Wrexham Guardian

WBEXHAM TOWN COUNCIL. A monthly meeting of this body was held on Tuesday, the Mayor presiding. The other members present were Aldermen Beirne, J. C. Owen, T. Jones, and J. Beale and Councillors J. Oswell Bury, J. M. Jones, Ingham, Sherratt, Murless, Rowland, Smith, and Roberts. THE NEW CEMETERY CHAPELS, An order was made directing that the sum of X125 be paid to the contractor on the certificate of the architect, Mr Turner, being half the amount applied for. The usual monthly report was read from'the foreman of works. From this it appeared that 'he work was not proceeding as expeditiously as might be expected; but the weather had caused some delay. However, with some perseverance the work might go on quicker. The contractor had got the l ofs on the chapels. Mr Turner had decided to hrlie the slates on the ground sorted in order to see i there were any good ones amongst them that ould be worked in with the coloured slates. The vjrk done was satisfactory. THE NAG'S HEAD BREWERY IMPROVEMENT. On the motion to confirm the minutes and pro- ceedings of committees, Mr J. M. Jones moved to except the minutes of the General Purposes Committee having reference to the resolution to give up to the Wrexham Brewery Company the land at the bottom of the church steps. The land in question had belonged to the public from time immemorial, and formed one of the most important approaches to the church, If that should be given up, the approach would be rendered very difficult and awkward; in fact it would be turned into a long narrow alley. More- over, they were not getting an equivalent for what they surrendered. They had not gone to the Wrexham Brewery C mipany, but the company had come to them, and they granted them the privilege to make a new road, and at the same time gave them a mot important piece of land. He only knew of one instance in which they have made a similar concession, and that to a brewer; and he doubted whether anyone but a brewer or a publican worV; have had the slightest chance to get that land. iVtr Sh'iie: That is a rather strong assertion. Mi J. M. Jones said his firm had no peace on ac- count of tUir chimneys for a longtime; but here was a breveiy which had gone on for years belch- ing out 11 c:o smoke than any other chimney in the town yet it was still tolerated. He did not oppose the resolution of the committee as a strong Tem- pera ice man, but as a public servant, and he con- tended tli-y had no right as public servants to give up a public right like this. He moved an amend- ment to the effect that the minutes be confirmed excepting that which related to the giving up of the land at the bottom of the church steps, and that the land in question be not given up. Mr Rowland, in seconding the amendment, said the alteration might obstruct one of the best views of tiie church, and he agreed with Mr Jones in thinking that the passage would be objectionable, especially to persons using that approach to the church on Sundays. Alderman Owen understood the Brewery Company did not propose to build out further than parallel with the brewery as it now stands: If so, what difference would there be? Mr bhone observel that if this property had belonged to Temperance men his conduct, in regard to it would have been precisely the same. With respect to the interruption of view, this pretty view of the old church would not be interrupted, but would remain precisely as it was now; because there is a building which juts out to the steps and prevents the more extensive view they would otherwise have, so that the buildings to be erected, supposing the resolution of the committee to be adopted, would not interrupt the view any more than at present. The question was whether they should be liable in the event of such an encroach- ment. upon private rights taking place as had been suggested. He understood the corporation would be°exonerated by the way in which permissission had been given to Mr Aspinall to proceed with the work. n Alderman Owen stated at a previous meeting that the Corporation merely gave permission as far as they were able to do so. If they would really give up that for which they did not receive a fair equivalent that was a proper subject for discussion. He was quite sure everyone would see, whether they adhered to abstinence principles or the reverse, that the Corporation had no desire to favour a brewer more than anyone else. The Town Clerk thought the law of the case was very clear. The Corporation did no act; they merely stood by, and did not intellfere with anotlfer man doing a certain act in that street. If he did an illegal act, he would be liable to be proceeded against. He could not see on what ground the council could be proceeded against. Supposi-tig a c ou -1 co IL t, wall were built and the street contracted to half its present width, the; builder of the wall would be the party to be proceeded against. The council did not build a wall; they mere abstained from -anv interference on the understanding that another "street would be provided. They could not control a plaintiff as to the persons he might make defendants. The council might be made defendants but then they said they had done no act, and the plaintiff would be out of court. He had drawn an agreement,which had been agreed to by Mr Aspinall, and this provided that inasmuch as the company claim o be entitled to the fee simple of the soil (subject to the right of the public to pass and repass over the same) of the road leading from the church steps to Mount-street and lork-street to the centre of such road, the company shall, so far as the corporation can and lawfully may consent to the same and no further, saving all private rights, have liberty to enclose and to appropriate such half of the said road as is shown on the plan, upon condition that they build a sufficient wall or fence to -protect the same from the remaining part of the EaLid road. Mr Murless understood the width of the alley complained of by Mr J. M. Jones would be some- what wider than the present steps; therefore it could not interfere with the traffic as far as that was concerned, and the public would retain all the road they could expect. At the same time it was due from him, as he advocated the 30 feet street, to state that to those views he still adhered and that the council were not justified in giving way. Two wrongs do not make a right. If York-street were nairow, that was no reason why they should continue to make narrow streets. As property came to be pulled down and rebuilt, the street would no doubt be widened to accommodate the heavy traffic. He was rather sorry the council did not arrange with Mr Aspinall to purchase the necessary land to make the street of sufficient width at once. Alderman Jcnes He would not sell it. Mr Sherratt could scarcely agree with the law either of Mr Alderman Owen or of the Town Clerk. They would recollect that he opposed the motion on the ground that they agreed to let the Brewery Company have the rights they asked for on con- dition that they would indemnify the Council. Now if they had said nothing whatever about the con- dition to indemnify the Council, very likely the question would never have arisen, and he regretted they did not leave it on the broad open footing mentioned by the Town Clerk. But having done that, having agreed to strike out the clause asking the Brewery Company to indemnify the Corpora- Hou, it was a question whether they did not-com- mit themselves to taking all responsibility.1. He thought the public would have the right to cite the Corporation as well as the, wrong doers, the Brewery Company. He thought in .courtesy to that board the Bjrewerjb Company oug5b.tr to have met the Corporation in a better spirit; and he lioped that they would be brought to that position. Whether 20 or 30 feet wide, the street being in a direct line from York-street was a much greater improvement than a crooked :orm of street. There was only one point he objected to. There were rights abutting on that little street leading up to the church steps that might prove serious rights; and the question was whether the Corporation would be drawn into a dilemna by consenting to an indemniiy. Now the Brew>ry Company said, We will not indemnify." Dil not that look as if they meant the Corporation should inaemnify them ? It was a great pity theBrewery Company would not meet the Corporaticn in a handsome spirit. Alderman T. Jones inclined'o the opinion ex- pressed by the Town Clerk, tbt if the Brewery Company chose to build in an ilegal manner they were the only parties liable The Corporation simply stood by and shut their ees to it, but that did not make them liable. As i seemed to him, Mr Sherratt had gone a little feyond the point. The first time that this was objeted to by Mr J. M. Jones, he thought it would be fatal to the scheme altogether; but having tsen the trouble to inform himself on the subjec he thought he could not do better than supprt the motion. Although they had not got a steet 30 feet in width, yet being in line with Yorkttreet, it would be much less objectionable than thoresent narrow thoroughfare. He hoped having pne so far, the Council would not undo what had ken done. Mr J. M. Jones, in reply, said thetuilding which was looked upon as an encroach mat lay under- neath the bank, and did not intertre materially with the view, merely affecting theower part of the church but if another building vre erected in front of that it would alter the lie of vision altogether, and really abstruct one ha of the view. He further stated that the question t put to Mr Aspinall on his interview with th board had reference to whether the company we content to to fall back upon their old plan on whit they based all their claims. Mr Aspinall and is architect pulled up at once. He did not wanto carry out that plan, and the question got the Coicil out of a difficulty, closed a discussion that hadisted more than an hour, and Mr Aspinall went ime to con- sider it. The amendment was then put to the eeting and lost, only three voting for it. THE BOROUGH RATE. According to returns made by the (erseers in compliance with the precepts served upt them, it appeared that the rateable value of Wrexmi Regis is X22,156 and of Wrexham Abbot, £5,96 i:> CHESTER-STREET. A letter from Mr John Jones, solicit-, again called attention to the drainage of Cheer-road. The enclosure of the grounds of residencesdjacent having entirely cut off the drainage of the adway, water in wet weather stood in lakes in the Ad. It was surely somebody's duty to get rid of th water. He thought it was the duty of the truste<of the road; but as they possessed no funds, anfcvould shortly be extinct, they were impervious toireats or entreaties of his. He suggested that the luncil should call on them to do their duty; or, .they might call on the Council for a rate in aiddopt the road as their own. Mrs White, of the Ghan Home, joined with him in making this reprenta- tion. Mr Sherratt said that road was very bad JthQ late wet weather, and at one point a boat ight have gone across (oh, oh). Mr Murless: Why don't you move thathe borough surveyor be intructed to buy an old (tal boat (laughter) ? Mr Sherratt: I leave that for you to do. Referred to the General Purposes Committee WREXHAM FECHAN. A. letter was read from Mr John Allingi Hughes, stating that a client of his, Mrs Lowe, owner of three houses in Wrexham Fechan, w prepared to bear one-half of the expense of'fiaggii in front of her houses if the Corporation wou bear the other lial". Referred to the committee. THE HOARDING IN FRONT OF rEssRS BAYLEY AN BRADLEY S OFFICE. A note from Mr George Bradley revived the question of the hoarding in front of the above premises. Negotiations having tailed, a plan of^ the proposed additions \Vould be laid before the u Council with a view to their approval; and if in ei accordance wifh the bye-laws it was their intention ( to commence building operations within a month ( from that date, as they were anxious to complete the: t same before the eisteddvod. After some discussion it was resolved to submit the question of the disputed ownership of the piece of ground proposed to be built upon to three "oldest inhabitants," Mr William Pierce, Mr Meredith Jones, and Mr Michael Gum mow their decision to be binding on both parties if Messrs Bayley and Bradley would consent to that arrange- ment. THE TOWN HALL. The Mayor moved That a committee be appointed to make inquiries and select a suitable site for the erection of a town hall, and report the result of such inquiries to the monthly meeting of the Council, to be held on the 30th November next" He suggested that the committee should be the General Purposes Committee. Mr Shone seconded the motion, and said he had written to a friend of his in Carnarvon requesting him to furnish him with the cost and capacity of the town hall there. He had received a telegram from him stating that the guildhall would accom- modate 700 persons, and that it paid last year 5 per cent, clear on the cost of erection. It was one of the best corporation properties in Car- narvon. Alderman Owen, in the present shape ot the ouestion, had great pleasure in supporting the ouestion, had great pleasure in supporting the motion. Mr Rowland believed the site of the present motion. Mr Rowland believed the site of the present Grammar School might be bought, and said by reason of its central position it would be pne cf the best sites in the town for a. guildhall. Mr Murless did not see that the accommodation talked of was wanted. He looked on the motion as simply an attempt to introduce the thin end of the wedge for the purpose of spending < £ 10,000 or £ 12,000 which was more wanted for widening their streets in order to give accommodation for their immense traffic. The Mayor said his attention was called by the borough magistrates a week ago to the most dis- graceful state of the room above. The water came through the roof in three places, and threatened to do considerable injury to the repairs which had been carried out by the Council. Considering the nature of the accommodation afforded them in that building he did not think they could have a town hall too soon. The motion was carried by a majority of 10 to 2. ATTENDANCE OF MEMBERS. The Town Clerk read the following list of the attendances of the individual members at Council and Committee meetings during the past year :— [Council Meetings. Committees. TI. Councillor K. Lloyd1 (Mayor) la 29 Alderman Beirne ••• J J 1° Joue3 12 27 Beale 11 -*8 Owen 11 21 Councillor Sherratt 11 20 31 J.M.Jones 9 13 Smith 10 17 27 „ J. O. Bury 10 6 16 „ Shone 10 20 30 „ Lewis. 3 7 10 „ Roberts. 11 s 19 „ Rowland H 6 20 „ Murless 13 3 16 „ Ingham. 10 8 J° Williams 81 a 1:' NEW ROADS. Mr Shone moved the following resolution:— « That the Surveyor be requested to examine cer- tain plans which will be submitted to the meeting (by Mr Shone) shewing proposed new roads. and that he report fully upon roads marked A, Al, A2, A3, A4, B, Bl, B2, and C upon such plans. That he mark upon the plans referred to the arrears, and the names of the owners of the lands and buildings which will be required for the making of the roads, together with estimates of the value of the same. That he prepare estimate of the cost of constructing each road separately." He said that at one time he should have scrupled to give such work to the borough surveyor to do; but now they were about to appoint an inspector of nuisances the borough surveyor would have [J, great deal more time on his hands to transact such business as belonged to his profession as a borough engineer. What he (Mr Shone) had drafted out was legitimate work for him to do, work that was done in other towns by the borough engineers. The Council had no one else to apply to for such informa.tion, and it was his duty to look out for such information as he had drafted out. Proceeding to explain the details of the plans he had prepared, Mr Shone said that A applied to Brook-street exclusively, meaning the covering up of the brook and reducing the present irregular width of the roadway to one uniform width of 40 feet, and thereby creating a thousand yards of available valuable building land. Al was a continuation of Afrom Pentrefalin Bridge to Regent- street, the width of the latter new road to be 30ft. He had curtailed that width in consequence of an objection made by Dr Eyton-Jones that it was too near his house by nine feet. By- reducing the width he did away with Dr Eyton-Jones's objection. A 2 would commence at A 1 and runup Brynyffyn- non-hill to Priory-street, and thence into Hope- street opposite Mr Low's new buildings, and there would be a road right through his buildings into Rhosddu. A 3 would lead from A 1 into Hill-street in a direct line with it. A 4 started from the bottom of Pentrefelin-hill by the bridge and would lead to the Bridewell, Penybryn. B was a con- tinuation of A, or Brook-street, leading to Foundry- road and thence on to Tuttle-street into Salop-road. B 2 was the same as B 1, except that B 2 would be a better way to form a connection with the Salop- road, though more expensive; but it would come right out in front of that broad street that led down to the gasworks. C was a street from the end of Eagle-street along the Eagles Meadow to the site of the new Smithfield. In January it was 39'2; February, 16 8; March, 49-0; April, 26'6; May, 23'8; June, 25-o July, 28-l; August, 16-8; September, 25 3 October, li; S; average, 26'7 per thousand. By adopting the cal- culation referred to with respect to Croydon to Wrexham, I arrive at the following results, and I base my calculations upon the population given in the last census, viz 8537. Now 1 see no reason why our death-rate should not be reduced from 27 to 18 per 1000. as it has been done in Croydon, in which case it is clear we should save lives at the rate of 9 per 1000, and if so how would the account stand ? The population of 8,537, multiplied by 9, will give 76,833 as the number saved per annum, and six-tenths would be adults, of whom one-tenth would be infirm from old age, &c., this proportion deducted we still have 41-5 per annum in the full vigour of life saved. The money calculation will therefore work out as follows :— £ s. d. Funerals, 76.8 at £ i> 484 0 0 Cases of sickness, 76'8 by 25—1920 at Zi IV20 0 0 41'3 lives in health and strength at 1;10 10s. sua 10 0 Annual saving 8113 10 0 Messrs Gilbert and Sharpe's contract for executing sewerage works, including out-fall, was £ 6,49(3 9s 2d, and notwithstanding this you have a high death rate, which is mainly owing to this fact, that we as a sanitary authority, neglect to perform our duty: The works executed have done much to keep down the death-rate, but they can be made to do more, and it will certainly behove us now that we have the proper complement of officers to watch our own town, to take heed of these reports from time to time, and to insist upon the perform- ance of sufficient sanitary measures in spite of breeches pocket, or any other opposition which may be raised against us, wherever the want of sanitary measures may be made manifest to us by our officers. I have every confidence in my cause as an advocate for reform in the management of the affairs which belong to our local parliament; I have every confidence that the roads which are de- lineated upon the plans before you will sooner or later be made. The want of them will soon be felt more and more tRe longer you postpone their exe- cution. Look around you; everywhere efforts are being made to improve the sanitary condition of the country. In some places this desideratum is ac- complished by making new streets; in others whole houses are pulled down, and sewerage works are carried on simultaneously. In Birmingham they are about to spend half a million of money in making new streets for the benefit of the poor residents adjacent to those streets. In Liverpool and Glas- gow, fabulous sums of money have been spent with the greatest possible advantage to the communities affected. Parliament has at last become a live to the importance of sanitary matters, and this year the Municipal Loans Act has been passed which will enable us to borrow money at 3} per cent. 2 This we can now do and have 30 years to pay back the principal, terms and conditions which I need hardly say will be a great boon to both large and small towns. If you will kindly support and pass my resolution to-day, I shall at a future meeting propose that the Provincial Insurance Company be respectfully asked if they will take up the money we borrowed from them at 5 per cent.; if they de- cline, then that they be requested to make some abatement in the rate of interest on the balance still owing to them. I shall also take stock of our indebtedness on the Cemetery and other loans, with a view to show to the Council what would be its position pecuniarily, supposing the roads proposed to be made were carried out, after borrowing all our money outside the Provincial contract—from jthe Public Works Loan Commissioners. Mr J. M. Jones seconded the motion, and said believed that a more important question had ver been brought before the Council. He thought L'Y should endeavour to make arrangements with isons on either side of the new roads that they ould give their rights free, or the Council should deavour to purchase them. If that were done ay should develop an immense are of a building id. cl Vlr Bury said as that was his last appearance in Council before the approaching election he 1heel to express his approval of Mr Councillor &ne's work. He was sure he must have been pto au immense amount of trouble, in going tluh all the details. He tlioight he had proved hiase in one respect by opening the roads and teig them have more air in the town, and doing settling also to purify it, and thereby lessening thi?ath-rate, which was now growing to such an alaing pitch. Taking the death-rate returns for thQ,st six months, and comparing them with the dearates of other large towns about them, one eouiiot help feeling that it was really time they bested themselves, and endeavoured to bring abou better state of things. ° ivilione said the medical officer had written to him Ipress him or some other member of the Couno take up the Town Brook question, for his rets passed by unheeded, and being a servant of theorporation it would ill become him to press matter further than he had done, but as he hadfen stated should enteric fever break out in that ghbourhood it would spread very rapidly, and tlumsequenceg would be serious, especially among tpoor. It wadered that the plans submitted by Mr Shone bveferred to the borough surveyor to examine [ report upon. EGERTON-STREET. An ordwas passed, directing that notices in writing brveù on the respective owners or occupiers )reniises abutting on the above steeet requiring to sewer, level, metal, and channel the same 'in one month from the service of each noticed the surveyor was instructed to prepare an mate, plans, sections, and specifica- tions, and iosit the same at the office of the town clerk. APPOINTMEop AS INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES. The next lness was to receive the roport of the General loses Committee as to the applica- tions for the G of inspector of nuisances, and to make the appoJlent_ Out of the large number of applications^ in, the committee had fixed upon eight to Jillmend to the Council for their final selection. e names were as follow :—H. G. Jones, Queen-sfa Rhyl; Charles Sinclair. Birm- ingham; W S. \:js> Birkenhead; David Higgins, mace-bearer; J- ylor. Bradford; Gomer Davies, Wrexham Ed WRHopwood, Mold; and Richard Woosnam, Wrexh. in favour of the last-named a memorial was r(from the inhabitants, bearing amongst other sigires those of Messrs T.C. Jones, T. Eyton-Jones, T.Jones, William Snape, E. M. Jones, Edward Jonc. F. Edisbury, J. Gittens, J. Milligan, Robert P«3j Charles Glascodine, and J. Allmand. Mr Shone proposfche name of one who was well-known to them and who on certain civic occasions was regard^ a public ornament of the town-he need not sa, referred to their unique mace-bearer, Mr Davf £ iggjng_ He was every way qualified to take him this office. His ex- perience with the TOClerk had done wonders for him in preparing boy the appointment now to be made. He had onben a nuisance inspector; and as it happened camto the category of those recommended by the L Government Board as being qualified to carry the duties efficiently, having been a non-consioned officer in the army. The Local Goveent Board considered military training a reccendation for these ap- pointments as it tended make men regular in their habits. He was, never, one of those officers who would be discd by the resolution of the Mayor from the office stage-cart inspector. He was in the prime of ith, also in robust health, which. was a great dratllm in a nuisance inspector. He was sobeld intelligent, and needed no character-theyw him well. The very fact that the Town Clead retained him in his service so long, the very of his appearance before them fortnightly to d-irge so efficiently in the absence of the TOwILrk the duties of Deputy-clerk—all these circtances rendered him eminently qualified to fUjhe duties of the post; and he had great pleasul moving that he be appointed. Alderman Beale seconded ttion. Mr Sherratt thought the Coi ought to con- sider the testimonials of the oth,n<ji\jates there, for instance, of Jones, of Rhyli Hopwood, of Mold. Alderman Beale remarked Higgins, as inspector of slaughter-houses archer's meat, under Mr Gummow and Mr H Davies, gave general satisfaction. He destroYreat deal of bad meat which was burnt in tteast Market. He fully endorsed everything -R Mr Shone had said, and was sure Higgins w do his duty faithfully if appointed. No other candidate was proposed; the motion was then carried unopposed. It was agreed that his salary sh commence from the 1st of November, the appt,ent to be terminable on either side at three zha, notice. TOTB OF THANKS TO A HETIRIN<JtBER> The Mayor noticing that Mr Bury about to leave the room proposed a vote of thanks to him for his straightforward and honourable conduct during the time he had sat at the Council board; and the motion "Was seconded by Alderman Owen. Mr Bnry, in acknowledging the compliment, said that two years bad passed away since he first came among them, and he had tried to conduct himself quietly since he had been among them, and thought he should get away quietly that evening. If. during that time, he had been of any service to the rate- payers he should only be too glad. During that time the cemetery chapels, in which the Mayor had taken great interest, were commenced, and were rapidly approaching completion; the Smithfield had been fixed upon and more than all the decision of the Council had been given in favour of dividing the town into wards, and he trusted that would soon be brought about. When he first entered the Council the baths question was under considera- tion they fixed upon a site, and negotiations were opened with Sir Watkin, but from some cause the matter fell through. The provision of a public recreation ground had also been mooted, and a lot of other things. He trusted that if he returned to the Council he should still find among them the unanimity of feeling which had always kept the Town Council together, and that they would go on doing their duty to the town as he believed they had striven to do up to now. The meeting then broke up.

OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATIONS, WREXHAM CENTRE. DISTRIBUTION OF CERTIFICATES AND PRIZES BY MR G. OSBOHNE MOEGrAN. On Wednesday afternoon, Mr Osborne Morgan, M.P., distributed, at the Public Hall, the certificates and prizes won by candidates of the Wrexham centre at the late Oxford Local Examinations. The Mayor (Mr E. Lloyd) presided and on the plat- form were Mr S. and Mrs Yorke and Captain and Miss Yorke, of Erddig, the Rev. Mr M'Gill, Mr Trevor Parkins, superintending examiner, Mr J. G. Buckton, hon. secretary; Rev. F. B. Brown, Mr J. Pryce-Jones, Mr Allington Hughes, Mr E. Evans, Bronwylfa; Mr LI. Williams, &c. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, the attendance was somewhat smaller than usual on these occasions. The Mayor introduced the proceedings with a brief speech, in which he said it must be to all present a source of much satisfaction to find the young people of our country making such rapid progress in general education; and they were all there that day to show by their presence and in other ways how much they appreciated the labours of those whose work it is to instruct the young. He was proud to meet their worthy representative, Mr Osborne Morgan, as well as those other gentle- men who were present and prepared to speak upon a subject with which they were so familiar, the education of the young in the present day. Ho concluded by calling upon the hon. secretary to read the report. Mr Buckton then read the following :— The number of candidates examined at this centre this year was 85, seven of them being seniors and 28 juniors. Of these, 27-five seniors and 20 juniors—succeeded in obtaining certifi- cates. Among the seniors, two—viz., J. H. Rces and D. W. Owen—did very well in Latin and Greek, both beiug placed within the first 20 in those subjects. Two of the juniors obtained a place in the 1st Honour Division, and live in the 2nd honour Division. It is not necessary to read out the names of the successful candidates, as they will be found upon the lists which have been distributed about the room. In 1872, the first year in which Wrexham became a centre. 19 candidates, or tW p- r cent. of those examined at this centre, obtained certificates. In 1S7.1, 20 candidates, or 69 per cent" succeeded. In 18i' 21 candidates pased, being only 43 per-cent. This year, 25 candidates, or 71 per cent, of t11Oe who were examined, have passed. The average ppr cputage of passes for the whole kingdom this year was 68 per cent., so that this cen re is tlJree per cent, above the average. This has been the case every year but the last, when a very large number of candidates was examined at Wrexham, and a much larger proportion than usual tailed. We notice, also, au improvement in the quality of the work. In 1872, only two candidates obtained a plaeein an Honour Division, both bPing ill the second. In 187ii, tin re were two in the 1st Division, and three in the 2nd Divisiou. In 1874, there were two in the 1st Division, and four in the second. Iu 1875, there arc two in the 1st and five in the 2nd Division. This year, as on a former occasion, one of the chools sup- parting this centre has, with one exception, a larger number of candidates in the Honour Diyisions ilian any other }>1"ITate school in the kingdom, and there were only three other private schools which passed a greater number of candidates. In conclusion, the committee 11."k for subscription towards the expense of prizes and the cost of the public distribution. The fees paid by the candidates cover all the expenses of the examination, but do not provide tor the extra expenses ill prizes, &c., which the cOl1lmitte'e think it wise to incur. lYlr J. AlIiBgton Hughes has undertaken th" collection of money for the prize fund, and any donation or subscription may be made to him. Mr Trevor Parkins considered it his duty to attend on that occasion, because he had acted as superintending examiner for the Wrexham examina- tions since their commencement; and on this occasion when the prizes were to be distributed by their old friend, Mr Osborne Morgan, he was par- ticularly proud to be present. Of course one was glad to have common ground on which he might act with old friends, and that was very much the case on this occasion. The promoters of these examinations might all be congratulated on the presence of Mr O/borne Morgan; for he was him- self a very distinguished scholar at the great university by which these examinations were appointed, and had himself taken, in former years, an active part in its affairs. No one, therefore, could be more qualified than his friend to judge of the effect of these examinations, and of the good they were likely to produce. These examinations had gone on for something like 14 or 15 years, and four years they had gone on at Wrexham and the degree of success attained was alike creditable to the boys examined and to those by whom they had been instructed. During the last three years, the number of candidates had increased very much. In 1874, a change was made ia the preliminary part of the examination, which is that portion of jt, which everybody is obliged to pas, and the subjects of history and geography, which before formed part of the preliminary examination, was placed among the optional subjects. The effect of that was to increase the number of candidates by something like 300. He found in the year 1873 the number examined was only 1589, but in 1874 it rose to 1888. Last year the number did not increase, but was nearly the same, being he believed 1875. But there was one circumstance connected with these numbers that deserved atten- tion, and it was this. They had heard a great deal lately of female education. He found the number of girls examined was very considerably increased (applaase). In 1873 only 101 juniors were examined and 104 seniors, but in 1874, 184 juniors and 150 seniors; while this year the juniors amounted to 225 and the seniors to 182; and, without wearying them with figures, he might say that the proportion of girls who were successful had also increased. This is a fact which is very gratifying, because these examinations were very well suited for girls, and the solid attention they could display was very well tested by these examinations. These examinations were useful in a variety of ways. They were 6briously useful as a test of the instruction given at the different schools; they were useful to parents of children who were hesitating where they should send their children and he thought from what they had heard they might be very well satisfied with the way in which the schools of this neighbourhood are con- ducted. They were useful in the next place to the masters themselves; for it must be a great advan- tage to a master to have some impartial person to give him a fair account of the progress made by his boys. He is able in this way to learn what are 1 he results of his teaching and of those who act under him. They often saw accounts in the papers of examinations that took place at schools where some examiner of the University was a friend ef the master. Now, it was a great advantage that these examinations were conducted by persons who had no connection whatever with the schoolmasters, were perfectly impartial, knowing nothing of the circumstances of the school, and only judging of the work done. Then they were obviously useful to the boys themselves; for it was a great advantage to a boy, however clever he might be, to be pitted against boys taken from a variety of schools. He had seen the manner in which these examinations were conducted, and he believed the arragements made by the committee had been such as to con- tribute to the convenience and comfort of all persons concerned he believed everything had been done to enable the candidates tq do their best, and great credit was due to those gentlemen who had acted on the committee during the last four years (applause). Mr Osborne Morgan next addressed the meeting. He said that before he proceeded to the very agree- able task which had been assigned to him he should like to congratulate his young friends in the gallery, to congratulate their masters and teachers, and indeed to congratulate the whole town of Wrexham, which was itself greatly inter- ested in the proceedings of that day, on the very satisfactory report which had been read to them by their indefatigable secretary, a gentleman whose name he thought he had seen, he might say, con- nected with almost every good work which had ever taken place in Wrexham (applause). It was a satisfactory thing to them to feel that both as regards number and quality they not only held their own, but they were actually advancing. They had been told that the percentage of Wrexham candidates who had passed the test of the local examination was not only greater than before, but thrae per cent. greater than the average of the whole of England and Wales (applause). Well, that was he thought a matter to be proud of, and another matter to be proud of also was that they had in Wrexham a school, the Grove Park School, the representative of which, with characteristic modesty, his friend, Mr Pryce-Jones, had retired unfortunately to the back-ground, but had not been in the back-ground at this examination, for his pupils actually obtained a greater number of passes, and cut a more distinguished figure in this examination than the pupils of any other private school in the kingdom, except one (applause). And before he went further he must be allowed to en- dorse most heartily what was said by his old friend, Mr Trevor Parkins, as to the position which the universities had taken up, and the influence of these examinations upon the universities them- selves. He could not help contrasting the time when he and Mr Parkins were at Oxford together z, —he could not tell them how long ago, but he was afraid it was more than a quarter of a century— with the hold which they have now obtained in the country. In those days they thought they had done their duty if they merely turned out annually a few hundred young men more cr less qualified to fill the so-called learned professions, so tiiat really the only persons who obtained any direct advan- tages from the university system were men who could afford to live on their friends, when other men were earning a competency and thinking to settle down in life. Well, he agreed with him that an entirely new career of usefulness had opened out to the universities, thereby acknowledging the fact that as the mountain would not come to Maho- met, why then Mahomet must come to the moun- tain. He had been for a long time, and still was a great advocate for university examinations. He traced its good effects wherever he looked in the educational progress of the country. A most extra- ordinary improvement had taken place in the last ten years in middle-clasJ education. He spoke feelingly on the subject, because he had received the rudiments of his education at a Welsh Gram- mar School- He could contrast the dull, lifeless, listless way in which they were taught, with no spur whatever except the fear of punishment to urge them on, with the kind of life given to edu- cation in these days. Poor as it was, he main- tained that until very lately the education of the working classes improved to a far greater degree than the education of the class immediately above them, and yet he supposed there never was a time when it was so important that those who had charge of the education of the youth of their middle classes should see that they were not left behind in the great social and educational race going on everywhere around them. Wherever they looked, they saw one class treading on the heels of another; the suns of dukes obliged to go into the wine trade, the aristocracy invading the domain of cimmerce, the working classes treading upon the heels of the middle-classes, social barriers broken down, markets overstocked, professions overflown. Where a man before had to encounter one competitor, now he had to encounter ten. Certainly there never was a timc-he spoke from experience, and he was sure he should be borne out by evtry one present— when it was so exceedingly difficult for the son of a poor gentleman to hold his own in life because, observe, they had not merely to dread competition among themselves; the last few years had raised up rivals in countries where twenty years ago they feared nothing. Travel where they would in Germany, Switzerland, Italy, and they saw a new life, a new awakening, and, of course, with that new aims and objects. Those countries instead of com- ing to our labour market for supplies were actually invading us. Every large town in England, in London, Liverpool, Manchester, from the waiter at a coffee-house to the head clerk in a merchant's office, the German was competing, and competing not unsuccessfully, with the Englishman Now he wanted to know how the middle-class youth of Eng- land and Wales could hold their own in this great struggle if they were not furnished with weapons at least as good as those dealt out to their rivals (applause). Now let him say that one subject had been very much discussed, and one on which various conflicting opinions had been given of late by eminent men: he meant as to the advantage of the study of the-dead languages and mathematics. The old is opposed to the new curriculum. They knew there were many distinguished men, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and Mr Lowe among the rest, who had given their verdict that the study of mathe- matics and the dead languages ought to be tabooed, or superseded in so far as it did not pay. Now he was oidfashioned enough to believe in Latin and mathematics; and on that question they would aLow him to say that he was as good a Conservative as his friend Mr Parkins himself. He did not like to hear of people talk about what pays in educa- tion. Depend upon it in education quick returns meant small profit s. He did not like to hearaboy say, Why should I learn Greek and Latin ? French and German will get me a situation in Liverpool, but Greek and Latin wont get me a situation at all." To such a boy be would say, Don't be so sure of that. The object of these studies is not to give you knowledge, but to enable you to acquire knowledge for yourself (applause). He was glad to be cheered in that sentiment, it showed they were before their age, for allow him to say he aid not know as much when he was their age, but he was happy to say he had found it out since. Depend upon it the study of Greek, Latin, and mathematics strengthened the mind by disciplining it, and when once they had mastered these, they could master other things for themselves. Give him a boy who had learned Greek and Latin, and he ventured to believe that boy would master French and German in one-third or one-half the time of the coy who had not learnt Greek and Latin, As he said before. quick returns meant small profits in education, and the fruit that was longest maturing was the best z, worth having in the end. The object of education was not to cram the mind with facts, but to give the mind elasticity and power to make a sound clear, hard-headed man; and if education did that for them, they might depend upon it to fill their heads with German, French, and all the accom- plishments they could put into it. Keferiug to one other quebtion discussed not long ago by Mr Gladstone, who, speaking on education, said it would be necessary to admit the fact that as time went on it was likely that mental labour would be less and less paid in proportion to manual labour, Mr Morgan commended the advantages of a liberal general education as opposed to a special training for any particular art, tmde, or profession, as it gave a man a more extensive and elevated view, a sort of vantage ground from which he might select his own line in life, instead of still muddling on in a particular profession in which chance or cast, their greatest social enemy, had placed him. The hon. gentleman concluded with a few words of en- couragement to the unsuccessful candidates. Addresses were then given by the Rev Mr M'Gill, Mr Foster, of the Oswestry Grammar School, 'and Mr J. H. Rawlins, after which the distribution of the certificates and prizes was proceeded with as follows, the gold and silver medals being presented to the fortunate recipients by Mrs and Miss Yorke :— I.—MEDALS. J. H. Rees, Oswestry Grammar School, Mayor's Gold Medml, offered to the first senior at the centre. T. W. Evans, Grove Park School, E,-mayor's Silver Medal, offered to the first junior at the centre. II.—COMMITTEE'S PRIZES. Offered to those irhv obtain a place in the First and Second Division,. T. W. Evans, Grove Park School, First Division, Dr Nicholas's Annals of Wales. W, F. Awdry, Oswestry Grammar School, First Division, Macauiay's Assays and History of England. W. J. Alcock, Grove Park School, Second Division, Trench on the Miracles. J. T Burton, Grove Park School, Second Division, Covybeare and Jloirson's Life and Epistles of St. Panl. O. Giles, Oswestry Grammar School, Milton's Poems. D. J. Higgins, Grove Park School, Itie Ingohlsby Legends. J. Stott, Euabon Grammar School, Irench on the Parables. III.—CERTIFICATES. Seniors, with the Title of Associate, in Arts; A, 0, Evans, Oswestry Grammar School. R. P. James, Ruabon Grammar School. D. W. Owen, Oswestry Grammar School. J. H. Rees, Oswestry Grammar School. F. W. W. Sherratt, Grove Park School. JUNIORS. For First and Secoud Divisions see Prise List above. *W.'Asterley, Oswestry Grammar School. F. W. Bere, Oswestry Grammar School. W. Davies, The Academy, Towyn. G. T. Evans, The Academy, Towyn. E. Groom, Grove Park School. J. C. Hellon, Grove Park School. J. E. Humphreys, The Academy, Towyn. H. Hutchinson, Grove Park School. J. Huttou, Grove Park School. J. J. Pratt, Severn House Schooi, Newtown. W. B. Ray, Wrexham Grammar School. J. Sinclair, Oswestry Grammar School. R. Worsley. St. Asaph Grammar School. The names are arranged alphabetically. Mr S. Yorke then moved, and Mr Alderman Owen seconded, a vote of thanks to Mr Osborne Morgan for his kindness in attending that day to distribute the prizes and certificates. Mr Morgan having acknowledged the Tote, moved that the cordial thanks of the meeting be presented to Mra and Miss Yorke for the grace they had imparted to the proceedings by investing the two young gentlemen with their medals. Mr Trevor Parkins seconded the motion, and Mr S. Yorke returned thanks. Mr Foster next moved a vote of thanks to Mr Trevor Parkins for the manner in which h. had represented the University at this centre, and Mr Pryce-Jones seconded the motion. Mr Trevor Parkins having replied, On the motion of the REVO Mr M'Gill, seconded by Mr Allington Hughes, thanks were tendered to *i:«. ti^iSKqei the Mayor and ex-Mayor for their generosity in presenting medals to the most successful candi- dates. A vote of thanks to th? Mayor then brought the proceedings to a close.

STATE OF THE HOUSE. The numbers in the house for the past week were 219 as compared with 210 for the same week last year, and the number of tramps 48.

THE COLLIERS AND TH3 WAGES QUESTION. Last Saturday the notice given by the colliers for an advance in wages, at most of the collieries expired, and the men went out 0:1 strike. In the Kuabon district there seemed a determination to stand out until the 20 per cent. was granted. They brought up their tools, and on Wednesday and Thursday, those employed at the pits of thePiaskynastôn Co., and the New British Iron Co. *;were pa.id off. A meeting was held on Wednesday, at the Hampden Arms, Acrefair, when it was stated that the Black Park Collieries would grant 15 per cent. advance, with a promise of an additional 10 per cent. in a fortnight's time. The Brynkinallt Collieries, we believe, will also make such concessions as will satisfy the men, and an early resumption of work in that district is certain. At a meeting, held on the same day, at Rhos, it was resolved not to wcrk unless an advance of 20 por cent. was granted. On Thursday afternoon, a meeting was held at the Cross Foxes, Pentre Brough- ton, and attended principally by the colliers from Westminster Collieiv. Mr Howard presided. The business was in reference to certain reports of alleged bribes, of £25 each, said to have been received by the men's representatives, Messrs W. Venables, D. Jenkins, and E. Turley. No proof of the report was forthcoming, it being stated that it originated at Rhos. The repre- sentatives offered to meet anyone on the subject, and challenged anyone to bring proof. A delegate froin Coedpoeth stated, at a meeting, on the previous evening, that it was resolved not to go to work unless an advance of 20 per cent. was granted, and the masters sent for their agent, Mr W. Davies. The notice expired at the Brymbo and Broughton Collieries on Friday, and it is believed work will be resumed without the reduction awarded by Sergeant Wheeler. The colliers of Brvnmally have gone in at the reduction. Some of the oilier collieries in the district have made the reduction 7t per cent. There appears to be no organised strike; each colliery taking its own line of action independently of its neighbour.

(BY TELEGRAPH). CORN MARKETS. LIVERPOOL, Friday. The tone of the wheat market to-day has beu dull, and white descriptions were Id per cental lower. Flour unaltere 1; beans firm; oats and barley as last Tuesday. Indian Corn was fully Is per qr. dearer, but the advance checked the inquiry. Mixed American is now 318 6J per 480 Ibs. London, Friday. Wheat closed quietly; but, notwithstanding foreign imports, prices were arm. Birley tending up vards; oats sold at late rates maize firm; beans and jea; quite as dear. Flour unaltered.

BIRTH OF A PRINCESS LONDON, Friday. The Duchess of Edinburgh was safely delivered of a Princess at half-past ten to-day. Both are doing well.

THE BISHOP OF LONDON ON THE PUBLIC WORSHIP REGULATIONS ACT. The Biahop of London in his charge to the clergy at St. Paul's, to-day, believed the Punhc o ihip Regula- tions Act would greatly facilitate t.ie settlement of ecclesiastical dlslmtasJ and tendjto the i e aad S8CU- rity of the Church.

THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF WALES. A Welshman, resident in London, who does not wish is name to mentioned, has just given the munificent sum of j62,500 towards the endowment of a natural science chair at the University College of Wales. Next Sunday collec- tions in aid of tnis fund will be made in all the places of worship throughout the principality; and in the course of the present week a house-to-house canyass for the same object has been made in ail the populous districts of Wales. ? £ ii Vtoioat» tiisi wryx-iJ# u-

■ Tb- Beitch then committed them to take their ] 'rial at the quarter sessions. — Mr Sherratt applied that the prisoner Foulkes night be admitted to bail; but the application was efuse,(I. TtrESDAT.—Before the Mayor, and T. C. Jones, Esq. DRUNKENNESS. Julia Sullivan, Dolgelley. hawker, was charged by P. C. Farmer with having been drunk and incapable on the previous night, in Yorke-street, at a quarter to eleven. P. C. Farmer said about 10-45 he was on duty in Yorke-street, when he came across the defendant, who was lying down helplessly intoxicated, and he had to send for the stretcher to convey her to the bridewell. Discharged on promising to leave the town. WEDNESDAY.—Before T. C. Jones, Esq. SLEEPING IN A BOILER. Patrick Hopkins, Wrexham, labourer, was charged loy p. C. David Griffiths with having been found sleeping in a boiler in Mr Thomas's timber yard near he railway station, at two o'clock that morn- ing. i'he prisoner was the same man who was charged before the bench, on Monday, with sleeping in a cart in Mr Lovatt's yard. He was committed for six weeks with hard labour. THURSDAY.—Before the Mayor (R. Lloyd, Esq). DRUNKENNESS. Elizabeth Barker was charged by P.C. Robert Jones with having been drunk and incapable, in the passage of Caxton Buildings, Hope-street, at half- past twelve that morning.—The woman was cautioned and discharged.