The Rhyl Advertiser

THE RHYL PUBLICANS AND THE SUNDAY CLOSING ACT. A DECISION TO KEEP OPEN HOUSES ON SUNDAYS. A meeting of the Rhyl and district licensed victual- lers was held at the Belvoir hotel, yesterday afternoon to consider what course they should persue with respect to Sunday closing after to-morrow. There were present-Mr H. B. Lawrence (in the chair), Mr H. A. Steer (secretary), Messrs H. Powell Jones, Morish, Lome hotel; Kilshaw, Wynnstay hotel Ellis, Birminaham arms Mrs Roberts, White horse; Messrs Jones, St. Asaph Jones, New inn, Dyserth Jones, Castle, Rhuddlan Anderson, Plough inn, St! Asaph Griffith, Swan inn, St. Asaph; Jos. Lloyd, St. Asaph; Owens, Royal oak; Edwards, North Wales hotel; Jones, Queens arms Parry, White Lion Jones, Aquarium street; and Clarke, Windsor vaults. Several letters of apology for non-attendance were received by the chairman. The Chairman said that this meeting was called to consider what they should do in the future. At the Last meeting it was simply decided to keep their houses open on Sundays up to the 10th inst. Several Stipendiaries and other magistrates were of opinion bhat the Sunday Closing did not come into force until next year. He was strongly in favour of keeping apen on Sundays until the ambiguous clause was settled. (Applause). Mr Anderson had heard fiat the police had received lnstruction to see all the houses closed to-morrow. Mr Joseph Lloyd said that that was an important question. Would they resolve to open on Sunday in the iace of receiving a notice to close ? The Chairman was of opinion that they were in lonour bound to keep their houses open to-morrow )n the strength of the resolution passed at their last ^etiDg-. The question was what they were to do ifter u jaear). After a-. .JSR "St. A.saph, proposed iiiJiT. Licensed\- f this district continue to open their houses >, J. 'j is heretofore nntij^somo "xAhitstUg or clause b ot the Sunday Closing Act (Wales)." And said that in proposing that such be adopted he did not do so, because he wished to oppose the law, but simply in the Interest of the trade He was present at the Guild Hall, Swansea, when Mr Fowler gave his decision in favour of keeping public houses open on Sundays, and his decision was hailed with cheers by the large number of workmen that assembled. (Cheers). Mr Ellis seconded the motion which was carried nem. dis. The Chairman said they had taken an important step that afternoon, and he was glad that it had been taken. He did not know what the future would bring forth, but he felt confident that they would not be interfered with. They had a very fair bench of magis trates, a good chief constable, and a courteous lot of police officers. If an action was taken one case would only be tried, and he would suggest that a fund should be raised, and money or promises received at that meeting to defend any case that might be taken up as a test. If the magistrates of Rhyl decided against them, it would not do to let the matter rest there they would raise it to a higher court (hear, hear). He would suggest that a committee be ap- pointed that day to receive subscriptions. Mr Joseph Lloyd did not think it wise to take money or promises that afternoon. Licensed Victuallers, as a rule, were honourable men, and if it was left in the hands of the committee appointed at their last meet- ing to watch the interest of the trade, and should a case be taken up,he felt assured that all of them would subscribe (hear, hear). It was eventually decided to let the matter stand over. After further conversation, Mr Joseph Lloyd pro- posed, and Mr Ellis seconded, a vote of thanks to the chairman. Mr Lawrence briefly responded, and the meeting terminated.

ALLEGED ROBBERY AT RHYL. At a special Police Court, on Wednesday, before W. P. Jones, Esq., John Roberts and Anne Davies, of no fixed abode, were charged with having stolen a cash box containing 4,32, the property of Robert Evans, Victoria Inn, Vale road, on Tuesday last. Mrs Evans, prosecutor's wife, deposed that about 10.30 on Tuesday morning prisoners went to her house and asked for two glasses of beer. She served them with it. The female prisoner asked her to keep a hat and a parcel until they were called for in the evening. They came in and out the house up to one o'clock. The female prisoner looked in at the window of the place where she (witness) was washing, and the male prisoner stared in at the back door. She said to the servant, "Whatever do those scamps want staring about here, I don't like them." Instead of coming through the back door from the yard they came around to the front to the kitchen the female asking witness' little girl where her mother was. The girl answered that she was busy washing. They had three glasses of beer up that time. About 2 o'clock the male prisoner called again and asked her to trust him for a glass of beer his wife would come to pay for it. He was told that tramps were not trusted there. He came three or four times again asking for his wife and she (witness) said she knew ncthing about his wife. The female prisoner came in about 5.30 for the articles left, and asked if she should wash as she was going to Denbigh and leave her husband who was a brute to her. She (witness) went upstairs to dress about a quarter to six. When she went up she found the bedroom door burst open, and that a cash box containining £ 32 had been abstracted. She had seen the cash box all right about 9 o'clock in the morning. Her little girl was ques- tioned about it, but knew nothing of it. Mrs Evans then went to inform the inspector, and on the railway budge she met the male prisoner who said to a Mrs Hollingsworth "what is the matter, what is the matter, my wife never stole anything, she is too innocent for that." The prisoner was taken in charge by P.C. Griffiths who afterwards apprehended the female prisoner. Inspector McLaren said that that was all the evidence that he could produce that day and asked for a remand for 8 days, which was granted.

RHUDDLAN. FOOTBALL CLUB.—A football club has been formed at Rhuddlan, of which Majoi C. R. Conwy is presi- dent, W. Bcli, Esq., vice-president; and a committee consisting of Messrs C. W. Bell, A. Ll. Rowland, E. Hughes, E. Corey, A. Morris, R. Jones, and H. Mil- ) lur. Mr W. 1. Rowland has been elected captain, and Mr W. H. Thompson lion. sec. and treasurer.

Whilst freely giving expression to the opinions of our corres- pondents on all subjects of public interest, we beg distinctly to state that we do not necessarily endorse any of them and are therefore in no way responsible for any statement made.

REMARKABLE LOW DEATH-RATE AT RHYL. To the Editor of the RHYL ADVERTISER. SIR,-It may interest your readers and benefit the town to know the extraordinary low rate of mortality in Rhyl during the three months end ing September 30th, 1881, as compared with previous years. Thus- In 1879, during July, Aug., and Sept., 28 deaths. f1 ^of?' In 1881, 13 only, and I may add that the town is now healthier than I have known it to be before. I think these figures speak well for the sanitary arrangements of the town.—Yours truly, A. EYTON LLOYD, Medical Officer of Health. Cynval Villa, Oct. 6th, 1881.

RHYL. THE VISITORS LIST.-All visitors' names have been taken out of the list this week with the exception of those on the Parade. The collectors will not call for the list in future, but all names left at the office will receive prompt attention. "BRAIN DUST. "-It will be seen by our advertis- ing columns that the introductory lecture of the Science and Art Classes will be given in the Board- room, Town Hall, next Thursday evening at eight o'clock, by the Rev. Duncan Macgregor. The sub- ject is Brain Dust." Major Penn has kindly con- sented to preside. Tickets, which are free, may be had from the new secretary, Miss Jones, Clifton Villa, Elwy-street; Mr Perks, chairman of the classes Mr Trehearn, bookseller, and from any mem- ber of the committee. BENEFIT CONCERT.—It has been decided to hold a concert for the benefit of Mr Robert Pritchard, joiner, of Mill Bank, Rhyl, on the 29th inst. Mr Pritchard, who for many years was in the employ of the late Mr J. Rhydwen J ones, has for a long time been suffering from ill-health and unable to follow his occupation. A few of his old fellow workmen and friends met in the Board-room at the town hall last Saturday even- ing, and ultimately decided upon getting up a con- cert. Mr Pritchard is a steady, industrious, and de- serving young man, and is both a musician and bard. Our worthy vicar, the Rev Thos. Richardson, has with his usual generosity kindly consented to preside, and several ladies and gentlemen of ability 1 have expressed their willingness to take part in the con. cert, also the town's brass band. A superior and suc- cessful concert is anticipated. Tickets and programmes will be out early next week.-C. BIJOU THEATRE.—We are given to understand that our enterprising townsman, Mr R. D. Roberts, has succeeded in securing the services of a very talented and respectable company of dramatic artistes. who have commenced to give their interesting enter- tainments in the above place, and we have no doubt but that they will be well :supported once they are heard and known. MACFARLANE'S BENEFIT took place on Thursday evening last, ithe 6th inst., at the Pier Pavilion. A comedy-drama was performed, and was followed by a concert, in which several amateurs took part. There was a good attendance, and all seemed greatly to enjoy the splendid programme put before them. THE TOWN HALL.—The restoration of the above building is being rapidly carried on by Mr Williams. The following is an extract of a letter respecting it received by the town clerk, and read at the last meeting of,the Town Hall Committee, from Mr Baker, the architect" When I visited Rhyl last I was much pleased with the work and the satisfactory way in which it is being carried out, and was glad to find that no further settlement had occurred." ANNIVERSARY PREACHING MEETINGS.—The annual meetings of the Welsh Wesleyans were held on Sun- day and Monday last, at the Brunswick chapel. The ministers were the Revs John Evans (Eglwysbach), and Ed. Humphreys, Manchester. The congregations were unusually large, espeeially on Sunday and Mon. day nights. Collections were made at each service, and we believe that a handsome sum was realised. TO-NIGHT, to-morrow, and Monday, preaching meetings will be held by the Calvinistic Methodists at Ciwyd-street chapel, when sermons will be delivered by the Rev O. Thomos, D.D., Liverpool, and others. THE L.IFEBOAT.-We understand that the committee intend to fill the vacancy caused through the death of Coxswain Bithell by a local man, if they can find an eligible one. A meeting to consider the matter will be held on Monday. SCIENCE AND ART CLASSES.—At a recent meeting of the committee of these classes, Miss Jones, Clifton villa, was elected honorary secretary, and we under that this lady has kindly accepted the office. PROPERTY SALE.—The attention of our readers is drawn to an important sale of property which is advertised to take place on Thursday, by Mr J. D. Lewis, at the Royal hotel. All the property is situate in the most commanding position in the town. WE are pleaded to hear that one of the most active and courteous officers of the local police force, Acting Sergeant Denson, has this week been promoted, and will, in the course of a fortnight, take up his residence at Northop. The promotion is certainly not much pecuniary, but it will eventually, we hope, lead to further recognition of the services rendered by Denson. WELSH WESLEYA-N,s. -The quarterly meeting of the Rhyl circuit was held on Thursday week in the schoolroom attached to Brunswick Chapel, under the presidency of the Rev. Hus-h .Taha., <> cotisitlered on the whole satisfactory. There was a long discussion in reference to the existing debt on the minister's manse, and..lt was decided to draw out a scheme for its removal. Mr Wm. Owen, Queen street, was appointed to assist the minister to draw a tabulated statement, showing the amount each member in the circuit contributed towards the minis- try. After the Sunday School Union Committee had drew out some regulations as to giving prizes for various subjects, the meeting terminated. EARLY CLOSING.—The diapers of Rhyl, with the exception of one firm, have decided to close their establishments at eight o'clock during the month of October, and at seven from the 1st of November until the 1st of March. The early closing is made in response to the expressed wish of a number of assis- tants, who feel that the late hours they are compelled to attend to business during the summer months gives them a claim to the consideration of their employers during the winter months. We hope the public will arrange to make their purchases at least half an hour before the time of closing. ENGLISH PRESBYTERIAN CHAPEL, BRIGHTON ROAD.— It has been decided to hold a bazaar in aid of the building fund of the above place of worship. The bazaar will be held early in the month of August, next year. HOUSE RRFAKI.NG. -The house and shop of Mr. Daniels, grocer, Abbey-street, were entered during the early part of Thursday morning last week, but the intruders, hearing the servants calling their master, decamped before they were able to do any mischief. There are some suspicious characters about, and the inhabitants would do well to be on their guard, and to at once inform the police if they see any prowlers about.

THE RESULT OF SUNDAY CLOSING IN IRELAND. In his inaugural address at the Social Science Con- gress, at Dublin, on Monday last, the president, Lord O'Hagan, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, made the follow- ing remarks concerning the operations of the Sunday Closing Act in Ireland :—"I can only make the briefest allusion to a measure most worthy of attention in the department to which I am referring-the Irish Sunday Closing Act. It was hotly contested and violently denounced but it has succeeded beyond expectation, and its moralising influence is removing even partially the withering cursc of national intemperance has made it a practical reform of a high order. I cannot dwell on the mode of its operation but the results are indicated in the most conclusive way by tbe unan- swerable evidence of our criminal statistics. In 1878, when it was in action for a few months, the number of punishable cases of drunkenness was reduced by 3,000 as compared with the year 1877. In 1879, when it was in full force, the reduction was 11,000, and last year it was 22,000, the number of offences, which in 1876 were 110,000, having fallen to 88,018. It is not wonderful that. success so signal, proved by these figures and in many other ways, should already have induced wise and good men to imitate the example of Ireland in other districts of the Empire, with the sanction and by the authority of the legislature. And does it not give us fair ground for hope that the un- doubted and most salutary improvement in the drinking customs of the wealthier classes may be gradually extended to the multitudes beneath them; and that we may be emancipated, more and more, from the cruel dominion of a vice which is to us the perennial source of crime and misery, and degrades these kingdoms in the estimation of the world (hear, hear)."

REMARKABLE ACCIDENTS. On Saturday last* a young man named George Lewis, a postman carrying letters between Denbigh and Nantglyn met with an accident that in all proba. bility will end fatally. It appears that the young man (who has only one arm) was riding a horse to Denbigh on the above day when within about half a mile to the town the horse became restive and threw Lewis violently forward on his head. He was con- voyed home, and medical attendance called in, but, up to last night, there was no hope entertained for his recovery. He has not spoken a single syllable since the unfortnnate occurrence. On the same day, at almost the same instant, the young man's mothcrIDtlt with a severe accident at Llanddulas. Mrs Lewis, who is a professional nurse, and was performing duty in that capacity at Llan- ddulas, received a telegram to attend an urgent case I at Bangor. She immediately procured a trap to pro- ceed there, but as soon as she got in she was thrown out, aud broke both her "rillb in the fall.

LOCAL AND GENERAL ITEMS. LECTURE-An excellent lecture upon the" Life of George Whitefield" was delivered on Tuesday even- ing last at Pen'dref Wesleyan Chapel, by the well- known Rev. John Evans, of London. There was a large attendance, and the chair was taken by Mr. Wm. Williams (Rhyl). The lecture was most in- structive, and was delivered with that eloquence of speech and brilliancy of description which is charac- teristic of the popular preacher. The thanks of the meeting were at its close accorded to the lecturer on the motion of the Rev. John Pugh, B.A., seconded by the Rev. Edward Evans, and to the Chairman, on the proposal of the Rev. John Evans (Llanasa), seconded by the Rev. David Williams (Zion). FEAST-DAY AT PANTASAPH.—The feast of St. Francis was celebrated in the Franciscan Capuchin Church of St. Dewi's, Pantasaph, on Tuesday last, in the presence of large congregations. On Monday afternoon, being the eve of the feast, there was a "procession of the most blessed Sacrament," followed by benediction. On Tuesday morning masses were said every hour, commencing at seven o'clock, and at eleven o'clock there was solemn high mass and ser- mon by the Rev. A. do Haza-Radlitz, S.J. At this service the clothing and profession of the religious took place. The sermon in the afternoon was delivered by the same preacher, when vespers were said and the benediction pronounced.

BIRTHS. OWENS-On the 1st inst., at Glenville House, Vale. road, Rhyl, the wife of Mr. John Owens, of a sor -first-born. WILLIAMs-Oct. 2nd, the wife of Mr. Isaac Williams, carrier, 2, Merllyn Terrace, jVale-road, Rhyl, of a daughter. HOLMES.-On the 29th ult., the wife of Mr Samuel Holmes, Rhuddlan, of a daughter. JONES.—On the 4th inst., the wife of Mr John Jones, High-street, Rhuddlan, of a daughter. MARRIAGES. FELL—JONES.—On the 7th inst. (yesterday) at the Congregational Church, Water-street, Rhyl, by the Rev. R. Thomas, assisted by the Rev. D. B. Roberts, Mr Robert Fell, Bury, Lancashire (of Fell's Auction Vans), to Miss Sarah Ann Jones, daughter of Mr John Jones, Britannia Inn, High Street, Rhyl. HUGHES—MORGAN—October 3rd, at the Clwyd-street Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, by the Rev. D. C. Evans, Mr. John Hughes, clerk at the Rhyl Post Office, to Miss Mary Anne Morgan, only daughter of the late Mr. Morgan Morgan, Rhyl. WILLINGTON-WILLIAMs.-On the 7th inst. (yester- day) at the Congregational Church, Water-street, Rhyl, by the Rev. R. Thomas, assisted by the Rev. D. B. Roberts, Mr John Willington, son of Mr Walter Willington, Nantclwyd, to Margaret Ann, daughter of Mrs Williams, Sussex-street, Rhyl. DEATH. BI.THE.On the 4th inst., at the Boat House,Voryd, in his 67th year, Mr Robert Bithel, for many years coxswain of the Rhyl Life-boat.

RUSSIAN EXPERIMENTAL GOVERNMENT. There is no country where large schemes of change find such ready acceptance as in Russia. Without doubtthis is largely due to the system of government. The Baying may appear paradoxical to those who have been ac- customed to think of the Russian Government as an unchanging despotism, holding with blind pride to forms of procedure and principles of conduct be- queathed from autocratic sire to son. The despotism has been changeless in this respect, that it has all along remained a despotism. Everything has been referred to the will of one man. But since the time of Peter the Great the succession of individuals in Russia, by whom alone, in generation after generation, change could be initiated, have by no means been content to walk humbly each in the footsteps oi his predecessor. The tradition which Peter originated for the Imperial house when he awoke to the fact that his empire was behindhand in the march of civilisation, and scoured Europe for the means of bringing it abreast of the time, has not been allowed to drop. So far from having been change- less, except in one respect, the history of Russia since his time has been the history of a series of revolutions, effected from above and not from below. Russia was the neglccted child in the European family. She had grown up to the full stature of adult age, when suddenly her §uu1^ £ rang$/sc2^?zars fconstitufed themselves her i-rang zars c n tu emse schoolmasters. They did not merely aim at reforming her on the model of civilised European children they sought to profit by the mistakes that had been made in the education of her neighbours, to pick out and apply to her everything that had gone to make them Btrong and well-favoured, and to avoid everything that seemed to have harmed their development. Hence for nearly two centuries Russia has been a field for great governmental experiments, the ultimate aim being to give the backward nation com- merce, art, laws, the most perfect possible system of government-to bring her at last to a level with other nations, by copying from each of them the very best of their institutions. We need not pause to consider whether a great nation can be artificially developed in this way. It is enough for our present purpose to note the fact that this is how the attempt has been made to develop her, that she has been taken in hand as a neglected child, that for two centuries a succession of the most eminent political doctors have prescribed for her, and that she has been compelled to follow various prescriptions in turn. Hence itcomes that the Russians have been made familiar with the idea of changes upon a great scale, and have been taught to look rather to the abstract suitability of a proposal than to practical difficulties in the way of carrying into effect. They have been taught, in short, to believe any change practicable if only it is theoretically com- mendable.-The New Quarterly. THE ARCTIC SUMMER.—The contrast between the appearance of the land in the vicinity of our harbour on this our second visit and what it was four weeks before, was very remarkable. Then, the whole country was covered in a great white sheet of snow, but in the month of July this bad all disappeared, leaving the valleys and table lands carpeted with a rich and luxuriant vegetation hardly conceivable in such a climate. I had seen nothing like it before in the Arctic regions; long stretches of green sward in which the draba, the astragalus, the papaver, the saxifrage, the petentilia, the myosotis, and other floral beauties of varied bright hues, many possessing delicate per- fumes, lay scattered about in the richest profusion; whilst herds of reindeer grazed peacefully on the grasees and mosses that clothed the slopes of the hills; down theee, rivulets of water were rushing, which, on reaching the plains, meandered more quietly towards the sea. It was the nearest approach to an Arctic Paradise I had ever seen and I could not help lament- ing its brief duration. In less than six short weeks the vegetation would wither, the streams would freeze, the whole country would again assume its wintry garb, and the poor reindeer would experience great difficulty in cropping even a mouthful of the vegetation which then seemed so profusely to abound. The summers in Novaya Zemlya are indeed brief, and every living thing muet necessarily make the most of their short term of exist-eiiee.- -Good Words. EXPULSION OF LICHARD OTEELE. oceeie spoke for three hours. His friends and the leaders of the party appear to have been afraid to trust him with the preparation of bis speech they expected that the imprudent humourist would only acquit himself in such a fashion as to call down coals of fire upon his head, and Joseph Addison was requested to prepare the defence. Addison declined, and said he would not have Steele treated like a schoolboy; so, accepting very naturally suggestions from the wiee and wary Walpole, Steele appears to have been in every way his own orator on the occasion, and it is said spoke with very much of the same artless sensibility which still enchants the reader of the Tatltr and the Guardian, At the close," eays Steele, I made the best and most respectful obeisance I could to the Speaker, and with a very awk- ward and unwilling air I withdrew." He went to the Temple, whence he wrote a line to his shrewish wife: Dear Frue,-I have made my defence, and am ordered to withdraw." His friends sent Addison after him, perhaps partly to cheer him up, and partly to keep him out of the way until the issue should be known, and there can be no doubt that the genial pair of immortal essayists solaced themselves with a bottle. Meantime, in the House the storm raged high. Robert Walpole and Lord Finch were his chief defenders, but the majority declared his publication (on the Peace of Utrecht) a scandalous libel, and voted that the author should be expelled the House by 245 against 152. Somebody carried the news to Steele in the Temple, for after that best bow which he gave to the Speaker on his retirement he says, The next news I heard was that I was expelled." And yet, for all that and all that, we find the political martyr and expelled member returning to Parliament again as Sir Richard Steele, and far more eminent and distinguished for the expulsion, which only disgraced the men who caused it. But how remarkable it is to find in con- junction such names as those of the majestic and high- souled Sir John Eliott and Sir Richard Steele, the light principled and easy humourist, as the vindicators, and martyrs for their vindication, of the freadona of epeech in the English House of Comttowi—Leisure

TERRIBLE DEATH OF A PLATELAYER NEAR PRESTATYN. About six o'clock yesterdary morning information was received at the Rhyl station that a body was seen lying on the line between Rhyl and Prestatyn. A porter was at once dispatched on a special engine to search, and about a mile and a half from Prestatyn ;yu station the body was found lying on the down line mutilated in a dreadful manner, the wheels of a train having passed over it almost severing the legs from the trunk. The man was, of course, lifeless, and the remains were removed to Prestatyn, to await an inquest which will be held to-day. The unfortunate man, it appears, was Edward Dowell, a platelayer, residing with his.wife and two children, at Towyn, Prestatyn.

DEATH AND FUNERAL OF COXSWAIN BITHEL. This week it is our sad duty to record the death of the gallant coxswain of the Rhyl life-boat, which took place on Monday morning last, at the Boat House, Voryd. The deceased man was 67 years of age, and had held the position of coxswain for over 2 4 years in such a manner as to command the respect and confidence of all who knew him. He was the first coxswain of the life-boat after it was taken over by the National Life-boat Institution, the date of his appointment being the 1st of June, 1857. Since that date the crew of the life-boat had been, under Bithel's command, instrumental in saving 34 lives, and had rendered valuable assistance to distressed vessels. He also personally saved many lives in the course of his career. The mortal remains of Bithel were interred at the Cemetery on Thursday with all respect due to a man who had filled a responsible office in such an unim. peachable manner. The funeral cortege was made up in this order:—The Revs T. Richardson, vicav, and J. R. Thomas; the following members of the local committee of the Nationol Life-boat Institution -T. Griffies Dixon, Esq., J.P. (chairman), Dr Butterton, J.P., W. Pryce Jones, Esq., J.P., T. Winston, Esq., W. E. Smalley, Esq., and Mr R. Hughes, secretary; the Rev Mr Evans, Towyn; Capt. Johns of the Coast Guards, and two men the life-boat crew (14 in number) in uniform the coffin (covered with an ensign, and bearing wreaths of flowers together with the deceased man's hat and life-saving belt), carried by four boatmen the chief mourners, followed by a number of friends.

ST. ASAPH. CATHEDRAL SERVICES.—17th Sunday after Trinity, October 9th. Harvest Thanksgiving Day, Morning at 11—Service, Whitfeld in F; anthem, O give thanks (Sydenham) hymn 360. Evening at 3.15 Serrice, Whitfeld in F; anthem, "Praise the Lord" (Hayes). Evening at 6.15—Chants; hymns 223, 370, 238. Rev. William Morton, M.A., succen- tor R. A. Atkins, Esq., organist.—Choral Services on Thursdays at 11.30 a.m., and on Saturdays at 3.15 p.m.

GENERAL MEETING OF THE RHYL IMPROVEMENT COMMISSIONERS. The usual monthly meeting of the above Board was held at the Board-room, Town Hall, on Monday last, when there were present—Major Penn (chair- man), Messrs. Samuel Perks, W. Wynne, John Jones (seedsman), Wm. Morris, R. D. Roberts, William Reynolds, J. Roberts (16, Queen-street), H. Parry, J. Frimston, H. A. Steer, William Williams, Wm. Hackforth, A. W. Merridew, Dr. Lloyd, Ty'n-Rhvl. Dr. Girdlestone, and the officers of the Bonx-d. PIIASIJOENT GARFIELD. After the minutes of the last monthly meeting, and the special meeting held on the 19th ultimo, had been read and confirmed, The Chairman got up and said that since the laf. meeting of the Board the cables and telegraph had flashed the melancholy intelligence of thp of one of natures noblemen. From lowest place when virtuous^ lnocee The place is dignified by the doer For by truth, honour, integr' a,^ P°lse^Gril^(.'e^ President Garfield had thal £ placed him amon^u cci^test sovereigns of the tt- ^i-v»<v»wn m tb« tr ;pnns between ^e^dourbrethcrcn m ? (the"Chairman) the ^^ould never be .^vokon„ -w- not too strongly express iTeriottaT at the assassination of President Garfield, whose life from childhood had been one unbroken career of honour, uprightness, and truth, which well qualified him for the exalted posi- tion lie had attained, and in which he shewed every attribute to carry out the constitution of a great nation in its integrity and spirit; and will ever rank among the noble and illustrious men of the age. We painfully deplore his loss, and most wvcerely sympathise with the 50,000,000 Americano who (to- gether with the whole civilized world) now mourn the loss of their chief officer; and deeply condole with Mrs. Garfield and her family in their sorrowful bereavement of a true-loving husband, father, and friend. That a copy of this resolution under the seal of the Board be forwarded to the Ron. J. R. Lowell, United States Minister, in London." The resolution was seconded by Mr. Perks, suppor- ted by Mr. Reynolds, and carried sub silent io. THE TOWN NALL. The minutes of the Town Hall committee contained several recommendations from Mr. Arthur Baker, the architect in reference to the work of restoring the Town Hall. The minutes of the committee were adopted. Mr. W. E. Smalley, manager of the N. & S. W. Bank, wrote to suggest that on account of the great wear of the wooden flooring on the customers' side of the counter in the Bank, a tile flooring be substi- tuted. A beautiful small tile coloured flooring would be laid for £] 2 or £ 13, and large tile flooring of two colours for half the sum. The Chairman pointed out that the Board were bound to floor the bank. The letter was referred to the Town Hall commit- tee, with power to act in the matter. THE AUDITORS' REPORT.—IRREGULARITIES. Mr. P. Mostyn Williams and Mr. J. D. Ainsworth, the gentlemen appointed to audit the annual accounts, in a letter addressed to The Chairman of the Board of Commissioners and the ratepayers of Rhyl," repor- ted as follows :—"We have the honour to submit to you the amended statement of accounts for the year ended March 25th, 1881. We consider that the revenue account now contains a full and true state- ment of receipts and expenditure as required by see. 90 of the Commissioners Clauses' Act, 1847. The statement of outstanding accounts, which has been appended to the above, contains all the debts owing to and by the Commissioners to the 25th March last. It may be worthy of note that the year commenced with a cash balance in hand of £ 548 4s. 9d., and a credit balance of assets of £ 33 16s. Id., making a total credit balance in favour of the Board of £ 582 Os. 10d., and ends with a balance to the debit of X-24 5s. 6d., which, after deducting cash in the clerk's hands of £ 28 17s. 5d., shows a net balance against the years' revenue of £ 577 8s. lid., or equal to a rate of 4}d. in the £ Under the head of capital we pass over the New Drainage Works' accounts, which is audited by the District Auditor. The Town Hall accounts shows an expenditure in advance of £ 97 4s. 7d. The Local Government Board having sanctioned a loan for the necessary outlay to be in- curred in the work of restoration, which includes this amount, we view it as authorized. The Brighton- road Bridge accounts shows a balance of expenditure of £ 157 18s. 4d. This docs not contain all the lia- bilities incurred, as the solicitors' bill of costs and other heavy charges are not included. The Local Government Board have sanctioned a loan, subject to the taxation of the law costs. A long delay has taken place over this matter, for which neither the Clerk nor the Board are to be blamed. The Promen- ade and Foreshore accounts shows an expenditure of X240 17s. 3d., in excess of the sum borrowed from the Public Works Loan Board. Under the Public Health Act, 1875, it would have been our duty to surcharge the Commissioners with this amount. The special Act, 1872, sec. 107, says that the Commission- ers may borrow with the approval of the Local Government Board. That approval had not been obtained in this instance. We must therefore dis- allow this expenditure. The same remarks apply ill part to the interest and commission accounts, which contains the bank charges for over-drafts. So much of these charges as are applicable to the unauthorized loans will have to be treated for the ,time being as a disapproved liability." The report, after treating minor matters, then went on as follows :—" In going through the accounts we noticed an irregularity, which we feel bound to men- tion in our report. Three of the Commissioners have boon receiving money for goods supplied or services rendered in contravention of sec. 9 of the Commission- ers' Clauses Act, 1847. The sums paid are trifling, but we hope this reference to the fact will prevent a repetition of the off Mr. Reynolds: Let us have the names of the gentle-

• ST. ASAPH BOARD OF GUARDIANS. U IIURSDAY, OCTOBER 6TH.—Present: Brownlow W. Wynne, Esq. (chairman). W. M. Clarke, Esq., (vice-chairman). T. Mainwaring, Esq., Galltfaenan P. W. Yorke, Esq., Dyffryn Aled vV". P. Jones, Esq., J.P., Rhyl; Rev. D. Evans, Messrs. E. Roberts, H. Edwards, Abergele; S. Perks, Thos. Winston, Rhyl; Edwin Morgan, Tremeircbion; J. Roberts, Geinas J. Roberts, Poxhall; R. Davies, J. Knowles, Denbigh T. Morgan, Cwm T. Howes Roberts, St. Asaph E. W. Davies, Llanddulas T. Sleight, Dyserth Charles Jones, Rhuddlan and the officers of the Board. THE RUTHIN UNION CHALLENGE FLAG" AGAIN. Before the general business had been com- menced, Mr Yorke entered the room' and approaching the table asked—" Where is the flag ? "-The Clerk retired and brought it from his office, and Mr Yorke, after inspecting it, said (pointing to Mr Roberts, Geinas)—" I never made it, I never saw it, and I never sent it. The" flag" now is in the possession of Mr Roberts (Geinas). THE HOUSE. The master reported the number of inmates in the house to be 106, as against 117 last year. Vagrants relieved, 70; same period last year, 97.-Dr. Lodge reported the state of the house satisfactory. He recommended that William Davies, an old inmate, be allowed three or four weeks change of air." George Dean, chimney sweeper, sent in a bill to the Board, Amounting to 30s., for sweeping the chimnies of the house for six months.—Mr. Howes Roberts said they were paying about R3 a year for sweeping. The master had told him that they could get a machine for £ 3 or zC4, which could be worked by some of the paupers. —Mr. Davies proposed that a machine be pur. chased, which was seconded by Mr. Roberts and carried. MAINTENANCE. A letter was read from a man, who is carrier at Abergele, informing the Board that he only earned 12s. a week, which went in support of himself and his don key-(laughterl-and that he could not possibly give anything towards his parent's support.—The relieving-officer said that the man drank all he earned.—The Chair- man That is no reason why we should not try and get him to support his father, rather than throwing his money away for drink.—The 'Guardians agreed that an order for Is. weekly ahould be made. T. R. Jones, Yale-street, Denbigh, wrote to the Board, stating that he had always supported his parents, and was still willing to do what he could.—Mr. Knowles and Mr. Davies bore out the statement in the letter, and said the writer was very kind to his parents.—The Chairman thought that they should relieve the man from contributing after hearing of his kindness, a remark which the Guardians fully agreed in. Mr. T. J. Williams, draper, Denbigh, wrote a long letter to the Board in reference to his cook, who had been applied to for a contribution towards her mother's maintenance. Mr. Wil- liams went on to say that the young woman was very kind to her mother, paying the rent of her house, and the doctor's bills. She was very delicate herself, and had to pay a deal of money for medical treatment. Under those circumstances, he (Mr. Williams) thought the Board should not ask for a contribution from her.—Mr. J. Roberts (Geinas) asked what salary :ahe received, and Mr. Knowles replied about 1 £ 18 a year.—Mr. Davies could bear testimony i to what Mr. Williams had said in the letter, that the young woman was very kind to her mother.— The Vice-chairman considered that she ought to be relieved from contributing.— ] The Chairman was of the same opinion, as she ( said she paid Is. 6d. weekly for rent of house j for her mother.-After one or two other remarks, the Board decided not to ask for any contribu- ] tion. ( MAT MAKING.—REDUCTION IN I'RICE. Mr. E. Morgan said Mr. Pennant had given notice of rescinding the iesolution in reference to the price of mats. If r. Pennant was unable to attend, and he (Mr. Morgan) therefore moved 1 £ 2 tl Be sale, and 5d. retail.—Mr. W. P. Jones seconded that.—Mr. S. Perks asked whether there had been any advance in the price of the material, —The master was called up, and said the price of material for mat-making had risen from 19s to 1:1 Is. a ton. The tradesmen thought that ,there was not sufficient difference in the price between the wholesale and retail trade. Mr K. idavies proposed that the mats be sold whole- sale at -Hd. per lb.-lir J. Roberts In that case I must go to Mr Davies' shop and pay a la more for mats. 0 no, that won't do. I'll second Mr Morgan's proposition.—Mr Perks seconded the amendment of Mr Davies.—The Chairman then put the amendment, when 7 voted for it; nine voted for the original proposition, which was declared carried. ASSESSMENT OF THE RAILWAY CO.—MR. YORKE AND THE ASSESSMENT COMMITTEE. The Chairman said the London and North Western Railway Co. had appealed against the valuation of the Assessment Committee, who had engaged the services of a legal gentleman, and who recommended that the valuation be £100 per mile, which, taking the several parishes would increase the valuation from £ 900 to £ 1000. The committee wished to have the con- sent of the general Board to appear as respon- dents in the matter at the next quarter sessions. -Mr. Perks enquired whether there was any precedent to go by in reference to the valuation. —The Chairman said that there was not in the present case, as the land was occupied by the Vale of Clwyd, Rutbin and Corwen, and Mold and Denbigh Railways. The land had only been assessed at agricultural value, and the committee, having the advice of a legal gentle- man, thought it but fair that it should be rated as all other property.—Mr. Davies proposed that the Assessment Committee be empowered to appear as respondents in the case at the next Quarter Sessions.—The Rev. D. Evans seconded that.—The Chairman Has anyone anything else to move ? Mr P. Wynne Yorke said that when be ap- pealed on the 2nd of August last at the Assess- ment Committee to get a rating reduced, he asked the Chairman (Mr Brownlow Wynne) if lie could speak on the subject the next general Board day. The chairman wrote to him (he being deaf) on a slip of paper thus, I will not be responsible for you." He asked that question .as it was very difficult tok-ilow the exact rules .of an inexact Board, their proceedings there ¡being so- loose, and unbusiness like, as he had lproved once, twice and thrice. He asked to whom was he to apply as to the procedure or non-procedure of that Board, unless it was to the chairman or the clerk ? He was an ex-officio guardian, he therefore claimed the right of having his questions answered, and be honoured 'with a gentlemanly like reply. As the chairman would not use common courtesy towards him, refusing to answer a business like enquiry, he wrote to the clerk to ascertain what he tailed to elicit from the chairman, the clerk replied he did not think it was a question for the general Board," and it was mentioned that the Assess- ment Committee were irresponsible after once they were elected. How comes it then that that day the aforesaid committee were obliged to consult the general Board before appearing as respondents at Quarter Sessions ? Perhaps he did not understand the English language, but he conjectured irresponsible means not .accountable, not answerable (to man or beast he supposed), arbitrary, absolute, and despotic. He did not intend to live much longer under the despotism of the St. Asaph Assessment Com- mittee. He demanded an answer to the follow- ing Was the Assessment Committee master of the general Board, as regarded the assessing, or was the general Board the higher authority. It appeared to be sometimes one way, sometimes the other, as it suited them best, or were. they two separate poor 11.W houses of parliament working together or pulling two different ways. The Assessment Committee lord it over him and others also,and they no doubt felt that they were full of power and might, irresponsible and irresistible, when they raise without cause, rhyme, or reason, the rates of such small fry as himself, but when the great giant gridiron railway company (bigger far than himself particularly in their own estimation) they tremble, shake, and quiver in their shoes, and run as fast as their legs would carry them to the sheltering shield of the general Board fearing not that the pockets should be touched but their own. He for one totally objected having to pay part of the costs of fighting the London and North Western Railway Company, as they would never fight, he should think, unless they were pretty sure of winning, as they can produce their books. He had had his pocket picked enough already by that Assessment Committee who would not return him one farthing but make him pay for their blundering stupidity 1400 per cent too much. No doubt those wise assessors would then say that he had his alternative to appeal,appeal. Appeal indeed. how could he ? They never in their wisdom, or rather their usual ignorance in business matters, gave him any notice of the ridiculous sum they re-rated him at. Why on earth did they give notice of a reduction (when compelled to draw in [their horns) and give no notice of hundreds per cent. of augmentation it was nothing but a stab in the back, it was out of his parish altogether, and the rate called for in a lump sum at the end of the year. If the Assess- ment Committee could err 1400 per cent in his case (such is the wonderful wisdom of the Guardians of the sainted, or rather tainted Union of St. Asaph), they would find no diffi. culty in making a little error of 40 per cent. as regarded the London and North Western Rail- way Company. He begged to say he had not a penny in the line.—The Chairman Has anyone an amendment to move ? If not, I will put the proposition before the Board.—The proposition was put and carried almost unanimously.—Mr Alainm aring The Board has been very kind in listening to Mr Yorke, and he (Mr Mainwaring) hoped that they wonld not allow long papers to be read, unless they were substaniated (hear, hear).—The Chairman: I am much obliged to you for your remarks.