The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

Llandudno District Council. 1 I Insurance of the Town Hall. I Gas and Water Estates. A Year's Report. THE monthly meeting of this Council on Tues- day was, in its earlier stages, presided over by Mr VV. Bevan, in the absence of the chairman (Mr Robert Roberts) who. was engaged in his capacity as a justice at the police court. The finance committee reported .that they had ac- cepted the tender of Mr Ralph Fisher, Llan- dudno, to. furnish the town hall assembly room with chairs, ironmongery, &c., for £170, and they submitted also numerous minutes detailing the arrangements they had made for bringing the new building into full occupation. Not only were all the offices for private use let, but also one of the committee rooms intended for Coun- cil purposes. The whole question of the insur- I ance of the property belonging to the Council was reconsidered by the committee, and it was decided to continue the existing policies, and to insure the town hall and furniture in the total sum of £ II,2OO. In cases where valuable addi- tions had been made to property since the same was insured, as was the case at the electric light works and the gasworks, the clerk was directed to get the same insured at two-thirds of the value. New Streets. Apportionments were submitted of the cost of making up new streets which the various pro- perty owners were required to pay for, including an item of £65 6s gd, which was claimed from the churchwardens of Llandudno. Parish. Mr Thewlis moved that this item be for the present deleted. He pointed out that it was for the making up of-streets bounding a plot of land now claimed by the churchwardens for the bene- fit of the church, but -which, he held, was in reality public property. The Clerk read a letter from Mr Chamberlain, solicitor to the Council, who, when asked to advise on this matter, wrote that he must decline to discuss the title of any claimants of this pro- perty. He could, however, answer another ques- tion put to him. The Council had not a vestage of title or claim to. this land, and for that reason the Council could not successfully put forward any claim to it. Mr M'Master said that was the most damning answer it would be possible to give to any Coun- cil. Mr Shaw Thewlrs seconded the amendment, which was carried by seven votes to six. Mr Thewlis complimented the chairman of the finance committee and the clerk upon the fact that the reinsurances referred to in the report had been effected at from 20 to 30 per cent re- duction. (Hear, hear.) The reports, the confirmation of which was moved by the Chairman (Mr W. O. Williams), were approved, subject to the amendment made. Cartage Contract. The Works Committee reported that the cart- age contracts had been let for the next year, the amount to be paid for one horse and cart and man per day being 6s rid. A recommendation was made by the solicitors (Messrs Chamberlain and Johnson) to the effect that in the matter of the dispute between the Council and Mrs Lawfon Tait Mr Farrington should be appointed arbitrator on behalf of the Council. Mr Thewlis suggested that some effort should be made to come to a friendly agreement with Mrs Lawson Tait as to the right of the Council to lay sewers across her foreshore, and an ajKiendment was carried advising the committee to make such an attempt and referring the mat- ter back for that purpose. The minutes were confirmed. Gas and Water Works. A report upon the accounts of the gas and water concerns for the year ended on March 31, prepared by the clerk (M A. Conolly) was inclu- ded in the minutes of the Gas Committee. The gas accounts showed an increase of £ 1,544 upon the revenue- of the previous year, this being mainly accounted for by the increased receipts in respect of gas and residuals. The price of gas, in consequence of the increased cost of coal, had been increased from 3s. to 3s 4d per 1,000 cubic feet. The gas sold during the year was 1% millions of cubic feet more than the previous year. After providing for repayment of loans, interest, and other charges, there was a deficJency of £224. There was a, deficit of £55 upon the accounts of the water concern. The Great Orme water schemes cost for the year, for engineer's wages, repayment of loan, and inter- est, £383, the receipts from the water charges being £50 only. Mr T. W. Griffith, chairman of the committee, said he felt that both the concerns stood in a favourable position. In the face of the great op- position of the electric light the Council had every reason to be thankful for the progress the gas concern had made. He did not think the Council could for the present reduce the price of gas, as, though the price of coal had gone down 2S 5d per ton, the advance which com- pelled them to raise the price was one of 5s. As to the water undertaking they were just ex- pending fS,ooo in laying down the 15-inch, main, and there was only a deficit of ^50. The com- mittee were considering the possibility of increas- ing the revenue from various sources. He be- lieved there was not a town on the coast so favourably situated as Llandudno in regard to its gas and water supplies. (Applause.) No meter rents were charged in Llandudno, and that meant a loss of £5°0. Meter rents were charged, he believed, by all the other gas com- panies or authorities on the coast. Mr McMaster seconded the motion, and it was carried. Mr Rt. Roberts, the chairman, now took his place in the chair. Healthy Town. Mr W. Williams, chairman of the Finance Committee, said the death-rate for last month was 8.9. The health of the town was good, and the hospital was clear of infectious cases. Electricity Charges. Mr R. J. Williams moved, as chairman of the Electricity Committee, that the charges for elec- tricity be reduced from 6d to 5d per unit where the current is supplied on the fiat rate, and that where it is supplied on the maximum demand system the charge be 7d per hour for the first hour, as before; but that the rate afterwards be 2d per hour, instead of 376 d as before. Mr Thewlis and Mr McMaster resisted the re- duction, but their amendment was lost, and the proposal was then adopted by the Council. New Town Halt. It was decided that the opening ceremony of the new Town Hall, to be performed by Sir Al- bert K. Rollit, M.P., should take place on Mon- day, February 10.

1859 OLD ESTABLISHED £ FIRST-CLASS FAMILY HOTEL y SHELTERED POSITION IE FINELY-WOODED PARK. National Telephone No. 13. Telegrams— V3L Pwliyciocluin.Colwyn Bav 4. V) C ELECTEIO LIGHT SEPARATE TABLES MAGNIFICENT VIEWS. RECHERCHE CUISINE, POSTING, Y GOLF, TENNIS, BATHING, BILLIARDS, &O. JOHN PORTER, Proprietor.

Llanfairfechan Urban District Council. AN ordinary monthly meeting of this authority was held in the Council chamber, Llanfair- fechan, on Tuesday evening. There were pre- sent Mr W. G. Roberts (chairman), Mr T. G. Morgan, Mr Llewelyn Jones, Mr W. Timmins, Mr L. D. Jones, Mr John Williams, Mr j. Harri- son, Mr Peter Williams, Mr Wm. Owen, Mr T. J. Owen, Mr Richard Evans, Mr R. R. Owen, Mr W. H. Ellis (clerk), Mr Thomas Hughes (sur- veyor), and Mr Wm. Roberts (collector). Correspondence. Letters were received from Mr Wentworth and Mr Maddocks, and were referred to the Fi- nance Committee. Mr Thomas Kirkham wrote asking for the re- moval of a water tap which, he stated, was a source of nuisance in the front of his abode. Mr Llewelyn Jones remarked that he had been to see the place, and he was of opinion that it was a nuisance, as the writer remarked. Circus people and other disreputable persons were 1: hose who congregated near the tap. and they iemained there sometimes for lengthy periods looking into. Mr Kirkham's house. The matter was referred to the Water Commit- tee for their consideration, Mr Llewelyn Jones being invited to attend the committee meeting to further explain his views. Mr Lowe, of Valley-road, Llanfairfechan, ap- peared, by permission of the Council, in refer- ence to a complaint about water which, he al- leged-flowed into his premises from land owned by Mr T. J. Owen, a member of the Council, and Mr Owen Griffiths. After a short deliberation, it was decided to remedy the nuisance by 'removing the main drain higher up, on the understanding that the owners of the land provided a drain to take the wa.ter into the main drain. A letter was received from Mr Eames with reference to water near Plas Farm. It appears that the water comes from a spring which is said to be public property. Mr George McMichan has some stables close by, and he has been in the habit of washing his carriages near the spring. Mir Fames went there one day with a vehicle of his own, with the intention of wash- ing it in the same way as Mr McMichan, but he was stopped by the latter. Mr Eames now wrote to ascertain whether he had not an equal right to use tl7.i water in the same way as Mr Mc- Michan. The clerk was instructed to reply to the effect that everybody had an equal right to the use of water as it was public property, but that no one had the right to wash his carriages on the public highway. Telegraph Poles. The Highway Committee submitted their re- port in reference to the granting of a permission to the Post Office Telegraph Department to fix telegraph posts in Station-road, and they recom- mended that the Council abide bv their former decision that permission be not granted. The Sanitary Committee. This committee recommended that the survey- or be instructed to procure a copy of the Fac- tory and Workshops Act of igoi; that the sur- veyor be instructed to submit a report with refer- ence to effectually draining Genzim that the medical officer of health be invited to. inspect the drainal-e of the railway station house, and the adjoining cottages; and that the medical officer be requested to 'report with reference to the sanitary condition of Nantypandy, and parti- cularly with reference to swine kept thereat. Some discussion took place with reference to the latter recommendation, it being held on the one hand that there was an unworthy desire on the part of some to. tamper with the state of affairs concerning the keeping of pigs by a num- ber of poor people in the neighbourhood of Tan- ypandy, while on the other hand it was held that Llanfairfechan depended upon the faultless character of its sanitary conditions. w -— On the motion of Mr T. G. Morgan, seconded by Mr Llewelyn Jones, the committee's recoffl" mendation was ultimately adopted, the casting vote of the chairman turning the scales. The other clauses of the report were adopted. The Bathing Machine Proprietor's Tenancy. It was notified that a letter had been received from Mr Herbert North in reference to this mat- ter, but it was resolved that the Council would not re-open the question. Rescinding a Resolution. After some opposition on the part of Mr Llew- Jones, the resolution passed by the Counci1 in reference to the filling up of Llyntombstone on the Beach, was rescinded. The Finance Committee. This committee reported that they had con- sidered a letter received from the registrar of the Royal College of Music, and they recommended that no steps be taken in the matter. The Collecto,r reported having collected since the date of the previous committee meeting, on account of general district rate, £64 10s id, and on account of water rentals, ^28 11s 3d, making a total of ^93 14s. Bills amountin'g to a total of _f238 2s 2d were recommended for payment. The report was adopted. At the conclusion of the meeting Mr Peter WIl- liams created some amusement by his Welsh re- marks in reference to recording the Council's minutes in Welsh, and in 'regard to. what he al- leged had been the extravagance of the Council in spending money upon the new Council Cham- ber when the old one had been ample in size and comfort.

Llanrwst County Court. ———— THE bi-monthly county court was held at LJannvt on Friday before His Honour Sir Horatio Lloyd. A Butcher and His Bill. William Rowland Jones, of the Ship Inn, Bal3i but previously following the occupation of a butcfoef at Bettws-y-Coed, sued Mrs Ann Evans, hotel pro: prietress. Bettws-y-Coed, to recover the sum of £ 18 5s 2d., said to be due for meat supplied, Mr Jordan, of Bala, appeared for the plairitif f, and Mr David Jones (Messrs D [ones and Roberts) for the defendant. The plaintiff stated that lie had dealings with Mrs Evans, and had from time to time suppl>e her with meat on credit. The boots, one oL the drivers, or anybody used to come to his house- occasionally for meat to the hotel. An account used to run between them, and the defendant had paid him several cheques for large amounts in dis- charge of the bills which had run up. Witness took meat about in his trap. The accounts delivered to defendant were correct, and there \Vas due the amount now claimed. The bookings were between Nov., 1898, and March, 1900, but there wen: credit transactions between those dates as well. Those transactions were not included in the clan11' There were no bills delivered. Cross-examined, the plaintiff stated that tile account was correct. He did not deliver a bill to Mrs Evans until he had left Bettws-y-Coed. But he had informed her that he had a bill against her. when she replied "I don't think it can be much. When the bill was delivered Mrs Evans wrote "lt once repudiating the claim, and he was very muctl surprised at the contents of the letter. Mrs Jones, wife of the plaintiff Ann Roberts, ex-cook in the employ of the defendant and Jones, mother of the defendant, also gave evidence as to several transactions between the parties. The defendant stated that she had kept tlj«j above Hotel for twenty-two years. The onv running accounts she had with butchers were \Vlt Messrs Edward Owen and Sons, Llandudno!, Thomas Foulkes, Conway; W. Jones and G. Jollcs' Llanrwst. She always paid her accounts in itd: and without a murmur. Witness never did any credit business with a hawker, and she did not o\Ve penny of the claim now made against her. Pf,' fenclant never had a bill until the plaintiff had le and never had any piece of meat from him with°11 rv paying for it. Servants-had no authority to bt1). She ahvays bought meatherself. In the course of the cross-examination the c'e' fenclant denied that she ever offered to pay t'1*" costs if the summons was withdrawn. Miss Lizzie Evans corroborated some of he, mother's evidence, while Harry Taylor, a boots °_ twenty years' standing at the hotel, denied going to plaintiff's house for meat or anything els for the hotel. His Honour reserved judgment. A Claim and a Counter Claim. In this case W. Rowland Jones claimed for meat supplied to Edward Butler, Llannvsl: The latter had a counte; claim of X13 lis. against the former for meat supplied and rent d^' The claim was admitted. Mr Jordan represented Jones, and Mr J. Herbe1 Jones appeared for Butler. ,t I he latter was giving evidence when the c°l!L was adjourned so that the judge could catch tn four o'clock train,

ihe Liverpool Cathedral Committee decided to inaugurate a canvas of the dioees on behalf of the building fund. — There is nothing quite so biting as the conscious sarcasm of childhood. "Mother said a small friend of mine the other day> wish you'd buy me a shilling box of Boer s t diers and half-a-crown's worth of British to n» thepx with 1" Another scene occurred last evening outsi Pembroke Chapel, where, at the close of t^e s^t„ yice, sortie two thousand people gathered, aW^a(} ing the departure of the Rev Dr Aked, who & been preaching on conscription. The reV'es- tleman, however, got away unobserved, and, carted by police officers in plain clothes aio some side streets, reached his home in liafety.

M TIMWMOM.HHWII.IM.IIHWIII .d.-I£. Miscellaneous. On the motion of Mr R. Bellis, the Council approved the appeal to the Government for a museum 'grant for Wales on condition that there should be two museums, one for South and the other for North Wales. Also, on the proposition of Mr Bellis, it was decided to again apply to the Home Secretary to so deal with the trouble at Bethesda that it will not again be necessary to denude the other dis- riets in the county of police. Mr D. Garrick Roberts, in the course of a speech which was favourably received, advoca- ted an application for the incorporation of Llan- dudno as a municipality. He thought that if the town now made a united appeal for the dig- nity of incorporation it would be granted, in ie~ cognition of the Coronation. His proposition was seconded by Mr T. W. Griffith, and was carried, the effect of it being that a. committee will prepare a petition for ap- proval by the Council and the ratepayers. A lease of the foreshore at Craigydon, granted to the Council bv the Board of Trade, was re- ceived. Mr Bellis stated that the Board of Trade had treated the Council very handsomely in the mat- ter, as compared with the Office of Woods and Forests. It was agreed that the first public meeting in the new Town Hall after the opening should be to inaugurate a movement for adequately cele- brating in the town the coronation day. The Council, who sat four hours, held vesper- day their last meeting in the old office, where the business of the town has been transacted for the last 25 years. The next meeting will take place in the spacious )and luxurious ne.v Council Chamber. -+-