The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

THE COUNTY SCHOOL CON- TROVERSY. Another stage in the Colwyn Bay and Aber- gele County School controversy wea reached on Monday when the Joint Education Com- mittee's new scheme came up for considera- tion by a special meeting of the Denbigh- shire Council. As we explained some weeks ago, the Joint Committee is a statutory body over which neither the County Education Committee nor the County Council have any direct control, and it was purely an act of grace on the: part of the Joiut Committee that gave the Council this opportunity to discuss the question. Had they so desired the Com- mittee could have submitted the scheme to the Board of Education without consulting any of the county authorities, but as the latter could frustrate their plans on appeal to the Government Department it would have been injudicious to take direct action when I the point at issue was so controversial. Mon- day's deliberations have made clear two things or the greatest importance to educa- tion at Abergele and Colwyn Bay. The County Council will not sanction the conver- sion of the Abergele County School into wh it is generally described as an agricultural school. This was patent to any intelligent observer of the Council's proceedings at Col wyn Bay in August, and the overwhelming majority which declared against it on Mon- day effectually disposed of that idea. From that standpoint, therefore, the Abergele School Governors have practically removed what was virtually their main source of objection to the new scheme. The peculiar feature of the Council's decision was to recom- mend the holding of a local inquiry into the advisability of doing what they had just de- clared so emphatically would be undesirable. If the ratepayers of Abergele were to be directly consulted at all upon the scheme that ahould obviously have been done before the Council meeting. However, there is no reason to doubt but that the school governors in this matter reflect the views of the com- munity. While they thus roundly condemned the Joint Committee's intention in regard to the Abergele School, it was no less clear that the Council will offer no objection to the con- version of the Colwyn Bay School into an intermediate school. Not a "word was uttered against that. Indeed, in the fage. of the incontestable case made out by Mr W. G. Dodd, even the warmest friends of the Abergele School could scarcely be ex- pected to offer an objection. As Mr Dodd said, a town whose growth has been. "positive- ly phenomenal." whose population to-day stands well over 15,000, and whose develop- ment is at this moment just as steady as it has been during the last ten years of its ex- traordinary history, demands in a peculiarly convincing manner those higher education facilities which the Joint Committee propose providing for it. It is gratifying to Colwyn Bay residents that that part of the scheme which affects them is in no way jeopaidised. Unless something quite unexpected happens the Colwyn Bay County School will before long be an accomplished fact. Under the scheme the existing school district is to be divided into two, one each for Abergele and Colwyn Bay, so that the difficulty with re- gard to tha two schoo's being in one school l district is overcome in a logical manner. The withdrawal of Colwyn Bay children from the Abergfle School must necessarily affect I that school, but now that it competes so successfully with the Colwyn Bay School despite the low fees at the latter it should be wen able to hold its own when both insti- tutions are on equal terms.

KEIR HARDIE ON TOUR. There is nothing, it seems, in the industrial situation at home to prevent Mr Keir Hardie from indulging in his usual autumn jaunt among the malcontents of all tribes and nations. The Welsh miners, the Northern boiler-makers, the Lancashire cotton-spinners, and workers in other representative British industries may each in turn be passing through a period of grave and menacing un- rest. The Trade Union movement, as a whole, may be shaken to its foundations by internal divisions. But in all this there is Jiothing to require the presence of the leader whos.e hair, as he is always telling us, has "grown grey in the movement" of organised labour. So we are bound to judge when we take stock of his recent journeyings and gibbermgs on the European continent. At Frankfort he began with the German Socialists, who, by the way, are at present triumphant at having driven Herr von Beth- mann Holweg into the hands of the National Liberals. There he distinguished himself by attempting, according to the German law, to address the "comrados" in their native tongue, breaking down in the attempt, and finally speaking the King's English (or his version of it) in defiance of the police regula- tions. His cosmopolitan sympathies next directed him to the Congress of the "Young Egyptians" at Geneva. The object of this moveoTent being, in Mr Hardie's own words, to force Britain "to dear out of Egypt," it VIas not surprising thougS it was an act worthy of the best hopes of the entente cordiale--that the French Government should have refused to countenance a further meet- ing of the "Young Egyptians" in Paris. In Bruls, however, they found another open- ing, and Mr Keir Hardie pursued them thither to urge them that "their movement must be revolutionary," and, in plain words, j to enjoin action which would lead to anarchy I and bloodshed. Compare this with what might be expected of a patriotic leader of Labour at this time, and we are bound to inquire the moaning. Is it that the industrial questions of the hour are too practical, too real, too tangible for Mr Keir Hardie's visionary brain ? Or is it that he counts his work done at home—or safe in Mr Lloyd George's hands? Or is it that he realises that among sensible Britons he is "not wanted."

The Paseing Season. Much though the delightful weather lately experienced tempts one to overlook the fact, to-morrow will see the end of September and of what is known to most of us as "the season." Efforts are being made to extend the holiday-making period, and it is not too much to hope that in some of our larger health resorts at least visitors will in future prolong their stay. The "autumn season movement" at Llandudno bids fair to do much in the desired, direction, and the experiment might well bo emulated at Colwyn Bay and Rhyl. A retrospective glance at the season is dis- tinctly encouraging. April and May proved somewhat disappointing perhaps, but, despite unfavourable climatic conditions, during the remaining four months visitors flocked to North Wales in unprecedented numbers. A certain amount of this improvement is no doubt attributable to the better conditio-ns of trade in the country, but by far the best part of it is due to the London and North- Western Railway Company's extensive adver- tising scheme, and the invaluable work of the North Wales Advertising Board. The results traceable to these two schemes prove indisputably too pot-ency of advertisement and increase the business man's yearnings for that long-delayed Act of Parliament which will give the authorities responsible for the administration of health and holiday resorts power to place charges for such n-edful work upon the ratepayers concerned.

--< Public Abattoirs. A caso tried this week, in which the question at issue was the use of a slaughter- house which was not licensed, serves to direct attention to the question of public abattoirs. 'Ihero are no doubt many difficulties at- tached to the present system of private slaughter-houses, which the users of such pre- JiLises as well as the sanitary authorities ap- predate. There is, for instance, the difficulty in populous centres of finding suit- able premises that would enable the owners to comply with the requirements of the local authority. The latter on the other hand may not always be as stringent as they might be in the exercise of the powers vested in them. The only solution of the problem is tho provision of public abattoirs, and the Conway Rural District Council would be well advi&ed to provide one at Llandudno June- tion. Perhaps Colwyn Bay and other authorities would then be shamed into action.

PERSONAL. Mr and Mrs Yorke leave Erddig, Wrexham, foir same weeks. Princess PjeBs gave birth to a son on Friday at Grcssiichterfeide, near Borlin. <■> The Duke of Westminster is likely next week Do devote a few days to cub hunting before go- ing abroad. < £ > Lady Wii-fens-Wynn's "The Murragh" ran second in tho Wolverhampton Hurdle Handicap at the Woiverhaniipion Steepieehiases oci Monday. + Mr Lloyd, of Rhf&g,att, who i. in Switzerland, j on Thursday sent a telegram to the secretary of tihe E<fcy rn-i-on Agrieuitiinai Society wishing the show all sxuxeai. The We Mr F. Marshall, K.C., of the Oaks, Alievn Park, Du-Twich, S.E., leader of the North Wales and Chester Circuit, lieffc estate valued aA £9450. -4; Lc.rd Sheffield has notified the tenants on his Hoylako estate, Cheshire, hir, wiHingriCiis to con- sider proposals to sell froehokS; or to renew lease.! of their holdings. 1; The Duehesa of Westminster a/id her daugh- ter, Lady Ursuia Grosvenor, both looking the picture of health, were amongst who at- the meet of the Chohiro Hounds on Monday. Mr C. L. Wymne Jones, son of Archdeacon Wyrmte Jones, dean-designate of St. Asaph, has been gazetted neec.nd-lieutereant in the 17th Lancers, and wila leave England to join his regi- ment ajt Sialkot, India, in November. — <3 The Dulce of Westminster has consented to lend Gra; venor House for a, diravvang-room meet- ing- to be held for discussing a scheme for pro- viding a memorial! to the late Miss Florence Nightingale. ♦ — The Chancellor of the Exchequer has ap- pointed Mr R. G. Hwwtrey, of the Treasury, to be his principal private secretary, in s/ueoeBsdon to Mr W. H. C-iark, who has recently been ap- pointed member for commerce and industry of the Executive Council of the Viceroy of India. o Mr Thomas Horatio Brown, of Che iter, who died last week at the age of 73, was wedl-know n as a wood carver. His work includes the stalk in St. Asaph Cathedral, the carving in St. Dein- iei's Library at Hawarden, and inrjoh. of the re- cent half-timbered work in tho aty of Chester. < £ Lord Cochrane, who has been in Scuth Ameri- ca attending the centenary celebrations, at Santi- 'ago do Chili, lietft on Saturday on his re-turn home. His lordshap'u tact and affability won general appreciation, and he was accorded a very hearty reception. <j, The marriage of Miss Claire. Frewen, daughter of Mr and Mrs Moreton Frewen, and niece of Mrs George Cornwallifc-West, to Mr Wilfred Sheridan, brother of Mrs Hall Walker, will1 take place on tho 15th October, at St. Margaret's* Y\ eatim-irjsto.r. The reception is to be held at Hyde Park Houee, lent by Lady Naylor.Leyland.

NORTH WALES COUNTIES TRAINING COLLEGE NEW STAFF APPOINTMENTS AND SALARIES. The work of extending the Training College buildings at Bangor (says a cor respond- eat) is now practically complete. The total approximate met of £ 44-000 is being contribu- ted to by the County Councils of Flintshire, Denbighshire, Carnarvonshire, and Anglesey. Arrangements are being made to request Mr Lloyd George to perform the) opeiing oeremony during October. According to the official minute6 of, the meet- ing of the Training College Committee, whch have been sent out to members of the four con- stituent County Councils, the following salaries are proposed to be paid to the teaching staff from the 1st October next:-Priaoipal D. R. Harris, £6.30, rising by E-30 annually to £780, with house, etc.; Mr E. H. Harding, £ 300; Mr E. R. Da vies, £ 280, rising- to P-W; Mr T. Bot- ting, E250 rising to EIOO; Mr S. F. Jackson, JB170 (resident), rislag to £ 200; Mr J. G. Williams, £ 130 (resident), rising- to £ 170; Mr J. R. Gabriel, L120 (resident), to commenoe from 1st January, 1911. rising to J6150. The following appointments have also been, made:- Welsh Lecturer, Mr Thomas Roberts, M.A., London, has been, appointed out of eleven applicants, at a salary of £100, rising to L150, with residence; Science Lecturer, Mr J. Riley, B.Sc. honours in phytics, London, has been ap- pointed out of 35 applicants at a salary of zigo. with residence, rising to JS150. For the poet of deputy matron 54 applications were received, a.nd Miss Amaie Lewis, of Holyhead, was chosen, at a salary of 240, rising to LW, with board, eta

THE CHURCHES. The Raman Catholic Bishop of Menevia (Dr. Francis Mostyn) held an ctrdinatioai service at St. Beuno's Theological College, Tremeirchion, near St. Asaph, on Suuday, when eleven candi- dates were ordained*. Mr Tudor Evans, a student of IJarley College (SOIn of the Rev. J. C. Evans, of Patagonia), has been ordained to the full work of the Con- gregational ministry at Carmarthen. Mr Evans mil shortly be going out as a minister to Laoour in the Welsh colony in Patagonia.

REV. DR. CALEB HUGHES JOINS CHURCH OF ENGLAND. The Rev, Dir. J. Caleb Hughes, who was re- cently awarded a Fellowship by the University or; Waleso in recognition of his work in Hou-rew and the Semitic languages, and who studied for the Congregational ministry at the Bala-Bangor Theological College, has joined the Church of England!, and was on Suiaday ordained deacon by the Bishop of Sr. David's in the Parish Chua-ch of Abergwiii. Dr. has been licensed to the curacy of Idangyfelach.

LLEYN RURAL DEANERY. A conference of the Rural Deanery of Lleyn was held at Lhuinor on Monday, amongst the subjects discussed being "Land Valuation with reference to glebe land- and church farms." Tho foLoWiiig clergy took pa.rt in the proceedings;— The Revs. H. J. Manley, rural dean (in the choir); T. E. Slieppard Jones, Llannor; W. S. Williams, Pwllhaii; T. Jones, Llangwriadl; J. L. Dav es, Bryncrces; R. C. Jones, Neviin; D. T. Davies, TydiweiLog; J. Daniel, Llandudwen; J. Davies, Llaniestyn; J. Edwards, Pwllheli; T. E. Owen, Bc-ttwnog; G. Salt, Bodtean; J. Morgan, Edern; and J. W. Griffith, Llangian. Tho c-krgy were afterwards entertained at the Rectory.

FLINTSHIRE C-M. PRESBYTERY. The "monthly meeting' was hdd at Nort-hop on Monday, under tho presidency of Mr John Ro- berts, of Flint. The Rev. W. Rai Bhajur, a native, and the Rev. Edward Williams, a medical missionary from tho KLassa Hiils, were' present and gave addarefses descriptive of the work in the mission field tkore. Octobor 17 was fixed' uj>on as the date for the harvest thanksgiving services in the county. The Rev. Charles Roberts, Gvvernymynydd, was apijointed temperance secretary. It was reported that thei Rev. D. E. Roberts had accr-inied the pastorate of the ohufch at Couuiah s Quay. TLo nc-xt meeting will be held at Leeswood on October 24.

THE WELSH CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOLS. SYLLABUS OF INSTRUCTION. The movement which was started some time ago to get tile Welsh Church Sunday Schools to adopt the same syllabus of instruction is now about to take a practical form. An Inter-Dio- cesan Committee has been appointed to draw out a joint syllabus, and to arrange ior the produc- tion of commentaries in the Welsh language. This committee met at Aberystwyih last week, under the presidency of the Archdeacon of tian- gor, and formed a syllabus which will soon be published. It has been arranged to commence on the first Sunday in Advent next. The New Testament subjcct for the first year will be St. Paul's Epistles to the Thessalonians, and the Rev. Canon Camber-Williams has undertaken to pub- lish monthly notes on these books in the Welsh Church Magazine, "Yr Fhul." For the follow- ing year the Rev. D. J. Jones, the Bangor Dio- cesan Inspector of Schools, has been asked to write a commentary on the Gospel of St. John. This is, no doubt, one of the most important movements in connection with the Welsh Church Sunday Schools that has taken place in recent years, and will certainly receive from Welsh Churchmen the loyal support that it deserves. The secretary of the Inter-Diocesan Committee is the Rev. J. D. Jones, Ponraon Vicarage, Beau- maris, Anglesey.

NORTH WALES WESLEYAN SYNOD. GRANTS TO CIRCUITS. The financial Synod of the Second jNorth Wales Wesieyatii: district "iiolds its annual meet- ings at Barmouth this week. At the committee meetings otn Monday and Tuesday the grants to the circuits were d.stribu- ted as ÎoUows :-Llanrwst., £ 28; Afcergiele, 1;23; Lland'udtno, £ 14; Beaumaris, L26 10s; Amlwch, £22; Tregarth, £ 14; Pwllheli, £20; Blaenau Festoiog, £40; Lkxge-!ley and Barmouth, .£.2; Towyn, 1S24; Dinasi Mawedwv, ::20.

THE SCHOOL FUND. Th.2 Rev. Peter Jçu;es Roberts submitted a resolution passed by the Association with re- spect to the old fund known as the, School ifund. The sum of L75 las is contributed by tho dis- trict too this fund, and on the proposition of Mr Roberts it was resolved that out ot that sum L25 b2' p:¡,:d to the Oonnexi.xiul Fund, £ 2o to the Theological Colleges, and E25 16s to the Home Miss-on.

SALB OF A CHAPEL AT NEWBCROUGH. An application, from the Hulyhe-ad Circuit for leave to zcil tho old1 chapel at New borough was referred to a sub-ccrmnittee consisting of the Revs. Dr. Hugh ,Jo:es, Ishmael Evans, and Madco Roberts, Messrs Lloyd Joaiies' (Bangor), Thomas Jones (Port Dtinorwic), and E. D. ,il- li;tn (AberiTraw). On Monday evening- in the Wesleyaci Chapel, a public meeting was held! in connection with the Methcdlst Unicu for So-ai Service, Mr c Ray-ciin Jones, M.P., presiding, when, addresses on "Poverty, its eecistenco, its causes, and how to restrain it," were given by tho Rev. W. Lloyd Davies (Beaumaris),, the Rev. John Smith (Towyn), and the Rev. John Kelly (Holyhead).

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 01' WALES. OONFERBXCE OF ENGLISH CHURCHES. The twentieth annual Conference of the Eug- lish Churches, of the Presbyterian Church of Wal.e8 was opened on Tuesday at Llscard. There was a large attendance oi d{Ùgates, amli the leading item was the reception given by Mr and Mrs William Jones, "Tyrol." A hearty welcome) was extcndro by representatives of the local Free: Church Council and the Urban Dis- trict Council. The President- of the Conference, Sir J. Her- bert Roberts, M.P., was unable to be present, and' in his absence a response to tho welcome was d-elive-red by the Rev. J. Glyn Davies, of Rhyl. He said he was very 'g'lad to hear that the F.r2e Churches in that district were so pros- perous. He was strongly of opinion that the future was offeeed to the Free Churches. The l'u c.-mflSi as they knew, wore becomi.ig more and more democratic, the people were rising to their rights, and the church that would! beat sway the future was the church that would best win the people, and he held that the church that could best do that was not a church tied to Parlianicnt or rubric or form, but the church that was free to adopt ito own polity and service and meet all the changing needs of the changing times. All that was necessary for complete! success was unity. Proceeding at a subsequent meeting to the, election of president, the Acting President re- ferred to the. laint-nt-d death of the president- elect. There was a unanimous recommendation that the vacancy should be. filled by Alderman S. N. Jonas, Newbridge', Monmouthshire, and this was confirmed.

NORTH WALES TEMPER- ANCE FEDERATION. ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING On Monday evening representatives from all parts of East Denbighshire assembled at the Central Hall, Wrexham, at a meeting held to complete the arrangements for the annual meet- ings of the North Wales Temperance Federation, to be held at Wrexham on Tuesday and Wednes- day, October 11th and 12th. The Rev. R. Peris Williams presided. It was reported that the Mayor of Wrexham would give a reception to the delegates attending the meetings of the Federation and the meet- ings of the North Wales Women's Temperance Union. Arrangements were being made for a procession of all the Bands of Hope and temper- ance workers of Wrexham and the district to march through the town on the Wednesday after- noon. The Secretary (the Rev. WTilliam Thomas, Gwersyllt) presented a draft programme of the arrangements for the several meetings and the list of speakers, which included Sir J. Herbert Roberts and Lady Roberts, Mr and Mrs J. Her- bert Lewis, Mrs T. E. Ellis, Miss Florence Bal- garnie, Mr Leif Jones, Mr William George, Mrs S. M. Saunders, the Revs. D. Gwynfryn Jones, Hugh Hughes, J. Glyn Davies, and others. It was reported that a choir, conducted by Mr Wilfrid Jones, would lead the singing at the seve- ral meetutga.

DEATH OF CANON E. B. HUGH-JONES. The death took plaoe on September 11th, on a voyage home from South Africa, of Canon Edward Bertram Hugh-Jones, third son of the late Arohdeaoon Hugh-Jonea, of St. Asaph, and brother of Mr Ll. Hugh-Jones, of Wrexham, and Mr R. H. Hugh-Jones, of Rhyl. Cancel Hugh-Jones had been in failing health for some time. He came home for a holiday last year, when his friends were very wishful that he should remain and take up light work here. He, however, felt it his duty to return to South Africa., as ho hadt promised the Bishop of Natal to db so if it was at all possible. Un- fortunately, afber his return he contracted a chill and this brought on the illness which ended in his death. Born at Holyhead, Canon Hugh-Jones was educated? at Marlborough. From thence he went to Jesus College, Oxford, where he held the Powys scholarship. He g-radtuated from Jesus College, with a eeoond class in Modetrations and in Lit. Hum. After spending' ten years as assistant master at Bromsgrove School, and as vice-principal of St. John's College, Battersea, he became Headmaster of Michaelbouse Dio- cesan Sohool, at Balgowan, Maritzburg. He Was a Canon of Maritzburg Cathedral.

THE COLWYN BAY SCHOOL QUESTION. THE PRESENT POSITION. At their meeting at Wrexham on Monday the Denbighshire County Council, while eliminating tho provision in the revised scheme for inter- mediate education for the county for giving the County School at Abergele an agricultural bias, at the sarne timae passed a resolution approving the scheme with that exception. The proposal to &3t up a county school at Cohvyn Bay has thus received the support of the Council, and will no doubt 00 sent up for the approval of the Board of Education. If the scheme be passed the school district cif Abergele will be divided, and Colwyn Bay urban district-, with the rural parish of Llanelian-yn-Rhos, will form a county school area of its own, while Aberge'e school will have as it-5 area t'he remainder of the pre.eni> school district, but will continue to be carried1 on as at present that is, Latin wi.'l be included in the curriculum, and the subjects proposed to be especially taught in the interests of agriculture wil'1 be excluded. A full report of the meeting;s appear on page 4.

NEW FINANCE ACT VALUER. APPOINTMENT OF A CARNARVONSHIRE ENGINEER. Mr D. J. Williams, of Tynewydd, Garn, Dol. benTnaen, Carnarvonshire, has been appointed financial valuer for minerais under the Finance Act. Mr Witiiams passed through the School of Mines, South Kensington, with honours, and was successful in both Univerxty of Wafej and Dub- lin Univen ity examinations. He spent some time in South Africa as a mining engineer, and wieie formerly in the Pombrok-eehire education office.

06- jj) SPECIAL DONT FORGET SPECIAL-EDITION IV F- RY SATURDAY NI6HT! .¿J F1R5T NUMBER Oct Ist t* f\LL FP<?TBALL {\E$ULT$. PRICE: ONE HALF-PENNY. PUBLISHING OFFICE, BANGOR.

THE "PIONEER" AND THE EISTEDDFOD. TRIBUTE FROM SIP. J. PRICHARD-JONES, BART. Tho Editor of the "Pioneer" has received the fol'owing letter from Sir J. Priehnrd- Jones, Bart., who was chairman of one of the Eisteddfod meetings at Colwyn Bay Dear Sir,-I have just read the report of the National Eisteddfod at Colwyn Bay in your lost Saturday's issue, and sexid you a line to congratulate you on having given so correct and exhaustive an account of the pro- ceedings. You do not seem to have missed much that is worth reporting. Yours faithfully, J. PRICHARD-JONES. Newborough, Cautie-id Gardens, Hampstead, N.W.

A LLANDUDNO GENTLE- MAN'S WILL. ESTATE VALUED AT £ 160,434. Estate sworn at £ 160,434, of which 2159,414 is net personalty, has been left by Mr Joseph Bell Tcpham, of Heath ley, Abbey-road. Llandudno, formerly of The Glen, Blundellsands, one of the proprietors of Liverpool Racecourse, and who for many years, in association with his brother, com- piled the weights for the Grand National Steeple- chase. Probate of the will, dated the 24th July, 1908, has been granted to the widow, Mrs Dorothy Topham, and his sons, Mr Edward Antony Christopher Topham, of Pies Dulas, Llanddulas, Denbigh Mr Arthur Ronald Topham, of Heath- ley, and Mr Wm. Ward Ignatius Topham, of 25, Euston Grove, Birkenhead, four of the executors. Testator gives all his household furniture and effects to his wife, £ 50 to the Shrewsbury Secu- lar Clergy Fund, his shares in Topham's, Ltd., to his three sons, and to each female servant of three years' service one year's wages, and to each male servant of three years thirty weeks' wages. Testator leaves six-twentieths of the residue in trust for his children, Edward Antony Christo- pher, Arthur Ronald, William Ward Ignatius, France- Edith Monica, and Elfrida Clar", and the remainder in trust for his wife for life, and then to his three sons and his daughter Elfrida.

NORTH WALES ASSIZES. MR JUSTICE HORRIDGE TO PRESJDE. MT Juatioe HOrTidQ. will take the autumn assizes1 on the North Wales and Chester circuit, and the oorrrmission d-fty.3 have been fixed as fol- lows;—Carnarvon (for the combined counties of Carnarvonshire and Anglesey), 13th October; Ruthin (toi* Montgomery, Merioneth, Flint, and Denbigh), 17th October; and Chester, 20th Octo- ber. Urimmai business only will be taken.

MUS-ICAL NOTES. By Peter Edwards, Mus. Bac. (Pedr Alaw). RHYL MUSIC. On the termination of the engagement of the Russian Orchestra, it will doubtless ijiterest many of our readers, who, by their presence at the Rhyl Concerts, showed appreciation of the work of these artistes, to learn that their conductor is a member of a musical family, and is the uncle of the well-known artiste Mark Hambourg. Herr Alexander Hambourg was born in the city of Moscow, Russia, and was trained in the musical profession at the Conservatoire there. He came to England in 1896, and made his first appearance as conductor of Earl de la Warr's Orchestra at Bexhill-on-Sea. He has also acted as municipal conductor for the Corporation of Scarborough. It will have been noticed that his Russian Or- chestra consists of about eight players; and it will also have been noted what effects are pro- duced by these few players! What results such a conductor could have obtained from double or treble the number of players! The pity of it is that with the grea-i ability he has shown in his "readings" of world-famed orchestral pieces, he has had to rely upon such a handful of players to give effect to his studies! Some may consider Herr Hambourg's body- movements too-shall we' say-pronounced. It seems to me there are three reasons for this: (1) Herr Hambourg is a very delicate, highly strung gentleman. What the music suggests to his mind reacts upon his body. The latter shows by ,3 distinct movements when the players are required to play legato or mareato, slowly or quickly, etc. He lives the music for the time being; it oozes, as it were, from his finger-tips. Or you may say that the magnetism which he possesses in such a marked degree is, by the very look and varied gestures of the man, transmitted to the players, who seem to be so completely under his influence. So that the" motions" of arms and body are, to him, necessary to the attainment of his object. (2) Probably he could in no other way infuse sufficient enthusiasm and get as much result out of his few players. (3) He is a Rus- sian—with the fullest measure of the Slavonic temperament. Those of our readers who have seen Russian dancers, who have heard much Rus- sian music, will have noticed what exuberance of spirit is generally shown in them, especially in the music of the former. I have watched that great Russian conductor Savonoif conduct the London Symphony Orchestra of one hundred professional players, baton-less, and certainly have seen no other conductor work out with such tremondous power the thrilling effects of Tchaikowskv. The reason, no doubt, was that he was a Russian, and to interpret the Russian mind was so natural to him. Herr Hambourg's little orchestra essayed no piece it could not present with taste, whether in Russian, German, Italian, French, English or other music. We, therefore, part with him with regret, but are grateful for the measure of enjoyment his or chestra has afforded us. It may be stated here that th- 'cellist in his orchestra is his son, aged 16. He is a student at the R.A.M., where he has been awarded a silver medal. His professor is Mr Herbert WTalcnn. Each time I have listened to his play- ing at the Rhyl Pavilion he has been encored. May all success attend him.

@ @ (*)(*) PART-SONG, "SUL Y BLODAU." A copy of this prize-piece has been received from the composer, Mr Jo-ef E. Jones, Conway. It is certainly an appropriate setting to the sing- able verves' of Eifion Wyn. There are several beautiful phrases in the 'music; and it deserved more attention than was bestowed upon it by competitors at the National Eisteddfod! at Col- wyn Bay. It is a very tong- piece for a part- song—running into fourteen pages Staff Nota- tion, but the interest, is well kept up throughout, and it is well worth study by our choirs. Eis- teddfod committees should note it. Publisher: J. Hughes, "Apollo," Cohvyn Bay.

0 "THE EMPIRE SONG." This patriotic song, composed by the well- known vocalist, Mr James Colemian, i$to hand. Tho mueic iiest within a very moder^to '^ompa.e, and it is simple as patriotic music should be. The accompaniment also is quite unobtrusive throughout. There is a good deal of patriotic f(Xlling- in the song, and we should "magine a singer with a powerful voice could thrill an i t d ience when rendering it. The music of the last few bars of each verse may be repeated in uni- son, by a chorus, and should add much to the effect of the song. Publishers: The City Music Co., Li chili-eld.

0 RHYL BOXING DAY EISTEDDFOD. I ami favoured with a list of the subjects of thij annual event. Tho programme is good, ex- cept m the. oon*tna.Ito- so'o item. The 001:0, "Croes cin CeidwAd," is really inten.ded for a 'baritone voice. True one Eisteddfod dhose it for con- tralto, but that is no reason why another should do the same. Given a rich, sympathetic, bari- tone singer who can enter into the tragedy of tho subject, and an appropriate interpretation may be expected. The male chorus, "The Pilgrims" (Dr. Parry), in one of the best ma'e choruses ever penned. I ^hcukl like onto again, to hoar thtat old En- glish clarsic, "When winds breathe soft" (Wcbbc.), and almost envy these who- will hear it at Rhyl on Boxing- Day. The children's chorus I do no know, na»me*ly, "Mis y Blod-au." It -is, I think, a mi:tu.ke to let quartette and duet parties choose their own pieces. Of course, it gives a variety of pieces, but it is also intereat- ing to follow 'the interpretation of the saane pfeco by various .partien—at least adjudicators think so.

@ CARDIFF FESTIVAL. The English prerss is pleased to testify as to the great merit of Dr. David Thomas' latest work, "Tho Bard," an ode for solo, ohorup, and orches- tra. It declares that tihis is the first work by a Webh composer which has in it the qualities that appeal to musicians other than those of Mr Thomaii' nationaMty. So far as the writer's experience gc« s, no works by Welsh compccors have hoard at great English festivals. Surely it cannot be said tha.t the English music- world is prejudioed again)t Welsh music, as such. If it is not, ilhell Weilsh rrniiio does not. come up to the high standard of English, festival require- ments, hence it is ignored. After the verdict of tfos En-gish. no dj-ubt Mr Thomas' work wN be heard on the English festival platform.

@ (*) @ WELSH FOLK-SONGS. After having- praised the work of the Folk- song Society, I was sorry to hear f.rom persons who were at the National E'.sitedckfod Saturday evening concert how una rate renting were the fok- jion.gs which were sung there. If whaifc I heard i. not true, I sihaM be gl'ad to correct the, state- ment, and, .invite communications from readers who were pleaded with these songs. At the Gersadd on Friday I noticed one of the -fcik-<3onigs 'urtg by Miss Jeannie William, could 00 touched up" with advantage. It seemed to consist ctf nearly aill tail and scarcely any head. In it a man was being eruestioned a,1 to what he would do in the cvent of certain ehing3 happen- ing to him. I mention this so that reader); in- terested in Weikh foi'k-son.gs ma-v be able to re- cogniie the song referred to. Of course, it may be replied1 that the old country fo::k did' not study foim or design, but that is no rearon why we in this age should be asked to admire their aimless, though tunef ul, wanderings!

DROWNING MYSTERY NEAR ItHYL. IJQDV FOUND IN A FARM POOL. soinq, ;-was caused at Rhyl yesterday, by tho news that an unknown wornonj had been found dhowmed in a pool ait R iydorddwy Gocli Far.m, ad*jodndng the town- It appear.* that Mr Drummond, the occupier of the farm, early in the morning woticed in a I' IIn the farmyard what at first appeared to be. a bundle of clothing. On clcoer examinlaiioai Mr Drummond found that it was. the. body of a woman. Having dragged the. body attido hie cent for P.S. Dcaieey. who quick, arrived on the rcene. No evidence of ,icbontiiio3Jtion could be. found on the body, and up to last evening it was not ascertained whoi the lW- fortunate we-man W3h Tnc police description of the doeeased is that she was between 45 and 50 years of age, 5ft. 7in. in height. She wore ar-tiiiciail teeth, with come of the lower set musing. She att'.red in .a three-quarter length blactk jacket, and black skirt, and she altio wore a new pail' of canvas shoes. No jewellery wens in her pcfesetnaon. Deceased woire corsets bearing the name of "WifHteim.3 and Richards, Prestatyn." Two purees were found on tne body, one containing 78 lid in cofth, and the ether two keys. Several packets of Noblett's con-feet-'on cry were a-so fv/and in J'2Ix"ascd's pcs- resiion, and inquiries made at that firm's local establishment proved that on Tuesday evening a nxiddle-aiged woman stood outside the shop while a child who acecim.pB.niied her made some pur- chases. The body has been removed to the Rhyl mortiKWy to await the in

THADE UNIONS AND THE OSBORNE DECISION. (By BURLEIGH D. KILBURN, M.A.) I In view of the conflicting statements which have been made as to the Osborne Decision by trie Law Lords, and the allegations which have been put forward as to the effect it will have on the Trade Unions, it may be useful briefly to consider this question which took a prominent place in the discussions and r-e- solutions at the recent Trade Union Congress. In the first piaoe it is necessary to see what was the point decided in this case. The oase could only be decided upon the facts before the Courts and those. facts were that a com- pulsory levy was made by a Trade Union on its members to raise funds to be applied in returning members to Parliament and main- taining them when there, those members being a-l&o required to subject themselves to the conditions of the Labour Party and to obey itG "whip." The majority of the Law Lords, Lords Hals- bury, Macnaughton, and Atkinson, confined themselves to considering whether the levy could be made by Trade Unions und-er the powers conferred upon them by the Trade Union Acts, for the purpose of securing the return of members to Parliament and main- taining them there, irrespective of the parti- cular restriction imposed on such members by the Labour Party's rule. Lord James, of Hereford, at one time a law officer in a Liberal Government, based his decision solely on the powers of Trade Unions to return a. member restricted to vote accord- ing to the dictates of a particular party, and Lord Shaw, of Dunfermline, a former Lord Advocate for Scotland in a Liber al Adminis- tration, whilst expressly stating that he did not decide one way or the other the powers of Trade Unions to simply return members to Parliament, based his judgment solely on the constitutional objection of members being returned to Parliament with their discretion fettered, and as the paid representatives of one particular organisation of men.

A KNOCLK DOWN BLOW. The decision is therefore a prohibition against the conversion of these Trade Societies into political organisations, and as such, as was shown by the speeches at the Trade Union Congress, is a knock down blow for the Labour Party in their policy of aggression on the Trade Unions' funds. In order to intimidate the members of the Trade Unions various alleged effects are at- tributed to the decision. These al- leged effrcts appear in the re- solution of the Joint Labour Board ajid the resolutions put to the Congress. It is elleg.ed. that "it mak,e.s it impossible for Trade Union branches to join in the work of the Trade Councils," but it is dear that it only touches their taking political action in municipal and other elections. It is alleged that it "strikes at that free- dom of discussion and resolution which has always been enjoyed by the Trade Union Congress in so far as Congress has taken action of a political character in the interest of the wage earner," but it is obvious from the recent proceedings at the Congress that freedom of discussion and resolution remain unfettered even when discussion is represented by incitements to breaches of the law, and the resolutions take no account of so-called minorities. It is also alleged that "it denies the right of Trade Unions to carry out their statutory purpose of "regulating the rela- tions between employers and employed," and that it deprives the Unions of a freedom which they have enjoyed for nearly 50 years. Yet it is common knowledge that the Trade Unions obtained the very charter upon which this decision is based The Trades Union Act, 1871—without the electoral action now claimed.

THE POSITION OF THE UNIONS. The Socialist historians of Trade Unions, Mr and Mrs Sidney Webb, record the fact that "The movement for direct electoral action remained without official support from Trade Unions until 1874," whilst they also record, that up to 1885, all observers were agreed, that the Trade Unions of Great Britain would furnish an impenetrable barrier against Socialistic projects. Having clear- ly shown the read -effects of the Osborne de- cision, it is hardly necessary to labour the point that the decision in no way threatens the recognised sphere of activities of the Unions. It leaves open to them all those methods of obtaining from Par- liament what the members desire, which have enabled the Trade Unions to become the great and useful institutions they now are and which were employed during the time when these societies were struggling for exist- ence and when Trade combinations were wholly illegal. It in no way threatens the existence of the Trade Unions as such, on the contrary, it safeguards the existence of these Trade and Benefit Societies, rendering them available to m-?n of all political creeds. What does threaten is the Socialist Party, who, in about the year 1903, first con- ceived the idea that the savings end con- tributions of the members of these societies might be turned to account in supporting the members of that party in Parliament, pledged to obey the conditions of the Labour Partv, and to obey their whip. The Labour Party have over-reached themselves, and like the fox deprived of his tail, are trying to persuade the Trade Unionists to curtail their own liberties, and to bring their societies to ruin.

DECLINING MEMBERSHIP. The latest returns relating to Trade Unions show a considerable falling off in the membership. In the lost year returned (1908) there was a. decrease of 2322 members, as compared with the previous year, and the -reason of this decrease is not difficult to find. Men who join a Trade and Benefit Society either voluntarily, or even under compulsion, as is sometimes the case owing to Union men objecting to work with men who can dispose of their services unfettered by Trade Union restrictions, are wining to give their contributions and to yield their opinions to the majority as long as ouestions involving the conditions of trade, the ra- tions between employer and employed the hours of work and the rate of pav/and the disposal oi strike and benevolent" funds are the matters for control and decision, but it is otherwise directly the region of politics is entered. I The subjects discusscd at Trade Union Con- gresses will illustrate this. The "relations between employers and employed" then take a back seat. and the m.en who have joined the societies for the purpose of trade organisation aaid protection find themselves committed on such questions as the nationalisation of all the means of production, distribution and ex- change, Homo Rule, religious instruction in schools, National Defence Women's Suffrage, and even foreign affairs. How can the dele- gates pretend to represent the opinion of the men on such a diversity of subjects entirely dissociated from the questions of their trade and involving personal convictions? At the recent Congress the delegates pur- port to have pledged 1,717,000 votes, as against 13,000 to obtain the Parliamentary decision of the Osborne Judgment. How do they discriminate between the mandate alleged to have been given for this particular purpose and the other thousand and one sub- jects discussed at such Congresses?

THE TYRANNY OF THE LEVY. The Congress does not represent the opinions of Trade Unionists. Minorities are taken no account of-—the minority must vary eo Oil each separate political question discussed, yet the compulsory levy applies to all. If the levy is made legal, the position will be this: that any man conscientiously opposed, to any political, religious, or social question which the Labour Party see fit- to further, will be compe1 led to contribute towards its furtherance, and in case lie objects, will be liable to be turned out of his trade societv, to rx deprived of its assistance in his trade, to be prevented from obtaining work, and above all to have the contributions he has made for any number of years to obtain the benefit of a- Provident Society forfeited, and applied to the purposes he disapproves of without any appeal to the Courts—for the Trade Union Acts deprive the Courts of any jurisdiction over such internal :1.ff.:1irs--an-d without recourse to any independent body. Such is the tyranny now sought to be im- posed upon the working classes in the namo of trade unionism with which, however, it has no real connection. If the demand of the Labour-,Socialist Party were granted, other corporations and societies, and the associations ot employers would seek similar direct Parliamentary representation, and the liberty of the subject and the independence la-w of Parliament would speedily disappear. The Osborne Decision is the Charter of true Trade Unionism, and it behoves those who value the services of the Unions and appre- ciate the position tlley have attained, to up- hold tueir Unions and to protect their accumulated funds from the aggression of the Socialists.

THE TRADE BOOM. By S. SKELHORN. Free Traders are making merry just noW over the Trade xeturns for August. Imports they say have increased to the value of over 31 million pounds and exports by over 6i millions, compared with August a year ag°» and this is abundant proof that the working classes are overflowing with prosperity :1lld ought to bo very thanklul that they live tinder Free Trade." Now, Tariff Reformers will rejoice just as much as Free Traders at an?: sag-iis oi real prosperity, but they know per- fectly well that these Board of Trade statistic need to b3 sifted. For example, the Trade Returns show tha.t over £ 120,000 worth more bacon was imported this August than a year ago. "What a good thing," says the Fnoo Trader, "that the working-man gets more bacon for bJ8 breakfast." But examine the figures more closely, and it appears that the quantity of bacon imported was less by nearly 15,000 cwt.. than a year ago. What the in value really means then is that bacon has become dearer. Will the workingman think it such a "good thing" after all that he lees Dacon and pays more for it ? We could multiply oases of this kind. The increase in the value of sugar imported in August w89 almost X140,000 more than in August, las^ year, but tJie quantity of sugar imported was 130,000 cwts. Less. Here again the impressi-n is repeated that we are better off and get more sugar; whereas the truth is we are getting less. Or tafoe exports, the value of new ships exported in August woas £ 1,800,000 mora than in the corresponding month last year. But by a mere nuke this figure in- cluded a new warship worth about tl DOO,oOo, which was two years in building, so that it we exclude this one ship there was actually a decrease in employment and wages at the very time when our Trade Returns show an increase. Again, there was in August 3z increase III oxports of cotton goods ajnount- ing to < £ 525,000, but the quantity of cotton goods exported was less by 22,000,000 yards than in August, 1909. This means that raW cotton .has gone up in price, and likewise the manufactured article, so that the working- man s wife has to pay more for her cotton- cloth; while the foreigner cannot afford to £ uy j30 much as he did when it was cheaper, oo tiuit so i&v as tilings ax-s cono^rji^^ the Free Trader .is rejoicing over a series of events which leaves everybody concerned in this country worse off than he was before. Just one more point. Let us compare our xrade returns with a protected country. Take Germany. During th.e first six months of this year the exports of Germany by U per oent., while those of Britain only ad- vanced by seven per cent. Thus the pro- tected country did exactly twice as well as the Free Trade country-a fact about which the I110a Traders aw anient. A,^ain, are you aware that indoor pauperism is higher noW than it has been for 40 years—old-n^e pen- sions notwithstanding? Tariff Reformers maintain then that the Trade Boom is not due to "Free Trade," but in spite of it and that with Tariff Rreform wis should do still better.

THE DOLGARRCG ALU- MINIUM WORKS. A VAST UNDERTAKING. ERECTION OF A DAM ACROSS EUGIAN VALLEY. (FWlll Our Reporter.) It is, difficult for anyone, except the few who have visited! the Eugian. Valley, to realise the exteigL, of the undertak in,g- carried out by the Aluminium Corporation. The construction of a dam acroee the Eugian Lake, which is situa- ted over 12CO feet above sea level, is a work of great magnitude. The dam is about a mile in length aad twelve îeoQ-t in height, and in c'rder to convey the materials for its construction a. line of railway has been laid down for a d:s- tatioe of over three miles, thus connecting the company's works with the lake. Great as the undertaking Is, the work is prc-gre;>;irig rapidly. Eiig"an Lake is situa", in the Eugian Valley, environed) by towering mountains, and only in- habitatedJ by mountain, sheep and a few ponies. The principal source of the water which Hows into the lake is a powerful spring cn the heights of Carnedd Llewelyn. This forms a stream which talis down through rugged crevices and over huge boulders, rushing past the old bar- racks, to be continually fed by smaller streams during its two mile courso to the Lake. The immense dam has been eTeenxt across the valley within about 200 yards of the mountain on the right hand' side from Dolgarrog, where the dam turns ,harply towards the works for a considerable distance, creating a lake of large dimen»f.i<i.i.s and of considerable depth, and ensur- ing an unlimited supply of water for the pur- pose of generating electricity at the works. On the left bank of the laka are erected a number of large wooden barracks, where the workmen are aecomincdated, while within a few hundred yards a stone bungalow is in course of erection Half-way between the Lake and Carnedd Lle. welyn is a deserted slate quarrv, and within about a mile of well cultivated land, but for the another with its large barracks dismantled and fallen into rums. In addition to the urc of water as a power, the company obtain a supply of el-ect-rcity from t!:e St.iowdon Electricity Works. The current, is convevcd along over- head cables erected at a cost of about £ 5000. The standards bearing the cables are firmly fixed1 in ce-ne-nt-, and as their cour.e runs along' the mountain sides it will be seen that t'r, rcLea nopd to be firmly fixed in order to withstand the winter storms. The wires are alfo well guarded. Ihe railway from Dolgarrog runs through about a mile of well cultivated and, but for the last two miles its couraa lies in a hollow be- tween the mountains An extraordinary optical iilus'on is to lX3 ob- served from the lake. Gazing in the direction of the Carnedd a long straight path can be clearly seen, presumably a. couple of miles in length, but on approaching within a hundred yards of it, it turns out to be a white laddwr erected against a pole. The illusion, however, is perfect. The lake has increased! considerably in area. since the formation of the dam, and has already submerged the old quarry road which used to lead akwg its banks. When the contract. is completed; and the Cor- poration, are supplied with unlimited motive power to generate. electricity to drive their machinery, t:he work will undoubted! v be one of the largest and most important- in North W ales.

A man who was asked at Wille.-dcn Police Court on Tuesday if he had, be", intoxicated re- plied,, "I admit I was drunk, bat I deny I had enough. According to an official return no fewer than 1,93..3.000.000 jvassetigers were carried on the Londion tramways last year, as comn-ared with 38.000, (XX) tea years ago. The firit ordination took place in the new cathedral at Liverpool 011 Sunday. Mr Wm. Gosc-ombe John, R.A., has been commi.ssionedi to execute the equestrian statue of King Edward which is to form Liverpool's memorial. Evelyn Faulkner, a little girl, was fa.tally in- jured at Queeasferry, Flint, on Saturday" by being run into by a, motor-car. The la mplignters employed, by the Newtown Council have struck, owing to their demands for an advance in their rate of pay not having been granted. The men receive 6 a week, and want 8s. The latest figures in the Welsh miners' ballot nh-ow a majority of 17,246 against a general strike.