Wrexham Guardian

DENBIGH. The Denbigh Office of the NORTH "WALES GUARDIAN is now at Albert Terrace, Vale-street (nearly opposite the Stat inn-road). All communications addressed either to "The Reporter," or Mr. COTTOM byname will receive immediate attention. The paper is on sale at the shops of Messrs. J. DAVIES and W. A. NOTT, and at the Bookstall at the Station. VANCE.—On Tuesday evening the celebrated nrmic Vance gave a splendid entertainment to a ia. • .• audience in the Assembly Room. LECTURE —On Monday evening, at the Assembly Ro io a tolerablv good audieEce of the gentry of the aistricc, Frederick Helmore, Esq., choir- to His late R.H. Prince Consort; author of "Speakers, Singers, and Stammerers," "Church Choir. The Choristers Instruction Book," &e., &c., delivered a lecture on "The Voice," illustrated by numerous diagrams; a beautiful model of the Larynx; describing the method of producing vocal SOUTHI-I. by Scotch, Irish, Northumbrian, Yorkshire, and orht i- provincial songs and anecdotes. Tonic 8olta system, short readings, and a great variety of atnu-i;);; anti instructive vocal illustrations were in- trotii«ff.-ri. The lecture was much appreciated, and the musical illustrations were excellent. At the close a he.>s y vote of thinks was accorded to the lecturer on t h.. motion of Dr. Tumour, the president of the reading 10012, the committee of which institution had pU:3g-ed the services of Mr. Helmore, and the prefix iu be given to the institution. SPECIAL MEETING OF THE SCHOOL BOARD. FRIDAY.—Present: Mr. J. R. Heaton, chairman; Messrs. J. C. Wynne-Edwards, Ellis Williams (new member), J. Harrison Jones, and Rev. H. Humphreys. FINANCE, &C. MONET WANTED. A report from the Henllan committee as to help to be given to the teachers of the infant school on "sewing days" was received and ordered to be acted upon. The annual financial statement was presented to the Board by the Clerk for their approval, and examined by the Chairman and other members. It will, after being pas- sed by the Auditor, be printed in detail. The year's salaries for tnachers had been £578 18s. 8d. officers, jB62 2s. (jd. The parliamentary grants for education had been .3Hj 5s. 3d., and the net expenditure JL;712 13s. Od. The estimate for the half-year commencing last Sep- tember was presented to the Board. It seemed that there was now £270 due to the treasurer, one quarter's salaries having been paid, but there was JE150 of call made last half-year on the Town Council which had not been paid. The money needed for the period was £713 5s., but to meet that there were estimated grants, &c. of £383, and the Clerk recommended that a call should be made for JE330. In reply to questions, the CLERK said that the call during the corresponding period last year was £500, and that the total call for last year was £650; but the £1.50 was still due. The rate last year was equal to 4id. in the pound it was the year before, 3d. in the pound, but the loan for the new schools took about ld. in the pound or the rate. The CHAIRMAN considered that the call of jE330 for next half-year was too small as it would leave them in debt, and he proposed that the call for the half-year be £400. This was seconded by Mr. J. HARRISON JONES and carried. PROSECUTIONS. The Attendance Officer's report showed much work done during the year. In one instance he caught a lot of boys in Air. Ellis Roberts' garden, and one of the youngsters had about 100 pears in his pockets. Another day he caught two scholars up a tree in Plas Chambers gardens, shaking down the apples, and two or three others busily picking up the fruit. About 20 persons were ordered to be prosecuted for neglecting their children's education. THE RETIREMENT OF MR. E. ELLIS. Mr. Ellis, the retiring master, wrote—" I cannot but feel that I am retiring without having secured the pension. I cannot account that we have not heard the result of your application for it. It is to be decided while I am in charge of the school. I never thought that I should feel it so difficult to retire, though I have been thinking of it three or four years, especially on occasions when I had an attack of illness. It was a Conscientious feeling that I would not continue with the school unless my state of health would allow me to do conscientious work. Now if the pension had been secured, I would be fully prepared to retire, but as it has not been secured I feel a little reluctance. I thank you much for your readiness to do what you can for me to obtain the pension." The CHAIRMAN asked if Mr. Ellis could now refuse to retire, because his letter seemed to express a doubt about his retirement. Had he not resigned ? The CLERK said it was decided by resolution of the Board that he should resign at Christmas next. He would be sure to get his pension, only the Education Department were a little long in dealing with it. THE NEW SCHOOLMASTER. For the office of schoolmaster for Love-lane school, at JB120 yearly, with house, rates, &c., free, there were 172 applications. The CHAIRMAN at once suggested that all the candi- dates under 24 and over 40 years of age should be put on one side, and that was agreed to. The piles of letters were then distributed amongst the members, who looked out the most eligible. There were so many of an excellent character that the Chairman remarked that he* had never seen anything like it, and it was to be regretted that they had not more vacanies to fill up. Numerous applicants offered to teach French, German, Latin, Greek, music and drawing, in addition to the ordinary instruction. As a means of further "cutting them down," it was resolved that only Welshmen be eligible. This considerably reduced the number, though there were still numerous excellent candidates, if not some of the best of the lot. At length the meeting reduced the numbers to the following six :—Messrs. Morris Jones, Llanbrynmair, Montgomeryshire; T. T. Jones, Swan- sea R. O. Williams, Vaynol; Joseph Parry, Carmel, Holywell; Hugh Hughes, Nantley, Penygroes; and D. P. Richards, F.L.S.L., of Llanyngwrion, Merioneth- shire. All the testimonials were read and all were very good, the extracts from their reports shewing that the passes of their pupils were over 94 per cent.. and in one case, that of Mr. Parry, Carmel, some of the passes were 100 per cent, and that gentleman was mentioned in Mr. Morgan Owen's (her Majesty's Inspector) report as the best teacher in his district, and one of his testi- monials was from the inspector. Eventually it was agreed that these six be retained, and that Messrs. Joseph Parry, D. P. Richards, and R. O. Williams, be invited to meet the Board at a special meetinng to be called.

RUTHIN. BOOKSTALL.—"We find that Messrs. W. H. Smith and Co., have opened a stall for the sale of books, papers, and all their pablications, at the station, which will no doubt be a convenience to the dis- trict. The stall is a branch of the Denbigh office, under the charge of Mr. H. R. Williams. MAJOR AND MRS. WEST.—We understand that during the time Mr. Sykes occupies the Castle, Major" and Mrs. West will take up their residence at Llanarmon Tower, in the valley of the Ceiriog, a pretty little residence built by the late Mr. F. R. West, in the castellated style of architecture, and on the Ruthin Castle estate. COUNTY PETTY SESSIONS. The magistrates present were :—Messrs. R. G. Johnson, J. F. Jesse, James Goodrich, and Colonel Leyland, and the following were the only cases for hearing—Anne Kobei'ts^and Ellen Davies fined 2s. 6d. and costs each for cattle straying; John Owen fined 53. and costs for the same offence; Robert Hughes and Evan Evans were fined lB. and costs for riding without reins. SCHOOL BOARD.—At the meeting held on Friday, the Rev. Isaac James in the chair, a letter was read from the Education Department refusing to allow the Board to discontinue a certificated teacher for the Infant Department and place it under the charge of the Rhoe Street master. It was agreed that thf-re should be a re-arrangement of the staff, but the subject was adjourned until the chairman was present. Notices were ordered to be served upon a number of parents neglecting the education of their children.

BROUGHTON. SCHOOL BOARD.—A meeting of this Board was held on Fiiday.'the 31st ult., when there were pre- sent Mr. Clayton (chairman), Miss Hayes, Messrs. Stur^-e, Bott, Peleg Jones, and J. Harrop. Mr. Sturue stated, on behalf of the Broughton Coal Company, that they would supply coal to the schools for the coming twelve months at the same rate as formerly. The offer was accepted. The reports of the teachers were read, but there was nothing of public interest therein. The Clerk was instructed to write to the teachers that they were not to send children home who came without the "fees they were to be admitted, and a list of them given to the attendance officer for him to obtain the fees from the parents in the county court. The report of Mr. J. Parry (the attendance officer) was read, and instruction given him to summon the following parents before the magistrates if there was no improvement in the attendance of the children at school:—Thomas Kelly, Pentre; George jones Bufcherfield, Pentre; Thomas Jonea, mason, Cerney; Samuel Davies, Cerney; William Robin- aon Moss; Henry Guest, Moss; and Thomas Millington,' Moss. William Mills, Bryn Teg, was ordered to be summoned in the county court to re- ] cover the sum of 10s., owing to the Board. This concluded the meeting t

farndon. OPENING OF A COCOA ROOM —A public COJoa has been opened in the principal street, through the kindness of Glbert Parry, E?q., Farndon Hall, who has kindly renovated an old cottage and given it rent free for the above pur- pose. From the attendance of he> younsr men o the neighbourhood, they have* evidently anpre ciated the efforts of the Temperance Committee to furnish them with amusement and comfor for the winter evenings. The basement of the house is devoted to refreshments such as may be obtained in places of this sort, and the clpan and neat, appearance of the tables tnd wails, add much to the comfort of the plac Upstairs, well lighted with g«s are, billiard tables, chess Joards, papers, &e. Mr. and Mrs. E. Ine, who have charge of the place, do everything in their power to make it attractive. We hope it will be as successful as it deserves..

HAWARDEN. PETTY SESSIONS.—At these sessions on Thursday week, twelve colliers in the emnlov of the Ha warden Colliery Company, of which Mr. John Bates Gregory is manager, were summoned for leaving their work without giving a fortnight's notice. Ii, appeared that. they left their work in consequence of a dispute as to the kind of lamp they ought to use. After a long hearing the bench fined them Is. each, and costs. Joseph Hughes and John Hughes, two brothers, were summoned by the guardians of the Ha warden Union for neg'ecting to contribute towards the maintenance of their father, who was in receipt of OU) dwr relief. An order of II". 6i. per week, was made on the first named defendant, and 6d. per week on the otV;<*r. Henry Ward, of Little Mountain, and John Whalley, of Sealand, were summoned by the same guardians for not taking their children for inspection, accord- ing to the provisions of the vaccination act. They were fined 6:1. each and costs. PROPOSED CHORAL SOCIETY.—A meeting held the other evening in the Hxwarden Infant School to consider the desirability of forming a choral society for Hawarden and its neighbourhood. The chair was occupied by Mr. Webb, and among those present were the Hon. and Rev. A. V. Lyttelton, W. H. Gladstone, Esq., Mr. and Miss Bateman, the Misses Fox (Castle Hill). Miss Cooper, Messrs. W. Roberts, T. Bailey, W. Jowitt, &c. After a few introductory remarks the Chair- man moved, "That this meeting deems it. de sirable that a Choral Society should be formed, to be called the Hawarden Choral Society:" This having been carried unanimously, it was also resolved That the management of the society be vested in a president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary, conductor, accompanist, and a committee of four." W. H. Gladstone, Esq., was unanimously elected presidentthe Hon. and Rev. A. V. Lyttel- ton accompanist; Mr. W. A. Jowett, conductor; and Mr. Webb, treasurer and secretary. The meeting was then adjourned till Thursday when the committee was appointed, the terms of subscription fixed, and other matters of detail considered and settled.

HOLT. THE BODY FOUND.—The body of the woman who was missing from Holt some weeks ago, and who escaped from the custody of her friends between Saturday night and Sunday morning, was found near the Weir, Chester, on Wednesday morning. She had on a grey pair of stockings and flannel petticoat. Much sympathy has been felt for her friends by the people of Holt, and every assistance was rendered by en- deavouring to discover her whereabouts by drag- gmg the river and making enquiries. ENTERTAINMENT BY THE MAYOR.—On Wednes- day evening, the Mayor of Holt, Mr. W. Baker, entertained about 100 ladies to tea in the School- room. The Vicar (Rev. T. E. Gray) after tea read some very instructive pieces, which were followed by a reading by Mr. Lester, schoolmaster. Sub sequently those who could join in a dance did so to the strains of a fiddle, which was well played by Mr. W. Edwards. The evening terminated with a vote of thanks to the Mayor for his kindness, to the Vicar for presiding, and also to Mrs. Gray.

HOPE. SCHOOL BOARD.—The usual meeting of this Board was held on Thursday week, at the Clerk's offices, under the presidency of Mr. Wilcock. A letter was read by the Clerk (Mr. J. Oswell Bury) from the Education Department, referring to a census of the children between the ages of five and fourteen years. The Department asked bow many children there were in Caergwrle and Llanfynydd between the ages of three and thirteen. The information was to be supplied when the census of the children by the Board was completed. The attendance officer (Mr. J. D. Griffith), in his report, said there had been an improvement in the schools at Peny- fordd and Bridge End during the past month. The Chairman drew the attention of the Board to the Education Act referring to the attendance of chil dren. The children would be enabled, by making 250 attendances per year, to leave school at the age of ten, no matter which standard they were in. But if they attended private adventure schools, they would not be able to leave school until they were fourteen years of age. It was ordered to have 500 notices printed bearing on them the views of the Chairman. This concluded the meeting.

MOLD. SCHOOL BOARD.—The Rev. Roger Edwards pre- sided at the monthly meeting of this board on Friday. The applications of the mistresses at the Mold and Buckley infant schools for increase of salaries, were again considered. It was agreed to hold a special meeting to consider the whole ques- tion of salaries, and the clerk was instructed to prepare a tabular statement showing the grant earned by each school and the amount of school pence received. A letter was read from Miss Powell's solicitors claiming compensation for the encroachment on her land at the Mold schools. The matter was referred to two members resident in Mold.

NERQUIS. OPENING OF A PARISH READING- ROOM.—A public meeting was held on Friday evening, November 7th, at the National School, to celebrate the opening of a Parish Reading Room, J. Thompson, Boughton Hall, Chester, in the chair. Tne following is the programme:—Glee "Rescue the perishing," by glee party address by the Chairman on the advantages of self-culture, temperance, and thrift among the working classes dialogue, The two glasses," H. Speakman and Charles Roberts chorus, Loudly proclaim," Nerquis Church choir; address on temperance by Mr. Rees, secretary of the Church Temperance Society; Welsh glee, 0 dowch i'r mynyddoedd," Nerquis Church choir; dialogue, Wanted a young man", D. Jones and party; glee, Saf yn gryf", glee party; address by Rev. T. H. Lloyd, vicar of the parish anthem, Y mae gorphwysfa," glee party; glee II Give me the wings of faith", glee party. The addresses were very eloquent and interesting, and the singing was very good throughout, and after a hearty vote of thanks to the Chairman and singing the national anthem all separated having enjoyed a very pleasant evening.

PENTRE. THE LATE EXPLOSION.—ADJOURNED INQUEST. On Tuesday last, the adjourned inquest was held at the Cross Keys, before B. H. Thelwall, Esq., coroner, on the bodies of John Kelly, storekeeper, aged 20, and Margaret Catherine Parry, aged 16, who were killed in the late explosion at the Pentre. Mr. James was fore- man of the jury. There were also present—Major Ford (Government Inspector of Explosives), Deputy Chief Constable Wilde, and Mr. Acton, who appeared for Mrs. Howard, the tenant of the house which had been demolished. John Kelly, father of the deceased youth, was called first. He stated that he was a collier, working at Cae- pen-ty. Deceased, his son, was storekeeper for Mrs. Howard. On the 30th ult., the day of the explosion, he saw deceased about six o'clock in witness's house, which was next door to Mrs. Howard's. He did not see him afterwards, until he saw him a corpse. He did not know where he was, or what he was doing that night. He used to buy powder from Mrs. Howard, in quantities of about 4 lbs. He always got the powder for the store- room, which was by the Moss works. It was a general shop. He always had the powder in cartridges except the last 4 lbs., which he carried home in two linen bags jf the makers', each containing 2 Ibs.. He swore he lever had any powder from the dwelling-house of Mn. Howard. By Major Ford: He knew that men were in the labit of getting powder from Mrs. Howard, but they were sent to the store at the Moss for it. He had never seen men buy powder at the house, nor have any powder from there at all. His son never told him what his business was. By Mr. Acton His son was a very steady young man. He hid 4s. per week, but did nothing else tut help Mrs. Howard. He managed the stores at the Moss for her. These stores were only opened for a short time each day. The last cartridges were of Curtis and Harvey's manufacture, not home-made ones, but the last 4 Ibs. of powder he made into cartridges himself down th" pit. By Major Ford The reason he got the powder and made his own cartridges was that some of the men were grumbling about the size of the manufactured cartridges, which were not suitable for all kinds of work. He did not know that Mrs. Howard had exhausted her stock of Curtis and Harvey's cartridges. Br the Foreman He did not order any powder or cartridges from his son when he saw him before the explosion. By Major Ford Remembered the explosion, which took place about ten minutes to ten. He did not know how it occurred, but he had never seen his son make cartridges in the house. Miss Julia Anne Pierce, daughter of Mr. William Pierce, Wrexham, stated she had been lodging with Mrs. Howard since last Christmas. She was away from the house on the day of this explosion, being at her school instead of going home to her tea, until a few minutes after ten. She had never seen any cartridges in the house, but had seen some empty cases there. She had never seen anyone come for them. By Major Ford She occupied the parlour and a bed- room over the kitchen. She had seen some cases which she believed to be filled with powder. These were p-aced in a box and taken from the house it was in the same week as the explosion. These were being packed in the kitchen. She believed it was on the Wednesday previous. The box in which they were packed was a wooden one. Deceased Kelly was packing them. There was a tire and a light of some sort in the room at the time. Mrs. Howard and Margaret C. Parry (deceased) were present. Margaret C. Parry was a niece of Mrs. Howard, and was living for a short time with her. She did not apprehend there was any danger. She had seen cases being made both by Mrs. Howard, the de- ceased Kelly, and a little girl named Maria E. Roberts, daughter of Mr. Seth Roberts. She had not seen them filled. The cases Were not made so frequent of late as formerly. She had seen some made several times since June last. By Mr. Acton She had never seen powder in the house. She would not swear that the cartridges being placed in the box were filled ones. Thomas Kelly, uncle of deceased Kelly, stated that he was a collier, working at Cae-pen-ty. He saw his deceased nephew on the day of the explosion. He came to witness's house about a quarter to six. They had no conversation about powder, nor about what time he would finish his work. By Major Ford He did not know what his nephew was doin: at Mrs. Howard's house. He had had powder from the store at Moss. It was in manufacturer's bags, and he made the cartridges in the pit. Mr. Joseph Barker, accountant, and Wm. Barker, deposed to purchasing powder at the house. William Davies, blacksmith, Cerney, stated that he went to the scene of the explosion a little before ten. He did not see any powder removed from the ruins. There were a great many people there. He helped to find the bodies. He was present when they were found. They were quite dead. He saw a live dog in the ruins. Edward Ellis, Kings Mills, owner of the house stated on the day of the explosion he was with a carpenter doing some repairs at the house. Mrs. Howard was there. He saw John Kelly and a young girl, now dead, there. He saw Kelly bring a box to the house. It appeared to be heavy, but he could not tell whether it was gunpowder or not. Superintendent Wilde, who examined him, said "he came to see me on Wednesday, and told me that the box contained powder." This witness now contradicted. Coroner Was your house insured ? Witness: Insured? No. By Major Ford He did not talk to Kelly nor to the girl. Mrs. Howard had occupied the house for two years, and knew she traded in powder. By Mr. Acton He dxl not know what was in the box in question, neither did he look into it. The Coroner asked if the carpenter, who was working with witness, could be got. Witness If you get him he will say nothing. Witness, in answer to the court, said the joiner's name was John Roberts, but he did not know where he lived. Major Ford It seems to me that this man, instead of trying to assist this court, is trying to do all he can to hinder it in its work. A Juror: He told me outside, a few minutes ago, a very straightforward tale about his interview with Mr. Wilde. Mr. Wilde said Ellis had come voluntarily to him, and told him that the box contained powder. P.C. Henshaw said the same thing. Major Ford asked the witness if there were any marks on the box ? Witness: No, I cannot say that there were. If there were it would be just the same to me, for I cannot read. Superintendent Wilde was called by Major Ford, and stated that the house occupied by Mrs. Howard was not registered under the Explosives' Act. By the Coroner She had a store at Moss licensed under division B of the Act, which would allow of l,0001bs. being kept. She had also been registered for the sale of powder, which would allow of oOlbs. being kept for sale. Mr. Ellis was recalled by the coroner, and asked "Did you see the box, mentioned in your evidence taken into the house." Witness: It was not my business to watch it. Deceased might have called in the house with the box on his way to the Moss to rest himself, or to have some bread and butter. Mary Howard, who appeared to be in a very weak state, and who was accommodated with a chair, stated she was tenant of the house which was blown up. She was in the house at the time. She was in the kitchen, in which room no one else was. The two deceased were in the parlour. She had been out during the evening, and was only in the house about ten minutes when the explosion took place. She sat near the tire in the kitchen, and in a few minutes saw a flash in the parlour, which was followed by a noise like thunder, after which she remembered no more. Kelly was her store- keeper, and she considered him a steady, upright man. Sometimes he would bring a little powder to the housej l but it was never left inside. She had never cautioned him about making cartridges in the house, for he never did so. She would not have allowed him to do so. She remembered seeing William Barker come for some powder. Her house was not insured, nor had she pro- mised anything to her landlord. By Major Ford The explosion took place in Miss Pierce's room. By Mr. Acton Sometimes Kelly, on his way to the store used to call for his meals. If he had any powder in his hand, he would have placed it in the coal-house Major Arthur Ford, of the Royal Artillery, stated that he was Government Inspector of Explosives, and had been directed by the Secretary of State to hold an inquiry under sec. 66 of the Act. He also visited the place where the explosion occurred. He had little doubt, from the appearance of the parlour, that the ex- plosion was one of gunpowder, and took place in that room. It would be difficult to fix the amount of powder, but 25 lbs. would probably have caused the damage. It might have been more or less it depended very much whether or not the powder was confined. It would be very difficult for powder contained in a box, such as it is generally packed in, to ignite. He was of opinion that there must have been some loose powder in the room. As to the cause of the explosion he ex- pressed no opinion, but there was a fire and a candle, either of which would have ignited the explosive. From the appearance of the room the powder must have been ignited on the left hand side of the fire place. If Mrs Howard had registered her house under the Act she would be entitled to carry on the sale of powder there just as well as at the store, at the Moss, and the registration could have been de- manded as a matter of right on sending a notice in proper form to the Clerk to the Magistrates, together with a fee of one shilling, then she would have been entitled to keep 501bs. in her house for sale. But she would have been required to keep it in a proper manner, and she would not be allowed to break the bulk of the packages exceeding lib. And if she had used it for private use she would have been allowed to keep 301bs. on the premises, if she did not keep any other explosives. But neither license nor registration would permit the manufacture of cartridges. The Coroner having summed up the evidence, The Jury, after a brief consultation, returned the following verdictThat John Kelly and Margaret Catherine Parry were killed by the explosion of gun- powder on October 30, 1879, on unlicensed premises, but how or by whom the explosive was brought on the premises there was no evidence to show, nor how the explosive was ignited." They also added that the man- ner in which some of the witnesses gave their evidence was exceedingly unsatisfactory. The Foreman stated that the jury wished, through him, to thank Major Ford for the information he had given them, and also for his kindness. The Coroner also endorsed the remarks of the jury with regard to Major Ford's courtesy.

RUABON. 2ND D.R.V.—All members of the corps are requested to parade at the N itional Schoolroom, on Saturday. November 22od, at 4.30 p.m., to be measured, by Messrs. Prater and Co., for helmets and scarlet uniform. Members will wear shakoes and waist belts, but no cross belts or pouches. Candidates for the vacant post of lance-corporal must give their names to Captain Roberts or Sergt.- Major Phoenix, on or before Saturday, November 22nd. SCHOOL BOARD. A meeting of this Board was held on Tuesday after- noon last. There were present Mr. G. Thomson (chairman), Mr. Gomer Roberts (vice-chairman), and Messrs J. C. Edwards and J. Doxey. MISCELLANEOUS. Mr. Denbigh Jones (temporary attendance officer for Rhos district) reported that the attendance had in- creased during the last two months by 124. Mr. Pritchard, of the Cefn district, reported that he had visited the parents of 229 irregular attendants, and he was glad to be able to inform them that a slight improvement had been made upon the previous month. He attributed the bad general attendance to the glean- ing and potatoe rising seasons, and also to sickness. He was sorry to say that the arrears of school fees had in- creased this month by £14 8s. 6d., swelling the total. amount to £267 15s. lOd. ] An application from the Baptist Church, Rhos, asking < for the use of the Ponkey Board School until they could « build. place of worship, was adjourned for a fortnight. t INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Mr. T. Morgan Owen reported as follows on the Acrefair Board School. The inspection was made at the end of last month. Boys' School.-Tone and order could be somewbat improved. The siugiiitf was good. In part of tbe first standard there wa much weakness the other part of this standard and a1;-o th, spel'ing of the third standard and the arithmetic of the fifih and sixth standards were all fair. *The rest of the standard work was about cood. There was some show of character in the paper but the writing should be larger and rounder and the figures larger and bolder. Girls' School.—The specimen needlework was good, and much of tint done in my pres nce was a great improvi me- t u ou hat of last examination. The singing WAS good. The gir1s worked honestly, but the discipline could be firmer. As rgards standard work, the reading was good throughout; the spelling, except that of the third standard, was also good. The arithmetic was weak; much attention should be given to this subject. Infant School.—This school has improved since the last ex- amination. '1.he first class was good in intelligence and pretty good in all other thing?. The second class was good in both form and colour, pretty g-ood in intelligence, fair in arite"ic, Œodemtely fair in reading; their writing needs more attention. Tne third class was pretty good in writing and in form, fair in intelligence their letters, colour, and tables should receive additional care. Both sinking and exercises wpre good. I was much pleased with the evidence of kindness on the part of the mistress towards the little ones. I fully anticipate furthH improvement during I he course of th-' })re,enr, school year. The needlework done in my presence was barely a pass. My Lords will look for better arithmetic in the girls' school Ilcxt year. The scholar, numbered 48 on the infants' examination schedule, having been retuined last year as over six, was db- qualified by age from further presentation under article 19 (B) 1. M. Griffith and H. Jones have passed fairly, but Griffith should attend to II istory and Jones to grammar. The amount of grant was £12G 4s., being a little higher than the last. A SCHEME FOR SAVING £306 A YEAR. Mr. Gomer Roberts brought forward a scheme for re-arranging the schools, by which he said a saving of £306 per annum could be effected. He said the reason he had brought this subject forward was because of the very heavy item of salaries, which amounted to £1 GOO 11s. Id. The question occurred to him whether they could not do something to lessen this sum. He would propose "That the Board Schools be re-arranged, so far as the boys and girls' school are concerned, thus (1) that the services of the head mistress be dispensed with in the girls' schools; (2) that assistant teachers be employed at half the saiary, instead of the mistresses; (3) that the two departments (boys and girls) be placed under the management of the head master." If his proposal was adopted they would save £306 per annum. In regard to the Rhos and Cefn schools he proposed to re-arrange them as follows :—The first and second standards be mixed together in the girls' school, under an assistant teacher that the boys and. girls from third standard upwards be mixed, under the master, and that both departments be under the supervision of the master. In regard to the other schools he suggested that they be mixed schools, as the number of children were not so large as in the other schools. The whole of the children may be easily managed in one school. He had con- sidered two or three systems, and he found that by any of them they would save about £300 per annum. The present scheme he had considered on all sides, and he saw no insurmountable difficulties to its adoption. Mr. Gomer Roberts had prepared a table showing the advantages gained by a re-arrange- ment of the schools. In the Cefn school, the salaries at present stood as follows Boys' school, £172 10s. girls' £130; total, £310 10s. He proposed that the master receive a salary of J6120, and that the number he teach be 50; that there be an assistant teacher at JE40, who should teach 60; three pupil teachers at £60 who should teach 90 two monitors at £10, who should teach 30; making a total of 230 children, and total amount of salaries, £230, against £310 10s. at present, thus showing a decrease of £80 10s. A similar plan would be adopted in the Rhos school, with a saving of £94. In the Ponkey school there would be a master, an assistant, and two monitors, with a saving of £65. In the Acrefair, a master, an assistant, and one pupil teacher would be required, thus saving jS66 10s. In the two latter schools, the whole of the children would be put in one building, and by thus closing the other two buildings they would save a total of £30, making a total save of £30G per annum. The number of children for teaching allotted to each was much below the num- ber allowed by the Education Department. In the discussion which followed, it was suggested by the CHAIRMAN to adopt the plan at one school first, but eventually it was decided to adopt the plan of Mr. Roberts, and ask the sanction of the Education Depart- ment to apply it to the schools. PRECEPT. A precept of £500 was made (equal to 3d. in the pound). The last precept was for £1,400 (equal to tlid. in the pound). The reason of the precept being so small this half was owing to the Government grants being due. CEFN INFANT SCHOOL TEACHER. A number of applications were received for the position of mistress at this school, but the acceptance of any was adjourned for a fortnight.

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ANNUAL TOWN COUNCIL MEETINGS. ELECTION OF MAYORS. WREXHAM. A quarterly meeting of the Council was held in the Council Chamber on Tuesday last. The Mayor (Mr- Isaac Shone) presided, and all the aldermen and coun- cillors were present, viz., Aldermen Beale, Smith, Lloyd, and Owpn; and Councillors John Jones, J. Oswell Bury, Walter Jones, George Bradley, T. Row- land, W. Samuel, John Williams, J. F. Edisbury, W. Sherratt, C. Huxley, Richard Jones, and Frederick Jones. Mr. John James conducted the business as clerk, Mr. Thomas Bury assisting. Several of the outside public were present at the former part of the meeting, amongst whom were Mr. Coleman, Mr. Garratt- Jones, Rev. J. Bentley, &c. ELECTION OF MAYOR—CLOSE CONTEST. The TOWN CLERK: Mr. Mayor, the first business is the election of Mayor for the ensuing year. I may just say, before you proceed, that I have received several 1 letters in regard to the qualifications of some of the members of this Council. As the Act of Parliament distinctly expresses that the first business must be the election of Mayor, I think it woud be better to post- pone these letters until the Mayor is elected. Aldermen OWEN said he had great pleasure in pro- posing for the successor to the office, Mr. Alderman Edward Smith, a gentleman who had been amongst them for ma ay years and whose father had established his family amongst them fifty years before. He had, on several occasions, been named for the mayoralty, but he had withdrawn for reasons best known to him- self, and he had also given way for the benefit of others. He had to thank him on his own behalf, and he may say that on the last occasion, on the election of their present Chairman, in order to make things pleasant, he again gave way so that the election may be unanimous. He thought that with that unanimous vote the Council recorded their appreciation of Mr. Shone, and he was happy to say that, so far as he had observed, he had always fulfilled the duties of the office with great dignity and with great satisfaction. He need not eulogise Mr. Smith, because he was well known to them. He held the necessary qualifications, the house he lived in being his own freehold, and he was, besides, a large ratepayer. He had been in the Council for a number of years, and it was thought on previous occasions, that his time was come to take the honours of the chair, but, until the present moment, for reasons he had already indicated, he had declined to accept it. He believed he would fill the office with the same dignity and the same good will as Mr. Shone had during his year of office. He would not enlarge on Mr. Smith's qualifications for the post, for he was quite sure they all knew his business habits, his gentle- manly deportment, and from what they had already seen of him in the Council they could judge that he would not fail to do the work put upon him as Mayor of the town. He was quite sure he would fill the office with dignity, and with respect to himself and to the satisfaction of the town. He had heard his name men- tioned very frequently in passing through the town. Of course remarks were made about such matters, and he had been asked Who is to be the Mayor ?" In all cases he had avoided mentioning names, but, he may say that, without exception, the name of Mr. Smith had been put forward by the townspeople as being the proper person to be placed in the chair upon this occasion. Of course there were other gentlemen named. He wished to say nothing to deprecate them. The names mentioned were of those highly qualified, and he did not wish to say one word against them, but he did think the time had come for putting Mr. Alderman Smith in the chair. The other three aldermen had taken that position, he had not, and he did hope that upon this occasion they would make things pleasant and put Mr. Smith in the chair by an unanimous vote. Alderman BEALE I have much pleasure in seconding the motion. Alderman LLOYD said he had very great pleasure in bringing before their notice the name of another gentle- man, who was as well qualified to fill the office as was Alderman Smith. He had not a word to say against Mr. Smith, and he was sure no one would be more pleased to see him in the chair than he would be when the time came. He thought Mr. Smith could afford to wait a year or two yet, because his seat was perfectly safe, whilst others, perhaps, were not so safe, which had been proved to them on the first of the month. The name he was going to propose to them was that of a gentleman who would occupy the chair with honour and credit to the town, it was the name of his friend Mr. Councillor George Bradley. That Mr. Bradley had not served the town for such a length of time as Mr. Smith, he admitted, but let them look at what Mr. Bradley had done during the time he had been in the Council. He had attended more meetings than any others in the Council. The moment he was elected to the Council he took upon himself to do some business, aud he had done it. He at once pushed on the im- provement of the town with regard to the footpaths and the streets. This business had been before them for something like ten years, and a number of ratepayers in the town and strangers had complained to the Council of the footpaths, which were a disgrace to the town. Mr. Bradley had taken the footpaths in hand, and he was happy to say that he had been so far successful that the work was now going on, and if he was elected Mayor he hoped to see everything complete. Mr. Bradley was quite a business man. He had taken part in everything brought before the Council, and he did not take it as too much trouble to assist in every possible way he could. One reason why be should like to see Mr. Bradley in the chair was because he would not leave a stone unturned to carry out the improvements they now had before them, such as the new streets, &c. He need not say much more about him because he was so well known to all the members of the Council. He had very much pleasure in moving that Mr. Bradley occupy the chair, and he hoped he would be elected unanimously as Mayor for the ensuing year. Mr. EDISBURY said he should be happy in seeing both gentlemen nominated occupy the chair if such were possible. They were both old friends of his, and he felt with the old adage, "How happy I should be with either were t'other dear charmer away." He thought, however, that there was much in what Alderman Lloyd had said in favour of Mr. Bradley, and he therefore had much pleasure in seconding his nomination for the chair. He had been told outside that politics ought to influence his vote, but he should be very sorry if ever politics were made to influence them in municipal matters. (Hear, hear). Mr. JOHN WILLIAMS said he rose to support the nomination of Mr. Alderman Smith. He fully endorsed all that Alderman Lloyd had said in regard to Mr. Bradley, but he thought that had Mr. Bradley succeeded in carrying out the improvements he would have more right to sit in the chair. If justice was to be meted out that day they would put Alderman Smith in the chair, for he quite deserved the honour for the ensuing year. Mr. JOHN JONES How long has he been in the Council ? Alderman BEALE Eight years. Mr. JOHN JONES said he would offer a few remarks in the shape of criticism rather than anything else. He remembered the time when every candidate who came out for a seat in the Council always took great care to tell them what property he had. He thought that kind of thing was now done away with, and that they would never hear any more about it. He therefore regretted to hear that day that one of the qualifications of Alder- man Smith consisted in the property he owned. If any person held a seat on that Council he had a riyrht to be Mayor, and he, therefore, begged to disclaim that sort of argument, and hoped they would hear no more about it. How he was going to vote they would see presently. In regard to what was heard outside, it struck him that As the bell tinks the fool thinks." He had heard outside that Mr. Bradley was to be Mayor, and, according to that, then they ought to vote in that direction. Alderman OWEN then rose. Mr. JOHN JONES You have spoken. Alderman OWEN I am going to reply- Mr. JOHN JONES You have no right to reply. Alderman OWEN proceeded, amidst interruption (principally by Mr. John Jones), to say that he went on the grounds that a man who was a large ratepayer was more likely to look after the ratepayers' pocket than any other person would be. Mr. JOHN JONES (to Alderman Owen): I don't think you pay many rates. (Shame, shame, and Order). Alderman OWEN said that Alderman Lloyd- Mr. JOHN JONES You are out of order. Alderman OWEN (continuing) said he did not know what Alderman Lloyd meant by saying that others 1 were "safe." If a man had done his duty in the Council he was safe to come back. The MAYOR (interrupting) Allow me to say Alderman OWEN proceeded, but it was impossible to hear what he said. Mr. WALTER JONES Is this right? Mr. JOHN JONES Everyone will have a right to reply if VOICES Vote, vote. The MAYOR said he was sorry that Mr. Alderman Owen did not allow him to ask if anyone had any re- marks to make to the meeting. If not he would have allowed him to reply to anything that had been said, but in his hurry he would not allow him to act up to his-post. As chairman, Alderman Owen had made remarks which wounded his feelings. He said that if a gentleman did i his duty in the Council he may be sure of coming back. Now he begged to say most emphatically that, he had endeavoured to do his duty—(hear, hear)—and. he was not coming back again. (Laughter). Alderman OWEN here rose again. The MAYOR Will you allow me to say Alderman OWEN But The MAYOR Allow me to speak. Alderman OWEN But you don't understand what I said. The MAYOR: Allow me. You have just said what wounded my feelings. Alderman OWEN I am very sorry. The MAYOR I shall have no. other opportunity of speaking here, and I wish to say that I ii&ve done my duty. (Hear. hear). I wish also to say that I endorse- what has been said about Alderman Smiths I wish to say that most emphatically. I wish to say also that, I regret very much that I am not in a position to-day to record my vote in favour of Mr. Alderman Smith- I don't mean to vote against him because he does. not come up to the description given of him by Mr. Alderman Owen, b ut when I came tÐ- the Council: I did not come here to vote for persons, bat I came into the Council to transact the business of the Council—what I thought conscien1 tiously was the business of the-Council, and I wish to sink persons together. (Hear, bear). I wish to say that, if I vote against Alderman Smith, as I shall do, it is because I do not look upon him as a gentleman wh o, in my opinion, is calculated to further those project's, those suggestions and improvements, which I haT Ie assiduously and sincerely endeavoured to carry ovtt sinee I have been a member of this Council. I vote for measures, not men. I say emphatica1 Jy that in my humble, opinion. Mr. Bradley is the man calculated, above all others present-without any insinuation—fo carry out those measures, for which, allow me to remind you, I b dieve I was elected your chairman this time last year. Up to last year, I had been working comparatively in vain. I had bven instrumental in creating public opinion for town improvements, and the result of my labour was that the Council was unanimt us in opinion that the time had arrived when those public improvements should be carried out, and I believe—had it not bee' for some paltry legal technicality—the improvement > would have been effected. That was a kind of thin; d over which I had no control, but I want you to under- stand, gentlemen, that it has been a very didicult task for the members of this Council to carry out improve- ments calculated to be of good permanently. Alderman BEALE: May I open this window, Mr. Mavor ? The TOWN CLERK I have no objection to this door being open, if Mr. Rowland don't object. Mr. ROWLAND Oh, let us get it over. The MAYOR I was saying, gentlemen- Mr. ROWLAND What you are saying is quite foreign to the subject. VOICES Chair, chair, chair. Mr. ROWLAND Chair is not always infallible. Our business is to elect a mayor, and not to talk about any business. The MAYOR I am sorry that you, as one of the newest comers, should object to the retiring Mayor- who has been treated, as some believe, very badly—that you should attempt to prevent him from making any observations he wishes. I am not one of those who are going to vote against my friend Mr. Smi'h without giving good reasons for voting against him. I was going to observe, when I was interrupted about this ventilation-and I do hope if ever I come h'eie again we shall meet in a better chamber than this one-I was going to observe that you know very well that it has been a very difficult task for anyone in the town of Wrexham, whatever may be his politics, or sincerity of purpose, to come into this chamber and deliberately set ihimself to work to carry out any particular project of improvement, and therefore I hold with great satisfac- tion the introduction into this Council Chamber of a gentleman who will work so assiduously as Mr. Bradley has to carry out what he considers to be most important town improvements. No one will deny that he has exerted himself in carrying out what he con- ceives to be most important improvements. Ever since I have resided in this town our local papers have every week, contained letters complaining of the foot- paths of the town. This sort of thing would go on for ever if someone did not work assiduously to do some- thing in the matter. Since Mr. Bradley has been here he has thrown into the deliberations of the Council an element that has resulted in more work than has re- sulted from the whole tenure of Mr. Alderman Smith's term. I mean to say that in the three years he has been here, the Council has done more work than it has ever done previously in the matter of remedying the crying evil of the footpaths. He has done more in three years than the whole Council has done previously. If he is elected to occupy this seat, I should have greater faith, greater hope that what I have done has not been done in vain. I want you to understand by that that I have laboured for some years to carry out certain works, and I am just on the eve of accomplishing this when my term of office expires I appeal to my constituency, and they turn me out. The only legacy I have to leave behind me is that of putting Mr. Bradley in the chair, and I think that if he was elected the work I have undertaken would be taken care of and carried out. I think after all one has done, that I am entitled to make these few observations. I do not make these observa- tions offensively to Alderman Smith, and he must never understand them to be so, for they are not meant to be such. He has the honour of being an alderman. He has four years yet to serve, and I declare, upon my honour that if Mr. Smith should go from the Council without being made mayor, I should greatly regret such. He has an opportunity yet, but with my friend Mr. Bradley it is very different. After a reference to Mr. Bradley as editor of the Wrexham Advertiser, he con- tinued And Mr. Bradley has done more than any other man in this assembly to create public opinion in favour of important local works. If he does fill this chair, it has been suggested that he would use the position pre- judicially to the other party. The same was said when he was proposed to fill the office of councillor, but it would be very difficult to find any grounds upon which to bring such a charge against him. I shall hold Mr. Alderman Smith in the same respect as I have always held him. If he is not elected to-day, I sincerely hope the time will soon come when he is elected. With these observations, I beg to say that I support Mr. Bradley's candidature. The TOWN CLERK Perhaps I had better take the votes. Alderman OWEN said before the votes were taken he wished to ask a question or two. He did not wish to say anything against Mr. Bradley, but there werj two or three things which ought to be corrected. Mr J OHN J ONES Question, question. Alderman OWEN, continuing, said that in the first place, with regard to the remarks of the Mayor, he had no intention of hurting his feelings in the slightest degree. He was merely answering what was said by one as to the safety of Mr. Bradley's seat. He did not one as to the safety of Mr. Bradley's seat. He did not mean them as any offensive remarks. He begged therefore, that the Mayor would accept this as a with- drawal of any remarks which may have applied to him in the matter. Then, in regard to the attendance at committees, he wished it to be understood- Mr. JOHN JONES Won't this come more pertinently when the committees come before us ? Alderman OWEN: No, No. Mr. JOHN JONES This will last for ever if everyone replies. Mr. SHERRATT I think Mr. Owen is in perfect order. Mr. JOHN JONES: I say he is not. Mr. SHERRATT: I think the Town Clerk should settle it. Mr. JOHN JONES: Well, I appeal to him. The CLERK I think he is out of order, decidedly. Alderman OWEN What I wish to say is this—- Mr. JOHN JONES The Clerk says you are out of order. Alderman OWEN, amidst much interruption proceeded to say that there were 16 members—four Aldermen and 12 Councillors. That being so, the voting must come from those who are in the Council. The CLERK The Mayor is in the Council. Alderman OWEN That is so, but is he a member for all purposes ? The CLERK There is not a word said about it in the Act. Alderman OWEN He is not a member for all pur- poses. The CLERK Yes, for all purposes. Alderman OWEN I give notice that if he does exercise his casting vote it will be opposed. The CLERK then quoted a case and the Acts in favour of his ruling and also an article in the Justice of Peace which had been written in answer to a query on the matter by some one in Wrexham. He said the article quite coincided with his own opinion on the matter. Alderman OWEN Mr. Town Clerk, is the Mayor a Councillor ? Mr. JOHN JONES That is not the question. The TOWN CLERK Yes, he is a Councillor. Alderman OWEN: I say he is only a presiding officer. Mr. JOHN JONES said he thought it indecorous to argue the matter with the Town Clerk. The MAYOR Moreover the case Mr. James has quoted is the only one on record to which you can appeal. Alderman OWEN: I give distinct notice The MAYOR Mr. Alderman Owen 1 Mr. JOHN JONES You have given us notice once. The CLERK then proceeded to take the votes as follows For Alderman Smith: For lIIr. Bradley: 1 Alderman Beale 1 The Mavor 2 Alderman Smith 2 Mr. J. Oswell Bury 3 Mr. Sherratt 3 Mr. Walter Jones 4 Mr. Richard Jones 4 Mr. W. E. Samuel 5 Mr. Huxley 5 Mr. J. F. Edisbury 6 Mr. Fred. Jones 6 Mr. Geo. Bradley 7 Mr. J. Williams J 7 Alderman Lloyd 8 Mr. T. Rowland 3 Mr. John Jones 9 Alderman Owen The MAYOR consequently declared Alderman SmLIi elected, amidst acclamation. &om the members on the right hand side of the table. The CLERK then administered the oath, and Mr. Shone transferred the chainj of office to his shoulders, after which the two heartily shook hands. Having taken the chair, the new MAYOR begged to return his warmest thanks for the great honour they had placed upon him in electing him Chief Magistrate of that rising and improving town. It was an honour any man may be proud of, and he could assure them that he did feel proud of the honour, and sincerely trusted that notwithstanding: what had taken place that day, and that two names had, been put forward for the office, no ill-feeling would, be engendered. (Hear, hear). He should have the same desire hitherto as he had had previously to work. in harmony and good-will and with strict impartiality to other members of the Council. He hoped, from what, the Ex-Mayor had said, that it would not be inferred that he was opposed to improvements of the town. He was as anxious as anyone to see them carried oat at the proper? time. They could not be blind. to the fact that there had been a great cry out about depression and about heavy rates, and, therefore, it occurred to him that the projected im- provements should be delayed until a more opportune time. Instead of being opposed to them, he was as much. in favour of them as anyone. He was not going to lay down a programme, because it was qaite imp,- sible for any individual.member to carry snehA out, bu 1 any subject which came before them for discussion he was, quite sure would receive at their hands that con- sideration which it deserved, and that they would be all actuated by one desire to serve the interests.of the town in whatever way they could, and if all the improvements were carried out, as economically as possible, he was sure the ratepayers would not object to what they did there. He need say no more now, but he would again thank them most cordially for the compliment and honour he had been paid that day. As; he before stated,. he sincerely hoped that not the slightest, ill-feeling would exist as the result of anything which had taken, place that day.. (Hear, hear). Mr. BRADLEY said, perhaps the Mayor would allow- him to offer him his most cordial congratulations on his in- vestment is that chair. Their municipal institutions were both ancient and honourable, and although Wrex- ham was but a young Corporation, he believed it was as honourable to occupy the mayoral chair as any other position they could attain to, and he thought it was a worthy object for a man to strive for. He congratulated Mr. Smith on attaining to that position. He did not wish to say one word as to the fact of his being ip com- petition with him. It was. a matter where one was in the hands of their party.. He would say that they had known each other for many years, and had in many capacities worked together harmoniously, and he s trusted they would do so in the future. Whilst he pursued the policy he had past enunciated frcugi that cnair he would find no warmer supporter than himself. In re- gard to what, had. been said of himseM. he opuli only sag-