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Merioneth County Council.

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Merioneth County Council. The quarterly meeting of the Merioneth County Council was held on Thursday, December 6th, at the County Hall. Dolgelley, Mr H. Haydn Jones, Towyn (chairman), presiding Hon. C. H. Wynn, Rug; Aldermen E. Griffith, Dolgelley; Dr Hughes, Bala; J. Hughes Jones. Aberdovey; Lewis Lewis, Barmouth; Andreas Roberts and W. P. Evans, Festiniog: Councillors Evan Jones, Bala William Jones, Talsarnau; David Edwards, Carrog: John Jones, Caenog; E. Jarrett, Llandrillo; John Parry, Bala: John Thomas, Llanycil; J. Lloyd Jones, Llanfor; R. E. Roberts, Llanuwchllyn; William Hughes, Dr John Jones, and J. Meyrick Jones, Dol- gelley; John Roberts, Bryncastell; G. Price, Llan- fachreth; John Evans, Barmouth John Davies, Dyffryn: J. H. Bullock, Dinas Mawddwy Morris Thomas, Corris: G. H. Ellis, Cynfal; E. P. Jones, Teigl; R. Roberts, Conglywal; Jehn Lloyd Jones, Diphwys :D. G. Jones. D. G. Williams, Bowydd D. Tegid Jones, Trawsfynydd; R. Charles Anwyl, Pennal: W. W. Owen, Trawsfynydd: J. Pugh Jones, Corris; Mr Robert Jones (clerk); Supt Jones, Mr E. J. Evans (inspector weights and measures), and the County Surveyor. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE. Letters of apology for inability to attend were read from Mr W. R. M. Wynne, Peniarth; Mr Wm. Davies, Caerblaidd Mr Wm. Jones, Aberdovey. TRIENNIAL ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS. The date of the next triennial election of County Councillors was fixed for Saturday,March 2nd, 1901. March 14th, 1901, was decided upon as the day for the election of chairman and aldermen and for holding a quarterly meeting of the Council after the next election of County Councillors. NO REPORTS. It wasannouncedjthat there were no reports from the county analyst and the district agricultural analyst. Mr Edward Jarrett said a farmer had asked him to enquire what was the expense of sending feeding stuffs to the analyst, and whether the Council bore a part of it. The Chairman said the county bore part, the whole expense being 10s 6d. Mr R. C. Anwyl said he had a letter on the sub- ject, and knew the farmer paid less than the county. Hon. C. H. Wynn asked was not the manufacturer bocnd to refund to the farmer if the feeding stuffs did not come up to the standard. The Cletk replied that on a conviction he would have to do so. Their county analyst, however, had never had a sample submitted to him. THE BUDGET. The Chairman said be found himself in the unusual position of having to submit the report of the Finance Committee. It had occurred through a letter being received from Mr William Davies, chairman of the committee, stating be was on the sick list, and his colleagues on the committee conferred on him the honour of selecting him chairman for the day. Mr Davies was unable to be present again that day, and consequently the duty of presenting the report had been placed on his shoulders. He was sure he was expressing the feelings of every member present when be said that they deeply regretted Mr Davies' absence, and especially. owing to the cause which bad led to it, viz his illness. And be thought he would be further interpreting their feelings when he said that they all wished him a speedy and complete recovery (hear, hear.) A recovery which would enable him to take his place amongst them, and take part in the delibera- tions of the Council, and preside over the committee which he had presided over with such marked Ability in the past. The Chairman then proceeded to state the position the various funds were in on the date of the last committee. There was a balance on the Asylum Loan Accoant of £ 163 0s lOd, which was the same that day. Pay- ments had been made on the Yestiniog Police Station Loan Account amouriting to 9229 16s 6d, and to meet that there was a. balance on the 17th Aug.. of £446 5a lOd, leaving still to the credit of the account P,223 109 4d. On the 17th Aug. there was a balance overdrawn of jE90 So 6d on the Police Pension Account since when payments had been made to the amount of E221 8s 8d. The receipts toward this fond amounted to f,74 178 2s, tearing a balance overdrawn of £146 11s 6d. This would be made good at the end of the year by a grant from the Treasury, and if there was still a defiency, a call would have to be made on the rates. As to the general County Fund payments were ordered at the Finance Committee amounting to S,3,467 15s 10. On the 17th August there was a balance in hand of 92,061 17s 9d. and subsequently rates to amount of 91,972 86 9d, had been received, making a balance with the treasurer of £ 3,865 7. 6d. The total receipts since June amounted £ 7909 Zs 7d, and deducting the pFLymen"- already made left a difference of 94,217 19s 114 which wag the balaace that the Finance Committee found to the credit of the county on the 16th Nov. last. The Chairman moved the adoption of the statement made by him. Aid J Hughes Jones seconded, and this was unanimously carried. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee, the report of which was also submitted by the Chairman, recommended the following payments:—Payments to Urban District Councils for repairs of main roads, £1,098 91 2d, salaries and miscellaneous bills, L799 98 9d; transfer of rate to County Governing Body, £ 569 6s 7d payments on loan account, £ 22215s 6d; payments on police acconnt, £ 762 7s lOd; county surveyor's estimate, £ 1,300; total fA752 8s lOd. ] Mr Andreas Roberts enquired why the amount for main road maintenance was increasing. He believed the amount for the quarter ending March next was about the largest ever placed before the Ooanty Council. Hon C. H. Wynne It is the largest by £50. Mr Andreas Roberts said they started with quarterly payments of jM50, and now they' were touching the £1300. -He would like to know whether there was any possibility of putting a stop to this ever-increasing expense. Hon. C. H. Wynn said he had a motion on the agenda with regard to it. The Chairman suggested to Mr Robertas that he should defer his remarks until the consideration of the Main Roads Committee's report. It was quite true that this item was the largest, but the sur- veyor explained at the Main Roads Committee that when the total expenditure on main roads for this year was considered it would be 9100 lesg than last year. Hon. C. H. Wynn seconded the adoption of the Finance Committee's report, which was then unani- mously approved of. COUNTY StrRVEYOleS REPORT The County Surveyor reported that the weather during the greater part of the past quarter had been wet, and injurious to the roads. He com- menced to lay metalling on the roads early in October, but a great many complaints were made in those districts where the roads were metalled without the use of the roller. He asked the Coun- cil to appoint a committee of two to meet an official of the Great Western Railway Company respecting a piece of road which they disputed their liability to repair. The Parish Council of Llanuwchllyn bad written again to say that the Council was liable for .the repair and maintenance of a certain footpath in their district. He had been unable to come to terms with Mrs Scott, Peniarth Ucha, as'to securing a supply of stones for the roads in the locality of Craigyderyn. In reply to Mr Anwyl, the Hon. C. H. Wynn said they must have magistrate's order before they could remove stone from any particular land. Unless they could obtain stone from Craigyderyn they would be unable to repair the road. Mr Morris Thomas said he-did not hear anything of the road from Machynlleth to Corris in the sur- veyors' report. He thought it was time the steam roller paid them another visrt. Perhaps there ought to be two steam rollers to do the work thoroughly, but if there was no chance of getting-the steam roller to Corris for some time, be would propose that when next the Montgomery Council's roller came to that district they should secure the loan of it for this road. Mr J. Pulie Jones seconded. • 1 Mr Roberts, Llanuwchllyn, said the footpath re-1 ferred to in the surveyor's report was made by the old highway authority and repaired by them. Mr R. C. 'Anwyl said there were five cr six waggons carrying timber along the road from Dovey Bridge to Pennal, and two from Dovey Bridge to Corris. He would like to know whether the surveyor was aware of it, and whether he had taken any steps to ascertain if the loads carried by these wagons were excessive or not. The Surveyor, replying to Mr Morris Thomas, said the steam roller could not be in every part of the county at the same time, and the people of Corris were not willing for him to put down stones unless they were rolled. He was willing to get half-a-dozen steam rollers if the Council would only allow him the money. As to what Mr Anwyl had said, he had asked the road foreman in that dis- trict to watch what weight was carried. The Chairman: Has he turned any waggons back? The Surveyor No. On the proposition of Mr Anwyl. it was decided that this matter be referred to the Main Roads Committee for consideration. Th- Hon C. :H. Wynne said with regard to the footpath at Llanuwchllyn, the Council had already disclaimed any liability to repair it. Of course, if the local people brought an action against them they would have to fight it, that was all, Mr J. Pngh Jones said that'when the roller was I in the Corris district there was nothing ready for I' it. and it remained idle for several days. At the suggestion of the Chairman, this matter was referred to the Main Reads Committee. Mr Roberts asked that a deputation from the Main Roads Committee be appointed to meet the Llanuwchllyn Parish Council with reference to the footpath. Mr E. Parry Jones: Why should we if we are not liable? Mr Roberts: We maintain the County Council is liable. This matter was also referred to the Main Roads Committee. MAINTENANCE OF MAIN ROADS. The report of the Main Roads Committee was submitted by the Hon C. H. Wynn, chairman. Re- ferring to the sums hitherto paid to Urban District Councils for the maintenance of main roads in their districts, the hon gentleman said he was glad to think that Bala, Towyn, and Festiniog had agreed to the terms offered them, which they (the County Council) thought were remarkably fair- He deeply regretted to say that, so far, Barmouth and Dolgelley had not fallen in. He hoped they would re-consider their decision, and come to see that the amount offered them was certainly just if not over- generous. As a matter of fact they believed they had offered them a fair sum, and if they com- pared it with the expenditure on the roads before, they would tind the Council bad struck a fair average. He trusted that by the ntoct time he would have the honour of presenting his report they might have Barmouth and Dolgelley included within it. The Clerk having stated, in reply to Dr J. Jones, that a letter bad been received from the Dolgelley Council on the matter, he was requested to read it. The letter was to the effect that in consequencs of the decision of the Main Roads Committee not to consider the claim of iE120 sent in by the Dol- gelley Urban Council in respect of expenditure on main roads, the Council was placed in a very serious position. They had either to neglect their duty to properly maintain the main roads, and so disentitle themselves to the certificate of the county surveyor, or they must arrange a further overdraft of from S200 to £300, with a certainty of a surcharge for the interest, or they would be compelled to levy a special rate to raise a sum of Z300 or Z400 as a standing balance with their treasurer. The Council had also adopted the following resolution :—"Resolved that a represnta- tion be made to the County Council that their present system of paying the chairman of this Council in respect of the expenditure upon main roads is unjust and oppressive to the ratepayers of Dolgelley, and that we strongly urge the Connty Council to pay a substantial sum on account of the claim lately submitted to the county surveyor, and to revert to their former practice of paving quarterly sums on account. Dr John Jones said he had been asked by the Dolgelley Urban Council to late this matter before the County Council, as it was thought they were being treated in an unfair and unjust manner He maintained that this unsatisfactory condition of things was entirely due to the County Council not paying their just and reasonable claim, and they maintained that the Council was bound by law to pay the claim, and he was sorry to say the Urban Council had come to the decision to force them to pay it if they did not do so. They at Dolgelley felt that the sum offered was far too small to meet the expenditure on main roads. In the past their motto at Dolgelley had been efficiency with economy and because they bad been economic they now had to suffer; while other Councils that had spent large sums were reaping the benefit. He hoped the County Council would reconsider the matter, and he could assure them the Urban Council would be only too happy to meet them and end this friction once. and for all. He proposed that the County Council pay 9100 on account to the District Council, and that a small committee be appointed to hold an enquiry into the matter. The Chairman: In other words you propose an amendment that these payments be made and that a further P.100 be paid on condition ? Dr Jones replied in the affirmative, adding'that in seeking these conditions he asked for no mercy at their hands but what was just and right. The Clerk and Vice-Chairman pf the District Council were. presett if any member wished to ask them any questions. Mr Meyrick Jones seconded the amendment. Aid Edward Griffith said the Urban Council of Dolgelley felt they had a grievance in this matter. They spent hundreds more on the main roads than the £140 now offered them. Their books were open for inspection, and he was in favour of the matter being referred back to the Main Roads Committee, so that one or two could be appointed to see what Dolgelley bad spent in time past, and that an instalment of £100 be paid in the meantime. He thought the Dolgelley Coancil would be satisfied with £ 200 per annum instead of £ 140. Aid Hughes Jones wished to know, in the event of the Dolgelley and Barinouth terms being altered, how they would stand with the other places ? The Chairman: That is the difficulty. Aid Lewis Lewis: Has there been any application from Barmouth t The Clerk: I have not heard anything. Mr Wm. Hughes said he did not see why Dolgelley should be punished because of the neglect of the County Council. The town had been working economically for the past six or eight years, and because of that they were now being punished. Was it not possible to raise the amount to EMT Mr Wm. Hughes also wished to know, inasmuch as the point had been disputed, whether the mileage of main roads in the Dolgelley Urban District was If or two miles. Dr John Jones; I say it is two miles. The Surveyor, being called upon by the Chairman said he bad measured the road with the town surveyor, and including the whole it was two miles. But there was a quarter of a mile which had to be repaired by the Great Western Railway Co, So for the town itself the mileage was If The Hon C. H. Wynn, replying to the discussion, said he had listened with interest to Dr John Jones' speech, and, naturally, as a townsman he would eodeavonr to obtain as much as he could for the town. The County Council based their valuation .00 .» .six gears' average. Dr John Jones said Dolgelley was punished because they did not spend a sufficient amount on the roads during those six wbtle-othir Urban Districts which had spent enormous sums got quite as much as they wanted. His answer was that if the capital town of Merioneth neglected its roads for six consecutive years be maintained they should not do so. Could any of them say that the roads in Dolgelley during the last six years had been in an unsatisfied state of repair ? He did not think so. How were they now to appoint a committee t Were they going to stultify themselves ? It was only after considerable labonr, calculation, and estimate that they fixed upon E140 as a fair demand for Dolgelley to make. If they altered it now the result would be that Towyn, Festiniog, and Bala would be up in arms, and say Why do you increase the amount to these towns unless you do the same for us ? It wonla De unjust to do so. The last committee was a representative one, and he did not think more time would have been spent in securing that what they thought was right and just was done. The road was It miles long. Did they not consider that over S70 a mile was quite sufficient to repair that walk? Did they not think it could be done with such good stone in the immediate neighbour- hood? Therefore, he certainly protested against appointing another committee simply to look into the work done by the first committee only a year ago. Had that committee not consisted of repre- sentatives of Dolgelley he would be willing to it, but he thought the mere fact of the other three towns agreeing with the offer pointed out that it was fair and just. He did believe that in their heart of hearts the Urban Council of Dolgelley thought the offer was quite enough, but that they were going in for a little but more. (Laughter). This agreement was not going to last for ever. A portion of the time was gone new, and it had only li years more to run. If at the end of that time Dolgelley considered itself underpaid, the system could then be re-adjusted. The Chairman said the grant to Dolgelley prac. tically came to £80 a mile, which was the same as they paid Bala. On a division, eight only voted for the amend- ment, which was, therefore, lost, the committee's recommendation being carried by a large majority. The amotints granted to the Urban District Council under the contracts for the quarter ending December 31st is as follows:—Bala, £20; Towjn„ £ 165 Festiniog, L306 total, .£490. MAIN ROADS COMMITTZB. This committee recommended that the applica- tion of the Dolgelley Rural JDistrict Council that the Aberartro Bridge, Llanbedr, be repaired at the expense of the County Council be deferred. The Hon. C. H. Wynn, explained that Mr John Evans, Barmouth, had undertaken to produce additional evidence at the next meeting of the committee to prove that this was a county bridge. The committee reported that a sub-committee had been appointed to inspect the main road near Griffin- terrace, Penrhyndeudraeth, and report upon the application of the Penrhyndeudraeth Parish Coun- cil that such main road be widened, and also to inspect the main road near Tan-y-bwlch House, Pen-y-bwlch, Penrhyndeudraeth. alleged by the same Parish Council to be in a dangerous state, and report thereon. The recommendation of the Committee that printed placards, in English and Welsh, be put up throughout the county warning all persons against committing the various offences mentioned in the Highway Act, 1835, was adopted. The Hon. C. H. Wynn said the nuisances referred to were broken bottles, trimmings from hedges, filth, bad fish, SLC. FUTURE MAINTENANCE OF MAIN ROADS. CONTRACTS TO BE INVITED. The following recommendations were included in the report of the Main Roads Committee:— That on and after the 31st March, 1901, the county main roads be repaired and maintained by tender and contract. If this recommendation is adopted that the county be divided into three districts or sections and that specifications be prepared showing in detail the material to be supplied and the work required to be executed on the several main roads in each such district or section Such specifications to show the quantity and quality of the material to be supplied and the work required to be executed by the contractor in the event of the contractor undertaking the work for a period of 1, 3, 5 or 7 years. That ;eij<leis be inviied by advertisement for undertaking the work, and !L, parties tendering requested to .-pecify |ior which district or section they tender, and whether for 1, 3, 5 or 7 years. Any person tendering to at liberty to put in tenders for or more of si: li periods and for one or more of tieli distn.s on sections. The Hon C. H. Wynn, in moving the adoption of the recommendatious, said he did not do so because he believed their present system was by any means a failure. He maintained that the main roads should be repaired by the County Council, or practically under their control. If the system they had adopted for a fpw years had failed, he believed it had done so simply for the want of better supervision. They were told that certain thousands of tons of metalliug were put down on the roads, but how could they prove it? It was impossible for the county surveyor to go round and measure every heap. And another thing, their roads were getting starved for the want of stone. He did not admit for a moment that their roads were not in a considerably belter condition now than when the County Council took them over from the old highway authorities. Still, at the same time, the roads were not what he should like them to be. It was an admitted fact that the roads were costing the Council on an average £ 17 a mile, rather than Z13 a mile as'a few years ago. It was perfectly true that the steam roller, crusher, and attendant men were an increased expense, but it was absolutely impossible for them to repair the roads, and do it properly, with only one steam roller and one crusher working over a distance of 223 miles. He wished to add to the first portion of the recommendations the words If found practical and tenders are approved." He meant to say that they might not get any tenders at all. Again, the tenders might be so remarkably high that they could not accept them. What he felt was that if they got tenders for the proper repair of their roads they would then have ascertained that they were able themselves to maintain the rural roads cheaper than any contractor could tender for them. If, on the other hand, the tender was under what the roads cost them to repair, then it would be for them in the interests of the ratepayers to accept that tender, provided the roads were repaired in an efficient and proper manner. It seemed to him it could be done cheaper in this way, because where there was a large expenditure of overEA,000 it would pay the contractor to have three or four steam rollers and steam crushers. By putting it in the hands of a contractor, all supervision, the question ef men, their time, the measurement of stone, and the amount of materials would be all off their hands, and would rest entirely with the contractor. And the responsibility of the contractor would be that he would maintain the roads to the satisfaction of the county surveyor. The paragraph with refer- ence to the period of contracts was introduced by the ingenuity of their Chairman, in order to give small contractors a chance of contracting if they thought fit. Speaking as to what they would save by this arrangement, Mr Wynn said several members of the County Council had spoken to him in reference to the amount paid to their road fore- men and what they had for the money, and so forth. At present they spent L300 or L400 a year, but by the new arrangement they would get rid of all that. Another was that they would obtain a proper and economic breaking of stone. He did not say for one moment that the project would be carried out. All he wanted the Council to do was to give the Main Roads Committee a chance of carrying it out. Mr Svan Jones seconded, and said that by having tenders they would be able to compare the cost under the contract system with what it cost them to do the work themselves. Mr R. C. Anwyl thought theproposal an excellent one, and the thanks of the Council were due to the conceiver of it. It was a new departure, and be thought would lead to good advantages. Mr John Thomas spoke in favour of the pro- position. Mr William Jones said it seemed to him that by adopting these proposals they would be creating four "new road foremen in addition to the four- already engaged (cries of No, no.") Mr John Davies, Dyffryn, said there was another question. Where were they to find these con- tractors? He doubted very much whether they could be found in the county of Merioneth. They now spent on an average £1,000 a quarter on main roads, and by the proposal to divide the county into three sections it would meangm a quarter for each district. Where could they find an experienced contractor in the county with that sum of money in hand to spend every quarter. He was afraid it would lead to the contracts being let to someone outside the county. He understood this scheme had been adopted in some places in England, and very probably an English contractor in a larger way of business would tender, and if his tender was the lowest then the amount they now spent on main roads would go to outsiders. That Englishman would bring English labour to the county, and the money spent on the repairs of main roads would go to England. Hon C. H. Wvnn: Why Mr John Davies That is generally the case with these English contractors as well as Scotch. They always bring their own people, and have more con- fidence in their own people. Proceeding, Mr Davies said why should they not adopt a simpler scheme. He admitted that in the scheme now before them there was something grand, but as a rule the simpler the means the better the results. It had been hinted that the so-called foremen were to be done away with, Why should they not adopt in this county the scheme adopted on the railroad ? The railroad was divided into a number of lengths, and on each length there was a number of plate- layers, and from amongst them a foreman. I was appointed. Something similar to that was carried on on the parish toàdsohhis county, and why could not a simpler and unexpensive scheme of that sort be adopted on the main roads. Alderman Edward Griffith said he was in favour of the new scheme, especially after the addition Mr Wynn bad made to his resolution. They would only be asking for tenders, and if they did not get tenders they would fall back on the old system. He. however, would like to have a clearer under- standing as to the number of districts the county would be divided into. Mr Morris Thomas said he was in favour of four or five districts, and then, even if they did not get tenders for the whole county, they could give the new scheme a trial in any particular part of the county. Mr B. Parry Jones said it seemed to him if they divided the county into small sections they would be too small to have the roller to go over them. The old dispensation of road-making would not do now. They must have rollers to go over them everywhere, and so that would go against Mr Davies' arguments. He thought the best thing would be to give the scheme a trial. Mr Edward Jarrett supported the recommenda- tions. It was the opinion that when the County Councils came into existence the rates would go down, but it bad proved otherwise. Regarding what Mr Davies bad said, it made no difference where the contractor came from. Whoever he was he would be obliged to spend money in the county. and he was in favour of free trade for everybody. A question was raised as to increasing the num- ber of districts into which the county should be divided, and at the Chairman's suggestion it was agreed that the word "three" should be deleted from the recommendation. Mr Edwards thought that by adopting this contract system they might be turning away ex- perienced men and taking inexperienced men in- their stead. Alderman J. Hughes Jones supported the recom- mendations, believing that thereby they would get more work done for their money. He would favour short contracts to begin with, in order to ascertain how the scheme worked. Mr Andreas Roberts was of opinion that the proposals- were very good ones, and baaed on sound principles, He did not think that their roads were very bad, and in his opinion the Main Roads Committee bad worked equal to any Main Roads Committee in anv countv. Mr W. P. Evans said he was sorry he could not subscribe to Mr Roberts' opinion that their main roads were equal to those of any county. He must differ from that opinion.:He wished toknowwhether, in case of flood washing away county bridges and culverts, this system of contract would cover that ? Who would have to put the bridges and culverts in proper repair. The Hon. C. H. Wynn said Mr Evans was going into technicalities. The recommendations were simply the framework of the scheme. In such cases as Mr Evans had mentioned he thought the repairing work would be given the contractor to do and he would be paid extra for it. Mr John Davies bad described his proposal as a beautiful dream (laughter). But Mr John Davies had forgotten one thing that dreams were apt to have a rude awakening. Mr Davies spoke as if this matter was an accomplished fact, when it was only in the egg. It had not been sat on yet (laughter). He only wished they could carry out the scheme, because what would be the result ? It would either mean that their roads would be repaired at a less sum and perhaps better than at present, or, on the other hand, they would have the satisfaction of knowing that they were doing their best and that on the most economical system. Himself he doubted it, he was sorry to say. It was too good to be true; but they as a Main Roads Committee would do their best. He believed they had adopted the best system that any county could adopt for the past three or four years, butr still every system'was open to amendment. Mr John Davies: Are we to. understand that before any contract is executed this matter is to come before the Council again ?■ Hon C. H. Wynn Most decidedly. Mr Davies added that in all probability all the tenders received would be under the sum now expended, because the discussion there that day would be circulated everywhere, and, as had been said, no tender would be accepted if it exceeded the amount now spent on the main roads-. The- recommendations were then put to the meeting and adopted. THE ROLLER BREAKS DOWN*. At this point Dr John Jones intimated that a telegram had been received from Trawsfynydd stating that the cog wheel of the steam roller had broken.and the County Surveyor wanted instructions in the matter. Hon C. H. Wynn Get a new one (laughter.) The Chairman I think the sooner the better or we shall be at a greater loss than ever. APPOINTMENTS. Aid W, P. Evans, and Messrs Morris Thomas and John Evans (Barmouth), were re-elected to be governors of the University College of North Wales, Bangor, for the year 1901. The Hon C. H. Wynn. Messrs C. H. C. Calverley, J. A Pngb, H. E- Walker, J. W. Roberts. and Morris Roberts were re-appointed conservators for the Dee Fishery District. Messrs William Jones (Aberdovey), R. C. Anwyl, and E. W. Kirk by were appointed to serve on the Agricultural Committe of the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, for 1901. The following six were appointed to attend a joint conference to be held at the University College of Wales, Aberyst- wyth. during this month, to consider proposals for the further developement of technical education, viz:—Messrs Osmand William, M.P., H. Maydn Jones. Hon C. H. Wynn, William Davies, E. Parry Joues, and Arthur Clendon (Dolgelley.) TOWYN BOUNDARIES. A deputation of the Council appointed to consider the application of the Towyn Council for an alteration of their boundaries, so as to make the Union and Urban boundaries co-terminous,. was presented. The report stated the application. was a reasonable one, and the County Council was recommended to make an Order approving the alterations applied for. The report was unanimously agreed to. GLANDOVBY JUNCTION BRIDGE. The Chairman announced he bad been requested by Mr Wm. Jones, Aberdovey, who was unable to be present that day owing to family illness, to call attention to the Bill now being promoted in Parliament by the Cambrian Railway Co. As far as he could make out one of the things sought by the Company was power to substitute for the existing swing bridge at Glandovey Junction a fixed bridge, and Mr Wm Jones told hiim that there was very strong feeling in that district against this proposed substitution. It simply meant that any barges or boats which might at any time be required to convey minerals, slates, &c., from the Pennal district would be stopped from coming under the bridge. Mr Jones had made a note to this effect:— Although the traffic on the river Dovey has not been such as to necessitate the opening of the bridge, yet no one can say how soon slate or lead mines may be opened in the district, and if it is closed all the district will be more at the mercy of the Railway Company on the matter of railway rates for goods." The Chairman said if they took the step suggested to oppose the Bill in Parliament it would be a serious matter for them. But there was no question on the other hand that it was a matter that should not be passed without notice, and he would suggest the appointment of a small committee to confer with the inhabitants of that district and report to the next meeting of the Council. Mr R. C. Anwyl said the difficulty was that by the Act- of Parliament the Company were not obliged to open- the drawbridge- within twenty minutes of the time of the- train being due, and during the summer, when the traffic was con- siderable, the boats had to wait a long time, and thus lost the tide. Alderman Lewis Lewis said he did not think it was a matter for the Connty Council to deal with. The proper quarter to apply to was the Board of Trade Harbours Department, und that Board were in duty bound to protect them. Eventually, Mr R. C. Anwyl, Alderman Lewis Lewis, and Mr William Jones were appointed to confer with the inhabitants of the district on the .matter, andon tbe mo%on of Mr Morris Thoma* it was decided to invite the co-operation of the Montgomery County Council in the matter. THB INEBRIATES ACT. A letter was read from the Northampton County Council stating that they were about providing an inebriate reformatory in their county, and asking whether this Council would agree to send their inebriates there. The Chairman said when the matter was considered at the Finance Committee the Chief Constable reported thete were only two in the county who would come under the Inebriates Act, and he believed both eame from Festiniog (laughter). The letter was allowed to lie on the table. FOOD AND DRUGS ACT. A communication was read from the Board of Agriculture giving an extract from an inspector's report pointing out that although the population of the county in 1891 was 49,212, during the current year only one sample was taken under the above Act. The Board considered that the number of samples taken could not be sufficient, and suggested that the Council call the attention of its officers to the matter. The letter was referred to the Chief Constable,

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