The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

(o) An Earldom for Lord Kitchener. A Parliamentary correspondent, quoting the best-informed authorities in the lobbies of both Houses, writes that Lord Kitchener and Lord Milner will be raised in the peerage to the rank of earl. There will also probably be a substantial money grant to Lord Kitchener. It will be recollected that Lord Roberts received £ 100,000 on his return. In this case a smaller sum would be unlikely.

THE TERMS OF PEACE. In the House of Commons on Monday, Mr Balfour said the Peace Treaty had been signed on the following terms General surrender both of men and arms. Recognition of British sovereignty. Prisoners to be brought back as soon as possible on taking the oath of allegiance. No deprivation of liberty or property. No after-war punishments, save for acts con- trary to the usages of war. Use of Dutch language permissive in courts and schools. Rifles permitted for protection under license. Civil government to succeed military govern- ment as early as possible and as soon as circum- stances permit. Representative institutions to be introduced. Question of franchise for natives to be held over till self-government established. No special war tax on landed property. £ 3,000,000 for re-stocking farms. Boer notes of the 1900 law for campaign purposes to be recognised. Advances to be made on loan for restocking purposes free of interest for two years, and after- wards, payable over a term of years, with 3 per cent. interest. Banishment proclamation to be tacitly dropped, except as far as their farms are concerned, from the sale of which the families of fighting burghers have been supported. As regards rebels, rank and file to be dis- franchised. Leaders to be tried for high treason according to the laws of the colony to which they belong.

-:0: The "Pioneer's" Enterprise. THE following lines came spontaneously from the Postman-Poet on the receipt of the telegram announcing to the "Pioneer" readers that Peace was arranged — The "Pioneer" without delay, Brought news of peace to Colwy-n Bay, For when to them the messalge came They got Verbrug'glhen to proclaim The glorious news, and with a swing The orchestra played "GOD SAVE THE KING." The news then spread as though on wing, For soon the bells were heard to ring, Bringing with. their peal the gladsome theme That peace again had reigned supreme.

(o) Appreciative Letter from the Pavilion Manager. Sm,I have much pleasure in thanking you for the very prompt manner of apprising our com- pany of the very welcome news of peace being declared, and which we were able to at once an- nounce to our aticlience.-Yours faithfully, Colwyn Bay, June 3rd. Aime LALANDE.

At Douglas, last ni'ght, the Nonconformist churches held a united, thanksgiving ser- V, vice in celebration of the announcement of peace. The rateable value of 'Manchester has increased during the past year from Z3,394,879 to £ 3,464,400. The average rates are 6s' 5 2-iod.

Conway Town Council. A New Rate of 7/6. Allocation of Salaries. Help from the Bridge Transactions Discussed. A SPECIAL meeting of the Conwav Town Council was held at the Guildhall on Monday evening, principally to -examine and consider the -esti- mates for rates for the current year. There were. present: The Mayor (Mr Albert Wood, J.P., D.L.), in the chair, Aldermen Hugh Hughes, Hadley, Hugh Jones, William Hughes, Dr. Prichard, Messrs Llewelyn Jones, James Porter, John Williams, Hugh Abram, W. M. Sever, Roberts, with the Town Clerk (Mr T. E. Parry), the Borough Accountant (Mr Hugh Parry), and the Assistant Clerk (Mr Isaac Parry). The Good News. The Mayor said that it would only be right for him- to take that opportunity of remarking that they were all-as they were undoubtedly full of thankfulness that the trials and anxieties of the past 30 months had happily ended on Sunday. Moreover, they must express their gratitude to their soldiers who had fought their battles so nobly and so well. (Hear, hear). Again, they were grateful to their enemies, and he hoped they would prove to be their loyal fellow-subjects, and live to bless the day when they laid down: their 'arms and sought the shelter of the British flag. (Hear, hear). His worship also referred in a few words to the fact that, unfortunately, they would be obliged to strike a heavy rate for the year, but his remarks were not intelligible to the reporters, owing to the bad acoustics of the room and the unsatis- factory situation of the pressmen's desks. Alderman Hughes' Statement upon Legal Rights. The following statement concerning the allo- cation of salaries for the year 1900-1 had been circulated amongst the councillors :-Town clerk, ^150; borough surveyor, ^"194; rate col- lector, £187; surveyor's assistant, £56; trea- surer, Z3; auditors, ^8; borough accountant, Ziiio; total, 6708. Alderman Hugh Hughes, in referring to the tabulated form., said he wish to make a state- ment in regard to the matter, upon which they had consulted counsel. On the previous Thurs- day he happened to be travelling by train in company with Mr Thornton Jones, the solicitor, of whom he had held -the highest opinion as a solicitor and a gentleman. Mr Thornton Jones then very kindly explained to him the terms of the Act, and conclusively convinced him that they as a Corporation had no legal right as trustees of the bridge to use a part of the bridge money. He (Mr Hughes) was quite open, as he had been all along, to conviction, and he now fully admitted that he, for one, had been -under a misapprehension. The Mayor: I am much obliged to you, Mr Hughes, for your straightforward action. Alderman Hughes, continuing, said another question had risen in his mind, and that was as to a way out of their difficulty. In discuss- ing the question of the allocation of salaries at the last committee meeting, Mr Oldman had thrown out a suggestion. Mr Hughes then went on to -say that out of a total of ^1,072 ,estimated for the cost of stationery, salaries, etc., only ^38 was put down to the bridge account. He thought every member -would admit that that was very far from what the bridge ought to bear. Out of such a big sum the bridge ought surely to be able to come in for from £300 to ;6400. If they admitted that principle he sug- gested that the Finance Committee drew out the arrangements as to the way the sum could be the best allocated. He moved, therefore, that the ,C300 or Z400 of the -establishment and other incidental charges be borne by the bridge funds. Mr 'Oldman said he had an idea that the borough accountant should in future keep separ- ate the accounts—the salaries of officers, estab- lishment charges, etc., according to a set ratio. That would mean keeping all accounts separate —the borough fund account, the gas account, the general district fund account, the bridge ac- count. In that way they would be able to con- suilt and find .out from time -to time from the accountant their position in respect of each. Mr Roberts asked whether they meant to charge for the work done on account of the bridige in the past years. The Mayor: W-e -are the trustees of the bridge and we can't charge. Mr Roberts But what about our responsibili- ties, Mr Mayor? I take it we stand to lose ,money if anything were to happen. Some re- turn ought to be made surely. The Mayor If the bridge went to pieces to- morrow it is my opinion that the Corporation will not have to pay a penny for it. Mr Roberts said it was a pity they had ever been bothered with the bridge, as they did: no- thing 'but lose money over it. The Mayor: You must not say that, Mr Rob- erts. The bridge has been one of the best cus- tomers the Corporation ever had. We have had lots of money from it in one way and another, but we don't want to go, into that now, because it's easily seen. After further discussion Dr Prichard said he thought that they were there that day to discuss the question of the estimates, and' nothing else. The Mayor: Yes; we must see to our esti- mates now on the understanding that we can't touch the funds of the bridge. Alderman Hugh Hughes observed that they must discuss the question of bridge accounts before they could arrive at a proper amount in order to strike the rate. 'He wanted to allocate the amount already mentioned: to. the bridge ex- penditure. Let them have as much as they could out of it. The Mayor: As much as we can, honestly. Alderman Hughes Oh, yes that's all I want. I am dealing quite honestly with this account. Dr Prichard asked whether they could be legally allowed to do what Alderman Hughes suggested. The Mayor asked for the clerk's opinion. The Town Clerk: You can change the mode of distributing the salaries, at any rate. As for the stationery account referred to, we 'have n-ever charged anything on the 'bridge in that direction. Neither has there been anything charged for printing the minutes direct to the bridge. The Mayor I am quite in -favour of charging everything due, but not this £ 300 or Z400 for the management of the bridge. Mr Roberts pointed out that the Council would not have engaged an engineer as their surveyor if it were not for the bridige, and that had put them to extra expense. The Mayor: You are very ingenious, Mr Rob- erts. (Laughter.) Mr Roberts said that whether he was ingen- ious or not he quite saw that at the rate things were going, it would not only be the Council that would be bankrupt, but their ratepayers would be bankrupt as well. The .Mayor observed that they had: not made it absolutely necessary that their surveyor should be an engineer. Mr Roberts Oh, yes, we have; I remember when we asked for applications. (Laughter.) Mr Oldman then moved that the expenses of the bridge be charged in ratio to the several departments and accounts. In that way they would- get about ^140 from it. Mr Llewelyn Jones seconded. Dr Prichard again questioned the legality of such a transaction. Alderman Hugh Hughes I appeal to Mr Por- ter. Perhaps he will give us his opinion on the matter as a legal gentleman. The Mayor Oh, no. Alderman Hughes: Why not, sir? He is a member of the Council. The Mayor I can't press Mr Porter, but, of course, if he does speak we shall be glad to hear him. No reply forthcoming from Mr Porter, The Mayor said he would have to put the matter to a vote if they had notlhing further to say on the matter. Alderman Hughes said it was a great pity for them to divide upon that question. Mr Conway Jones If we are going into the question as to whether ^140 is a reasonable sum to charge, could the town clerk tell us in what way to sub-divide or distribute the money? The Town Clerk: The Finance' Committee ought to consider that Mr Porter moved as an amendment that it be an instruction from the Council to the Finance Committee to take into consideration the prin- ciple of allocating salaries with relgard to the future. He would not advise them to waste time in discussing the matter any further that day. If they went back now and brought up all the accounts for past years, the accounts before them would be no use at all. It was the feeling of all of them that the expenditure would have to be kept down, and he thought that some pro- portion of the burden ought to be put upon the bridge, but it was a matter which must be dealt with in the future. Dr Prichard seconded. Eventually the matter was put to a vote, and the result was as follows :-ForMr Oldman's amendment, 2 for Mr Porter's amendment, 7 for Alderman Hughes's motion, 7. The Mayor gave his casting vote in favour of Mr Porter's amendlment, which was duly de- clared carried. The Estimates. BIG INCREASE IN THE BOROUGH RATE. The following were the -estimates submitted for the year ending 31st March, 190-3 — GENERAL DISTRICT ACCOUNT. Sewerage and scavenging, £400 salaries, £ 420 main roads, ^"400 ,• other roads, £3°0; Deganwy Promenade, Zz6g; horse and cart, ^50; water supply, £250; ditto (Cowlyd Board precept), ^1,434; lighting, ;6500; establish- ment, £250; fire brigade, £150; port sanitary authority, ^20; legal expenses, ^50; loans, principal and interest, ^1,850; contingencies, at 5 per cent., £310; total, £ 6,384. Credit, viz., county repayments, main roads, ^400; ditto, salaries, ^75— £ ^5,229. Estimated debit balance £ 4,100; a rate upon £ 19,112 at 6s; C5,734, at 6s 6d, £ 6,212. GAS ACCOUNT. Receipts, 63,204; expenditure, £ "2,524; pro- fits, £680. BOROUGH FUND ACCOUNT. Town Hall, £100; town walls, £ "50; town ditch yards, 61oo; Guildhall, £30; Castle, £80; Morfa, £ 150; quarry and gravel pits, £ 250 -salaries, 628o establishment, £ 350 rents, rates, taxes, etc., £250; election,^ £ '25 rifle range, 620 bank interest, £330; school board, Z20 loans, principal and interest, £ 300 contingencies at 5 per cent., £ '165 total, £ 2,500. Credit, viz., receipts from Corporation property, agricultural rates grant, dividends on consols, £2,027-£473. Estimated d'ebit balance, £ "3,876. A rate upon £ 17,178 at id, £73; -at 6d, £ 438. No Shirking.. Mr Porter moved that a rate of is per £ be levied as a borough rate. They lost £1,200 over the borough fund last year, raising their debit balance to £ 1,100. If they wanted to go on paying their way they must reduce their indebt- edness, and it was no good shirking it. Let them get rid of their indebtedness t, by instal- ments, and to do so they must strike a borough rate of at least a shilling. The same -remark ap- plied to the general district rate. Their estim- ated expenditure on the general district account amounted to Z5,229, but in tihat there was no provision for carrying out the resolution adopt- ed some years ago, with a view to reducing the balance due to the treasurer by annual instal- ments of Zi,ooo., To provide for that they needed' at 6s 6d rate, which would produce £ 6212 That rate was none too large, for it would only give them a small amount as a margin, and to make that they must practice economy during the year. He hoped the rates would be passed, and that no attempt would be made to shirk their duties, but that they should try and man- age the affairs of the town and also reduce the balance due at 'the bank. He moved that a borough rate of is and a general district rate of 6s 6d be struck for the ensuing year. Dr Prichard seconded. Mr Oldman, moved as an amendment that a gross rate of 7s per £ be levied to be divided' as a general district rate of 6s, a borough rate of 5d, 'and id library rate. Alderman Hugh Jones seconded. Alderman- Hugh Hughes supported: the motion, and observed that he looked' forward to the property owners in' the borough paying The Mayor: Don't look at me, please. (Laughter). Alderman Hughes said he would not divulge what was on his mind-—(laughter),—but he cer- tainly supported the is borough rate, as he did not see how they were going to get out of their difficulties without it. As Mr Porter said, there must be no shirking their responsibilities. Mr Roberts remarked that it was a big jump from a threepenny borough rate to one of a shilling. Mr LI. Jones could not understand why they called for a general district rate of 6s 6d, and he moved that one -of 6s be called instead. Mr Roberts seconded. Mr Oldman was then permitted to alter his amendment so as to make a rate of 7s—6s as general district rate, II-d borough rate, and' Id library rate. Mr Conway Jones (chairman of the Finance Committee) advocated the higher rate, as he was of opinion that the rate should be adequate with the calls already referred to by Mr Porter. On being put to the vote Mr Oldman's amend- ment found seven -supporters, the original motion securing the same number. The Mayor gave his casting vote in favour of the motion, which was carried. Deganwy Coronation Festivities. On the application of the Deganwy Corona- tion Festivities Committee it was decided that they be given six barrels of tar, and permission. to plant a tree on a strip of Corporation land.

Clerical Conference in Colwyn Bay. The Education Bill Discussed. A CONFERENCE was held at the Church-room on Wednesday morning to consider the Education Bill now before Parliament. The Bishop of St. Asaph presided, and there was a large number of the clergy of the diocese present. The Bishop remarked that the Bill was one which was of great importance to this diocese, where there were so many National Schools. The meeting was called in order to invite: criticism upon the Bill. His lordship referred to the immense services rendered to the cause of education by the Church in the time, and he saw that they were now asked to make a new agreement with the State. They possessed in the shape of school buildings, capital valued- at about £ 30,000,000. They must not accept the bargain, which took from them those buildings without -getting something good in return. They must get some amendment on to the Bill making their hold on these buildings secure. These buildings were their stronghold. It was no -use talking about their work in the past; that was sentimental. The State promised grants for the maintenance of their schools, but they would have to make a number of con- cessions. When the Bill would become law, each school would have to come under the new system, if it desired State aid and State in- spection. They would' have to keep the build- ings in proper repair, both landlord's and ten- ant's repair. They would also have to agree to a third representation on the Board of Manage- ment. The question was whether they would. be wise in giving up their buildings on those terms. Would it be better to keep their schools and use them as parochial buildings? Mr Oldfield What would be the position of the rival schools, which are richly endowed? The Bishop: All the endowments go to the new local authority. Rev. 'F. G. Jones (Llanrhos) Can endowed schools continue as private schools? The Bishop Yes, but they will not get any State aid or be inspected by the Government officials. Rev. F. G. Jones: What chance has the Church of England of building a school where there is no school at present? The Bishop They have an equal chance to the others. All that is necessary is to get the ,consent of the Board of Education and then find the money. Colonel Sandbach moved a resolution in favour of the Bill with several provisos. He moved that an amendment be made in Clause 5, which made the Bill permissive, and that the cost of keeping the buildings in repair be put on the shoulders of the new local authority. Canon Roberts said he spoke as an outsider, not having any National Schools in the town. The misunderstandings about this Bill arose from want of knowledge and suspicion. They were handing over their schools to the State, and they were asked to keep the buildings in repair. He did not consider this fair at all. The State itself should keep the schools in pro- per repair. Another proviso mentioned was that they should have the power to use the schools after school hours. Education being a National concern, the question was raised of the whole system being supported entirely by Imperial taxation. The Bishop remarked that,this was a question of great economical importance. Eventually, a proviso was put in to the effect that as the whole nation benefitted by the Bill, the- whole population should be made to contri- bute towards the cost. This could only be done by taxation, as the rating only affected' a portion of the population. With regard to the government of the schools in Wales it was unanimously decided that the schools in the Principality should have the same change made in the local authorities as in England. Provision should be made for a stronger representation of the Church on the local governing bodies. With the addition of the above provisos, a general resolution was passed unanimously on the motion of Colonel Sandbach in favour cf the Bill.

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PEACE AT LAS r. Continued from Page 6. FLINT. The news was received at Flint on Sunday evening. The Mayor at once proceeded to the balcony of the Town Hall and made the an- nouncement. The news spread rapidly, and a crowd of some hundred's- collected in front of the Town (Ball and gave vent to enthusiastic ic cheers. Shortly afterwards, the Volunteer Brass B,amd was called out, and' merry peals were rung on the church bells. On Monday the town was gaily decorated, and all the school children, of the borough were given a holiday. RUTHIN. The joyful news of peace was conveyed here about 6 a.m. on Monday morning, by the postoffice mail driver from Flint. In a few minutes the news had reached the managers of the Cambrian Sodawater Works, who sent their steam whistles in motion, which awoke the inhabitants of Ruthin from their slumbers. In a few minutes peopie were Hocking to the Square, and the bells of St. Peter's Church rang merrily. Rockets were sent off in the Square by Mr T. J. Rouw. The town was soon decorated with bunting. The Mayor requested all places of business to close in com- memoration of such an event, and a day of rejoicing was spent in Ruthin. In the evening the Ruthin Volunteers turned out and paraded the town, under the command of Lieut. Rouw, and headed by the band under the conductorship of Mr John Edwards. Upon arriving on the Square they foi ined a circle, and the Mayor addressed them and the crowded square. Afterwards a splendid display of fire- works was made, which went on until a late hour. LLANRWST. The joyful news which thriiied the country with extreme delight did not reach this town until early on Monday morning, and the manifestations of subdued pleasure were evident everywhere. A display of bunting was at once shewn, and the schools and Town Hall bells were clanged with much vigour. The ringing of the old Town Hall bell, only requisitioned in cases of fire in times gone by, was reminiscent of many byegone struggles as to the fate of this structure. In the evening the Town Band paraded the streets and played exhilarating airs, and Mr J. E. Humphreys, the popular chairman of the Urban District Council, delivered a patriotic and stimulating address upon the occasion from the steps of the Town Hall.