The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

Death and Funeral of the Rev. W. Venables Williams. Elequent Tribute to his Memory. Impressive Funeral Service at Llandrillo Church. THOUGH it was not altogether unanticipated, the news of the death of the Rev W. Venables Williams, M.A., Vicar of Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, caused a thrill of regret and sorrow through the whole of the North Wales coast district. The rev gentleman had for some time been in in- different health, but that did not deter his acti- vity and interest in the public affairs of the dis- trict, of which he had been practically the pioneer. Up to about three weeks ago he was as usual one of the most familiar figures in the streets of Colwyn Bay, the growth of which he had watched from the very first when the Pwll- ycrochan Hotel was the only house. For months, however, it had been noticed that he was getting very feeble in body, though fi.s mind was as active and vigorous as ever, and during the early part of last week it became apparent that the rev. gentleman's strength was failing him, and that the end was only a matter of a few days. He was in his 73rd year, and his loss will be sincerely mourned, not only by the family, and his parishioners, but it will be a dintinct loss in the public life of the past of North Wales. The Rev Venables Williams was the son of the late Rev W. Williams, Vicar of Llanychan, near Ruthin, and was descended from an old and well-known Welsh county family, the Myd- delton's, of Ruthin and Chirk. One of his an- cestors was David Mvddelton, cf Denbigh, re- ceiver general of North Wales in the reign of Edward IV., and he was directly descended from Sir Hugh Mvddelton, an alderman of Lon- don. the projector of the celebrated New River. His father at one time kept a private school at Ruthin, after which he removed to Plas-y-ward, where the deceased was born.. He received the earlier portion of his education under his father, going afterwards to the Ruthin Gram- mar School under Mr Barnwell. His contem- porary students included quite a number of boys who later became distinguished. During his stay at the school there was a notable revolt of the scholars on what was known as the "bread and butter" question. From the Ruthin Gram- mar School he proceeded to Jesus College, Ox- ford, where he gratuated B.A. in 1852, and took his M.A. degree in 1854- Ordained deacon in 1852, by Bishop Bethel, of Bangor, he became curate of Ruabon. A year later he was ordained priest by the Bishop of St. Asaph, and con- tinued to act as curate in the parish of Ruabon until 1859. The late Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, a parishioner, of Ruabon, then selected him for the living of Llangedwyn, which he accepted. Ten years later, on the presentation of Bishop Short, of St. Asaph he became vicar of Llandrillo-yn-Rhos, where he remained until his death, a period of 33 years. The gross value of the living is £ 291. Although part of the area went, with sections of other parishes, to form the ecclesiastical demesne of Old Col. wyn 45 years ago, the parish of Llandrillo was still a very large one when Mr Venables Wil- liams took office there. As Llandrillo was the principal parish cut into to form the territory attached to the church at Old Colwyn, the pat- ronage of the latter living became and continues an appanage of the Llandrillo benefice. The development of the new disterict of Colwyn Bay necessitated further church accommodation, and Mr Venabies WiHiams took the initiative to provide for the need which was ever growing. Services were commenced in a carpenter's shed in Ivy-street, some thirty years ago. Then a small room was built, at a cost of £ 170. This was succeeded by an iron church, on the site of St. Paul's, presented by Lady Erskine. The building was burnt down on October 31st, 1886. On June 8th, 1887, the foundation of the arches of St. Paul's were laid, and during that year and the next the nave was erected, being conse- crated by the late Bishop Hughes on July 13th, 1888. Colwyn Bay was formed into a new parish on May 15th, 1893, with an endowment of [120 a year from the Ecclesiastical Commis- sioners. The foundation stone of the chancel was laid on July gtb, 1894, and that portion of the edifice was consecrated on April 7th, 1895, by Bishop Edwards. There was a keen con- troversy at the time of the division of the parish, the late vicar protesting against his being de- prived of the spiritual oversight of the new resi- dential town, but Bishop Edwards was inexor- able in his belief that the place needed the ex- clusive ministrations of its own clergy, and Mr Venables Williams retired to his shrunken parish with at least the sympathy of those who appreciated his church building exertions. The living of LlandriIlo-yn-Rhos, which is an extensive parish, and includes the whole of Col- wyn Bay, was one of the most desirable and important in North Wales, the picturesque old Tudor church being one of considerable his- toric interest, and the pretty vicarage nestling beneath its shadow one of the most charming. It is only a few weeks since we had occasion to refer to the dead vicar's love for this charming spot and the pride he took in his garden, which he considerately threw open to visitors and pas- sers-by. One of his emoluments was a tithe of the fish caught in the ancient monks' fishing weir, the salmon being caught by trained dogs. Every tenth day, Sunday or week-day, his ser- vant fetched from the weir the vicar's share of the fishermen's haul. Though an able scholar and a sound and elo- quent preacher, and in many respects an ideal parish priest, the vicar was much more of a public character and administrator, and devo- ted most of his time and abilities to public affairs. Some would even say that he had missed his vocation, and that had he adopted the legal profession he would unquestionably have risen to far greater distinction. He was an exceptionally broad-minded man of excep- tionally keen intelligence, and most kind and sympathetic at heart. And soon after his pro- motion -to the living he threw his most hearty interest into all that concerned the welfare and development of the locality. As showing the extent of his public services, it may be"men- tioned that during some years Mr Williams held simultaneously no fewer than seven public offices. In 1868 he became a Denbighshire J.P., and in 1893 a magistrate for Carnarvon- shire, and for many years he was the senior magistrate and chairman of the bench in this division. For many years he was chairman of the Colwyn Bay Local Board, and for a quarter of a'century he occupied a like position in rela- tion to the Conway Board of Guardians. He caused the formation of the petty session- al divisions of Abergele and Colwyn Bav. He was chairman of the Conway Board of Guard- ians, of the Colwyn Bay Local Board, and the Conwav District Council. r> enables Williams promoted the Colwvn Lay Gas Company, whose undertaking the Council now propose to acquire. Of his Assessment Com- mittee work he was exceedingly proud He secured the engagement of an expert valuer with a view to_ revised rating of the railway. Then, almost single-handed, he fought the powerful rail- way company, and the rateable value of the line in Conway Union was raised from C125 to £ 950 per mile, and in St. Asaph it rose to [1,100 a mile. For this he received many public testimonials, and it is claimed that the example led to a revolution in railway rating throughout the United Kingdom. He was largely instrumental in realising the scheme whereby Colwyn Bay and the surrounding towns get their water supply from a lake among the Snowdon peaks. The deceased vicar had, as already stated, watched the growth of Colwyn Bay from the very first. As a colleague of the late Mr John Porter, he advocated its interests first at the Board of Guardians at Llanrwst, and afterwards at Conway. Of the latter Board he was the chairman for many years. At first he opposed the formation of the Colwyn Bay and Colwyn Local Board, the precursor of the existing District Council, and he presided at a meet- ing of the opponents held at the Colwyn Bay Hotel. When the Board first met, however, he was found to be a member of it, and was appointed the first chairman. In that capacity he formally opened on August 18, 1892, the new subway under the railway, which, for the first time gave a proper access to the shore from the town. He took prin- cipal part in the formation of the Colwyn Bay petty sessional division out of the Isdulas division, the court of which was held at Abergele. It was his boast that during the long period of his service on the magisterial bench he never had a decision of his reversed on appeal. There have been very few public movements in and about the district in which the vicar did not participate, and on all occasions his business-like grasp of detail, his keen foresight, and his thorough outspokenness were always noticeable. He en- joyed the deepest respect of all classes, and even his most strenuous opponents would readily ac- knowledge his fearless outspokenness and consistent fairness. He had the best interests and welfare of the whole neighbourhood at heart. The late vicar took considerable interest in archaeological matters, and published a volume on 'I the archaeology of Llandrillio-yn-Rhos. As a preacher he was frequently original and uncon- ventional, and in evcry-day life he sought to shake off what he called the pulpit manner," the failure to do which by his brethren of the cloth would occasionally excite his ridicule. The relations between the vicar and the Nonconformists were always of the most cordial nature, and he assisted in the erection of many dissenting chapels in Colwyn Bay. In recent years Mr Venables Williams was understood to favour the principle of disestablish- ment. In 1885 he presided over a debate on the subject which was carried on during several evenings at Llandudno, between Mr W. E. Helm, a Church Defence lecturer, and an agent of the Liberation Society. He took great interest in education, and in order to show his strong approval of the School Board principle, he closed his own national school. He served on the School Board for many years. The deceased was thrice married, his third wife surviving him. Dr Montagu Venables Williams, J.P., of Colwyn Bay, is his only surviving son. The Funeral. The weather on Monday afternoon was very im- propitious, but notwithstanding there was a con- tinuous line of carriages and pedestrians seen wending their way towards the interesting old church of Llandrillo, where the vicar had so long ministered. The grave had been cut out in the solid rock, just adjoining that of the vicar's former esteemed friend, Mr John Porter. Hundreds of visitors viewed the grave, which was liberally strewn with flowers and evergreens. At three o'clock to the minute, with that re- markable punctuality so characteristic of the departed vicar, the bell in the old steeple com- menced to toll out a mournful knell, and the massive oak coffin, literally covered with lovely flowers, was borne out of the house below. The Rev John Griffith, M.A., Vicar of Old Colwyn, read a portion of the service, after which the cortege was formed, and slowly moved up the drive. The members of the Colwyn Bay Fire Brigade in uniform formed a guard of honour. Several clergy, surpliced and otherwise, headed the procession, including the Vicar of Old Col- wyn, the Rev R. Oliver (curate), the Rev Jos. Williams, Vicar of Llanycnan, the Rev D. Stan- ley Davies (Wrexham), Rev J. Davies, Vicar of Llangwstenin; Rev Griffith Jones, Vicar of Mostyn; Rev Canon Roberts, Colwyn Bay; Rev W. Morgan, Vicar of Glan Conway; Rev Meredith Hughes, Rev J. H. Hope, Rev J. H. Astley, Rev E. Davies, Colwyn, and many others. The chief mourners were Mrs Venables Williams (widow), Miss Fanny Williams (sis- ter), Dr Montagu Venables Williams (son) and Mrs Williams, the Countess Marrianne de Gal- leani (sister-in-law), and Mr Arthur Armitage, of Martin Stewart, Scotland (brother-in-law), nurses, and the members of the household. The church was rapidly filled, a great number being unable to gain admission, and whilst the pro- cession filed up the aisles, Mr Jas Bernard played a mournful march on the organ. cl Amongst those present were representatives of the many public bodies with wh:ch the vicar had been connected. The magisterial benches of Colwyn Bay were represented by Mr T. G. Osborn, Mr C. F. Woodall, Mr Wm. Jones, and Mr James Wood; and the Conway bench was represented by Mr H. Kneeshaw, Dr R. A. l'richard, and Mr O. Rowlands. The Conway Board of Guardians was represented by Mr John Roberts, chairman, Mr J. W. Raynes, Mr John Jones (Dinarth Hall), Mr J. R. Dawson, and Mr T. Parry, junior (deputy clerk), and Mr Jesse Jones. The Colwyn Bay District Council was represented by Mr Geo. Bevan, J.P., Mr Thos. Parry, Dr Brooks, Mr Thos. Byrne, Mr Hugh Hughes, Mr Thos. Roberts, Mr J. M. Porter, Mr Jos. Roberts (clerk), and Mr Wm. Jones, C.E. (surveyor), and Mr W. H. Jones (surveyor). The Llandrillo School Board was represented by the Rev J. Edwards (chairman) and Mr F. J. Holmes (clerk) the Colwyn Bay Gas Company was represented by Mr Wm. Earp (chairman), Mr Mitchell (director), Mr T. J. Linaker (secretary), and Mr Pennington (manager), and amongst the general public pre- sent were Mr G. P. Jenkins, N.P. Bank, and Mr E. H. Davies (Uxbridge House), as wardens of St. Paul's Church the Rev Father MulPgan (Llandudno), Mr R. S. Chamberlain, Mr Jas. Porter (Conway), Mrs Jones (Dinarth Hall), Mr Thos. Dutton (Gogarth Abbey), Miss Dutton (Conway), Alderman Hugh Hughes (Mayor of Conway), Mr Edwin Jones (Glascoed), Mr A. Lalande, Mr W. Jones (N. and S. Wales Bank), Dr Moore, Dr Lord, Dr Russell, Mr Jas. Am- plett, Mr P. Hignett, Mr F. Stubbs, 'Mr John Homan, Mr W. R. Hands, Mr Daniel Allen, Mr Ed. Allen, Mr M. Darlington, Mr J. 0. Jones, Mr Robt. Williams (Pioneer), Mr J. I,. Hunt, Mr C. E. Cartwright, Rev W. Hughes (Congo), Mr Laseman, Inspector Roberts (Abergele), and many others. The service was conducted by the Rev R. J. Oliver, Rev T. Griffith, and the Rev Jos. Wil- liams (Llanychan), the Rev D. Stanley Davies reading the lesson in an impressive manner. The hymns, "ow the labourer's task is over," and "Abide with me," were impressively sung, Mr T. J. Lniekar at the close rendering the "Dead March in Saul" on the organ. The ser- vice a't the grave was very brief, the Rev J. Griffith pronouncing the benediction, after wluch the hymn, "Peace, perfect peace," and "Bydd myrdd o ryfeddodau," were sung with much fervour. The handsome polished oak coffin bore the inscription:- WILLIAM VENABLES WILLIAMS, M.A. (Oxon.) and J.P. Born- April 29th, 1828; Died November 9th, 1900 and after being lowered into the grave was viewed by hundreds of those present. The funeral arrangements were carried out by the firm of Daniel Allen and Sons, of Colwyn Bay, and Mr Wm. Jones, C.E. (surveyor), rendered valuable assistance in arranging the procession. Business was suspended in most places during the afternoon, and almost all the shops in Col- wyn Bay were closed for the afternoon. List of Wreaths, &c. The following is a list of floral wreaths and tributes, which were exceedingly pretty and tastefully arranged:—A floral cross, "The most loving husband from his devoted wife;" a cross, "In loving memory of a dear father from Sally and Mont. cross, "With affectionate re- membrance," the Countess de Galleani; cross, Mr and Mrs Arnold Bates, Vorin, Hgrne Hill; wreath, Mr and Mrs Catrow and family, Bridge House, Bury wreath, Mary and Charlie Daven- port Jones, Brynymor, Hastings; wreath, Rev. and Mrs Oliver, "With deep sympathy;" flow- ers ond cross, Mr and Mrs Horton; cross, "In remembrance of a true friend gone from among us," Monsieur and Madame Riviere; wreath, Mr and Mrs Broome, Sunnv Hill, Llandudno; wreath, Charlotte and Minnie Thomas, Streat- field, Ancock's Green; wreath, Mrs Williams and Miss Evans, Mochdre wreath, Mr and Mrs J. M. Porter, Braeside, Colwyn Bay; wreath, Mr and Mrs James Porter, Berthlwyd, Conway; cross, Mrs Porter and family, Pwllycrochan; wreath, the Bryn Defaid family; wreath, Miss Gregory, Bryn Eithin, Colwyn Bay; cross, Mr Wood, Ty'n-y-maes, Colwyn Bay; wreath, "With deepest regret from Mr and Mrs Allen and family;" cross, Mr and Mrs Royle, The Ship cross, Mr and Mrs Ellis Lever and fam- ily, Ellesmere, Colwyn Day; wreath, Mrs and the Misses Barlow, Laurel Bank, Colwyn Bay; star, Mr and Mrs Bagnell, Old Colwyn Vicar- age cross, the Misses Clint, Sandringham, Col- wyn Bay anchor, Mr C. Woodall, Tan-y-coed; cross, Mrs Shaw, Stockport; wreath, Charlie and Lily Rigg; wreath, Miss Bostock, Plas Eu. ryn; wreath, Mrs Bostock, ditto; cross of vio- lets, Dr and Miss Brooks, Bronderw; wreath, the teachers, Llandrillo Sunday School; cross, all the members of Llandrillo Choir; harp, Miss Helen Barlow, Ardmore, Colwyn Bay; basket of white flowers, Mr William Earp and Mrs Earp, Wilton, Colwyn Bay; cross, Mrs Turner, Dunlop and Geoffrey, Roskeven; wreath, Mr Albert Wood; wreath, Mr and Mrs Edwin Jones, Glascoed, Colwyn Bay cross, Mrs Henry and children, Colwyn Bay; cross, Mr and Mrs Edwards, _Brynkinallt; wreath, Rev. and Mrs Howarth, Walsham, Colwyn Bay; wreath, Mrs Moreland Crossfield, Lym Hall, "Sincere sympathy;" wreath, "In loving mem- ory, from his niece Bettie;" wreath, "In affec- tionate remembrance, from Dr and Mrs Dalton, Llandudno wreath, Miss Dutton, Conway; wreath, Mr and Mrs Morgan and family, Rhos; wreath, "With deepest sympathy and "esteem," G. Bevan; wreath, Mr and Mrs Morris, Wolver- hampton; cross, Mrs Lloyd Thomas; wreath, "With sincere sympathy," Mr and Mrs Arun- dale; harp, Miss Jones, Colwyn Bay Hotel; wreath, "With deepest sympathy from Mrs Wadsworth and Minnie, Kole Cottage, Colwyn; wreath, "With much sympathy and in grateful recognition of the first vicar of St. Paul's, Col- wyn Bay," from Hugh Roberts (vicar), E. H. Davies and G. P. Jenkins (wardens). At St. Paul's Church on Sunday Morning tIe Rev Canon RoLerts occupied the pulpit, and in the course of his sermon referred to the loss they had all sustained by the death of his brother in Christ, the late vicar of Llandrillo yn Rhos, who had for many years lived an active and useful life among them. It was to his generosity, energy, and forethought they were indebted for that beautiful church, from the pulpit of which the late Vicar had often preached. It was the master work of his life, and had he done no other service on earth, would always stand as a monument to his memory. At the conclusion of the service the touching hymn was sung, "Peace perfect peace:' The Dead March in Saul was rendered on the organ, to the dying strains of which the congregation silently left the church. Mr Ellis Lever was prevented through indisposi- tion attending the funeral of his old friend, the Vicar, who has officiated during the last 14 years at the weddings and funerals of several members of Mr Lever's family. He sends a few lines in memoriam, copied from well-known poets, and hopes in the near future to suggest a public memorial in appreciation of the Vicar's services to the parish and town. Jit Abeniorfam. LLANDRILLO CHURCHYARD, NOV. 12TH, 1900. Leaves have their time to fall And flowers to wither at the north wind's breath, And stars to set-but all, Thou hast all seasons for thine own, 0 Death." —FELICIA HEMANS. Friend after friend departs Who hath not lost a friend ? There is no union here of hearts That finds not here an end .1 Were this frail world our final rest, Living or dying, none were blest." —JAMES MONTGOMERY. As through the old churchyard I roam, Our resting-place, our common home, Where yew trees spread thei." sable shade, In mourning vesture seem array'd, And like old sentinels stand to guard The graves within the old churchyard— How kindly here doth Nature seem To spread a pale and waving green The winds, which oft around do ring, A funeral anthem seem to sing." -T. A. JONES. Magisterial References at Colwyn Bay. "A STRONG AND ABLE MAN." Eloquent and feeling tributes to the estimable qualities of the late vicar were made at the Col- wyn Bay Police Court on Saturday by Mr T. G. Osborn and Mr James Wood (on behalf of the Bench), and Mr" Amphlett (on behalf of the bar). Mr Osborn said they met under circumstan- ces of an exceptional character. It was, he supposed, known to them all that within the last few days the strong and able man who had presided over that court for so many years had been taken from them. The Rev. Venables Williams was not an ordinary man, and it was, therefore, no ordinary loss that they as a bench had sustained. His strong individuality, his remarkable knowledge of men and of the world, his robust commonsense, his extraordinary fa- miliarity with the details of public business, his remarkable powers as a chairman, both in controlling others and in commanding detail, his unrivalled experience of all public affairs. made him a very prominent, able, and useful man. That was really not the time for eulogy of any kind, and Mr Venables Williams was the last man to appreciate anything of the kind. He held very strong opinions, and he often ex- pressed them very strongly. But he was also a man of very liberal opinions, and if he (the chairman) might add a touch of personal expe- rience, he could say that although he had worked with him for many years, and he dif- fered strongly and opposed him often, he had no recollection of a single unkind word spoken to himself, which was remarkable in so many years of difference of opinion. He would like I another occasion to mention the remarkable services, so long continued and so multifarious, rendered to the town by the Re.v Venables Wil- i liams, but that was not exactly the place to do so. He would only say in conclusion that they would all miss him. A loss in many senses ir- reparable, he left a gap no one could fill, but they would best honour his memory by trying to continue and uphold the highest and best traditions of that court. He would move, with the approval of his brother magistrates, a reso- lution which had been kindly drawn up by the late chairman's oldest friend in those parts, Mr James Wood, whom he would call upon to second it:—"We wish to place on record our feelings of deep regret at the death of the Rev. W. Venables Williams, who qualified as a jus- tice of the peace for this county upwards of 32 years ago, and who for many years was the act- ing chairman of the bench of magistrates. Dur- ing this long course of years our late chairman discharged the responsible duties of his office with singular punctuality, untieing energy, and diligence. We know that the community at large, in deploring the loss of its chief magis- 3 trate, has always appreciated the striking abil- I ity and remarkable knowledge wh'ch had been devoted to the service of the public, and we de- sire, in common with all classes, to express cur deep sympathy with Mrs Venables Williams and our respected colleague, Dr Montagu Wil- liams." Mr James Wood said he would like to add a few words in seconding the resolution, which he cordially approved of. The feelings of sad- ness and sorrow and bereavement under which they sat hung too closely upon them to malte any large expression, as although the fight was over, the warrior had hardly laid aside his r- mour. His own friendship with their late vicar dated back 28 years, and he well remembered the occasion on which he (Mr Williams) told him that, although he was not of his own par- ticular religious persuasion, he warmly wel- comed him as a fellow-worker in Christian en- deavour, and many who now heard him would bear witness to that particular breadth of sym- pathy with all religious denominations. They all knew the trials of early life, and how many a sore those trials caused in his case they could not tell, but they did know how manfully he faced them with courage and determination; and though often exposed to suffering and dis- tress, he was still alive to feelings of tender- ness. None realised better than he that to his own master each man standeth or falleth. ci- sonally, he had lost a steadfast friend, and tte knew all would join him in the prayer, "requi- escat in pace." Mr Amphlett, on behalf of the bar, said he would like to add a few remarks to what had been said in memory of the late vicar. -A>fter the beautiful words that had been given at:er- ance to by both magistrates, it would be out or -place on his part to speak at length. He agreed that the rev. gentleman held most strong opinions, for he was a man of strong opinions, and yet, for all that, his heart was in the right place. He would, perhaps, often say things that were seemingly unkind, but in orwersa- tion afterwards he would, if he thought he had overstepped the mark in pulling up say himself (Mr Amphlett) when practising at the bar, al- ways say a kind word, and give a kind reason for having done so. He had personally lost a friend who took him up when he first came there, and who had never let him down. He would therefore like to be associated with the resolution, and it was also the wish of his brethren at the bar to be associated with it as well. Mr Superintendent Jones said he begged to endorse what had been said by the bench. The police had always received the utmost courtesy and consideration at the hands of the late chair- man. His loss in that court would be greatly felt. The Chairman then asked the clerk (Mr Oliver George) to convey the resolution, coupling with it the names of those gentlemen who had spo- ken, to the family. Colwyn Bay Council and the Late Vicar. RESPECTFUL TRIBUTES FROM OLD ASSOCIATES. Striking references to the death of the late Rev. Venables Williams were made by his erst- while colleagues on the Colwyn Bay Urban Dis- trict Council on Tuesday afternoon. Mr George Bevan (the chairman) said it would no doubt be the wish of every member of the Council to pass a vote of sympathy with the family of the late Rev Venables Williams. Colwyn Bay had lost in its late vicar the most celebrated of her sons. His long and eminent services to the public extending over a period of about 35 years, his great abilities, and his position, combined to make his death a very great and heavy loss to that district, a loss which they felt to be irreparable. The late vicar, by his valuable services, had helped in a pre-eminent manner to make Colwyn Bay what it was to-day. (Hear, hear.) He was one of those who presided over its destinies at its birth, he rocked its cradle, he had been its guardian and councillor until it had attained to such a position of popularity and prosperity that the great value of the services he had ren- dered on her behalf grew more apparent day by day. It was practically impossible for h:m to 1 enumerate the many services Mr Venables Wil- I liams performed during his long and busy I career, but one of the chief and, perhaps, one | of the first things he did to develop the place, i and which showed his keen foresight, was the 1 making of what was called the "vicar's road," 1 which established through communication be- I tween Colwyn Bay and Llandudno. It helped | very materially to open cut Colwyn Bay as a watering place of great promise. In fact, every great undertaking which had in view the pros- perity of Colwyn Bay, saw him play a promin- ent part. Truly the town had lost one of its greatest citizens, and they mourned his loss with intense sorrow. He begged to propose that the Council placed on record its deep sense of the loss sustained by the death of the Rev. W. Venables Williams, vicar of this parish, and its high appreciation of his zealous and faith- ful services to the inhabitants of the district during a period of more than 30 years, and that they wished to convey their sincere sympathy to ¡ Mrs Venables Williams and Dr Montague Wil- i liams in their sad bereavement. Mr Thomas Parry, in seconding the motion, 1 said he felt deeply the loss of such an eminent 1 man. He had had a good deal to do with the I late vicar for many years. It only seemed like | a few days ago since he first came to Llandrillo- 1 yn-Rhos. At that time there was no signs of § Colwyn Bay. He (Mr Parry) remembered vet) well the day when the rev. gentleman first cam to Erskine House, quite a young man in COrn" parison to what he was afterwards. His fea- tures he could well recollect, and after a Coll versation he felt that he was a free and ope11' hearted sort of gentleman, who was not too proud to talk to a poor working man. Since that time they had met together very often, to. gether with his friend Mr John Roberts; thea had fought many battles together and oppose each other strongly, but they were friends afte it all. (Hear, hear.) When the Sanitary mittee first came into existence in that town? then in its infancy, they had the pleasure 0 working with their late vicar. They met on the School Board for six years, later, on the ol Local Board, and then on that Urban Counci* He personally could not help feeling that man in more ways than one had gone to n1, long rest, and he heartily seconded the vote 0 condolence. Mr John Roberts said he agreed with the sen* timents expressed in the motion. Dealing wn the early history of Colwyn Bay, Mr Robert said they started the Parochial Committee 1876, and the late vicar was one of the first secure "the operation of the Public Health As soon as it passed into law throughout the whole of the Conway Union, under whose itirl. diction Colwyn Bay was, it was thought b many that they should have a local board t>e J the place got much larger. A meeting was hef in the Colwjm Bay Hotel, but Mr Venables liams was curiously enough dead against & proposal, believing, as he did, that the tary Authority in Conway Union was S°° enough to work the district all right. However a local board was formed, and Mr Veilhe Williams had a seat. It would probably c news to some of them that up to the Preserit moment he and the late vicar had been on the local authority since that perod without a break. (Hear, hear.) They all admired although they did not agree with all he sa* and did, but he believed the vicar for fighting against him on many occasions. I-l r was a most able man. He (Mr Roberts) knew a man who could make up his quicker, or one who had a better grasp of ° tail. He was awfully sharp and awfully cleve*' He had a great and long career on the Con^a- Board of Guardians. He seemed to hoi", magic sway over the members by reason of n1 strong individuality, and when a new mem'38 entered the Board it would not be long he would come under his influence, and tnu he would win the whole Board round to his way of thinking, and they would work amicably to, gether except on some occasions, and there were exceptions to the rule in everything- 1 their early days the rateable value was small, and the population of the whole parttS (which included Old Colwyn), although ? affairs were managed by a separate Par0C2.j.e. committee, only numbered 900 souls. t population had previously been higher, when the farmers could not afford to keep many labourers a great many cottages we t pulled down. From 900 it had grown to a^>° 9,000, and their rateable value was great. conclusion, Mr Roberts said they could not & such an occasion as that pass without payifl £ high tribute to Mr Venables Williams's late con temporary and lifelong friend, Mr John Porter (hear, hear)—both of whom, fathers of the had curiously enough died within one year each other. Dr Brooks said, from a personal friendship with the late vicar extending over 20 years, j* could cordially endorse the resolution read "J the chairman. Mr Venables Williams was born fighter. He might occasionally made an enemy, but if he did, it was when D was fighting the battles of Colwyn Bay. hear.) The railway company did not love J1' very much because it was due to his foresig and energy that the assessment was raised c° siderably. the Mr J. M. Porter said he should like, as U youngest member of the Council, to add humble testimony to the goodness of the and valued friend whom they had just lost. had known him since his childhood, and c°^ue well remember the presentation made to at vicar at the Pwllycrochan Hotel for his ge i fight with the railway company. He had h J11 the great privilege of worshipping under h !t for 30 years, first in the primitive shed 'I' all, street, then at St. Paul's Church, and at L drillo. He was never seen to better advan* & than when he was in his own parish chur y There they saw the vicar with all his traits of character revealed to the full. K js familiar surroundings seemed to show up Qfe robust manner and scholarly attainments clearly than elsewhere, and many visitors had attended the church for years would it difficult to realize that the genial Pers°nten. of the'r old pastor had passed from human K J He (Mr Porter) had many studying his social character, and rem"111 eIi. well how cheerily and warmly he bid theni ter. The open door was always to be there, even to those who were not of the s 0t religious persuasion. His advice was sought in vain, and many an opponent was over, and became afterwards some of his est friends. Pie would fight to the last 1 thought his convictions were right, and ye was never too proud to declare that he had & flS a mistake if experience told him he had ^0 so, and that he had_ changed his mind. some his manner was austere, but they all K 0f it covered a kind heart and one capaWe strong affection. (Applause.) The motion was carried.