The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

Rhyl Urban District Council. The Electric Light Scheme. Accounts to be Investigated. Independent Liandudno. THE monthly meeting' of this Council on Mon- day lasted two hours. The previous meeting was over in three-quarters of an hour. Clearly, the Council is a pattern to other public bodies on the coast; its members are finding that if speech is silvern, silence is gulden. J Few of the matters of administration call for particular notice, the chief topic 'of discussion being that which took place on the electric light works as a result of the severe strictures passed by the Local Government Inspector upon the accounts. Another Investigation. Mr Clews said the apportionment of the cost of the buildings between the electric light works and the refuse destructor was an unfair division, an opinion with which Mr Frimston, the chair- man of the Electric Light Committee, agreed. He (Mr Clews) felt the responsibility which they, as councillors, held for the ratepayers, and although he did not wish to raise any diffic,ul- ties, he thought, for the sake of satisfying the ratepayers that the money had been properly spent, that a thorough investigation should be made of all the accounts, and a report made to the Council. This "large order" staggered Mr Frimston, who exclaimed in surprised tones, "What! through the whole scheme?" "Yes," replied Mr Clews, "why not?' "But we have already gone through every- thing," ejaculated the astonished "chairman of committee;" "everything has been passed by the Council." "Everything should be thoroughly investigated again for the satisfaction of tne ratepayers," rejoined Mr Clews. Mr Lewis Jones I second the amendment. Mr Greenhalgh supported the amendment, and reminded the Council that they were originally told the refuse destructor would generate enough heat to drive the electric light. Whether they had not enough boiler capacity or whether the refuse was insufficient, he could not say, but they were burning three tons of coal a- day at the works in order to produce the light, Mr Frimston said they had enough boiler capacity, but not enough refuse. Therefore, they were obliged to use coal. The cells were also small. Referring to the clerk's appoint- ment, he said he strongly objected to it on the 'ground that it was practically over capitalising the electric light works, and prevented "lem earning a profit. As for Mr Clews' amendment, he strongly objected asking business-men to again spend hours in going through what had already taken up so much of their time. On a division, the amendment was carried. Mr J. H. Ellis proposed a further amendment that the Council only investigate the electric light accounts, apart from the destructor. The speaker gave a resume of the circumstances which led the Council to enlarge the original scheme. They never thought the amount would exceed Zio,ooo when they commenced their first (intention being simply to light the front. Then the residents asked that the princi- pal streets should be lighted, tradesmen com- menced to apply for it, and lastly the Light Rail- way people came to terms with them. Gradu- ally, the scheme became larger, and the original estimates swelled out. The Council were satis. Red themselves that the money had been spent properly, and the ratepayers ought to know how it had been spent. In some quarters there was grumbling, because the Council had not extended the arc lighting; but to do that the scheme ■would have cost ^40,000. He believed that in five or ten years' time the demand for the light would be so great as to make both ends meet. Mr J. D. Jones seconded, but after a discussion Mr Ellis withdrew his amendment, New Street. An amended plan of proposed new street, called "Oxford Grove," off King's-avenue, by Mr J. T. Shepherd, was approved. New Psuildings. Plans were disposed of as follows :Two houses :in Queen's-walk, by Messrs Edwin Jones and Sons; withdrawn. Conversion of a workshop into a cottage, rear of Gronant-street, re-sub- mitted with letter by Mr W. Middleton, and amended plans of additions to Nos. 33 and 34 Queen-street, by Messrs Rhydwen Jones and Davies again disapproved. Covered carriage yard, at 48, West-parade, by Mr R. H. Bodditig- ton; disapproved. Public Lighting. The question of reducing the hiigh power gas lamps in the town to single burners was dis- cussed. It was reported that a sub-committee had visited the various streets, and in Crescent- road it was decided- to fix a 40 c.p. burner in place of the existing burner. It was also de- cided to fix two incandescents on two lamps in Bath-street, and to increase c.p. of. lamp in Churton-road. The committee left it in the hands of the gas engineer and the town surveyor to fix a few incandescent lamps in place of pre- sent 60 c.p. flat flame lanterns with a view of increasing the lighting without increasing, the cost, and to report further to this committee. Seabank Road and Westbourne Avenue. The Town Surveyor having reported that he had examined the footways, and that after the completion of the work now being done to them, the streets and footways would be fit for adoption, was resolved that Seabank-road and Westbourne-aveniue, including the footways, be adopted as public highways. Dangerous. The Town Surveyor called attention to a dan- gerous and objectionable ditch on. the north side of Cefndy-road, between Yacht Farm and Vale- road. The matter was referred to the town surveyor and the clerk for further report. Proposed Widening of Vale Road. The Town Surveyor submitted a plan for widening Vale-road; also for improving, the street at the entrance to Victoria-road. The Council did not feel disposed to consider the general question of widening Vale-road, but they approved of improving the street at the corner of Victoria-road, in connection with the scheme for acquiring the "insanitary property" at that place. Maintenance of District Roads. GRANT FROM THE COUNTY COUNCIL. A letter was read from the County Council, relating to the maintenance and repair of the "district roads," viz., Grange-road, parts of Brighton-road, Wellington-road, etc., and stating that a grant of £250 had been voted towards the cost of the said roads, provided that no less than 250 tons of Penmaenmawr stones be used where necessary, and that the portions of the roads remetalled be steam rolled. It was resolved that the Rhyl members, of the County Council be invited to attend a meeting of the Roads Committee to discuss the matter, as well as the cost of maintaining the main road (Vale-road). Road Foreman. It was reported that about So applications were received for the post of road foreman, at 35s a week. ThEcse were referred to a sub-com- mittee for examination and report, consisting of the chairman of the Road Committee, Council- lors Whitley and Frim&ton, the chairman and vice-chairman of the Council, six candidates to be selected. Mr Greenhalgh and Window Easements. Mr J. Pierce Lewis, solicitor, wrote to the Road Committee, stating that he could not get any reply to his letters to Mr Greenhalgh re execution of agreement for easement for win- dows and downspout facing the Market Yard. The Clerk stated that Mr Greenhalgh objected to pay £$a year for the easement. The clerk was directed to give instructions to enforce the execution of the agreement, or block up the window, etc. but the Council decided to defer the matter back to the committee. Fish for Marine Lake. The Manager of the Earl of Denbigh's fisheries r informed the Council that it was intended to send the promised salmon over early in January, but enquired, before anything was done, whether the trap from the lake to the sea was such that it would prevent the salmon gettiii, out, or any destructive fishcomi-ngi into the lake. The town surveyor was instructed to take the matter in hand, with the view of doing every- thing necessary for protecting the fish. Petroleum Stores, In submitting his. annual report for the year ending July, 1902, as inspector under the Petro- leum Act, Mr Robert Jones (Holywell) stated that he had inspected the premises of eleven persons retailing petroleum during uie year, making 22 visits at various times. He had also visited the Anglo-American Oil Company's Stores at the Railway Station Yard. Town Surveyor's Office Hours. It was resolved that the town surveyor's office hours for the public for personal attention be from. 9.30 to n a.m. The Promenade Pier. Mr Warhurst (one of the proprietors) and Mr Geary (the secretary) attended before the Road Committee, and further explained the position as regarding the temporary building. Plans, they stated, were being considered for a per- manent building. In any event, it was not in- tended for the present building to remain as it is. They also promised that the chimney of the burnt-down pavilion should be reduced so as not to be an eyesore. Poryd Foreshore. The Chairman of the Council reported that he visited the Office of Woods, etc., whilst he was in London, and pointed out that arbitration was objectionable to the Council, because it was! pro- posed to bind them to purchase. Mr Stafford Howard, by letter, strongly urged the 'price to be fixed by arbitrators without bind- ing the Council to purchase. The Council, however, resolved to adhere to the arrangement already made for a valuation by the Crown surveyor, in the belief that the price would be reasonable and moderate—in which case arbitration might be rendered un- necessary. Mr Elwy Williams and Tarleton Street Repairs. The Clerk reported that Mr Elwy Williams had withdrawn his objections, the town sur- veyor having amended his apportionment, so as to reduce his quota to £ g, after making, a fair allowance for work already done. This settle- ment was arrived at with the approval of Mr Joseph Lloyd, the solicitor acting in the matter for the Council. This committee also expressed approval of the settlement, and ordered the work of making good the street to be proceeded with as soon as pos- sible, for adoption by the Council. The Surveyor's Salary as Sanitary Inspector. Mr R. Lowe's appointment as inspector of nuisances having been ratified by the Local Gov. ernment Board, it was recommended by the Sanitary Committee that the full salary be paid to Mr Goodall for the time of his temporary occupation of the office, viz., £ 21 ios. An amendment that only Zio be paid to the surveyor for his extra duties was adopted. Smallpox Precautions. The Town Surveyor was instructed to obtain plans and prices of temporary buildings as a precautionary measure for dealing with possible cases of smallpox within the district. The New Reservoir. The Water Engineer reported that excellent progress had been made with the construction of the Dolwen Reservoir work. The whole of the earth excavation for the outlet culvert had been completed. The loose rock had been re- moved, and a solid foundation obtained for the entire length. The average number of men em- ployed on the works during the month had been 40. Enterprising. Mr R. Owen, a local butcher, asked for per- mission to erect a shed adjacent to the water works for the purpose of opening a butcher's shop two or three times a week. A rent of fi per annum was asked for. The Light Railway and the Council's Compensation. It was deckled that a copy of counsel's opin- ion on a case prepared by Mr Joseph Lloyd, solicitor, as to the right of the Council to re- cover damages from the company for failure to carry cut their undertaking with the Council to take so much electric energy for their tramway. Exclusive Llandudno. The Clerk reported that whilst Colwyn Bay was willing to co-operate with them in the movement for approaching the railway company with a view of obtaining improved railway ar- rangements, Llandudno had stated that 'they could not see their way to co-operate. Promenade Band. The Clerk announced that he had received 12 good applications in answer to the Council's advertisement for a band during next season. They would be considered by the committee. The Estimates and the General District Rate. Councillor J. W. Jones, in answer to Coun- cillor Clews, said with regard to the general dis. trict rate he was not quite sure whether the Council would realise fully last year's estimates, but they would not be far short, as a consider- able reduction had been effected in the assess- ment of the waterworks. He believed the com- mittees, as to the expenditure, were keeping well within their estimates. He was glad to say they could place more reliance upon the monthly statements issued by the clerk than formerly, because the books were kept up to date. He had had an interview with the auditor, who told him he was well satisfied with the improvement that had been made in the bookmaking. (Hear, hear.) Although he did not wish-to speak rash- ly, he believed their next financial statement would be more favourable than the one of the previous 12 months. St. Asaph County Courts. Councillor Gamlin, in committee, produced a numerously-signed petition to his Honour Judge Sir Horatio Lloyd to discontinue tne holding of the County Courts at St. Asaph, and to hold ,them instead at Rhyl, on the ground of con- venience and expense. It was resolved that a resolution under seal be passed by the Council in favour of the peti- tion.

Welsh Bankruptcy Cases. AT Bangor, on Friday, the Assistant Official Receiver, Mr Williams, examined no less than eight bankrupts. A Dyserth Case Robert Williams, lately carrying on business at Summerhill, Dyserth, near Rhyl, failed with gross I liabilities of £3°7, all of which was expected to rank, the deficiency being X200. He failed, he said, owing to inability to collect his book debts and pressure by creditors. Up to July, 1S97, the bank- rupt was a farmer at Cae Newydd, Llanefydd. Then he removed to Dyserth, and commenced business as hntcher and grocer with captial of 1;200, consisting of [qo which he received from the in- coming tenant of Cae Newvdd and £60, the value I of a ponv, trap, furniture, &c. removed fr@m Cae Newydd to Dyserth. He had also been to some extent a pig dealer, receiving a commission of is. per head for pigs bought for a Chester firm. About three years ago debtor bought Summerhill at a cost £ 350, but there was now a charge of a400 on the property, which was put up for auction some time ago, and withdrawn at X435. The whole of the furniiiKe and effects at Summerhill were sold under an execution and distress warrant. He had given a bill of sale in favour of Mr. Lewis Jenes, of Rhyl. He did that instead of filing his petition, hoping to pull through somehow. The examination was closed. Rhyl Confectioner Insolvent. Shirting business as a confectioner at Wellington- road Rhyl, in May, 1898, with a capital of £ 20, Robert Sutcliffe found himself insolvent in 1901, and now stood liable to the extent of £ 75, of which ,Cf i was expected to rank, his deficiency being set down at 1,.+5. He had formerely worked as a clerk for his father-in law at a salary of 25s. a week. ¡ The whole of the furniture at his present residence was claimed by his wife under the will of her father. He attributed his failure to bad trade owing So had seasons. The examination was closed. "Bad Trade" at St. Asaph. I William Hughes, saddler, of St. Asaph, for whom Mr Joseph Lloyd, Rhyl, appeared, with gross liabilities oi" £ i2t,of which £ 112 was expected to rank, presented a deficiency of £ 36. He at- tributed his failure tersely to bad trade." It ap- pears that Hughes commenced business in 1892, when he had a sum of £ 60 to £ jo in the bank. Practically the whole of the household furniture and I effects were claimed by the bankrupt's wife, who said that previous to her marriage she had £ 107, deposited in the Post-Office Savings Bank. Out of I' these moneys she stated that she from time to time purchased various articles of furniture. On the 9th November, 1899, she withdrew the sum of £02, and on the following day handed [80 ol it to her husband for safe custody, he promising to let her have the money as required. This £ 80 bankrupt paid into the bank, and he stated that he had paid about {-to on behalf of his wife for articles of furniture. He further stated that he paid his father a sum of £20 in consideration of his father giving I up the premises at Penycob, and this payment was made at the request of his wife, who, however, still claimed £ 45 as due from the bankrupt to her. Rep!ying to the Assistant Official Receiver, the bankrupt said he did not reglect his business for the public-house, and if he was away when customers called it was probably because he was in the country on business. The examination was closed. Llandudno FailureF. The aifairs of William Jarvis 25 years oi age showed a deficiency of £ ~j on a total liability of £ 103, of which £ (jS was expected to rank. Up to September, u;oo, he had saved £ 6 10S. and on this he started business as fruiterer and greengrocer, taking over a business which his father had established in Llandudno, his father helping him with a little stock in trade. He and his wife lived with his father, paying 4s. a week as rent. He was now a cabdriver at 20s. a week, and could offer nothing to his creditors. The examination was closed. John Appleby Mitchell reported gross liabilities amounting to £ 367, of which £ 111 was expected to rank, and a cfeficiency of :61 i. He said he had failed owing to bad seasons and want of capital. He came to Llandudno ten years ago, and carried on business as town porter and lodging-house keeper, the latter jointly with his wife. They occupied several houses in turn, and in March 1900, he and his wife entered into an agreement with the outgoing tenant of IO, East Parade, for the pur- chas of household furniture and effects there for 4400, payable by instalments. Mitchell said that the first of these instalments was paid with his own moneys. In December, 1901, a bill of sale was executed covering the whole of the effects at 10, East Parade, by the bankrupt's wife to secure a sum of £200 alleged to have been advanced to her by a Miss Mary Jones. The Official Receiver was doubtful as to whether the instrument was a valid one. The bankrupt stated that he received from £ 65 to £ y$ a year, but out of this he had to keep a pony and pay for stabling. His profits from this source would bef 50 per annum. The examination was closed subject to the signing of notes.

¡ —— Shields Harbour is full of laid-up steamers ¡ —an evidence of the depressed condition of the shipping industry. Eighty-five per cent. of u-e Boers who have been repatriated in the Orange River Colony have started work on the farms, leaving 1,500 I people in the burgher camps, and 500 who have I not been brought back to South Africa.

I KENDAL, MILNE & CO., MANCHESTER. YY INTER SALE I KENDAL, MILNE & CO. AX.VOI XCE THAT FRO31 MONDAY, JANUARY 5th, 1903. I TO SATURDAY, JANUARY 17th, THEY WILL OFFER THE REMAINING PORTION OF THEIR DRAPERY STOCK AT PRICES WHICH SHOULD ENSURE A SPEEDY SALE. NO CATALOGUES ISSUED. During the Sale Goods will NOT be sent on Approbation. TZENDAL. MILNE & CO., MANCHESTER. DEPARTMENTS: CAHPETS HOUSEHOLD LINEN WHITE CURTAINS LADIES' BOOTS SILKS GENTS' OUTFITTING DRESSES LACE AND EMBROIDERY MANTLES RIBBONS, FLOWERS COSTUMES SUNSHADES, UMBRELLAS MILLINEBX LADIES' BLOUSES LADIES' OUTFITTING CAMBRIC HANDKERCHIEFS CHILDREN'S OUTFITTING TRIMMINGS JUVENILE CLOTHING HABERDASHERY FURS TRUNKS HOSIERY BUTTERICK'S PATTENS. GLOVES FOREIGN AND FANCY FURNISHING BAMBOO FURNITURE F. & R. SEWING MACHINES. WHEN CLOSED AND ON SUNDAYS FUNERAL ORDERS Are attended to at Sa, ST. JOHN-STREET, DEANSGATE Telegrams: "KENMIU" Telephone: 1746. 5946 iin Kendal, Mifee & Co., Manchester. FURNITURE! FURNITURE I! INV -N FRED ROBERTS & CO., House Furnishers AND Removers, RHYL AND OLD COLWYN. We Furnish for READY CASH or on the EASY PAYMENT SYSTEM.- 5444 BRANCH SHOP: Near Post Office, Old Colwyn SAMUEL BOND, Joiner and Builder, SHOP & OFFICE FITTER, AND General Repairer of Property, COFFIN MAKEB & UNDERTAKER MIDDLETON VILLA, Belgrave Road, COLWYN BAY. ESTIMATES FREE. CONNAU & Co.'s Cycle, Motor, AND Mailcart Depots, RHYL, LLANRWST, CA RVA R VON, DENBIGH. AGENCIES Humber, Rover, Swift, Rudge, Raleigh, Hudson. A LARGE STOCK OF NEW MACHINES ALWAYS IN STOCK. DEPARTMENTS CYCLES, MOTORS, CHILDREN'S CARRIAGES, BATH CHAIRS, ATHLETIC GOODS and TOBACCO. TERMS: CASH. ROCK BOTTOM PRICES, or 10/- lower than any quotation under ours EASY PAYMENTS- We do a large trade on this system, and give every advantage to those who pay the instalments regularly. Weekly Payments taken for Children's Carriages. SECONDHAND DEPARTMENT. Owing to our large number of Depots and Sub- Agents, we are able to offer over 500 Secondhand Machines and Mailcarts of every grade. Send ua your requirements, and we will send you descrip- tion and quotation. 2921 HUGHES &D"WL&NDS, IN" Asphalters & Concretors Of Roads, Footpaths, and Yards; Road Makers & General Contractors. Defective and New Drains Tested by the New Water Process. DISTANCE NO OBJECT. ADBRESS:— ————— CORONA VILLA, WOODHILL ROAD, COLWYN BAY. 5314