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-_ ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL.

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ABERYSTWYTH TOWN COUNCIL. MORE "LIVELY INTERLUDES." The fortnightly meeting of the Aberystwyth Town Council was held on Tuesday, when there were present:-Coiincillor Jenkins (ex-mayor) in the chair, Aldermen Roberts, Peter Jones, W. H. Palmer, T. Doughton, Councillors Peake, C. M. Williams, Isaac Hopkins, T. E. Salmon, E. J. James, R. J. Jones, and Croydon Marks, with the Town Clerk (Mr. Arthur J. Hughes), the Borough Accountant (Mr. H. L. Evans), the Borough Sur- veyor (Mr. Rees Jones), and the Deputy Clerk (Mr. C. Massey.) STILL AT IT. The Town Clerk having read the minutes of the last meeting— < Councillor Peake drew attention to the minute concerning the report of the Finance Committee which stated that the,, report was adopted, me words as amended," he said should be inserted. Councillor Williams: Why not state also that the Council decided to pay compensation to Mr. Hopkins to the extent of £ 60. (Cries of '• No, no.") Councillor Salmon: That's a most unfair re- mark. We didn't give Mr. Hopkins one cent. The terms given were the terms previously agreed to on condition that he did certain things. Councillor Williams: The terms given here. Councillor Salmon I tell you we haven't given him one half-penny. Alderman Jones said that they were now only discussing the minutes. There was a certain resolution moved and a certain amendment, and the record they asked for was what was actually be- fore the meeting, not the remarks that were made by any individual member. Councillor Williams I was quite in order after voting against giving £60 to Mr. Hopkins. Councillor Salmon There wasn't one. You are misleading the public. Councillor Williams: Happily tlio public under- stands the matter very well. Councillor Salmon You don't know the public, onlv a certain clique. Councillor Williams I know the public as well as you. Councillor Salmon I know them as well as you, I have been as long in the town as you. Councilior Williams But not the same class. Councillor Salmon: I know a better class than vou. Councillor Williams: Nothing of the kind, Mr. Salmon. Councillor Salmon I do. Councillor Williams: I don't want to argue with you. Councillor Salmon Dont argue then. Councillor Marks: Lend these gentlemen a couple of swords (laughter). Councillor Jones said that when the resolution was put as to whether Mr. Hopkins should have the lease granted to him or not Mr. James did not vote. Councillor Peake then moved, and Alderman Palmer seconded that the minutes be signed. Carried. Councillor Williams: (to the chairman. Councillor Jenkins): I am sorry, Mr. Ex-Mayor, it is your turn to sign these minutes. Councillor Jones Why these remarks i What have they to do with the minutes ? Councillor Williams They have a good deal to do with them. Councillor Salmon; It's only a feeling of animosity. Councillor Williams There's no animosity at all. It is you that's got the feeling of animosity, Councillor Salmon: I don't carry animosity like some people do. COUNCIL'S FINANCES Councillor Peake said that as Mayor's Auditor for the year he might be permitted to state that the audit had been made during the past week, and they would all be pleased to know now, before a further report was submitted, that they found their balances to the good in the bank for the first time in every account with the exception of the Harbour Account (hear, hear). NEW HOUSES. A letter was read from Mr. John Jones, 14, Gray's Inn Road. applying for permission to build two houses (on the land which the Council had already granted to him) with 18 feet frontage in place of 20 feet. The houses he said would be built entirely of brick, consequently the walls would not be so wide as if built with stone and the rooms would not be much less spacious than they would with a 20 feet stone built house. He did not intend build- ing as high as the adjoining houses, but similar to those built by Mr. Pierce, as they would be easier for ietting. The matter was referred, to com- mittee. A WATER MOTOR. Mr. John Morgan, 10, Terrace-road, wrote stating, with reference to the complaint made respecting the vibiration caused by his water motor, that he had taken steps to remedy the cause of the griev- ance, and if necessary, further steps would be taken. Councillor Williams remarked that the Surveyor should see that the matter was being attended to as the residents in Railway-terrace had suffered for some weeks. The Surveyor replied that he could not give more attention to the matter than lie had already given. Mr. Morgan stated that he had done all he .could to remedy the grievance. Councillor Salmon said the water came like a flood" every week. Councillor Williams And it is as dark as ink. We ought not to allow the whole street to be black with water every Wednesday. We ought to stop it. The Surveyor said Mr. Morgan might be given notice that the supply would be discontinued at a certain time. Councillor Williams: I understand from Mr. Morgan that he found some leakage. Councillor Peake moved that the matter be referred to the Public Works Commitee for in- vestigation. Councillor Jones seconded.—Carried. CORPORATION FUNDS. A letter was read from the Secretary to the St. John's Lodge of Oddfellows, Gloucester Hall, Bow Street asking if the Society could invest E200 in the Corporation Funds, they having now £ 400 in- vested with the Corporation. TRADESMEN AND THE TOWN BAND. A letter was read from Mr. Jack Edwards, the bandmaster, stating that the Town Band had been asked to play at the Flower Show on the evening of August 16th, and asking for the Council's per- mission. Councillor Jones moved, and Councillor Peake seconded, that the request be granted. Alderman Doughton drew attention to the pro- gramme of music issued by the band every evening, and asked how the band was allowed to advertise some special tradesman ? He thought this matter should be seen to. The Council ought to allow something towards the expense of printing pro- grammes, instead of allowing one tradesman to advertise his goods. It was no use referring it to the General Purposes Committee, as he did not know when they would sit, and the season would soon be over. They ought to do something now. Councillor Peake I see no harm in it. Alderman Doughton: It is harm when one tradesman is allowed to advertise, and the town pays for the band. Councillor Peake: The town does not pay the expense. Alderman Doughton: The town pays the band, who have the monopoly. Alderman Palmer said when he was chairman of the Committee, and they engaged a band, they always gave the bandmaster the privilege of issuing his programme, and as a rule he went round the town and canvassed for advertisements for it, but during the last year or two the band had not issued any programme whatever. Mr. Edwards spoke to him about it, and it appeared that Mr. Rea went to him, and asked him if he could supply him with a programme, which he would publish free of cost. He believed that Mr. Edwards now felt that be had made a mistake, and that the matter should be considered by the General Purposes Committee. He did not think the Council were in a position to stop him doing what lie had, especially if be was under any agreement with Mr. Rea. Alderman Doughton, holding up a programme, 11 h I said it was beaded" This programme is printed for and distributed only by Rea's Stores." If he went round the town and obtained advertisements from different tradesmen he would say nothing .against it, but here was an advertisement for one firm only, There were other tradesmen in the same trade, and he did not think this was fair. The Council paid the band, who had the monopoly, and surely it was not right to allow a certain person to advertise, because it was a loss to others. He said without fear or favour that it should be put a stop to at once, before the General Purposes Committee met. Councillor Williams said that there was con- siderable dissatisfaction in the town in regard to fthis business of handing the monopoly over to one person. Others would like to have the same opportunity- He had tried to see Mr. Wynne, the chairman of the Committee, but found he was from home, otherwise lie would have called a meeting. The thing was for the Council themselves to have a small programme printed every day, as the band was paid by the town. The cost would be very, small, and they could insert anything relating to y 11 1-1 the town at the back of it. There was considerable feeling among tradespeople in the town in reference to this matter in fact some had gone so far as to threaten that the Corporation would be surcharged. Alderman Palmer moved that the matter be referred to the General Purposes Committee. If they went so far as to print the programme every day it would cost them about £20 during the season. Councillor Williams Nothing of the kind. Alderman Palmer said if the bandsmen went round and asked for advertisements people would say, "I'll give you a sovereign," but as soon as they saw one person advertising and willlng to spend £ 20, then they found fault. The programme would cost E20 for the season. He was doing it with the hope of getting some custom. Mr. Edwards found it difficult to get the tradespeople to advertise, and now the tradespeople were complaining because they saw somebody else more energetic than themselves. There was always a difficulty in getting tradesmen to advertise. He remembered how it had been with the Pier band, but as soon as they saw someone else doing something then they began to shout (hear, hear). Councillor Peake said this was out of pourt altogether so far as the Council was concerned. The programme was distributed by Mr. Rea him- self. He did not suppose Mr. Rea would refuse to give any programme at any time. These people were quite at liberty to distribute what they liked, and what right had the Council to interfere ? The bandmaster could give the items of the programme daily to any tradesman who liked to ask him. Mr. Rea was quite within his right in publishing the programme. Councillor Williams Mr. Edwards' duty was to bring the matter before the General Purposes Com- mittee. Councillor Peake. I say no. Councillor Williams I have a right to my own opinion. Councillor Peake: You are getting worse and worse every Council meeting. It's narrow. Councillor Williams It is not. Councillor Peake It is narrow. I beg to differ from you. Councillor Salmon did not see why the matter should be referred to the General Purposes Com- mittee. The programme had been published in previous years by Mr. Rowc, who used to go round to get advertisements from different tradespeople, so as to have a good programme. But this year no ratepayer—and not even the Council--had been approached with reference to the issuing of the programme. It had been given to one individual, without any one being asked anything. He did not blame the man, but he blamed the bandmaster, who had not given a fair opportunity to the other tradesmen, who were trying to benefit from visitors. The bandmaster was to blame for giving a monopoly to one man, and not giving a fair chance to others. Alderman Peter Jones said that when Mr. Rowe had control of the Town Band, the matter was left entirely in his own hands. He (Mr. Jones) did not remember it ever coming before the Committee. An arrangement was then effected in which possibly some half-a-dozen people joined rather than one, and a programme was presented every evening, so that visitors might know what the music might be. In this case Mr. Rea had gone to the expense of giving that information to the visitors and the inhabitants, and he (Mr. Jones) did not see why any one should take umbrage at all, that it was in any way a reflection upon the bandmaster that he should have gladly accepted an offer made rather than be annoyed in being asked for information on this particular subject. Possibly it might be a source of revenue—he did not know there was such a gold mine in the business before (laughter)—possibly there were scores of trades- men willing to take advantage of this opportunity. If so there could be no harm in the Committee trying to elicit to what extent the liberality of the advertising people would go in the matter (laughter). He, therefore, seconded Alderman Palmer's motion to refer the matter to the General Purposes Committee with power to act. Councillor Marks said that he was a member of the committee, and he did not want to go over the trouble that he had. If the committee were going to try their 'prentice hands in going round the town searching for advertisements, he would tell them what happened to him, as he had had two or three years experience of the advertising public of Aberystwyth. They would not get enough advertisements to pay for the printing of the pro- gramme. He had been trying to get them this year, but he had not yet got out a programme —which he wouli distribute free-because he could not get sufficient advertisements to pay for the printing (laughter.) He did not feel disposed to print a programme and give it away for nothing. Therefore if they referred the matter to the General Purposes Committee in the hope that they were going to get something, they were starting on a track which they would be glad to give up. Councillor Peake: I move that the matter be allowed to drop altogether-that nothing be done. Alderman Doughton said Mr. Marks' remarks were quite uncalled for. It was not his intention to say that the Town Council wore going to benefit from the advertisements that would appear in the programme. What he said was that the band was engaged by the town, and they had the monopoly, consequently the least thing the Bandmaster could do, was to consult either with the General Pur- poses Committee or with the Council, before giving the preference to one tradesman to the injury of others. Councillor Peake: Mr. Edwards has nothing at all to do with it. Alderman Doughton: It is he who has all to do with it. He is the one that we look to. He is the one that we have engaged, and we have nothing to do with anybody else. He is account- able to us. Councillor Peake I am quite entitled to ask Mr. Edwards for the programme, and I can do what I like. Alderman Dougbton If I live, I'll see that he does not get the monopoly for advertising. Councillor Peake: You can't, you'll do your best you mean. Alderman Doughton: I'll do my best Councillor Peake Say that then. Alderman Palmer's motion to the matter be referred to the General Purposes Committee was then carried by 7 to 4. Councillor Marks said, he would print the programmes himself now." Alderman Doughton made a remark to the effect that the Committee would not meet. Councillor Jones said it was very unfair for any member to cast reflections on the Chairman of any Committee. Alderman Doughton had been Chair- man of the Harbour Committee for three years. Whenever Mr. Wynne had any business for which to convene a meeting, he always did so. It was a very wrong thing for any member of the Council in the absence of another member to cast reflections. Alderman Doughton: I must explain that. There is not a Public Works Committee on the Monday night, but what there is a Harbour Com- mittee. Mr. Jones is not a member of the Harbour Committee, but since I have been a member of the Council a Harbour Committee has been called on the Monday evening. Councillor Jones :—That has nothing to do with the General Purposes Committee. You say they don't meet and don't do their duty. I say they do. Alderman Doughton: When you've finished Councillor Jones: Oh! you are always on your legs. Alderman Doughton denied having cast a reflection on any one. What he meant was that the season would soon be over and asked when the Committee was likely to sit. Everybody under- stood his meaning except Mr. Jones. Councillor Jones: It is very ambiguous, if this is the way you express yourself. MR. HOPKINS' LEASE AGAIN. The following letter, addressed to the Mayor, was read from Miss Lewis, Llanon;—"To the members of the Council. I appeal against the injustice done to me at the last meeting of the Aberystwyth Council by granting compensation to Mr. Hopkins in respect of my property to which I am entitled. I herewith put in my claim for com- pensation. I also ask the Council upon what terms they will grant me a renewal of the lease of nos. 12, 14, and Court House, Penmaesglas Road. Mr. Hopkins disclaimed compensation on Saturday, the 4th day of last March." Alderman Peter Jones moved that Miss Lewis' application for a renewal of lease be placed on the agenda for the next meeting of the Council. Councillor Jones seconded. Councillor Williams: But there is also a claim for compensation. Councillor Peake: This has nothing to do with it. Alderman Jones I suggest if there is any claim that it should be placed in such a manner as to be intelligible to us (hear, hear). We ought to be told the amount of the claim and the grounds upon which it is made; otherwise it would be absurd to put it down on the agenda. Councillor Williams I suppose Miss Lewis can easily make this claim. Alderman Jones: Possibly she can. It is not very clear to-day. I can't make any suggestion as to it owing to the insufficiency of the statement. The Town Clerk suggested that he should write Miss Lewis, and ask her to elaborate her claim so as to make it quite clear what she meant, and then the matter could be put on the agenda for the next meeting. The Town Clerk was instructed accordingly, and Alderman Jones' motion was agreed to. Z, HOW THE TRAINS ARRIVE. The Town Clerk presented a return of the arrivals of trains during the past month. On July 1st there was one train 40 minutes late, another 35 minutes, and a third 30 minutes. Councillor Peake asked if lie had the times of arrival at Welshpool, and the Town Clerk replied in the negative. Alderman Palmer: I think the railway people are doing it as well as possible. Alderman Jones: There has been a marked this year. The Town Clerk here stated that he had just received a letter from Mr. Denniss, who said I have pleasure in stating for the information of your Council that arrangements have now been made for the morning mail to be further accelerated half-an-hour, but owing to the arrangements of other Companies, this alteration cannot take effect until October 1st, but there is reason to hope that it will then be a permanent improyement." The reading of the letter was marked by general expressions of approval on the part of the members. The Town Clerk stated that at the last meeting of the Council a resolution was passed to the effect that lie should forward the returns to the manager every fortnight. Councillor Peake: That's quite an unnecessary instruction. Tliev know every arrin-al. Councillor Marks agreed. Councillor Williams But having passed a resolu- tion we cannot rescind it without notice. Councillor Peake I move that you delay it till the next meeting. Councillor Williams f strongly object to that. Having unanimously passed a resolution at the last meeting it is out of order for any member to say "leave it. No wonder our resolutions are dis- regarded. I thought the Town Clerk would forward this return without bringing it even before the Council. Now certain people dont like it. (To the Chairman) I ask for your ruling. Councillor Salmon There's no harm. Councillor Williams We said it was to be sent every fortnight. Here's a fortnight up. Councillor Peake Oh well, let it be sent. It's only a waste of time. Alderman Jones: It might be satisfactory to know that the time recorded here is the same as that recorded by the officials. NORTHGATE POST OFFICE. A letter was read from Mr. John Evans, solicitor, on behalf of Mrs Hughes, applying for a modifica- tion of the terms for the renewal of her lease given by the Council on 18th of January last, by extending the period for doing the work laid down in the conditions from May 12th, 1900, to May 12th, 1901. The illness and death of the late Captain Hughes, and the difficulty of making a suitable temporary provision for the post office had greatly interfered with Mrs. Hughes' plans. The terms appeared from their (the Council's) letter to have been granted in Captain Hughes' name.. The premises were the property of Mrs. Hughes, and her late husband had no interest in them. He would feel obliged, therefore, if they would kindly have the mistake corrected. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. This Committee reported—Mr. David Evans and Captain Evans submitted plans of two houses pro- posed to be erected by them in Cambrian-street, and same were approved of. Mr. John Jones sub- mitted plans of Nos. 16 and 17, Northgate-street; these also were approved of subject to the Borough Surveyor being satisfied that the basement and area in front are properly constructed. The state of the footpaths generally was considered by your Committee, and it was decided that the Town Clerk should accompany the Chairman and Borough Surveyor to inspect the Parish Map at Llanbadarn for the Committee's guidance in reporting on the matter to the Council. The Borough Surveyor was alse instructed to put the Ropewalk hill footpath in proper state of repair. The report was adopted. Councillor Williams said steps ^should be taken to place six scab in l'enclinas. < HARBOUR COMMITTEE. The Harbour Committee reported that they had considered the application of Messrs. M. H. Davis & Sons for a lease of a piece of land on Rofawr for the erection of a shed 23 yards in length, and the matter was deferred in order that Messrs. Davis & Sons might be consulted and further information obtained. Alderman Roberts stated that Mr. Davies had been seen, and did not withdraw his application. He hoped that would be a source of revenue to the Harbour—from £25 to £ 30. Alderman Doughton said that it might be advisable to have a space between the North end of the present Steamers Warehouse, and the spot upon which Mr. Davis desired to build a shed, for the purpose of loading and unloading cargoes. The matter was referred back to the committee. TENDERS. Three tenders had been recommended for print- ing 200 copies of abstract of accounts for the year ended 31st March last, and that of the Welsh Gazette Priiiter-es-R6 10s—was accepted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee recommended that the Borough Accountant be instructed to order a suit for the Bellman on the same terms as last year from Mr. Thomas Hall, tailor, Terrace-road. That a donation of P,5 be made towards the funds of the Welsh Industries Exhibition to be held in Aber- ystwyth on the 6th and 7th September next. That the Mayor be authorised to affix the Corporate Seal to an agreement for a yearly tenancy of a piece of ground situate on the "Castle" to Her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for War at an annual rent of Is. The report was adopted. J. FIRE BRIGADE. The Town Clerk read a letter from the Chief Constable (Mr. Howell Evans) with reference to the Council's request that he should undertake the captaincy and formation of a new Fire Brigade at Aberystwyth, stating that the Joint Committee had met and passed a resolution to the effect that they did not think it advisable that he should perform any duties for any particular part of the County, other than the duties of his office. He was, therefore, unable to undertake the duties which the Council had unanimously requested him to undertake. Councillor Salmon I suppose the members of the Joint Police Committee would have no objec- tion to the use of our Five Brigade in different districts outside Aberystwyth in case of fire Councillor Jones moved that the matter be referred to the Brigade Committee with power to act.—Carried. THE MARKET. A letter was read from Mr. John Thomas and Mr. George Gardiner, Stallholders, asking what the rules were with reference to the hours of opening and closing the market, and stating that for the past few days they had been deprived of light at a certain hour. Councillor Jones moved that this be referred to the Markets Committee. Councillor Peake With the suggestion that the gas should be supplied by meter to each stall and every stallholder to pay for his own gas. Councillor Salmon said the stallholders paid tolls and they should have a proper light. Councillor Peake "here are some which use the gas for three or four hours and the others use none, and yet they have to pay the same. Councillor James said some of them burnt more gas than they paid for their stalls. The Town Clerk said the complaint was made because one stallholder took it upon himself to put out the light. He suggested that this should be put in the hands of the market caretaker. The Surveyor said the market was really made for the butchers, and it was desirable in their interests that the light should ba put out early, because of the meat. Alderman Jones thought these complaints might be sent in the first instance to the Committee. Councillor Jones said the Markets Committee should decide once and for all when the market should be opened and closed, as at present there seemed to be a good deal of doubt among stall- holders, and each one should be notified. It was agreed to refer the matter to the Markets Committee. SMALL ROUND ABOUT." Messrs. Enoch Edwards and Lewis Jones wrote asking for permssion to place on the beach a small roundabout for children to occupy only 10 square feet." Councillor Williams thought there was quite enough on the beach now, and the other members expressed the same opinion.

Cardiganshire Main Roads Committee.

BARMOUTH.

CORRIS.

Towyn County School.

-------------TOWYN.

DYFFRYN.

LLWYNGWRIL.

PONTRHYDFENDIGAID.

BERTH, Tregaron.

TREGARON.

ABERAYRON.

FESTINIOG.