Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

ABEK' £ STWYTH TOVVN ( Ol NOIL. GAS VflORKS NEGOTIATION. A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION SETTLED. PIERCEFIELD WATER SUPPLY. ANOTHER STORMY DISCUSSION. MAYOR VACATES THE CHAIR. A meeting of the Aberystwyth Tcwn Council was held on Tuesday at the Council Chamber, Town Hall, when there were pre- sent the Mayor (Capt. Doughton), in the chair. Councillor Will. Thomas (ex-Mayor), Aldermen Peter Jones and E. P. Wynne; Councillors C. Mn Williams, Daniel Thomas. Bcltdn Miopias, Fred Morgan, J. Barclay Jenkins, T. J. Samuel, Ie Doughton, I Hopkins, and J. Gibson, with Mr. A. J. Hughes (town Clerk). Mr. Rees Jones (bor ough surveyor), Mr. C. Massey (borough accountant), and Mr. J aii|t Evans (saiii- ta"v inspector.) SEA DEFENCE. ie Clerk reported that a meeting of the ext utive of the Sea Defence Conference, of which the Mayor was a member, would be held in London on the 9th inst., and the Mayor had been good enough to say he would attend that meeting. Mr. Hopkins: I propose that the Mayor will get a cheque. (Laughter). If we fiend our4 officials away I think we ought to pay their expenses. BRITISH CHAT TAPQUA. A letter was read from the secretary of the British Chautauqua stating they were looking forward to fTie pleasure of coming to Aberystwyth again next summer, and asking whether they would be allowed to include in their programme a reception by the Mayor on the evening of Friday, August 3rd, and the return function of August 20th. The Clerk was authorised to reply accept- ing these dates. ELECTRIC LIGHTING. A letter was read from Mr. Knight, local manager of the Electric Light Company, stating that the defective lighting the Council complained of had principally arisen through some defects in the lanterns of which he had rendered particulars. When these defects had been attended to he felt sure there would be no further cause of com- plaint, as the current was kept constant and uniform. In making this complaint the Council must not overlook the fact that only half power lamps were used by the Corpora- tion during the winter, which could not be as effective as those fixed for the summer months. Mr. Edwin Morris said that was not. an explanation for the defective lighting in private houses. It was very bad through- out the town. Mr. Hopkins: Perhaps it is Little lanterns in private houses. (Laughter). Mr. W. Thomas thought it was their duty to instruct the Town Clerk to reply stating that they did not accept the statement made. Besides, Mr. Knight had given him a different explanation to the effect that the boiler was out of order, and that they had not sufficient power. He moved that the Town Clerk reply stating they did not accept the statement as correct. Mr. Edwin Morris seconded. The Mayor: All in favour of not accepting Mr. Knight's explanation. Mr. J. Gibson rose to speak, whereupon Mr. Edwin Morris said he was too late. Mr. J. Gibson: Is Mr. Edwin Morris con- ducting the meeting? The Mayor: If you pay attention to the chair I will give you an opportunity to speak. Mr. J. Gibson: No. I don't want it now, but it is a most brutal way of putting a thing, I must say. The Mayor: I don't know how many brutes we have in the Council. Mr. J. Gibson: It appears to me we have a great many of them. I am willing to join hands with you. The Mayor: I think it is full time I put a stop to it, and I intend to do so. It was then agreed to reply to Mr. Knight, stating the Council was not satis- fied with bis explanation. MAYOR'S AT-DITOR. The Clerk reported that Councillor Rob- ert Doughton had been appointed Mayors auditor for the ensuing year. MUNICTPILISATTON. The Council was asked by the Camberwell local authority to oppose a Bill about to be introduced to Parliament by a private com- pany which sought to secure the control of certain gas and water undertakings in London. Mr. W. Thomas proposed that it lie on the table. Alderman Peter Jones said he felt strong- ly on this matter. It was a step in the right direction, and he thought they should sup- port it. He suggested that the attention of the county member be called to this, with an expression of hope that he would support the opposition to the Bill. Mr. W. Thomas said this was rather far from them, and they did not feel much in- terest in it. But apart from that, if they passed the resolution it would be direclv against their own action in reference to the electric light and gas undertakings. Alderman Peter Jones said the cases were different. The power was already in the hands of private companies at Aberystwyth, but here it was sought to confer powers. Alderman Peter Jones' suggestion was then adopted. ACCEPTANCE OF TERMS. A letter was read from Mr. Richard Mor- gan, 30, Gret Darkgat*»i-street, accepting on behalf of the trustees and himself the terms upon which the Corporation was pre- pared to renew the lease of the piece of land in Baker-street adjoining the Baptist Chapel. LOAN EXPENSES. The Clerk read a letter from the Public Works Loan Board applying tor payment of JCGO 4s. 4d., being charges incurred in con- nection with the securing of the Harbour loan. On the proposition of Mr. C. M Williams, it was agreed that a cheque bei drawn for the amount. PURCHASE OF THE GAS WORKS. The Clerk read the following letter dated March 2nd:—"Queen Anne's Mansions, St. James Park, London, S.W. Deai Sir,— There seems -to have been some misunder- standing amongst the several members of the Council who met the directors of the Gas Company to discuss terms of purchase of their undertaking. The majority of the deputation together with yourself (the Town Clerk) rightly understood and have plainly stated before the Council that the 1:70,000 which I had ventured to name to the Mayor without authority, was an inclusive price which would cover everything pertaining to the concern. Neither this price, or any other, had been seriously discussed by my colleagues, up to the time of the interview. On that occasion, however, it was for me to show the reasonableness of the figures I had casually named, and in doing so I set forth a Ilumuerof it.ems which a court of arbitra- tion might have been asked to adjudicate upon. amounting in the aggregate to i:27 000. Of course, the arbitrators might I not have conceded the £ 70,000 in the first place, and equally of course the Company might- have failed to win even a moiety of the additional claims. but as I pointed out distinctly. all uncertainties were cleared away by the offer to accept a lump sum by agreement, and no higher sum than £ 70,000 has never been mentioned, or thought of, by me or any member of the Board in that con- nection. I write this letter to justify the Mayor and other members of the deputation yourself included, whose statements in the Council are in accord with those now made by yours faithfullv. Henry "Woodall." BUILDING LAND. A letter was read from Messrs. Edwards Bros' asking whether the Council was pre- pare to let the land in Elm Tree-avenue between the houses just built by Mr. David Lloyd and Alexandra-road to them to build six substantial houses thereon. If No, they wished to have the lowest ground rent as soon as possible. T'he Clerk said a meeting of the Law Com- mittee would shortly be held to decide as to this land. In the meantime the letter could be referred to the Finance Committee. The suggestion was agreed fJD. THE AQUA-TERRA. An application was made by Dr. Harries, on behalf of Messrs. J. Ormond and Com- pany. London, who have taken over the brickworks on the Flats for permission to lay a tram line from the Aqua Terra bridge to the Devil's Bridge line neii, Plascrug crossing; ground for stacking bricks on Domen Dre permission to cart along Domen Dr; to the Vale of Rheidol crossing near the Smitniield, and permission to cart over i las- crug and round the cemetery to Llangawsa along the new road now in course of construc- tion. Dr. Harries added in his letter that lie had every reason to believe the industry would be carried oil on a scale which could not but prove otherwise than a great benefit to the town. As soon as the works were in full swing, the Company contemplated put- ting in a siding to connect their works with the Vale of Rheidol railway, which would practically do away with the carting. Mr. Samuel: Put it on the agenda of the next meeting. Mr. W. Thomas said he would not like anyone to be, under the impression that they wished to bar work of this kind, though he had his own opinion. He moved that it be referred to the Public Works Committee so that they could come to a decision as early as possible. Mr. F. Morgan With power to act. Mr. C. M. Williams: No, it is too im- portant. Mr. Edwin Morris seconded Mr. Thomas, and the proposition was carried. GAS WORKS NEGOTIATIONS. Arising out of the report of the special committee which met the directors of the Gas Company as to the purchase of their undertaking, Mr. Edwin,' Morris asked if they were going to have any more informa- tion on this matter. He, as one of the eleven members who had not been en- lightened at all on this question would like to have some of the material facts sub- mitted. He saw by the report that there were two prices, one arrived at by the com- mittee and one by the Gas Company. He would like to know how the committee ar- rived at the price of £ 50,000, and if possible how the Gas Company fixed £ 70,000. Was it the present value of the undertaking or the prospective value. Alderman Peter Jones replied that the committee was not authorised to fix a price, but in an informal way they asked the Com- pany whether they would entertain as a basis for discussion a sum not exceeding £ 50,000. As they stated they would not, and mentioned the sum of £ 70,000, the committee came to the decision that it was not advisable to discuss the matter further. As to whether Mr. Stephenson's report should now be made public was a matter for the Council to consider. Mr. 1. Hopkins thought it was high time the eleven others members were told what they. had got for the zC200 odd that had been spent, and lie proposed that Mr. Step- henson's report be published. Mr. W. Thomas said he agreed that the time had arrived when Mr. Stephenson's re- port should be in the hands of all the mem- bers. It was not the fault of the committee that it had not been in their hands all along. It was laid before the Council clear- ly some months ago and it rested with the majority as to whether they would have the report or not, and they decided not to have it. On the general question he did not know what should be done. He would like if some member of the Council who had made up his milld-he had had not yet made up his mind—would move that the negotia- tions be terminated and the matter brought to an end. He was afraid they were mak- ing a mistake. It had not been a satisfac- tory business from the commencement. At the last adjourned public meeting, a few minut-es before the vote was taken, the rate- payers were informed clearly and distinctly that the Gas Company would not- treat 1 privately. He knew differently, and the re- port—although the figure was high—and the correspondence they had had that day proved that it was not a correct view of the case. At the previous meeting of the Council between the five members who represented them on the deputation to the Gas Company there was a difference of £ 27,000 as to the price fixed. He was afraid they were making a fatal mistake in not following this matter further, and in not making every effort possible to arrive at a satisfactory settlement. However, he would wish, as chairman of the Public Lights Committee that this matter should be settl- ed once for all. Mr. F. Morgan: It is settled. Mr. W. Thomas: There is 110 resolution, and this report leaves it in my opinion too open. The question should be closed form- ally by resolution, and it would then be the duty of the Public Lights Committee to take some steps with the view of lighting the town better than it was now lighted, and possibly at very little additional cost, if any. Mr. J. B. Jenkins said he was prepared to second Mr. Hopkins' proposition, that the report now in the lianas of the small com- mittee be made public, so that all the mem- bers could know exactly the position taken up by the committee., They were now handicapped by not knowing. He had voted i!l the first place in favour of the report being treated as a confidential one by the committee until the negotiations were clos- ed. That time had come, and he considered that the report should now be in the hands of all the members. Mr. Thomas had said he was not quite decided as to the advisa- bility of terminating the negotiations. He (the speaker) believed in fairness to the other eleven members that the negotiations should not be closed until the report was in the hands of all the members. Mr. J. Gibson: We decided in Council not to have this information until the mat- ter was closed. The Mayor: We can easily dispense with the standing orders Mr. C. M. Williams said at the previous meeting Thomas had promised to place a resolution on the agenda. He fully ex- pected M.r Thomas to have done so, other- wise he would have given notice of motion to rescind the previous resolution. He appealed to the Mayor not to allow the sus- pension of the standing orders on an import- ant matter of this kind. The matter ought to be finally decided after due notice had been given 011 the agenda. There were many who felt strongly that this matter had not been finished in a satisfactory manner. After further discussion. Mr. W. Thomas said lie would give notice of motion for the next meeting. Mr. C. M. Williams proposed that Mr. Woodall's letter be printed in the minutes. Mr. J. Gibson objected to Mr. Williams' rising again, stating he had already spoken once on the subject. Mr. Williams replied that he had not, and protested against being interrupted by Mr. Gibson Mr. Gibson continued to raise objection, whereupon, Mr. Daniel Thomas proposed that the let- ter be printed in the minutes, adding that he did not think they would have done their duty until they had made a final offer to the Gas Company. Mr. R. Doughton seconded. Mr. F. Morgan having also asserted that the proposition was out of order Mr. J. Gibson rose to speak, and said even when the question of the purchase was dead there were some who tried to give it arti- ficial respiration in order to keep it going for another week or so. Several applica- tions were made to the Gas Company to get a price, but they failed. Some of the ap- plications were private adventures of the ex-Mayor and someone else. Mr. C. M. Williams: Who else? Mr. Gibson: Am I to be interrupted, Mr. Mayor ? Mr. Williams: You named one person. Let's have the others. Mr. J. Gibson The essence of this is fair- play, and Mr. Williams always cries for it. Mr. Williams: And Mr. Williams always acts it. Mr. Gibson went on to say that the £ 50,000 mentioned by the committee was only a catch-price, while Mr. Woodall had fixed the price of £ 70,000 without consult- ing the shareholders. As to the committee's report he had proposed a score of times that it be published, but that confidential docu- ment had been nursed so much that he did not know what it was coming to. If it was now brought to the light of day it might catch cold and die. Mr. Daniel Thomas: It is a big baby now. (Laughter). J. Gibson added that the matter should be left where it was. They all knew how the place was. and that the Gas Works was built on a sponge, and these continual attempts at resuscitation were disturbing if not alarming. The proposition to have Mr. Woodall's letter printed in the minutes was then put to the meeting and carried. NEW LEASES. The Finance Committee reported that a letter had been received from Messrs. Owen Brothers, applying for a lease of the piece of land lying between the back of Greenfield- street and the Vale of Rheidol Railway Station. The committee had visited the following sites for which applications for leases of the respective sites have been re- I ceived :-(a). Piece oi land, part of "Our Lady's Mill" (b) Piece of land lying between Greenfield-street and the Vale of Rheidol Railway Station. The committee had also visited the premises of Mr. Richard Davie6 in Corporation-street, with reference to his complaint as to the ventilating shaft attach- ed to the premises of Mr. John Evans, solicitor. The report was adopted. THE NEW LIBRARY. This committee made the following recom- mendations:—That the tender of Mr. E. M. Redfer for electric light fitting be accepted. That the whole of tTie glass in the Library premises be insured. Ihat the Chairman and Architect be authorised to expend a sum not exceeding £ 15 in the purchase of gas fittings. The Mayor proposed that Mrs. Vaughan Davies be asked to perform the opening ceremony of the new Library in April, and that Principal Rhys, of Jesus College, Ox- ford, be asked to deliver an address on the same occasion, and this was agreed to. The report was adopted. THE HARBOUR. In reply to Mr. Fred Morgan, the Clerk said he would report at the next meeting as to the leading lights at the Harbour. Mr. 1. Hopkins said the steamer could not come to her berth to discharge, owing to a bank having accumulated there. There were also stones in the fairway, and in com- ing in 011 Sunday the steamer was jumping from one stone to the other. (Laughter). The Mayor said it was a difficult matter to keep the bank from accumulating, but as to the stones the Harbour Master ought to see that the fairway was kept clear. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE. This committee reported as follows:—Read a letter from Messrs. Roberts and Evans, on behalf of Mr. G. D. White, with further reference to this dispute. The consideration of the matter was deferred until the next meeting of your committee. Read a letter from Air. Piears, of Terrace-road, asking the Council to place .i settsm front of tb. en- trance to his new premises in Terrace-road, in lieu of the present pavement. The Bor- ough Surveyor was instructed to report upon the matter to the next meeting of your com- mittee. Your Committee decided to visit the Castle Grounds at an early date. Read a letter from the Registrar of the University College of Wales, stating that the College Authorities had been advised, by an expert, with regard to fire prevention at Alexandra Hall, that five hydrants should be available for use at the Hall in case of fire. Two should be in front of the building, two in the rear and one in the side road. and en- quiring whether the provision of these hyd- rants would be a difficult matter, and how it could be arranged. Your committee in- structed the Borough Surveyor to report upon the matter to the next meeting of your committee. Your committee recommend that Mr. David Jones be permitted to con- tinue in the occupation of Buildings Farm until the 29th September next, on pay- ment of rent from 29th September last to that date, at the rate he has hitherto paid, and that Mr. Jones be informed that it is the intention of the Council to reserve por- tions of the farm for the purpose of plant- ing trees therein, but are prepared, subject to his accepting such terms as the Council may impose, to relet the remainder of the farm to him oil a yearly tenancy from Mich- aelmas next. The Borough Surveyor was instructed to interview Mr. John Evans, of Sea View-place, with reference to the plan of proposed alterations to his premises in Sea View-place, and to report to the next meeting of your committee. The Sanitary Inspector Avas instructed to report to the next meeting of your Committee as to the sanitary condition of, and the date when he last inspected the pigstyes held with Plascrug House, and to take immediate steps for the abatement of any nuisance which may exist there. Your committee also make the following recommendations:— (a) That tenders be invited for the trees and shrubs required for the planting at Flats; (.b) Tnat the amended pian presented by Mr. David Jones, of houses proposed to be erected on a portion of the Lion field be not approved: (c) That the amended plan of alterations proposed to be carried out by Mr. John Garner, to his pre- mises in terrace-road, be approved. The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE. This committee recommended payments amounting to £ 38G Is. (id. The committee also made the following recommendations:— (a) That the increase in the salary of the Rate Collector shall date from the 25th January last (b) That the application by Mr. W. H. Hollier for a lease of a piece of land on Our Lady's Mill be not enter- tained, owing to the site being unsuitable; (c) That the application of Mr. Bertram Jones, for a lease of a piece of land between the Vale of Rheidol Railway Station and the back of the houses in Greenfield-street, be deferred pending the settlement of the ques- tion as to the land which the, Manchester and Milford Railway Company propose ac- quiring; (d) That the resolution fixing the minimum charge at £ 2 10s. per annum in re- spect of the water supply to Mr. Morgan Morris, of Piercefield, be rescinded, and that Mr. Morris be supplied with water by meter at a minimum charge of 30s. per annum, in addition to the rent of the meter (e) That the Town Clerk be instructed to inform the guarantors of the increase in the Collector's salary, and if necessary to obtain a. new uarantee bond (f) That the Treasurer's bond be completed; (g) That in future ac- counts against the Corporation be required to be sent in quarterly, lyi- the 10th March, 10th June, 10th September and 10th Decem- ber; (h) That in future all orders for ad- vertisements be given on the adopted order forms, and that each order shall specify the number of insertions required. Resolved, fcliat the accounts of the General Purposes Committee be included in the Finance Com- mittee's report, inasmuch as they had not previously been before the former Com- mittee. The committee deferred the con- sideration of the terms for the proposed re- newal to Mrs. Jones, of the lease of Pitville House, and Landsdowno House, Queen's- road. Head a letter from the Local Govern- ment Board, dated 22nd February, 1906, stating that as to the works abutting on the Castle Grounds, the Board were not pre- pared to regard them as part of the Pro- menade extension, or works for which a loan could be sanctioned under the Public Health Act, 1875, and that the application for sanc- tion to borrow the further monies, so far as it related to the works on the Castle Grounds, should be submitted in the form of a mem- orial by the Corporation, after compliance with the Municipal Corporations Act 1882, and that a. statement should be furnished to the Board, giving separately the cost of those works. The Town Clerk presented the draft of the required memorial. and the committee recommended that it be approved, and that the Town Clerk be instructed to take the necessary steps to comply with the require- ments of Section 236 of the Municipal Cor- porations Act. 1882, and to forward the memorial in due course to the Board. Speaking on the recommendation as to the charge for the water supplied to Pierce- field Farm, Mr. Isaac Hopkins asked if it was right to move an amendment. Mr. n. Doughton: Why ? Mr. Hopkins: Because, you know, there are lawyer s letters flying about to try to gag members who look after interests of the ratepayers. Proceeding, Mr. Hopkins said he wished to say a few words to try and convert the Mayor, and chairman of the Finance Committee, and some other mem- bers that it was lid fair to allow Mr. Mor- gan Morris to get this water at this price. If it was. they surcharged a great many people. He would like to ask through the Mayor a question of the honourable member for Terrace-road and the Terrace, Mr. Morris. (Laughter). Mr. Morris then catechised by Mr. Hopkins, and admitted that he had a field at Penpal ke, the rateable value of which was £ 10. Mr. Hopkins corrected him and said it was £ 9 14s. 9d. Mr. H. Doughton: Very near. (Laughter). Mr. Hopkins proceeded to put furthei questions to Mr. Morris as to whether he had a water supply to the field, and what was the minimum price. Mr. Morris eventually objected to being catechised, and said he should have been given notice of these questions. Mr. Hopkins said Mr. Edwin Morris had a field at Penparke, the rateable value of which was i:9 14s. 9d. ,and he paid a water rate of tl tis. in respect of the field. Mr. J. H. James had a field at Llanbadarn-road, the rateable value of which was £ 14, and he paid <61 6s. water rate. The valuation of Mr Morgan Morris' farm at Piercefield was £ 100 7s., and the building £14 Ss., and the committee considered that tl 10s. was a sufficient minimum price to charge for water for that place. He declared it was not. Mr. Hopkins then gave the amount of water rate paid in respect of several premises in Terrace-road, and declared the comparisons were ridiculous when they proposed to charge Mr. Morgan Morris only £ 1 10s. water rate. He considered that the £ 2 10s. first sug- gested by the committee was too small. Mr. Morris had horses and cows, and cows wanted more water to make milk. (Laughter). He hoped he had been able to convert ail unsent. ¿ Mr. J. Gibson: Yes, you have converted me at any rate. Mr. Hopkins proposed that the original recommendation of £ 2 10s. be adhered to. Mr. J. Gibson seconded, and said he thought Mr. Hopkins had made out a very good case. The real truth about this thing was that the chairman of the Finance Oom- mittee had had an interview with Mr. Morris, of Piercefield, and it was necessary that this amount should be reduced. Mr. C. M. Williams: Wrong, as usual. The Mayor asked Mr. Gibson not to make such suggestions. Mr. Williams: That was a very unfair one. The Mayor: Quite uncalled for, and 1 must put a stop to it. Mr. J. Gibson: It was not uncalled for in face of the fact tlat at the last meeting Mr. Williams said that lie had had an inter- view with Mr. Morris, Piercefield. Mr. Williams: Those were not the words. Mr. J. Gibson: I am not particular to a word or two. Mr. Williams: I wish you would. Mr. J. Gibson said he was willing to allow Mr. Williams to give his own interpreta- tion, but did he not see Mr. Morris? The Mayor: Adhere to what you are going to say. Don't bring Mr. Williams or any- one else in, and don't make insinuations or use personalities. Mr. Williams: He can't help it. Mr. J. Gibson: There you are again. What is good for me is good for Mr. Williams. If Mr. Williams does not like a thing it has not got. to be. But we are gradually wean- ing ourselves from that position Mr. Williams: How many time is that assertion to be made. Mr. J. Gibson: I called you the member for Pier-street. Mr. Williams: And I might call you the member for 26, North-parade. Mr. J. Gibson: Yes, I live there. Mr. Williams: But you can't treat anyone properly. The Mayor (to Mr. Gibson): I ask you as a member of this Council to keep clear of personalities and insinuations. Mr. Wil- liams had no more to do with the alteration of this than you or any other member. It does not matter who brings it on. Any member can bring a matter on, and you are at liberty to oppose it if you like. Mr. Williams said he did not bring this matter 011. A letter came to the Council pnd it was referred to the Finance Com- mittee. Mr. J. Gibson said this gentleman had had an interview with a certain member of the Council, and the result was the matter was opened up a second time and the charge re- duced to 30s. Mr. Williams: He did not get it reduced. A SCENE. Mr. J. Gibson: There is in this Council an absolutely blind following, bar four mem- bers, and 110 other member has a chance ex- cept one of the following. ihe Mayor (peremptorily): I must ask you to withdraw tllat. We are not a blind following. Mr. J. Gibson (warmly): Yes, you are. I (Cries of "Withdraw" and Shame.") The Mayor: Will you withdraw that. Mr. J. Gibson: I will not. Mr. Daniel Thomas: You ought to be ashamed of yourself. Mr. C. M. Williams: We have put up with this too long. The Mayor: Will you withdraw ? Mr. J. Gibson: Certainly not. The Mayor: Well, I vacate the chair. Mr. Daniel Thomas (to Mr. Gibson): You ought to be ashamed of yourself. If we don't agree with you, you call us names. Mr. J. Gibson: Xut tut. Where are the blind followers? Mr. Daniel Thomas: The quartette con- tinually vote together. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. The Mayor: This Council is adjourned for ten minutes. Mr. J. Gibson: For ten minutes. Very- good; good-bye, sir. Several ot the members then left the room, while others lit their cigars and cigarettes. On resuming the Mayor again asked Mr. Gibson to withdraw his words. There was very important business to be transacted, and, of course, if he did not get a withdrawal the only thing was to place a resolution 011 the agenda of the next meeting, so that the public could see how tilings were going on there. Mr. J. Gibson replied that the Mayor couid please himself as to what he did. He refused absolutely to withdraw anything he had said. What he had said was quite harmless; at any rate, no more harmful than the accusation made by some that there was a quartette there. All he wished to say was that Councillor Hopkins had made out a very good case. Mr. Edwin Morris: Is Mr. Gibson going i'1 is to withdraw that remark. Mr. Gibson: I have said I woil-t. Mr. Morris: I am not a blind follower of anybody. Mr. W. Thomas said Mr. Gibson had re- ferred to a remark made by someone as to a quartette. If that was done in Council hr, would certainly ask the person who made use of it to withdraw it. The Mayor: I cannot understand what is your meaning about a quartette. (Laughter). Mr. W. Thomas: Mr. Gibson has com- plained of the use of it. The Mayor: If you understand anything about a quartette will you explain it. Mr. J. Gibson: I am making a speech, and why all these interruption#. The Clerk suggested that consideration of the report be adjourned, inasmuch as there were one or two important matters to come 011. Mr. J. Gibson: I shall object. We have had too much of this business. Why should the Town Clerk dictate to liB. (Cries of Order.") The Clerk: Said his only desire was to ex- pedite the business. Mr. J. Gibson: It is the usual sort of business, and comes up regularly. Mr. Williams: And you started it to-day. Mr. Morris again called upon Mr. Gibson to withdraw his remark as to the blind following. The Mayor: He has refused to do it, and we will place it on the agenda of the next meeting, and have a discussion on it. Mr. J. Gibson said his only interest in the blind following Nvia to see how many of them would be in the forthcoming list of honours. C' Ob, oh" and laughter). Mr. J. B. Jenkins said lie did not wish to indulge in peisonalities, but be wished to state that when the matter was first re- ported to them by the Surveyor they con- sidered Mr. Morns, of Piercefield, had done a wrong thing in tapping Mr. Ellis' water pipe, and they thought they ought to mark their disapproval by fixing a high minimum sum for the water. They, therefore, fixed the minimum at £ 2 10s., but he believed they did wrong. They had only heard one side of the case. When they heard the other side, lie considered he was justified in re- ducing the minimum to zEl 10s. Of course, if Mr. Morris used more water than was allowed him for this minimum price, he would have to pay for it. In conclusion, Mr. Jenkins said he would take a lead from no one, but would vote according to the dictates of his conscience. Mr. R. Doughton Hear, hear (and laugh- ter from Mr. Gibson). Mr. Jenkins asked what was the meaning of the interruption. Mr. J. Gibson: I was laughing at Mr. Doughton. It is a way we have of laughing at one another. Mr. C. M. Williams: It is more a time of -e ()f weeping than laughing. The Mayor asked Mr. Williams to leave matters where they were. Mr. F. Morgan asked the Town Clerk whether the Council could not charge what- ever they liked for water they did not sell. The Clerk: Yes, for water other than that used for domestic purposes. Mr. C. M. Williams, in replying to the discussion, said he was sorry he would have r practically to traverse the same ground as that traversed at the previous meeting. Mr. F. Morgan: is this in order. The Mayor: He has mentioned no names. Mr. Williams: You have wasted half-an hour in hearing certain persons making charges against others. Mr. J. Gibson: That is me. Take the quartette from the eleven, and you get the result. Mr. Williams said lie had been charged with doing a serious wrong in having a con- versation with Mr. Morris. He lianis) stated candidly at the previous meet- ing he did not have an interview with Mr. Morris. From tlJl information placed be- fore them at the committee meeting they were led to believe that this man had done something terribly wrong, and they decided to inflict a penalty on him by charging him £ 2 10s. per annum for water. Mr. E. Morgan: Would it be in order to ask the Surveyor to give us the statement lie gave in committee on the matter. The Mayor: Quite out of order. Mr. Williams: You know the object of in- terrupting in this way. Mr. Morgan: I object to that. There is 110 object in it. Mr. J. Gibson: A member has a right to ask a question. The Clerk: Not when another member is speaking. Mr. Williams continued to say that Mr. Morris was passing his shop as he passed every morning, and he called to him and told him he had practically been charged with taking the water. Mr. F. Morgan: It is too bad that the chairman of a committee should give mat- ters discussed in committee out before they come before the Council. The Mayor: It is quite immaterial. Mr. Williams said he was forced to re- peat the conversation. Mr. Morris told him lie had no time then, and said lie would tell him what took place when he came back. Mr. Morris subsequently told him that he had paid on the average of £ 1 4s. per annum for the last seven years for water. All these tilings had been re-hashed with the object of allowing that he (Mr. Williams; had done something wrong. It was a sad state of things that some members could not speak there without introducing Mr. Williams' name, and then making a whole- sale charge. Mr. J. Gibson: You are getting very lieai the line. Mr. Williams: You have overstepped the line many times, and may find that out very soon. Continuing, Mr. Williams said if his interview with Mr. Morris was secret surely he would not repeat it in the Coun- cil. Mr. Morris said he was not aware he I was doing anything wrong in tapping Mr. Ellis' mam. It had cost him zC27 to bring the water down to his house. That was a heavy sum which no one in town had to pay. He had been paying water rate in the ordinary way upon the assessment of his house. He had ample water for his cattle coming down the little valley. and would consume very little water. Mr. F. Morgan: But he has a dairy. Mr. Williams said the authorities were pretty sharp, and not much could go in that way. Mr. F. Morgan: But that is not the point. They must have water to wash the tins must they not ? The Mayor: Mr. Morgan, will you address the chair. Mr. Williams went on to say that if it happened, as it did often, that he advocat- ed the right thing, and the majority of the Council supported it, then he and his col- leagues were charged with being a blind following. They had stood that long enough. The inference was that they followed cer- tain people in the Council Chamber as though they had no minds of their own. and the object"ultimately was to get at Mr. Williams, who was always on the brains of some people. He challenged anyone to say that lie had done anything which he had not a perfect right to do. Mr. J. Gibson: You got it passed. Mr. F. Morgan: And you went behind the committee. (Cries of Chair, chair. ) The Mayor: Mr. Morgan, will you try to keep yourself quiet. r 1 1 Mr. Morgan: I am keeping myself quiet. The Mayor: Will you keep your tongue quiet. If you can't address the chair you had better be quiet. Mr. Williams then asked if any member pretended to say that the water consumed by "Mr. Morris would be anything like what was consumed by Mr. Ellis in his house at Penparke. Mr. J. Gibson: Yes, and more. Mr. Williams asserted the contrary, pomt- ing out that Mr. Morris had not got water carriage closets, or baths. They knew that one or two baths would consume more water than would be consumed in a week in a farmyard. Mr. Morris also had to pay 8s. a year for a meter, which would bring the total charge up to £ 1 18s. A division was then taken, and the com- mittee's recommendation was carried. PUBLIC LIBRARY COMMITTEE. This committee reported as follows:—Re- solved, that no subscription be charged for the use of tiie reading room in the new Lib- rary, and that the book committee be re- quested to revise and report upon the list of newspapers and magazines which are now taken in, and to bring in any recommenda- tions as to the same to the next meeting of the committee. The Chairman was request- ed to communicate with the committee of the local School Managers as to the terms and conditions for the use of the Art Room above the new Library, and to suggest the appoint- ment of a Sub-Committee of three of their members to meet three members of this com- mittee, to discuss the terms and make all the necessary arrangements, subject to the approval of their respective Committees; the three members of the Library Committee appointed for this purpose being the Chair- man, the Mayor, and the Rev. G. E. Evans. The Chairman, the Mayor, Rev. William Matthews, M.A., Professor Anwyl and Rev. G. Eyre Evans were appointed a committee for the purpose of procuring a suitable tablet to place in the vestibule or other convenient place in the new Library premises, as a his- torical record of the Aberystwyth Public Library, and that the inscription thereon should be in English and Welsh. The thanks of the committee were tendered to the Rev. G. Eyre Evans for the following gifts to the Library :—A complete set- of the calendars of the University College of Wales. Aberyst- wyth. from the commencement. A por- trait of the Rev. Daniel Evans (Daniel DJLI o Geredigion), with an exact copy of his autograph thereon. The Chairman was re- quested to procure a valuation of the forms. chairs, and other effects belonging to the Library Committee, and taken over by the Corporation. The report was adopted. EDUCATION EXPENSES. The Council was asked to pass a resolu- tion in favour of the amendment of t:,e Education Act so as to make all non-county boroughs the authority for, and have com- plete control ot all education (primary, sec- ondary, and technical; within tlieir area, and that i i view of the present heavy burden of education 0:1 the local rates additional aid should be given from the Imperial Ex- chequer. Alderman Peter Jojges did not think this was applicable to non-county boroughs, in Wales, and moved that it be passed by. Mr. C. M. Williams thought the proposal deserved their support. Under the old School Board the highest precept ever issued for the town amounted to JE900. Last year, on the present assessment of the town they had to pay f;1,900, and all they got to their credit was simply the grants earned by the schools. A revised assessment for the county had been drawn up, and when that came into operation the borough alone would be liable for £ 2,400 if the rate was Is. in the £ The matter was left open for any member who felt disposed to move in it.