The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

I meat*.$!«•«« mention I I -THE PIONEER." I

"Cfte Wtlsb Coast Pioneer." LARGEST CIRCULATION ON THE COAST. THE SALE OF THE Welsh Coast Pioneer" Amounts to an average which, if tested, will show an EXCESS OF SEVERAL THOUSAND COPIES WEEKLY OVER ANY OTHER H £ MK PAPtii Branch Offices LLANDUDNO MOSTYN STREET. LLANkWSr WATLINGS1 REET RHYL 29, HiCiH STREET. AttERQELE CAX iON tlOUE. London Representative MR. PERCY DAY, 74, FLEET STREET. WE BFG TO INFORM THE PUBLIC THAT IN FUTURE, OWING TO PRESSURE UPON OUR COLUMNS, ALL LISTS OF WEDDL\U PRESENTS WILL BE CHARGED FOR AT ADVERTISE- MENT RATES. J

SCHOOL MANAGERS' DUTIES. A matter to which we have called attention on several occasions of late caiiie up for discus eion at the meo'iing* of the Denbighshire Educa- tion Committee on Friday. We refer to the u.n- dijinifred koj.tioii in which school managers find thsfnpelv03 to day. A number of non-provided fechool maneN; who were requested to explain why thc-v had not met four times during the year M required by the Education Act wrote 6tafing they had no work to do. Col. ifaud- bach, who is a school manager, and ako a men. her of the comnutice, assured his colleagues that ii they w ;re g.ven work to do managers would be only too glad to do it, but he declined in his own case "to call six ladies and gentlemen to- gether to look at one another and walk home again.7, Mr Stephen Jones bemoaned deere-asv! of one per cent. in we school attendance from January to June, and im pHe<t that tho county thereby loot E500 in the shape of Government gTanta because man- agers took little interest in the schools. Seeing how very little the managers have to do with the schools in any direction, we fail to see how they can be held responsible for the attendance. The attendance officers and tihe teachers are un- der the direct and sole control of the Local Edu- cation Authority, and so anxious were the com- mittee to retain their power that they even de- nied the managers tliie privilege of paying the teachers. The Chairman (Mr W. G. Dodd) arrued that to make such a change would mean additional expenditure Presumably it would, to a trifling extent, but, if the managers are ac- countable for the £ 500 referred to, would it not be worth the committee's while to encourage them by do-Legating to them dutiea to which the,v could devote their attention without Iocs of di £ *nit.y or self-respect? It is a remarkable fact attached to some boards of man- L agers in the county are paid precisely the eamie salary to-day., when their work is comparatively a negligable quantity, as they were when the managers were managers in the true serine of the war(l.here s an astonishing resem- blance about this to the penny we pound fool- ish DoJicv.

A POPULAR HOLIDAY. It is practically impossible to make a rue comparison year by year of the number of visi- tors- frequenting the North Wales ccast at given periods. Rail-way returns formerly served as fairly reliable guides, but in th &-e days of inotor cans and motor cycles, and with the increasing use of steamboats, the railway companies' figures inadequately represent the position of affairs. So far ae one can gather £r..m the general appear- ance of the larger and better known reports, however, the August Bonk Holiday of 1908 was well on a pa- with any previously known. It is reported that the London and North-Wee tern Railway Company conveyed 2G,OCO visitors to Llandudno, and it may be safely assumed that CSoiwyn Pay and Rhyl attracted crowds equally large. At any rate, Colwyn Bay is said to have been fo crowded that empty houses had to be hurriedly fitted up to meet the demand for ac- commodation, and what is true of one resort is eerie rally true of the others on occasion^ like thi. The August holiday is, of course, the most popular of the year and pleasure resorts Hsuallv look forward to the day as an indicator of what may be expected during the remaining part of the season. In view of the unfortunate trade depression prevailing, however, last Mon- day was anticipated with some anxiety, but eomehow or other money always seems to be forthcoming for holidays, and, if Monday afforded trustworthy evi\?<>nce of what the future is to bring, North Wales caterers ttiu have no cause for lamentation. Obviously much will depend upon the weather, and we can onlv hoee for a continuation of the ideal co.nd.tions in which Bank Holiday was whiled away. -<

Necessary Reform in Music. Mr L. J. Roberts a.nd Mr David Jenkins gave gome advice to Welsh music lovers, at the Cor- wen Eisteddfod on Monday, which deserves special notice. As befitted one of his experience Mr Roberta dealt authoritatively with the need for reform in the elementary echooK He em- -phasised the desirability in the first place of see- ing "that the staff notation should be taught, and that the tspic sol-fa system should only be an introduction or a stepping-efone to this uni- versal language of music." It will be noticed that Mr Roberts in no way decried the wa-fa evstem. In fact, as one who has had gpec-l-d op- portunities of realising the beneficial retulte which have attended its adoption in Welsh ■ehools, he freely acknowledged the value of the simpler system, but all who have experienced the difficulties attendant upon procuring new compositions in 6ol-fa will appreciate his advice Mr Roberts also renewed his old appeal for more attention to instrumental music. Mr David Jenkins, who is well qualified to speak on tho subject, deplored the unfaithful- ness and clitic.-altv of Welsh choristers to their conductors, and warned the churches against the tendency to discourage choral singing. "I should be very sorry." he said, "if religious en- thusiasm would incapacitate our people to en- joy singing about .nature in its wonderful variety and beauty. The forming of village cihoim ought to be a part of the educational scheme of all our churches." These are strange yet significant words in the "land of song." It » II Colwyn Bay Incident. In opening th inquest- on the bcdv of a child discovered at Colwyn Bay- last week, the Cor- oner for West Denbighshire referred in somewhat pointed terms to the unenviable notoriety which the town is gainng over such tragedies. No dOUiDt, Dr. Hughes had a good object in view when he spofce, but, in justice to the residents one Dimont fact should be mentioned. It is true that tiiift wae the fourth "baby case" with which the name of the town has been associated ètJlrin a very few years, but it is equally irrtm that in at least three instances the-parties aimet. Ji concerned were strangem to the tows aad district. It is ako possible that the police may yet find that the present case is analogous to the previous oners. ». • "This is a murderous time for the Govern- ment," said a philosophe-r in a local tramcar yes- terday; "it is killing thrift with old-age pen- sions; it is killing industries with the Eight Houra Bill; it is killing* Church echools with its educa- tion policy; and at is killing itself with the Licensing Bill. Haggerston for ever!"

PERSONAL. Tho Bi-«!• of Bangor distributed the prizes at the Welsh Girl' School, Ashford, last week. Lord IJarlcch -? turned to Brog'ynty.n from Norway on Monday. Sir Charles McLaren, M.P., left London on Saturday for Aix-les-Bains. Mrs A. E. Humphreys-Owen gave birth to a son on Saturday at her parents' residence, 46, fiuosvenor-pLaoe. Mother and son are doing well. His Ilcr.our Judge Moss a.nd Mrs Mess wiil 6oend the vacation at Accra, tl-,cir house on the Denbighshire hiils. ———————- Tho Marquis of Anglesey a.nd Lady Alexandra Paget are expected at Plas Newydd th's week. During h's stay at h's ancestral seat his lord- ship greatly enjoys fishing' in the Menai Strait— Mr Wn: Jones, M l the Rev. Win. Evans iModerator), and !-he Rev. Francis Jcnes (Abei frole) Moderator elect of the Welsh Calvinistic Me'htdibt Church. were pre-en-. at the oonfevenoe held at the W ar Office w to he formation of a Chaplains' Department for the Territorial Force. The Duke and Dofchetis of Westminster will not go to Scotland for the grouse shooting until afte- nott wenk, which is polo week at Eaton. On Monday, tlio Cheshire Unionist fete at Eaton Hall the Duche. s of Westminster left for (.owes. H s Grace stays to play in a polo match at Ruaroy. Mr Lloyd George is employing his holiday in motoring through Germany, a.nd he expcc.s to ftudv tiie jcrma.il method of proviaing for old-ace and sicknc--5. Mr Geci.-go travels in the :iotor oar of Mr C. S. Henry, the member for the Welrngton Division of Shropeiiire, who ac- comr^anies him. Another member of tho party is Mr Harold Spender, brother of the editor of tho "Westminster Gazette, and himself a well- knclwn iouinalut. FORTHCOMING MARRIAGE. Th-j marriige arranged between Thomas Lewis second «on of the Rev. Thomas Prichard, rural deua of Twrcely.n, and vicar of Amlwch, Angle- sey, and Doiothy. elder daughter of Mr Leo- pold McKenna, of HoneyP, Waltham St. Law- rence, -.Jerk.; will take place at the Parish Church. Waithajn St. Lawrence, on the 26th of August. BETIlliOTHALS. The enca?eme*nt is anoi,ncccl of Major H. Wal- ter Je.n»«. R.F.A.. second son of the late Wrn. Jon-^s. of Ruthin, North Wale3, and Millicent Gladys, dajsrhter of Mr and Mrs James Gres- ham, '>f Wocdihyvft Park, Ashton-on-Mersey, and 'ate of Radnor House, 1, West Bolton-garden6, I<onflr.r». The "Dauv MiTor" etafos that at Cowes the reported eniraccrnent l>ctween Lord Newry, the fatu-e V'Jd Kiimorey, and Miss Enid A? she ton S m i th, daughter of Mrs Houldsworti, was much dircus&cd

THE TERRITORIAL ARMY. 7TH (MONTGOMERY AND MERIONETH- SHIRE) BATTALION ROYAL "HLSH FUSILIERS. Captain Arthur Thomson Curgenven Rundle, the King's (Shropshire Light Infantry), from the adjutanoy of tho 4th Rafctalion the Soutil Wales Borderers, to be adjutant for the r^xdue of his tenure, vioe-Oaptain Franklin M. uiiies- pie, the South Wales Borderers, whose tenure of that appointment has expired. Dated July 15, 1908.

DISBANDED BATTALION S COLOURS. An impressive ceremony was witnessed at "n Welshpool Parish Church on Tuesday, when the colours of the 4th Battalion South Wales Borderers were deposited with the vicar and eflurchwai-dens consequent on the disbandment of the corps under Mr Haldane's Army scheme, The Earl of Powis, as honorary colonel. ra- quested the vicar's acceptance of the colours, which, he said, were presented to tho battalion in 1833 by his uncle. The formal handing over was performed by the Lord Lieutenant of the county, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn. The Countess of Powis was present at the service, and those taking nai t, in the ceremony included Colonel Sir Robert Colleton and Colonel Sladen.

WELSH AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. THE ANNUAL SHOW. The annual show of stock in connection with the Welsh Agricultural Society was opened at Aberystwyth yesterday, and will be continued to-day. The show is well supported by the exhibitors of the United Kingdom, and many of the horses and cattle are weU-known at the Royal and premier shows. The patron of the society is his Royal Highness the Prince ot Wales, who showed his interest in the princi- pal show of Wales by offering for competition in the cob class a valuable silver cup. There was an appreciable failing off in the number of exhibits, although the number ot individual exhibitors had increased. These who sent stock include Lord Harleeh (the president), Lord Powis, Countess of Lisburne, Sir John Cotterell, Sir Richard Cooper, Mr David Da- vies, M.P., Colonel Hughes, Sir Edward Pryse, Bart., Viscount Tredegar, and many other well-known exhibitors.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT LLANDUDNO JUNCTION. DRIVER FALLS FROM HIS ENGINE. AboU; two o'clock on Wednesday morning, Albert Lewis, engine driver, ctf Wiga.n, ;net with a serious acc dent at 1 landudno Junction by failing froni :iis engine. I/ewis wu, driviiwr a coal train between Wigan and Carnarvon and on arriving- at the Juno- tion he stopped t<> replenish the water tank. Lewis mowited the C-) bex to Teach the water pipe, whilst foe fireman went round oiling the engin" A little later Wm. Owen, a brakesman, in comi.rg'alo-ng the platform stumbled over Lewis, who was lying on the up platform in a pool of blood, and bleeding profusely* The fireman was stiU oiling t.r.e engine, being unaware of what had happened u,ntil Owen called his attention. Mr W.v nno. the ttationmaster, and Mr Nevitt. were Imntcd.a.tcly sent for, and quickly arrived on tho scene. D:. Jones was summoned, and mndered medical aid to Lewis, who was picked up rMTConsc'ous. and was conveyed by special train to Bangor Infirmary, where he now lies in a critical condition.

SMALL HOLDINGS IN CHESHIRE. An important sale of landed estates at Wir- ral (Cheshire) was held on Tuesda-y at Chester. Mr Reginald Potts, clerk of the Cheshire Coun- ty Council, purchased, after keen competition, some 888 acres of rich agriouttliral land, in- eluding five farms, for £ 35,000. The estate was bought by the County Council to supply the [ demand for small holdings.

The death is announced of Mr Henry Wil- 1 lianas, J.P., of Moor Park, Harrogate, a deputy- lieutenant of Yorkshire and a well-known cattle breeder and judge. A white cross Å been placed on the graves in South. Africa of eighty-seven out of the ninety men kined of the NDrt)MMbrkna Yeomanry. [ The other three erraves are untraceable. The annual legislative council of the British Order of Oddfellows was opened at Leeds on [ Monday.

THE HOLIDAY PROBLEM. hool holidays do much to fix the time of the annual summer holiday. Parents cannot get awav till ihe schools break up. The Child- Ten's County Holiday Fund has only the four holiday weeks in which to send away a)& many as possible of the 800,000 children in London elementary schools. The children shut out from the school-buildings have nothing to do, and m-tke mute appeals for wider epace and purer air. August, therefore, the month of the school- holiday, has become the holiday month. Country places are every year -wcre and more crowded. The people who seek quiet have to go fa-rther and farther afield. Prices have to be raised, so that in one short season enough money may be earned to pay rent for houses wh'ch must lie empty for the greater part of the year. Horses and donkeys and maidservants have to be over- worked t-hat the visitors may be satisfied. But, although the echcol fixes the holiday sea- eon. it cannot fix the time when civil servants can be free of duty or business men free to leave their work. The businces of the world has to be carried on,, v.nd many are the men who have to remain in town during August. They must take lonely holidays in their own turn at > other times, antl at best run c.o-.v.n lor a week- end in August to share the children's holidays. The far.n'ly holiday, which does so mudh to strengthen the family bond, is thus in many cases impossible be the choice of time is so limited. The demand for holidays increases, and ob- viously a. far greater proportion of the children in tho ole.nentary schools ought to be able to spend at least one fortnight cf the year amid country sights and see rice. They need the change for health's sake; they need it even more that they may learn to love the land whioh is theirs, and d fcover the plcai-ures which may be found in sharing its beauty a.n-ci life. Here, then, is the problem. The solution, even if it be confined to that part which con- cerns children in elementary schools, is not easy. More children must enjoy the country in the summer. In August the country ie already over- crowded. What is to be dene? The policy of drift is always dangerous. England drifted into prosperity, its wealth increased, but it took no thought as to how it was produced, and hence this growi;h of "sluml," in cur towns and all the cost in which this generation is involved to repair the neglect of previous generations. People are now entering into the possession of holidays; they are taking ,no thought as to their enjoyment, hence the parody of pleasure which is to be not-icod in a children's day treat or on Margate ea.nds. hence the muddle which crowds the country in August and leaves it empty during the more beautiful June and July. Regulation is necessary, and the obvious regu- lation its one dealing with the tchool holiday. There is nothing in the nature of things which requires an elementary school to break up in August. The parents of the chjldren are not usually of a class which get much holiday, and many are compelled to remain in town when higher officials and employers take holiday. The montih itelf is not that when the country is at its best—the days begin to shorten and the birds have ceased to sing. A better division of the school year might easily be made by making a loniror holiday at Easter or Michaelmas. There i, therefore no obvious reason why some schools should not take holidays during June, some during July, and fane during August. The teachers have, indeed, become accustomed to an August holiday, but they cannot be the only "civil service" which takes its holiday together, even if it be an advantage to do so. Co-opera- tive hclidayt3 could easily be arranged in other months with all the advantage deriveq from the greater cheapness of lodging and pleasures. The teachers as a "profession" may re-sist a change which appears to impinge on established "rights*" but teachers as individuals recognise that the duty of doing their best for the child- ren is paramount, and if, by an extension of the holiday period, more children can enjoy a holi- day and get a bc-tter knowledge of the country, there will not be real resistance to the change. The professional attitude is not always the s&ino as the individual attitude. Most of u& are in seme way better than our "professions." There ii3, however, another suggestion for the regulation of holidays which need interfere with no esiabiished customs. It is that during the three summer months a vaoation-school curri- culum should be substituted for the ordinary cur- riculum. During these three months all schools and playgrounds would remain open. It must be remembered that in crowded parts of towns the school premises are the most airy and at- tractive parts of the neighbourhood. In these buildings the teachers, assisted by "supplies" from everuing or technical schools or by voluri. teers, would give lessons in the open-air, in the parks, in the museums, or in public buildings, en subiecfo of interest to the children. They would teach them about Nature, encourage them to use their eyes and their hands, and play organised games, very much as is now done in the vaca- tion-schools introduced into England by Mrs Humphrey Ward. The children, it has been proved, enjoy thft sort of school, and crowd in from the vcxiftg distractions of the streets to find someone who will tell thecn what to do with their time. During these three months 'the teachers could get away for a six weeks' holi day. They might eitheT arrange to go together. or, jointing other parties, get refreshment by changing idean with members of other profes- sions. Thev could travel abroad and come back with fuller mnds to ufo for the children's benefit. Tile children could also get their fort- night in the country at times convenient to their parents or to the Country Holiday Fund. At the end cf the summer the ordinary curriculum could be resumed, and the teachers would find themselves faced by children healthy and awake and keen, instead of, as is now often the case, finding them weary a.nd demoralised by a holi- day in which being' able to do what they liked they had nothing to do. Holidays are now re- sponsible for many broken, careers, tihe child- ren oft-en lose the sense of regular work and piick UP the taste for casual work, which lies underneath unemployment. The suggestion is not one which need involve very great ccet, and it is one which could be carried on without any newlv-created organisa- tion. It has many advantages. It keeps the school premises in the service of the children. It affords opportunities for further experiences in freer methods of teaching, and may lead to modifications in a curriculum which, in the opinion of man observers,, does not promote resourcefulness or activity of mind. It not only gives a holiday when it is convenient to teachers and parents, but it secures that the child- ren shall learn how to enjoy themselves. A real holiday must be something more than a vacation -an empty time-and it would be a great gain if people could discover eomething better to do than to kill time by sleeping on a beach, or by watching" nigger performers, or by walking on an esplanade. One of the troubles of the .in- dustrial doiiwriati-on of the present time is that t.he people do not know how to play; the sug- gestion of a summer school aims to give child- ren a holiday and also to teach them the art of enjoyment.—"Daily Telegraph."

The Hearts of Oak Benefit Society, at its adjourned annual conference, decided not to become its own banker, and also rejected a motion for an old-age p&nsion of their own. The will of Sir Redvers Buller has been proved in the Exeter Registry. The gross value of the estate is £ 34,992, and the net value of the personal estate £ 32.488. He be- queaths practically the whole to his widow and daughter. The returns of the Post Office Savings Bank for 1907 have just been published. The cash deposited during the year was £ 44,217,287 which, with interest and the amount brought forward from last year, made a total of £ 203,933,09. The repayments during the year were £ 46,433,632, leaving a balance due to deposi- tors of £ 157,500,076. The Universal Peace Congress concluded its sittinra in London on Friday, and in the even- ing the delegates and others, to the number of 450, were entertained to dinner at the Hotel CJaoI by Mr L Haroourt, M.P.

TERRITORIAL CAMP AT CONWAY. THE NORTH WALES BRIGADE. MANOEUVRING ON THE MOUNTAIN. Favoured with the best of weather the four battalions of the North Wales Brigade of the Territorial Army now in camp on the Conway Marsh Appear to be enjoying excellent health. After a. week's busy work there are only two c-ascs in the hospital, and the aslments of the patients, who are meiiaberksof the R.A.M.C., are but slicht. On. Sunday the battalions were present at the Church Parade. Tho Rector ctf Llandudno (the Rev llewplyn R. Hughes, M.A.) preached an instructive sermon to the 7th Battalion, taking' as his lext the words, "Be strong." The servico, of the 5th Battalion was conducted by the Rev. W. T. Nicholas, rector of Flint, who is the official ohaolain of the battadion. The 6th Bat, talion attended a Nonconformist Church Parade, or. as some of t-he men put it, a "Chapel Parade," when their chaplain, the Rev. Thcmas Ciliarlet; Williams, M.A., Menai Bridge, delivered an elcciuent sermon. An event wh-ch cast a gloom over the 5th Battalion on Monday was the somewhat sudden death cf Private Thomas Edward Jones, of the "D" IHoJvwelJ) Company Private Jones was taken suddenly all at Church Parade on Sunday morning, and he fell out. Towards the evening c it, was found that his condition. was not improv- ing, Lnd 'he was taken co tho hcppitaj, where he died at f4cuk- o'clock on Monday morning, the cau°.-j- c-f death bwng strangulated hernia. De- ceased. wiio was o.nly 1? year,? of age, resided at Wcod Houses Holywell, and was employed at the ;)apei- ;:ir.l!s there. He joined the Territorials in Anril, this being theretfore his first camp. Tho bedv, accompanied by an escort, was ccn- veyed by ti ain to ilolvwcll for burial on Mon- da-v, .v' THE INSPECTIONS. The brigade was inspected on Tuesday by General IlIlI. commander of the Welsh Division. The curaij of the 6th Battalion was also inspec- ted en Tuesday afternoon by Col4onel J.. E. Greaves (Lcrd Lieutenant of Carnarvonshire), who is an honorary ccionel of the battalion. SllAM FIGHT ON THE HILLS. Piobablv the moi,t inteiesting event of the week was ihe sham fig'ht which took place on thei adjoining hills, on Tuesday morning, and which wns eagerly watched by a large number of civilian spectators, and non-combatant Terri- torials. The general scheme was that an in- vading foi'co had lauded at Holyhead, a,nd was advancing on Chester via. Bangor and Rhyl, the orJy defending infantry being at Denbigh. The attacking force ("Blue") consisted of the 4th and 7th Battalions, together with an imaginary battalion, the officer in. command being Colonel r. Wynne Edwards. The "Red" force was under the command of Lieut.-Cokwied Darbishire, and consisted of the 5th. and 6th and an imaginary battalion. On August 4th the or commanding the "Blue" force, aoooiding to the schema, orders three infn.ntrv battalions to leave Bangor at 6 am. to proceed to Conway, with the object of seizing .Llandudno Junciion. At 7.15 a.im. the commander cf dIe" Roo" force at Llandudno Junction is informed that a 5+rong force of in- fantry had left Bangor a- 6 a..m., and was inarching east by the coast road. He (resolves !o hold the Conway mountain and Sychnant Pass mI';ÍI reinforcements arrive from Denbig'h. The situation of the "Blue" force at 9 a.m. wa.s that scovts had reported that the enemy, about H miles dii tant, were advancing west from the cfcrec'ion of Llandudno Junction towards Sych- nant Pass, with a strength of about two bat- talions of infantry, and that small parties could be '2cn on the Conway mount:n. The orfioar colyl rita,id*.Ti--II than determined to seize Sychnant Pass and the heights around, detaching one (imaginary) battalion by the ccast road. The ecouts Of the "Red" force reported at 9 a.m. that the pnealV wer.i advancing east of Dwvgyf- vlohi with a etrength of about two battalions, .nd small parties could be teen to the north- wet of the coast road. A severe struggle eventually cook place on the Con way mountain, and afier four hours' hard fighting the defend- ing force, were apparently pushed back down the sloperc ria'ht on to the lailway. Tqr. sports of the 6th Battalion took place yes- terday (Wednesday). The camp will break up,on Saturday.

FESTINIOG HORTICULTURAL SHOW. LIST OF AWARDS. An interesting exhibition of flawers, plants, fruit and vegetables was, held at Blaenau Fed- tiniog on Monday. This was the first attempt at a show of this nature in the district, and the result is very encouraging to all concerned. The secretarial duties were admirably dis- charged by Mrs R. O. Davies, B.A., Mr Lewis Davies acting in a like capacity in connection with the cycle races and sports. Mr John Ro- berts, The Gardens, Tanybwlch, sent a large number of plants and flowers to decorate the tables. The awards were as follows:- White cabbage: 1, C. Roberts, Plas isa, Llan- rwst. Red cabbage: 1, C. Roberts, Plas isa, Llanrwst. Cauliflower: 1, C. Roberts, Plas isa, Llanrwst. Carrots: 1, Roberts and Co., 6, Tyddyngwyn-ioad. Beet: 1, GriJfith Davies, Tyddyngwyn-road. Beet: 1, GriJfith Davies, London House, Penmachno. Turnips: 1, Owen Hughes, 3, Isfryn, Bethania; 2, C. Roberts, Phut isa, Llanrwst. Onions: 1, Griffith Daviea, Jjomlon Hcuse, Penmachno. Rhubarb: 1, Griffith Davies, London House, Penmachno. Griffith Davies, London House, Pcnmacbno. 10 Vegetable marrows: 1, C. Roberts, Plas isa, Llanrwst. Peas: 1, Griffith Davies, London House, Penmachno; 2, Alexander Pettigrew, John-street, Penmachno. French beans (dwart or French): 1, C. Roberts, Plas isa, Llanrwst. Leek: 1, Griffith Davies, London House, Pen- machno. Celery: 1, C. Roberts, Llanrwst. Shal- lots 1, Alexander Pettigrew, Penmachno; 2, Griffith Davies, Penmachno. Lettuce- 1 C. Roberts, Llanrwst; 2, Trefor Roberts, Maen- twrog. Cucumbers: 1, Ebc-nezer Owen, 11 Dolgarregddu. Parsley: 1, Evan II. Roherts' White-street, Penmachno; 2 Mrs R. O. Da- vies. Potatoes (kidney): lp Alexander Petti- grew, Penmachno. Potatoes (late): 1, C. Ro- berts, Llanrwst. Potatoes (round) 1, Alex- ander Pettigrew, Penmachno. Potatoes (round late) 1, C. Roberts, Llanrwst. Potatoes (six varieties): 1, Evan H. Roberts, White-street, Penmachno; 2, R. G. Williams, George-street, Llanrwst. Collection of vegetables: 1, C. Ro- berts, Llanrwst. Currants: 1, Mrs Jonep, Glan- dwyryd. Maentwrog. Gooseberries: 1, Robert- Ellis, Glanrafon, Maentwrog. B?gonia (tuber- ous, single): 1, Owen Jones, blacksmith Blaenau Festimog; 2, Hugh P. Roberts, 6 Tyddyngwvn-road. Begonia (tuberous, double): 1, Owen JOiies, Blaenau Fe^iiniog. Geranium single: 1, Davies, Erwfair; 2, Hugh Parry Ro- berts, 6, Tyddyngwyn-road. Geranium, ivy leaf: 2, Mrs Jones, Cefnbychan farm. Fern (greenhouse) 1, Mrs Ensor, 32, Church-street. Marigold: 1, C. Roberts, Llanrwst. Pansies: 1, Evan H. Roberts, Penmachno; 2, Mrs R. 0. Davies. Roses: 1, R. G. Williams, George-st., Llanrwst. Dahlias (Cactus): .I., C. Roberts, Llanrwst. Sweet peas: 1, C. Roberts, Llan- rwst; 2, R. G. Williams, George-street, Lian- rwst. Collection of annuals: 1, Mrs R. 0. Davies. Collection of wild flowers: 1, Hugh Parry- Roberts, 6, Tyddyngwyn-road; 2, Ro- bert O. Jones, Dyffryn House, Rhiw. ATHLETIC SPORTS AND CYCLE RACES. J One mile bicycle race: 1, Fred Roberts 2, I W. J. Penny. 2ZO yards flat race: 1, Corpo- ral Edwards; 2, W. M. Jones. Two laps pur- suit bicycle race: 1, Fred Roberts. High jump: 1, W. M. Jones; 2, Lewis Jones. Two mile bicycle race: 1, S. J. Hughes; 2, G. Morris. 50 yards obstacle raoo (carrying two 56 lbs. weights): 1, D. E. Jones; 2, John Jones, Maenofferen. 440 yards flat race (handicap) for bov under 18 years of age: 1, Hugh Jones; 2, Griffith Jones, Holland View. Half-mile flat raoe: 1, Corporal Edwards, Tiawsfynydd; 2, W. M. Jo-nes. Tug of war: 1, Police; 2, Vcel- gron. ^—

The various nitrate companies have entered into an arrangement for the centralisation ot their trade, and a head office is to be opened in London, with branches in all European capi- tals. The time has arrived when it is imperatively necessary that'the whole of our judicial system in this country should be taken in hand and considered as a whole. What is wanted is some entire rvstem by meem of-which all criminal capes and civil matters can be dealt with expe- ditiously and efficiently.—"Law Times." That women should drive motors teems as reasonable as that they should drdve horees. If there are more women drivers there will be leas recklessness, &nd a desirable redaction in speed. —"Lady's Pictorial." The Rev. Herbert Bury, a former incum- bent in the diooese of Manchester, has been elected Bishop of-Hondurar, and Central America Mrs Nixon, widow of Mr John Nixon, a South Wales coal owner, has promised 10,000 guineas for the endowment of a children's ward 1ll the Cardiff Infirmary. Mr Albert Midlane, the writer ef the. well- known hymn, "There's a friend for little children," is now 83. On Wednesday he heard the hymn sung by some three thousand chil- dren m Si. FwTi Cathedral.

WELSH NONCONFORMISTS AND THE ARMY. STRONG LETTER FROM COLONEL HOWARD, C.B. EXTRAORDINARY LETTER FROM AN ABER- YSTWYTH PROFESSOR. A a the latter end of last week tjie following letter appeared in tho "Timea :— To the Editor of the "Times." Sir,-M-r Lloyd George, in the "Times" ol [ the 22nd, is reported to have said, speaking of too Territorial Army in Wales, "We can all find some way of assisting the Territorial Army." May I, as & Welshman, appeal through your columns to him to use his influence with the Nonconformist ministers tnroughout Wales to stop their ceaseless crusade against the Army, Territorial or other, I well know what this influence is, having served five years as adjutant, eleven years in command of the Denbighshire Yeomanry, and having commanded the Welsh Yeomanry in South Africa, and during that period I had no more relentless opponents than they. Noncon- formity in Wales has done but littles in the past for the defence of the country, and from what I can see and hear, it does not seem probable that it will do much in tho future. From this charge I entirely exonerate the Wesleyan Methodists.—I am, sir, "our obedient servant, HENRY HOWARD, Colonel, Chairman, Flintshire Territorial Army. Wygfair, St. Asaph, July 24'Ji, 1908. With the object of findJng out the attitude of Nonconformists and of Nonconformity in general towards the Regular and the Terri- torial Army, the "Western Mail," with its customary enterprise, has been in communica- tion with leading ministers in Wales, and in- vited them to state whether they or the Church to which they belonged were prepared to sup- port and countenance proper measures for na- tional defence, including the maintenance of the Territorial Army at the strength and effi- ciency deemed necessary by our military ad- visers. We give bslow a summary of some of the replies REV. LEWIS PROBERT, D.D. (Principal 01 the Bala-Bangor Independent College). I have not spoken a word inside or outside I of a chapul against the Territorial Army, neither had I heard before of any other Non- conformist minister doing anything of the kind. My view of the matter is that, although Church members can individually use their own judg- ment concerning it, ministers and Churches as such have nothing to do with it, any more than with commercial enterprises. REV. DANIEL ROWLANDS, M.A. (Bangor). I believe that Colonel Howard's allegation that "the Nonconformist ministers of Wales are preaching a ceaseless crusade against the Territorial Army," like the charges so often brought against them of "preaching politics, etc., are utterly unfounded, etc. REV. JOB MILES (Absrystwyrh). I have never said a word, either privately or publicly, against the Territorial Army; neither have I heard any other Nonconformist minister do so. REV. GWYNORO DAVIES (Barmouth). The charge made by Colonel Howard in the "Times" against the Welsh Nonconformist min- isters has no foundation whatever. It is true that they have protested with all their might against the doctrine held and preached by a certain class of people, viz., that the slaughter of man is a noble calling, and who never mis3 an opportunity of advocating war for their own profit and advancement (?). I profess to know as much (to say the least) as Colonel Howard does concerning the Nonconformist ministers ot North Wales, and I cannot re-call a single in- stance of a minister preaching against the Ter- ritorial Army. R.EV. CEITHO DAVIES (Calvinistio Metho- dist minister, Abercarn). The letter ol Colonel Howard is, I am afraid, in a large measure true, whilst there are, on the other hand, numerous exceptions to the contrary. The prejudice which may have been found in the past against militarism by Nonconformity and the opposition manifested by parents in Wales to their sens joining the Army may be attributed to a great extent to the fact that officers were drawn chiefly from the upper classes, whilst chaplaincies were con- fined almost entirely to clergymen of the Estab- lished Church. REV. JAMES OWEN, SWANSEA (Ex-president of the Baptist Union). Colonel Howard's letter to the "Times" really deserves no attention. The writer draws largely on his imagination when he says the Noncon- formist ministers throughout Wales" are carry- ing on a "eeaseless crusade against the Army." Among Nonconformists, as among other classes of the community, there are diverse views in re- gard to peace and war. THE REV. JOHN THOMAS, MERTHYR (Ex-president Welsh Congregational Union). As Nonconformists, we believe that disputes between nations should be settled by arbitration and not by war, and we are doing what we can to spread that conviction and to strengthen that feeling. We know that to make this possible the hearty consent and co-operation of other nations are necessary, and until that has come to pass we, in common with others, consider it necessary to maintain an Army efficient for the defence of the Empire. Nor have I during forty- five years heard from aNonconfcrmist pulpit any- thing inconsistent with this. But this does not mean that we consider necessary alt the present arrangements and expenditure connected with the defence of our country. PROFESSOR T. A. LEVI, M.A. (Aberystwyth University College). I believe the true spirit of a member of the Christian Church is to have nothing whatever to do 'with war, or with militarism, or with military preparations in any form whatsoever. The sum total of Christianity is an enthusiastic love of God and of our fellow-men; any appeal to militarism, whether by way of offence or de- fence, is directly opposed to this, and however great the risk we run, however immediate the danger, however imminent the loss of everything that is nearest and dearest to us, even at the risk of our own lives, if we are true to Christ and Christianity we are strong enough to abstain altogether from any appeal to force, or compul- sion, or militarism. I admit at once if our object were to maintain our own Empire, our own race, our own nation- ality, or our own political party, the ideal we follow would be entirely wrong. But al- though we cherish these things very greatly, as members of the Church of Christ we have nothing to do with our Empire, our race, our nationality, or our political party. We are wholly concerned with the kingdom of God; the whole of our resources, our loyalty, our bravery and courage, our ambition, knowledge, and enterprise, are called for on behalf of that kingdom to the exclusion of any other, and to obey that call requires infinitely more courage than any fighting this world can show. Other letters will be published in due course.

SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN KNOWLEDGE. THE OLOEST CHURCH SOCIETY. The claims of this the oldest Church Society were put before Ohurohpeople in Lianeian Churen on the 19th uit. The evening pfreacher was the Vicar odi. OLd Colwyn, who loy¡<.l.iy oreached in the absenoe of the Vicar of Ua.n- eltan. At 11 a.m. a good congregation attended matins, when tho eiairna of the S.P.C.K. were emphasised by the hon. secretary for North Wales, tho Rev. E. A. Wade, of Colwyn. The ,he was founded as far back as 1697, d-U'rtng the reign of William III. bv two energetic Christian men Thomas Bray and Ro- bert Wilson. In 1704 the S.P.C.K. bir'cught into being the S.P.G., the oldest foreign musion BOr ciety, Who;x, work all over the world is now well- known. The early work of th-, S.P.C.K. whti essentially home work; and its greatest work was among the children of the London Charity Sjho«ts. In 1810 the work grew so large that a br'anoh school eooietv was formed—the second ro. ciety-ivaught forth by this energetio institution, the National Society, was founded, and still does QCÙ work. Thtsl daughter aooiety p to the time when the State took over education spent the large sum of L15,150,000 in building and maintaining- schooifc for the poor. Some of the chief points dwelt upon by Mr Wado were:— (1) Tliat there are nominally no working ex- perpeB, the profits on books, pay for all clerical and other work; (2) the spiritual care of emi. grant9; (3) Church buildings abroad; and (4) Biflhoories. In 1905 there were over 100 the C.K.S. helped. Sixty of these ooet £ 120,000. Other work in- cludes assisting training colleges, medical mis- sions. etc. The Rev. E. A. Wade, the accredited representative, wiB be pleasSd to give all in- tarmatioa pee&i&fe touching the society.

BETTWSYCOED URBAN DISTRICT COUNCIL. MOTOR CAR SPEED LIMIT ORDER REQUESTED. The monthly meeting of the above Council was held on Friday evening. Mr R. Parry, J.P., presided, and there were also present- Dr. Pritchard, Messrs Robert Parry, J.P. (Bod- hyfryd), J. Hughes, F. P. Faichney, T. W. Corns, R. Rawlinson, H. Roberts, together with Mr R. R. Owen (clerk). FINANCE. Mr Corns reported that the bills presented for payment amounted to £50 14s 2d, which would leave an adverse balance at the bank of £ 82 7s 2d. The amount collected during the month was reported to be £ 18 9s. THE STEPPING STONES. Mr Robert Pa.rry remarked that he had been unable to see tho contractor relative to the condition of the stepping stones over die river He recommended that the Council undertook the levelling of the six stones on the Bettws side themselves as tha.t work was not included in the contract with Mr Hugnes. Mr J. Hughes having supported the recom- mendation was adopted. HORSE BRUSH. In accordance with his notice of motion, Dr. Pritchard moved "That the Council consider the question of providing a horse brush for sweeping the streets in this district." He con- tended that it was an absolute necessity to have the roads cleared of the dust which at present was such a nuisance and drawback to the vil- lage. The Chairman agreed, and said he thought it would prove the cheapest method of clearing the dust. Mr Robert -Parry.,Peinwd tut that the fU1). jeot had been discussed at the Council two years before, but the County Surveyor did not f approve of the project, and been dropped in consequence. Dr. Pritchard remarked that the sweeping cost at least £ 10 a year at pres«at, and it wal a most unsatisfactory method. The Chairman thought it cost a great deal more, whereas a horse wrnld only cost JS25. He seconded the nswaon. Mr Faichn-ey enquired whether it would do away with the necessity of watering fhe streets. (The Chairman replied that it would be con- siderably minimised. Mr Robert Parry said he was looking for- ward to the time when the roads would be tarred during the winter months. The cost would not be heavy, and it would prove effec- tual. He moved as an amendment that the matter be deferred for the present. Mr John Hughes seconded. The amendment was carried by five votes to hree. MOTOR CAR SPEED LIMIT. Dr. Pritchard moved "That application be made to the County Council tor an order limit- ing the speed of motor cars in this district to ten miles an hour." He pointed out that Lian- rwst had secured the order, and that official notices were exhibited along the roads. The notices placed on Waterloo Bridge and Miner's Bridge were ignored by motorists, and it waa necessary to secure the order so as to have offi- cial notices exhibited along the roads. Thai oars oama through tho village at such a speed as to overwhelm the pedestrians with dust* which also filled the hotels, shops, and houses to suoh an extent that it was essential to keep the windows closed during the day. Mr J. Hughes cont-ended that a six mlkl limit should be applied for. Tho Clerk explained that the order was con- fined to a minimum rate of ten miles. Mr Robert Parry seconded the motion, whic/i was adopted. PUBLIC LIGHTING. The Gas Company tendered for public fi,gh4* ing at the rate of 28s 6d for each bnp can annum. The Clerk explained that the rate TO a lii per luinp mono than that of the previous varo but the company would prefer to dt> rithusjl the contract than to quote at a lessor rate. On the motion of Mr Rawiinson, aecendcd Mr Faichney, the tender was aocepUid subfali to the company making good any loss ed throug-u the failure of any of tho liirhtA. ACCEPTED. A letter was read from the Joint Health CtnA mittoe inviting tho Couwril to join the enn nation for sanitary purpose#, and on the tion of Mr R. Parry, seoonded by Mjt Hughes, the invitation was aoooptc*

THIS WEEK'S NEWS. The Menai Straits regattas are in progress thfti week. • • • • Mr John Frederick M'Nair, of Pennal Towerr Pennal, Machynlleth, largely interested in the tea trade, left £ 14,138. At an inquest held at Colwyn Bay, on Saturday* touching the body of a male child discovered in a hedge on the outskirts of the town, the jurjj returned an open verdict. < About 1400 boys connected with the ChurcK Lads Brigade are encamped near Bryn Euryn* Colwyn Bay. w Visitors were so numerous at Rhyl and Colwyn Bay on Saturday night that many slept on the sands and elsewhere, while empty houses had to be hurriedly fitted up to accommodate others, » w < The Bettwsycoed Urban District Council, on Friday decided to apply to the County Council for an order limiting the speed of motor caxs to ten miles an hour in their district. 0 0 0 The young heir to the Brynsteddfod Estate waa christened at Glan Conway Parish Church on Tuesday. He was given the name of Hugh Morris Carstairs Jones-Mortimer. • • • • The street collection made on behalf of tho. Colwyn Bay Cottage Hospital, on Saturday.. realised £ 50 3s, thus establishing a record. • • • • Athletic sports were held at Llanddulas on Monday, and in some of the events some ex- citing contests were witnessed. » • • • The athletic sports and cycle races at Llanj rwst, on Monday, attracted a large number of spectators. A series of aquatic contests formed part of the enjoyable proceedings. < Mr J. Allington Hughes, of Gresford, for forty- three years clerk to the Wrexham borougli justices, is to be placed on the commission of the peace for Denbighshire. • • • • General Baden-Powell attended the annual show of the Vale of Clwyd Agricultural Society. at Denbigh to-day week. w w Lord Kenyon rireeided fit a representative meeting at Wrexham, on Saturday, to discusa church extension work in that parish. • • • K The annual show of the Welsh Agricultural Society was opened at Aberystwyth on Wednes- day. There was a falling off in the number of exhibits, although the number of individual ex. hibitors had increased. • • • '• The adjudicators at Corwen Eisteddfod, on Monday, with-held the chair prize owing to laclt of merit in the two compositions sent in for co petition. It is officially announced that the London and North-Western and Midland Railway Companies have arrived at an agreement of a comprehensive character, which will endure for a long period of years. • • • • It was fifty years on Saturday since the Che^ ter and Holyliead Railway Company began a boat service to Kingstown. At that time it took thirteen hours to get from Euston to Kings- town. Now the journey is done in 85 hours. • • • • At a meeting of the Pwllheli Town Council, on Tuesday, it was announced that a letter had been received from the Board of Trade intima- ting that an additional grant of £ 7375 had been' authorised by the Treasurey towards the harbour works already carried out or to be carried out. The Newmarket Eisteddfod, held on Monday, was a greater success, than ever, the attendance being larger and the competitions keener than on any previous occasion. Mr A. M. Ralli pre- sided in the afternoon, and Lord Mostyn in the evening. R t « • An encouraging attendance patronised the sacred concert given at the Colwyn Bay Pier Pavilion by the Old Colwyn Male Voice Choir on Monday. Conducted by Mr D. D. Parry, of Llanrwst, the party sang a number of choruses with excellent effect. w Mr Richard Farmer, of Chester, has been pre- sented by the Chester and North Wales Incor- porated Law Society with an illuminated address, a clock, and some silver ornaments on his re- tirement from the position of honorary secretary, to the society after twenty-one years' service. 0 0 The result of an interview with an official of the Board of Agriculture relating to sheep dipping in Carnarvonshire was communicated to a com- mittee of the County Council on Saturday (page • • « a An exciting scene was witnessed at Llandudno, on Sunday afternoon, when a Manchester man found himself in a perilous position on the side of the Great Orme. His rescue, which was witnessed by thousands of people, was only, effected after considerable difficulty. At Friday's meeting of the Denbighshire Educa- tion Committee, held at Chester, several import- tant matters were discussed relative to school at- tendance, and also the appointments of head teachers (page 3). A conference at Chester, on Friday, considered proposals to apply to Parliament for powers, inter alia, to raise money for deepening the river Dee. It is believed that the carrying out of the sohemo would lead to a great increase in the trade of the river and develop industries along the higher bank from Mostyn to Chester.

The Duke and Duchess of Connaught open- ed the new marine drive at Scarborough yes. terday. ■