making it more stringent and effective. It was proposed to increase the bona fide travell- ers' journey for drink from three miles to twelve, to order the keeping of a register of persons served, to enable the licensing authorities to license only a few houses for Sunday trading, and to deal with clubs. Mr Jesse Collings said as the bill proceeded generally on the lines recommended by the Royal Commission, the Government would not oppose the second reading, which was then agreed to, the bill being referred to the Standing Committee on Law. ADMIRAL DEWEY, speaking at a luncheon at the University Club, St. Louis, said :— We can whip any nation on the face of the earth except England, and England is our best friend." The declaration evoked hearty cheers. THE town of Sandon, in British Col- umbia, has been practically destroyed by fire, and twelve hundred people are rendered homeless. GRAVE trouble is reported to have occurred between two rival tribes on the frontier of Morocco, and a number of women and children are said to have been massacred. CHOLERA has broken out amongst the natives engaged on the famine relief I works at Virangam, India, the deaths averaging no fewer than fifty daily. SOME sensation has been caused at Cor- wen, by the action of three Nonconformist ministers in appealing to young men not to join a volunteer corps which it is proposed to form for the county. THE Sultan of Turkey has ordered a committee to be formed for the purpose of collecting subscriptions and buying cereals to be sent to India for the relief of the famine-stricken people. Two enormous packages were found in a tunnel on the railway line between Paris and Vincennes early on Saturday morning. On inspection they were found to contain large explosive tubes, and a terrible disaster must have resulted had a train passed before they were discovered. Four reputed Anarchists have been arrested on suspicion. THE celebration of the coming of age of the Crown Prince of Germany toook place at Berlin on Monday. A solemn service was held in the chapel attached to the castle, where, in the presence, of the many royal and distinguished guests who had been invited, the ceremony of swearing in the Prince took place. ♦

School Boafds Want Schooling. TRUE efficiency in the matter of primary education is scarcely likely to be acquired so long as those who affect an interest and aspire to control it are so prejudiced and narrow-minded. In ever so many in- stances the school board is made up of members, some of whom might benefit if placed under the charge of teachers instead of in authority over them. The greatest curse of all is when men are chosen as members simply on account of their sectarian prejudices, and for the ostensible purpose of looking after the interests of the adherents of their own particular sect. Too often do we find that a man's principal aim is to thwart and oppose anything which emanates from members whom he has been accustomed to regard as his opponents. The interests of education might be better served by the formation of some more central and com- petent authority than a parochial board. Is it not too commonly found that uncom- promising hostility to voluntary schools, and particularly to the Church, actuates the members oftener than real enthusiasm and zeal for education ? Until they get that out of their heads we shall never have efficient school boards what are really as essential as efficient teachers and schools.

Will Llysfaen become Municipalised? THE decision of the Carnarvonshire County Council to grant the application for urban powers for Llysfaen caused less surprise than it did of delight to several of the leading parishioners, who no doubt be- lieve that they have done the parish a valu- able service in pushing this matter forward. Time only can show that, but it is by no means certain yet that the project will be accomplished. There might have been the semblance of a tangible reason if the whole of Old Colwyn could have been formed into an urban district, but the difficulty is that two parishes and two counties are involved. The most irregular and intersecting boundaries must lead to endless complications and troubles. The Local Government Board in considering the application will no doubt enquire what has occurred to affect the question since a very able deputation last year unanimously reported against the application. Mr D. P. Williams' minority report, which appears in another column, is unanswer- able, but there are several unimportant errors, one of which is that there has been an unanimous vote at a meeting of rate- payers in favour of the applications. r

Here and There. WHILST the Colwyn Bay Urban District Council is so largely represented in Lon- don for the third time this year, those at home hope that the gentlemen who give their time so disinterestedly to the public service are having a fine old time of it, particularly in the evenings. The Aquarium is quite handy, and it might be desirable if some of the most musical of the coun- cillors make it a point to go to hear some good band music. Apart from the soothing effect it may have upon them, they may pick up a few hints, and perhaps a few fresh items which might not be unwelcome in the Bay. :¡:, A LITTLE boy from Llysfaen found a small gold watch, enclosed in a leather bracelet, on the shore at Colwyn Bay. On return- ing same to owner he simply received thank you." It would be desirable to know where thank :you could be ex- changed for something more tangible. IT is not the lot of every man to be able to take his troubles so lightly as one Richard Parry, of Holyhead, who came to Bangor Bankruptcy Court last week for his ex- amination. He said the cause of his failure was having too many irons in the fire, so at last the fire went out.-The Official Receiver Have you been often drunk ?—The Bankrupt Yes, lots of times.—In the morning, when you ought to be attending your work ?—Yes, and at night too.—An adjournment was granted. THE air of an ordinary bankruptcy court is usually unromantic, but last week there were a few delightful variations at the Bangor court, one of which was suggestive of May and December. The marriage of John Williams, a farmer living at Llan- llibio, Anglesey, was mentioned. The husband had been declared bankrupt on his own petition. The liabilities were re- turned at £ 76 18s 3d, and the assets de- clared to be nil. The debtor, who was approaching 70, had lately, it appeared, married a girl about 19 years of age, and settled all his property upon her. The Official Receiver characterised the trans- action as an ingenious fraud, and the examination was adjourned. CONSIDERABLE surprise and indignation has been expressed in and about Corwen at the attitude taken up by three local Nonconformist ministers towards the movement to establish a volunteer corps in Merionethshire. They have signed an appeal to the young men of the county, stating they cannot but feel the effort made to entice young men to join such a society to be very dangerous, because such societies have always been the source of immorality." The promises of the Bible stated that a time would arrive when war should be no more taught, and they ardently desired such a time, and begged the young men's hearty co-operation to do their utmost to hasten the coming of that happy period. Notwithstanding this, the martial spirit has been evidenced in the outlying districts of Carrog and Glyn- dwfrdwy, where about thirty young men have joined the Llangollen Volunteer Company 1st V.B.R.W.F.

A Bold Enterprise for Colwyn Bay. We have just been informed that the directors of the Victoria Pavilion, Colwyn Bay, have made arrangements for the formal opening of the pavilion on Satur- day, June 2nd, on which occasion Madame Adelina Patti will sing. This is really a bold achievement, and will be the first occasion the prima donna has ever visited North Wales. Details will be announced in due course. 4.

The War. Lord Roberts telegraphing yesterday says General-Pole Carew and General Tucker's division, with General Ian Hamilton's column, the heavy naval and garrison artillery guns and four brigades of cavalry have marched to Welgelegen, and have crossed the Zand River. The enemy is in a strong position, but are being gradually driven back. Lord Roberts telegraphs that he has received a most cheering message from Col. Baden Powell, dated April 27. Lord Roberts' earlier despatch shows his force has reached the Zand River yesterday. The telegram announcing the passage of the river, and that the Boers were being pushed back, was only despatched at 9-20 this (Thursday) morning.

A Record Stock Sale at Bodrhyddan. PROBABLY the most successful sale of a non- pedigree dairy stock of the century was con- ducted by Messrs Frank Lloyd and Sons, for the executors of the, late Capt Conwy, at Bod- rhyddan, near Rhyl, on Wednesday last. The attendance was very large, representing many of the leading stockowners of England and Wales. The animals, brought out under the able manage- ment of Mr W. Conwy Bell, fully justified the wide reputation the herd has held for many years. The pedigree shorthorn were dispersed in 1894, and the foundation of the present herd was laid by the purchase of the best dairy cows in the North of England, and the use of the well- selected pedigree bulls. Only two registered shorthorns were included in the sale, viz:—The prize-winning bull, "Buckhanger," purchased by Mr Winter, of the North Wales College, Ban- gor, at 100 guineas, and the four-year-old cow, "Pride of Clwyd," sold to Mr Read, to found a herd at Northop Hall, for 52 guineas. The re- mainder of the herd were non-pedigree animals, many of which had won numerous prizes in dairy classes. Appended are a few of the prin- cipal prices —"Fairymaid and bull calf, 49 gns., to Mr J. Eldon Bankes; "Morwyn" (in calf), 47 gns., Mr J. Eldon Bankes "Favourite" (in calf), winner of many prizes, 40 gns., to Mr G. Brown, Ridley Hall; "Primrose" and calf, 43 gns., to Messrs Taylor and Ellis, Ystrad Dairy Farm; "Berwyn" and calf, 48 gns., to Mr P. H. Chesters, Nantwich; "Violet" and calf, 34^2 gns., to Mr O. G. Williams, Cefn, and Mr P. H. Chesters; "Red Rose" and calf, 34% gns., to the Lord Bishop of St. Asaph, who also pur- chased "Quesnie" for 27 gns, her calf going to Mr Williamson, Derwen Hall, at 7% gns. "Cherry" and bull calf, 273-2 gns.. to Mr Tom Green, of Welshpool; "My Lady" and calf, 253/3 gns., to Mr Marsh, Grappenhall; two-year- )ld heifer and calf, winner of several prizes, 30 gns., to Messrs Taylor and Ellis; red two-year- old heifer in calf, 37 gns., to Mr P. H. Chesters; white heifer, two-year-old, in calf, 233*2 gns., Mr Marsh, Grappenhall; roan, two-year-old heifer, in calf, 26 gns., Mrs Pochin, Bodnant; roan, two-year-old heifer, in calf, 22 gns., to Mr Par- ton; red and white in-calf heifer, 20 gns., to Air Job Jones, Pickhill; red and white yearling heifer, 23 gns., to Mr Story, Denbigh red and white yearling heifer, 35 gns., to Mr Frank Bibby. Mr Minshall, of Saighton, secured a smart yearling bull at 26 gns., others making up to 21 gns. The shire stallion. "Merry lan, after a very spirited competition, was knocked down to Mr Taylor, Ystrad, at 350 gns., and will remain in the Vale of Clwyd for service. Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., Mr Wynn Corrie, Park Hall, and Mr Geo. Lee, the Cop House, were pur- chasers of the young shires, at prizes up to 60 gns. each. The competition for the Shropshire show sheep was keen, a pen of five shearing ewes being sold to Messrs Evans, Sherlowe, 4 gns. each. The rams made up to 9 gns., .he latter prize being paid by Messrs Taylor and Ellis. The demand for the fat sheep was good, fully 10% gns. being realized. The best lot nine store bullocks made £12 7s 6d each. In the evening the whole of the pasture land adjoining the Home Farm was let, making é n average of about £ 2 28 per acre for grazing November 30th. We. might add the late Cap- tain Conwy was a most successful breeder of shorthorns and Shropshire sheep, which we-e invariably sold at ordinary prices to his neigh- bours in the Vale of Clwyd. His great ambition was to see his neighbours have good stock and not to benefit his own purse at their exp:>- and as Mr Frank Lloyd remarked at the opening of the sale, Capt. Conwy will be much missed, as few men who have gone before him have lone so much for the benefit of agriculture in Wales.

Vale of Conway Agriculture Society. A MEETING of the committee of the above held at the Eagle's Hotel, Llanrwst, on TueS^"e last, Major-General Gough, president for year, in the chair. The list of prizes for year's show was submitted, and with shgn terations, was approved. > 0 A letter was read from Mr Hugh Pierce, since the formation of the Society thirty J ago, had acted as general secretary, asking committee to allow him to retire from office the end of the present year, and also that he permitted to do the work for the rest of the y through his deputy. Mr R. R. Owen, w*10 Wjts thoroughly acquainted with the work in a j details. Mr Pierce's resignation was rece^iiat with very deep regret, and a resolution to effect was placed on the minutes on the tcio of Mr Thos. Elias, seconded by Mr J. E. H-u phreys.

Llanrwst Board of Guardian5* THE fortnightly meeting of this Board was H"'E at the Union House on Tuesday la.,t, when t ) were present Messrs E. J. Williams (chairm3 v J. R. Williams (vice-chairman), Dr Edwa s Evans, Rev. John Gower,Messrs O. Lloyd J°u D. E. Davies, Richard Evans, T. R. Jones, H. Rawson Williams, Messrs Wm. Wi John Hughes, W. Maurice Jones, H. Hug*1 William Roberts, Robert Hughes, J. Owen John Davies, Hugh Pierce (clerk), and Jones (master). The House. The Master reported that there were 3° mates in the house, being the same nurnber the corresponding week last year. There { been 36 vagrants relieved during the fortrllgbt as compared with 20 during the correspon In" week last year. Relief. The Board spent considerable time in exaffl1^1 ing the relief lists, and it was stated that Mr 5t Evans Jones, the relieving officer for Llanrw64 district, had distributed ^43 is 6d amongst J paupers during the fortnight, and he reques ^43 towards the current term. Mr T. C. R0^1^. had also distributed ^43 a is amongst 157 P ,Q{ pers in Pentrefoelas district; and a cheque ^44 was advanced him for the next fort11lght- Application for Increase of Salary. d Letters were read from Mr Evan M. Jones aHe Mr Cadwaladr Hughes (compulsory officers), r questing an increase of salary. After considerable discussion it was declde to refuse both applications inasmuch as the duties were the same, or, if anything, liglltet now than when the appointments were J made, and the salaries were very carefully at the time. A Painful Case. Mr O. Evans Jones called attention to a ve" painful case from Eglwysfach. rc Mr W. Maurice Tones said that the P^lLat knew nothing of the circumstances. Board, he was afraid, 'had been contribute money to support "rebels" who had wasted their lives in iniquity but in the: present he felt it would be a real blessing to give lielf, as it was a very sad and deserving case..j The Chairman concurred, and Dr Evans at the course suggested would throw a ray of lig and comfort to the poor man and his fam It would be cruel to remove him unless it was really necessary. After several members had spoken, it was 0 cided to leave the case to the discretion of the relieving officer, who would no doubt do W- a was right. Attention was called to the case of the of Rees Pugh "James, who was employed at t Tannery, Llanrwst, who had died about a f° night ago, leaving a widow and four children- it The Rev H. Rawson Williams asked was '13 not rather strange they should become befol the Board so soon. 13- The relieving officer replied that the money r'1 ceived from the insurance had all been spent oJ funeral expenses. 0 The Chairman: It is a monstrous shame spend all that money in such extravagance, all to come to ask for parochial relief in a fortnlg The conisderation of the case was deferred- A Disgraceful Revelation. Mr O. G. Jones, the relieving officer of Lla: rwst, requested the Board to confirm the Pa)" ment of iSs 6d which he had paid in connect* with the burial of Lewis Jones, Scotland-stre Llanrwst, who had died suddenly of heart &- ease, and as there was no money in the to defray the burying expenses, he had und taken to bury him at the cost of the Union. ,11 The Rev John Gower: The Board knows about the history of this man, Lewis I lidiart Godart, was the name he was known by- „ went to prison several times for disobey1^ orders made upon him. The night before died he received 11s for loading three l°a lime. Where was that money when the arrangements were undertaken by their offic The Relieving Officer I never saw any there, and they came to me repeatedly to aS jay a parish coffin. In fact, I left things for a longer than I ought to have done withou coffin, in order to see whether his family wou move in the matter, but they did not. v £ The Rev John Gowrer: Then why not him unburied, or bury him and all those aP him alive? s The Rev H. Rawson Williams Good grad°u-' Mr Gower „s. Mr (rower: Yes, really; it would be a ing to do so. The night he died there were tllr I women there drinking, "Grassi Maenol," J^e McCew," and "Cassie," and the doctor bee very indignant, though he is a very quiet iu f when he saw such shameful things going There is a most scandalous history connec with this case. &x\ Mr William Williams, l'reswylfa, said jjis kept two wives, one he cohabited with, anCLjr), married wife being very cruelly treated by and living in the same house. It was a fea case. All these dens of immorality ought to pulled down, as they only foster crime. of Mr Gower: It is a disgrace to the town Llanrwst that such places are tolerated. (sable The Chairman asked would it not be advis to ask the reporters to omit all mention o f tlll, scandalous case. uched) Mr John Hughes No, no let it be pubJ■ ~e » as it has been brought forward here be ,-oJx public Board. It is by calling public atte to such cases that they can be suppresse The relieving officer's action was connrn1

Sir James Fergusson, M.P., has range self with those who demand a thoroug ganisation of the War Office. „pre- —— Sir II. M. Stanley has confirmed the sentative statement that he contemplate wever. nation. The hon. member will not, ho IIi:; vacate his seat until the general election, reasons for retiring are purely personal-

Precautions Against Fire at Llanrwst. THE recent disastrous fire at Llanrwst no doubt accounts for the promptitude and unanimity with which the local authority at Llanrwst has decided to purchase a steam fire engine, or rather to apply for permission to borrow the sum of four hundred pounds for that purpose. But for the exertions of the fire brigade the consequences of the conflagration might have been much more serious, and know- ing the danger which always must exist in somewhat crowded or confined suburbs, where combustible matter is plentiful, it behoves those in authority to take every precaution for the protection of life and property. Though Llanrwst is an old town it is perhaps in advance of some of its neighbouring towns in putting aside old and obsolete methods in favour of things modern, and as it is the centre of an important radius extending about twelve miles around it is to be hoped the rate- payers will readily approve the action of the Urban Council in the purchase of suit- able appliances for fire extinguishing.