The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

ABERYSTWYTH. TOWN COUNCIL.—TUESDAY. Present: Councillor D C Roberts (Mayor), Coun- cillor J Jenkins, (ex-Mayor), Aldermen David Roberts, Peter Jones, and T Doughton; Councillors R Peake, T E Salmon, G C Marks, C M Williams, J Hopkins, R Doughton, J Jenkins, and J P Thomas, with Mr A J Hughes, town clerk; Mr C Massey, deputy and Mr Rees Jones, surveyor. ONCE AGAIN! When the minutes of the last meeting had been read over Councillor Williams raised a point as to omission from the terms of ouncillor Hopkins' lease of the period in which repairs were to be carried out.Coutieillor T E Salmon Poor Hop kins'lease again !—The Mayor said the omission had been made good.—The minutes were then passed. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter from M" J () Edwards with reference to the renting of a portion of the Flats for a football ground was referred to the Finance Committee.— A letter from Mr Harrv Collins asking the Council to renew his application for next season was re- ferred to the General Purposes Committee. Messrs Studt Sons wrote asking the Council to grant them the use of the Smithfield for 96 6s was re- ferred to the Markets Committee with power to act. THE RENEWAL OF LEASES. A letter was read from Mr Biekerstaff (Messrs Morton A Co.—" Dick's") Qsking about the renewal of the lease of a shop in Terrace road. Application was made as far back as last May, and no replv coming to hand a further letter was sent in August of this year, but nothing had been heard of the matter. Other applications sent in at a later date had been granted.—Councillor Salmon: Has it been considered by the Finance Committee? -Councillor C M Williams replud that the application was placed on the agenda in June last, but no tiacing of the ground having been sent in tiotl irig could be done by the Finance Committee. The members of that committee he added were always anxious to do what was fair. Since last November 65 or 70 applications had been dealt with.-Alderman Dough- ton demanded to know if it was not customary for applicants to receive a reply in writing when they sent in an application for a renewal. If not how were the applicants to know what had been done with their letters. If it was not, the custom he was ready to move a resolution that it should be dor:e in all future cases.-Tiie Mayor said there was a resolution and the Town Clerk did now write.—Alderman Doughton then demanded to know if it was understood by the ratepayers generally that a tracing had to be sent in with every application Councillor Williams said that this was so.-Alderman Doughton then went on to refer to Mr Gibson's application for a renewal. I He had seen in that gentleman's paper repeatedly a statement to the effect that he had not yet received a reply to his application for a renewal. Had any reply been sent? -The Mayor: I can answer that. No.—Alderman Doughton Well, why cannot he have a reply the same as any other man?—Councillor Williams; What is the resolution on the books ? —Alderman Doughton contended that the decision of the Council had never been communicated to Mr Gi bf;on.- Alderman Williams contended that all resolutions on the books dealing with this leasa were cancelled at the time application waa made to the Local Government Board.—Coun- cillor Peako: No, certainly not!—The Mayor: No, they were iiot.Councillor Williams repeated that the resolutions were cmcelled —Csnncillor Marks: What are we discussing; are we discussing Mr Gibson's lease ?-Al,lermat) Doughton: Xo; but any applicant who applies for a lease. I say a reply ought to go; otherwise it is not business.— Councillor Salmon asked if Mr Bickersfaff had been informed that it was necessary to send a tracing.— The Town Clerk promised to let him know.—■ Councillor Williams said that, if the public did not know they should apply. Some people made a mountain out of a mole hill. -Councillor Peake I certainlv do not agree with the remark of Coun- cillor Williams that the conditions were can- celled -Councillor Williams Yes, ev >rv conditio". Councillor Peake They only remained in abeyance pending the decision of the Local Government Board.—Councillor Williams: The resolution will speak for itself.—Alderman Jones thought that Mr Gibson was entitled to a reply. If the Council had refused the application then thev ought to say so. A's a matter of business a reply ought to he sent.—Councillor Williams thought that the resolu- tion passed by the Council would he sufficient. Alderman Jones did not think so. He had applied for a renewal and if they would not grant it then they should say so and whv. He proposed that the matter go before the Finance Committee and that they be requested to send in a report by next meeting of the Council.—Councillor Salmon I second it.—Councillor Peake And that an intima- tion be sent to Mr Gibson and Mr Bickertstaff that it is necessarv to send a tracing of the ground pinn.-Coiincillor Thomas asked that Mr Davies, of 13, Thespian street, should be included with the others—This was agreed to and the proposal carried. COUNCILLOR HOPKINS SCORES! Before proceeding with the agenda Councillor Hopkins asked to be allowed to menMon one matter. He noticed that a new paper containing a report of the last Council meeting reported Councillor Williams as followsCouncillor Williams pro- tested against granting a lease to Councillor Hopkins on the ground that it robbed the rate- pavers of C60 a year. Cnu n oil lor R Dougi ton £ 60 a year! — Councillor Hopkins: T want an answer from Mr Williams if it, is correct or not. I don't want to make a speech.—Councillor R Doughton: Does it say £ 60 a year ? (lau,-bter).- The Mivor said that he could allow no discussion. Councilior Hopkins had asked a question and he would allow Councillor Williams to answer it.- Councillor Williams said that the report in the paper was very much condensed. What he said was That in his opinion they were robbing the ratepayers of L60. SO DOES COUNCILLOR WILLIAMS. Councillor Williams said that at the tast meeting Alderman Doughton declared that the proposal to construct the corporation offices was carried by one vote, -but the exact state of thin was that the resolution was carried by seven to three.— Alderman Doughton That's not mnch (laughter). It was taken out of the current rates instead of having a loan and that was my grievance.-Tht- Mayor: Order, order. THE FIRE BRIGADE. Councillor T E Salmon moved the report of the Fire Brigade Committee which recommended the purchasing of a new length of hose valued at JE54 12M.—The report was adopted. THHI PROPOSED WIXTER GARDENS. Councillor R Peake asked permission to refer back that portion of the Finance Committee's report dealing with the granting of a piece of land to Dr T D Harries for the purpose of constructing a boating lake and winter gardens. He would prefer that a meeting of the whole Council should sit.-Councillor Williams seconded and it was carried.-Councillor Salmon hoped that no time would be lost.-Alderman Jonos pointed out that they could not grant a lease for a longer period than 31 years unless buildings were to be erected on the land. Another point was the fact that the erection of an embankment on the south side would send a volume of water across to the north side of the river. These matters needed their serious consideration. Personally the construction of a lake had occurred to him, but it would be brought about by the diversion of a river.-It was agreed to have a meeting of the whole Council so soon as the Surveyor returns from the Blackpool health congress. SCHOOL BOARD PRECEPT. The Council ordered the payment of 1400 to the School Board, which was the amount of the precept issued by that Board. COURTS AND ALLEYS. The Surveyor reported that the plans and neces- sary particulars for paving the courts and alleys of the town were nearly completed and he now laid a. section before the Council. This would cost £ 200. —The matter will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting. PRIVATE STREETS ACT In reply to Councillor Williams, the Town Clerk said he hoped to <lave ready by next week the advertisement respecting putting the Private Streets Act into operation. FUTURE APPLICANTS. The Town Clerk asked the Press to make known that in future all applications for renewals of leases t4hotild be sent in writiug to him in the first place when they could be put on the agenda and there would be a record of them at the office. THE CONSTITUTION HI LI, LICENCE. — SOME PLAIN- SPEAKING. Councillor C M Williams then moved the follow- ing resolution which stood on the agenda That this Council, firmly believing that the granting of a licence for the sale of intoxicating liquors at Con- stir,ution Hill will be injurious to the beat interests of the town of Aberystwyth and will 'seriously tend to endanger its reputation as a desirable educa- tional centre, prays the magistrates for the division of Lower Geneu'rglyn not to grant the same." He regretted very mnch that the occasion had again arisen that that resolution should be placed on the agetida for he hoped after the refusal by the Llan- badaru Bench in 1897 that they would have heard no more. Many of them were in hopes that the very strong feeling shown throughout the town and district against the granting of the licence would have been sufficient for the Company, and the reasons for refusing the licence were even greater now thar. then. On the first occasion a petition was signed throughout the town practically by every ra-epaypr.-Cotincillor Peake: No, no.-Councillor Williams aaie; he bad no feeling against theCompany for he believed it would be more in their interest than anything eise. He believed the majority of the townspeople felt that the granting of the licence would be injurious to the best interests of Aber- ystwyth as a health resort. They knew very well that the hill was not quite the place where a licensed building should be, and this was the opinion of those who believed in licences. When the Company anpLed for the licence for the new ■>otel there was no opposition and that was proof that there was no feeling against the Company. H- sincerely hoped that the Llanbadarn Bench of Magistrates would not grant the licence. It would be also an injury to the College. They weie well aware that students were sent there on account of the hie-h moral state of the town (laughter) — Councillor R Doughton seconded and argued that the new houses at the foo- of the hill would depreciate in value if a liceief- was granted. He predicted thar it would be ruination to the hostel, and the evil wonld he that if the licence was granted they would not be able to take it away again, unless they spent a large sum of monev. — Councillor Marks rose to speak but was reminded by ihe Mivor that according to the Municipal Corporation Act he could not. vote and could onlv sneak with the permission of the CounciL-Voun- cillor Marss said that he was net going to vote hut he thought that he had a right to speak.- The Mayor Our custom is to allow a member to speak hut he has no right to do so -Couneil lor Marks [ hear your pardon. I make no Rpplication. -Conr.- cinor Hopkins thought that there was no reason why Councillor Mirks should not speak.—The Mayor: I am Tot going to discuss my ruling- Councillor Peake protested agnin«t the resolution as he did two years ago. He considered that it was a matter of impertinence to approach the Llanhadarn Bench of Magistrates. They were in a position to judge for themselves and no member of the Conncil could afford to instruct them. Again Mr Williams made a RtHtpment that two years ago a furore existed in the town and that there was a large majority of the ratepayers against the licence but he said decidedlv not, and the result at the next election proved that the majori^v of the townspeople were in favour of the enterprise. One of the members who voted in favour of petitioning the Llanhadarn Bench was defeated at the next election, the other member who stayed away was defeated, and his worthy friend, Mr Hopkins, who did not vote at all was also defeated (laughter). Three out of the four retiring candidates were defeated, and Councillor Marks, who applied for the licence, and he (the speaker) who voted for it were returned. What would Aberystwyth have been were it not for the ente-prise of the Company? Thev had spent £ 150.000 to E200,000 in their milht, and what had been the requif,-ttio prosperitv of Abervstwyth. Four or the years ago thev were at a standstill It was not the College which kept the town and the sooner they nnderstood that the better. They could afford to invite capitalists to the town, throw open the door, and not hide themselves in a little world of their own. They were too conservative, although they called themselves Liberals and Radicals. Why should they dictate to the Company ? It was th -ir dutv to help them in every way. He hoped that the Llanhadarn Bench would grant the licence. As to the college and hostel he had only to point out that the hill was closed when the college and hostel was open, and with regard to the depreciation of propertv it waR well known that propertv advanced when it was near licensed premises (lallÇ!hÜr).- Councilor Williams: Quite the cortrarv.—Coun- cillor Peake Oh no, sir; I certainlv make tnv protest against this propoRal.-Cotineillor Salmon said that ho had been in a position that summer to spe the great need of having a refreshment bar on thp hill. Manv complaints had been made to him and he knew that it was the practice of the visitors to take hottles of stuff up. He ridicnled Councillor Williams' statement that visitors sent their chilehen to Ahervstwyth Collego because of the high moral standard of the town. Perhaps thev were not, aware that compared with other places Aberystwvt h had a much larger number of public honseg They wore at the rate of one to every 129 inhahitant, whilst in other places the average was one to every 300 and 400 It appeared to him that thev sent them there becanse there was plenty of public houses (roars of laughter) —Councillor Hopkins protested against sending any petition to the Llanhadarn Bench.—Alderman Jones supported the resolution and pointed ont that they ought to stop the granting of any more liepnops because the majority report of the Commission on Licensing had reported in favour of non-granting any more liepnees. Aldernin.ii i/onghtonsupported iheresolu- tion and said that if the licence was granted they would have to construct a mortuary to hold the corpses at the foot of the hilL-For fear his silence might be misconstrued,Councillor Thomas supported the rpsolution.-Councillor Marks now applied for the right to speak ftrl this was granted.—In the course of his speech he adduced all arguments in favour of the licensing of the hill. He said that the Bench would onlv be asked to grant a licence for three months, which would mean from July, August, and September, and he could not see how that would affect the students stopping in the town. As regards the control of the licence regulations would be framed so that a person would be only served once. During the present season manv applications had been received asking that refresh- ments could be supplied on the hill. Sir Prjce Pryce-Jones's people wrote asking if thev could applv for an occasional licence and supplv the refreshments themselves, because it wuld be a great convenience. He had also received anplications from people at Bradford and Birmingham. If they were going to let, the town be governed by one set of opinions the sooner they let the people who intended spending their money know this the better. If only the tenets of one particular party were to predominate thev would have to restrict very materiallv the desire for anv extension of Aberystwyth. They practically sr.id to the people: You can come here and enjov the varied scenery, but there is one thing you sh: II not have. You shall not have in the place yon have fixed upon anv refreshments which you consider to be to your benefit hecanse we do not, take it our- selves. There could be nothing more narroiv than to impose such restrictions upon people. He was a teetotaler and a non-smoker but he did not force his doctrines unon his guests. It was his company's desire to do what the Bishop of Chester advocated, and what had been done in other places could be done there. Nothing could be said against the way the Hill was conducted when they had two occa- sional licences, and he wanted to point out that people purchased their refreshments in the town and took it, up with them As to the mortuary, he did not know whether it was desirable to put a mortuary under the pier for fear people should fall ( ver into the water. But they all knew that there had never been any accident on the Dier since the licence had been grante(I.-AI(iermnn Doughton complained that this was all pe son,,tl.- Conucillor Peake: So was yours.—The Mayor: Order, please. -Councillor Marks, continuing, said that he was talking to the people of Aberystwyth He had been seno there by them and this was his answer. The ratepayers had considered that he was worthy of their confidence and sent him to the Council. The Company had more money staked in Aberystwyth than a great many people imagined. At that very moment there was a. Board meeting sitting in Lon- don to consider certain things, and he did not want it to be told that Aberystwyth was to be controlled by the temperance people. It was their desire to make Aberystwyth second to none in the kingdom. Come all, come hapny, and go away happy." was their motto.—The Major said that although he was n"t a teetotaler he intended to vote for the resolution, and protested against Mr Marks calling it a temperance move. oii,i(,-i I l,ir Willianii in reply said that it was dishonourable on the part of •i" ka to day HO.— Coiw.ciLor M.ni».s: i r, oak what. I do lnow.- A vote was taken and the fol- lowing voted for the resolution :-The Mayor. A I- derman Jones, Alderman Doughton, Councillors C M Williams, Thomas, and Dougittoti against, Councillors Peake and Salmon; Alderman U Roberts, Councillors Hopkins and SHn-ks did not vute.

ABERDOVEY. MINISTERIAL The lit,v J D Jones, the new paftor of the C M C. urelie,, is expected to com. mence upon his duties fir-X. week. An induction service is to be held at which the Rev R J Williams ( Fest iniog) and Mr Robert Jones are, expected to take part. TEMPERANCE. — Mrs R-ty (Wrexham) and the Rev A Moiiis, M A. Dolgclloj) j addressed a largely- attended temperance meeting held on Sunday evening. At the clost, a motion was passed, on the proposition of Mr Rdward Davies, seconded by Mr Wiliiam Jon s, and supported by Mr J Owen, dis- approving of the action of the Towyn magistrates in granting a licence to the new Trefe Idiau Hotel at Aberdovey. The matter is to be considered at the next meeting of the North Wales Temperance Association to be held at Blaenau Festiniog, and it is not improbable that the decision will be appealed against at the adjourned Licensing Sessions.

RAILWAY COLLISION NFAR LLANIDLOES. ONE KILLED: NINE INJURRD A serious collision occurred on Saturday morning at Tylwch station on the Mid-Wales section of the Cambrian Railways, between the earlv morning mail train and all exciirsion train for Manchester As is well known the Mid-Wales section of the Cambrian system le ives the main line for Abervst- wyth at Moat Lane Junction in Montgomer\shire, and Tvhvch is the fifth station from Moat Lane, and about fifteen mil s south of the junction A little beyond it is said to be the highest point on the whole of the Cambrian system, and from this point for several mile in the direction of M.w fiane there is a steadily descending gradient With th i exception of a few occasional stretches, the Cambrian is a single lire throughout, and train- going in ooposite directions can oidv pas-> each other at stations where there is a double set. of rails, one each for the up and down platform* The pasage of trains is regu'ated by w "at i, known as the tablet, system, under which a collision within a section is practically impossible The morning mail is timed to leave Moat Lun. at 5 30, ani to reach Tylwch at 6 Ir, had been arranged that on Saturday morning th mail train and an excursion train from Brecon to should pass each other at Tylwch. The mail arrived first, and drew tip at the finwn phltforrn Shortly afterwards the excursion train came in and it sti,,uld, in the ordinary way, on leaving the single line, have passed on to the up platform line alongs de the mail train. Instead, however, it entered the down line on which ihe mail train was standing. and the result was a terrific collision with the latter. The impact caused the engines to rear up and become interlocked. The front van of th". excursion train and a passenger coach following it were telescoped, and the first five compartments smashed. The first three fortunately were un- occupied, but there were passengers in the remaining two, and of these one was killed and nine injured. The second coach was derailed. No one belonging to the TRIM.il train appears to have been hurt, and the daunyge was practically confined to the engine and front van. As soon as possible messages asking for help wore despatched to the head oiffce at Oswestry a< d to neighbouring stations, and special trains soon conveyed a strong band of workers to the spo Among those present wt-r:, Nir Gough (passenger snperinteudeut of the line) and other officials from Oswestry, Dr Yiughan Owen (Llanidloes), Mr D'llston (Llanidloes station matter), Mr Ellis (Builth), Dr Richardson (Rhavader). Nurse Roberts (Llanidloes), and the members of the railway ambulance corps from Llanidloes. It was soon seen that, though the result. were less disastrous than they easily might have been, the damage done was considerable. One passenger was found to have been killed, viz., Miss Maggie Rowlands, of Bryn- cen-,irt,i, St Harmon, aged 27 Her body was found under a heap of wreckage. The actual injuries appeared to be hut slight, and death was thought to have been due to shock Travelling with her was a young man, to whom she was engaged. He also was injured, and was painfully distressed wh-n he heard of his companion's fate. Mi,4,4 Rowlands had only joined the train at the preceding station, Pantvd wr. The following is the list of the iniured — J JFI'-man. Tvnvwaen, race scratched D James Pugh. Paotylwr Shop, face cut and leg slightly crushed Frank J Woosnam, Rhosforgan, Pantydwr, hand cut. Joseph Jones, Bailey Bedw street, 8r Harmons, hand cut. John Lewis, Cilrhil, Pantynwr, face and leg injured. Mills Mills, Mount lane, Llanidloes, face cut. Thomas J nps, B yn, Pantvd wr, cuts and bruises. All the above, with the exception of Jarman and Mills, wern passengers in the excursion train. The driver of the excursion train, Samuel TIo^kins of Llanidloes, had a severe contusion of the head and right arm, and he a peared utterly dazed. His stoker, Riehal d Kvans, also of Llan- idloes, had a severe cut, above the right eye and another at the back of the head. The driver of the mail train (Richard Jones, of Caersws), though he saw the excursion train approaching on the wrong line, remained on his engine and fortunately escapsd with a slight shak- ing. In the majority of the cases the injuries received were not serious. Suitable accommodation was provided for the injured until they could be taken home. The line was c'eared withi i about two hours, and the excursion train resumed its journey to Manchester. INQUIRY AND INQUE AT. Colonel Yorke, Inspector of the Board of Trade, on Tuesday held an inquiry into the cause of the accident. The Itisppeoi- viqited the scene of the disaster and afterwar ds conducted his inquiry in private. Mr C S Denniss, general manager; Mr J Parry-Jones, solicitor; Mr W H Gough, superin- tendent of the line; Mr Herbert Jones, locomotive superintendent; Mr A J Collin, engineer, repre- sented the Cambrian Railwavs Company, and Mr J Holmes, A.S.R.S., watched the case on behalf of some of the men concerned. At the conclusion of the inquiry Mr Hugh Vaughan-Yaughan, coroner, Builth, held an inquest on the body of Margaret Rowlands, 27, who was killed in the accident. The jury viewed the body of the deceased at the residence of her father, Sychnant Fawr,and subsequently adjourned to the waiting room at Pantydwr. Inspector Jones, Rhavader, had charge of the inquiry, and I in adclition to the railway officials there were also present Colonel Yotkearid the Rev Daniel Williams, Vicar of Tvlwoh. Mr John Pryce (Alltlwyfl) was foreman of the jury.—The Coroner briefly explained the nature of the inquiry, and said that if the jury were not satisfied with the evidence before them the inquiry would have to be adjourned. He then read the evidence of the father of the deceased, Lewis Rowlands, who simply identified the body. Mr C S Denniss expressed the extreme grief of the directors and officers of the Company at the very aid occurrence. Their sympathz was very keen with those who had suffered, especially with the relatives of the poor girl who unfortunately lost her life. It was certainly no less keen from the fact that the father of the girl had been a faithful servant of theCompany ever since the line was opened. The Company would afford everv facilitv to get at the actual cause of the accident, and they hoped the fullest, enquiry would be made. William Hamer, Builth, relief guard on the Cambrian Railways, was the first witness called. He said that on Saturday morning he was in charge of the excursion train from Builth to M mchester. The train started at 5 a.m. from Builth. Things went all right until thev got to Tylwch, at which place they arrived at 6 17. Just near the Tvlwch Station, on the Rhayader s-id j of the distant signal, he noticed that the vacuum brake was on, and heard the driver whistling. He applied the hand- brake. He looked out and saw the home signal up. From some cause or other they passed the signal and ran on to the down line into the mail train standing in Tylwch Station. The first van of the excursion train and the first portion of the coach next to it were smashed. The first two com- partments of the coach were empty. In the third and fourth compartments were the injured people. The deceased was in the third compartment. It was half-an-hour before deceased was removed, and then she was quite dead. The Rev Daniel Williams: I should like one point made clear. The witness says the home signal was again't him, but he does not tell us about the distant. signal or whether it was against him or not.- Mr Denniss: I may explain as a matter of working that the distant signal would not ho lowered until the home signal was up. —Mi Holmes: That is if the distant signal had not been taken off and put at danger again. Before swearing James D ivies, stationma.ster at l'vUvch, the Coroner cautioned him tliac he need not give evidence. Anything he said might be used against him on any future occasion. Witness elected to give evidence. He had, he said, beer, station master at Tylwch since the 13th January. On Saturday he came on duty shorr,ly after five o'clock in the morning. The mail train from Llanidloes came in at 6 11, and he was then on the down platform. About three passengers alighted from the mail. After receiving the tablet he passed round the rear of the train and bad only just got on to the up platform when the crash came. The signals against trains coming from the direction of Pantydwr w rn all set at danger. The Coroner: I understand from Colonel Yorke that there is no doubt about that.-Colollel Yorke: No, the engine-driver admits it.—Mr Denniss: Ai-d that is also confirmed by the fact that th up signals could not have been lowered if the down signals were on—Mr Holmes asked if witness fulfilled the joint occupation of stationmaster and signalman.— Witness: I am E;tatioii master. Mr Holmes: Do you also do those duties which ordinarily fall to »> -igniilmau ?-Witness: I do in the morning. It was then his duty to work the signals as he was entirely in charge of the station.— Mr Holmes: D-) you work by the tablet system 'e Is it your duty to operate it ?- WiLuel!s: Yes.— Mr Holmes: Were you perfectly aware that both trains were coming in the direction of the station ? Witiiess: I was aware that both the up and down trains were approaching. —Mr Holmes: Having got te mail train safely in did yon not consider it of sufficient importance to set the points for the other train ?—Witness: I ha,l no possible time to set the points.—Mr Holmes: Did you not hear the driver of the excursion train whistle for the driver to put >n the brake ?-Witnf-,ss: I did not hear the whistle until the trains collided.—Mr Holmes: Had yoa been in the signal box yoa could have put the train on the proper road and so averted an accident ? — Witness: I have already replied to that question.— Mr Holmes: If your duty bad been that, of a signal- man you could have averted an accident P-Wit,tiess: I cannot say.—Mr Parry-Jones: The man could not have been in two places at once. This is merely qxipss-work.-Mr Holmes: No, pardon me, this is not gU"SS-work. — By the t,oroner:-WitnesEi did not think there would have been time to alter the ooint* There seemed to be no warning a. all- Mr Holmes: I quite agree that the->e duties are of such an onerous chA,-acter. Mr Parrv-.Tor.es: No, I beg your pardon, he did not say that. He admitted that he could not be in two places at OHce. —Mr Holmes: Well he admitted that, and T think .— Mr Parry-Jones I must -eally object to these comments up«n questions. Thit man has no right to put questions -Th- Coroner: For the matter of that no one has a riht to put questions. All questions must be put through me. (To the witness): If a man had heen in the signal box could he have averted the accident.—Witness: I cannot say. — Mr Holmes Wh it time did the accident occur? — Witness: As near as [ could possibly say about three-qnai ters of a minute after the mail had come in—Mr Parry- Jones: You have said already that, the up signal was at danger. Do von consider the fact that the signal being at danger w's sufficient protection ?- Witness Certainly it is the only protection we have [f that was not so the station would not be site at, till.-NTi- Denniss: May I suggest that if the train had not run past the signal at danger there w u:d have been no mishap.-Mr Holmes: May I also suggest, that the witness knew of both trains' approach at the same time.—Mr Parry-Jones This is a suggestion. You have no right to make sug. gestions. Mr H ltnes Pardon me, but Mr Denniss and vonroelf have made suggestions. -Mr Parry-Jones: I think ti,at Mr Holmes: If you wish to stiffs this inquiry I am here to oppose you. I am not subject to you. I won't, be dictated to by you or by Mr Deuniss. If' the coroner wishes to order me out of court I will but I am perfectly snre I won't be dictated to by you —The C Ironer: Order, please, all questioi s mist come through me.—Mr Holmes: Was the signal on th" down line still off at the i,ne of the collision ?—Witness The home signal for the down mail was on.-Ur Holmes: So you left the signal box prior to the arrival of the up train P Witness Yes. to collect on the other train.—Mr Holmes You would have put the down home signal at danger.—Witness: Yea, if I had had time to get b,i,ok.-Colonel Yorke: That does not affect the question as to the up train at all.-By Mr Parry- Jones: There was a signal potter at the station but he came on later. Witness attended to the early trains to prevent undue hours on tie part of the men. During the time he was alone only one passenger train passed the station except on Mon- ,Invs. -By Mr Holmes: The porter was not there on Saturday morning.—A Juryman Have you to collect tickets from the passfingera on th3 mail ? Witness Yes.—And that took up a portion of your time ? Yes.—Another Juryman: Could you keep b Ith sets of points open at tlie s'lme time ?- Witness: According to the regulations it would be impossible. S imuel Hopkins, driver of the excursion train, was at the outset cautioned by the Coroner. He said, however, he preferred to give evidence. Wit. ness said he lived at Llanidloes, but was stationed at Rhayader. Richard Evans was his fireman. Witness kept a sharp look-out all the way. When he got near Tylwch, he saw the home signal against him Before sighting the signal, he applied the vacuum brake. It, however, failed to act, and he overshot the signals and ran into the mail —The Coroner: Can you account, for the brake failing in that way.—Witness: It must have been caused by a leakage in the vacuum chamber. — Colonel Yorke said the reason the brake failed was that the driver was unable to obtain sufficient vacuum. The Coroner: Was that so P-Witnems Yes. The Coroner: Had the brake acted all right before?— Witness: No; all the way from Builth the brake did not. act properly.— Mr Parry-Jones: The brake was sufficient to pull up the train at the other stations you passed ?-Witness It was sufficient there.—The Coroner: Did you try to stop the train when you found the brake did not anbwer properly ? Witness: I did all I could. I applied the hand brake, reversed the engine, blew the whistle, and opened the sand valve.-Tbe Coroner: Were the rails dry or wet that morning? -Witnes, The rails were greasy.-The Coroner I suppose, as a matter nf fact, you stopped the momentum of the train to some extent ?-Wit, ess: Yes—The Coroner; I do not know whether it is material, but no one has said at what pace the train was going when you ran into the niail.-Witnpss: About five miles an hour.—Mr Holmes: Do you think you could have stopped the train with the amount of brake power ,,()a had on if the rails had not been slippery ?- Witness: No, not very soon.—Mr Holmes: The automatic brake did not act when you passed the distant signal ? -Witne-s: No.-Mi. Holmes: So your conclusion is that if the brake had been act- ing properly you would have stopped at the home signal P-Witness.- Oh, yes; ceitainly.—A Juryman: If the points had been open, do you think you could have pulled up the train before it reached the end of the platform ?-Witness: (ih, yes, I could have pulled it up very shortly.-A Juryman: If the train had gone further, things would have been worse than before. Richard Evans, fireman of the excursion train, said he lived at Llanidloes. Acting on Hopkins's instructions he put the hand brake on. Witness corroborated Hopkins statement in every detail. The last thing he remembered was the whistling bv Hopkins. No questions were put to this witness Mr A J Collin, engineer to the Company, put in plans showing the section of the line where the accident occurred and from the point where the driver first sighted the distant signal, a distance .of 1,242 yirdg.-The Coroner I believe the gradient is verv steep.- Mr Collin From one in 110 to one in 143.—Mr Holmes: From the time of the sighting of the signal the gradient falls from one in 143 to one in 324—Mr Denniss: It is not what we consider a steep gradient at all. It is almost level coming into the station. Samuel Hopkins, the driver, at the request of the jury, was recalled.-The Coroner informed him that the jury wanted more information as to why the points were left open.-A Juryman Could the driver have stopped the train before it reached the bottom of the platform ?-Colollel Yorke: lie could have stopped it.—The Foreman Was the train a heavy one.-Witness: A very heavy one.-A Jury- man I think if he could not have stopped the train it would have been thrown over the bridge. That is my opinion.—The Foreman If there had been a man in the signal box he could have stopped it.- The Coroner: We have asked that question. (To witness) One of the jury wishes to know whether you can give any reason for the vacuum brake not acting.—Witness I cannot exactly explain.-A Juryman You say it was not all right at the start. Witness: Yes.-The Foreman It was a pity to start at all with such a heavy load. Did you trust to the vacuum brake going down that incline ?— Witness If on'y two or three inches of the vacuum chamber had acted it would have been in my favour.—The Foreman If the brake had acted at Tylwch as at Pantydwr you would have stopped the train.—Witness: Certainly. The Coroner briefly summed up the evidence and said there was no doubt that Miss Rowlands met her death by the collision of the trains. The next duty of the jury was to ascertain whether any blame rested upon the persons immediately in charge of the train. He thought the evidence had been very fairly given and it seemed pretty clear that the primary cause of the accideut was that the brake failed to act,—the fireman and the engine- driver had told them that. He need not tell them that, the law was that any person in any way con- nected with the management of trains was hablu for any gross carelessness on his part. If the driver of the excursion train carelessly disregarded the signals, a verdict of manslaughter would have to be recorded against him, but in that case, where the driver dii all he could, ana through an accident failed to stop the train, he did not think he could be held liable. In a civil action for damages the responsibility would fall upon those who provided him with the mean,; of causing the accident. The driver simply said the brake did not act, and the only point, which could be brought against him was that he went on, knowing that the brake was not acting very well, but he did not anticipate that those serious consequences would occur, or that the brake would totally fail to act. He did all he could when he found that the brake did not act properly, It did not appear, from what they had heard, that any charge of recklessness could be made against him, or anything, except, perhaps, an error of judgment in not attempting to remove the defect in the brake. It might be that somebody else was to blame, but there was no suggestion that there was any blame to be attached to the driver. It was not for that court to consider the pecuniary aspect of the affair, but whether anyone was culp- ably neligent, against whom they could bring a verdict of manslaughter. As regarded the station- master, it did not appear that he n-glected any duty. He had set the signalm against the train, and he (the coroner) thought he did all be possibly could. It might be urged that one man in charge of the station was insufficient, but that was more a question for the Board of Trade and Colonel Yorke than for them. They could, however, express an opinion that the brake was uot properly II constructed or that the staff at the station was insufficient to work the trains properly if they wished to do so. The Jury after a brief deliberation returnpd a verdict of" Accidental Death Tne Foreman said the jury had come to the conclusion that the rail- way officials were not at all to blame in the matter They did all they could to avoid the a -ci lent with the appliances at their disposal. There was some- thing wrong somewhere and he thought the jury should express an opinion on that point. They were not at all satisfied with the vacuum brake. Mr Denniss said he would like to state unofficially that the driver of (he excursion train the dav pre- vious to the accident was present and was prepared to sweat, that on that day the brake worked all right. Only on the morning of the accident was any defeat noticed. Ou the previous part of the journey the brake was effective.—Mr Holmes: I may say unofficially that the driver j.. question only worked the engine on the previous day on a goods train. In that case the vacuum only acts on the tender and engine and not on the wagons. There may be some defect with the brake on the carriages Mr Denniss said when another engine was put on to continue the journey after the accident, the brake acted perfectly well on the carriages —Mr Parry-Jones said there were other matters the Company might have gone into they, howevpr, purposely refrained from entering into them be- cause they were not proper subjects for that inquiry.—This closed the inquiry. The funeral of the deceased woman took place at St Harmon's on Tuesday afternoon. The attend- ance of relatives, friends and sympathisers was very large.

FORDEN BOARD OF GUARDIANS. WEDNESDAY. Present The Rev L J Lee (chairman), presiding, Mr E R James (vice-chairman), Messrs S D Price- Davies. W Pritchard, E Davies, J Ejwarda, D Davies, R Jones (Pentre), E Hughas, J Jones (Cwm), R Jones (Chnrchstoke), J Holloway, E R Owen, F Langford, D Howell, T Rogers, J Davies, W Rogers, F Koper, D Gittins, W Edwards, thp Rev J Sawer, Lieut-Col Twyford, and Mr C S Pryce, clerk. THE ESTIMATES. The following estimate, duly considered by the Finance Committee, was adopted by the Board on the motion of Mr W Pritchard, seconded by Mr W Rogprq.-Estim-,iterl expenditure, £ 2,660. Receipto .1,280J leaving £1.380 to be raised by a 3d rate, which is the same as last year. STATISTICS. The following statistics were reported:- Number in the House, first and second weeks, 70 against 75. Vagrants relieved during the fortnight, first week, 20 against 34; second week, 25 against 38. Out- relief administered during the fortnight: Mont- gomery district, per Mr R Tomley, C5 15q to 60 re- cipients; Welshpool district, per Mr J Fortune, R7 9,4 to 98 recipients, and Worthen, per Mr Oliver, £6 2s to 71 recipients. TENDERS. The following tenders for goods to he supplied 80 the House were accepted: -Coal, Messrs J and M Morris, Welshpool; meat, Wm Davies, Forden; petroleum, etc, Henry Foxall, Welshpool; drapery goods, George Mountford, Montgomery; flour, George Beubow, Abermule; grocery and hops, John Jones and Son, Hall street, Welshpool; boots, Thomas Howells, High street, Welshpool. AN APPLICATION. Mr S D Price-Davies said that in a short time he would be going abroad for the benefit of his health, and, as it was probable he would be absent for more than six months, be desired to ask the sanc- tion of the Board on the matter, so that he should not have to vacate his seat.—On the motion of Mr E R James, seconded by* Mr W Rogers, Mr Price- Davies' request was granted. VOTR OF CONDOLENCE. The Board passed a sincere vote of sympathy with Mr R Tomley, on the bereavement he has recently sustained in the death of his wife. APPOINTMENTS. Fifteen applications were received for the posts of head and second attendants to the patients shortly to be received into the House from Bicton Asylum. Of this number five were selected by the Lunacy Committee for the consideration of the Board, the members of which ultimately appointed John Powell, porter in the Honse, as head attend- ant, to be assisted by Wm Collins, Berriew.-In connection with the above, the Board also decided to send Powell to Bicton for a short time to pick up a few hints on the management of persons of weak intellect.-It was further agreed to advertise for a porter in the room of Powell.

FORDEN RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL.—WEDNESDAY. Present: Mr J Holloway (presiding), the Rev J Sawer, Messrs J Davies, J Edwards, T Rogers, E Hughes, J Jones (Cwm), E Davies. W Pritchard, D Davies, R Jones (Pentre), R Jones (Churchstoke), and E R Owen, with Mr C S Pryce (clerk), Mr Snook (sanitary inspector), Mr W P Hole (sur- veyor), and Dr Moreton (medical officer of health). SANITARY MATTERS. Since the last meeting the Sanitary Inspector had made 180 inspections, and had found that 133 of the places he had visited were in a sanitary con- dition, and 47 in an insaOltary condition. There had been one case of diphtheria at Berriew, which he thought might have been caused bv the bad system of sewerage ard the unsatisfactory water supply.-A letter was read from Mr E Lloyd, agent to Major Corbett-Winder, with regard to the alleged defective privy accommodation at Berriew. The writer stated that the two cottages complained of were altered by the order of the Sanitary Inspector some few years ago. He (Mr Lloyd) now believed that their conditi m was fairly satisfactory from a health point of view, and he hoped that the Council would not press for further alterations, there being no site available on which to erect new privies.— The Inspector said there was a plot of land about 15 yards from the houses where suitable buildings could be put up.-Oti the motion of Mr E R Owen, seconded by Mr Hughes, it was agreed that the Clerk should write to Major Corbett-Winder re- questing him to comply with the demands of the Council's Inspector. THE PENCOED WATER SUPPLY. Capt A R Pryce, Cyfr nydd, wroce stating that the question of the insufficient supply of water at Pencoed was receiving his attention. THE RED HOUSE. A letter was received from the Leighton Estate office asking that the tenants of the Red House (Leighton), condemned by the Council, but still in- habited, should be permitted to remain in the house until March next, when it would be pulled down.— This request was allowed. THE SURVEYOR'S REPORT. The Surveyor reported that the Committee had met Mr Baker, who stated that he could not supply stone under 4s 6J, but he could put stone on Welsh- pool Canal Wharf at 3s per ton.)Ir Lloyd, Garreg Quarry, wrote stating that he could not supply stone at Berriew Wharf uuder 6s a ton, owing to the high charges of the boatmen.—The matter was left in the hands of the Surveyor to make the best terms he could.—With regard to the state of Bahaillon Hill road, a letter was read from Mr J E Poundley asking for the road to be taken over by the District Council as a public highway. The writer stated that the farmers would do a portion of any haulage which might be required.—The matter was left in tho hands of she Sm-yeyu. L, make arrangements for the repairof the road, pro- vided the haulage was done free. WATER ANALYSES. Mr A C Humphreys-Owen wrote that he was not aware of any agreement with Mr Blunt, the county analyist, as to the charges for water analyses. There was an agreement with Mr Allan Murray, an analyist under the Fertilizers and Feeding Stuffs Act, but the agreement only related to the analyses of those substances.—-It was agreed to ask Mr Murray to quote charges for taking water analyses.

FORDEN. FOOTBALL. At the annual meeting of the Fordeu United Football Club on Wednesday evening the following were elected officers for the forthcoming season President, Mr W Stourton, The School secretary and treasurer, Mr W Gough captain, Mr J E Rogers vice-captain, Mr Cecil Bowen com- mittee, Messrs F Morris, Gaer T Jones, Cwm T Rogers, Penyllan; Morgan Davies, R Hughes, Munllyn; D Rogers, Grove; Thomas Jones, Chirbury road; J C Williams, Hem; C Jones, Newhouse; John Gough, D Thomas, and W Pugh. The statement of accounts showed that there was a balance in hand of X3 and the secretary announced that several matches had already been arranged for the coming season.

COHlitist'ONI)tJi\ TO CORRESPONDENTS. Communn ur-t„>i.x for this column, should be addressed to the Editor, and must be ■written upon one side oj the pupvi cnly. They should -In (il, cases be a«v omyuby the onwe and address of the sender, not n.ece<iMt ii.y for i nbiiration but ll" a guarantee of Pi"; faith. CALYIXISTIC METHODISTS. To the Editor of the COUNTY I'IMRS. Sir,-Ai-e the Calvinistic Metho iisis ;tt Towyn and Aberdovey fools ? Will not a new hotel on the coast oetween those two places druw a number of visitors to come aud stop there, spending money and consuming the milk, batter, beet, and muttoL, produced in the district ? Wiil not the farmers benefit by b, tter prices for their produce? Look at the Hig dands of Scotland The land- lords got enterprising nien to buill I and start tine hotels and now vast uiiis of money are ever* t'ar spent by tourists who travel all over it,e Highlands for nearly eight months in the year. G A H A I G »

BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE: AN APPEAL TO THE RATEPAYERS OF TOWYN. To the Editor of the COUNTY TIMES Dear Sir,-While England is rinying with de. nunciations of the act of injustice perpetrated at Renues, it finds itself in danger of being drawn with a war equally u. just and despicable with the condemnation of Dreyfus. Before it is too late it is the duty of over 'V true patriot and tiuo iuver of the Empire to raise him voice against precipitating war with a little power, merely because a certain number of capitalists are impatient of all delibera- tions and negotiations, and because the military caste is burning with an unworthy desire to avenge a chance defeat. That the Outlanders have grievances in the Transvaal appears certain, but that these griev- ances are either more severe than those the work- iug- classes laboured under in this not half a century ago, or are incapable of removal by means of regular agitation ou the part of the Out- landers and diplomatic pressure from this country, is far from having been proved. This country is unanimous in giving support to Mr Chamberlain ia his efforts to prevail on the Boer Government to grant the franchise to the Outlanders in the shortest time possible. In these hitherto peaceful efforts, wh;ch are obtaining success Mr Chamberlain has received, is receiv- ing, and will receive the united support of this country. In spite of this we read in the papers t.iat war may break out any day between the British Empire and the Transvaal. There is reason to believe that what the extremists in South Africa and the military caste in this country really desire is not that Mr Chamberlain should succeed by friendly means in procuring the franchise for the Outlanders, but that he should be forced into war, a war of conquest, spoliation and revenge. There are signs that these parties possess great influence over the present Government of this country, and that is why there is eminent danger that war will be wantonly thrust upon the Trans- vaal under the specious pretence of an agitation against injustice and oppression. Look at Fiance and see the results of submission to the demands of militarism. Is England to submit itself to be dictated to by its army, and to be dr-gged into war to satisfy a thirst for vengeance that is everything that is not Cliri,ii-iii l' Is this great and powerful country, proud of its honour and its freedom, to he drawn into a war against a nuiall country to satisfy capitalists who are the enemIes of freedom, and have shewn themselves devoid of honour ? Surely not. Lot every honest patriot bestir himself to support Mr Cham- berlain in a policy of peaceful negotiations and strengthen his hands against the rabid war party by holding public meetings and passing reso- lutions all aver the country. Are there not citizens in TowJn who are friends enough of justice, peace, and honour to boldly stand forward and call a public meeting to voice the real feeling of this country? Surely there are. Let them be up aud doing before it is too late. Any day the dogs of war may be let slip and then the blood that will be shed will be chargeable to those who have not pro- tested against a wanton war. I send this letter, sir, to your non-party paper, seeing that in a matter of national honour all distinctions of party are obliterated, and good Liberals and Conservatives alike are united in desiring that the conduct of this great empire should be regulated by the same principles which rule the actions of an upright private citizen. Hoping that you will do me the favour of inserting this letter, I remain, yours respectfully, T G ROBERTS. Towyn. EThis letter is referred to in our notes. -ED.]

FAILURE OF THE TOLSTOI COLONY IN ENGLAND. The communistic colony which settled receutly in a village on the Cotswold HLls, determined to live together in mutual poverty and goodwill on Tolstoian principles, has, of course, been duly rent in twain by quarrels and civil war. The leader of the communists was a man of means, and purchased the estate which the colony intended to till. He paid E400 for it, the property being conveyed to him and three co-trustees in their joint names. One of the trustees contributed a few pounds towards the purchase money, but the other two being communists without means, contributed only their good names. For some time everything proceeded smoothly. Cattle were bought—by the wealthy communist seed was sown, hay was made, "studios" were furnished in the cottages round about, and the colony settled down to an al,riiistic existence, aud seemed to thiive. In their enthusiasm for principle, and iu the profusion that the land was given by God for tho use of man, and that consequently personal rights in property are sinful, the four-trustees made a boufire of their tith-deeds. More cattle were bought, more seed was sown, and Tolstoian communism flourished more vigorously than ever. And then a change came over the spirit of the dream. Scandals began to circulate concerning the irregular marriages of some of the members of the community. There may have been no truth in them the communists, at all events, explain and justify their relations one with another, and it is likely that, viliage gossip has imparted colour to a story which has but small foundation. But free love has not been the only means of disagreement* Poverty and goodwill are well enough in theory, but they do not provide a communistic colony with bread and cheese, and the wealthy disciple of Tolstoi who had already bought the ground was constantly being applied to to sign cheques for the common necessities of the flock. He estimates that his share of the poverty and goodwill has cost him altogether about £ 1,000. Manifestly be could not afford to run a Tolstoian community for the benefit of any strolling altruist who came that way, and he seems to have told his companions so in plain terms. An open quarrel is the result, and the sequel is more amusing. He has consulted a solicitor as to tho best way of asserting his right to the estate. The title- deeds, asalready stated, have been destroyed, and in the ordinary course the property reverts to the Crown. Such a contingency can be avoided if the co-trustees will agree to restore the land to him, bat the very basis of their creed is that everything be- longs to everybody, and the land belongs to all. There is a rick of hay on the estate, and the com- munists at a recent meetingcuuld not decide who had prioi claim to it. When the leader of the party claimed it, because his money had bought it, or had fed the men and women who raised it, he was re- minded that the cattle who helped to carry it are also entitled to a share of the colony's goodwill, at least in the form of hay. The wealt hy colonist, hewever, is claiming the land and all that stands upon it, and talks of calling in the police. So that To! toiar; commnn-'sm on the Cot-.v. to an inglorious deadlock. -+-

HOW THE BONDS OF LOVE WTIRE BROKEN. A Portmadoc correspondent writes There was quite a stir at Tremadoc on Saturday wiien a -cortairi wedding bad been frustrated by the strategem of a prospective mother-in taw. It ap. pears that a yonng mason from Tremadoc had won the affections of a damsel, whose parents reside near Barmouth, and in order to escort her to the hymeneal altar on the following day, he gallantly took her over on the Friday to his home at Tre- madoc. The eventful morning arrived, and pre- parations were made for the wedding at a i-egis. trar's office, the registrar, it is stated, having actually repaired thither. Prior to emerging oR the journey, and probably for the pu-pose of in- vigorating himself for the ordeal, the bridegroom- elect stepped over to a neighbouring publichoase. During his temporary absence, the mother of the girl appears on the scene, offers her daughter maternal advice, which is readily accepted, and the mother triumphantly bears her daughter away, and departs by the morning train for Barmouth. The mother travelled over night In a cab. The affair created a great deal of mirth, and rumour has it that the disappointed lover is going to have another try."