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LIGHT RAILWAYS FOR CARDIGANSHIRE.…

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LIGHT RAILWAYS FOR CARDIGAN- SHIRE. THE LAMPETER- ABERAYRON SCHEME. Government Inquiry. Interesting Evidence. COST OF UNDERTAKING AND LOCATION OF STATIONS. A Move in Carmarthenshire. Something definite in the promotion of the much-talked of scheme for a railway from Lampeter to Aberayron was achieved on Tuesday last, when an enquiry was held at the Town Hall, Lampeter, by the Light Rail- way Commissioners, into an application by the promoters for an order to authorise the construction of the said light railway. The application was made under the Light Rail- ways Act, 1896. The proposed railway will be 13i miles long, and the cost of construc- tion is estimated at £ 88,277. The Commissioners were Colonel Boughey, R.E., C.S.I and Mr. Henry Allen Steward, with Mr. E. Welby-Everard as acting secre- tary. There was a representative attendance of those interested in the project, and of the general public; amongst those present being Colonel Davies-Evans, (Lord Lieutenant of the County), Mr. Delme Davies Evans, Highmead; Mr. J. C. Harford, Falcondale; Captain Herbert Vaughan Brynog; Mr. Inglis Jones, Derry Ormond; Major Pryse Lewes, Mrs. Lewis, and Miss. Lewis, Tyglyn Aeron Miss Lewis, Llanlear; Dr. Hugh Walker, Lampeter; Mr. Lewis Bowen, agent for the Llanaeron Estate Mr. C. Denham, Evans, solicitor (agent for the mortgagees of the Monachdy Estate), Mr. B. C. Jones, clerk to the Aberayron Board of Guardians; Alderman J. M. Howell, Counr cillor E. Lima Jones; Councillor E. Hughes Davies, chairman of the Aberayron r rban Council; Councillor J. T. Evans; Mr. J. Davies, Feather's Hotel; Mr. John Evans, merchant, and Mr. Thcmas Pugh, Paris House, Aberayron Councillor J. Jones, Cwm- ere-, Mr. J. Jenkins, "Rural District Surveyor for Aberayron Rev. T. P. Lewis, vicar o Silian; Mr. J. Jenkins Blaenplwyt; Mi. i. Jenkins, C.C., Mr E. Mathias, cattle drover; Mr. Pritchard, agent for the Falcondale Es- tate; Dr. Davies, Llandyssul; Mr. Edward Jones Pontfaen; Mr. D. Price Jones, Rhyd- veof Mr. E. H. Formby, Glandennis; Mr. John' Jones, Tyrilloft; Mr. Thos. Jenkins, Bronfre; Mr. Thomas James, Pontfaen; Mr. David Jones, Cwmmane; Mr Thomas Davies,, Dremddufawr; Mr. Joseph Davies (Mayor of Lampeter); Councillors Chas. Evans, Timothy Richards, Lampeter; Mr. T. L. Davies, Fair- field, Lampeter, etc. Mr E. W. I Paterson, solicitor, London, appeared on behalf of the promoters. The engineers are Messrs. S. W. Yockney and A. L. Yockney. Mr. C. W. Szlumper said he appeared on behalf of the Manchester and Milford Railway Company only to see that certain clauses were inserted. Mr Peterson, in submitting the applicat- ion to the Commissioners, said it was signed by land-owners in the district,, who were, therefore much interested in it. These were Mr J. C. Harford, Mr. Inglis Jones, Mr. J. E. Rogers, Me. Herbert Vaughan, Colonel Davies-Evans (the Lord Lieutenant), Mr. Jenkin Jenkins, Major Pryse Lewis, Mrs. Ashby Lewis (Llan Aeron), and Mrs. Davies- Evans, who was interested in the Glandennis estate. Mr. Peterson also read a letter from Mr. Henry H. Davies, Rock House Llan- dvssul, through whose property the line wmild go for a distance of about half-a-mile stating that all that lay in his power he would do in promoting this admirable scheme. The line, continued Mr. Peterson, was; to be of^the ordinary guage, and would be 13a ™lles length. It had been taken so fai as it \\as possible in a hilly country, m a direct line. The population of the district to be served was between 6,000 and 7,000. The popula- tion on the actual line of route was 5,193, made up as follows :-Lampeter 2,006, Silian 268, Bettws Bledrws 204, Ciliau Aeron 300 Llanfihanpel Jstrad 91 A™ t erch Aeron 173, Aberayron 1,263 lhe line commenced with a junction with the Manchester and Milford Railway at a point a little to the north of Lampeter Station. It travelled north to Glandennis, where it crossed the main road between Lampetei and Aberystwyth. It then turned a little toward the west, leaving the village of Silian about half-a-mile on the left hand, and pass- ed through a part of the paiish o e vs Bledrws to Blaenplwyf, the residence of M Jenkin, Jenkins, through whose land the rail- way passes for a mile, and who was one of the promoters who signed the application, and was a very keen supporter of the scheme. The highest point on the line was reached by Mr. Jenkins' Farm, and up to that point there was a certain amount of steep gradient. In a railway like this, where the surface had been followed, with the object of not having heavy engineering works, it was necessii-y to have some rather serious inclines, but the engineer would tell them that no ncline ex- ceeded 1 in 40, and that there was no cuive of less than 11 chains. From the up of the hill the line tended a little towards the west, leaving Talsarn onthe right, and descended into the Aeron Valley, it passed ticse to Llanfihangel Ystiad, a large village about half-way between Lampeter and Abelay' on. Leaving Brynog—the seat of Captain Hubert Vaughan, one of the promoters—on the right, it passed through about three miles of his property, and reached in the same cuiot tion, the parish of Ciliau Acron, passing the village about three-quarters of a milt cn the left hand From there, the railway continued in a north- westerly direction to Llanerch Aeron, passing close to L'.an Aeron Park, the residence of Mrs, Ashby Lewis, who was also a keen sup- porter and one of the promoters who signed the application. The line then turned a little more to the north, and ended at a point near the County School at Aberayron. The actual point where the terminal station was to be had not yet been settled; out powers had been obtained to take land so that a terminus could be put up at the most convenient place for the inhabitants of the little town or large village of Aberayron. The terminus would also be at seme point ccn- venient to the fishing harbour which was situated at that place. Taere was no opposi- tiqn to the undertaking. This was the first time he had the pleasure of bringing an ap- plication before the Light Railway Commis- sioners without having an opponent. But everybody in this district seemed to be anx- iuos to have the line made, and there had been hardly any whisper of discord as far as he knew. There had been several persons who had dissented. Mr. Paterson then went on to emumerate the dissents, and the man- ner in which they had been dealt with. The first was Mrs. A. T. Jones, the present oc- cupier of Glandennis House and Park. Mrs. Jones gave no reason for her dissent. He bad made some effort to asceitam what the lady's objections were, and he thought they might be summed up by saying that she would rather have the railway, if possible, a little further away from the house. He had also been informed that her tenancy of the house ceased at Michaelmas next, and, therefore, he did not apprehend that that dissent would weigh very much with the Conmnssioneis. Mrs. Jones was a part owner of the estate or Gla.ndennis, having half a life interest in It with Mrs. Davies-Evans, one of the promot- crs" and at the cessation of these life inter- ests it reverted to a member of Colonel Davies Evans' family, who was also a keen supporter of this undertaking. Mr. Peterson also read a letter from Mr. D. W. Drummond, agent of the estate, stating that the objections had been corrected so far as it was possible to do 8, and lie did not think Mrs. Jones' objec- tions would have a footing ,inasmuch as she was only a tenant, and her lease expired at Michaelmas next, and the owner of the es- tate, Mr. Davies-Evans, was in favour of the scheme. Mr. Drummond, added Mr. Peter- son, was also agent for the Cawdor Estate. The' next dissenter was John Arthur P'ice Jones, tenant of Tynlloft, but an arrangement had been arrived at by which he agreed to withdraw his dissent. There -as a dissent put in after the plans had been considered by Mrs. Mary Jane Lewis, but she haci also w'th- draAvYi on having the matter explained to her. She was afraid they we-^goiog to in- terfere with some water supp-ving Llanllear House. Miss Lewis and Ma.vv* Prvse L° >^is were present, and would confirm h s state- ment c'-at bhey ha* take1? ch steps as would satisfy her. r- James" Davies Pietvll Gvyn, <~Slinu Apron, objected to the scheme ori th • d tnt there ivgp, j» spring v b'ch tl-.f'o"ro:,t w(}lJlrl he interfered with. The r- g' vr-t over it the prlwions day, air* eyp'ie t" 1Î,'1 that owing to a '"eviat'on tl-pr tt.' "( 1 tal- ready they would not gf) fl, He was perfectly satisfied with awl he would witlic.i aw his objection. Nalh- aniel Davies' house also came within the limits of deviation, but they would not go near that. Colonel Boughey: Some of these matterr, will have to be dealt with by clauses. Mr. Peterson: I hardly think that will be necessary because the line goes nowhere near that house. It happens to be within the limit of deviation, but owing to arrange- ments that have since been made with other owners, we must now adhere to a centre line, and under these circumstances we do not go near Mr. Nathaniel Davies' house. The Commissioner: The obvious way of dealing with that is to put a clause in the Order. Mr. Peterson: If the Commissioners wish it" it can be done. Colonel Boughey: The same would apply to Mr. James Davies' case and Mrs. Ashby Lewis certainly wants a clause. Mr. Peterson explained that Mr. Alban Davies was another objector, his property being contiguous to Mrs. Ashby Lewis'. If they put the centre line as agreed with IV rs. Ashby Lewis then Mr. Alban Davies did not object to the way in which they affected his land. He had also called upon Mrs. Margaret Jones, Bryn Aeron, another objector. She wanted them to keep the line as far away from her house as possible, and they had pro- mised that that should be done. As to Mrs. Ashby Lewis' land at Aeron Park, that mat- ter he thought, had been dealt with by the Commissioners' officers in London to a great extent. Colonel Boughey: f We have been told that some arrangements are acceptable to Mrs. Lewis. We do not know what they are, but presume they will be included in the clause. Mr. Peterson: It will be included in the clause to be inserted for her protection. Mr. Peterson proceeded to read a letter received from Messrs. Busk, Mellor, and Co., London, solicitors for the Llanaeron Estate, which contained a reference to the terminus at Aberayron. This, it was stated, could be put either just over the river close to the bridge, or it could be put on the other side of the road—which, possibly would be mere con- venient to the Harbour—on Mr. Alban Wynne's land. He only had one more dissent, aad that waa from Mm. Mary Ann Frances Edwards, who said it would spoil the property for letting purposes. There were no buildings upon the land, and the whole thing resolved itself into a question of com- pensation. He had received a letter from Mrs. Edwards' brother, a barris- ter, who said that as Mrs. Edwards was not a resident, and not likely ever to become one again, it was a matter of indifference to her whether the railway was made or not, and, therefore, he thought it was a matter of the price to be paid for any land in which she had any interest which might be required. Mr. Peterson said the promoters proposed to take the whole of the property,, which was about three acres. The district to be served by the railway was one which he ventured to hope the Commissioners would think was particu- larly adaptable for a light railway. There were parts of it as much as 13 miles from a railway station. The nearest railway station was Lampeter on the Manchester and Milford Railway. The other railway station was Aberystwyth, which could only be reached from Aberayron and the neighbourhood by travelling over 16 miles of road. Colonel Boughey: Of cours, the Commis- sioners, as you are aware, have already sanc- tioned a light railway from Aberystwyth to Aberayron, but have heard nothing about it. I don't know whether you have any remarks to make on that. Mr. Peterson said he had heard of it as a matter of report, but he had had no notice from the promoters of that undertaking, and they were not there that day. They did not consider their line to be in any way in oppo- sition to that. It would, he thought, be very difficult to find another place in England or Wales with such a large population, and with such a great lack of railway accommodation. The Aeron valley, which would be principally served by the line, was a particularly fertile one, and the farmers there, he was happy to believe, were as prosperous as it was possible for any agriculturists to be under existing circumstances. They would be more pros- perous if they had a railway. One of their difficulties was that they had to keep more horses above what they wanted to keep ow- ing to the amount of haulage. Cattle sold by the farmers also had to be driven a long distance to the railway, which made them tired, and upon being trucked they laid down, and were injured. The inhabitants generally also suffered because they had to pay more for commodities consequent upon the extra charges for haulage. There was also the fishing industry in the district. There was a harbour at Aberayron which was particu- larly suitable for fishing boats. They had quays there, and piers to protect the entrance and the depth of the water at the harbour was only five feet below the depth at the Liverpool entrance. Befoie present circum- stances supervened, the fishing industry at Aberayron was much more important than it was at the present time. But it had lan- guished, not because there was no fish, for it so happened that just opposite the harbour there was a gutter, which was one of the best breeding places on the coast. The Aber- ayron harbour did not reap the benefit of this, because, owing to there being no railway, the boats from other parts of the country came and trawled the fish in the bay and took it away. There were gentlemen at Aberay- ron who were anxious to prosecute this fish- ing industry, if they could get a fair return for their money, and they would get this if they could land their fish, and have it im- mediately taken away by rail to the markets in England. The only existing railway in the district was the Manchester and Milford Railway, and that Company was prepared to agree that they should have clauses inserted in the Order, which would enable them to come to agreements with that Company. They proposed when the proper time came, to ask for an interchange of traffic, and also other agreements as to the working of the line. lie had a letter from Mr. Boscawen, one of the diiectors, addressed to Air. Har- ford, stating he was in communication with the secretary of the Manchester and Milford Railway Company with regard to the Aber- ayron Light Railway, and it he could pos- sibly get anything by the 26th, he would do so. Mr. H. A. Steward: What is he in com- munication about? Mr. Peterson: The engineer tells me with a view to an amicable working arrangement with them. Mr. Peterson then went on to deal with the financial part. He said the land-owners along the route were prepared, either by a free grant of their land or other- wise to give all reasonable assistance and facilities in their power for the construction of the railway. It was intended to ask the treasury for a free loan or a special atWtonce, or a free grant or a loan, or partly a free grant and partly a loan. The estimate was t88,277 Mr. H. A. Steward: Does that include the purchase of the, land ? Mr. Peterson: Yes. Even if the land owners do give the land, I think the proper thing is to include the land in the estimate But it does not include the rolling stock. That will come to about £ 10,000. Mr. H. A. Steward: If you buy it? Mr. Peterson: If we don't buy it, we will have to earn the money and pay for it. The promoters are arranging ior the provision of half the capital, and have contemplated that they will obtain a quarter, or if necessary, rather more, from the County Council and other local authorities. The draft order proposed a capital of £ 150,000, but at that time they did not know what the estimate would come to, as the surveys were not com- pleted. Mr. H. A. Steward: what do you say you want ? Mr. Peterson: £ 1^0,000. Mr. Steward: Will that include rolling stock ? Mr. Peterson: Yes. Colonel Boughey: With borrowing OA N, in addition? Mr. Peterson: Yes. Colonel Boughey: How m 'd-, are going to spend ? Mr. Peterson: £1I}f,138 10. Colonel Boughey: To make the line? Mr. Peterson: Yes, and in f< .ding tho rol- ling stock, leaving a small balance of zC,5,000 ior working capital, etc. Mr. H. A. Steward: Do you include the ex- penses of your Order in the £ 104,000. The Engineer (Mr. S. W. Yockney) replied that the expenses would be divided as follows: —Works and land, 1:88,277; rolling stock, 1:10,000; administration, engineering, and costs of order, £ 11,723. Mr. H. A. Steward: Does that include in- terest on capital during construction? Mr. Yockney: I did not take that into con- sideration. Mr. Steward: I only want to see what kind of margin you want. Where does your item for working capital come in ? Mr. Yockney: The working capital would be covered by the rolling: stock and the 1:11,723. Mr. Peterson explained that it would be in- cluded in the balance of the £ 11,000. The working capital on a line like this would be very small. The promoters proposed to pro- vide £ 44,138. He had resolutions from all the local public bodies, except the County Council, promising their support to the scheme. In the case of the County Council he had resolutions from the Main Roads Committee and the Finance Committee, but the Council itself did not meet until the 4th prox. Mr. Sidney William Yockney, engineer, of Victoria-street, Westminster, and Chepstow, Mon, was then called to give evidence. He said that in the course of nis practice he had constructed the Cardiff and Penartk trsuawaaJ the Guernsey Light Railway, light railway of the Mumbles Railway, the VVye Valley Railway, and the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway. He had been engaged in the con- struction of a number of ordinary railways in West Somerset, Bristol, and South Wales, tor thirty years. The length of the malIl line of this railway was lij miles 3 furlongs between Lampeter and Aberayron, with a small junction, to the Manchester and Mil- lord Railway of a few chains in length. The total amount of the estimate was. £ »8,277. It was a. single line of the ordinary guage, with passing places ana sidings. When they got into the Aeron Valley the railway followed very much the direction of the main road. Colonel Boughey: The line follows the road very closely, but in. many places the road is included within the limits of devia- tion. Do you intend to alter the, road or interfere with it P Mr. Yockney: Only one road deviation is intended, and that is at Glandennis. There is no interference with the main road except by crossing. Mr. Yockney proceeded to say that there was no worse gradient than 1 in 40. The feature of the gradient was the surmounting of the ridge of hills between Lampeter and the Aeron Valley. Colonel Boughey: The long inclines are from Lampeter up to the summit. Mr. Yockney said they had been able to get curves of 11 chains radius. There were no tunnels, no viaducts, and very few bridges. There would be one bridge over the river Aeron. There would be no heavy earth works. He considered a railway would be a great advantage to the district. The present cost per ton for haulage across this ridge of hills varied from os. to 6s. per ton for four or five miles. For instance, all the coal had to go by road into Aeron Valley. He had also been informed by the farmers of the district that a railway would give them bet- ter facilities for getting artificial manures and feeding stuffs, and they would also be able to send away their dairy produce at a reasonable price to the mining parts of Glam- organshire. At Aberayron there was a small tidal harbour, but there was a considerable length of quayage there, and it seemed to him a very suitable place for landing fish, if the fish could be got away. With very few exceptions, everyone was in favour of the line, and it would be unpardonable if they did not lay out a good line, considering that everyone gave them the best advice they possibly could. As to the stations, he would deal with the road side stations first. He oonsidered there should be one at Silian; then a station at the summit, not that there was a village there, but there was a cluster of farms, and a wool factory, together with a large area of upland,, which could be greatly benefitted by having the carriage of artificial manures facilitated. Another station would be at Talsarn, in the middle of the Aeron Valley, and another between Talsarn and Temple Bar. The next place for a station would be Llanfihangel Ystrad, and the next station would be called Aeron Station, but he had not quite made up his mind as to the site. It might be at Neuadd-ddu or Pontfaen. There would also be a station at Llanerch Aeron, thus making six intermediate stations, each about two miles apart. He had pro- vided for a terminal station at Lampeter, but, he hoped, indeed he believed, that they would be able to make mutual arrangements with the Manchester and Milford Railway Company-whose engineer he was glad to see present that day-by which they could spend money in improving and enlarging the pre- sent Lampeter Station,, and make it a com- mon station, both for the traffic of the Man- chester and Milford and the Light Railway. Mr. H. A. Steward: Do you mean to run into their station ? Mr. Yoekney: Yes. Colonel Boughey: You run for a mile along side their line, and by arranging for a common station, could you not also arrange to run along that portion of the line. Mr. Yockney said that question had been discussed, but he thought it would necessi- tate the laying of a second line of rails. He, however, favoured the making of a separate a line. As to the tei minus at Aberayron, there were three sites, but the best, he thought, would be one in the gardens near the bridge. Colonel Boughey asked, having regard to the cost of the line, what did Mr. Yockney think were its earning prospects. Mr. Yockney replied that a large income from it could not be expected for some time. He thought, however, he might fairly as- sume that it would take, judging from other railways of a somewhat similar character, zC12 a mile par week, and that would produce, reckoning 55 per cent. for working expenses, a net revenue of £ 3,763 a year. zE12 per mile per week was about half what the Cam- brian Railway made. Colonel Boughey: Still P,12 per mile per (week is a high estimate for a sparsely-popu- lated country. Mr. Yockney: I think it a fair estimate. Colonel Boughey: Do you anticipate any special items, such as tourist traffic? Mr Yockney: No, but we thought fish would be a special item. Mr. H. A. Steward remarkedthat a short railway was different to a long one, as it bad no streams of traffic rolling in. Mr. Jcckney said he thought the amount mentioned would lie realised, and that on 1:110,000 would give 3t per cent. Mr. Steward: But you hope to get a Trea- } sury grant. Mr. Yockney: That would not help us un- less it was a free grant. Colonel Boughey: Some tourist traffic will be expected. Air. Yockney: Yes, the tourist traffic, no doubt, will be considerable. Colonel Boughey: Have you any reason to suppose that the Manchester and Milford would work you for 55 per cent. Mr. Yockney: I have no reason to believe that, but I know 55 per cent. is about what a line will cost to work. It has been sugges- ted that it should be worked at cost price. Colonel Boughey: That would not suit you. Mr. Yockney: I don't know. I am inclined to think it would. I rather like the idea, because it is quite certain that an existing company, having their staff, etc., could wore it as cheap as we could work it ourselrea. Colonel Boughey: But they would have no interest in working you cheaply. Mr. Yockney: We should have to take care that the working was properly conducted. Colonel Boughey: But you would not have much to say to that after the arrangement was completed. Mr. Yockney: We would have to guard against that. In renlv to the Commissioners, Mr. Yock- ney said it was intended to have a level cros- sing and jot a bridge at the four mile point. Mr. Peterson A great effort has been made to construct the line economically. Colonel Boughey: It is quite evident it will require to be constructed economically if it is to pay. In reply to further questions, Mr. Yockney said the cofet of cuttings and embankments worked out at £ 1,800 per mile, but there weve one or two places where he thought a little could be saved. The minimum weight of rail was 75 lbs. M-. E. H. Formby said he understood it was intended to place a station within forty ¡ yar, k,, of tho front gate of Glandennis. Mr. Yockney s,,£-1 the actual site *s 3.-t,!cd, but L. 11 be r.ocassary to kave a I strtVn near rj]'« i. ^rt-anly not within fo-tv I)f t."0 ho'Tse. A station meanr rrn=rWp h')"8P and sidings, and that wouL: bo imand«raal». fr. Yockney: The station would be hidden from Glandennis. Mr. Peterson: The station would be 40 yards from the gate, and the gate is 60 yards from the house. Mr. Formby: It is not a matter for me to discuss. It is a matter for the receiver of the estate, who, unfortunately, is not able to be here to-day. A short consultation then took place with the Commissioner. Colonel Boughey after wards said the discussion was to the effect that it was desirable not to have a station at Glandennis. The engineer said that a station there was necessary, but that it might be possible to keep it a few yards further baek to the nortk-eaat. Mr. J. C. Harford, Falcondale, said he was one of the promoters of the line, and con- sidered that the present scheme^as much wanted. He was satisfied that the route chosen was the best. Although there was a harbour at Aberayron, Lampeter was the depot to which all coal came from Glamor- ganshire. There was a heavy traffic in coal and lime along the Aberayron road. Private enterprise started a fishing smack some time ago at Aberayron. Plenty of fish was caught, but owing to the difficulty of sending it away it could not be sold. Practically every land owner was in favour of the scheme. Through having a railway the population of Lampeter had increased from 200 to 2,000, and the, same thing he hoped would occur at Aberay- ron, and in the Vale of Aeron. Mr. Harford also spoke of the support given by the local authorities, and said the County Councir had unanimously voted JC300 towards the prelim- inary expenses. In reply to Colonel Boughey, Mr. Harford said he considered a station was necessary at Silian. There were four roads there, one of which lead to Llangeitho. Mr. Delme Davies Evans, Highniead, said his mother was present owner and he was prospective owner of the Glandennis &tate. He did not object to the spot where it was proposed to put a station at Silian. He had acted as agent of the estate some three years ago, and he felt convinced that a station at that point would be a great benefit to the district. Mr. Peterson: You are in favour of this line?—Most certainly and I heartily endorse everything Mr. Harford has said about it. Colonel Davies Evans, the Lord Lieutenant said the Glandennis Estate belongwi to his wife and his son. Speaking on behalf of Mrs Davies Evans, she was entirely in. favour of the line as it was now planned, and thought that a station at Silian at the spot pointed out by the engineer would be a decided ad- vantage to the house of Glandennis. Major Pryce Lewis, Tyglyn Aeron, also gave evidence in support of the line. He suggested that a station should be placed at the cross roads by the.Board School at Cilie, as these roads led to Dihewid and Mydroilyn in the south, and to Cilcennin, Cross Inn, Pennant, and Llanon in the north, and a great number of small freeholders lived in those districts. At the present time he had to pay 7s. carriage on every load of lime or coal that came" into his neighbourhood. He had been asked to represent Mr. Gwynne, the owner of the Mouachty Estate, who was very much interested in Aberayron, because practically all that town belonged to that es- tate, and he was anxious to facilitate in ev- ery way the bringing of a railway to Aberay- ron. He also spoke for Mrs. Ashby Lewis, Llan Aeron, and Mrs. Lewis, Llanlear, both of whom were in favour of the railway. Colonel Boughey: Can you tell us anything as to the traffic along the road at present ? Major Lewis: Almost any day you pass along the road you meet a great number of carts. He had no hesitation in saying that if there was a railway the summer traffic to Aberayron would be immensely increased. Captain Herbert Vaughan, Wittington Lodge, Worcester, and owner of the Bryn- og Estate, said he coura confirm what had been said as to .the necessity of the railway. It would go through about three miles of his land. In reply to the Commissioners, it was sta- ted the present charge for conveying passen- gers between Lampeter and Aberayron was 3s. return or 2s. one way. The Commissioner asked Captain Vaughan if he had any reason to believe having got all the assistance contemplated, that they would be able to raise the balance. Captain Vaughan replied that he dî not know how much they would get, but they hoped to get all the money. Mr. Steward: And the Treasury grant ? "Captain Vaughan: We must get that, or we can do nothing. Mr. Denham Evanl," solicitor, Aberayron, Hid taking what he considered a fair esti- mate of the_takings of the present carriers and car proprietors t,he 'aggregate came to £6,154 per annum. As to the fishing industry during the fishing season from 20 to 40 traw- lers could be seen almost any day in the bay outside Aberayron, most of which came from Hoylake, Grimsby, and various other fishing ports. There was plenty of accommodation in the harbour, which could be increased if necessary. Councillor E. Lima Jones, Aberayron, said Cardigan Bay was considered the best fishing ground on the western coast, both as to quality and quantity. Most farmers in their district consumed anthracite coal, which was obtained from the Carmarthenshire coal- fields, and those were within easy access of Lampeter station, and even at present it was better to get the. coal by road than by sea. The same thing applied to lime. During his 25 years' residence. at Aberayron four or five attempts had been made to establish a fishing fleet, but all failed owing to the want of profitable markets. The farmers of the district were also excluded from the Liver- pool markets. There was a gentleman at Lampeter, Mr. Charles Evans, who had initia- ted a movement with the view of getting a traction engine, but since this project was started he dropped it. Alderman J. M. Howell, Aberpyron, said there was in front of Aberayron running par- allel with the coast line for nine miles, from a place called Pen-yr-ynysfach to Llanrhy- styd a breeding ground or gutter, about four fathoms deeper that the surrounding boCtom of the sea. That accounted for the presence of the trawlers, and he himself had sr-en as many as 37 i nthe bay. There was an inex- haustible wealth of fish there, but other peo- ple got the benefit of it and the Aberayron harbour languished. Brill, turbot and sole were caught, and the fish were considered to be the very daintiest. Colonel Boughey: With regard to the Aber- ystwyth and Aberayron scheme, was there a Treasury grant ana" a County Council grant for that?—Tho County Council agreed to advance £ 18,000- But the Treasury?—We absolutely failed there. Do you know why?—Because there was no existing railway to promote it, and it was also a narrow guago. Is it understood in the neighbourhood that that railway is entirely dead ?-No, not quite dead. Do you want both railways for the fish?- They would compete with one another for taking fish away. 11 Would both make a revenue?—I think so I think one would feed the other. Mr. Steward: You don't anticipate that the other line will be made, do you?-! have worked very warmly for that, and still be- lieve it may be possible, but I fear it is nearly extinguished (laughter). Mr. Lima Jones said if a plebiscite was taken in his locality on the two railways, he had no hesitation in saying that the people would give their vofes in favour of this before the other. Alderman J. M. Howell said Mr. Montague Smith came down on one occasion lately, and said there would be a revival of the Aberyst- wyth scheme, but he had heard nothing since, The County Council offer expired in another three months. There might be room for both, but as far as the County Council was concerned they were prepared to consider any reasonable scheme, being very anxious to open up the country. Further witnesses called were Captain J. Evans, Milford House, Aberayron, Mr. Evan Jonathan, cattle dealer, Talsarn; Mr. John Jones, Cwmere; and Dr. Walker, Lampeter. Mr. John Jones said that assuming every farmer in his parish consumed about three tons of coal and about two tons of manure every year, and p,ir1 3d. a cwt. for haulage from Lamp" station, the. cost of haulage would be £ 37 10s. B ■ having a railway, and by ^aving tho stuff ('rind at Is. a ton, the cost would civ b:£17 J Gs. was .1! the evidence. Colore7 Poa~hey s id the Commissioners Ih to .vron was much wanted. 1'1,0 p- .t:c"! question was how wo'.aci the :ri¡.> the money. This arp^fer? tn '^enend on a grant from the Tre- pqury po .H "+. frf>rv> loro] yV'r- ;i,-<> f .r1 n-rrw.. Under the law "t trn—fT-^nt depended oil .i ,-¡.>r. .< --v -¡tl1 n eXlf3t.fI' ra, --)v coTpany for the construction and J of the line. These points would, therefore, receive attention, and on their being satisfactorily arranged the ConuniE- sioners would be prepared to submit an order to the Board of Trade for confirmation. This ended the enquiry.

---LLANDILO AND ABERAYRON…

LAMPETER.

LLANFIHANGEL-Y-CEEUDDVN.

LLANGWYRYFON.

BONC-ATH.

ABERPORTH.

NEW QUAY.

-----------MACHYNLLETH.

North & South Wales Bank Limited.

Eisteddfod Mydroilyn.