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MAYORAL BANQUET AT WELSHPOOL.

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MAYORAL BANQUET AT WELSHPOOL. INTERESTING PROCEEDINGS. On Thursday evening a large number of gentle- men accepted the hospitality of the new Mayor (Mr. Charles E. Howell), and sat down to dinner at the Royal Oak Hotel. The repast reflected the greatest credit upon Mr. and Mrs. Richards, being of the most recherche description, as will be seen from the following Alrvr "& Turtle Soup. Jardiniere Soup. Turbot and Lobster Sauce. Fillets of Sole. Oyster Patties. Kidneys, Teal Cutlets and Tomato Sauce. Roast Beef. Saddle of Mutton. Turkev and Sausages. Boiled Fowl and Tongue. Pheasants. Wild Ducks. P-pserved Ginger Pudding. Sir Watkin Pudding. Damson Tarts. Wine Jellies. Blanc Mange. Almond Cheese Cakes, &c. Soft Roes on Toast. Macaroni Cheese. Pine?, Grapes, Apples, Pears, Filberts, &c. The esteemed host occupied the chair, and the TI'e-chair was filled by Mr. Ellis 0. Jonjs (ex-Mayor). There were also presnt :-1 Col. Huddleston, Captain D. H. Mvtton, Rev D. G. Davis (vicar), Rev J. Roberts, Messrs J. C. Hilton, J M. Howell, T. Simpson Jones, Ihos. Pryce, T. J. Hounsfield, R. W. Hughes, R. J. Edwards, G. D. Harrison, W. A. Rogers, W. Forrester Addie, W. K.ers M. Powell, T. Morris, G. A. Hutchins, F. E. =\'U,;wn, J. H. Anderson, J. Hickman, A. Watkin, T. S. Prvce, Edward Jones, E. M. Jones, F. R. ,.IL"tt Janic-s Gill, LI. H. Twentyman, C. Myttou, 'i u. Morris, D. P. Owen, D. Wall, P. Barrett, E. l.. J jiies, H. Hawkswortn, J. n. Rider, 31. fc.vans, „. rryce'jones, W. Jones, C. T. Pugh, S. Sayce, W. 1' Hole, G. E. Da vies, S. J. Russell, H. Handy, F. W. Davies, T. M. Price, R. P. Jones, j.i iitrt Jones, C. Galloway, W. Farmer, C. P. Lirsle 'y, Wilfred H. Jones, D. Richards J. Fortune, (,. Snook, A. E. Breeze (overseer) H. Smith, E. L vvden, &e. :11(' C II AIRMAN submitted the toast of "The ( ;i' and iu so doing observed that her charity beuevolence shone with brighter lustre than a ■ !;e jewels in her crown (loud cheers). I'i.t; MAYOR also gave "The Prince and Pt •.icss of Wales, and other members of the 1, t Family," after which, ELLIS O. JONES (Ex-Mayor), in a suitable i-jh, gave the toast of "The Army and Navy ji-i Auxiliary Forces," coupling with it the names of Col. Huddleston and Dr. Gill. Col. HUDDLESTON replied in a humorous speech on behalf of the Army and Navy, and Jr. GILL, in the interests of the Auxiliary Forces, said that much more was expected of them now than formerly. Captain M YTTOX said the toast which had been entrusted to him was that of the Bishop and Cu'gy of the Diocese, and Ministers of all Denominations." It was one which he knew they would gppreciale, because in all their joys and sorrows they needed the ministrations of the clergy. They ail agreed that the present Bishop of st. Asaph was a very hard working man, and had en- deared himself to the clergy and laity of the diocese. He must have a great many enemies sometimes, because he rushed into print, maybe, rather too soon. At all events he had composed a book, in which he had set forth the work of the Church in and it was an extraordinary fact to show tbeui that the Bishops and Clergy, and he might say tbe laity also, had done a great deal of work during the last fifty years. The number of clergy, the Bishop said, had been doubled, and there had been no less a sum of money than £ 3,000,000 sPe^t on church building; there had been restoied 1,2-8 churches in 1,080 parishes: L 1,000,000 spent on the national schools, and consequently the school attendance had been doubled. 4750,000 were given to other charitable institutions. Therefore the Church ha i a great record, and the book would, consequently, be at a great premium. On the other hiuui they would have noticed the letter written in The Time*, shewing the premium that a Noncon- formist minister set upon his sermons. He (the speaker) alluded to the correspondence which had take [,.ace with regard to Dr. ilarker- (laughter) then by shewing that he was a great preacher, as his ser he now complained, were being borrowed Without his authority (renewed laughter). Not- withstanding all the work the Church had done, a traveller and himself bad gone through the whole of this country; there was hardly a hamlet through- out he country where some chapel had not been est;, -sued. Of course it was a melancholy fact th., i, cc,uriari discord should be amongst them, but the N- mist, unfurl the same standard against vice, imiu ra.ity, and infidelity they will have accomplished a great work if they all worked unitoii together as ministers of all denominations (loud applause). A great deal might be done to allay this sectarian discord if every meml e of the different creeds made up his miml 11 do something to allay it. It could be done when tiiey found men ready to hold out the right hand f friendship. Then they might hope to have brigh •r and happier days. He was alive to the factiiiut in this town they all appreciated the ser- vices rendered by the vicar of this parish(applause). He thought even those who were not of the same persuasion as the vicar thought that a great deal had been done in this town to promote that wish he had just spoken about. He must congratulate them in Weislipool upon the establishment of that Church- house, which, he thought, was a great improve- ment and had done a great deal for the good of the tovk" (applause). He begged to couple with the tot sl t:ie health of Rev. Grimaldi Davis, the vicar of this parish (hear, hear). The (CAR, in reply, said in the name of the Bishop and Clergy of this diocese, and he hoped he might also add of the ministers of all denomina- tions, Ll begged to thank them most sincerely for the compliment they bad paid in drinking their health. It reminded him of a tale of the lady who was asked whether she liked High Church, Low Church, or Broad Church, and whose reply was that sht did not care much so long as it kept the Church warm (laughter). It was indeed to him most phasing to meet them in this room at this festive gathering, and he hoped, so long as he was in Welshpool, the Mayor would do him the honour of welcoming him, and he would be able to respond t ) the kind invitation. It was their duty to sym- pathise, as far as possible, with those who were in trouble, and at the same time it was their privilege to meet from time to time and take part in the social happiness of their fellow-beings, and to do all they could to bring them together. He was exceedingly glad that the Mayor had kindly asked Captain Mytton to propose this toast. He took a keen interest in the Church and was also an active worker not only did he confine himself to the parish of Guilsfield, but he also came to Welsh- pool, being always ready to further the cause and advance the happiness and welfare of his fellow men in this borough (applause). He had referred to the very great vitality of the Church in Wales at thi- present time. He would not detain them by giving them any particulars, but what had already been said showed beyond all doubt, so far as visible proof went, that the Church was very much alive, and he hoped they would go forward as Christian men teuchmg the truth in love, and doinc the best for their fellow beings, in torty years, more than £ 48,000,000 had been spent on Church buildings alone, and they could imagine what enormous sums had been spent in the matter of education and in pastoral work. As some of the leading Nonconformist men in London had said, one of the most remarkable features of the present age was the revival now going on in the Church of England, and he was very glad indeed that the laity was taking an important part in this great work. It was their duty as clergy to do all they could to enhance the temporal and social happiness of those among whom they lived and there were none more happy to do this than the clerery of the parish. He had always en- deavoured to do what he could for everyone in this parish, irrespective of their creed (hear, hear). He was much obliged to Captain Mytton for kindly proposing the toast in such eloquent words, and to those present for the kind way in which they had received them (applause). Dr GILL followed, and in giving the toast of the Lord Lieutenant and the County Magistrates," observed that Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, the Lord Lieutenant and Her Majesty's representative in county, was well known to most of them from itis annual visit to Welshpool with the Mont- gomery shire Yeomanry Cavalry, therefore it needed no words from him to commend him to them (hear, hear). He was a man of the greatest energy and determination, who did his best to carry through anvtHn" he undertook. He was most impartial and itist in making all appointments and in carrying out the other duties of his high oflice, and had the°interests of the county at heart. His military duties were most ably earned out, and everyor^ felt it a pleasure to serve under him. He was sure that if the Yeomanry Brigade met at Welshpool for training next year Sir Watkin, would do his best to promote the interests of the town and county in connection with it. As a landlord he stood second to none (applause). Mr. J. C. HILTON (whose name was linked with the toast) replied on behalf of the lord lieutenant, etc. He said he had very great pleasure in re- sponding to the toast so ably proposed by the doctor. There was no doubt that the county magistrates fulfilled their duties with very great credit. No doubt, of late years, the jurisdiction once enjoyed by them had been to some extent cur- tailed, their work having been delegated to the County Council, but there remained for them the judicial work, and that he took to be of very great importance (hea-, hear). It was the fountain head of all law and justice in this country (applause). Dr. HAWKS WORTH next rose to give the "Borough Magistrates," which he did in an amus- ing speech. He said it wa3 an important toast, in- asmuch as it referred to an important subject, and upon which a great deal depended. They were all sufficiently conscious of the arduous duties which they had to perform, and the able and reliable way in which they had performed those duties-duties which were always onerous and always difficult (hear, hear). But whatever difficuties the borough magistrates might have to encounter in the admini- stration of justice, they might rest assured that in their hands justice would always be tempered-with mercy (applause). What an important thing it was that their borough magistrates should keep in good health, especially from a business point of view, because on the morning after the Mayor's banquet, if the presiding magistrates' mental vision was a little deranged a prisoner might be sure of having a warm time of it (laughter). He was not suggest- in* for a moment that such things would happen in their borough but they might in a less tem- perate zone (renewed laughter). In connection with the toast he begged to couple the name of Mr. D P Owen, who had been a magistrate for more than 20 years, and it was as long ago as 1872 that he occupied the proud position of chief magistrate of this borough. Mr. D. P. OWEN said that as the oldest member present of the Borough Bench he begged to thank those present on behalf of himself and the other Welshpool magistrates. The "Town and Trade" was proposed by Alderman G. D. HARRISON, who said that it was a toast which, by its very character, must receive a hearty welcome at the hands of every one sitting around that table, because they were all interested in the town and trade of Welshpool. His memory carried him back to a good many years, and brought to his mind the recollection of many facts which were matters of interesting history. Im- provements in the town had been a marked feature indeed and every successive year and every suc- cessive mayor had brought forward some scheme for the amelioration of those under his control and for the improvement of the borough (hear, hear.) So far back as 1848 and 1849, at the time when the lamented father of their host that evening occu- pied the position of chief magistrate, the town was visited bv the dreadful cholera when the attention of the Town Council as the sanitary authority was directed to the improvement of the sanitary works from that time to the present they would see that the sanitary condition of the town had been an important feature in the municipal management, and large works had been carried out in the town (applause.) Other works for the im- provement of the town had taken place, reflecting great credit upon those who preceded them in the Corporation. Having referred to the Shropshire Canal, Mr. Harrison said he wished the town and trade were enjoying a better state of things than now prevailed, but unfortunately they were sufier- ingfrom the same depression in trade which affected the whole country. He hoped a better state of things would soon prevail. With the toast he had much pleasure in coupling the name of Mr. John Sayce. Mr. SAYCE would likeuto nave returned tnanks under better circumstances, with the knowledge that the trade of the town was in a more flourishing condition than it was at the present time. He hoped the gentry would continue to tender them the assistance which they did in days gone by. Mr. MAURICE JONES said he had been asked to propose the health of their Mayor (hear, hear, and applause). It was a very pleasing duty to propose the toast, and it was also very pleasing to them to be able to respond to it (applause) There was no man better fitted for the post than Mr. Charles Howell-(applause)-and all he could say was good health to the Mayor (loud cheering). But something more was due from them to his Worship the Mayor in passing that toast, when considering the claims which he and his family had to the respect and esteem of the town of Welshpool, lie heard that day that their Mayor might call himself a, townsman among townsmen (applause). Given a few more years—something like six or seven—they might say that in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries—and he hoped in the next century, too-he would be able to say there was no family more respected than Mr. Charles Howell's (hear, hear). He was exceed- ingly obliged to Mr. Harrison for having led up to the subject. They all knew that Mr. How-ell s es- teemed father came there as a young man about the year 1833. In 1840 he was a member of a large firm of solicitors carrying on a very extensive practice in this and the adjoining counties, and when 1848 came he was elected Mayor of Welsh- pool. He was not only elected in that year but also again in 1860, 1861, and 1863, and it was dur- ing these three years that those great beneficent works were done to which Mr. Harrison bad alluded, namely, the sewerage, the waterworks and the Smithfield—by which the inhabitants ot this town had greatly benefitited (hear, hear). They could hardly talk of drinking the Mayor's health without thinking of the late Mr. Abiaham Howell, who, in 1874, had the great compliment paid him of being placed on the Commission of the Peace for this county which duty he performed with unvarying kindness and attention (applause), tor 19 years he enjoyed that office, and after having led a most useful, laborious, and industrious life & ,£. Ç, passed away at the good oia aQt VL v f leaving a family of three sons and four daughters, all of whom, he was' happy to say, had lived to survive him, and by whom his memory would always be cherished (loud and continued applause.) He had alluded to 1874 when Mr. Howell was made a magistrate for the county. Many present would doubtless remember that in 1875 -Air. IIc.ell presented that handsome badge and chain, which so well become his son at the head of the table (hear, hear), to the town of Welshpool, and many would recollect the persons present on that occa- sion-some of whom had unfortunately gone bc-vond the strife and turmoil of municipal life, whilst there were many left, some of whom were now amongst them. But he might mention that the first Mayor of Welshpool—Mr. Corrie, of Dysserth—was present, and he could sux-creiy wish that Mr. Corrie, upon whose shoulders the chain was then placed, had been there that even- ing to see it upon Mr. Charles Howell's shoulders (loud cheers). There were particular circumstances connected with his election to office. Theie was perfect unanimity on the part of the Council, and a happy concord on the part of the inhabitants of the town, and a more popular act was never done than by electing Mr. Charles Howell to the office (applause). It was very pleasing to think that he never sought it and never asked for it (hear, hear). He had not by«anv act of his own tried to put himself in the position which a person generally elected to the office usually did—by becoming him- seif a member of the Town Council. It was also rignt to say that until the passing of the last Munici- pal Corporations Act no one could have been elected to the office of mayor unless he happened to be a member of the Council. The new clause was in- troduced by the influence of the late Earl of 1 owis in the House of Lords, and he was glad to know that the powers thus given should be hrst exercised in Welshpool in room of their worthy Mayor (hear, hear). Personally, one did not like to say as much to a face as he would behind his back, but he said it without fear of contradiction that no one who had known Mr. Howell during the whole of his life knew a more kindly, more generous, or more genial person in the town of Welshpool than him, and this was well known to every man, woman, and child in the place (ap- plause). He felt sure they would all concur with him in expressing their gratification that he should have been elected in the manner he was, and he hoped this would not be the last occasion when he would fulfil the office he now occupied (hear, hear). On behalf of his many friends present, and those at a distance, he trusted that the Mayor might have a year of municipal tranquility and municipal pros- perity (applause). But whether it was one or both, or come weal or come woe, they gave the Mayor their fullest assurance that in and out of office he would carry with him their good feelings and best wishes, as well as their best assurance that that chain and badge, the gift of so excellent a father, would never be sullied or tarnished whilst upon the shoulders of so good a son (loud cheering). The toast was received with enthusiasm, and For he's a jolly good fellow" was heartily sung. The MAYOR, on rising to reply, was received with ringing cheers. He said that many a time during his professional career, when he had to fight a case in a court of jaw, he felt he had a good case to reply to. He felt extremely obliged to his friend, Mr. Maurice Jones, for the kind way in which he had given this toast, bnt on this occasion he thought Mr. Jones had entirely taken his breath away, and that now he felt he had a very poor case in hand, and was thoroughly puzzled as to the best way to answer it. Mr. Jones had kindly referred to what had been done by his late father in the Borough, and he (the speaker) was sure that he could take no credit to himself for holding the office he now held. He felt that from his earliest infancy he had been connected with the sanitary arrangements of the town, and which Mr. Harrison had referred to, but he (the Mayor) had not yet done anything to lessen the rates of Welshpool. Owing to the respon- sibility of minding his own business he never felt that he could ask for the position which he had now attained to. The office of mayor certainly en- tailed an amount of work, and had certain duties connected with it, but it also had its pleasures, and lie must say that not the least was in meeting them —his friends-around that table. He had no pro- gramme to put before them, but he and his family had a great affection for the town, and it was a source of great satisfaction to know that that af- fection had not been thrown away (applause.) He and his family would be most happy to do what they could for the welfare of the town and neigh- bourhood. There was one thing which he did not mention on the 9th of November, because he did not know whether it was a suitable time to r-fer to it, or touch upon it as a matter of munici- pal Goyernment, or more as a matter of private charity. The town of Shrewsbury, as well as New- town, had their hospitals, whilst they in Welshpool might be said to be a little behind the age in not having a cottage hospital. Although he could not well refer to it on the day of his election he was pleased to do so now (applause). It would prove a great benefit to this town to have a cottage hospi- tal so built to be used in case of accidents, instead of having to send their cases to Xewtown and Shrewsbury for treatment, as they now had to do. If he or any member of his family could de any- thing towards that object they would be most delighted so to do, and he believed he would get the co-operation of everyone in Welshpoot (hear, hear, and applause). He was very wishful to attend strict- ly to business during his year of office (hear, hear). He had the pleasure after the Council meeting that day of meeting a gentleman whose family was once one of thEFoldst in the borough of Welshpool, and whose grandfather was one of thope who occupied a high position before the alteration in the law. He referred to Mr: Edmunds (applause). When they left the Council Chamber that morning he had the pleasure of meeting him, and who said he was prepared to give them a clock (cheers). That, gentlemen, was one of the rewards for attending to the business of the Corporation (hear, hear). He was pleased to see Mr. Edmunds there that even- ing. In conclusion his worship thanked those present very much for the kind way in which they had drank his health, and before they proceeded any further he begged to propose Mr Edmunds' health (applause). He might mention that the old clock was presented by Mr Edmunds' great great uncle a hundred years ago, and it had worked so faithfully for that period that they could not expect it to go any longer (applause). He had now great pleasure in presenting the parchment lately found in the old clock to Mr.,Edmunds, but before he took it away he would like the Town Clerk to read it. Mr. JONES (the Town Clerk) kindly acceded to the request, the document fully setting forth that the clock was presented to the Corporation by the late Mr. Edmunds. Mr. EDMUNDS suitably returned thanks, and in the course of the evening said he would be pleased to give £ 25 towards the purchase of the new clock (cheers). The MAYOR, on behalf of the Council, offered their best thanks to Mr. Edmunds for his kind. ness. Mr. 1EARSLEY, in a brief but interesting speech, gave The Members of the Corporation, Past and Present," which was cordially received. Alderman ROGERS, in replying, paid allusion to the proposed division of the borough boundaries which he disapproved of, saying it was his inten- tion to argue fur the borough's rights, and would not have its interests affected by the County Councilor any other body. Mr. MORRIS aleo replied in the interests of the past members of the Corporation. The toast of the Town Clerk and Borough Officials was proposed by Alderman T. R. MORRIS in complimentary terms. The TOWN CLERK (Mr. E. Jones), in respond- ing to the toast, said he was much obliged to Alderman Morris-for the kind manner in which he had alluded to his services,and said that the duties attaching to the office of Town Clerk were becom- ing of a very multifarious character in consequeuce mainly of the liberal way. in which the Legislators at St. Stephens were showering down upon them Acts of Parliamentsome of very little use. One of the last Acts, however, affected the borough materially, and he referred to the Local Govern- ment Act, 1894, commenly called the Parish Councils Act, by which the Rural Parishes had Local Self Government extended to them, and by which the County Council sought to reduce the limits of their Ancient Borough which had existed in its present area for six centuries and upwards, which, too, if carried out, would affect materially the con- stitution of the Borough. Their ancient charters were granted, and the limits of the Borough much extended by them, in consequence of the fidelity of the burgesses to the king of the time during the rebellion of Owen Glendwr, shewing thereby that their Borough had always bem a loyal one. By this charter it was ordained that the burgesses might arrest all thieves, murdeiers, and malefactors found committing offences in the Borough, and what would have been the offence of hunting the boundaries but the first mentioned. They, the burgesses, were empowered after arrest, to lodge the offenders in prison, and have them afterwards adjudged for their offences. It often occurred to him that had the Ex-Mayor and Alderman Rogers been alive in those days, probably they would have arrested some of the County Council for interfering with the boundaries (laughter). But puttiIJg all joking aside he thought the present Corporation were quite equal to protesting their rights and privileges. Mr. Snook would probably answer for himself, and as to Mr. Basnett, he believed that official was out collecting rates, which showed that he was doing his duty (ap- plause). The Health of the New Members was sub- mitted by the TOWN CLERK in a suitable manner. Mr. FORRESTER ADDIE, in reply, said he had been so taken by surprise that he did not feel at all able to reply in terms so adequate as he would wish. In joining the Corporation he did so with feelings that anything he could render was in the welfare of those who lived in the borough of Welshpool; which he would always be willing to do (applause). He could not, like his Worship the Mayor, say that he had been born and bred in Welshpool, but, he could honestly say that since he had come to re- side in the town his interests had always been in it (hear, hear). Now he had had the honour of being elected a member of the Corporation lie could only promise to do his best to promote the interests and welfare of the town generally (applause). Mr. PUGH also replied. His desiie was to do all he could to benefit the interests of the town. He had no other idea when he came forward as a candidate for municipal honours, and he would do the best he could (hear, hear). The toast of The Ladies," proposed by the CHAIRMAN, and acknowledged bv Mr. SIMPSON JONES, M.A., and Mr. TWENTYMAN, concluded the programme, and the company dispersed, one and all having spent a thoroughly enjoyable evening. It should be mentioned that capital songs were kindly contributed during the evening by Mr. Wilfred Jones and Mr. Rider.

^— KERRY.

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